The Made Leader

In this episode, host Jen Arnold shares what she learned from season 2 of the podcast. She explains why her vision didn't match reality. Jen describes the broad range of topics in this season and what she's doing now that this podcast season is coming to an end. Listen in to see what's next for the Growing Through It podcast.

Attracting top talent is just the first step for organizations. What truly sets successful organizations apart is how they nurture their new hires during those pivotal first days on the job. Building a strong relationship with new hires from the outset increases their engagement and also sets them up for long-term success.  Yet, with the demands of day-to-day responsibilities, leaders may find it challenging to provide the attention new hires need. So, how can leaders help new employees feel productive by the end of week one? Today’s guest, Carolyn Sorgenfrei, shares her expert advice on how to get new hires up and running. Carolyn Sorgenfrei is an accomplished employee experience professional with over a decade of experience in driving culture and engagement across various industries. With a proven track record in developing and implementing impactful employee programs, she has successfully led initiatives that enhance workplace culture, boost employee engagement, and foster a sense of belonging. In this episode, Carolyn shares why positive employee onboarding matters, not only for the new hire but for the organization. She recounts a terrible onboarding experience when she ignored blatant red flags and compares that experience with one that fostered clarity, connection, and a sense of belonging. Carolyn describes what a good onboarding process looks like and how leaders can set their new hires up for success. She explains when leaders should check in with new hires and how to leverage their existing team to help. Carolyn leaves us with the one thing that matters most when leaders onboard new hires.  Listen in for insights on transforming your onboarding experience and nurturing lasting relationships with your team! For full show notes, visit https://growthsignals.co/ Connect with Carolyn on LinkedIn Connect with Jen on LinkedIn

Performance reviews—dreaded by many, effective for few. According to Gallup, only 2% of CHROs from Fortune 500 companies strongly believe that their performance management systems inspire employees to improve. Even more concerning, just 20% of employees feel that their reviews are transparent, fair, or motivational. Despite these discouraging statistics, the annual performance review persists in many organizations. Fortunately, there are forward-thinking exceptions—like today’s guest, Robert Neiuber. Robert Neiuber, Senior Human Resources Director for the City of Rancho Cucamonga, has been with the City for a decade. He led a progressive shift from traditional performance reviews to a dynamic performance development approach during his tenure. This new system prioritizes future growth over past performance, equipping employees with the tools they need for managing their careers. In this episode, Robert details the City’s journey to eliminate performance reviews. He shares the motivations behind the change, the implementation process, and how they successfully rolled out the initiative, including navigating union considerations. Robert also dives into the specifics of their current performance development system, known as MAPs, and discusses their ongoing plans for improvement. As organizations continue to grapple with the limitations of traditional performance reviews, Robert’s insights offer a powerful blueprint for those ready to make the shift. Tune in to learn how you can start moving towards a more dynamic and growth-focused approach to performance management in your own organization. For full show notes, visit https://growthsignals.co/ Connect with Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertneiuber/

Ever want to put your head down, work hard, and advance at work? Unfortunately, hard work isn’t enough to get you ahead in most organizations. Navigating the unspoken rules of the workplace is crucial for career success, especially for those from nondominant identities who face additional challenges. If you want to succeed in the business world without sacrificing your authenticity, this episode is for you! Podcast guest and author of Unspoken, Dr. Ella F. Washington, shares why these hidden dynamics exist, how they can impact your professional journey, and how to navigate the unspoken. In this episode, Ella explains the concept of code switching, and how to use it in a way that’s strategic and not soul-crushing. She underscores the value of “reading the room” and observing social dynamics before asserting your competence. Ella defines personal standards of excellence and why they’re critical to career success. She highlights the necessity of networking and showcasing unique skills and contributions.  We discuss Ella’s love of negotiation and how it doesn’t need to stop once you’ve been hired. Finally, she shares why we need to speak the unspoken, giving voice to uncomfortable conversations that can make the workplace a better place. Join us as we dive into strategies for excelling in spaces where what's left unsaid often holds the most power.  Connect with Jen on LinkedIn Connect with Ella on LinkedIn

