The TRU Leader Podcast

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Bonnie Artman Fox tells us about her career journey from oncology nursing to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist, emphasizing the importance of family dynamics in both addiction recovery and leadership. In her book, *How Did My Family Get in My Office?*, Bonnie explores how early life experiences shape professional behaviors, particularly for leaders with abrasive interpersonal skills. Her transition into leadership coaching highlights the value of self-awareness, linking family dynamics to workplace conflicts and illustrating how mentorship and therapy helped her grow emotionally and professionally. The book introduces the “4 R’s of resolution” framework, which focuses on acknowledging emotional wounds, taking responsibility for past behaviors, maintaining respect and boundaries in difficult relationships, and fostering continuous personal growth. Bonnie’s personal stories, along with real-world examples, show how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and empathy can improve both leadership effectiveness and interpersonal dynamics. By managing polarities and understanding the impact of upbringing, leaders can foster healthier work environments, balancing candor and kindness in their interactions. Tune in today! For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC   https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

In this episode of The TRU Leader podcast, hosts Michelle and Tracy discuss the pervasive nature of stress in leadership and its impact on well-being. The episode delves into the general adaptation syndrome, which outlines the body’s response to prolonged stress in three stages—alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. They explore stress management strategies to prevent burnout, drawing from Michelle’s personal experience with stress-induced vision problems. The conversation highlights the concept of "microstressors," subtle but persistent stress factors that can accumulate and lead to significant emotional tolls. Citing research by Rob Cross and Karen Dillon, they emphasize that high achievers often face unique stressors, such as managing both work and family responsibilities. The hosts challenge common leadership norms that create undue pressure, such as the need for certainty and avoidance of vulnerability, and propose healthier leadership practices. They introduce a stress continuum model to help leaders gauge their stress levels, along with having a polarity mindset to balance competing values like self-care and caring for others. Leadership is likened to a marathon, requiring both endurance and recovery. The episode also encourages proactive strategies like open communication, prioritization, and mindfulness. To further discuss these themes, listeners are encouraged to join our FREE webinar titled “From Stress to Success: The Formula for Leaders to Excel Professionally and Personally” which offering tools to help leaders thrive both professionally and personally. Register here. For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, we're joined by Cathy Carroll, author and a third-generation leader in her family's business. Cathy shares her journey and insights from her book *Hug of War: How to Lead a Family Business with Both Love and Logic*. After two decades in corporate roles, Cathy returned to the family business, encountering tensions between her profit-driven approach and her father’s investment-focused mindset. The narrative explores the complexities of managing familial relationships alongside business operations, particularly during generational transitions that often lead to conflict due to differing values. Non-family executives also face challenges, exemplified by a COO who felt demoted because of family-driven decisions. Emotional intelligence is highlighted as key to balancing personal relationships and professional responsibilities. Cathy underscores the importance of understanding family dynamics, balancing long-term goals with adaptability, and navigating polarities like tradition and innovation. Governance and succession planning in family businesses require unique approaches, balancing set criteria with flexibility for unexpected talent. Polarity thinking is introduced as a method for managing conflicts by holding opposing truths simultaneously, such as investment and profit harvesting and privileges and responsibilities. Cathy emphasizes that recognizing these polarities and differing perspectives is essential for improving the overall functioning of family-owned businesses, particularly during leadership transitions. For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle discuss the growing importance of empathetic leadership, especially in the post-pandemic workplace. The dynamic duo explores how the pandemic has increased stress and mental health issues among employees, making empathy in leadership more crucial than ever. They note that the new generation of workers values leadership that prioritizes their well-being and happiness, and research shows that empathetic leadership improves employee engagement and fosters healthier work environments with better work-life balance. The episode explains that empathetic leadership involves understanding and connecting with employees' needs and emotions, strengthening workplace relationships and overall performance. Traditionally, leadership focused on productivity rather than relationships, often discouraging empathy. However, there's a growing recognition of the importance of relationships within organizations, leading to a shift towards empathetic leadership practices that positively influence workplace culture. If you’re looking for ways to create a balanced work-life culture as a leader, this is one episode you shouldn’t miss. Tune in now! For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Leslie Galloway discusses her transition from a corporate vice president to founding her own