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The Mindset Mentor, Angela Cox meets the most inspirational, successful and engaging CEOs, Leaders and Professionals, defining and unlocking the secrets of success, exploring the ‘Make it Happen’ Mindset, resilience, authenticity and courage. Angela will tease out the lessons learnt by her guests and how they have dealt with the highs and lows along the way. An uplifting and insightful listen that will leave you with fire in your belly.
Episodes
Monday Jan 03, 2022
Monday Jan 03, 2022
The Strategy of Staying Strong
Adversities are inevitable, especially when you're facing a mountain of health and financial issues. When you're at the end of your rope, you uncover something important: sometimes, being strong is the only option. Without strength and resilience, you may feel strangled by anxiety and hesitations. It's tempting to dwell on your emotions during difficult situations, but we must not linger there forever. Tough times call for us to dust ourselves off and prepare to face our problems head-on.
In this episode, Angela talks about her husband's accident and how staying strong helped her during tough times. She also shares the ten lessons she learned to maintain her strength during a turbulent era in her life. She hopes that by imparting her wisdom, you can also find the strength to ride out the storm.
If you want to know how to stay strong despite the odds, this episode is for you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Uncover the ten lessons to staying strong
- Understand how staying strong can guide you in difficult situations.
- Discover ways to survive tough times in your life
Resources
- Coaching with Angela Cox
- Listen to The Mindset Mentor
- Connect with Angela Cox : LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[02:02] 2021’s Challenge for Angela
- Angela’s husband suffered from a head injury last 2021. It was the most stressful five months of her life. Listen to the entire episode to hear the full story.
- Many people kept telling her to stay strong until she felt sick hearing it. Angela just wanted things to go back to normal.
- Our lowest points push us out of our comfort zone and make us improve.
[06:16] Lesson#1: You Can Do It
- Remind yourself that you are capable of getting through adversity.
- Recognising your strengths allows you to face the troubles ahead.
- The belief that she could deal with anything gave Angela the power to get through all difficulties she experienced during her husband’s accident.
[10:24] Lesson#2: Be In the Present
- You may still experience fear no matter how determined you feel.
- When you feel afraid, let go and be in the present moment.
- Mindfulness releases us from negative thinking. Tune in to the full episode to learn how repeating the ‘satnav’ helped Angela remain grounded in the present.
- Practising mindfulness doesn't come naturally. We need to make a conscious effort to apply it to our lives.
[14:44] Lesson#3: Choose What to Prioritise
- Many personal and professional changes happened in Angela's life after the accident. To cope, she had to revisit her priorities.
- Some situations called for her to give up on self-care temporarily to get things done.
- Focus on matters critical in that moment instead of exhausting yourself by trying to accomplish everything.
- You can pick up some of the things you previously deprioritised to get back on track.
- Choosing the path of least resistance allows you to do what’s necessary.
[20:51] Beauty in Vulnerability
- There’s beauty in allowing yourself to be vulnerable.
- It makes you appreciate yourself and your strength within.
[21:51] Lesson#4: There’s Always a Way
- There were times when Angela felt stuck. But what gave her strength is believing there will always be a solution available.
- When you encounter a roadblock in your life, find the courage to take action. Listen to the full episode to hear how Angela fought to keep her husband in the hospital.
- You might not make the correct choice, but it will still propel you forward.
- Getting no answers doesn't mean there’s no solution. You’re probably just in the wrong place.
[29:37] Lesson#5: Visualise an Outcome
- Create a vision where the adversity will end on a positive note.
- Sticking to your vision gives hope that everything will be okay.
- Angela’s visualisation made her strong for her family.
[34:11] Lesson#6: Accept Help
- It's difficult to juggle everything when you're going through a challenging situation.
- Asking for other people’s help takes off the weight on your shoulders.
- Be specific about what you're offering.
- Accepting support makes you stronger.
- Recognise that people genuinely want to extend a hand. You don't need to feel indebted to them.
[39:55] Lesson#7: It’s Okay to Shut Down
- Angela feels overwhelmed when she opens up with someone. Shutting down was the best strategy for her to stay strong.
- Opening up her difficult emotions to people dissipates her strength.
- Instead of talking to someone, she would express her thoughts and feelings on Instagram or record them.
- Process what you felt after the adversity.
[46:06] Lesson#8: Be True
- Finding your voice gives you strength. For Angela, she was outspoken about what she believed was right for her family during her husband’s hospitalisation.
- It’s a challenge to be authentic when you’re at your lowest.
- Don’t accept anything that will erode your truth—even during your darkest times.
[50:20] Lesson#9: Everything Shall Pass
- Over time, all the difficult experiences shall pass.
- Knowing that tough times won’t exist forever provides strength.
[53:10] Lesson#10: Rebuild
- People’s strength runs out. We need time to rebuild ourselves.
- Determine the steps you need to take to recover and commit to it.
5 Powerful Quotes
[02:57] “When we're at our weakest, we're actually at our strongest. We're very much pushing against the comfort zone.”
[20:03] “When you're needing to stay strong, and you don't have a choice, there's only a few things that matter. And that is about getting up in the morning with that determination to be able to get through and go into bed at night, knowing that you've done your best, and everything else can wait.”
[27:41] "I didn't always get it right. The ways that I chose weren't always the right ways. But they moved us forward. They might not have moved us a giant leap, and they might have meant that we took a sidestep, but we were making positive progress."
[38:00] “You can't always do it all yourself. And you can allow yourself, Angela Cox, to trust that people will do stuff.”
[49:14] “You don't want to do anything that is going to erode that true version of you. And every time you attempt to people please, you shut up–when you should be speaking up. You say yes when you should be saying no. Every time you do that you erode a sense of you. And that erodes your strength."
Enjoy this Podcast?
Angela walks us through how we can survive tough times–even if we feel like giving up. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets, hit subscribe and share it with your friends! Everyone can find success by looking at their origins and building new connections.
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts with us online. You can also share it to help your family and friends discover all the learning experiences that life has to offer.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
A Human Connection: Beating the Odds through Kindness
As women, we tend to underestimate our capabilities when pursuing a professional career. Our self-esteem further diminishes when people belittle our accomplishments because of our gender. However, the key to success doesn't lie in your origin or gender but your strengths. Everyone can reach the same heights and create the human connections necessary to get to the top. Eleanor Foley is an inspirational figure who proves that success is always within reach, no matter the odds.
In this episode, Eleanor Foley describes her challenging journey as a single mother towards professional success. She also reveals the proudest moments in her life as a woman in a male-dominated industry and how trust and a human connection are the keys to success. Before she concludes, she spills her secret to being a successful leader.
Listen to this episode to see how forging real human connections on your journey is the path to success.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Discover Eleanor’s proudest moments in her leadership pursuit.
- Learn how Eleanor's ability to forge a human connection proved to be the secret to her success.
- Know what it takes to thrive as a leader in modern industries.
Resources
- Map Out the Life that You Deserve with Angela
- Connect with Eleanor: LinkedIn
- At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine.
Episode Highlights
[3:39] Eleanor’s Proudest Moments
- She believes that every day is made up of really proud moments.
- Eleanor takes pride in many things — watching her daughter, for example, or simple achievements.
- Eleanor acquired an MBA while being a single mother and a full-time employee.
- Her MBA opened many doors that were previously closed — including a job at Microsoft.
- Although Eleanor landed a job at Microsoft, her sense of achievement came not from the job but from completing her MBA.
