Menttium Matters: Recent Episodes
menttiummatters
Celebrating Menttium’s 30 years in the business of developing leaders through mentoring and changing lives, one match at a time! Our community of leaders share lessons on life, leadership and everything in between. To learn more about Menttium, go to www.menttium.com.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with executive coach Carolyn Dolezal, former COO of the Americas SAP Users' Group (ASUG) and 23-year Menttium mentor. Carolyn shares her proven framework for leading through organizational change, the business case for empathetic leadership and practical communication strategies for navigating difficult transitions. Discover why emotion is a powerful leadership tool, how to transform "my project" into "our mission," and the lessons learned from mentoring across industries and career stages. Perfect for leaders seeking to balance business results with human connection.
Join host Solveig Brown as she interviews Pam Stegora-Axberg, CEO of Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, about her successful corporate-to-nonprofit transition. Pam shares practical strategies for identifying and showcasing transferable skills, making career shifts at any stage, and leading with curiosity and impact. She also offers actionable advice on board service and the transformative power of mentoring. Whether you're considering a career change or looking to grow as a leader, this episode is packed with insights you can apply today.
In this episode of Menttium Matters, host Solveig Brown sits down with Dr. Dell Birch, Senior VP of Corporate Strategy and Technology Operations, to discuss essential leadership strategies for today's challenging business environment. Dell shares insights on developing the thought leadership and managerial courage needed to thrive when patience for problem-solving has diminished and decisions must be made quickly.
Key topics include:
- The "new normal" and why traditional approaches no longer work
- Developing an owner-operator mindset and scenario planning skills
- The critical importance of managerial courage in uncertain times
- Best practices for navigating mergers and acquisitions from both sides
- Leadership wisdom for creating psychological safety while driving results
Whether you're a seasoned executive or emerging leader, Dell's 20+ years of M&A experience and strategic leadership provide actionable frameworks for succeeding in today's fast-paced, high-pressure business landscape.
Join host Megan Cummings Krueger as she sits down with learning and talent development expert Andrya Pearson to discuss essential career development strategies for today's professional landscape. In this episode, Andrya shares over 20 years of insights from leading initiatives at Fortune 500 companies like Allstate, CVS Health, and Aetna.
Key topics covered:
- Strategic goal setting and prioritization techniques
- Building executive presence in a virtual work environment
- Practical strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome
- Networking best practices for the modern workplace
- The importance of personal branding and authentic self-promotion
Whether you're early in your career or looking to make your next strategic move, this conversation offers actionable advice for navigating corporate challenges, building confidence, and accelerating your professional growth. Andrya's mentoring wisdom and real-world examples provide a roadmap for success in today's competitive business environment.
From sports journalist to successful ghostwriter, speaker and coach,Tony Meale, made a bold pivot, and he's sharing how. Learn the 3 key questions for successful career pivots and why servant leadership drives results.
Research psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Alison Fragale shares science-backed strategies for building professional status and power. Learn how to overcome imposter syndrome, master authentic self-promotion, and use her "brag and thank" technique to advance your career. Alison breaks down the difference between power and status, reveals creative storytelling methods (including her viral out-of-office strategy), and explains why mentorship matters at every career stage. Perfect for professionals looking to gain recognition and influence in their workplace.
Mick White, speaker and founder of The 100 Year Manifesto, joins the Menttium Matters Podcast to explore how defining your purpose can elevate your life, leadership and legacy. He shares powerful personal stories, the importance of asking the right questions and how small, consistent actions can lead to lasting impact. Discover how purpose-driven living creates deeper fulfillment, both personally and professionally.
Lan Phan, Founder and CEO of Community of SEVEN, joins the Menttium Matters Podcast to share how aligning your values, building authentic connections and taking small daily actions can lead to powerful, lasting change. This uplifting and practical conversation is packed with insights on purpose, mindset and the importance of community.
Susan T. Schuster, Innovation and Leadership Educator & Midwest Regional Field Manager at Wish of a Lifetime from AARP, shares how to accelerate action by realizing, celebrating, and nurturing your network. Learn practical strategies like closing the triangle, understanding social health, and creating meaningful third places. Whether you're looking to strengthen connections or expand opportunities, this episode will help you harness the power of your relationships. Tune in for insights that will inspire action in both your personal and professional life!
Marisa Williams, CEO of Girl Scouts River Valleys, talks about the power of authentic leadership and embracing disruption. In this episode, Marisa shares her journey from early activism to transformative leadership, offering insights on managing change, empowering future leaders and balancing work-life priorities. Tune in for actionable advice and inspiring perspectives on driving meaningful change.