When it comes to employee wellbeing, many organizations treat it as a program to add or an exercise class to offer. However, with research pointing to leadership as a key factor in employee wellbeing, isn’t it time we’ve taken a closer look? In this episode, we welcome Bridgette McCullough, a wellbeing practitioner turned Leadership Development Advisor at OhioHealth Leadership Academy. Bridgette's unique role involves creating solutions that foster a culture of well-being through leader support and development. Bridgette spent the last decade advising employers on how to redesign work for well-being by creating environments and experiences where employees can thrive. In this episode, Bridgette shares her career journey from public health to workplace leadership. We delve into the crucial link between wellbeing and leadership and explore why many organizations fail to connect the two. Bridgette sheds light on OhioHealth’s balanced scorecard approach, which incorporates cultural metrics for evaluating leadership performance. We also discuss the various leadership opportunities available at OhioHealth, including training sessions, spot coaching, and an emerging leader program. Bridgette shares what excites her most about her work and leaves us with a practical tip to enhance our own leadership practices. If you’re a leader aiming to make a meaningful impact on your team's wellbeing, this episode is for you. Join us as we explore how to create workplaces that not only enhance employee well-being but also drive organizational success. For full show notes, visit https://growthsignals.co/ Connect with Bridgette on LinkedIn

In a world constantly evolving, our ability to adapt to change often defines our personal and professional growth. But when change is happening to us and not for us, how can we prepare both ourselves and others for transitions?  Podcast guest, Kamaria Scott, has been on both sides of change and is here to help us reframe change from a threat into an opportunity for growth. Kamaria is the Founder and CEO of Enetic, a boutique consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations improve manager performance and enabling them to lead engaged, healthy and high achieving teams. An accomplished industrial-organizational psychologist, she has shaped her expertise over two decades, influencing both innovative startups and corporations such as BNY Mellon, FIS, and Accenture. In this episode, we discuss how Kamaria was laid off not once, not twice, but three times over her career. She shares her reactions to those life changing events and how she mastered the art of graceful exits by the 3rd layoff. Kamaria offers advice to organizations and leaders on better ways to handle layoffs and how to lead after select team members are gone. Kamaria explains how to get your team change ready, which includes helping people move on for their growth and development. She describes how leaders can approach change-resistant team members and what to do when they’re handed an unfavorable change. Kamaria leaves leaders with advice on how they can get in touch with their own change readiness.  If you find yourself grappling with organizational changes or seeking guidance on leading through transitions, listen in for how to get your team change ready. For full show notes and links mentioned, visit https://growthsignals.co/

Going back to work after having a baby can be tough, especially if you’re returning to a leadership role. You’re expected to and may want to pick up where you left off. But what happens when you are over-functioning at work and running your team on high octane? Podcast guest, Beth Finkle, candidly shares her post-maternity leave reentry, battling postpartum anxiety and overwhelming emotions. Beth is a loving mom to four wonderful kids and is an experienced worksite wellbeing practitioner with 16 years of expertise. Throughout her career, she’s left her mark in various employer settings, including hospitals, health insurance companies, national sports teams, and higher education. In this episode, Beth shares how she led her team in the first few months after returning from maternity leave. She shares how she was holding it all together at work, only to come home and feel enraged. It wasn’t until her husband noticed she wasn’t herself that she got some help. Beth reveals how she got herself back on track with her wellbeing and leading her team. She shares how her experience made her a better leader and offers her advice to others returning from maternity leave. Beth’s experience underscores the significance of supporting mothers returning back from maternity leave. Her story sheds light on how high-functioning anxiety can be masked as being a “good” employee. Connect with Beth on LinkedIn. Listen to her podcast, Trust Me, at https://www.trustmebk.com/ Watch her Tedx talk here  

Is saying yes to too many opportunities getting in the way of being the leader you need to be? In a world full of opportunities and endless demands, knowing when to say “no” can be a transformative skill for a leader. But finding the balance between seizing opportunities and protecting our limits is a delicate dance many of us struggle with. With over 25 years in leadership, podcast guest, LeeAnn Garrick, has been on a journey of learning to set boundaries throughout her career. LeeAnn is the Chief Operating Officer of the Cook Inlet Tribal Council where she manages operational units and large-scale programs. As a recovering “yes” person, she’s learned to say no among a slew of work commitments and personal responsibilities to safeguard her well-being. In this episode, LeeAnn recounts a time when she turned down a prestigious fellowship to which she initially said yes. She describes going back to her boss to turn down the opportunity and shares what she learned from that experience. LeeAnn explores where her “yes” attitude comes from and how it’s shifted throughout her career.   We also unpack how difficult it can be to say no and how the first step is self-awareness. Even though she still trips up from time to time, she’s learned that every opportunity is not worth her energy. Finally, she ends by offering advice on how you can decide what opportunities are right for you in your career.

