Fraud is an ever-present threat to businesses, especially during the holiday season when there are more distractions. Unfortunately, fraud does not discriminate based on company size or longevity in business.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Sleighing-Fraud--Essential-Tips-for-Executives-During-the-Holiday-Season

We all face decisions about what to put on our plate and what to avoid in leadership and life. But are you making choices consciously or just going through the motions? In this thought-provoking episode, Gayle Lantz uses the metaphor of a leadership buffet to get you thinking differently about what you’re taking on and what you need to remove.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Strategic-Unloading-What-to-Take-Off-Your-Plate-at-the-Leadership-Buffet

We all have days when our inspiration tanks seem to be running on empty. But you may be closer to reigniting your team's passion than you think.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Mastering-the-Art-of-Acknowledgment---Making-Sure-Your-Team-is-Seen-and-Supported

Do you aspire to become an even better leader in the future? Growth-minded leaders do. Envisioning your future self can guide your leadership journey in profound ways.  Your future self represents your goals, aspirations and the type of leader you hope to become. Visualizing this ideal future version of yourself is a powerful motivational tool. It helps you make better decisions today that serve your future self.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Unlocking-Your-Best-Future-Self---The-Hidden-Potential

Big decisions can feel overwhelming. With so many options, how do you choose what’s best? It’s time to check your decision filter. In this episode, Gayle Lantz shares a practical 3-step approach to filter your choices when facing major decisions. First, confirm your ultimate goal. Then determine the most critical factors influencing your decision. Finally, prioritize and weigh that criteria. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Making-Important-Decisions-Check-Your-Filter-First

The news has been heavy lately. Tragedies, fear and negativity are pervasive. As a leader, how do you stay focused and motivate your team when the weight of the world feels especially crushing?Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Leading-Lighter-When-the-World-Feels-Heavy

Communication differences and awkward conversations are inevitable in the workplace. Leaders must learn to navigate these situations in order to create an inclusive environment where employees feel heard and respected.Gayle Lantz speaks with communication consultant Deborah Boswell about how leaders can turn awkward communication into productive interactions.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/What-to-Do-When-Communication-Feels-Awkward-with-Deborah-Boswell

Sometimes in life, we need a reality check. Our views and expectations don't always match up with the facts. This is when it helps to "burst your own bubble" and see things as they really are.In this episode, Gayle Lantz explores why it's important for leaders to periodically re-examine their perspectives. She discusses personal and organizational "bubbles" that may need bursting when optimism blinds us to harsh truths.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Bursting-Your-Bubble-When-Its-Time-to-See-the-Truth

Leaders and writers have much in common. They must overcome doubts, fears and anxiety to make the impact they really want to make.Some worry about being criticized. They feel like they have imposter syndrome and can’t get the message just right.But there are ways to build confidence and clarity through simple writing practices.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Growing-Yourself-as-a-Leader-the-Write-Way

Sometimes even the small annoyances can get the best of you, especially when they don’t seem to go away. They are called “tolerations” and in some cases, you may not even be aware of them.When not addressed, they negatively impact your life and work–draining your mental and emotional energy.Gayle Lantz offers 5 steps to help leaders eliminate tolerations in their life or work.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Make-it-Stop-Eliminating-Tolerations-that-Hold-You-Back

Leaders have to deal with personal loss just like anyone else. When it happens, it can feel like their world is falling part, and there’s extra pressure to try to “hold it together.”But suppressing emotion and trying to do business as usual can be detrimental to themselves and other people in their life and work.Gayle Lantz shares her own recent personal experience, and offers guidance on what leaders can think and do when they experience tough times by practicing more self-kindness.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/The-Secret-to-Self-Kindness-When-Times-Are-Tough

There are many books, articles and advice on what it takes to win in business. And on what it takes to be a winning leader. It’s exciting to talk about winning.But the truth is leaders experience a lot of disappointment as well. They don’t talk about it as much, at least not openly.When they can’t shake disappointment, it negatively affects their work and life in general.So in this episode, Gayle Lantz shares five ways to ease disappointment and recover more quickly--whether you’re disappointed with yourself or someone or something else. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Dealing-with-Disappointment-The-Human-Side-of-Leadership