Join Urmi Trivedi, leadership and career coach, as she shares actionable insights on navigating change, building confidence and achieving success. In this episode of Menttium Matters, Urmi discusses the power of mentorship, overcoming self-doubt, and strategies for personal and professional growth. This episode is packed with tools to help you adapt, lead and thrive.
Join Kelli Schutrop, CEO and Founder of Thoughtful Resound, as she shares actionable insights on building a personal brand, enhancing executive presence and establishing thought leadership. In this episode of Menttium Matters, Kelli provides practical strategies for leveraging LinkedIn, growing visibility and creating meaningful industry connections to advance your career. Perfect for professionals at any stage of their journey, this episode is packed with tools to help you stand out and succeed.
Are you an introvert navigating a world built for extroverts? Executive Coach Krista Claude shares her proven 5-step process to help introverts find their voice, build confidence, and excel in leadership roles. Learn how to overcome challenges, start small, and amplify your strengths to unlock new opportunities in your career.
Chris Clark, retired President & COO of Dentsply International, and Brett Koch, Vice President at a leading biopharma company, discuss the long-term benefits of executive mentorship. They share how their mentoring relationship, helped Brett further develop his leadership skills, build trust, and achieve personal and professional growth.
Peter Ray, a biopharma strategy and operations executive, joins Megan Cummings Kruger to discuss leadership, strategic thinking, and the transformative power of mentorship. Peter draws from his extensive experience in the life sciences industry, offering insights on holistic learning, decision quality, and how taking time to pause before making decisions improves outcomes, both professionally and personally.
So much of mentoring is about seeing the world through another person’s eyes. In this episode, we gain an unusually broad perspective from Tim Meyer, a Clinical Scientist and Corporate Executive. From his start as a Subject Matter Expert to his evolution into a global business leader, Tim’s journey spans large corporate environments and agile startups.
Central to Tim’s success has been his willingness to stretch beyond his comfort zone and his passion for continuous learning, which has fostered a deep respect for the unique power of mentoring partnerships. His mentoring mentality is evident as he candidly discusses challenges like "Imposter Syndrome", managing conflict, and the valuable life lessons he's learned from his experiences as both a mentor and a mentee. This conversation offers a perspective you won’t want to miss!
In this episode we are invited inside a successful partnership, recently completed by an Executive Mentee and Mentor. The powerful and authentic story that Tom Schlick and Mike Terry share here provides a roadmap to the kind of trust that unlocks a partnership’s full potential. They offer tips, as well as their appreciation for the unique nature of a cross-company mentor relationship. And throughout their discussion, they demonstrate their openness to hold courageous conversations and provide us with an inspirational view of what is possible when two partners make an intentional and holistic connection.
In this episode, we celebrate Pride Month with our guest Dr. Renee McLaughlin, the National Medical Executive, Value-Based Relationships at Cigna. Cigna just received its 11th consecutive perfect score for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion based on the Corporate Equality Index. Dr. McLaughlin will talk about the current environment for LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion and best practices for creating an inclusive work culture. She offers recommendations for being a stronger ally for LGBTQ+ people with a powerful model of the 3 L’s: Let go, Learn, Lean In!
In this episode, Rob Grubka, the CEO of Workplace Solutions for Voya Financial will share Voya’s strategy for creating an inclusive workplace culture. He reveals why building a foundation of trust is so important, and how Voya creates an organizational culture based on trust. He discusses the ways in which Voya has responded to the “new normal” and how they have rolled out hybrid and remote work options in response to employee preferences. Rob offers advice to up-and-coming leaders. Listeners will also hear Rob’s personal annual review questions that have helped him navigate his career path.
In this episode of the Menttium Matters Podcast, listen as Larry Sherrell, a seasoned dives deep into the art of self-development. Discover his unique perspective on nurturing talent and his essential strategies for personal and professional growth.
Larry kicks off the discussion by deep-diving into the art of creating a strong self-development plan. He emphasizes the critical role of prioritization and introduces a practical 3-step approach that can help you stay focused and achieve your career goals effectively.
Tune in to learn how prioritizing personal growth and leveraging proven strategies can pave the way for career advancement and fulfillment. Don't miss out on the keys to success—start unlocking your career potential and leadership skills today!
In this episode, we explore the power of strengths in both team dynamics and leadership development. Our guest, Jolie Haupert, Vice President of Consumer Experience at U.S. Bank, shares insights from her career journey, including a pivotal moment where she transformed her division to better reflect diverse communities.
