Accelerate Your Performance
528 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 29 ratingsAccelerate Your Performance is a weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Janet Pilcher, Managing Director of Studer Education and author of Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Every week, Janet highlights tactical and actionable strategies that leaders in educational organizations can hardwire to meet successful student, service, and people outcomes. Listen now, and you’ll see why it’s ranked by ListenNotes in the top 5% of podcasts worldwide.
As she introduces a variety of pivotal leadership practices from the Nine Principles ® Framework, Janet underscores the importance of seamlessly integrating each practice to deliver positive and impactful results. For each leadership practice she introduces, Janet provides a solid foundation and then collaborates with coaching experts to dig deeper and demonstrate its practical application. Janet also interviews leaders and partners who excel at the tactics to hear about their implementation journeys, hurdles they’ve faced, and their notable achievements. To bring it all together, she offers a broader perspective on leadership, interviewing guests about a diverse array of topics on their paths to achieving organizational excellence.
Follow for weekly insights and actionable strategies to accelerate your performance and become your best at work!
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Episodes
80: Find Your Path & Pay it Forward
May 18, 2020 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11 MBAll leaders face challenges, but women in leadership roles experience unique obstacles. Our guest today, Jackie Gaines, who has more than 40 years of leadership experience, explains the importance of mentorship for women leaders. That’s why Jackie decided to write a book with “rules of the road” for women who aspire to be great leaders in business. Her bestseller, The Yellow Suit: A Guide for Women in Leadership, offers women a simple guide on how to be a highly effective leader in today’s ...
Find Your Path & Pay it Forward
May 18, 2020 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11 MBAll leaders face challenges, but women in leadership roles experience unique obstacles. Our guest today, Jackie Gaines, who has more than 40 years of leadership experience, explains the importance of mentorship for women leaders. That’s why Jackie decided to write a book with “rules of the road” for women who aspire to be great leaders in business. Her bestseller, The Yellow Suit: A Guide for Women in Leadership, offers women a simple guide on how to be a highly effective leader in today’s ...
The Middle is Hard, But it Doesn't Have to Be
May 14, 2020 09:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBLeading from the middle is not easy. In the words of Quint Studer, middle managers have the “toughest job anywhere.” If you’re a mid-level leader who can relate to this feeling—good news—you don’t have to stay stuck here. In this episode, Quint shares practices from his book, The Busy Leader’s Handbook, to help guide leaders with the unique challenges they face. This episode addresses questions, such as: What are three key actions for middle leaders to execute during times of disruption? ...
79: The Middle is Hard, But it Doesn't Have to Be
May 14, 2020 09:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBLeading from the middle is not easy. In the words of Quint Studer, middle managers have the “toughest job anywhere.” If you’re a mid-level leader who can relate to this feeling—good news—you don’t have to stay stuck here. In this episode, Quint shares practices from his book, The Busy Leader’s Handbook, to help guide leaders with the unique challenges they face. This episode addresses questions, such as: What are three key actions for middle leaders to execute during times of disruption? ...
Ask the Right Questions
May 11, 2020 09:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MBAs schools and organizations across the country prepare to re-open, it won’t be business as usual. Safety will be front and center. While learning remains a priority, the safety, health, and well-being of students, teachers, and staff will be just as important. So what will it take to successfully transition back into schools after COVID-19? In this episode, Sabrina Hebeler—Chief of Staff with Infrastructure Planning and Facilities at Michigan State University—explains how asking the right q...
78: Ask the Right Questions
May 11, 2020 09:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MBAs schools and organizations across the country prepare to re-open, it won’t be business as usual. Safety will be front and center. While learning remains a priority, the safety, health, and well-being of students, teachers, and staff will be just as important. So what will it take to successfully transition back into schools after COVID-19? In this episode, Sabrina Hebeler—Chief of Staff with Infrastructure Planning and Facilities at Michigan State University—explains how asking the right q...
77: Avoiding the Chaos
May 07, 2020 09:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBDuring times of uncertainty, it is easy to get caught up in feelings of chaos and confusion. The rapid spread of COVID-19 across our countries has forced organizations and leaders to adapt quickly and make tough decisions. Tea Area School District leaders, Dr. Jennifer Lowery, and Dr. Tonia Warzecha join Janet on today’s show to share how their district took action to stay focused and communicate clearly with their teams and the rapidly growing community they serve. This episode addresses...