Human Resources (HR) has been thrust in the spotlight lately given the fast changing workplace, and organizations are working harder to take advantage of the full capabilities HR delivers.But there are still misconceptions about HR that prevent organizations from fully leveraging their HR talent.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Busting-HR-Myths-Leveraging-the-Power-of-HR-Today-with-Sloane-Drake

I hear a lot of people talking about how uninspired they feel at work lately. Maybe it’s the extreme heat of the summer or the natural lethargy that occurs when you need a vacation.But it could be something deeper. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Finding-New-Inspiration-to-Fuel-Your-Life-and-Work

Growth-minded leaders take risks and continue to push past their limits. That’s what it takes to lead on the leading edge. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Leading-Edge-Leadership-How-to-Win-Your-Own-Race

Even the most devoted leaders reach a point when they know something needs to change. They can’t stay on the same path in the same way. It seems more risky to continue in their current role knowing that something different is calling.But they don’t know how to go about the process to find their new best growth path.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Taking-the-Risk-to-Find-Your-New-Growth-Path

AI is revolutionizing how work is being done, and clearly creating exponential change. So leaders who embrace AI sooner will position their organizations for greater success in the future. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Leveraging-AI---Your-Experimentation-Imperative

Studies show that work continues to be an obstacle to well-being. And leaders are under more pressure than ever to maintain higher levels of well-being in their workforce. But Gayle Lantz challenges the idea that “work” is necessarily to blame. She says, “Work is not the enemy. Work can actually be a healthy positive force in our lives. And we have more control (or can take more control) than we realize.”Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Dont-Blame-the-Work-Rethink-It

Many leaders struggle to say “no” when they need to, so they end up feeling frustrated, resentful or simply exhausted.But there are ways to say “no” more easily when you understand what is really holding you back, and how to respond to undesirable requests or demands.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/How-to-Say-No-When-You-Need-to

As you grow in your leadership role, it becomes even more important to create boundaries that stick. Otherwise you risk spending time and energy in areas that don’t serve you or the business. You may become angry or frustrated when boundaries are ignored. But you can avoid frustration by learning more about what boundaries truly are and how to use them to your advantage.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Create-Boundaries-That-Stick-with-Marlene-Chism

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all the decisions you have to make, that’s especially common among leaders. Decision fatigue occurs when your mental energy is depleted after making many decisions. And it can happen to even the most decisive leaders.But there are approaches to combat decision fatigue that can help leaders minimize the downside and recover more quickly.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Reduce-Your-Decision-Fatigue-to-Increase-Productivity

Leaders get stuck in patterns that hold them back. And many don’t even know it. They continue doing the same thing in the same way which can create burnout, stagnation or frustration.But those who take time to reset, get clear and focused to achieve better results and more satisfaction in their work.Gayle Lantz offers advice and a useful resource to download to help leaders who want to do a midyear reset for themselves and/or their teams. As she explains, leaders can do a reset at any time during the year…or even daily.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Take-Time-to-Recharge--Your-Midyear-Reset

81% of employees at companies ranked as “great” describe their work environment as fun. And fun contributes to employee happiness.So leaders who focus on fun stand a greater chance of creating a positive impact. Research suggests that fun at work is a good thing, impacting engagement, creativity and purpose. Fun at work can help increase employee retention and reduce turnover.Gayle Lantz argues that work should be fun. She shares seven ideas to help leaders create more fun in their life and work.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Finding-More-Fun-in-Your-Life-and-Work

When organizations face extreme challenges that threaten their business, it’s easy to blame market conditions, the environment, or the competition…especially if you’re the CEO.But it’s rare to find a CEO who realizes that they personally could be much of the problem.This episode captures the story of an exceptional CEO who has done the introspective work necessary to transform himself as a leader and the organization–a journey that took the business from the brink of disaster to thriving success.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Love-as-a-Business-Strategy-with-Mohammad-Anwar--Frank-Danna

Creating leadership equity is a business and moral imperative. Many organizations aspire to create leadership equity and cultures of belonging. Some are making good progress, but others are falling short.Gayle Lantz speaks with Lenetra King, founder and CEO of Watch Me EXCEL ®, a leadership development firm that works in a pioneering way with organizations to deeply engage, promote, and retain exceptional leaders, especially those from underrepresented populations.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Leadership-Equity-A-Business-and-Moral-Imperative-with-Lenetra-King