Jolie discusses how leveraging her strengths helped facilitate this cultural shift and how embracing diverse perspectives strengthened her team. Throughout her career, she emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and uses tools like Gallup’s StrengthsFinder to empower her mentees and enhance team leadership.
Join us as Jolie reveals practical strategies, like utilizing creativity to support team well-being during times of change and disruption. Discover how embracing strengths and diversity can lead to stronger, more effective teams. Go team!
We kick off International Women’s Day with this inspiring episode featuring Lynn Sontag, Menttium’s owner, and Missy Chicre, Menttium’s CEO. Lynn and Missy share their powerful stories of learning, growth, and surprises during this year of transition. They role-model a transformative mentoring partnership and offer authentic acknowledgments to each other. They also reveal their visions for the future of Menttium.
In this episode, Craig Warren shares his best practices for strategic career planning aligned with your values and purpose; professional development; and networking with ease. Growing your professional garden involves cultivating cheerleaders, advocates, mentors, and a personal board of directors that will help you propel your career to the next level. Craig offers sage advice for bringing out the best in yourself personally and professionally: 1. Know yourself. 2. Push yourself. 3. Love yourself. 4. Be true to yourself.
In the past few years, as we've navigated through turbulence and stress, the adage that we need to “place the oxygen mask on ourselves, before we can help others" has become more relevant. In this episode, Mentor Sue Willman (VP Care Collaboration for Athenahealth) shares her powerful story of living this truth.
Sue was driven to change her personal narrative and self-expectations after enduring an overwhelming amount of stress that included the loss of parents, a series of new jobs, moving from the family home due to surgery, and having 3 of her adult children return home during Covid (one of whom needed support with long haul symptoms). The openness and wisdom that Sue shares during this conversation will resonate with many of us as an inspiring example of how to ride the waves of change.
Join our conversation with Jaime Taets - a dynamic CEO, public speaker, author, podcast host, and thought leader who is focused on helping individuals, and companies, identify and push past whatever is holding them back from achieving all that they are capable of. Jaime's ability to reframe perspective is inspiring and energizing and will have you rethinking where you are, and where you want to go.
The ballroom dancer Ginger Rogers is said to have done everything Fred Astaire did, only backwards and in heels. Which is an excellent illustration of the additional challenges and hurdles that women, professionals of color, and other groups of difference can face in the corporate world. And how different the view may be, depending on who and where you are.
In this episode Kimberly Grey, Vice President of Global Talent Management for Leggett and Platt, shares with us her perspective and insight as a Black Woman who has successfully navigated her career as an executive leader. Kim offers tips around the skills she largely credits with her success including: networking, setting expectations and being effective in holding others accountable. Her authenticity, and wisdom around intentionality, make for a great conversation – while also reinforcing how much we can learn when we choose to broaden our view!
In this episode, communication expert Karen Laos, reveals a proven four-step process for asking for what you want. Karen offers strategies for getting clear on what you want, overcoming self-doubt, building a case for your idea, and asking in a way that makes it hard to say no. Listeners will learn to ask for what they want with greater confidence and ease.
In this episode, we connect with Vera Michelle Lewis, who is the Vice President of Development and Communications for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. We focus on the topic of mental health – which is increasingly being recognized not as a stigma, but as a human issue that we will all deal with at some point in our lives. In fact, with global unhappiness currently at an all time high, many of us are seeking a way to increase our own sense of well-being right now. Vera shares openly and authentically what she has learned (both professionally and personally), through the lens of a female professional of color. And her message of reaching out to others, not surprisingly, echoes the essence of mentoring.
In this episode, Craig Warren talks about leading an organization so that equity, diversity, and inclusion are reflected in the policies, processes, and culture. He discusses the difference between individual bias and systemic bias and encourages leaders to use data to measure DEI outcomes. He notes that inclusive leaders must do their own self-reflection and should follow the Platinum Rule.
In this episode, global HR leader Gerardo Soula shares his expertise on: leading global teams; mentoring people from other cultures; effective cross-cultural communication; influencing people around the globe; change management; and successful M&As. You will learn his best practices for global leadership in this changing business landscape.
In this episode, Menttium’s CEO Missy Chicre, and inQUEST’s CEO Scott Hoesman come together for a conversation about the intersection of DEI and mentoring. Through the lens of their rich backgrounds, they share powerful examples of how mentoring and DEI enable an organization to achieve impact and drive outcomes. They also discuss innovative leadership practices for expressing, modeling, and reinforcing a high-performing organizational culture where everyone feels valued, respected, welcomed, and heard.