Avoiding the Chaos
May 07, 2020 09:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBDuring times of uncertainty, it is easy to get caught up in feelings of chaos and confusion. The rapid spread of COVID-19 across our countries has forced organizations and leaders to adapt quickly and make tough decisions. Tea Area School District leaders, Dr. Jennifer Lowery, and Dr. Tonia Warzecha join Janet on today’s show to share how their district took action to stay focused and communicate clearly with their teams and the rapidly growing community they serve. This episode addresses...
Make Decisions that Sustain People and Build Relationships
May 04, 2020 09:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented change for schools all over the country. Education has been forced to transform before our eyes. Our schools are rising to the challenge, serving as a model for change and transition, despite the obstacles. Casey Blochowiak shares how leaders in her district made decisions that prioritized service and learning to support their quick and successful transition to virtual learning and work. This episode addresses questions, such as: What ...
76: Make Decisions that Sustain People and Build Relationships
May 04, 2020 09:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented change for schools all over the country. Education has been forced to transform before our eyes. Our schools are rising to the challenge, serving as a model for change and transition, despite the obstacles. Casey Blochowiak shares how leaders in her district made decisions that prioritized service and learning to support their quick and successful transition to virtual learning and work. This episode addresses questions, such as: What ...
Reinvent the Organization: Increase Efficiency While Reducing Costs
April 30, 2020 09:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBTimes of crisis often come with tough decisions for leaders, like the pressure to cut costs. And while budget cuts are something no leader wants to have to do, Quint Studer points out there’s an opportunity here organizations will want to seize. In this episode, Janet and Quint discuss how leaders can cut costs in practical ways and the unique opportunities we can glean from crisis times. This episode will address questions such as: What advice do you give to leaders as they face declinin...
75: Reinvent the Organization: Increase Efficiency While Reducing Costs
April 30, 2020 09:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBTimes of crisis often come with tough decisions for leaders, like the pressure to cut costs. And while budget cuts are something no leader wants to have to do, Quint Studer points out there’s an opportunity here organizations will want to seize. In this episode, Janet and Quint discuss how leaders can cut costs in practical ways and the unique opportunities we can glean from crisis times. This episode will address questions such as: What advice do you give to leaders as they face declinin...
74: Becoming an Authentic Leader
April 27, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBAs a leader, authenticity increases the likelihood that those we lead will believe us and follow our requests. Becoming an authentic leader is not necessarily easy, but the concept is simple. People can be committed to and passionate about something, but this by itself is not enough. Authenticity is more than when we believe in what we say or act in a way that is consistent with our beliefs. We may stand up and say what we truly believe without being authentic if our actions are self-serving...
Becoming an Authentic Leader
April 27, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBAs a leader, authenticity increases the likelihood that those we lead will believe us and follow our requests. Becoming an authentic leader is not necessarily easy, but the concept is simple. People can be committed to and passionate about something, but this by itself is not enough. Authenticity is more than when we believe in what we say or act in a way that is consistent with our beliefs. We may stand up and say what we truly believe without being authentic if our actions are self-serving...
Leading Change with Empathy
April 23, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBNothing stays the same. In fact, if we keep doing things the same way we’ve always done them, it’s likely our performance will decline. Change is the only constant in our organizations and in life, and for most, change is uncomfortable. For organizations to stay relevant and innovative, teams must work through fears quickly, and to do so, leaders must make decisions and communicate these decisions by connecting the mind and the heart. On today’s show, Janet discusses 3 leadership characteris...
73: Leading Change with Empathy
April 23, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBNothing stays the same. In fact, if we keep doing things the same way we’ve always done them, it’s likely our performance will decline. Change is the only constant in our organizations and in life, and for most, change is uncomfortable. For organizations to stay relevant and innovative, teams must work through fears quickly, and to do so, leaders must make decisions and communicate these decisions by connecting the mind and the heart. On today’s show, Janet discusses 3 leadership characteris...
Intentional Communication Starts with Why
April 20, 2020 09:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBDr. JoAnn Sternke returns from episode #35 Pursue Performance Excellence, to reveal the most common questions she is hearing from our education partners and share her expertise and experience around how to effectively communicate during difficult times. JoAnn explains in situations like we are currently facing, no one has all of the answers, leaders can be most impactful by focusing on what needs to be communicated most and be very intentional about that. She also shares a message from the p...
72: Intentional Communication Starts with Why
April 20, 2020 09:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBDr. JoAnn Sternke returns from episode #35 Pursue Performance Excellence, to reveal the most common questions she is hearing from our education partners and share her expertise and experience around how to effectively communicate during difficult times. JoAnn explains in situations like we are currently facing, no one has all of the answers, leaders can be most impactful by focusing on what needs to be communicated most and be very intentional about that. She also shares a message from the p...