With so much focus on organizational reinvention, it’s natural for leaders to be rethinking their own roles and what’s possible in the future. But many don’t know where to start.Gayle Lantz shares key ideas and questions for leaders who want to reinvent themselves.Now is the time given the speed of change, growing business demands and evolving needs of people in the workplace.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Reinventing-Yourself-as-a-Leader-for-the-Future

Studies show the many benefits of positive thinking and it’s not just a matter of viewing the world through rose colored glasses. Maintaining a positive state of mind is especially important for leaders who are under a lot of stress. But developing a positive mindset can be difficult to put into practice.Gayle Lantz offers perspective on what leaders can do to create and maintain a more positive mindset by practicing the power of positive expectation every day.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Practicing-the-Power-of-Positive-Expectation-Every-Day

May is Mental Health Awareness month. This year’s theme is: “Look Around, Look Within.” Gayle Lantz shares important findings and insights on mental health as it relates to leaders.Managers are feeling significant pressure in their roles. Gayle offers ideas and actions to help you maintain your own mental health in your management role and promote mental health in your organization. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Prioritizing-Your-Mental-Health-Look-Around-Look-Within

Stress at work is common. 94% of workers report feeling stress at work.63% of U.S. workers report they’re ready to quit their job to avoid work-related stress. Around 33% of people report feeling extreme stress. (Source: American Institute of Stress)Gayle talks about different kinds of stress that individuals experience and offers a diagnostic tool for leaders who want to identify the greatest sources of stress in themselves and/or their organizations.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Identifying-the-Real-Cause-of-Organizational-Stress

At times you’re so close to reaching your goal that you can almost reach out and touch it, yet there’s something that prevents you from getting it.You probably think you know what’s getting in your way. But there are invisible barriers that could be keeping you from reaching your goal (or at least impeding your progress). They may be harder to detect.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Breaking-Through-the-Invisible-Barriers-that-Hold-You-Back

CEOs, founders, entrepreneurs and leaders in general are under more pressure than ever to do more faster. As the pace of change accelerates, leaders must make quicker decisions to drive desired outcomes.Gayle Lantz speaks with Shegun Otulana, Founder and CEO of Harmony Venture Labs (HVL). With an impressive track record of building successful businesses, Shegun now helps other startups make sure they are heading in the right direction. He shares lessons learned that apply to any leader who wants to build a successful business and make a positive impact in their community and beyond. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Do-More-Faster-with-CEO-Shegun-Otulana

A lot of leaders struggle to get their teams to take initiative and assume ownership. They feel like they have to light a fire under them. But there are better ways to help the team take charge that don’t require force.Gayle Lantz offers ideas on what leaders can do to help their team members be more proactive and take initiative in their work.As Gayle explains, you can’t just “tell them.” You need to create the right conditions/culture for people to feel comfortable. And recognize that some people show initiative naturally compared to others, so different approaches are required.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/How-to-Get-Your-Team-Members-to-Take-Initiative-Without-Lighting-a-Fire

Psychological safety is a topic that has gained popularity over the past few years. More organizations aspire to create cultures that are psychologically safe. The topic is sensitive and complex. A psychologically safe culture ultimately contributes to greater productivity and the bottom line. It helps employees open communication and build greater trust. Psychological safety impacts team performance and organizational performance by creating a space where people feel like they are included and belong.Many leaders are making psychological safety a high priority while others believe it is being used inappropriately.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Exploring-Psychological-Safety-with-Maura-Barclay

Leaders can easily do a lot of firefighting on the job, responding to the crisis of the day or getting stuck in the weeds.In some cases, they feel like they have no choice. They are frustrated unable to do the work that really matters. They want to make a bigger impact.But they struggle to make it happen.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Asking-Smart-Questions-to-Expand-Your-Leadership-Impact

Dealing with change is overwhelming, and leaders are under extreme pressure to help their teams “get through it.”But the best leaders are helping their teams thrive in chaos, not simply survive. They understand change is happening quickly. Disruption will continue. Uncertainty is the norm. One out of three public companies will cease to exist in their current form over the next five years--a rate six times higher than forty years ago. The need to reinvent has never been greater--for organizations and individuals. Leaders must develop the mindset and skillset to thrive in chaos.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/How-to-Thrive-in-Chaos-with-Nadya-Zhexembayeva

