Out of the Comfort Zone artwork

Out of the Comfort Zone

464 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratings

There is no growth in comfort and no comfort in growth. Business today typically values and promotes leaders for their subject expertise. Leaders who have command of the details and execute based on knowledge and experience are highly respected. However, to grow as a leader you have to get out of your comfort zone – that means learning to lead without just being the expert. Learn to gain the trust and respect of a team that might know more than you do. Get comfortable with ambiguity and with not having all the information. Develop the skills and confidence to lead in a different way.

For female leaders, subject expertise is usually the source of their confidence. Learning to lead outside your comfort zone is one step for breaking through the glass ceiling.

The show’s purpose is to give you tips on how can you develop the capability to lead – to get out of your comfort zone?

Business
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Episodes

Exploring with Whitney Johnson

March 22, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

Taking time to explore is one of the things that we need to do more of but that is out of the comfort zone for those that are task focused and time starved. Yet exploring is a precursor to being strategic, to spotting opportunities, to growing and even to being innovative – whether that’s big innovation like a new service or small innovation like a streamlining process. Listen in for why you should explore, what you might gain if you tried and how to do it.

Science of Motivation with Ayelet Fishbach

March 15, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

This is part of the motivation series. In this episode, we turn to science to ask what research tells us about motivating ourselves and others.

Motivation and Personality with Ryne Sherman

March 08, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

One of the most common questions I get is about how to motivate a team, and yourself as a leader. In this multi-part series, we address that question with the best in research and in practice. In this episode, we are asking what really motivates and drives people and how is that related to personality. Then we will talk about the practical implications in the workplace. Listen in to hear some of the best advice on how to keep yourself and your team motived.

Incentives That Drive Change with Bruce Rigal

March 01, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

This is part of a series on motivation where we explore what you can do to motivate your team and yourself. The focus in this episode is incentives. What does the research say about incentives as an means of motivating and driving change? What does experience say about how to use incentives to create change? What works and what doesn’t work? Listen in for significant insights.

Motivating and Leading with Sam Kendall

February 23, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

This is another installment in the series on motivation, a key concern for many leaders. This episode focuses on the lessons of experience from a leader who has lead in many countries across many groups. Listen in to hear an on the ground perspective of what it takes to keep your team and your organization motivated.

Transformation through Communication with Jacqueline Farrington

February 16, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

Communication is the means for inspiring, motivating, persuading, transforming, sparking innovation, developing and nuturing a talented team. This episode focuses on transformation and how to use communication to get the outcomes and engagement you are seeking. Listen in for great advance on leveling up your communication.

The Leaders We Choose with Moshik Temkin

February 09, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

Which leaders do we gravitate to in time of stability versus in time of crisis? Are leaders changed by events or not? What does that say about how you should think about your leadership and situation in which you are leading? Listen in for a fascinating, extremely relevant perspective from history and answer the question of whether events make the leader or vice versa.

Fixing Friction with Huggy Rao

February 02, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

Do you feel that you are stuck in mire and can’t get things done? Is your organization wasting a lot of time with inefficiency? Are seemingly simple actions overly complicated? Tune in to understand the causes of friction and what to do about them.

Winning in the People Age with Kate Bravery

January 26, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

Being a people leader has never been more important and never more difficult at the same time. Demands, expectations, work load, burn out, complexity, hybrid working, quiet quitting to name a few have altered the landscape for leaders and employers. What does it take to succeed and to win in this climate? Tune in to hear the 10 truths you need to master to be an effective people leader.

Being Fooled with Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris

January 19, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

None of us, regardless how competent or cautious we are, are immune from being fooled. If you doubt that you can be deceived, then tune in to hear how it happens. If you know you can be deceived, then tune in to hear how to navigate without becoming hyper cynical. How do scams work, how do you get fooled and what can you do about it?

ur Sense of Self with Brian Lowery

January 12, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

Those giving you advice about how to improve your leadership typically start with the advice to “know yourself”. But have you ever stopped to think about what constitutes your sense of self? How do you define your self? What does that say about how you can change yourself or can you change? How does this help us understand how we find meaning? How does this help us understand identity and conflict between groups? Listen in to hear what the latest thinking has to say about how you understand...

Cascading Change with Greg Satell

January 05, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

One way or another, every leader is trying to create change. However, organizations are extremely slow to adopt change even when the logic for doing so is compelling. We are missing something. Tune in to hear what we know about when and how change happens, what you need to do as a leader and how you can best cascade the change your organization so desperately needs.