In this episode, Ha-Keem Abdel Khaliq, a Global HR leader and executive coach, shares his four pillars for success based on his book, You’re Worth it! Advice, Insights, and Inspiration to Propel Your Career. He shares his best practices for authentic self-promotion, which includes questions you should ask yourself to make it easier to talk about your strengths.
In this episode, Ha-Keem Abdel-Khaliq, a Global HR leader and executive coach, offers excellent advice for career planning based on his book, You’re Worth it! Navigating Your Career in Corporate America. This episode will help listeners think about career planning in a new way. Coach Ha-Keem also offers best practices for taking your career to the next level.
In this episode, we take a look at the intersection of focus and resilience. We hear from Maria Kauffman, a women's leadership expert who transformed her corporate engineer experience into a life coach practice (as well as creating the podcast “The Everyday Heroine”). Maria discusses the common misconception that resilience is a personal trait, when in fact it is a skill we can all develop. She shares a 5-step process that provides the structure to focus on who we are, how we may choose to face our challenges, and how we can take ownership of our careers. Join us for an inspiring and joyful conversation.
In the past year, the technology landscape has witnessed remarkable progress, particularly in breakthroughs related to artificial intelligence. In this episode of the Menttium Matters Podcast, Dr. Leanne Ward shares her perspective on where AI is elevating the way we connect, collaborate, and communicate and explores the important question of how businesses can adopt AI in an ethical and responsible way.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we sat down with Craig Warren, who is the CEO of Washburn Center for Children, Minnesota’s leading mental health center. Children’s mental health has been declared a national health emergency, and a recent PEW survey shows that it tops the list of things parents worry about. Craig walks us through the signs parents should look for that a child might be experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, and highlights resources parents can use to support their children’s wellbeing. He provides best practices for what parents and caregivers can do to empower kids and teens to be more resilient. He also offers his number one suggestion for how parents and caregivers can prioritize their mental health.
In this episode, we continue the conversation initiated during our Business Education Webinar that focused on the topic "Quest for Balance - Reclaiming Wellness in all Aspects of Life".
Amy Brandli returns to provide a wealth of tangible and time-tested practices proven to increase our sense of well being. Centered around the 'Four Pillars of Well Being', Amy shares daily best practices and practical tips for all aspects of well being - Physical, Mental, Social and Emotional. Come prepared to take notes!
On this episode of the Menttium Matters Podcast, Adam Dill breaks down a common leadership challenge and provides a holistic perspective on what Executive Presence is, as well as tips on how to lead with authenticity and decisiveness. He also addresses how to influence and inspire the people around us! Click to listen to practical tips on being an effective leader and influencing change, even if you are a self proclaimed introvert.
On this episode of the Menttium Matters Podcast, Menttium's Megan Cummings-Krueger sat down with 15-time Menttium Mentor, Tom O'Brien, for an authentic and insightful conversation about life-changing events, how they alter our perspective, and how to open ourselves up to what is possible. He also shares how his own personal and professional experiences led him to find his passion for mentoring.
In this episode, Dr. Leon Zeng reveals a newly developed interview technique to find the best talent for a position. He shares what it felt like to come to the US as an immigrant and describes the positive impact his Menttium mentor had on his career trajectory. We discuss why it can be difficult to change behavior, and he suggests two simple steps that help people make positive changes. As an expert influencer, Dr. Zeng also shares his #1 strategy for influencing.
In this episode, we hear from a grief and loss expert, whose path of purpose took a sudden turn when her CEO husband was killed at work. Jody LaVoie shares the life lessons she’s learned as she navigated through this abrupt, painful change that impacted her personally, professionally, and as a parent. Her story of resilience is inspiring and offers a unique perspective on managing the reality of constant change.
We celebrate Women’s History Month with Sarah Blomquist, who is a passionate advocate for empowering women in the workforce. Sarah offers timely advice for navigating the contradictions we all face, like “fit in” and “be authentic.” She shares what she wishes she would have known 10 years ago and reveals lessons she’s learned from being a working mom. Sarah draws on her extensive HR experience to suggest structural changes and best practices that will support women to reach executive levels.
We kick off Women’s History Month by featuring this inspiring episode with Lynn Sontag and Missy Chicre. Lynn and Missy will share their powerful stories of how they came to Menttium. They will discuss how Menttium has thrived for over 32 years and why mentoring is needed more than ever in this current environment. They will also reflect on what it means to lead a woman-owned business and share their vision for the future of Menttium.