[7:59] Conversations on Perseverance
- On April 1, Eleanor was burnt out, almost reaching the point of fatigue while still having to submit her thesis.
- Like a Phoenix, it's okay to fall as long as you rise again afterwards.
- Find the ‘spark’ somewhere within you and ignite it.
- Even though you have the best support system, it’s still useless if you don’t believe that you can do it.
- Removing an element of perfection is crucial to getting the job done.
[11:19] The ‘Unbossed’ Culture
- Eleanor works for Novartis, where they practice unbossed culture.
- In an unbossed culture, employees don't have to ask for permission to do anything. Everyone is 100% accountable for their actions and the results thereof.
- Employees, therefore, have significantly more freedom and agency in how they operate.
- The culture is results-driven while providing you with the autonomy of work-life balance.
[13:52] The Essence of Trust in Work
- Novartis has an efficient and effective professional culture because of trust.
- Employers and employees both have to earn each other's trust.
- Work quality will increase when there's a human connection between employers and employees.
- The value of trust is magnified when we focus on the person behind the work rather than the job itself.
- Employers need to remember that employees want to do the best for the company as much as they do.
[16:12] Eleanor’s Road to Full-time in Novartis
- All of Eleanor's work-from-home experiences revolved around trust.
- At Novartis, Eleanor was impressed with the way employees and employers treat and interact with each other.
- Over 1 weekend 90,000 people in Novartis had to start working virtually because of the shut downs caused by COVID, yet the company still trusts their employees to fulfil their jobs.
[17:58] The Trusted Advisor Role
- Everything starts within yourself.
- Being an advisor requires two things: that you are well-versed in your subject matter and that your advice is reliable and beneficial.
- Giving trustworthy advice also builds reputation; consequently, being a trusted advisor also translates into leadership skills.
- Advisory roles encourage you to support people when they make mistakes.
- Create a learning environment.
[20:53] Eleanor as a Proud Mother
- Another one of Eleanor’s proudest moments is being a mother.
- She taught herself ways to maintain a good relationship with her daughter. A significant portion of that is choosing her battles.
- Maintaining a human connection and open communication with her daughter is vital. Parents need the courage to talk about sensitive issues but also know the right time to discuss them.
[25:12] Eleanor’s Guide to Parenting
- Children need to process their emotions themselves before expressing them.
- No manual in the world will explain how to fix your child's issues instantaneously.
- Most importantly, nobody knows your child better than you do. If anything, trust your parental instincts.
- Your child is entitled to their emotions and their own space.
- Every child is a unique individual; you need to adapt to what your child is and will become.
[29:03] Growth as a Double-Edged Sword
- We sometimes berate ourselves whenever we fail to do or be more than what we are.
- It’s too easy to think that we need to be improving constantly, preventing us from accepting ourselves.
- You grow by accepting yourself and having the willingness to change.
- Everyone is seeking pure happiness. Don’t allow external influences to define what that means for you.
[33:17] Eleanor as a Mentor
- She shares that women shouldn’t underestimate their cognitive skills because of their gender. Instead, they should focus on building themselves and other women who don’t believe in themselves.
- We shouldn’t normalise categorising work based on gender. Men and women can have equal mental and physical abilities.
- Eleanor is proud of the opportunity to mentor young women in a male-dominated industry, encouraging them to pursue their goals no matter what.
- Your strengths should define you, not your gender or culture.
- Lastly, she emphasises the importance of being your authentic self when showing up in front of people.
[39:48] The Human Connection: Eleanor’s Secret
- Human connection has been the heart of Eleanor’s success.
- Be kind and understanding; look at the individuals around you. They’re human too.
- Success comes from communication, openness, honesty, and trust.
- Trust that your employees' intentions toward the company are positive.
[42:09] The Art of Smiling
- A simple act of smiling and eye contact could brighten up someone's day.
- People looking at you strangely when you smile at them indicates that it is not a rare occurrence.
- Smiling is contagious as it makes them reciprocate the gesture.
- When you smile at a person, it creates a genuine human connection.
5 Powerful Quotes
[8:49] ‘It's okay to fall down, you know, but you just got to get back up like the Phoenix out of them.’
[14:04] ‘If you don't trust your workers, you're not going to get trust back from them. And it's earned both ways.’
[19:54] ‘If you're going to mentor somebody, if you're going to lead a team of people, you have to allow them to make mistakes.’
[22:37] ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things that I can and wisdom to know the difference.’
[29:08] ‘We do challenge ourselves by trying to be more than what we are, and then beating ourselves up for not being that.’
About the Guest
Eleanor Foley is the living proof of a powerful woman. As a Solution Delivery Manager in Novartis, she mentors many women in breaking through a male-dominated software industry.
Her leadership skills and vast experience in digital transformations helped build strong relationships with a remotely located service provider and create a climate of trust in her team. As an excellent manager, she implements a robust change to her management approach in ensuring quality operations. Currently, Eleanor resides in Ireland with her 19-year-old daughter.
If you want to know more about Eleanor, you can connect with her via LinkedIn.
Enjoy this Podcast?
As Eleanor recalls her experiences, she realises a trusting environment and genuine human connections led her to success. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets…, hit subscribe and share it with your friends! Everyone can find success by looking at their origins and building new connections.
The Podcast has recently been voted in the top 10 most inspirational Podcasts!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts through a review. You can also share it to help your family and friends discover how to learn more from their life experiences.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Victorious in Last Place: The Winning Mindset with Holly Joint
They say life is a race. We must run towards our dreams before our time on earth ends. So, we set deadlines for our goals, and if we don’t meet them, we feel frustrated and hopeless. We are in such a hurry to reach the finish line that we lose ourselves in the process. But here is the truth: life was never about who comes in first. Success is an attitude; the winning mindset is about enjoying one’s journey to success no matter how long it takes.
In this episode, Holly Joint shares all about her experiences that led to her success. She details how coming last in an ultramarathon became one of the proudest moments of her life. She also talks about how framing problems as opportunities can reduce stress. Finally, Holly discusses how being open to unexpected opportunities can lead to success.
Listen to this episode to discover how staying curious and keeping a winning mindset on your journey can bring success.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Discover Holly’s three proudest moments and gather wisdom from them.
- Learn Holly’s winning mindset and secret to success.
- Know what it takes to thrive in the digital industry.
Resources
- Map Out the Life that You Deserve with Angela
- Connect with Holly: LinkedIn
- Grab a bite of healthy homemade meals at Serves Gourmet!
Episode Highlights
[4:27] Proudest Moment # 1: Coming Last in an Ultramarathon
- Back in 2019, Holly decided to join an ultramarathon in Kazakhstan five weeks before the event.
- She did not have the right gear or training. To make things worse, she was recovering from a running injury.
- Holly felt most proud of herself during the second marathon when she was determined to keep going despite the pain and humiliation she felt.
- Holly placed last, but she was still proud of herself. The experience of coming last and not being the best was humbling.
- Listen to the whole episode to know the surprising ending to Holly’s ultramarathon experience!
[11:06] Finding the Resilience to Keep Going
- Seeing someone come last and still feel proud of it sets an example of a winning mindset for children.
- Holly kept going because she wanted to share her ultramarathon story with her children.
- Your suffering is more mental than physical.
- If you dig deep and believe you can accomplish something, you will succeed.
- Tune in to the full episode to hear more about Holly’s personal life and her need for adventure!