coaching business in 2020. She highlights the importance of authentic leadership and overcoming limiting beliefs for personal and professional growth. Journaling is recommended as a tool to clarify these beliefs, helping individuals navigate the discomfort of uncovering deep-rooted issues and fostering self-trust. The episode underscores the value of honesty and curiosity in both coaching and leadership, advocating for a mindset that prioritizes asking questions over having all the answers. This approach not only improves relationships but also enhances empathy, creativity, and innovation. The discussion also touches on the significance of self-awareness and understanding diverse leadership styles to prevent conflicts and improve collaboration. An Accenture study is referenced, linking self-awareness to business success, and the importance of balancing team roles, such as visionaries and integrators, is emphasized. Effective communication is key to navigating tensions within teams and fostering healthy business partnerships. Don’t miss this insightful episode on innovation and relationships. Tune in now! For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle explore the challenges of leading in a rapidly changing world, shaped by technological advancements and disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. They critique traditional leadership models, particularly Lewin’s 1950s change model, as inadequate for today’s VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) environment. Instead, they advocate for a continuous evolution approach, emphasizing the need for an agile mindset, high aspirations to clarify purpose, and integrating transformation into regular operations to maintain accountability and progress. The hosts highlight the importance of ongoing evaluation and adaptability in leveraging polarities as well as problem-solving, advocating for a shift away from one-time solutions to continuous transformation. They discuss the significance of meaningful dialogue, healthy relationships, and shared ownership within organizations, supported by principles from Jim Collins and Porus's "Built to Last." The episode also stresses the need for balancing structure and flexibility through diverse organizational councils, long-term and short-term planning, and engaging diverse insights in decision-making. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, the discussion emphasizes the importance of regular check-ins, goal setting, and after-action reviews to maintain agility and ensure alignment with core values. For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, Greg Bennick joins us as he talks about his book, "Reclaim the Moment: 7 Strategies to Build a Better Now," which offers practical advice for achieving clarity and focus in a world filled with distractions. Greg emphasizes the importance of self-centering and understanding one's actions to prevent burnout and maintain meaningful connections. One key strategy involves fostering positive beliefs about others’ intentions, which can help combat pessimism and alleviate feelings of being overwhelmed. Using a juggling metaphor, Bennick illustrates the necessity of concentrating on critical tasks while managing distractions, and highlights how incorporating laughter can make work more enjoyable. Greg also advocates for intentionality in relationships, encouraging a shift from transactional to transformational interactions where kindness and support lead to mutual growth. This approach enhances both professional and personal relationships by showing how small acts of kindness can transform everyday experiences. Bennick underscores the significance of humor and creativity in teamwork, sharing an exercise that promotes laughter and collaboration through brainstorming fantastical ideas. Through personal anecdotes, he demonstrates how humor can build confidence and connections, even in the face of mistakes. By focusing on the present moment, individuals can create a better future through enriched experiences and deeper relationships. Don’t miss it, tune it now! For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle discuss the challenges of balancing leadership responsibilities and personal life on their podcast, urging listeners to reflect on their professional and personal goals. They emphasize the need for leaders to define success on their own terms and adapt to today's volatile world. The hosts stress the importance of self-reflection, including evaluating workplace relationships and personal contributions, as they assert that true success encompasses both career achievements and personal well-being. They identify four key mistakes that leaders often make, such as treating work-life balance as a zero-sum game, which leads to stress and dissatisfaction. They also highlight how crises can foster a victim mentality, driven by norms that prioritize organizational needs over personal ones. The discussion explores recognizing harmful patterns, reevaluating beliefs, and fostering intentional change to break ineffective cycles. This includes understanding triggers like fear or discomfort in expressing differing opinions, stepping out of comfort zones, setting boundaries, and focusing on managing challenges. The concept of "polarities" is introduced, recognizing interdependent relationships rather than zero-sum scenarios. The hosts emphasize the importance of shifting focus from desired outcomes to acknowledging progress, which fosters a positive mindset and motivation. They also discuss balancing professional responsibilities with personal fulfillment and managing the gap between current reality and future aspirations. To further discuss these themes, listeners are invited to join a free webinar titled “From Stress to Success: The Formula for Leaders to Excel Professionally and Personally” designed to help leaders manage stressors and achieve success. For full show notes and links, visit https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/