Leadership and Life

Sandy Geroux, M.S.

Leadership is not confined to the workplace. It crosses industries and permeates every aspect of our lives. That is why this show is called Leadership and Life. My guests and I will talk about what makes great leaders great. We will share tips, tools, mindsets and behaviors that demonstrate the human side of our best leaders and reveal how they inspire exceptional levels of excellence and loyalty in their teams. Our guests know that a great way to engage others is to create a bridge that relates to their lives. So, during part of each show, we will dive into one of those universal bridges, and one of my favorite parts of life, food! Business and personal gatherings center around it. It crosses all boundaries. Each week we will share our favorite recipes. I invite you to share yours. Join me as we feed our minds and bodies with recipes for success that will develop our skills and guide us to be the best we can be, in and out of the workplace. read less

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Daily Actions to Create WOWs for Your People

Daily Actions to Create WOWs for Your People

In this final episode of Leadership & Life, Sandy discusses the daily application of the WOWplace Rules and their importance in consistently creating WOW experiences for your people. She also offers even more insights into how you can involve and engage every member of your team, while offering cautions against flattening the organization so much that they are stripped of their power to make decisions and get things done. Sand also offers one final Leadership Self-Assessment tool called Leadership Bingo! that is fun and informative while providing daily reminders of the actions, behaviors and mindsets that help you truly turn your workplace into a WOWplace!

Episodes

Daily Actions to Create WOWs for Your People

Daily Actions to Create WOWs for Your People

In this final episode of Leadership & Life, Sandy discusses the daily application of the WOWplace Rules and their importance in consistently creating WOW experiences for your people. She also offers even more insights into how you can involve and engage every member of your team, while offering cautions against flattening the organization so much that they are stripped of their power to make decisions and get things done. Sand also offers one final Leadership Self-Assessment tool called Leadership Bingo! that is fun and informative while providing daily reminders of the actions, behaviors and mindsets that help you truly turn your workplace into a WOWplace!

Storytelling: The Incredible Leadership and Communication Tool

Storytelling: The Incredible Leadership and Communication Tool

Storytelling is one of the most effective and impactful methods of communicating, as well as effectively leading and engaging others. In fact, it's gaining traction in the business world as it galvanizes teams, inspires others to action and humanizes organizational leaders so they can connect with their teams. People don't connect with facts and figures, nor do they respond to lectures alone. But when storytelling is added to the mix, it shows others how to apply lessons and concepts to their work. Join Sandy as she shares stories and examples of how you can use storytelling, not only in your business life, but in your personal life, to create WOW results for yourself and everyone around you.

Communication is Key!

Communication is Key!

As a leader, you can't shy away from difficult conversations, or be unclear in your communications. Whether giving feedback, communicating expectations or offering advice and coaching, following a few important guidelines can help you be more effective and make others more receptive to your message. Join Sandy Geroux as she offers guidelines, tips and examples to help you ensure your communications are clear, concise and complete... and most of all, actionable on the part of your people who are tasked with carrying out your objectives.

WOWplace Rule 5: A WOWplace is REWARDING

WOWplace Rule 5: A WOWplace is REWARDING

Employee retention is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today. In a competitive employment environment where it's tough enough just to hire great people, retaining them is critical to maintaining productivity, profits and a competitive advantage. Join Sandy Geroux as she shares research on organizational justice and its impact on perceptions of fair treatment and trust in the workplace. She will also share best practices, great tips and innovative ideas when it comes to rewarding top employees and encouraging them to contribute, engage and most importantly, stay.

Interview with 'Dream Maker' Jim Johnson

Interview with 'Dream Maker' Jim Johnson

In this episode, Jim Johnson, Founder and President of Bike Tours Direct (and one of the most innovative and creative people I know) shares his experiences of re-inventing himself, creating a highly successful online travel business and finding new ways to engage and WOW both his clients and his employees. He is also one of the most funny and FUN individuals you'll ever meet. His quick wit and sense of humor come through in his daily life and it's no wonder that his employees look for ways to stay with him and his company, even when they plan to move out of the area where his office is located. And Jim wants to retain them, looking for innovative ways to keep the team engaged and the culture intact, while being flexible enough to let them live the lifestyle they choose. You will not want to miss this enlightening, informative and engaging interview!

WOWplace Rule 4: A WOWplace is INNOVATIVE, CREATIVE and FUN!

WOWplace Rule 4: A WOWplace is INNOVATIVE, CREATIVE and FUN!

Comfortable Enough can be a very dangerous place to live. In this episode, Sandy Geroux explores the impact of allowing excuses to justify mediocrity and stagnation in business. Getting people to contribute ideas, offer suggestions and brainstorm through tough challenges is critical; so is a leader's ability to take input from his/her people. Join us as Sandy shares several templates for brainstorming, scientific methods for creating what-if scenarios, and tools for finding ways to not only create breakthrough success, but also find the humor in any situation so everyone has fun while doing it!