[13:26] Proudest Moment # 2: Reframing Problems as Opportunities
- Holly had to balance long working hours and taking care of her kids during the lockdown.
- She was under a huge amount of pressure and found herself lashing out at her kids.
- She later realised that the lockdown was not a burden but an opportunity to spend time with her children.
- Everyone needs to learn to adapt to the circumstances.
- By understanding all this and letting some things go, Holly realised she is also capable of helping her team with the pressure they’re also feeling.
[18:06] About Holly’s Family and Adapting During the Lockdown
- Holly’s husband has a food business called Serves Gourmet.
- The lockdown gave her children an opportunity to become independent. They needed to manage their own things and time.
- It also created a space to explore their creativity.
[21:44] Proudest Moment # 3: Not Being Intentional About Her Career
- To cultivate a winning mindset, we must be intentional about our careers. But we must also be open to unexpected opportunities.
- We must challenge ourselves and get out of our comfort zones.
- Holly started in Accenture, where she could have had a linear progression up the ladder. But since then, she has tried out all sorts of opportunities.
- To feel authentic in her career, Holly had to change and be uncomfortable. Looking back at her whole journey, she feels proud.
- Listen to the whole podcast and learn why Holly’s career was like a roller coaster ride: from participating in the 2022 World Cup bid to working for a start-up to setting up a whole business from scratch!
[26:16] How to Thrive in the Digital Industry as a Woman
- Be open and excited about learning emerging technologies.
- Do your research.
- Stay open-minded and curious.
- Value diversity and the opportunity it gives for innovation. Be fascinated with people and their origins.
- Tune in to the full episode to hear more insights from Holly’s journey!
[30:21] What Holly Had to Work on
- Holly is sometimes overly driven. Holly had to learn not to be a bulldozer.
- The journey to change takes time and can be enormously frustrating.
- Patience is an important lesson to learn.
[32:15] The Winning Mindset: Holly’s Secret to Success
- Success is a journey rather than a destination.
- Put curiosity first before judgment. Curiosity leads to new opportunities.
- You can be empathetic about someone if you're curious about them.
- The scarcity mindset is counterintuitive to being successful. Think from a place of abundance, not fear.
- Self-awareness also opens you up to growth. Stay humble and keep your feet on the ground.
5 Powerful Quotes
[10:36] ‘You can take part in something and know that you can come last and still feel really proud about it.'
[11:59] ‘When you dig deep and believe that you have the mindset to do it, you can actually do it.'
[22:38] ‘It's important not to be too intentional sometimes because I think you have to be open to slightly crazy opportunities.'
[29:05] 'Many of us don't realise that there is a perspective other than ours that is worth listening to and worth noting.'
[32:20] ‘Success [is] a journey rather than a destination.'
About the Guest
Holly Joint is a woman who delivers transformation. She's the head of the Major Programmes Office in Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and leads the group by focusing on ecosystems, disruption, innovation and governance.
Her leadership skills and vast experience in customer-centred digital transformations helped build and grow multiple businesses. She understands the change necessary for adapting to the world and the response and needs of customers. Currently, Holly resides in the United Arab Emirates with her husband and two children.
If you want to know more about Holly, you can connect with her via LinkedIn.
Enjoy this Podcast?
As Holly looks back into her experiences, she realises how staying curious and being open to unexpected opportunities led her to success. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets…, hit subscribe and share it with your friends! Everyone can cultivate a winning mindset by looking at their origins and building new connections.
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts with us. You can also share it to help your family and friends discover how to learn more from their life experiences.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Finding Success in Life Experiences and Connections with Will Jennings
No matter how far you've come, you don't have to know everything. There is always something new to learn from life experiences and people whose paths you cross in our ever-changing world. It is essential to keep your mind open and find a thirst for learning to hone the successful person you could become. Today, our guest shows how embracing a growth mindset and finding meaning in the fundamentals of life reflect success.
In this episode, Will Jennings shares things he takes pride in that influenced the successful man he is today. He discusses picking up life lessons from everyday life experiences and keeping an eye for learning.
Tune in to this episode to discover valuable insights on what success really means and how life experiences and people play a significant role in your journey.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Find out Will’s three proudest moments and draw wisdom from them.
- Learn Will’s secret to success.
- Understand the value behind being okay with not knowing everything.
Resources
Episode Highlights
[02:32] Balancing Life and Work
- The key is to leave early in the morning.
- The remote work setup helped Will develop a second set of habits.
- Now that people are transitioning out of the remote work setup, there’s a need for a third set of habits or redeveloping a new routine.
- Working with a standing desk makes Will work better because movement and walking give him a different energy.
[06:58] Proudest Moment #1: Life Lessons and Experiences Growing Up
- Will is proud of his experiences growing up — both good and bad — since they shaped him into who he is today.
- He acknowledges his experiences growing up as the building blocks of his life today.
- Who we are today is a result of where we came from.
[08:19] Will’s Building Blocks
- Will grew up in West London, which was a very multicultural area back then.
- Growing up in a melting pot exposed him to different people and cultures.
- His education in London also influenced his beliefs and values.
- His early years allowed him to build his character and try different things.
[10:57] Lessons from Childhood
- Will wants to instil the value of commitment and work ethic in his children.
- He wants to show the importance of being honest and staying present.
- Will finds importance in trusting in yourself and your capabilities, and these are the basics that he wants to pass on to the next generation.
[16:05] Proudest Moment #2: Being Okay with Learning Things
- Will takes pride in not knowing everything and being open to learning new things.
- He is open-minded and has a thirst for learning.
- For Will, the ability to pass on knowledge is part of finding solutions to issues.
- Sometimes, we also need to listen and learn from other people’s perspectives.
- His readiness to learn new things also allows him to connect with people and broaden his perspective.
[21:31] On His Thirst for Learning
- For Will, it’s part of his role now as a leader.
- Learning and unlearning are part of building connections with people and helping them reach their potential.
- There is no rulebook on how to navigate the pandemic. It pushed Will to take a step back and learn how to manage people after all the physical and psychological changes.
- Sometimes, you have to be humble and accept that you don’t know everything.
[25:36] On Leading an Organisation
- Will says he does not want to give people a false sense of comfort that things will be okay.
- Instead, he focuses on equipping people with tools that allow them to accept and face the volatility of reality.
- As a leader, Will believes in being straightforward, enabling support, and allowing people to be open about their fears and aspirations.
- It is essential to allow people to be vulnerable and encourage them to reach their full potential.
[34:18] Proudest Moment #3: The Company He Keeps
- The people surrounding him are a never-ending source of inspiration, pride and optimism.
- For Will, every persona meets plays a role in his life.
- The interactions and connections he establishes are opportunities to gain new perspectives and learn.
[37:45] On Staying Present
- Will admits that he struggles with being preoccupied with other things rather than staying present during family time.
- It is essential to focus on things that you can control.
[42:02] Will’s Secret to Success
- Understand what it is you’re trying to achieve.
- Stay curious, learn new things, and listen.
- Be fair in how you treat people.
- Have the courage to take on any challenge.
- Have a growth mindset.
5 Powerful Quotes
[11:14] “If you really do want something, and if you really do want to be somewhere, or to achieve something even if it’s for yourself… commit to it and really trust yourself to do it.”
[24:19] “You just have to be humble enough to accept the fact that you don’t have the answer.”
[27:48] “If you make sure you look after yourself, that you’re the best that you can be, that you’re delivering your potential, the result will take care of itself.”