Conversation and Social Presence with Jeanine Turner

December 29, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

Regardless where you sit in an organization or the part of the world in which you reside, I think we can all agree that the quality of our conversations has declined in the last few years. Time is in precious supply, the task list is unending, the coordination burden is high and the channels have multiplied. All of which put pressure on our ability to talk. There are four ways to engage with someone else but we are not using all four effectively. Listen in to hear what the four are, how to...

Encore How Mindfulness Gives You an Edge with Matt Tenney

December 22, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

No doubt you have heard about mindfulness and may have attended a workshop at your organization. If you are not yet a devotee, tune in to hear why mindfulness has such a powerful impact for leaders given today’s workplace challenges. If you want to start a practice without devoting hours, we will show you how.

Mindtraps with Hortense le Gentil

December 15, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

What holds you back? Most of us create our own traps that keep us from stepping out of our comfort zone. What are the common mindtraps? How are they created? How do we find the courage and wisdom to make a change? Tune in to learn how.

Great Leadership with Tim Elmore

December 08, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

Great leadership involves a complex set of demands – often ones in conflict with each other. In this episode we begin with the eight biggest paradoxes leaders must learn to balance to be truly exceptional. Then we turn to a more recent paradox – that of trying to understand and manage multiple generations in the workplace while being fair to all and still driving performance. Tune in for insight and tactics.

Resilience with Marie-Hélène Pelletier

December 01, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 4.51 MB

Getting out of your comfort zone means learning to cope with mistakes and set-backs – in other words being resilient. In fact, senior leaders often give the feedback that people in the organization need to be more resilient particularly given the change, uncertainty and chaos around all of us. But, what does that mean – being resilient? Why? Beyond sleeping well, what else can you do to develop resilience? Tune in to find out.

Encore Fair Pay with David Buckmaster

November 24, 2023 08:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

Nothing seems to raise concerns like pay and benefits. If you think you should be paid more or if you want to ask for a pay increase, this session provides information need to know about how pay systems work.

Accelerating Careers and Leadership with Jennifer McCollum

November 17, 2023 08:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

Advancing your career today is harder than ever for many reasons from economic pressures to competition, uncertainty, changing expectations, leadership commitment – the list is a long one. How do you tackle the problems that plague individuals such as perfectionism, exclusion, aspiration and confidence? And as a leader, how do you navigate the changing expectations of what you should be doing? Tune in for great advice based on an extensive data base analysis.

Radical Respect with Kim Scott

November 10, 2023 08:00 - 57 minutes - 4.51 MB

Respect, being valued, feeling like you belong, appreciating your contribution – these are things all of us want from our employers. Some of us get that respect, too many don’t particularly if you feel like more of an “other”. Why is respect such a key component of motivation? What do you need to be doing as a leader? What should you do if you get it wrong with someone? How does respect create a more inclusive environment? Tune in to learn how to do the right thing.

Your Confidence Superpowers with Lisa Sun

November 03, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 4.51 MB

Who doesn’t want more confidence, especially when you have stepped out of your comfort zone and are trying to do something you haven’t yet mastered! That’s when most of us begin feeling like an imposter. Today’s episode is focused on the 8 confidence super powers – the mindsets that make all the difference to sustaining confidence. Tune in to hear how you can build more confidence.

Think Faster and Talk Smarter with Matt Abrahams

October 27, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

Do you struggle to frame your thoughts in meetings? Do you avoid speaking up? Do you dread speaking in public? If so, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear the tricks and tactics for managing anxiety, for what to do when your mind goes blank as you are about to speak and for saying what’s on your mind in the moment.

Getting Along with Amy Gallo

October 20, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

At some point in our careers, all of us have to work with a co-worker or a boss who is “difficult”, from our point of view and who ultimately drains the joy out of work. These are complex situations but there are strategies to help. Tune in to hear about some of the typical challenges and what you can do to make work more satisfying.

Self-Promotion with Meredith Fineman

October 13, 2023 07:00 - 48 minutes - 4.51 MB

You have probably been told that you need to raise your profile or do more self-promotion in order to get the opportunities you want to have. And you probably haven’t done much about it. If so, this episode is for you. How can you brag in a better way – one that is effective as well as true to you and your style? Tune in for very practical advice.

The Real Work with Adam Gopnik

October 06, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become truly skilled, an expert, in a new area – that is when “we become the Master of It instead of us being mastered by it”? In this era of change, the ability to learn, to master a topic, has never been more important to all of us throughout our careers in order to stay relevant. Listen in to hear what it takes to develop mastery.