In this week’s episode, James Prince draws on his 30 years of leadership in the Human Capital Management Space for iconic Fortune 500 brands to share best practices for developing a strong executive presence. In celebration of Black History Month, James also discusses barriers African American employees continue to face in the workplace and offers strategies that leaders can implement to address these challenges. James outlines how organizations can move beyond DEI fatigue to create impactful practices to prioritize DEI throughout the year.
In this episode, Tricia Price, SVP of Customer Experience Operations for GM Financial discusses her experiences with imposter syndrome, being authentic, and thriving in a male-dominated industry. She highlights how hard work, continuous learning, and adopting a servant-leadership mindset have been key elements in her success. She reminds us that confidence is a skill that can be developed, oftentimes with the help of a mentor. Tricia also reveals her strategies for creating best-in-class customer service.
In this episode, Heather Whelpley follows up her imposter syndrome webinar by giving a brief overview of imposter syndrome and then answering webinar participants’ questions. Heather offers actionable advice on shifting from over-work to setting healthy boundaries. She talks us through how to protect yourself from feeling “not good enough” when you work with perfectionists or are treated as an outsider. She also offers some best practices for responding to feedback.
In this special episode, we focus on the power of mentoring to develop and empower women throughout the world. We will hear from Dr. Damaris Matoke-Muhia, who is an entomologist and a leader in the fight against malaria and other vector control diseases. Dr. Matoke-Muhia is passionate about identifying and mitigating gaps women face culturally in implementing community-based solutions to reduce malaria and in going into vector control research. Her story illustrates how one woman’s courage to challenge a system has positively impacted the lives of women and children throughout Africa.
In this episode, Gloria Cotton, Senior Partner at inQUEST, offers a powerful strategy to address the fear or discomfort that often makes people resist having a courageous conversation. Gloria highlights how to move from having a courageous conversation to getting input from stakeholders to implement meaningful action that will make a positive difference. She also shares her best advice for leaders.
On this episode, listen as Emily Koski, Senior Vice President | Diversity & Inclusion Manager talks about the importance of having crucial conversations and challenging corporate politics at work. Emily also talks about how her organization's leaders have authentic conversations on hard topics, and the role employee resource and focus groups have played to build a stronger corporate culture.
In this episode, Fabio Miranda, Operations Director at Martin Brower - Brazil, talks about career planning and how to navigate various life changes. Fabio also talks about how he helped build and launch the DEI program at Martin Brower and how imperative his emotional intelligence skillset has been in leading his teams to success.
In this episode, transition strategist Sue Ryan offers advice on how to intentionally navigate change and make transitions in your life with confidence. Sue uses the phrase massive acceptance and radical presence as a reminder of what is needed during times of change. She highlights ways people can raise their emotional intelligence by raising their awareness. She also talks about The Caregiver’s Journey program which she has developed for non-professional caregivers, and leaders who have caregivers on their team.
In this Season 2 opening episode, Megan Cummings-Krueger and Solveig Brown reveal some of their favorite takeaways from Season 1. They highlight best practices that Season 1 guests shared related to Managing Up; change; communication; diversity, equity, and inclusion; holistic thinking; and wellness.
This week’s episode features a conversation with Jayne Heggen. Drawing from her experience as a management consultant who helps companies and leaders transition through change, Jayne highlights the key elements needed to create successful change and employee support. She describes the motivations of the 4 generations in the workplace and offers tips for communicating effectively across an organization. Jayne also reveals the 3 most important skills a new manager must master and identifies 3 books that every leader should read.
In this episode, Consultant and Executive Coach Jayne Heggen shares best practices for aligning your performance goals with your personal goals, core values, and life purpose. This is a crucial step in goal setting that many people overlook. Jayne offers strategic advice for effectively navigating the uncertainty of choosing the best path when you come to a crossroads in your career or life. She also shares her lifelong journey of moving back and forth between being a mentee and a mentor.
In this episode, Nick Snoply shares with us how life challenges resulted in some of his greatest life learnings. There are many nuggets of wisdom offered in this conversation, beginning with a motivational speaker’s equation which has served as a North Star for Nick:
Event + Response = Outcome.
In a time when things can feel out of control, the practice of narrowing our focus to what it is that we can control is both effective and empowering. Self-awareness, and building intentional habits, can positively impact how we view both situations, as well as ourselves. Nick shares many personal examples, including (i) how a self-proclaimed “raging introvert” was able to develop the ability to authentically flex as an extrovert; (ii) how reframing failure into potential opportunity allowed him to broaden his perspective as well as his career success; (iii) and what resulted when he stopped worrying about what others were doing and focused solely on what he was doing.