[38:56] “And you should embrace what you can control because to think and worry and to be preoccupied with things that are outside your control is really to deal with it twice.”
[46:20] "You don't really fail — you just learn."
About the Guest
Will Jennings is the Chief Executive Officer of Rabobank in the UK. Before becoming the CEO, he worked as the Chief Risk Officer. Will is not only a loving leader and father but also a people person who has a love for lifelong learning.
If you want to know more about Will, you can connect with him via LinkedIn.
Enjoy this Podcast?
We’re all caught up in finding success and achieving great things. But we sometimes forget to take a step back and look at what is truly fundamental to success.
As Will humbly looks back at his experiences growing up, the more he continues to broaden his perspectives and find purpose in his life. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets…, hit subscribe and share it with your friends! Everyone can find success by looking at their origins and building new connections.
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts through a review. You can also share it to help your family and friends discover how to learn more from their life experiences.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Tiffany Willcox’s Three Proudest Moments and Secret to Success
Straying away from who you are can hold you back. However, it’s normal not to have all things figured out. Today’s guest shows us that to be authentic, you need to undergo a process. It will take conscious effort, but it is worth it. After all, being true to who you are will allow you to shine the best way you can.
In this episode, Tiffany Willcox shares her three proudest moments in life and her secret to success. She talks about her journey to finding confidence and being a mother, mentor, and a woman in tech. She leaves us with valuable insights on living a full life by striving to be authentic and making an impact through her ways.
Tune in to this episode if you want to discover why embracing authenticity is key to elevating your success!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Tiffany shares her three proudest moments and what she’s learned from them.
- Discover Tiffany’s secret to a successful life.
- Learn why you should aim to be authentic and how it can propel you to success.
Resources
Episode Highlights
[4:53] Proudest Moment #1: Being on The Podcast
- Tiffany is proud of being on The Mindset Mentor Meets...
- She’s always doubted whenever people say she’s good at what she does. But she came to the podcast recognising her value and worth.
- To get to this point, she embarked on a mentoring journey to help her unlock her confidence and identify her strengths.
- Focusing and working on herself helped her find her voice and recognise her worth.
- Being able to speak in front of other people is a milestone in her journey of accepting and loving herself more.
[11:52] Doing Charity Work
- Tiffany decided to leave her company, Specsavers, in the middle of COVID to work for a charity.
- During her interview, she made sure to be authentic and was clear on what she can contribute to the organisation.
- Most people have a misconception that charities cannot afford innovation. However, their organisation has cutting-edge technology.
- Tiffany feels lucky to be in her role now, as she values the feeling of contributing and helping other people around her.
- She has gained more appreciation for life by being in the field of palliative care. Listen to the full episode to find out how Tiffany helps patients and their loved ones!
[17:17] Proudest Moment #2: Being A Mum
- Tiffany’s mother passed away when her little one was still in her tummy. So, her early parenting years were a struggle.
- She says juggling work and parenting nearly broke her, but she’s now got it more under control.
- Seeing her children go out into the world and be the best they can be, she can’t help but feel proud.
[18:45] Parenting and Leadership
- Arguably, parenting is the ultimate leadership role.
- For Tiffany, it means giving young people a push without being pushy.
- As a parent, she sometimes has to put aside her wants and desires to do what her sons want and listen to their side.
[22:31] Proudest Moment #3: Being A Mentor
- Tiffany doesn’t have it all figured out, but she feels honoured that people seek advice or support from her.
- She loves to help other people see the best versions of themselves.
- She is not only proud to be a woman in the tech space, but also a leader.
[28:14] Tiffany’s Secrets to Success
- The key is to be authentic, present in the moment, and curious.
- Tiffany reminds us not to forget to have a little bit of fun.
- Overcoming her shyness and fears helped her become successful.
- Having curiosity can unlock your authenticity, as it helps tamper down your fear of the unknown.
- The support system she receives from her husband is also instrumental to her success.
5 Powerful Quotes from this Episode
[7:12] “The only person responsible for my own journey is my own journey. And I focused myself on myself entirely.”
[20:02] “The converse to [parenting] being a good leadership role is actually really hard because you have to put your own wants and desires to one side and you have to do what they want.”
[28:40] “Combining that authenticity with that curiosity and being truly present it genuinely is a gift to yourself because you can then focus on what you're doing.”
[30:20] “I see curiosity as a real stepping stone, to unleash the authenticity. Because often what is in the way of authenticity is fear.”
[30:38] “Curiosity is the way that you can unlock the authenticity because you don’t have to know everything when you’re curious.”
About the Guest
Tiffany Wilcox is the Chief Technology Officer for the charity company Marie Curie. She is also a mentor, leader, and a loving mother of two who seeks to help other people find the best versions of themselves. Her passion for technology allows her to find solutions to better lives.
If you want to know more about Tiffany, you can connect with her via LinkedIn.
Enjoy this Podcast?
You may not have everything figured out, and that’s okay. What’s important is you strive to be authentic in all the things you do.
When Tiffany started to embrace her authenticity more, the more she was able to let her wings fly as a career woman, mother, and mentor. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets…, then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, then you can share your thoughts through a review. You can also share it to help your family and friends improve on how they lead in their simple ways.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela
Sunday Oct 17, 2021
Sunday Oct 17, 2021
Someone with a goal is a force to be reckoned with. There’s no stopping them from planning for the future and making it a reality. They will make sure they’ll get to where they want to be and that everything will work out accordingly. But when something happens that drastically derails all your carefully laid out plans, you might be left staring at the wreckage and asking yourself, ‘So where do I go from here?’ And maybe thinking ‘I might as well give up’
In this episode, Angela’s husband Martin Cox shares his struggles with a brain injury during the past four months. With their family’s life plans thwarted and his health at a low point, he and Angela discuss how they got back on their feet. They did so by sticking to their goals and being open to changing the route to get there, being prepared to learn new things along the way.
Are you feeling discouraged because things aren’t working out the way you planned? Do you feel that perfectionism or ‘that’ll do’ mentality is holding you back? Then, this episode is for you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Hear about the challenging time Martin and Angela went through and how they are fighting back.
- Find out how to get back on track when things don’t go according to how you’re planning for the future.
- Discover the key to turning away from perfectionism while also not tolerating mediocrity.
Resources
Episode Highlights
[1:01] Adapting to Drastic Life Changes
- Early this summer, Angela and Martin were looking forward to a new lifestyle, a new job for Martin, a location move from the countryside to the middle of town.
- They wanted to do so for better opportunities for their entire family.
- As they were preparing to move, tragedy struck. On 19th June, whilst on an overnight trip to Swansea, Martin had a serious brain injury and was in and out of consciousness.
- Through a recording, Angela shares how Martin’s memories, speech and walking ability were impaired.
[09:43] Planning for the Future and Sticking to the Plan vs Sticking to a Goal
- Though he feels strange listening to the recording of himself and being aware of how tough it was for his family, Martin is glad to be feeling well again.
- Despite what he went through, the goal of building a new life remained the same. However, how they would get there became different from their original plan.
- While having a specific goal drives you forward, your plan on getting there has to remain adaptable, so it won’t be troublesome to manage.
- In the hospital, Martin was able to think and work things out.
- The experience also served as a massive lesson to Angela on sticking to a goal while remaining adaptable to change.
[13:47] Fighting Mediocrity and Standards
- Martin and Angela are not a fan of mediocrity.
