Soft Skills for Leaders with Lisa Evans

My guest on this episode of the Soft Skills for Leaders podcast is Serena Low, an introvert coach who helps professional women find their inner strengths in their quiet nature.

As an introvert, it can be difficult to navigate a world that values extroverted qualities such as being outgoing and talkative. From a young age, introverts are often given the label of "quiet achievers" who need to participate more in class. However, this label is not always accurate or fair.

Introverts tend to process information internally before sharing their thoughts with others. This means that they may not speak up as frequently in group settings, but when they do contribute, it is often well thought out and insightful. It's important for peers to recognize and appreciate these contributions rather than assume that participation equates to understanding or intelligence.

Make sure you tune in to the episode to learn more about Serena and how she helps women unleash their inner strengths.

Talking Points

• Introverts often face challenges in navigating social situations that are designed for extroverted personalities, and introverts are often misunderstood.
• The labels and stereotypes often come from childhood, often contradicting messages such as being rewarded for being quiet, yet told to speak up.
• Group settings can be particularly daunting as the pressure to participate is high, and introverted individuals may feel judged or misunderstood by others in the group.
• From a young age, introverts are often given the label of "quiet achievers" who need to participate more in class. However, this label is not always accurate or fair.
• Introverts tend to process information internally before sharing their thoughts with others. This means that they may not speak up as frequently in group settings, but when they do contribute, it is often well thought out and insightful.
• How does an introvert find a way to contribute in an authentic and meaningful way to demonstrate their leadership?
• Introverts tend to think deeply about issues before expressing their thoughts on them, which leads to well-considered opinions. Which can result in others choosing to listen as the introvert shares wise thoughts.
• Why 'faking extroversion' is detrimental and causes personal conflict. What happens when the mask comes off? Behaving in this way is exhausting and can cause stress.
• How introverts choose to use their energy. Solitary activities are usually enjoyable! Finding a healthy equilibrium to recharge and manage limits.
• Getting older and being more comfortable in our own skin and less time worrying about other people's perception of us.
• Qualities that set introverts apart can include - calmness compassion, empathy, deep listening, holding space and helping others feel safe.
• How are we treating the quieter members of the team? As we strive for more inclusive workplaces, leaders find themselves tasked with the challenge of ensuring that everyone can thrive in their work environment.
• Leaders need to find ways to give each person the opportunity to contribute to the shared goals and appreciated each individual the way they are.
• Examples of leaders who create an ideal environment for all communication styles.
• How do we let others know our preferred style?
• Our identity is so much more than our style. Being quiet is one element. Don't let labels define you.
• How the introverted business owner learns to communicate their value and be successful at sales and marketing.

Links to other Soft Skills for Leaders podcast episodes

Flourishing Introverts with Joanne Rawbone

Marketing the Gentle Way with Sarah Santacroce

Quietly Powerful Leadership with Megumi Miki

Connect with Serena Low

Web: https://serenalow.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serena-low/

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your public speaking, presentation skills and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Learn more about Soft Skills Academy here.

Your Host Lisa Eva...

On this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders, my guest is Dr Nia Thomas.

Nia discusses the importance of self-awareness in leadership and provides tips and activities to help people reflect and grow in this area.

The conversation covers a range of themes from inclusive decision-making, to managing stress and emotions through meditation.

Nia emphasises the importance of conscious leadership, seeking unfiltered feedback, and developing both hard and soft skills in order to become a self-aware leader.

If you're looking to improve your leadership skills and gain some practical tips and insights, this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps

[00:03:50] Defining Self-Aware Leadership Through Reflection and Regulation

[00:20:40] Self-awareness hindered by filtered feedback and disconnect

[00:23:50] Unrealistic Expectations and Toxic Leaders Damage Organizations

[00:20:55] Inclusive Decision Making: The Key to Project Success

[00:27:45] Self Awareness is a Never-Ending Journey

[00:28:42] Solo and team activities to grow self-awareness

[00:30:55] Meditation for self-awareness and breathing

[00:31:44] The benefits of video review

[00:33:14] Facilitated 360° review

[00:33:55] Trusted feedback from those you respect

[00:35:00] Three word feedback

[00:36:22] Softs skills for self-aware leadership.

Summary

Nia Thomas discusses various aspects of self-aware leadership, including solo and team activities for self-awareness, coaching and mentoring, the importance of inclusive decision-making and reflection and feed-forward to improve relational skills, and defining nine traits that make up a self-aware leader.

