DiscoverConnect the Dots - Lead the Way
Connect the Dots - Lead the Way
Claim Ownership

Connect the Dots - Lead the Way

Author: Heather Balcerek

Subscribed: 2Played: 8
Share

Description

Are you trying to be a better leader, change industries, reset after a layoff, or looking for ways to bring your whole self to work? Connect the Dots - Lead the Way  is focused on helping you through these situations and more by sharing real life stories and practical tips. Heather is here to support you through coaching and mentorship, along with some amazing guests along the way.

thepolkadotdesk.substack.com
172 Episodes
Reverse
Are you ready to harness the power of SMART goals? Join me, Heather Balcerek, as I take you on a refreshing journey, dispelling the complexities of goal setting and transforming it into an exciting, rewarding endeavor. I guarantee that by the end of this episode, you'll master the art of setting SMART goals. Trust me, the rewards of such strategic planning are monumental. From adding value to your work, balancing your workload, defining your success, to providing clarity, SMART goals enable y...
Ever wondered how you can bring more gratitude into your workplace? As we wrap up our enlightening mini-series on words for the workplace, we shed light on the importance and methods of expressing appreciation to colleagues. From casual verbal acknowledgments to more formal accolades, we discuss how these actions can make people feel valued and included. This isn't simply about saying thank you - it's about fostering an environment of respect and understanding.Drawing upon insights from Brené...
Get ready to revolutionize the way you navigate the digital communication landscape in your workplace. We promise you an insightful conversation about the power of clear language, the underestimated value of punctuation, and yes, even the strategic use of emojis in our digital interactions. We also address the common pitfalls of relying solely on text-based communication, providing you with four actionable tips for fostering better digital connection.Ever wondered about the silent language of...
Ever felt that choking burnout at work? That desolate feeling of exhaustion that seems to suck away all your energy, making the simplest tasks feel like a mountain? This is the episode you need. We've taken a deep dive into understanding burnout, investigating the roots of these emotions and how they manifest in our workplaces. With insights from Brene' Brown's book, "Atlas of the Heart", we'll guide you to recognize the signs of burnout and the importance of naming our emotions to provide th...
Want to supercharge your creativity at work? This episode promises to take you on an enlightening journey packed with fresh insights. We delve into the world of emotions, exploring how they ignite and fuel creativity in our professional lives. Discover how emotions like curiosity, awe, wonder, and even confusion can be key drivers in the creative process. We believe each of us brings a unique flavor of creativity to our work, and being able to understand and express this is crucial for a vibr...
What if there was a more profound way of expressing your emotions at work beyond just being "happy"? Let's get into a stimulating chat about harnessing and articulating emotions more accurately within the workplace. Drawing valuable insights from Mark Brackett's book, 'Permission to Feel,' we ponder upon the multi-layered emotions we experience in our professional lives, and how the term "happy," though commonly used, might not be doing full justice in describing those emotions. We explo...
In this episode, we continued exploring the world of learning and development in the business realm. Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:Understanding how change impacts where our focus lands. Importance of telling a data story.Setting your intentions, then stretching them.How to have more inclusive conversations.The episode ended with some exciting updates regarding the podcast. We have a challenge ahead of us—our goal is to reach 200 episodes by the end of 2023. We currentl...
Hello Connect the Dots community!Welcome back to our 3 Part series, titled "Unlocking the Value of Learning and Development in Business," previously we dove deep into the importance of individual and collective efforts in impacting learning and development within organizations. Heather shared her top 6 takeaways from the keynote panel discussion. Today we are diving into Part 2, where Heather highlights 5 more key takeaways from various sessions she attended while at TICE. We are so glad y...
Hello Connect the Dots community!In our latest episode, titled "Unlocking the Value of Learning and Development in Business," we dive deep into the importance of individual and collective efforts in impacting learning and development within organizations. This is the first of a three part series. Heather highlights key insights and thought-provoking ideas that both leaders and individual contributors can apply to foster a culture of continuous growth and learning.In this episode, we recap six...
This episode is a really exciting one because we are welcoming in a guest that has made more of an impact on Heather’s journey than he probably knows or will ever know. Today we are talking to Dave Stachowiak (STA-HOE-VEE-AAK) the host and founder of Coaching for Leaders, a top-rated management podcast downloaded 30 million times. Coaching for Leaders is #1 search result for management on Apple Podcasts in the United States. With more than 15 years of leadership at Dale Carnegie and a thrivi...
*****I do want to start with a quick disclaimer today. This episode may touch on mental health topics. I am not a doctor or certified mental health professional. If you are or someone you know is in crisis, please call 988 if you are in the US. If you are outside the US, there is a link in the below to a list of international options. Are you trying to be a better leader, change industries, reset after a layoff, or looking for ways to bring your whole self to work? Have you r...
Over the past week, I have seen such an outpouring of recognition, both personally and across the posts on LinkedIn. It has made me think about the importance of showing recognition in the moment in and out of the workplace. Today I’m diving in on why it is so important and giving some recognition of my own. After you listen, accept my challenge to recognize someone you work with and someone outside of work today. Head over to any of my social media and let me know if you accept and complete ...
S4E3: Three Questions