In this episode Executive Coach, Deborah Herrera talks about two pressing issues her clients have been dealing with during the past 6 months: confidence and burn-out. She walks us through simple strategies to be more confident in a variety of situations. Deborah describes the signs of burn-out that people often ignore and identifies what you can do to prevent burn-out. She also shares her best practices for influencing and delegating. You will also get to hear Deborah’s “Feedback Formula,” a tried and true 3-step process for giving effective feedback. This episode is filled with actionable advice to help you “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams."
In this episode Executive Coach, Deborah Herrera will walk us through her goal-clarifying questions. These questions are a powerful tool for translating big-picture aspirations for your work and your life into well-defined goals that reflect your vision of success. Deb’s questions will help you:
- define the “why” for achieving a specific goal;
- identify and eliminate roadblocks that are in the way of achieving your goals;
- create time to work on your goals; and
- identify action steps to start working on your goal.
These questions are a game-changer for personal and professional success!
This week’s episode features a conversation with Nabil Raad, a global leader who has successfully built upon the benefits of his multicultural roots. Known as "MacGyver", for his ability to always find a solution, Nabil shares a number of his creative approaches to increase team communication and productivity; including (i) rotating leadership, (ii) harnessing data to provide leaders with a “virtual mirror” of their communication/network, and (iii) contracting with an authored professor to serve as both an SME, and teacher to his team.
Nabil also shares his unique insight into cross-cultural communication, resilience, work/life integration, and the system he developed for himself to ‘build the habit of making habits’. This session provides both perspective and positivity!
This episode with Toya Werkheiser features an open and authentic conversation culled from her broad leadership experience at Cigna. Toya shares a number of personal stories that highlight the powerful impact of ‘normalizing conversations’ - stripping away what has previously been considered taboo subjects. Toya provides her 5-step approach to initiating courageous conversations around the topic of race, and offers her perspective on when it’s appropriate to drive a conversation around a topic. Her examples of speaking for others, and conscious decisions to be vulnerable, are inspiring!
In this episode, Toya Werkheiser discusses the role intentionality has played in her life and career (hint, she planned ahead for her empty nest phase). Toya sees the current blurring of the boundary between work and life as an opportunity to recognize the reality that we have always brought our whole selves into work. Whether we are dealing with challenges that are personal or are happening in the world, when we intentionally choose to be open with others it allows us to make real connections, and see from other vantage points – and that subsequent diversity of thought benefits both individuals and organizations. She also reframes the “great resignation” as an opportunity for a great reshuffle, providing new perspectives and new career pathways.
In this episode, Krish Ramakrishnan, VP of Client Engagement at FICO, highlights his process for creating a work environment where people think for themselves, freely share ideas and opinions, and collaborate and innovate. He shares a story about an interaction early in his career that had a profound influence on his leadership style. He also offers suggestions for effectively addressing conflict when it arises. He talks about the positive impact of mentoring and reveals his habits for success, advice to young professionals and his favorite quote.
In part 2 of our episode on resilience, Dr. Roz Tsai, an expert in the talent development space, discusses how to think about career maps in a world of hybrid work and disruption. She identifies several ways to prioritize career growth to align with one’s values and priorities. Roz outlines the expectations for leaders as they take on more senior roles, and she recommends several great books for dealing with career setbacks. Roz also shares her habits for success, her advice to young professionals, and her favorite quote.
In Part 1 of this 2-part episode, Dr. Roz Tsai will talk about resilience, which is an essential ingredient for thriving during turbulent times. Roz will define resilience and highlight specific practices to shift our mindset and strengthen our resilience. Using the “3G’s” (gratitude, grit, grace), Roz walks us through how we can cultivate daily habits to improve our wellbeing. Based on her research in the talent management space, Roz outlines the 3 most important things that leaders can do to foster resilience in their team.
This week we have our conversation with Zoa Norman. Drawing on her role as the Director of Client Success at ADP, Zoa walks us through her strategies for bringing out the best in individuals and teams. She illustrates that understanding what motivates individuals is a powerful way to create positive change and boost team performance. Zoa also will demonstrate the art of managing up through concise communication, observing reactions, and asking for feedback. You will also hear about the habits that have helped Zoa be successful and her advice for up-and-coming leaders.
In this episode, Pam Hollander discusses what she has learned from her experiences as a marketing executive focused on creating and communicating ‘Brands’. As both a former Menttium mentee and 9-time Menttium Mentor, Pam offers a dual perspective as she highlights just how transformative a clearly communicated self-definition can be – as well as noting that it is always an aspect of the mentoring experience. Pam shares her own stories of managing some of the common challenges facing so many of us today (downsizing, being a working mom, career decisions). And she shares the tips and tools that helped her navigate through the changes; and allowed her to capture the learning into a broader definition of who she is today.