- Martin’s experience in the hospital was more of an outlier’s case. This meant he was on a pathway that wasn’t fit for him.
- But when you’re an outlier, you need a different way of working than what’s set out for most people.
- Fighting against the benchmarks of mediocre successes, they realized that Martin's needs were not accessible in the hospital.
[16:21] Measures of Success
- During his recovery in the hospital, there was a gap between goals.
- What the hospital deemed as a success or improvement was different from Martin’s aspirations.
- Martin and Angela struggled with their desire to stick to their plan and method. The hospital also had its own goals and methods, creating different measures of success.
- They weren’t complacent and didn’t allow the hospital’s method to define their goals. So, they turned to experimentation and moved away from the idea of perfectionism.
- Tune in to the full episode to hear more of Martin and Angela’s insights and experiences as they overcame this challenge.
[20:00] Martin’s Initial Diagnosis
- Martin was in the orthopaedic ward because of his fractured skull. But his predominant injury was in his brain, so the people around him were not set to take care of it.
- Frustrated with the situation, Angela reached out to the hospital's executive team to get an expert for Martin.
- A consultant disclosed that they felt Martin had cancer. They picked up tumours that were likely to be Stage 4 cancer.
- Martin and Angela went from planning for the future to build a successful life to possibly not having it at all.
- Angela expounds more on what they went through as they received the news in the full episode.
[27:29] Martin’s Real Diagnosis
- The Thursday evening after receiving the first diagnosis, Angela received good news from Martin’s consultant.
- The brain tumours turned out to be brain bleeds—what he had was not cancer.
- But Angela doubted this diagnosis and wanted more information on the situation.
- After getting clarification, they went back to planning for the future and their original goal.
[30:06] More Setbacks and Challenges
- During the move, Martin’s transfer to the ABI unit was delayed as there were no specialists who could attend to him
- Martin was at a low point at that time because the transfer was supposed to get him closer to his family.
- At the time, he couldn’t see how he was going to move forward.
- With Martin being the fixer of their family, Angela now felt responsible for the position.
- Tune in to the full episode to hear how Angela navigated this ‘that’ll do won’t do’ situation by setting up a GoFundMe campaign for Martin!
[37:16] Allowing Yourself to be Helped
- In a few days, they raised £20,000, giving them the control to employ the right people for Martin’s recovery.
- With the help of specialists, Martin is slowly making incremental steps towards his recovery.
- Currently, he is relearning to use home appliances and doing other chores. Listen to the full episode to hear more about his journey!
- The GoFundMe campaign made Martin realize how connected they are to people.
- It’s also helped him understand that asking for and receiving help has to be part and parcel of how you operate. You need to seek help and learn from the power it brings.
[45:56] What to Do When You Go Off Track
- While you might not always know how to fix a certain problem, the principle of having to know where you are and where you’re trying to be remains the same.
- When things go off track, reflect on what you expected would happen, what actually happened, and what you learned from it.
- Rather than aiming to go back to what your situation once was, you need to learn how to transition and move forward.
- Every step you take is progress. They’re not failures just because you aren’t able to do them as well as before.
[49:50] Questioning Success Rather Than Failure
- You learn more from what you’re good at and understanding that, rather than the things you aren’t good at.
- However, we often question why we fail but not why we are successful.
- Sometimes, we get to where we are without understanding how we got there or what the positives about it are.
- Reassessing and resetting goals are essential to planning for the future. Fixing something for the first time despite needing to do it long before is still moving forward.
- Coming from a place of gratitude also enables you to want to be the best you can be because you realize the value of your life.
[53:23] Planning for the Future
- We’ve only got one life to live, so make the most out of it by being grateful and striving to achieve better things.
- Though Angela and Martin could’ve settled for ‘that’ll do,’ it didn’t link into their goals.
- Self-doubt or criticism from others might hold you back from doing things.
- When these set in, just remember to set your sights on your goal. However, don’t be a perfectionist about how to get there.
- In planning for the future, you need to have concrete steps for moving forward. But don’t make it so prescriptive that there’s no room for learning and improvement.
[59:20] Mistakes vs Lessons
- Just because something didn’t happen as you expected doesn’t mean it’s a mistake.
- Viewing something as a mistake drags you into a negative spiral. So put yourself in a space where you can see these things healthily—from a learning perspective.
- Ask yourself what you can do differently and build upon to make it work?
[1:01:50] Casting Away ‘That’ll Do’ and Perfectionism
- Martin is grateful to Angela for everything, especially when he was unable to do things on his own.
- Don’t accept ‘that’ll do,’ but know that in planning for the future, your ideas won’t always pan out perfectly.
- Be prepared to experiment and learn.
- As things unfold and pivot, determine the lessons from the experience and decide on the next best step to get closer to your goal.
5 Powerful Quotes from This Episode
[44:21] ‘Willingness to ask and explore where you need help, whether that’s physical, whether it’s financial, whether that’s expertise, has to be part and parcel of the way we operate.’
[49:17] ‘Everything is progress, rather than everything is failure because you’re not like you were before.’
[50:01] ‘You learn more from what you’re good at and understanding what that is than you do from necessarily what you’re not so good at.’
[53:07] ‘When you come from a place of gratitude, there is a greater propensity within you to want to be the best that you can be because you realize the value of the life that you've got.’
[56:14] ‘The only thing I guarantee you about a plan is that’s exactly how it won’t happen.’
About Martin
Martin Cox has worked in business transformation for 20 years and is due to start a new role as Association Director of Improvement in the NHS. His experience as a patient has given him even more desire to make a difference.
He is also a leadership coach and Kata coach and has worked in the B2B, B2C banking, financial, legal, law firm, consulting and corporate sectors for more than 20 years.
As a business leader, he leverages an open management style of coaching, mentoring, and leadership. He translates business requirements into tangible, realistic programme deliverables and outcomes. He also works confidently and effectively with front-line teams and executives, using strong engagement and influencing skills to deliver successful transformations.
If you want to know more about Martin, you can connect with him via LinkedIn.
Enjoy this Podcast?
Just when everything seems to be falling into place, something happens that sets you back from your goals. And that can be discouraging.
But Martin is a living testament that you can overcome these hurdles, continue planning for the future you want and keep on moving forward. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets…, then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, then you can share your thoughts through a review. You can also share it to help your family and friends improve on how they lead in their simple ways.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela
Monday Oct 11, 2021
Monday Oct 11, 2021
Changing Careers For A Happier Work and Family Life
Changing careers might seem overwhelming , there's so much to consider. You've climbed the ladder in your current job, why leave what you've got? There's comfort in the thought of that security and stability. However, it's not always the case. At one point, you might realize that your current job is not for you. It's critical to know when enough is enough. While it may sound scary, the answer may lie in taking on another career path.
In this episode, Ryan Yeates of Advance Innovation Group joins us to share advice for changing careers. He tells the story of his fast-accelerating career journey and the changes that transpired over its course. He also speaks about leadership and building a winning team. Furthermore, Ryan allows us to learn his secrets to living a happy and successful life.
Do you want to know when it's time to move on to the next thing in your career? Do you need some advice for changing careers? Then, this episode is for you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Learn how to deal with the voice of doubt in finding success in the workplace.
- Get advice for changing careers and insight into what it's like to transition and run a team along with it.
- Discover the secret to a happy and successful work and family life.
Resources
- Connect with Ryan: LinkedIn | Advance Group
- Coaching with Angela
Episode Highlights
[03:36] Ryan's Career Journey Before 30
- The first thing Ryan is proud of is his career journey before 30.