Getting People to Listen with Gabe Zichermann

September 29, 2023 07:00 - 54 minutes - 4.51 MB

Getting people to listen is step one in persuading them to take an action. That is true whether you are giving a big speech, making a pitch, presenting an idea to your boss or lobbying for a new responsibility. What we used to advise doesn’t work so well today. So, what do you need to do? How can you improve your ability to communicate and persuade even if you don’t like speaking in public? Tune in for practical advice.

Power and Influence with Robert Dilenschneider

September 22, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

Power and influence – two words that are critical in a world that is vastly different from a decade ago even. We often think about hierarchical power as the most important – sometimes the only power we see. While, it’s not to be ignored, that’s insufficient for the way we work today. Our focus today is on what can you do to influence decision making. Listen in to hear more.

Digital Leadership with Brian Spisak

September 15, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

Digital transformation, data analytics, AI, ChatGPT are the current headlines. What does it mean for you as a leader? What do you need to know? What do you need to do? How do you lead your team through these transformations in practical terms? Listen to find a path forward.

Influencing with Brian Ahearn

September 08, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

In the project driven work of today, the ever ominous matrix and the need to manage stakeholders, influence is critical, perhaps more so than ever. How do you influence without manipulating? What are the key steps to influencing? What are the essential ingredients? Listen in to hear how you can expand your influence.

Asking Great Questions with Bob Tiede

September 01, 2023 07:00 - 57 minutes - 4.51 MB

Questions are the most important tools in a leadership toolkit. Questions help you coach effectively as well as delegate, learn, innovate, engage, motivate, cope with uncertainty … well just about everything. What makes a great question? What sorts of questions should you be asking? How do you ask better questions? Listen in for advice from one of the best question askers.

Preparing for the Next Step with Kirsten Jordan

August 25, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

Hear from a leader who has stepped out of her comfort zone and learn what she has done to be successful in those moments, how she prepares for the next level, how she has found the courage to make bold moves and how she stays motivated.

Developing Your Leadership with JP Elliott

August 18, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 4.51 MB

Many writers and consultants have an opinion about what makes for great leadership – usually focused around their main theme. This episode takes a wholistic view by talking to a Chief Human Resource Officer about what key mistakes he sees in leader, the outstanding qualities of the best leaders, what he wish people would do for their development and how to idenitfy great talent for your team. And, we are going to talk about how you can think about the next step in your career and get out of...

Future Proof Your Career with Design Thinking by CJ Meadows

August 11, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

Some skills are and will be essential in the coming decades and if you want to stay relevant regardless the latest technology or content developments, you should invest now in learning those skills. One such case is design thinking as a way to see the whole system. Listen in to learn what design thinking is, how it will help you do your job and keep your job and what you need to develop in order to master it.

Bragging with Lisa Bragg

August 04, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 4.51 MB

Most of us don’t love self-promotion but we know we need to do it – or rather we think we are supposed to do it. Finally, there is advice on how to bragg without coming across as egotisticial or boastful. Listen in to learn more.

Getting Along with Anyone with Michael Bungay Stanier

July 28, 2023 07:00 - 57 minutes - 4.51 MB

Regardless where you work or how empathetic and caring you are as a person, everyone eventually needs to work with someone where the relationship is less than ideal – where there is tension, diasgreement and maybe even a bit of dislike. How do you work through those occasions without giving up too much of yourself in the process? How do you structure the critical conversations? How do you prepare yourself? Tune in to hear what to do.

Your Back and Your Life with Dr. David Rowe

July 21, 2023 07:00 - 54 minutes - 4.51 MB

When we think of well-being, we usually think of mindfulness and relaxation. Being free from pain is just as important. What you do today to your body, particularly your spine, can greatly affect your long term well-being, experience of pain and even your executive presence. Tune in to find out how and what you can do to make a difference.

Compassion AND Accountability with Nate Regier

July 14, 2023 07:00 - 54 minutes - 4.51 MB

If you are struggling to hold people accountable, then this podcast has the solution for you. It turns out that both compassion AND accountability are needed to drive performance. Tune in to hear why and what you can do about both?

Developing Courage with Jim Detert

July 07, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 4.51 MB

Do you admire leaders who have courage and who seem to make bold moves without enormous stress? Do you wish you had more courage? Or, do you wish your team had more courage? If so, we have good news for you. Courage is a developable skill like any other skill. The secret is in understanding the components that lead to courage. Listen in to learn about those skills and how you can increase your levels of courage.