Be Bold About Action
April 13, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBQuint Studer joins us on the podcast today to share his insight and talk about a recent article he wrote, What Churchill Can Teach Us About Defeating Coronavirus. Quint explains why leaders like Churchill are able to inspire and motivate their teams to keep going, even when the challenge they face seems impossible. From history to communication, Quint provides valuable leadership advice for those leading teams during uncertain times. This episode addresses questions, such as: How can we l...
71: Be Bold About Action
April 13, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBQuint Studer joins us on the podcast today to share his insight and talk about a recent article he wrote, What Churchill Can Teach Us About Defeating Coronavirus. Quint explains why leaders like Churchill are able to inspire and motivate their teams to keep going, even when the challenge they face seems impossible. From history to communication, Quint provides valuable leadership advice for those leading teams during uncertain times. This episode addresses questions, such as: How can we l...
70: Cultivate a Can-Do Culture
April 06, 2020 09:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBAs parents, students, and employees within the School District of Menomonee Falls began preparing for the effects of COVID19, Superintendent, Corey Galla, reflects on the remarkableness of his entire staff to come together and accept the challenges they were facing. Rather than focusing on their anxieties, teams across the entire school system got together to identify problems, solutions, and use their guiding principles to make decisions with student safety as their number one priority. Und...
Cultivate a Can-Do Culture
April 06, 2020 09:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBAs parents, students, and employees within the School District of Menomonee Falls began preparing for the effects of COVID19, Superintendent, Corey Galla, reflects on the remarkableness of his entire staff to come together and accept the challenges they were facing. Rather than focusing on their anxieties, teams across the entire school system got together to identify problems, solutions, and use their guiding principles to make decisions with student safety as their number one priority. Und...
Serving in Healthcare During a Crisis
April 02, 2020 09:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBHealthcare professionals across the country and the world are maintaining a “Warrior Mentality” as they head to the frontlines of the COVID19 pandemic. On today’s episode, Rich Bluni, with more than 25 years of nursing, risk management, and leadership experience, shares his perspective on the frontline professionals who are committed to a heroic service during a very challenging time. Whether you work in healthcare, are close to someone who does, or are just feeling a little anxious about to...
69: Serving in Healthcare During a Crisis
April 02, 2020 09:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBHealthcare professionals across the country and the world are maintaining a “Warrior Mentality” as they head to the frontlines of the COVID19 pandemic. On today’s episode, Rich Bluni, with more than 25 years of nursing, risk management, and leadership experience, shares his perspective on the frontline professionals who are committed to a heroic service during a very challenging time. Whether you work in healthcare, are close to someone who does, or are just feeling a little anxious about to...
68: Focus on the Positive
March 30, 2020 10:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBHow engaged is your workforce in times of crisis? Have you helped them define what success looks like? Have you defined what customer success looks like? In this episode, Dale Shaver, Director of Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land, reveals how his organization’s investment in culture has paid dividends during the uncertainty surrounding COVID 19. While people are feeling anxious and overwhelmed by change, Dale encourages leaders to be empathetic, trust your team, and make the best ...
Focus on the Positive
March 30, 2020 10:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBHow engaged is your workforce in times of crisis? Have you helped them define what success looks like? Have you defined what customer success looks like? In this episode, Dale Shaver, Director of Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land, reveals how his organization’s investment in culture has paid dividends during the uncertainty surrounding COVID 19. While people are feeling anxious and overwhelmed by change, Dale encourages leaders to be empathetic, trust your team, and make the best ...
67: Move Forward by Doing the Next Right Thing
March 30, 2020 09:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBAs we all began to experience the COVID 19 pandemic, Dr. Natalie Harder and her team at South Louisiana Community College sprang into action. SLCC was able to have 95% of their courses online and ready for students within 48 hours and enabled 90% of their staff to work remotely within 24 hours. Natalie joins us on the podcast this week to discuss how her team was able to make the necessary shifts to support students and staff in the most efficient way. This episode addresses questions, s...
Move Forward by Doing the Next Right Thing
March 30, 2020 09:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBAs we all began to experience the COVID 19 pandemic, Dr. Natalie Harder and her team at South Louisiana Community College sprang into action. SLCC was able to have 95% of their courses online and ready for students within 48 hours and enabled 90% of their staff to work remotely within 24 hours. Natalie joins us on the podcast this week to discuss how her team was able to make the necessary shifts to support students and staff in the most efficient way. This episode addresses questions, s...