Leaders who want to achieve the extraordinary do things out of the ordinary. It requires taking risks and following your instincts.Gayle Lantz shares leadership lessons inspired by her son’s recent experience running the Rome Marathon. It was a completely new experience based on his impulse to explore somewhere amazing he had never been with people he had never met. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Running-in-Rome-and-Out-of-the-Ordinary

The average CEO has 37 meetings per week (Source: Zippia). 72% of their time is spent in meetings. It can be overwhelming.CEOs are not alone. Employees at all levels feel overwhelmed by the number of meetings they attend. And many meetings are not effective…or even needed.Virtual meetings can be especially challenging when you don’t know how to engage people who may already feel Zoom fatigue.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Break-Out-of-Boredom-in-Virtual-Meetings-with-Robbie-Samuels

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it gives life to you and your business.Studies show that people who are curious are more successful in their leadership roles and deal with stress more effectively.Inspired by her curious parents, Gayle Lantz shares why curiosity is important and offers ideas for leaders who want to cultivate curiosity in themselves and others. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Cultivating-Curiosity-Key-to-Growing-Your-Business-and-Yourself

Leaders have a lot of serious concerns, and they don’t share them publicly. The issues vary widely, but their concerns typically have a common element: people.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Addressing-the-Secret-Concerns-of-a-Leader

Executives who have been in management for a long time have read a lot of leadership books, attended management training programs and studied management theories.But what they are finding is that a lot of what they have learned doesn’t really work.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Debunking-Management-Myths-with-Don-Schmincke

Is busyness putting you on the path to burnout? As Henry David Thoreau said: “It’s not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: ‘What are we busy about?’” Many CEOs feel like they have to be working 24/7. It’s frustrating to get through the day and wonder what you’ve really accomplished. Gayle Lantz explores the topic of busyness as it relates to CEOs and those they lead. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/How-to-Stop-the-Busyness-That-Leads-to-Burnout

When you are not moving quickly enough toward your goal or you’re dealing with people who are stressing you, it’s frustrating and easy to lose patience. But you can’t afford to do that as a leader. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/What-to-Do-When-You-Lose-Patience

How do you feel about change? If you’re like a lot of people, you might dread it. Or resist it. Or be exhausted from it.But as a leader, you’ve got to anticipate change and even create it. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/How-to-Develop-Your-Change-Mindset-to-Win

Almost any executive has to deal with extremely stressful issues and it’s easy to ruminate about fears, concerns or frustrations.But ruminating is unproductive and personally exhausting. Leaders who know how to stop ruminating and focus on what really matters grow themselves and their business more easily.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/How-To-Stop-Ruminating-About-Your-Problem

The adverse effects of complacency in the workplace are serious, especially in the OSH community. And often leaders believe they must push employees to try harder or care more to overcome complacency and get better results.But that approach creates the opposite effect.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/How-to-Manage-Complacency-to-Get-Best-Business-Results-with-Sharon-Lipinski

The average tenure for leaders in C-Suite executive roles is 4.9 years according to a Korn Ferry report. The average age for CEO’s in the U.S. is age 59.But regardless of your age or leadership experience, it is time for you to get serious about taking charge of your career and doing what you need to do to thrive in the “gig economy.”Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/Getting-Ready-for-Your-Next-Gig

The New Year is a time of year when many leaders feel pressure to start strong and get their teams fired up.But the truth is many leaders feel stalled out, unmotivated or melancholy themselves.Feeling down is not uncommon just after the holidays. And it is tough to get back on track after extended time off.Gayle Lantz offers insights for leaders who want to start (or restart) strong and keep momentum going throughout the year.She talks about the importance of building personal strength to help leaders start the New Year, a new project or new role with the extra energy they need.Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/How-to-Restart-Strong-When-You-Feel-Stalled

As you start the new year, it’s a good time to reflect on what you’ve learned from your failures and successes.It’s even better when you can benefit by understanding lessons learned from an organization like NASA. Find the full show notes at: https://workmatters.com/NASA-Leadership-Lessons-Learned-with-Mike-Ciannilli