In this episode I'm a guest myself of Doug Thorpe's podcast "Leadership Powered by Common Sense". I share a bit of my journey into coaching and emphasize that executive presence is a skill that can be developed through self-awareness, confidence, and effective communication. Doug and I delve into the concept of executive presence, explore its components, the challenges leaders face, and actionable strategies to develop this critical quality. But our conversation also addresses common challenges like imposter syndrome and the dynamics between introverts and extroverts in leadership roles, advocating for adaptability while maintaining one's true self. Doug has a wealth of knowledge. I feel honored having been his guest, and his podcast is a fantastic resource for topics that are important for leading and running a business. Doug's podcast "Leadership Powered by Common Sense": https://podcasts.dougthorpe.com/ Connect with us: Doug Thorpe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougthorpe/ Inga Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/

When I first planned this conversation, I thought we'd be discussing 'building trust' as a leadership cornerstone in 2024. With the rise of AI, hybrid work, and shifting company cultures, trust is more vital than ever for retaining talent and driving success. But what unfolded was a candid discussion on 'Building Trust in Leadership: Lessons from Military and Business.' Joined by Jake Clendenning, Jeremy Ransom, and Stephen Morris, we explored how military principles like servant leadership, active listening, and relationship-building can transform leadership in the corporate world. Tune in for practical insights on cultivating authentic trust and leadership in any environment!

00:00 Introduction to Professionals Unplugged

00:30 Meet the Guests: Leaders in Action

01:30 Building Trust in Leadership

03:48 Personal Stories of Trust and Leadership

05:46 Military Insights on Servant Leadership

15:41 Challenges and Misconceptions in Military Leadership

24:46 Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways

Connect with us:

Jeremy Ransom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyransom/

Jake Clendenning: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-clendenning/

Stephen Morris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-j-morris-143028251/

Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

In this episode of 'Professionals Unplugged' I had a fantastic discussion with Bill Haase, Michael Buzinski, and Bob Williams. Our conversation delved into the importance of aligning talent with company vision and creating value. Michael shared his experience of transitioning from a traditional brick-and-mortar marketing firm to a virtual one, highlighting the realignment of core values to match a flexible, independent workforce. Bill and Bob discussed the significance of a mission-driven approach, emphasizing military leadership principles and the need for purpose-driven employee engagement. But we also touches on societal shifts towards values in business, the role of leaders in ensuring alignment, and the evolving importance of vision and mission statements in contemporary companies.

Connect with us:

Bill Haase: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-haase-a506299/

Michael Buzinski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbuzinski/

Bob Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobwilliamscoach/

Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

In this episode of Professionals Unplugged, I'm joined by Jan Barlow from Better Job Fit, Matt Luensmann from MJL Recruiting and Consulting, and Dave Nordel, a military transition coach. We had a fabulous conversation on the importance of company culture and how it can be perceived, nurtured, and evolved. Dave created a fascinating picture of culture as a living entity that needs the right environment to thrive, discussing the impact of hiring on culture and the consequences of misaligned values within an organization. We also explored the challenges faced by companies in maintaining a cohesive culture during growth and the importance of self-awareness and asking the right questions for individuals seeking to join a new culture.

Connect with us:

Matt Luensmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mluensmann/

Jan Barlow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janbarlow/

Dave Nordel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-nordel-85265246/

Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

In this episode of 'Professionals Unplugged,' I chatted with Kevin Hyer, the founder and CEO of the Heyer Calling Foundation. Kevin's organization is all about breaking down the stigma around substance use disorder at work and offering second chances to those in recovery. Kevin opens up about his own journey through addiction and recovery, and how it led him to help others get their careers back on track. We talk about the stigma and challenges of substance use disorders, the need for supportive and recovery-friendly workplaces, and the legal things companies should know. This episode highlights the incredible impact of giving motivated people in recovery a fresh start, and how it benefits not just them, but their families and communities too.

Connect with us:

Kevin Hyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhyeresq/

Hyer Calling Foundation: https://hyercalling.org

Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

Sometime one needs to just make do and be kind to oneself when technology chooses not to be one's friend by just getting on with things and enjoying a conversation a conversation about the importance of kindness in professional settings with guests Steve Thornton and David Wolfskehl. We've explore how kindness impacts work culture, relationships, and business growth. The discussion highlights strategies to cultivate kindness, the potential downsides of excessive kindness, and emphasizes the need for authenticity and constructive feedback. The conversation underscores the benefits of a kind work environment for fostering community, trust, and overall success.

Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram

Steve Thornton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevethorntonmba/

David Wolfskehl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwolfskehl/

Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

It was my birthday recently which made me think about celebrating life events and work successes, why celebrating these is important and why we often actually don't make time for it. And so I was intrigued what others had to say and I got together with Jan Barlow and Dave Nordel and we had a fabulous conversation! It ranged from sharing stories of how taking time to celebrate can boost team spirit and keep employees happy to stipulating that companies should make celebration a key part of their culture, starting from the top down. And we also talked about how work needs to become more people-focused, moving away from old-school thinking with the idea to build celebration into company routines, even if it's just small gestures, like buying everyone ice cream!

Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram

Jan Barlow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janbarlow/

Dave Nordel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-nordel-85265246/

Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

Leading others successfully starts with leading yourself, and this lively discussion served up some juicy insights on how to do just that. I got together with Bill Haase, Susan and Steven Eklin to chat about the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and empower teams while fostering a positive vibe in the workplace. With a nod to previous conversations, we also emphasized the need for leaders to strike a healthy work-life balance, be open to feedback, and never stop learning and growing. And let's not forget the importance of embracing change and adapting leadership styles to keep up with the ever-evolving needs of today's multigenerational workforce – after all, "the only constant in life is change!"

Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram

Bill Haase: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-haase-a506299/

Susan Eklin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-eklin-62751449/

Steven Eklin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-eklin-growth-mindset-master-74a64a46/

Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/