68: Leadership Lessons from a Real Survivor with Kim Spradlin-Wolfe

08/09/20 • 49 min

Work feels like one big game of Survivor these days, doesn't it? So we thought, "Hey, what if we could talk to a real Survivor winner (like CBS' epic show, 'Survivor'!) to see what we can learn from someone that had to face challenges way harder then your average office politics, all while hangry and homeless! This week, Erin Hatzikostas sits down with Survivor Season 24 winner Kim Spradlin-Wolfe (winning Survivior is a HUGE deal ya'll), to discuss what it was like to be on Survivor - through both a win and a loss - and more importantly, what lessons she took away for her own, real-life that she can share with others. Erin kicks things off by asking Kim about her time on Survivor, and how she felt about being thrown into a female/male divide (it was literally men vs women.) Kim discusses how she prepared (or didn't) for the show, and how her upbringing gave her a false sense of what "leadership" actually meant. With trust being such a volatile part of the game, Erin asks Kim how she handled others, both within and outside the game. Kim explains that she tried to build authentic connections with other contestants, so they had some level of trust in each other, even if trust is never truly possible in the game. Erin's daughter, Ella, wrote many of the questions Erin asked of Kim. For example, did playing the game destroy any bad habits? Spoiler: it certainly did. Did they get to bring toothbrushes? Spoiler: Nope! How do you put your emotions behind you? Do you get to wear sunscreen on survivor? They move on to discuss Kim's latest venture - her own design company - and how she decided to reinvent herself post show. Kim explains that during her first time of Survivor, she ran two bridal shops, but realized that it was actually the designing of th shop that she loved the most (selling dresses wasn't for her.) So with the prize money from winning the show, she decided to buy and renovate an old home, a process she enjoyed so much it led to her becoming an interior designer. Kim now focuses full time on interior design and renovation, and she's working on a potential pilot for a home renovation TV show! Kim won Survivor, but more importantly, she found her ikigai. You can follow Kim on IG @kimspradlinwolfe If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We even sare more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible). Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @ Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments: "I was able to go in, get a lay of the land, and do what needed to be done." "You know you can; trust anyone; everyone will screw you over in the end. But you have to find a way to trust where you can." "I was trying to make authentic relationships, because there was a trust in the connection, even if there was no trust in the game." "Nothing in my life has changed me as much as Survivor has." "I realized I was in all these cycles, and I think Survivor helped me break them." "I was then playing with all these people I'd watched and idolized in my 20's - really a lot of pinch-me moments." "Go spelunking and see what's written on your walls." "If it's second class to be a girl, then I will be a strong girl who can throw a football better than the boys." "When it rains it pours. When things are going well they go really well. That's how One World felt the entire season." "Don't hate me because I'm eating peanut butter in the shower." "When I was a kid we moved to 16 homes, and the consolation prize was always getting to redo my room." "I like getting my hands dirty." "What I do has to be meaningful for me, otherwise I can get off track really easily." "One thing that breaks my heart is women who haven't locked into any identity and don't feel any power."

Previous Episode

67: Are You an A-H.O.L.E ?

Who isn't asking themselves a few questions these days? How am I showing up? What am I serving up to myself, my colleagues, my family and anyone else one might see me in 3-D these days? Erin Hatzikoastas and Nicole Licata Grant take it all in as they Zoom it up for another How Was Your Week Episode. And it's chock full of humor and honesty about the aches and pains in life, work and everything in between. Appreciating that folks are still cheering her on 60+ big episodes in and asking some redemption, Nicole ponders a big Question, and talks about utilizing Erin's advice at work as she prepares for both the arrival of a new CEO/boss in the U.S and a virtual visit from the Big Boss from the global group. And, cue up a classic b Cause WTF moment...ah, the good 'ole times! Sometimes you have to not only ask the questions, but also answer your own damn question... This turns out to be a perfect into for Erin's Authentic So Hard (ASH) du jour, the launching of "A-H.O.L.E.S : Authentic Humans Overhauling Lousy Energy". In true Erin fashion, she's already drafted the manifesto and building a whole movement around it. But it hasn't been easy, and in a self-coaching moment Erin shares recent self-questioning, including that maybe it's time to shift her approach to include things she may have avoided. Nicole gives her own idea for a supplementary framework based on a favorite four-letter word: Finally Upending Keynote Speeches. b Cause, of course... would anyone question buying into that service? But another question looms: Are corporate spaces ready for the type of work Erin is doing? It seems that individuals clearly are hungry, but traditions and rules in the workplace create a gap between what corporations think serve en masses and what individuals want, Erin and Nicole feel like the playbook is changing; notable that employees being "out there" as valuable ambassadors - and assets - and not only can be, but must be leveraged in new ways, even if it doesn't seem like corporations are fully "there" yet. With that, Nicole talks about her own ASH moment, feeling that the pace she's been moving is not sustainable. So, when a colleague asks for a task, Nicole explains - authentically - the situation, and surprise, surprise, she got a positive response. Whoa! It all leads to the next big question: in this new world that's opening back up, what will going back to regular work (or different) life be like? But not to worry, the podcast will still be going strong: Nicole has a whole list of new observations, discomforts, and unsanitized questions to talk about. If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We even sare more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible). Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @ Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments: "Am I only fun to be around when I'm drunk?" "Here I am, Identifying my problems but doing nothing to solve them." "Anyone who hasn't listened to an episode before, that was a summary of the last 60+ episodes of Nicole's career." "The antichrist of authenticity is this lousy, fake, go through the motions, bullshit energy that's in the corporate workplace." "If I'm going to go and talk to corporations, how are they going to feel when they see things sassy like 'A-HOLE Manifesto'?" "I've got one for you: F.U.C.K. - Finally Upending Crappy Keynotes." "It's not going to stop me, but it reminds me I'm really pushing at the forefront of something that's different." "It's the same playbook being set everywhere, and it has been for 30 years, and it's just not enough. The playbook is not working." "If you're looking to move the needle, and you're looking to shake it up, then probably I'm you're gal." "A lot of this shit sounds self-serving, and it's self-serving for the people at the top." "You're doing the simple things that aren't that costly but make the biggest difference." My LinkedIn has really blown up recently, maybe it's because I'm no longer behind a firewall." "Every day I have people say 'if you have a job, I don't care what level, I'm gonna come and work for you." "I'm feeling burned out, I'm not feeling productive, I'm feeling like I need to not sit in front of a computer for 18 hours a day." "I've got a whole list of new anxieties to explore in this new world." "We could be the best MC's any women's conference has ever seen." "I was forced to have calls, I was forced to have interactions with people - ther...