This week’s episode features a conversation with Peter Vorbrich, former CFO for CarVal Investors, and current mentor to both Menttium mentees and a variety of early-stage entrepreneurial companies. Pete draws upon his 25 years of global experience, including the 5 years he lived in Japan, as he shares his insights around the importance of being intentional in both how and what we communicate. His stories demonstrate how successful communication is essential to building a culture of trust - as well as highlighting the fact that when people understand the 'why', the ‘how’ becomes easier. Pete also discusses how an intentional focus on seeking opportunities to ‘learn at the point of difference’ has not only enhanced his career but also his mentor experience. This podcast provides a thoughtful and empathetic perspective on communication and connection.
In this episode Elsie Chapa and Artie Lynnworth demonstrate the enduring power of the mentor and mentee connection! Elsie and Artie tell a wonderful story about what it was like to meet for the first time in person 17 years after their mentoring partnership. Elsie highlights some of the issues she has faced being in a male-dominated industry, that requires constant innovation and change management. Artie and Elsie have an in-depth discussion about how to take more control of your career planning and become more influential in your workplace. They both offer excellent advice for authentically promoting yourself in the workplace, and they share the most important things they have learned in their career.
This week our conversation with Kimberly Strong looks at the power of stepping back to take a more strategic view - of our career, life, and mentoring. Her stories illustrate so well the reality that where we decide to stand determines what we see. Drawing upon her 20+ years of experience in Human Resources as a C-Suite and Executive leader (in organizations such as Target Corporation), Kim shares a number of specific examples where she was able to proactively create connections by meeting others where they were, as well as doing a little pre-meeting research. Kim’s positivity is contagious!
This week’s episode features a conversation with Eboni Adams Monk, a successful executive (just promoted to Vice President in the week since her interview); and the author of the book “Leading Wise: Inspirational Reflections for Corporate Leaders”. Eboni shares what she has learned from her cross-cultural research into wisdom traditions, including the universal truth which they all have in common – the importance of creating a sense of wholeness and a sense of belonging. She highlights the impact leaders can have when they focus on translating these elements into the workplace; creating the space for authentic wholeness, and instilling “a sense of belonging into our work environment”. And she offers leaders advice on being open, reflective and to “follow your curiosity to wherever it takes you.”
In this episode, Al Johnson, Sr. Director of Supplier Management at Grainger, shares the lessons he’s learned on motivating and inspiring people to be their best, balancing the macro and micro aspects of leadership, developing a strong executive presence, and creating and executing a strategic plan. Al is an expert negotiator and reveals how a person can strengthen their negotiation and conflict management skills by changing their mindset going into a negotiation. He also offers tips for creating a strong multi-generational workforce. Al shares his habits for success, his advice to young professionals, and his favorite quote. Al’s recommended leadership books can be found on the show notes for this episode.
This week’s episode features a conversation with Jennifer Meyer, Senior Director with United Health Group at a very unique moment in time – the day before she steps away from her successful career, to take a professional sabbatical for the benefit of her family. Jennifer intentionally chose this timing to ensure she would be open and honest with her perspective on this life transition, in recognition of the reality that so many others are also facing changes and challenges. In a great example of a mentoring mentality, she decided to use this interview as an opportunity for others to hear that they are not alone on this journey.
During this conversation Jennifer reflects on the fact that we are not meant to lead a pain-free life; and the hard won wisdom that can result when we choose to face the pain instead of looking away. And she shares her list of 4 P’s, which she credits for all of her success: People, Perspective, Patience, Perseverance.
This week’s episode features a conversation with Allan Bifield, an accomplished global senior-finance executive with more than 30 years of experience. Allan shares the biggest lessons he has learned in his career related to taking risks, not trying to do everything yourself, and prioritizing self-development. He highlights his essential leadership strategies for setting vision and direction; empowering people to be successful; creating team synergy; and leading transformational change. Allan talks about his commitment to mentoring and the reward he feels in helping another professional reach their highest potential. He also shares his habits for success, his advice to young professionals, and his favorite quote.
This week our conversation with Shunda Robinson looks at the power of intentional conversations in responding to the need for organizations to address race, equity, and inclusion differently than they have in the past. Sharing the insights and wisdom she’s gained from a career that has led to her current role as Senior VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Shunda explains why “DEI work can’t be just what we say, it has to be what we do. It has to be who we are in the hallways and offices of our organization every single day.” Shunda describes the powerful and transformative company-wide conversations she facilitated in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. She highlights the importance of finding your voice, as well as the voice of ally-ship. Shunda also shares her 3 habits of success, which got her to where she is today.