- His journey accelerated very quickly. He had to go from leaving school with some GCSEs to entering the business world.
- He started as an engineer installing security alarms and finding no success in working for his brother's business.
- So, Ryan made a conscious decision that he wanted something different. He went through various stages where he wanted his career to be.
- He took up senior roles and found success in the security industry before moving into hospitality, giving him insights on changing careers.
[07:07] Dealing with the Voice of Doubt
- Five years ago, Ryan was all about proving a point.
- Upon understanding more about himself, he realized it's about the results rather than making a point.
- Ryan didn't hide the fact that he was 24 when he reached the business board level. He discussed it openly to let his colleagues understand his different perspectives.
- Due to his desire to climb the ladder, he missed out on many things people his age did. He worked to keep his focus, prove his point, and get to where he wants to.
- Comfort begins when you know yourself and your capabilities. Knowing he can get things wrong and have imperfections made Ryan more relaxed.
[09:50] How COVID-19 Changed Ryan
- The second thing Ryan is proud of is how COVID-19 changed him.
- Ryan thinks COVID-19 has changed everyone for the better. We've become more caring and understanding as a nation.
- He's proud of the journey his team has gone on from day one of COVID-19.
- Ryan has learned more from COVID-19 than he would have ever done if his life remained the same.
- The business that Ryan leads has grown from strength to strength over the last 12 months.
[13:26] Leadership During COVID-19
- Leaders' responsibilities are not as glamorous as they may seem during bad times.
- His team went into survival mode in the first week of COVID-19. Ryan believes he didn't do the best job during COVID-19.
- The experience was a learning curve for Ryan's team. It allowed them to change and adapt.
[14:54] Advance Group
- The company is a leader in kitchen design. They also run other business units in services and care.
- Advance Innovation Group supplies commercial kitchens to casual dining restaurants, Michelin-starred kitchens, celebrity chefs, etc.
- Their mantra is to lead customers' design experience.
- The journey they bring their clients through is magical, from the initial design brief to the implementation of their service.
- Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Advance Group!
[17:06] Transitioning Career Paths
- Ryan transitioned to the kitchen design industry two years ago.
- A peer sat him down and explained how the world is shifting from sector-specific leaders to business leaders.
- Ryan found the transition very difficult in the first six months. He threw himself into it by immersing in the industry.
- The passion and drive in the hospitality sector resonate with Ryan.
- He still struggles to differentiate between kitchen appliances. But being surrounded by people who understand him allows him to accomplish what he needs to do.
[19:20] Working with a Team that Motivates You
- The third thing Ryan is proud of is his team. He has been fortunate to bring some of his team with him in his industry transition.
- The business they joined two years ago is completely different to what they do today.
- Ryan's team went from being a closed-book business to everyone having a voice. They know when to say yes and when to challenge things.
- The people around him make his passion come out day-to-day.
- It took around 12 months for them to make the team mesh successfully.
[22:29] Forming the Winning Team
- Perfection isn't everything. Ryan's team had a messy first 6 to 12 months.
- Something always happens when you start to get on the cusp of a winning team formation.
- It's critical to have the foundation of a winning team. Work with people with wisdom in the business and have the business's interest ingrained into them.
- It's about being able to openly challenge and enjoy the work as a team.
- Running a team is like a relationship. What makes or breaks it is how you handle communication during tough times.
[24:09] Willingness to Change Behavior
- Ryan won't be where he is today if he is still the person he was seven years ago.
- He did things his way before without letting anyone else's ideas in.
- He went through adaptation to his behaviour both on how he operates and his natural personality.
[25:35] Ryan's Life Outside of Work
- Ryan has a daughter and a stepchild.
- He is getting married in three weeks. His other half is the rock that gels everything together in their family.
- He wants to be able to provide a good life for his kids with their dad at home.
- COVID-19 has also driven work-life balance.
- Ryan has made a conscious effort to be there for his kids when he can whenever they need him.
[28:44] The Secret to Success for Ryan
- Ryan believes that the only measure of success is how you feel.
- His secret to success is that he loves what he does.
- Surround yourself with people who are better than you and will complement your weaknesses.
- Three fundamental points: know yourself, your numbers and what you class as success.
- Being able to alter yourself and adapt to circumstances is crucial.
[32:19] What Contributes to Success: Leading a Happy Life
- Success is about being happy both in your work environment and family life. When you're happy in one aspect, it will affect the other.
- Ryan is happy at work when there's a problem to solve. He operates best when under pressure.
- But Ryan is happiest when his team is performing and content in what they do.
[33:42] Advice for Changing Careers
- Know your limits.
- Operating and investing in a problem is critical.
- Ryan operates best in turning something around in five years and then changing again.
[34:37] Building Wisdom and Humility
- He learned a lot from fantastic leaders and colleagues. He watched, observed and remembered as much as he could from them.
- The humility within him comes from being a lucky child with everything handed to him on a plate. He is keen not to spoil his children like that.
- Remain grounded no matter what happens and what you've got.
5 Powerful Quotes from This Episode
[08:24] 'Once you know exactly who you are and what you're capable of, you're very comfortable and able to put that point across as well.'
[09:28] 'Make your mistakes, but then [learn] what you need to do differently.'
[22:36] 'Perfection isn't everything… It's okay to let some things go.'
[23:38] 'Get a team that enjoys life and enjoys working with you, and appreciate the fact that you're gonna have some really tough times together.'
[29:03] 'The only measure to success is how you feel. Honestly, take no notice of how anyone else judges what you class as your own success.'
About Ryan
Ryan Yeates is the Operations Director at Advance Innovation Group. As a senior and strategic leader, he focuses on client-centric solutions with a passion for innovation. Throughout his career, Ryan has headed various business department areas, including sales, operations, retention and commercial.
He creates stable strategies and motivates teams to achieve budgets and increase business productivity. He manages this through sensible change management procedures.
If you want to know more about Ryan, you can connect with him via LinkedIn.
Enjoy this Podcast?
It can be frightening to change careers and leave the stability you feel in your current one. But Ryan, with his wisdom and openness, shares advice on making the switch. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets…, then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, then you can share your thoughts through a review. You can also share it to help your family and friends make a career shift that will be better for them.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela
Monday Sep 20, 2021
Monday Sep 20, 2021
Defining Leadership and Finding Balance in Life
People have conflicting opinions on what leadership is truly about. Some believe that leadership should involve tough love. Others think that it is about the leader and their capabilities. Today’s guest shows us a brand of leadership based on kindness and curiosity.
In this episode, Abcam Director of Customer Services Karen Baker shows us how she manages colleagues of different backgrounds. She talks about her three proudest moments, one of which is getting a PhD. Furthermore, we delve into how she can balance life as a mother, manager and athlete. Karen also generously shares her secret to success.
If you're curious about what leadership is and how you can find balance in your life, this episode is for you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Gain a deeper understanding of what leadership is.
- Learn to balance your time and priorities between your career and personal life.
- Discover Karen’s secret to success.
Resources
- Connect with Karen: LinkedIn
- Neil Marsh Health and Fitness
- Coaching with Angela
Episode Highlights
[02:53] Getting a PhD
- One of Karen’s proudest moments is graduating from her doctorate program.
- During the process, she learned much about herself and built resilience.
- What she enjoyed the most was getting to know new people from different backgrounds.