Next Episode

69: The Power of a Future Diary

Too many people spend time trying to fit into the molds in front of them. How do I change to get the promotion? What does "Leadership" expect from me? What should I be doing for work? It's time to reverse that! You have to stop shoulding on yourself and instead, write down some of the big-ass life you want (and deserve). A Future Diary is Erin's non-woo-woo way of coaching people to manifest what they want. To see and feel the life they deserve. And then effing go get it! It's another fun-filled week with Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant, as they sit down for another "How was your week?" episode. Erin returns from a trip to Michigan with her family and a huge power outage in the wake of Tropical Storm, Isaias. She and Nicole discuss the effects of the storm, amid a global pandemic and also a heatwave - because 2020 is the year that keeps on giving. Erin asks Nicole to discuss how her job changes when an event such as Hurricane Isaias happens. Nicole talks about the struggle she feels between working on the ground level in emergency response, a role she loves, but now also being in a more senior position. Erin then asks her to think about which of these roles she prefers, and which she would choose if she had to. Nicole talks about recent difficulties at work, with new management and new situations, trying to find a mix between what she thinks is right, what others think are right, and trying to apply some of Erin's coaching and ideas. Erin asks Nicole a question that maybe many of our listeners have thought before - what keeps her there? Do you ever feel like the kid who wasn't picked for the team at P.E? Well, Nicole does. But maybe there's more to it than that. Maybe there were cliques who were bullies and wouldn't pick you, but maybe you never even liked the sport, maybe you arrived late and didn't really want to be there. Erin talks Nicole through her coaching tips, and writing a Future Diary - not to figure out how to get what you want, the steps that need to be taken, or what problems could arise along the way, but simply to write down your dreams. What is your perfect day? Even if 50% of it sounds ludicrous because you're on a yacht somewhere doing something you never expected, just write it, dream it. And stay tuned for episode 72 where Nicole will be on the hook to read us all her Future Diary! To get Erin's FREE video course, Unst*ck Yourself, go to bauthenticinc.com/unstuck If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We even sare more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible). Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @ Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments: "You may be out of power, but you still have the force." "Oh you're sitting in a pandemic? Well let me give you this storm and take your power and your WIFI too." "In emergencies we allow ourselves to accept a measure of uncertainty." "Even as an entrepreneur with my own business I am constantly asking myself, 'what do I really love to do?" "Nobody hires a leader when things are good." "When I want to say ' are you fucking kidding me' I now say 'let me get back to you on that.'" "You have to fight the conspiracy in your own head." "A lot of leaders don't know how to communicate well either." "The other thing that keeps me there is fear. Am I worthy of something else?" "With a fresh start, you won't be a new person, but it will be so much easier." "Am I choosing not to play, or do I feel unqualified to play, or am I not invited to play?" "Part of my big challenge is that this is a pattern of behavior." "I'm in an industry that thrives on certainty and mitigating risk, but I'm doing work entirely based on uncertainty." "Culture is driven more by the leaders and not by the industry." "I believe you were put on this earth to do something bigger and better, that's run by you, that's strategized by you, that stands by you." "My goal with anyone I coach isn't to change them. It's to change their addiction." "Be audacious."