Let's Get Real

Our guest is Faith Fuller, co-founder of CRR Global and co-creator of Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC™).  She is a psychologist and experienced trainer and coach, with decades of experience in working with organizations, couples and communities. Faith is also the author of “Relationship Matters: A New Paradigm for an Evolutionary Leap in Relationships.“ Nina and Faith share a belief that most growth happens in and through our relationships. In this conversation they explored some key ideas for being a relationship warrior including listening for the voice of the system and understanding the different parts of ourselves. Faith also offered up a way for leaders to bring more systems awareness to their teams and other important relationships. Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

In this time of so much change, I can't think of a better skill set than understanding and being able to help others come to terms with loss.  That's one reason I wanted to have this conversation with Christie Mann and Rachel Baldi of UpLevel Productions.   They specialize in developing Emotional Leadership & Resiliency and Navigating End-of-Life & Grief in the workplace, family and community eco-systems. In this conversation,  we explored the importance of honoring all emotions even at work. Rachel and Christie shared some ideas for processing grief.  Rachel also shared more about her new children's book Lil' Amina and the Adventures of Grief. The Adventures of Lil' Sass UpLevel Productions The Journey of Co-Creating and Birthing A Children's Book Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Our guest is Marita Fridjhon, a thought leader in the paradigm shifts leaders and teams need to make to create systems-inspired change.  Over two decades ago, Marita and CRR Global co-founder Faith Fuller developed the simple yet revolutionary idea of Relationship Systems Intelligence (RSI™) - that leadership lives in the whole system rather than individuals, and that each system has a personality and intelligence of its own.  In this conversation,  Nina and Marita agreed on the importance of self reflection in leading change.  Marita shared what is unique about this moment and how essential it is for team leaders to be systems aware.  We also got into what we can learn from Japanese culture and how underrated humble leadership is. Marita FridjhonCRR Global System-inspired Leadership Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Eric Kohner is an internationally recognized executive coach, keynote speaker, and is considered one of the “godfathers” of Co-Active coaching.   He is the founder of ekcoSYSTEM, where they teach the skills to create effective leaders inside a “VUCA” environment—volatile, uncertain, complex, & ambiguous.  He’s trained global organizations such as the US Navy, Capgemini, Sony Music Entertainment, and ING to transform their company cultures by transforming their leaders.   In this episode, Eric shared where he is most passionate to create a legacy -  altering the prison system forever and supporting  climate change leaders in seeing new possibilities.Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

In this QuickTake I share my thoughts on the critical skill of tuning into your key stakeholders and moving from a unilateral conversation to a collaborative co-created dialogue. Theory U Essentials of Theory UNina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

JuJu Hook helps companies find their juju and brand it.  In this conversation Nina and Juju explored the power of women in midlfe. Juju also shared insights about how to challenge assumptions and address and activate around the realities of the unconscious (and deliberate) bias middle-aged women face.  We had fun and I walked away with new insights into how women can evolve their brand and step into their power in their 50s and beyond. Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Jenny Vazquez-Newsum is a leadership facilitator and CEO of Untapped Leaders, a leadership development organization specializing in uncovering overlooked capacities and untapped talent.  Her recent book Untapped Leadership: Harnessing the Power of Underrepresented Leaders examines strategies, capabilities, and contributions from leaders of color and marginalized backgrounds from all walks of life and career stages. in this conversation, Jenny shared some of the unique challenges BIPOC leader face in the work place from going into stealthmode to being hypervigilant.  Nina and Jenny also explored some of the practices team leaders need to develop to create more inclusion and tap into the full potential of a diverse team. Untapped Leaders Rest as Resistance Co-Active Leadership Model Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

In this Quick Take episode, Andy interviewed Nina about what it takes to cultivate a positive workplace culture.  Nina shared the three C's and the two of them explore how pitfalls and limits of a culture based on the personalities of the founders.   Real Leaders in TechNina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

