What brings you joy and how to live into it with Ann Thompson, writer and podcast host of 'Faith Driven Leader'

When was the last time you were really intentional? Life has a way of being very seasonal, and pushing us to move in directions we aren't expecting.

Ann Thompson has had a very successful career. However, she wasn't very happy when she felt God pushing her to move on from a position she really enjoyed. Today, we dive into how she listened to that inner voice, started new in her career, and reflect on just how important intentionality is.

Ann is the Host of the Faith-driven Leader Podcast, married with 5 kids, and is intentional at winning at work and at home. Enjoy today's episode. 

In this episode, you’ll discover… 

What is the key trait to winning at work and at home? (1:37)

Active listening, vs. intentional listening. (5:58)

Faith Driven Leader Podcast. (10:52)

Intentionally making decisions (24:27)

Taking a two-year sabbatical. (36:18)

God has the night shift. (45:09)

Traci’s Bio:

It was during my 12 years at P&G that I learned about understanding consumer beliefs and behavior, marketing, product development, and innovation. I learned how to manage up and down and across massive, complex corporate hierarchies. I touched nearly every business unit and region as I moved up and across the organization, from Fabric & Home Care, to Hair Care, Corporate Design, and Global Volume Forecasting and Market Mix Modeling - a discipline we re-named as “Integrated Business Optimization” during my tenure. 

But, more important than any product or team I worked on while at P&G, I learned how to lead with my faith; I fell in love with Jesus and His steady, constant presence, even in the details of my work; and I learned that, driven by my faith, I’m a risk taker and an entrepreneur. 

Then, in 2007, I heard the Lord was calling me to step off the ladder and into something new.

I joined a small, but quickly growing, forward-thinking company providing market research and innovation services to companies like Procter. I learned how to create and sell meaningful projects that would enable clients to learn and grow their businesses. I learned how to develop and nurture relationships with clients who had roles like the one I’d held at P&G. I learned the ins and outs of running a small business. 

And then I got fired.

Financial strain, and a mismatch between me and the future direction of the business fast-tracked my move to the next adventure. 

A blessing in disguise.

Energized rather than discouraged, I seized the opportunity of a small severance package that bought me just enough time to try something new.

Along with a business partner, I co-founded The Garage Group in 2011. Inspired by small-company, entrepreneurial spirit and practice, TGG works with large companies to enable them to solve big challenges with innovative new approaches, borrowed and adapted from the world of startups. TGG grew rapidly and my role ebbed and flowed as the business required - from sales, to project design and delivery, to client relationship development, to content and capability creation, to industry leadership, staff development, creating and shepherding culture, finances, and every other aspect of running a small business. 

I learned a lot from our successes, but even more from our mistakes. 

In 2019, just before the COVID pandemic hit, my co-founder and I stepped into new roles while we brought in a new CEO to take us to the next level. Within a year, I’d worked myself out of my role, as we sold the business to the next generation of folks from our team. 

I moved into what I thought would be a short sabbatical.

That sabbatical turned into almost two years of rest and reassessment. Lots of writing and dreaming and napping and quieting myself and my own dreams long enough to hear the Lord wooing me into something new.

Launching into this new season of writing, advising, podcast hosting, and speaking is a whole new adventure. Walking even more closely with the Lord, I’m ready and willing to go where He leads.

I live in my hometown of Cincinnati, OH with my husband Rich and our people-loving Bernese Mountain Dog, Faith. We’re enjoying the empty nest and the beautiful stage of parenting young adult children. Our latest side hustle venture is short term rental properties, which have proven to be a great creative outlet, and have given us a beautiful way to welcome folks to our fine city. We love to travel, read, and fan flames of revival in Cincinnati through prayer, worship, and fellowship with others. 

What's Next? 

Are you struggling to win at both home and work? Maybe you’re crushing it at work, but home life is tough. Or maybe home life is great, but work is challenging. 

I want to give you 10 tips that I share with clients. Go to my website at www.corymcarlson.com/subscribe and download your free copy of “10 Ways To Win At Home and at Work.”

Have you read ‘Rise and Go’?

All leaders get knocked down from time to time, so this is a resource to help you get back up quicker. 

Check it out on Amazon.

Also, if you have not checked out my first book, please do! It is called Win At Home First and you can purchase it on Amazon Here. Forbes Magazine rated it one of 7 books everyone on your team should read.