This week’s episode features a conversation with Thomas Schlick, a successful Operations executive and recent author of the book Jumpstart Your Service Revolution: Transform Your Company’s DNA and Thrive in an Age of Disruption. Drawing from his experience helping organizations around the globe navigate change, Tom shares his insights and stories which highlight the timeless importance of people and culture. He discusses what he sees as the 3 largest trends facing us today and the best practices that will answer these challenges. Tom also shares what he’s found essential to success when working on global and virtual teams, beginning with the need for clarity around the purpose of any meeting (information sharing, problem-solving, or decision making). Last, Tom shares the pivotal role a leader needs to play to ensure inclusivity for engagement and community.
In this episode, Jim Gwaltney, retired Ford Motor Company Senior Executive and author of The 20 Immutable Laws of Leadership, shares his leadership advice. Jim discusses best practices for motivating employees; learning to delegate; transitioning from being an individual contributor to a manager; and making time to focus on vision and strategy. He identifies specific strategies to successfully navigate organizational politics, and he reminds listeners of the importance of getting out of one’s comfort zone. Jim also shares his habits for success, his advice to young professionals, and his favorite quote.
This episode features Bobbi Dahlgren, a highly accomplished business operations and supply chain leader. Bobbi will share her strategies for bringing out the best in your team; working with people who have different interaction styles; and leading a team through organizational change. She shares tips she has learned in conflict resolution training as well as some essential skills for being an effective negotiator. Bobbi discusses the importance of creating workplace cultures where people can have flexibility. She also shares her habits for success, her advice to young professionals, and her favorite quote.
This week’s episode features CurVie Burton, executive coach and consultant at TheRoadB4U. CurVie has dedicated his career to helping individuals, teams, and corporations achieve their full potential. He reflects on how mentors helped him early in his career and his passion for developing mentoring programs that have successfully increased the representation of black professionals at senior levels in technology. He highlights the process he uses to help his clients define, create, and maintain successful outcomes in their life and career. CurVie also shares his habits for success, his advice to young professionals, and his favorite quote.
In this episode Dr. Sue Stanek talks about how leading real change starts with yourself. She outlines steps for creating self-awareness and internal change and gives examples of the powerful results that this can have in one’s professional and personal life. We will hear about the profound “aha” moment Sue had that inspired her to create a presentation about the slippery slope of being right. Sue reflects on the strategies she has learned to create an empowering work-life balance. She also shares her habits for success, her advice to young professionals, and her favorite quote.
In this episode, Jeannine Rivet delivers a fantastic presentation on “Climbing the Ladder without Getting Dizzy or Falling Off.” Jeannine, who has been called one of the most powerful women in business, generously shares the lessons she has learned throughout her life and career. The presentation is filled with memorable stories, sage wisdom, and actionable advice. Listeners will come away feeling inspired to honor their priorities; to mentor others; and to be more intentional in thinking about the legacy they would like to leave.
This episode features a conversation with Dr. Dellroy Birch on race, diversity, equity, and inclusion in Corporate America. Dell talks about why companies are addressing race and equity in a different way than they have in the past. He describes some of the barriers to advancement that professionals of color face in corporate America and outlines best practices for creating DE&I programs that are effective. Dell describes his leadership research and identifies traits that help leaders successfully navigate change. He also shares his habits for success, his advice to young professionals, and his favorite quote.
This week’s episode features Artie Lynnworth, a long-time Mentor, author, motivational speaker, and global executive. Artie is an expert at change management and walks us through the techniques he has used to create successful cultural change. He outlines surefire ways to foster team building and inspire team members to be passionate about implementing strategies that will benefit the organization. Artie reflects on his 25 years of mentoring and the amazing personal and professional transformations he has witnessed in his mentees. Artie also shares his habits for success, his advice to young professionals, and his favorite quote.
Lynn Sontag, Menttium Owner & CEO shares her perspective on a life well lived and why she has dedicated her life to developing and mentoring others. Menttium was founded in 1991 with the mission of advancing women in corporate America. Lynn has been involved in the mission for the last 25 years and has guided the organization towards broader initiatives supporting key talent, executive development, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion in the global market. Lynn talks about the rewards of taking risks; the growth opportunities of “mentoring at the difference;” the transformative power of mentoring; and the importance of gratitude during both the good times and the challenging times.