Friendship is More Than Magic with Shasta Nelson

10/29/20 • 46 min

Shasta Nelson is an author, keynote speaker, and the Founder and CEO of GirlFriendCircles. An expert on friendships and healthy relationships, she has written several books covering how they impact all facets of life. She has been featured in many magazines, TV shows, and newspapers, including Good Housekeeping, The Today Show, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Her most recent book - The Business of Friendship: Making Most of Our Friendships Where We Spend Most of Our Time - is a guide to developing deeper connections with your colleagues. She joins Marcel Schwantes to discuss the power of friendship, and why it's important for the workplace.Marcel asks Shasta what inspired her to write her recent book. "I would often ask why businesses aren't taking all the research surrounding the importance of friendships among employees seriously. It seemed that people would only take it seriously if there was a book about it as a business subject," she replies. [4:07]The results of a Myers Briggs Institute survey about job satisfaction suggest that the bottom line for job satisfaction is having closer relationships with your coworkers. Socialization is a human need, which is why we function best when we feel like we belong to a community. [12:09]Friendship is a triangle of three requirements, which are: positivity, consistency, and vulnerability. Positivity is the foundation of the triangle. Every relationship starts with low levels of consistency, and therefore low levels of vulnerability. As consistency increases, so should vulnerability. [16:15]Marcel asks Shasta what leaders should be doing to counter loneliness at work. There is a prevalent belief that managers do not want friendships among coworkers. Shasta remarks that the first thing leaders should do is dismantle that belief, and make it explicit that they encourage close relationships in the workplace. [21:45]The biggest obstacle preventing an organizational culture of friendship is the mental block we have against it. Another big obstacle is a lack of positivity in the workplace. [33:35]Marcel asks Shasta why she thinks fear-based management styles are still prevalent. "Fear [levels are] high in all of us individually, so it makes sense why it's affecting us collectively. Much of our lives are controlled by fear, and we are affected by each other's mood." [37:01]ResourcesShasta Nelson on LinkedIn | TwitterShastaNelson.comThe Business of Friendship: Making Most of Our Friendships Where We Spend Most of Our Time

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How Belonging Impacts This Extraordinary Life with Kevin Monroe

Kevin Monroe is a globally recognized thought leader, consultant, and self-proclaimed perpetual optimist. He is dedicated to “helping people flourish on the road less traveled in business, leadership and life.” He is the host of the This ExtraOrdinary Life Community and Podcast, and a longtime friend of Marcel Schwantes. He joins Marcel to talk about his journey in podcasting, what makes life extraordinary, and belonging.Kevin believes that the world needs more gratitude. Gratitude is the most fertile soil in which to begin any plan or endeavor. [3:37]Kevin shares his journey into podcasting. His very first podcast was started on a whim, with no clear strategy or prior knowledge of how podcasting even worked. Though it was sporadic and not properly planned out, Kevin developed relationships with many successful individuals due to that initial podcast. [6:42]The difference we want to make in the world is really achieved by doing ordinary things with extra focus, flavor, and flair, which transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. [12:58]The little things can have a great impact on people. In one instance, Kevin shares, he was meeting a sceptical executive to do a presentation about the value of servant leadership and why it should be at the core of business. At the end of the presentation, the executive told Kevin that the most impactful part of the experience was the way Kevin greeted him and said that he would begin greeting his employees in the same manner. [21:49]There is a key difference between belonging and fitting in. Kevin defines fitting in as compromising aspects of yourself to conform to pre-existent norms. Cultures of belonging promote autonomy and flourish, Marcel adds. He sees fitting in as just going through the motions, and belonging as what lends to growth and thriving environments. [30:27]Kevin shares how leaders can foster environments of belonging in their workplace, even if they don’t have much authority. You must first have the conversation about belonging and authenticity with yourself, and then start talking with your team. [38:28]Marcel asks Kevin why he thinks fear is still prevalent in the workplace. “Belonging is linked to a whopping 56% increase in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover, and a 75% reduction in sick days,” he replies. “Employees with higher workplace belonging also showed a 167% increase in their employees promoter score. I have a hunch that a high percentage of those who are actively disengaged have a sense of unbelonging so great that they are willing to sabotage their own organization.” [41:13]ResourcesKevin Monroe on LinkedIn | Twitter Email: [email protected] or text Kevin at +1-404-713-0713 KevinDMonroe.com | ThisExtraordinary.lifeHarvard Business Review- The Value of Belonging at WorkTheGratitudeChallenge.communityGratitudeEncounter.com The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse video The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse book

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Transformative Influence with Walt Rakowich

Walt Rakowich is the former CEO of Prologis. He is a member of the Board of Directors at Host Hotels & Resorts, Iron Mountain and Ventas, Inc., and an Advisory Council member at Gender Fair. He is also an author, and a speaker at The Center for Heart Led Leadership. Walt joins Marcel Schwantes to discuss how he managed to keep his former company afloat during the great recession of 2008. Walt’s book, Transfluence: How to Lead with Transformative Influence in Today's Climates of Change, is a practical guide teaching leaders how to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from having transformative influence in the workplace. [4:17]Leaders often wonder whether they are capable enough to lead and/or turn a company around from low to high success. However, Walt believes the real focus should be on how they can work with their fellow employees. “The most important thing you have to remember is that it’s not about you, it’s about the influence you have on other people.” [11:52]Marcel asks Walt about his experience with fear. Walt shares how his imposter syndrome impacted his professional life, and made his employees wary of approaching him. A coach he hired made him realize that he was taking on too much of the burdens of work by himself. [19:14]According to Walt, leaders must build a strong microclimate to set themselves up for success and destroy the fear and pride that hold them back. A strong microclimate consists of the three-H core: humility, honesty, and heart. [27:59]Walt shares how he managed to turn the organizational culture of Prologis around from toxic to uplifting. He comments that COVID-19 presents many challenges for leadership and managing that challenge starts from the heart. [38:11]“Consider this [crisis] your crucible moment and step up to become the best leader you can be,” Walt advises listeners. “I know it’s not fun, it never is, but make it about other people. If you do that, you will build trust in your organization.” [48:25]ResourcesWalt Rakowich on LinkedIn | TwitterWaltRakowich.comTransfluence: How to Lead with Transformative Influence in Today's Climates of Change

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