Meetings are often seen as necessary but dreaded events that everyone complains about. But do they have to be?  As a leader, you can transform these gatherings from mundane to meaningful. The answer lies in creating a safe environment that nurtures idea-sharing, collaboration, and innovation. Podcast guest, Gary Ware shares essential strategies to make your meetings more engaging, productive, and enjoyable. Gary is the Founder of Breakthrough Play and is a sought-after Corporate Facilitator and Keynote Speaker with nearly a decade of experience as a performer in improv theatre. He assists teams with unlocking creativity, confidence, and sparks collaboration with experiential methods proven to drive peak performance. In this episode, we start with some questions to ask before you pull people together and how to set your meeting up for success. Gary shares some connection activities to use at the start of meetings and describes how to create group agreements. We discuss how to get a meeting back on track, the best ways to brainstorm, and code words you can use. Finally, Gary shares how to get feedback after the meeting to ensure the meetings are valuable for everyone. Join us as we uncover practical strategies and valuable tips to transform your meetings, foster creativity, and cultivate a positive atmosphere that inspires collaboration within your team. For full show notes visit www.growthsignals.co. Connect with Gary on LinkedIn. Connect with Jen on LinkedIn. 

Imagine taking on your first role as a new leader, excited at the opportunity, only to uncover one leadership challenge after another. Not only are you leading your former peers, who are more experienced than you, but two members of your three-person team go out on medical leave and eventually quit. This leaves you with one highly motivated but inexperienced team member to do the work of four people. Oh yeah, and when you ask for support, you’re told “You’ve been through worse”.   How well would you do in that first-time leadership role? Podcast guest, Stacy Vega, is here to recount how her first leadership experience made her feel like a complete failure.  Stacy Vega is the Director of Strategic Planning and Governance for Government Marketing at Elevance Health, where she leads the practice and forum to orchestrate communications to the Medicare population. Stacy is passionate about bridging brands and audiences through compelling storytelling. Outside work, Stacy is a mother to two sons, Ciani and Chancellor, and a dog mom to Nugget. For the full show notes and links mention, visit https://growthsignals.co/

Imagine being fresh out of college and being hired in your first leadership role. You fly across the country for a three-month training stint, excited about your new job and ready for the challenge. Four weeks in, you get some upsetting news – you’ve been replaced by someone more experienced.  What would you do? Today’s podcast guest, Karen Suchsland, tells us how she reacted to that exact situation and how it influenced the rest of her 20-year leadership career. In this episode, Karen recounts her bumpy entrance into the world of corporate leadership, when she was taken out of the role she was hired for and reslotted into a special projects role. She shares how that felt, who she leaned on for some honest feedback, and how she recovered.  For full show notes, visit growthsignals.co.

In the constant hustle and bustle of work, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of genuine connections. In this solo episode, host Jen Arnold reflects on a recent incident when a prior coach missed the mark on relationship building. This incident prompted her to stress the value of fostering genuine relationships in the professional world. Jen shares instances where she felt a lack of personal connection at work, advocating for a deeper understanding of team members by learning about their backgrounds and interests. In this episode, Jen also shares a few upcoming podcasts that you don’t want to miss.

Is there feedback you’re putting off because you’re not sure how to say it? If so, this episode is for you. In this solo episode, host Jen Arnold delves into the essential leadership skill of giving meaningful feedback. It turns out that delivering meaningful feedback in a way that’s both accepted and applied is both an art and a science. Feedback isn’t just about words – it’s about how you show up to and through the conversation. But since both giving and receiving feedback can create anxiety in both parties, it can impact how we listen, and if we stay open-minded and judgment-free. In a world where feedback is often feared, this episode serves as a guide for effectively delivering feedback. Tune in, learn, and lead with confidence. For full show notes and key highlights, visit https://growthsignals.co  

Imagine getting a call that someone on your team made a mistake on a 100-million-dollar client project. Would you fire them or ask them to lead the project recovery? This is the “gift of failure” that podcast guest, Josh Durham, tells us about in this episode. With almost two decades as a leader in the construction industry, Josh has overseen more than $1 billion in large scale construction. As the owner of Gamut Project Solutions, Josh guides his clients to positive outcomes - from proposal development and risk management to field strategies, dispute resolution, and more. In this episode, Josh tells the story of the 100-million-dollar project where a mistake was made by one of his team members and how he decided on the next steps. He walks us through the unexpected path he chose and how he rallied his team to get the project back on track. Josh shares how his many “gifts of failure” have shaped the leader he is today - one who's purpose-driven, reflective, and builds people up. If you’ve ever been in charge of a really expensive mistake that tested your leadership, this episode is for you!

