Sandy on Talent - Insights and Strategies for Leadership Excellence and Talent Optimization

Join us for an engaging conversation with the dynamic Chris Gagnon, CEO of CURVE Test Centers, a Senior Partner at CEO.works, and ex McKinsey alum, who brings a treasure trove of insights and experiences to our latest episode. From his formative years at Dartmouth to his leadership roles in McKinsey and later in private equity, Chris's career journey has been anything but conventional. Explore the unique blend of digital and traditional approaches he has harnessed to drive transformation in businesses. Chris's story is one of resilience, creativity, and the power of mentorship. Throughout his career, the support of influential mentors played a significant role in guiding him to McKinsey and beyond, leading to his impactful contributions in leadership development and organizational growth. Our conversation explores the importance of having a robust support system and how aligning personal talents with job responsibilities can lead to fulfilling and successful careers. In this episode, you will hear: The transformative power of mentorship and its impact on Chris's career. Innovative approaches in business transformation, including the use of digital and traditional methods. Reflections on career challenges, failures, and lessons learned in private equity. Building diverse and effective teams, and the significance of collaboration in leadership. The role of personal support networks in achieving professional success. The alignment of personal talents with job responsibilities for fulfilling careers. Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

What if there was a moment when everything in your job just clicked into place, and you knew you were exactly where you were meant to be? In this episode, I unravel the magical phenomenon of the "click" – that rare alignment of your skills with the perfect role. I reflect on our best and worst job experiences to pinpoint the elements that make a role truly engaging and fulfilling, enabling you to create value for yourself and your organization.  I break down the anatomy of success into three critical components: the work itself, the role, and the talent. I'll equip you with practical advice on clarifying job descriptions and determining whether a task is genuinely new or a well-trodden path. Learn how to refine your approach to new challenges and improve your odds of success by focusing on the right elements. This episode is a comprehensive guide on achieving job fulfillment and success by aligning your skills, role, and work environment to create that magical "click" moment.  In this episode, you will hear: Matching talent with roles Success in new job expectations Understanding job responsibilities and assignments Achieving success through alignment Designing clicks in your career  Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Transform your professional life and find a role that aligns perfectly with your unique talents. Let Sandy walk you through the journey of understanding what made your worst job unbearable and what made your best job exceptional. Learn to identify that magical 'click' moment when your skills and role align seamlessly, setting you up for unparalleled success and personal satisfaction. In this episode, I uncover the common blind spots in hiring and job-seeking that often lead to mismatches. Discover why employers tend to overestimate the importance of talent and how job seekers can better shape their roles to fit their unique capabilities. With actionable advice and thought-provoking reflections, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to ignite their journey toward personal and organizational excellence.  In this episode, you will hear: Understanding the reasons behind your worst and best job experiences. Revealing common blind spots in hiring and job-seeking that lead to mismatches. Learning how to shape roles to fit your unique capabilities. The paradox of employee matching Exploring the profound impact of role design on success and satisfaction. Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

What if your childhood passion could shape your entire career? In this episode of Sandy on Talent, I’ll take you on a journey from my early days fueled by sports enthusiasm to my profound experiences at the US Coast Guard Academy, where playing under the legendary Otto Graham molded my leadership skills. Hear how these formative years have inspired not just my professional path but also the very essence of this podcast, dedicated to uncovering the secrets of nurturing talent and leadership. We also tackle the modern landscape of youth sports and its critical role in developing future leaders. Drawing from personal experiences with my sons, Michael and Alexander, we discuss the shift from high school sports to travel sports and the barriers it creates for many families. This very issue inspired my wife and me to start a foundation aimed at supporting underprivileged athletes. Join me as I explore the concept of finding the “click” in every role, a transformative element for job satisfaction and career success, through engaging conversations with leaders across various sectors like the Coast Guard, Motorola, Unilever, and Blackstone. In this episode, you will hear: Evolution of youth sports and its impact on scholar-athletes Leadership development through academics and athletics Exploring fulfilling and disappointing roles The concept of finding the “click” in every role Connecting talent in corporate transformations  Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Think about the worst job you’ve ever had. What made it so? How did you feel about yourself and your abilities while you were stuck in that awful position? Welcome to Sandy on Talent, where we discuss the unfortunate reality of good talent going to waste and uncover how business leaders can unlock hidden potential in themselves and others to achieve personal and organizational growth. Join Sandy and his renowned guests for insightful and honest discussions on executive leadership, talent optimization, and entrepreneurial success. Now think of the best job you’ve ever had. It felt entirely different, didn’t it? Our mission is to help everyone find fulfillment, dignity, and success in their jobs. We call that magical union "click" —the moment talent perfectly aligns with their role, connecting abilities and superpowers to tangible value, and everyone wins. Whether you're a CEO, business executive, ambitious employee, or an entrepreneur, our insights are tailored to provide actionable strategies for harnessing potential and driving organizational success. Host Sandy Ogg brings over three decades of experience as a CEO advisor, talent expert, and entrepreneur. He founded CEO.works and has served as an operating partner at Blackstone Group and as CHRO of Unilever. Throughout his career, Sandy has collaborated with top global business leaders, gaining insights into the consistent practices that drive value for stakeholders. He leverages this knowledge to develop talent-focused tools to help leaders and organizations thrive in today’s economic environment. On our podcast, Sandy and his guests will tackle one of the top issues highlighted in every CEO annual survey: the persistent shortage of talent where it's needed most. Through thought-provoking conversations, they will address burning questions like "How do we hire the best people?” “Is the organization talented enough?” “Is the hierarchy dying or already dead?” And, “Why do transformations fail?” If you're ready to transform your approach to leadership and talent, join us for Sandy on Talent, where we ignite the spark that propels individuals and organizations toward excellence.