James Fountain is a documentarian, a sustainability leader and a storyteller.  He has an extensive career trajectory that includes leadership roles in Big 4 public accounting firms, strategic consulting to top-tier corporations in diverse sectors, and work with the United Nations.  His unique worldview is enriched by his lifelong exploration of indigenous communities worldwide, which has offered him first-hand insight into the harsh realities of climate change and global development. In this episode, he shared about his recent visit to indigenous nomadic groups in Tajikistan.  We explored some of the differences between an indigenous, local approach and a Western global approach  to climate change and what keeps him hopeful about the future.  James FountainZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Dr. Priya Nalkur is the President of the Roundtable Institute a professional coaching and training firm that helps leaders raise their awareness, action, and advocacy for organizational change.   In this conversation they explored why DEI is so intrinsic to effective and empathetic leadership.  Priya also shared her perspectives on how to bring a JEDI (justice-equity-diversity-inclusion) lens to the coaching conversation.  Nina also shared a challenge she has and got some great advice!   Finally, Dr. Nalkur shared more about her JEDI for Coaches program.     Demon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverRecitatif by Toni MorrisonNina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Bessi Graham is an investor, entrepreneur and writer with a passion for using business as an agent for change.  For the past 20 years she has focused on unlocking capital to deliver positive social and environmental outcomes in Australia and the Pacific.  In this episode Bessi shared her approach to helping mid to small-sized businesses do good while making money. Nina and Bessi agreed that a “Both And” stance is powerful and much needed if we are going to solve some of the complex challenges of our time.  They also chatted about what it takes to be a values-driven business in today's political environment.  Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Dr. Elijah Nicholas is an 11-time published author with his most recent work is his LGBTQI+ friendly children's book series which promotes love, family, compassion, inclusion, and authentic gender expression.  He spent almost half of his life in the U.S. Military, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2012. Dr. Nicholas transitioned in 2018.   Dr. Elijah is also the founder of 100 Black Trans Men, an organization that empowers  and elevates the visibility and representation of Black Transgender Men. In this conversation, Dr. Elijah shared about what it was like to be in the closet while leading in the military. Nina and Elijah also talked about how our values can be not only a guiding post but an invitation for change.  They also got real about their shared vision for the future of inclusion and what we can all learn from the trans experience.  Dr. Elijah Nicholas Madoodle100 Trans Men Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

In the Season Five Opener, Nina shares four ways to cultivate better listening. She also makes a key distinction between managing and leading and why it matters to listen well.  How to Lead from the Dancefloor and the BalconyA Few Powerful Questions Nina Simonds is an internationally-recognized Executive Coach and Team Facilitator. She is currently translating 18+ years of experience working with senior leaders and leadership teams in fields as diverse as tech, financial services and transportation into helping her clients navigate and thrive in times of immense organizational and societal change.  She supports her clients in working from a deep sense of purpose and building new self awareness and capacity to lead through complexity and uncertainty. Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Nina reflects on the three leadership lessons from Season 4.  The meta questions we asked this season included: how does a leader cultivate a culture of belonging and inclusion?  What's the most effective ways to navigate a difficult conversation?  And what role does creativity play in self-awareness and leadership development?   While the answers are more complex than one conversation or even the full season,  Nina had fun summarizing some of her personal take-aways from talking to leaders, coaches and authors.     Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Maria Gerea is the founder and owner of Coevolution.  As an experienced executive coach and team development facilitator, she supports leaders and teams to connect the dots between collaboration and innovation to elevate their impact and results. In this conversation, we explored what it is like working with social impact leaders and visionaries.   As a Romanian-born founder, Maria also shared early challenges in establishing herself in the United States.  We also talked about our new program for mission-driven leaders and what we are discovering about our own working relationship including how to view conflict as an opportunity.   Leadership for Real Impact Course CRR GlobalMarshall McLuhan Quote  Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Dr. Nancy Dome is the Founder/CEO of Epoch Education who’s primary charge is to provide  accessible and transforming professional development for educators and business leaders in diversity, inclusion and belonging, and equity.   She is also the author of Let's Talk about Race (and Other Hard Things.)  In this conversation,  Dr. Dome outlined a process that is both an effective and compassionate way to talk about hard things and in the process create stronger relationships.     I opened up about one of my own triggers when it comes to addressing microaggressions.   Dome also shared the origins of the  Compassionate Dialogue model and the RIR (Recognize-Interrupt-Repair) protocol that has helped hundreds of educators and leaders navigate difficult but essential conversations.  The two of us also talked about the importance of intentions in any attempt to initiate a high-stakes conversation.Dr. Nancy Dome Leadership and Self Deception Center for Non-violent Communication Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

In this quick take,  I share three ways leaders can hold change, whether it's a job loss or an organizational initiative.    These three approaches may seem paradoxical but can accelerate growth and help you tap into what's trying to happen. Holding Change by Adrienne Maree Brown Wu Wei: The Powerful Path of Non-Action Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Andy Simonds is the co-producer and sound engineer for the show but his new day job is as the Chief Product Officer of Talent.com.   Since Andy has been  leading product and organizational transformation in tech for 20+ years including leadership roles at Microsoft and Blizzard Entertainment, we  thought it would be relevant and fun to have Andy on as a guest to talk about leading change.  We explored how his creative outlets help him manage the stresses of leadership.  Andy shared candidly about when his strengths have worked against him and how he has learned to stay true to himself.  We covered some great ground including the power of a diverse team, the bro culture in tech and the increasing lack of trust for corporations today.  Talent.com OC Simonds (Andy's great grandfather) Meg Wheatley's Work Atomic Habits Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

The Anatomy of Trust Unleash your Complexity Genius The Ministry for the Future Let’s Talk about Race Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In

Clients often come to me focused on learning tactics or strategies for being a better leader.   What I have learned over time is that effective leadership is as much about who you are being, your presence, as what you produce or accomplish.  Still there are a few misconception of what presence is and how to develop it. In this quick take,  I share the three critical access points for an effective and compelling leadership presence.  One-Moment Meditation Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! InstagramLinked In