INERTIA: A Force for Change
March 23, 2020 09:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBBasil Kuloba used his experience with math and science to develop a much-needed nonprofit organization, INERTIA, which has quickly become the largest after school program in Escambia County Florida. Basil joins Janet on the show today to share his story of blending his passion and entrepreneurial skills to start a successful organization. This episode addresses questions, such as: How do interaction and connection improve learning outcomes? What was the biggest obstacle Basil faced whil...
66: INERTIA: A Force for Change
March 23, 2020 09:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBBasil Kuloba used his experience with math and science to develop a much-needed nonprofit organization, INERTIA, which has quickly become the largest after school program in Escambia County Florida. Basil joins Janet on the show today to share his story of blending his passion and entrepreneurial skills to start a successful organization. This episode addresses questions, such as: How do interaction and connection improve learning outcomes? What was the biggest obstacle Basil faced whil...
4 Questions to Plan a Meaningful Life
March 16, 2020 09:00 - 10 minutes - 7.01 MBAs we close the first quarter of a new decade, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on the past decade before planning for the next ten years in front of us. Are you where you thought you would be right now? As the decades keep passing by, what can we do to ensure we achieve the goals that will matter to us most in life? How do we know we are living a life we will one day look back on and be proud? Today, Janet Pilcher focuses on what to consider as we set goals for a meaningful life. Thi...
65: 4 Questions to Plan a Meaningful Life
March 16, 2020 09:00 - 10 minutes - 7.01 MBAs we close the first quarter of a new decade, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on the past decade before planning for the next ten years in front of us. Are you where you thought you would be right now? As the decades keep passing by, what can we do to ensure we achieve the goals that will matter to us most in life? How do we know we are living a life we will one day look back on and be proud? Today, Janet Pilcher focuses on what to consider as we set goals for a meaningful life. Thi...
Anticipate a Continuously Evolving Future
March 09, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBWhile attending a company event, Janet Pilcher had the opportunity to sit down with Jim Roth, co-founder, and CEO of Huron Consulting Group, to discuss how we prepare clients for their future. Jim’s leadership positions Huron to be highly committed to hiring talented people, building an engaged work environment, and serving clients with the highest level of service. Jim is a trusted advisor to many organizational CEOs around the world, and many of us at Huron. This episode addresses questi...
Anticipate a Continuously Evolving Future
March 09, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBWhile attending a company event, Janet Pilcher had the opportunity to sit down with Jim Roth, co-founder, and CEO of Huron Consulting Group, to discuss how we prepare clients for their future. Jim’s leadership positions Huron to be highly committed to hiring talented people, building an engaged work environment, and serving clients with the highest level of service. Jim is a trusted advisor to many organizational CEOs around the world, and many of us at Huron. This episode addresses questi...
64: Anticipate a Continuously Evolving Future
March 09, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBWhile attending a company event, Janet Pilcher had the opportunity to sit down with Jim Roth, co-founder, and CEO of Huron Consulting Group, to discuss how we prepare clients for their future. Jim’s leadership positions Huron to be highly committed to hiring talented people, building an engaged work environment, and serving clients with the highest level of service. Jim is a trusted advisor to many organizational CEOs around the world, and many of us at Huron. This episode addresses questi...
Start Talking to People
March 02, 2020 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBIn a world where we no longer view human connections as natural, and instead, insist on using technology, even in the presence of others, Dr. Janet Pilcher encourages her listeners to get off their devices and start talking to people. Research tells us that people in general feel worse and less connected when they mix face-to-face communication with digital socializing compared to solely socializing in person. When we intentionally create ways to engage with each other, learn from each other...
63: Start Talking to People
March 02, 2020 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBIn a world where we no longer view human connections as natural, and instead, insist on using technology, even in the presence of others, Dr. Janet Pilcher encourages her listeners to get off their devices and start talking to people. Research tells us that people in general feel worse and less connected when they mix face-to-face communication with digital socializing compared to solely socializing in person. When we intentionally create ways to engage with each other, learn from each other...
62: Give Your Brand a Personality
February 24, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBUtilizing social media platforms is a natural way to enhance transparency. On a personal level, people use social media to connect with others and stimulate conversations. In time, organizations have recognized the many benefits of using social media to humanize their brand and connect with their communities. If you’re wondering why using social media is critical for organizations, research reveals a lack of transparency on social media leaves 86% of people likely to choose a competitor. On ...
Give Your Brand a Personality
February 24, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBUtilizing social media platforms is a natural way to enhance transparency. On a personal level, people use social media to connect with others and stimulate conversations. In time, organizations have recognized the many benefits of using social media to humanize their brand and connect with their communities. If you’re wondering why using social media is critical for organizations, research reveals a lack of transparency on social media leaves 86% of people likely to choose a competitor. On ...