S4E3: Three Questions

2023-01-2020:04

No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.- Charles P. SteinmetzWhen I met with my mentor yesterday, she had me answer 3 questions about the lay off situation. These questions really made me stop and think so I wanted to put them out there for you. Asking ourselves questions helps us process through the feelings. But these questions aren’t just for those that were laid off. Maybe you are one of the people that got to stay, which is not always an easy place to be. Ask yourse...
S4E2: No Regrets

S4E2: No Regrets

2023-01-1917:51

It’s Day 1 of this new world where my job is to job hunt. Oh the life of a layoffee... Since I left Apple for Amazon in November 2021, I have been asked if I regret the move more times than I can count. So sitting here now, the day after the layoff, I wanted to answer this question again. Do I have regrets about the move I made? The answer is no. I now get to take my knowledge and skills to a new place where I can continue to inspire others and grow my skills. Sadness does not last forever wh...
S4E1: Open to Work

S4E1: Open to Work

2023-01-1822:30

Well now...here we are... together again. It's Season 4 of the podcast and this season is all about bringing all of you to work. I will say I had a different plan to start this season but it seems I have more time on my hands now. Today I was laid off from my job. Ouch. Me and thousands of others were impacted by the layoffs at Amazon. I'm hurt, confused, sad, angry....all the feelings. So let's do this together. Come along on my journey as I navigate this new space and let's connect the dots...
Just Checking In

Just Checking In

2022-10-0905:14

Hey All! I just wanted to check in and let you know what’s been going on since I haven’t released a podcast in the past month. All is well. I’m just working through some things that I committed to. I’ll be back soon. I promise.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/connectthedotspodcast/support This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepolkadotdesk.substack.comSupport the Show.
Disclaimer: This video/podcast contains explicit language and covers topics that might cause you to use explicit language too. I might hurt some feelings and make folks mad. These are my own thoughts and opinions and do not reflect the views of my employer/previous employers. I am not a financial advisor, certified coach, or medical professional. Just wanted to make sure you knew these things upfront today. Now to the show...Today I’m drinking wine and talking through student loan forgiveness...
After almost 3 years, Christa and I finally got to sit down for a conversation. We met at Blissdom in late 2019 and I was instantly drawn to her passion for helping others. She is a project manager by trade, then was called by God to help His girls. Christa started to volunteer with Proverbs 31, using her project management skills to help them grow. Over the years, she has continued to work in the corporate world and build her business. Christa shares how God has lead her through all the twis...
After seeing so many people online recommend the book, “How to keep house while drowning” by KC Davis, LPC, I decided to pick it up and read it. I really enjoyed her approach to cleaning and organizing. I had a lot of things marked in the book to mention but did not get through them all. I definitely recommend picking up this book physically or e-book style. You can find KC Davis online at https://www.strugglecare.com. Laughter, Love, and Blessings,HeatherSocial Links@msheatherbdot @connectth...
Today’s episode is all about nothing. I mean it’s not dead air, but I just had some fun talking about the random things going on in my life. It’s just some unscripted fun catch up from the last few weeks. I cover mocktails, sunscreen, the account that might make me get TikTok, and more randomness. Come along for laughs and fun!Laughter, Love, and Blessings,HeatherSocial Links@msheatherbdot @connectthedots_podcast NEW Youtube channel!NEW Website!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/msheatherbdot#podca...
loading
Comments 
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store