Interview with Judy Coker: Personifying Human Leadership

Interview with Judy Coker: Personifying Human Leadership

In this episode, Sandy interviews Judy Coker, an exceptional leader from Progressive Roofing in Phoenix, Arizona. Judy has held many leadership positions, and her philosophy on leading others is that it is her duty to guide and coach them to see beyond what they see in themselves. It is this exceptional attitude of caring and concern for others, due to her personal experience being guided to push beyond her own boundaries that makes Judy a well-respected and highly-praised leader. Join us as Judy shares how she recognizes and brings out the best in others, helps them reach beyond their own limitations and beliefs, and helps them build their confidence to seek new opportunities and accomplishments.

WOWplace Rule Number 3: A WOWplace is HUMAN... not HUMANOID

WOWplace Rule Number 3: A WOWplace is HUMAN... not HUMANOID

In this episode, Sandy takes a look at how human leaders who focus on their associates, coach them and pay attention to them as people first and employees second experience much more success than those who subscribe to the outdated notion that there is no room for emotion in the workplace. She also discusses the fact that although we certainly have specific Job Duties for each position, we also have Human Duties that accompany every job we do. Join Sandy and find out how humanity, compassion, coaching and caring can turn any workplace into a WOWplace!

True Respect with Coach John Lyle

True Respect with Coach John Lyle

John (coach) Lyle knows how to relate to all team members from every generation. A former school teacher, John learned early on the lessons that helped him connect with those of other generations than his own. Those lessons carried over as he progressed through the ranks at one of the premier organizations in the world, Walt Disney World, where he led and inspired incredible teams of cast members to create exceptional experiences for everyone throughout the parks. In addition, John's focus on continual learning has continued into his retirement. Join us for an exceptional interview as Coach shares the leadership and life lessons that made him one of the most beloved leaders on the Walt Disney World team.

WOWplace Rule 2: A WOWplace is RESPECTFUL

WOWplace Rule 2: A WOWplace is RESPECTFUL

Respect is a much-discussed topic in all aspects of our lives, but especially in the workplace where teamwork, morale, motivation and success all hinge on the amount of respect the players offer each other. In this episode, host Sandy Geroux reveals the subtle signs of respect (and disrespect), as well as the #1 factor that came up 93% of the time in an informal study on the signs of subtle disrespect. Think you know what it is? Tune in to find out - and to hear the many ways we can all generate higher levels of respect, in and out of the workplace.

Global Leaders Making the Workplace Safe

Global Leaders Making the Workplace Safe

Exceptional leaders surround themselves with great people, and then create a safe environment in which engage and contribute at the highest levels. In this episode, Sandy conducts a powerful interview with Lucy Brazier, CEO of Marcham Publishing, London-based specialist publishers of Executive Secretary Magazine, and her Personal Assistant, Matthew Want. Lucy knows how to encourage her people to look for innovative ways to help the organization grow. Matthew and his colleagues are exceptional team players who actively seek new ways to support their leader and each other. Listen as they share how they met, how they find new ways to work together and support each other, and how they created a powerful partnership that has led Lucy and her entire team around the globe in pursuit of their personal and professional dreams and enabled the organization to grow into the international powerhouse it is today.

WOWplace Rule Number 1: A WOWplace is SAFE

WOWplace Rule Number 1: A WOWplace is SAFE

In this episode, host Sandy Geroux talks about one of the biggest sources of competitive advantage: the tacit knowledge of our team members. Why is it that some people share their knowledge while others hoard it as a safeguard against becoming obsolete? Often, the answer is that they don’t feel safe (for various reasons) to share what they know. She offers real-world examples and tips for making team members feel safe enough to engage and contribute to the organization’s success, and helps leaders think about the question: “Are our employees trying to succeed… or are they simply trying NOT to fail?” She'll show you how closing the gap between these two mindsets inspires employees to take the risk to try new things, suggest great ideas, assist with process improvements and stop doing only the bare minimum to keep from getting fired.

Intro to the WOWplace: Where Engaged Employees Make a Difference

Intro to the WOWplace: Where Engaged Employees Make a Difference

Sandy Geroux, M.S., your Host for Leadership & Life, helps leaders find new ways to engage their team members and turn their workplace into a WOWplace. In this first episode, Sandy lays the groundwork, mindsets and concepts that help titled and untitled leaders recognize the impact of their daily actions on employee engagement and contribution. She discusses why generational communications can be difficult and the importance of getting past our typical thoughts and behaviors so we can all communicate as fellow humans and get back to business. She also sets the stage for creating a structure that allows for cultural consistency and shares stories and examples of how great leaders are able to cross generational, location and other barriers to get the highest and best from their teams. Check out the surprise “twist” on Life during the last segment of the show!