- While fulfilling, a Ph.D. is something she won’t do again.
- However, she would like to learn from a structured process again.
[07:55] Helping Others Grow
- Karen takes pride in seeing other people, especially her workmates and her children, succeed. She also enjoys watching them learn.
- For her, it's not about her kids being the best in the world. It's about being the best that they can be and trying as hard as they can.
- Hearing and supporting others’ ideas and opinions is what leadership is about.
[11:12] Transition from Research to Management
- When Karen attended an event on what leadership is, she discovered her strength in managing people.
- Karen started in a technical role in her company, then had the opportunity to manage people. She is now the director of customer operations.
- People management is not just something she is good at; it also brings her joy.
- It took her over ten years to identify her strengths, know from where she gets satisfaction and what she enjoys doing.
[12:52] What Leadership Is
- Karen liked getting to know more about her colleagues outside of the workplace setting.
- When you naturally find people interesting, it’s easier to engage with them.
- Often, other leaders think that what leadership is, is about their strengths.
- Karen shows that leadership is about having the humility to put other people first.
[15:21] Running a Marathon
- Karen has been running for more than two decades. But what she’s proud of is finishing a 30-mile marathon.
- At first, she was anxious about getting injured. So, she spent five months conditioning and training for both endurance and speed.
- At the 20-mile mark in the marathon, she thought she would not be able to continue, but she did.
- Karen gained support from her best friend who was also doing the marathon.
- Neil Marsh’s fitness community also helped her stay accountable and motivated.
[20:43] Balancing Parenting, Work and Physical Fitness
- Karen believes in planning and scheduling properly.
- It also helps to have someone hold you accountable.
- Guilt can sometimes sneak up on you when you're spending time for yourself. But you can avoid this feeling by proper scheduling.
- When you take time for yourself, you can be a better person for others as well.
- No one does perfect parenting the right way the first time around.
[24:59] Secret to Success
- Karen’s key to success is kindness.
- You don’t know what’s weighing on other people’s shoulders, so it’s important to be kind.
- Assuming others’ positive intent can help you to be kind.
5 Powerful Quotes from This Episode
[9:21] ‘And for me, it's not about them being the best in the world, but it's about being the best that they can be and trying as hard as they can.’
[13:24] ‘I think it's just a case of really engaging with people, getting to know people. So that you understand a bit more about who they are, what they're driven by what they like if they're receptive to understanding.’
[19:41] “So, it's really great to have that community and people around you that are going through the same experience because a lot of people were also doing it for the first time. So doing that together, that support really helps to keep you motivated.’
[24:19] ‘It's all about strong messaging and leading by example.’
[27:16] ‘If you force yourself to find out what the positive intent might be before you allow yourself to be offended, it then really helps with the response and helps us to be kind in that response.’
About Karen Baker
Karen Baker is a mother, business leader and running enthusiast. She also holds a Ph.D. in Biology and was also an active researcher at the University of Cambridge. But what she truly takes pride in is her contribution to other people’s growth and development. She feels joy and pride the most in getting to know people and guiding them to success. Karen now works as Abcam’s Director of Global Customer Services.
Her curiosity and love for people and human relationships are what make her the proud parent and leader she is today. If you want more information about Karen, you can connect with her via LinkedIn.
Enjoy this Podcast?
Being a leader to a diverse set of people can be challenging. Luckily, Karen offers advice to help you excel in leadership positions. If you enjoyed today’s episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets…, then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, then you can share your thoughts through a review. You can also share it to help your family and friends improve on how they lead in their simple ways.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela
Monday Jun 07, 2021
Monday Jun 07, 2021
Accepting your worth is the springboard for growth
Amid all the chaos and uncertainty, have you been able to show love for yourself lately? With all the adjustments you’ve had to make to working and family life, you might have been forced to put self-care on the back burner. However, moving forward and continuing to adjust to our ever-changing situation can take so much energy. Thus, you need to put yourself first.
This week, Carolyn Maloney teaches us to understand and say, ‘I am enough as I am.’ She shows us how we can adapt to changing circumstances, lean into uncertainty and find our way through a real commitment to continuous improvement and learning. Carolyn also shares how COVID has formed connections between people and brought out her resilience and sense of community. Finally, she tells us how being brave and sharing her vulnerabilities became her secret to success.
If you want to know how you can start having love for yourself, then tune in to this episode!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Find out how you can show love for yourself, especially in this new normal.
- Discover the different ways of working that you can do because of COVID and how you can convince people who are resistant to change.
- Learn why being brave and vulnerable is Carolyn’s secret to success.
Resources
- The Mindset Mentor Meets… Podcast Episode 51: How to Embody Positivity with Andy Cope
- Grammarly
- Brené Brown
- Connect with Carolyn: LinkedIn
- Visit Angela’s website to learn more about her coaching!
Episode Highlights
[02:27] Returning Work to the Office
- Carolyn’s team is working in a hybrid setup, spending two or three days at the office and the rest at home.
- When the hybrid setup was initially introduced in March, there was a lot of hesitation and anxiety since they work as an administration function.
- Some of the team chose to work from home while others decided to stay in the office.
- It is a lot easier when you give employees the choice and control over it.
- Their mantra is to ask two questions: ‘Are you okay? Am I okay?’
[04:56] Are You Okay? Am I Okay?
- As you go around asking this question, don’t be afraid to probe gently.
- Sometimes, a person may say they’re okay when they aren’t.
- Carolyn shares that when she asks the question, she’s interested to know the answer.
- Therefore, she appreciates honesty when others answer.
- She hopes that this culture can be brought into other workplaces as well.
[07:09] On Showing Love for Yourself
- Carolyn's first proudest moment is loving where she is now in her life, in her career. She feels fabulous.
- Feeling fabulous means being okay in your skin, accepting yourself for who you are, and learning every day. Through this, you can show love for yourself.
- This is achieved through repetitive practice. Focus on the parts of you that you do not like and tell yourself they are amazing.
- Her issue has never been the lack of motivation but rather the discipline in maintaining it.
- Think about how your behaviour today in terms of achieving your goals will affect your future self. You are the only person in control of yourself.
[15:35] Carolyn’s Team During COVID
- Her second proudest moment is her team’s successes and achievements throughout COVID. They were able to get research up and running in a record time of six hours.
- Carolyn is self-admittedly a pragmatist and does a lot of checks and balances.
- The pandemic has forced different ways of working. Many of them are not sustainable for the long-term, but there are some aspects that can be used in the future.
- Carolyn learned a lot about the possibilities of research during COVID. Tune in to find out what they are!
[26:19] The Importance of Resilience and Community
- In the early days of COVID, Carolyn often was unsure where to get the resilience she needed to see her through.
- She was working ridiculous hours, but so was everyone else.
- She was fortunate to have a community and connections that helped each other out during this period.
[28:25] Applying for and Getting Accepted in a Master’s Degree
- Carolyn’s third proudest moment is applying for and getting accepted in a level seven apprenticeship masters in leadership management.
- She left school because she hated it in the past, so all her administration skills were self-taught.
- Some sound advice she has gotten is not to assume knowledge. Do not assume that people know what you are talking about because most people do not.
- Listen to the full episode to know Carolyn’s experiences in her apprenticeship masters in leadership management!
[40:29] Carolyn’s Secrets to Success
- Recognise the opportunities that are presented to you and be brave enough to jump at them. Don’t be too worried about what will happen if it does not work out.