What is Important to Us as Customers?
February 17, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 8.26 MBEvery day we are customers to someone we do business with. We buy groceries, fill our cars with gas, dine at restaurants, engage with retail services, and do business with professional service firms. We often remember the negative interactions more than the positive ones, and it may only take one negative interaction for us to shift to another brand or company. As you listen to this episode and reflect on services you’ve received, ask yourself, how do our experiences as customers influence t...
What is Important to Us as Customers?
February 17, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 8.26 MBEvery day we are customers to someone we do business with. We buy groceries, fill our cars with gas, dine at restaurants, engage with retail services, and do business with professional service firms. We often remember the negative interactions more than the positive ones, and it may only take one negative interaction for us to shift to another brand or company. As you listen to this episode and reflect on services you’ve received, ask yourself, how do our experiences as customers influence t...
61: What is Important to Us as Customers?
February 17, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 8.26 MBEvery day we are customers to someone we do business with. We buy groceries, fill our cars with gas, dine at restaurants, engage with retail services, and do business with professional service firms. We often remember the negative interactions more than the positive ones, and it may only take one negative interaction for us to shift to another brand or company. As you listen to this episode and reflect on services you’ve received, ask yourself, how do our experiences as customers influence t...
Embracing the Customer Experience
February 10, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBThe way people learn today is continuously evolving, and with the rise of technology people expect answers at their fingertips. The life of a professional skill is much shorter today than it was in the past. Mandy Gagliardi, the Senior Media Manager on our team joins Janet today to share the way she focuses on the customer experience to guide her work. As we design our digital learning system, Mandy listens to our partners and develops solutions for us to make their lives easier. Our team un...
Embracing the Customer Experience
February 10, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBThe way people learn today is continuously evolving, and with the rise of technology people expect answers at their fingertips. The life of a professional skill is much shorter today than it was in the past. Mandy Gagliardi, the Senior Media Manager on our team joins Janet today to share the way she focuses on the customer experience to guide her work. As we design our digital learning system, Mandy listens to our partners and develops solutions for us to make their lives easier. Our team un...
60: Embracing the Customer Experience
February 10, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBThe way people learn today is continuously evolving, and with the rise of technology people expect answers at their fingertips. The life of a professional skill is much shorter today than it was in the past. Mandy Gagliardi, the Senior Media Manager on our team joins Janet today to share the way she focuses on the customer experience to guide her work. As we design our digital learning system, Mandy listens to our partners and develops solutions for us to make their lives easier. Our team un...
Lead with Courage
February 03, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 9.54 MBDoes the path you are traveling have a heart? Courage is the quality that distinguishes great leaders from excellent managers. In this episode, Janet discusses why courage is vital to a leader’s success, what can happen when a leader lacks courage, and what we can do when we find ourselves on the wrong path. This episode addresses questions, such as: How does courage influence our ability to lead? What does it mean to be a courageous leader? Why is courage in leadership important? Re...
59: Lead with Courage
February 03, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 9.54 MBDoes the path you are traveling have a heart? Courage is the quality that distinguishes great leaders from excellent managers. In this episode, Janet discusses why courage is vital to a leader’s success, what can happen when a leader lacks courage, and what we can do when we find ourselves on the wrong path. This episode addresses questions, such as: How does courage influence our ability to lead? What does it mean to be a courageous leader? Why is courage in leadership important? Re...
58: Inspire Others to Achieve
January 27, 2020 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBJohn Maxwell’s Law of the Lid explains that leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. Today’s guest, Nannette Johnston, believes it’s true; people can only rise as high as the lid of their leader. Not only does she recognize the importance of professional development for herself, she knows the importance of building leadership in others. Nannette is an award-winning, retired Superintendent from Hardin County Schools in Kentucky. She was awarded Superint...
Inspire Others to Achieve
January 27, 2020 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBJohn Maxwell’s Law of the Lid explains that leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. Today’s guest, Nannette Johnston, believes it’s true; people can only rise as high as the lid of their leader. Not only does she recognize the importance of professional development for herself, she knows the importance of building leadership in others. Nannette is an award-winning, retired Superintendent from Hardin County Schools in Kentucky. She was awarded Superint...
57: Don't Keep Your Customers in the Dark
January 20, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 9.31 MBWe all have our favorite brands, but what makes them our favorite? Is it because we place value in the organization? Is it the way we are treated by the company? How do we know if the company is accountable? More and more organizations have been making it a priority to increase connection and invite customers to take an inside look. Why? Because increasing transparency between an organization and its customers build trust and credibility increasing customer loyalty. This episode addresses ...