In the dynamic realm of team management, one fundamental element stands out as a cornerstone for fostering growth and retaining talent: engaging in meaningful career conversations. As managers, it is not just about overseeing tasks and projects but also about nurturing the professional development and aspirations of our team members.  In this episode, your host, Jen Arnold, walks you through her Guiding Principles for leaders to have career conversations with their teams and five essential steps to get started. You can download the Leader's Guide to Navigating Employee Development Conversations mentioned HERE.

Lex was in her mid-20’s and one week into her new role when she got promoted into a leadership role. The catch – she only had two weeks to prep for her new hires! How did this self-proclaimed perfectionist handle not having all of the answers? She tells all of her lessons learned on this episode. Lex Moschakis is the founder of Live Big, an organization dedicated to helping teens build confidence, resilience, and self-leadership skills in schools across the US. Her path has zigzagged from corporate law, to sales, to teaching at the Kellogg School of Management, and training Fortune 100 executive teams on high-impact habits. During her time in sales leadership Lex ran teams regionally and nationally, responsible for recruiting, onboarding, coaching, and career pathing dozens of early-career professionals. In this episode, Lex walks us through the considerable lessons she learned as a new leader. She highlights the difficulties that come with organizational changes, the hiring and firing that are part of a leader’s job, and how to interview for fit and not education. Lex offers questions she asked of job candidates to put them at ease so she could get to know them as people.   Lex offers a ton of practical advice, including how to give an underperforming team member autonomy, how to reframe your role as manager, and what to do when someone leaves your team. Tune in to delve deeper into the nuances of being a new leader and learning on the go with Lex Moschakis. Subscribe for the stories, stay for the breakthroughs, and lead better starting today.  

In this “in between the interviews” episode of Growing Through It, host Jen Arnold tells the story of her first few years in leadership. She reveals a vulnerable time in her leadership career when she was unaware of her shortcomings and had the rude awakening of a demotion. Jen walks through her leadership mistakes, as well as where the organization missed the boat in supporting her as a new leader. She also shares what she did after the demotion to learn from her mistakes and regain her confidence to lead again. This episode is designed to celebrate the courage to confront challenges, the power of vulnerability, and the resilience to grow through adversity.  

In this episode, we delve into the story of Michaelangelo Aranda, a seasoned people leader, who was promoted into a Director role. Initially filled with honor and excitement after the promotion, Michaelangelo ’s ascent was accompanied by a wave of challenges, primarily stemming from his unsupportive leader. Struggling with a lack of backing and encouragement, Michaelangelo ’s confidence wavered, leading to self-doubt and emotional exhaustion. The crux of the story unfolds as Michaelangelo makes the courageous decision to resign. His departure was a pivotal moment, teaching him to advocate for himself and ultimately prioritize a better work environment, even if it meant less pay. Michaelangelo’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the complex dynamics within the workplace and the importance of advocating for oneself in the face of adversity. For the full show notes, visit https://growthsignals.co

Think about leading a college baseball team. You’re working with 18- to 22-year-olds who also go to school and must keep up their grades. Team members are constantly in flux - graduating, getting drafted, freshman getting acclimated, transfers from other schools, etc. Plus, you’re under pressure to win games. You may not be leading a sports team but there are lessons we can take from sports and apply them leadership in a traditional work environment. After all, there’s one thread that runs through any strong team – good leadership.  In this episode, Rucker Taylor, Head Baseball Coach at Davidson College, shares his journey of getting comfortable with his authentic leadership style. Rucker unpacks his recent leadership frustration – what were the signs, what caused it, and how he ended up tweaking his approach to give his team what they really needed – more guidance and structure. Connect with Jen on LinkedIn Sign up to get exclusive podcast content that’ll give you a leadership edge.

In this "in between the interviews" episode of Growing Through It, host Jen Arnold delves into three insights from her interview with Rhonda Okurowski, who shared her journey leading in her first Fortune 500 company. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or an aspiring one, this episode offers valuable wisdom and practical guidance for navigating the complex terrain of organizational fit and change. Connect with Jen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenparnold/ Sign up to get exclusive podcast content that’ll give you an edge on your leadership journey.