Mentoring Roles with Scott Miller

June 30, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 4.51 MB

Perhaps you have been asked to be a mentor or to be part of a mentoring program. Perhaps you have mentored before and probably had a couple of great mentors. Most likely you haven’t thought about the many different ways you could mentor. And if you are looking for a mentor, perhaps thinking about the different roles mentors play would help you find the ideal mentor for you. Tune in to hear about the 13 roles mentors can take: The secret sauce of each along with the pros and cons of each role.

Making The Right Call with Sally Jenkins

June 23, 2023 07:00 - 54 minutes - 4.51 MB

Leaders faced with decisions often ask if they made the “right” call. Winning athletes and coaches make a constant series of calls. What can we learn from studying how they make the “right calls’? What does it tell us about how to be a better leader? Tune in for fun stories and brilliant insight.

How Managers Add Value with Nicolai Foss

June 16, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

Do you wish you worked in an organization with no hierarchy – where each employee determined their path to achieving stated goals? Are you debating about the ideal organizational structure for your business? Or, do you wonder what you most need to do as a manager that truly helps your team? The debate about hierarchy versus agile or bossless organization is not new. Tune in to learn the pros and cons as well as how to determine the essential role for you as a manager.

How Mindfulness Gives You an Edge with Matt Tenney

June 09, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

No doubt you have heard about mindfulness and may have attended a workshop at your organization. If you are not yet a devotee, tune in to hear why mindfulness has such a powerful impact for leaders given today’s workplace challenges. If you want to start a practice without devoting hours, we will show you how.

Attention and Focus with Gloria Mark

June 02, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 4.51 MB

Do you think you are good at multi-tasking? Do you wonder why you can’t stay focused and what to do about it? Do you really need to take breaks and for how long? Tune in to hear about the research on the how our attention spans are decreasing and what we need to do to reclaim our well-being?

Guiding Minds and Changing Behavior with Stephen McGarvey

May 26, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 4.51 MB

How you think about a situation impacts how you feel about the situation and ultimately how you interact with people. The problem is that you will only see part of the data, confuse data and judgment, and ultimately act on your beliefs and feelings, leaving you feeling out of control. Changing your understanding, gives you more power than you might appreciate – power to show more confidence, have less anxiety and be more optimistic. All of which ultimately impacts your ability to be persuasi...

Finding Mentors with Glenn Stearns

May 19, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 4.51 MB

If you are looking for an inspirational story on the power of one or two words of encouragement, this is the episode for you. We talk about facing intense adversity, controlling your mindset, surrounding yourself with people who celebrate you and whom you celebrate and focusing on the next tiny step. And, there are a few ideas on how to find mentors and build those relationships. Tune in to hear more.

Brain Science and Your Performance with Dr Nicole Byers

May 12, 2023 07:00 - 57 minutes - 4.51 MB

Neuroscience has a lot to say to us today about how our brains default to habits that are not conducive to productivity, motivation, thinking, resilience and ultimately to our reputation as a leader. What does the latest science say? And what practical changes can you make that will increase your performance and that of your team? Tune in to hear more.

How to Lead Inclusively with Gena Cox

May 05, 2023 07:00 - 57 minutes - 4.51 MB

No doubt your organization has a diversity and inclusion effort and it may go by any number of acronyms: DEI, IED, DEIB, etc. What do you need to understand as a leader? More importantly, what do you need to do to ensure you have a team that has diverse points of view, that values those differences and that creates an inclusive culture where everyone has a fair shot and an equal voice? If you want to break away from the pack, tune in.

Changing Culture with Donte Vaughn

April 28, 2023 07:00 - 58 minutes - 4.51 MB

Changing the culture is among the top plans for many leaders whether they lead a large organization or a small team. Yet few really succeed. What do leaders get wrong when they think about culture? What are they missing in the steps? What can be done to more effectively shift a culture? How do generational differences affect culture and culture change? Tune in to hear more.

Microstress: The Cause and the Cure with Rob Cross and Karen Dillon

April 21, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 4.51 MB

The impact of stress is not a new topic. However, have you stopped to think about all the tiny, almost unrecognizable things that happen in the course of the day. They hardly register as typical stress but they do add up. The phenonmenon is called “Microstress”. Tune in to hear what you can do about it.

Access Denied with Brenda Harrington

April 14, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 4.51 MB

Diversity matters for innovation and performance at a minimum. Why do so many who are part of a minority group within the organization feel so disenfranchised? What is happening that we need to understand as leaders? What can you do as a colleague or a leader that will make a difference? And, if you are part of a minority group, what can you do to build a strong career path? Tune in for a lively discussion and great advice.