Talking Points

• Self-awareness as a never-ending journey
• Importance of coaching and mentoring for senior members
• Reading a room and observing behaviours as essential traits of an authentic and effective leader
• Unrealistic expectations in organisations and their effect on employee interest
• Importance of inclusive decision-making and listening skills in bridging the gap of strategic-level disconnect
• Various methods to build self-awareness
• Crises management from the macro to the micro level
• The Impact of bureaucracy and red tape on crisis response
• Psychological safety and the role of leaders in building it
• The Dunning Kruger Effect in developing self-awareness
• Importance of seeking unfiltered feedback for conscious leadership
• Nine traits that make up a self-aware leader: care, humility, authenticity, reflection, trustworthiness, adaptability, modelling behaviour, listening, and learning from experience

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Links to other Soft Skills for Leaders podcast episodes

Leading with Purpose

Head and Heart Leadership

Connect with Dr Nia Thomas

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nia-d-thomas/

Website: https://knowingselfknowingothers.co.uk/home/

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your public speaking, presentation skills and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Learn more about Soft Skills Academy here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram

Book a complimentary mini-coaching session with Lisa here.

Lynda Folan is my guest on this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders. Lynda has a PhD in Organisational Psychology, and 35 years of experience in the corporate world across three continents.

Her recently published book, "Leader Resilience - The New Frontier of Leadership" (2021), offers insights into the highly relevant topic of resilience and challenges how we think about leadership and leadership development.

Talking Points

• • The early days of shaping a career
  • The most significant changes in organisations over the decades
  • Tougher for leaders post-COVID with change in work
  • Organisations and leaders are more agile
  • Mental health issues post-COVID has a huge impact
  • Shifting thinking for the first step to building resilience
  • A psychologically safe environment
  • Recent Legislation Work Safety and Health Act 2020
  • Psychological disconnect due to toxicity
  • What are the signs of bullying and how is it defined?
  • Covert bullying is common and hard to deal with
  • The rise of narcissism in society
  • First steps in tackling undesirable behaviour
  • What we need to talk about.

Links to other Soft Skills for Leaders podcast episodes

Building Inclusive Workplaces

Respect at Work

Surviving a toxic workplace

Connect with Dr Lynda Folan

Web: https://inspireddevelopment.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lynda-folan-a241061b/

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your public speaking, presentation skills and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Learn more about Soft Skills Academy here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, contact Lisa.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram

Book a complimentary mini-coaching session with Lisa here.

My guest on this Soft Skills for Leaders Podcast episode is Gihan Perera. We chat about the essential topic of how leaders can lead in today's workplace and be ready for the uncertainty of the future. Leaders can adapt by bringing the best from the past and to the future and learning new ways of working and leading.

Talking Points

• The meaning of being fit for the future.
• The new challenges facing leaders post-pandemic in the period of crisis management and growth.
• The similarities between disruption and innovation.
• The five key differences between teams that are aligned with the past with those that are fit for the future.
• The best workplaces on earth and what the Harvard study showed us.
• The payoff to diversity and how we need diverse thinking to solve the world's problems.
• The ageing workforce and the value of younger and older people working together.
• Engagement vs meaning and how an organisation may have a purpose aligned with people's values to optimise engagement.
• Leadership in the age of Artificial Intelligence and how AI can help by accelerating the experience curve.
• Automation of jobs and the skills of the future.
• The two most asked questions that Gihan is asked when he speaks at conferences.
• The importance of receiving feedback

Links to other Soft Skills for Leaders podcast episodes

Head & Heart Leadership

Well-Being of Teams

Connect with Gihan Perera

Website: https://gihanperera.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gihanperera/

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your public speaking, presentation skills and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Learn more about Soft Skills Academy here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa. Lisa offers a complimentary 30-minute strategy session to find out if we are a good fit to work together.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Book a complimentary mini-coaching session with Lisa here.

My guest on this episode of the Soft Skills for Leaders Podcast is Dr Kirstin Ferguson.

Dr Kirstin Ferguson is an award-winning, globally recognised author, columnist and company director.

She is one of Australia's most prominent leadership experts with a 30-year executive career and a PhD in leadership and culture. Kirstin is changing how the world looks at leadership, helping people become modern leaders who can lead with their head and heart.

Kirstin believes that leadership is simply a series of moments, and every moment allows you to leave a positive legacy for those you lead. Whether you are heading up a large company, managing a small team or guiding your family, our ability to integrate head and heart influences our success in leading others and navigating our complex world.

Kirstin explains the eight key attributes of a head and heart leader and provides the tools to measure your own approach.

Along the way, she shares her conversations with modern leaders from a broad range of backgrounds whose stories will surprise you, challenge your thinking and inspire you to be the leader the world needs today.

Talking Points

• Kirstin's diverse early career
• Lessons learned from a military career
• Leading through influence
• Authentic modern leaders in the spotlight and why they are different
• The spark that led to the Head & Heart book
• It’s OK to admit we don’t have all the answers
• The key attributes of head & heart leadership
• The importance of receiving feedback

‘Head & Heart is one of those books you just know is going to change the world.’

KATE JENKINS, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner

Links to other Soft Skills for Leaders podcast episodes

Leaders Hurting Teams

Amplifying Team Accountability

Connect with Kirstin Ferguson

Website: https://headheartleader.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.lhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstinferguson/

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your public speaking, presentation skills and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Learn more about Soft Skills Academy here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa. Book a complimentary 30-minute strategy session to find out if we'd like to work together.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Book a complimentary mini-coaching session with Lisa here.