Kristi & Tanqueray On the Rocks

In this episode:
Kristi & Tanqueray discuss the critical challenges organizations face as they adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and automation strategies. They delve into how the rapid technological changes, like AI, are transforming the workforce, highlighting the human element often left behind in this transition. Emotional intelligence (EQ) emerges as a central theme, with both hosts stressing how crucial it is for leaders to develop empathy and soft skills to navigate these shifts successfully.
Key Takeaways:
"I often say this right, you know, we know that if we have emotionally intelligent leaders, better engagement scores happen. People will stay five years longer at an employer. Yet time and time again, companies will blow cash on tech splurges or golf outings, but they'll skip the EQ training despite knowing it drives performance and retention." - Kristi Straw
"When implementing AI, organizations must consider what happens if it doesn't go well. Who gets left behind? I'm thinking about that in light of being in Charleston, South Carolina right now, a block from where I am sitting, some longshoremen are, on the picket lines and are demanding that their jobs not all be automated and their roles don't all go away." - Tanqueray Edwards
"Emotional intelligence isn't just a soft skill, it's a survival tool." - Kristi Straw
Contact your hosts:
Kristi Straw - https://lighthouseleadershipconsultants.com
Tanqueray Edwards - https://www.tredwardsconsultancy.com/contact

In this episode:
Kristi & Tanqueray focused this episode's conversation on Tall Poppy Syndrome, a phenomenon where successful women, particularly in leadership, are criticized or undermined for standing out. You'll hear Kristi & Tanqueray's personal experiences and frustrations with the gender gap in leadership and what strategies are useful for overcoming workplace bias, including building allies, fostering open communication, and creating mentorship programs. Get ready to drill down on the importance of advocating for oneself, emotional intelligence, and cultivating inclusive, psychologically safe leadership environments for future generations.
Key Takeaways:
"You have to have a psychologically safe environment to have conversations that challenge the status quo." - Kristi Straw
"I'm going to take a moment to challenge myself. There were moments in which I thought to myself, 'I'm not feeling safe.' I need to have open dialog about this. For these particular issues that I'm experiencing here at work... I need advocacy, I need mentorship. I need you to help me build the table and the chair so that I can feel like I am a part of this. But in those moments... I have not asked for those things." - Tanqueray Edwards
"If we are serious about leadership, creativity, innovation, and growth, we have to root out these biases, and we have to do it together." - Kristi Straw
Contact your hosts:
Kristi Straw - https://lighthouseleadershipconsultants.com
Tanqueray Edwards - https://www.tredwardsconsultancy.com/contact

In this episode:
Kristi & Tanqueray explore the theme of resilience, particularly in the context of job loss and role elimination. Tanqueray shares her experience of handling the emotional impact of being let go from her position in a major hospitality brand, emphasizing the importance of composure and self-reflection during such challenging moments. Kristi adds her perspective, discussing her own reactions to leaving a toxic work environment and how she found excitement in new beginnings despite the difficulties faced. This episode reminds us to highlight that resilience is not merely about enduring hardship but involves recognizing one's agency to pivot and move forward positively.
Key Takeaways:
"My resiliency has been exactly what you see sitting here today. Grateful. Grateful to have been cast out, grateful for much of the silence that followed, and grateful for those who have followed me and have reached out and said, "Don't change." - Kristi Straw
"I found myself questioning my worth which surprised people around me. I heard people say things like, 'You have so much self-esteem.' However, what you see externally isn't always the reality." - Tanqueray Edwards
"I took a deep breath, and decided to move through this difficult and unexpected moment by putting my integrity to the forefront of the situation." - Tanqueray Edwards
"It came to a point of, OK, y'all don't want us here. Fine. We're going to go start our own thing. We're going to build our own stampede. We're going to build our own following. We are going to do it a different way. We might struggle. We might fail. We might have to try six times. But the mental health struggles or the challenges and the pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps that we may experience on our own, on any of our darkest days are worth it compared to the narcissism and the gaslighting and the toxicity and the egotistical nature that runs rampant from women and men in corporate America." - Kristi Straw
Contact your hosts:
Kristi Straw - https://lighthouseleadershipconsultants.com
Tanqueray Edwards - https://www.tredwardsconsultancy.com/contact

In this episode:
Kristi & Tanqueray dive into the world of corporate rebels. They discuss how embracing one's "unfit and feral" side can be a catalyst for success. With personal anecdotes and expert insights, Kristi and Tanqueray explore the challenges and rewards of breaking free from traditional corporate norms. They encourage listeners to embrace their unique qualities, challenge the status quo, and create their own paths to leadership.

The episode highlights the importance of authenticity, resilience, and innovation in today's business landscape.

Join Kristi Straw and Tanqueray Edwards as they shake up the world of work—one cocktail and candid conversation at a time. On this podcast, we dive into the messy realities of corporate life that nobody talks about over office coffee. From the high stakes of boardroom battles to the day-to-day grind that tests our spirits, we're here to share it all!

Kristi, with her vibrant Unicorn Leader approach, and Tanqueray, the leader in creating value and realizing return on investment who knows her way around AI and value creation, are not your typical corporate fits. Each week, they’ll break down complex issues with simplicity and a splash of humor, ensuring even Grandma can follow along.

Whether you’ve felt like a misfit, been branded too bold, or just need a break from the corporate playbook, pull up a chair and pour yourself a drink. We’re here to toast to the thrills AND spills of being visionary mavens in a world that often prefers we’d just quietly conform.

Grab your cocktail and join us as we get real about work, life, and everything in between.