- If it does not work, then you have not lost anything. On the other hand, if you did not try at all, then you might have lost something.
- Carolyn used to find it hard to be honest with the people around her about how she felt because she didn’t trust them with her feelings.
- But she has learned that as a leader, by recognising that you have vulnerabilities, accepting them, and letting other people know about them, they will feel safer with you and vice versa.
5 Powerful Quotes
[8:05] ‘You might have reacted in this particular way in the past, but that doesn’t mean to say that you have to react in the same way again.’
[8:39] ‘When you believe it, you will become it. And you can lie to your subconscious, and it believes what you’re telling it.’
[11:49] ‘How will your behaviour today in terms of your goals and achieving what you want to achieve, affect your future self?’
[15:25] ‘Even when you don’t feel amazing, you tell yourself you feel amazing. And you will believe that you do.’
[41:22] ‘If you apply for the job and you get interviewed, then you give yourself the opportunity. If you don’t apply for the job, you won’t get an interview. So, therefore, you don’t have the opportunity in the first place. What have you got to lose?’
About Carolyn
Carolyn Maloney is the Head of Research Operations at the University Hospital Leicester NHS Trust. She is responsible for operational management and governance of all research activities in the hospital.
Carolyn entered the clinical research field when she moved to Essex in 2003, got a job as an administrator in the Research Ethics Committee, and was asked to apply for the role permanently. Before that, she was a florist and had her own business in Dorset. From the Essex Ethics Committee, she moved to manage RM&G for PCTs in Essex, then decided to apply to Leicester.
Carolyn is currently taking a Senior Leaders Master’s Degree Apprenticeship in Management from De Montfort University.
To learn more about Carolyn, you may visit her company website or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Enjoy the Podcast?
With the current situation, it may be too easy for you to forget to show love for yourself. But Carolyn is here to remind us why this should not be the case. If you enjoyed today’s episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets..., then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, then don’t hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your family and friends so they can remember to prioritise themselves and learn what it means to show love for yourself.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela
Monday May 24, 2021
Monday May 24, 2021
Cut the Bungee Cord of Traumatic Events with Behaviour Change Techniques
Have you ever felt stuck in an endless cycle of toxic behaviour? Even though you recognise the patterns and try to move forward, you just can't seem to change how you act. This happens because we fail to utilise effective behaviour change techniques. Without them, it’s akin to wearing a bungee cord around your waist — even as you take steps forward, you eventually get pulled back to your old ways.
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the two things that frustrate me about how accredited bodies teach coaching and how to disrupt them. I talk about the role of non-directive and directive styles in the whole spectrum of coaching. Likewise, I highlight behaviour change techniques and the importance of getting to the root cause of behavioural patterns to change them.
If you want to learn behaviour change techniques and cut your bungee cord, tune in to this week's episode!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Discover the importance of recognising behavioural patterns.
- Learn about the importance of therapeutic-based techniques in uncovering and neutralising root causes of behavioural patterns.
- Find out what it means to be an executive coach in this day and age.
Resources
- Visit Angela’s website to learn more about her coaching!
Episode Highlights
[02:11] The Woes of Non-Directive Coaching
- Non-directive coaching pushes leaders to lead their people in a supportive, questioning, and empowering way.
- But C-suite leaders are often surrounded by 'yes' people. Executive coaching, therefore, needs to present more of a challenge to these leaders.
- These leaders need different perspectives to understand the way their people react to their leadership style and position.
- Assuming that all C-suite leaders have all the answers stops them from seeing a broader picture.
- Leaders benefit from experiencing the whole spectrum of the coaching spectrum, including both non-directive and directive coaching.
[4:21] Therapy and Directive Coaching Style
- The directive style includes advice, consultation, and therapy.
- The therapeutic aspect of coaching keeps people focused on the present and the future they want to create.
- However, it doesn't look backwards at what might be causing toxic behaviours. It is not the most efficient of behaviour change techniques.
[5:14] Patterns of Behaviour
- People run patterns of behaviour over and over again.
- No amount of coaching will change those behaviours until you have uncovered and tackled their root cause.
- Some people who present a pattern of behaviour may not even be aware that it is there.
[6:06] Behaviour Change Techniques for a Client’s Pattern
- Before working with a client, Angela always asks them to write a synopsis of their life to spot their patterns.
- Angela has a senior leader client who got stuck in a pattern of running away when somebody higher in the hierarchy makes him feel helpless.
- He still felt the same way, even after doing a lot of forward-focused work. Angela's first question to him was about what the first experience reminded him of.
- The client revealed an experience of humiliation and physical abuse in primary school. He just sat and took it.
- Throughout his childhood, there were several instances of this behavioural pattern. He didn't speak up for himself even once.
[11:02] A Look into the Neuroscience Perspective
- There are two places where we store memories in our brain.
- The first is the giant filing cabinet where all our memories are stored. These memories have no way of creating an emotional response in us.
- The second is the amygdala, where our traumatic memories are stored. These memories are like little landmines waiting to get stepped on, triggering an emotional response.
- For the senior leader client, the first traumatic experience where he froze created his present behaviour.
[13:15] The Importance of Behaviour Change Techniques
- The older we get, the more shame, guilt, anger, and frustration builds up as we recognise that our emotional responses aren't helpful.
- Trying to pour positivity on something toxic residing inside you will result in the dilution of the positivity.
- You have to get to the root cause of patterns and neutralise them using therapeutic-based behaviour change techniques, like the Havening Technique or EFT.
- Without implementing these behaviour change techniques, you are simply running forward with a bungee cord attached to your waist. You will revert to the conditioning endlessly.
[15:46] Unlocking Your Behavioural Patterns
- What are your patterns that make you facepalm?
- When was the first time these patterns showed up for you?
- We don't have many conscious memories before six years old. Working with a therapist will help you unlock the earlier memories.
- With the use of behaviour change techniques, you can then address the root cause.
[16:40] The Executive Coaching Arena
- Coaching involves the whole coaching arena, including therapy.
- Coaching can be non-directive, directive, provocative, challenging, or advisory. It offers different perspectives, and brings valuable expertise depending on the case.
- An executive coach is there to co-create value. They need to have as much credence in the situation as the client and bring their expertise to unlock root causes.
- Simply talking about changing habits and behaviours is not enough. We have to work with the subconscious and apply behaviour change techniques.
- Only after neutralising the root cause can you make some progress.
5 Powerful Quotes from This Episode
[03:46] ‘Assuming that all of the C-suite leaders have all of the answers inside of them really, I suppose, stops them from seeing a broader picture stops them from seeing diversity and different perspectives.’
[05:30] ‘No amount of coaching about the way that you want to change those behaviours will change the behaviour until you have tackled the root cause.’
[14:33] ‘If you're trying to pour positivity on something that is toxic, that is residing inside of you, then the positivity is going to be diluted very quickly. You have to get to the root causes of your patterns.’
[17:22] ‘An executive coach for me is there to co-create value. The executive coach needs to have as much credence in the situation as the client does, and bring their expertise to really unlock these root causes.’
[17:49] “Simply talking about changing habits and changing behaviours is not enough. We have to work with the subconscious.’
Enjoy this Podcast?
We all have toxic cycles of behaviour that we want to break. We hope you learned a thing or two from Angela's advice on behaviour change techniques. If you enjoyed today’s episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets..., then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, then don’t hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your family and friends so they can break the cycles of their toxic behaviours.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
To meeting inspiration,
Angela Cox