Episode 65: Unlock Your Greatest Potential with Peter Rios

This is Episode 65 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Peter Rios; in this episode, we're focused on what it takes to unlock your greatest potential as a leader…and so much more. _________________________________________ Peter Rios Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Peter has consulted at institutions such as Harvard University, the Lilly Endowment, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.He has been a lecturer at Penn State, Colorado State, and the Pacific School of Religion at Berkeley. His passion for leadership and personal development, and organizational change stems from his own transformational experience after overcoming trauma at an early age and embarking on an unprecedented journey of healing, self-discovery, and professional development.Peter is on a mission along with his spouse, Dr. Ruby Gonzalez-Rios, to build and develop people so they can maximize their potential and live healthy, fulfilled lives. _________________________________________ FocusED Show Notes with Guest Peter RiosPeter talks about how his book, Maximize, was written based on his past, growing up in the projects and ending up with two PhDs.For aspiring writers, don’t miss what he says about “writing everywhere.”Nothing grows in a comfort zone. ~ Dr. Peter RiosThe book helps people to take intention steps in a way that helps with personal and professional growth.Joe asks about specific steps that leaders can make to get from where they are to where they want to go. How do we move forward when we’re overwhelmed with fear?Dr. Rios encourages leaders to take the first step of a self-assessment.He talks about the difference between dreams and goals. Dreams don’t come with benchmarks; goals require targets.Don’t miss what he says about accountability partners.Peter unpacks the sacrifice of a goal, breaking down your dreams into building blocks.Peter talks about using data from 360 reviews and other tools to draw an honest picture of your strengths and weaknesses.Peter mentions the use of a life wheel. Here’s a free example.Something important for all leaders to take away is that maximizing your potential is simple work, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy.Peter tells us that his own story of failure is what separates his books from others.The book has a chapter on the power of creativity and curiosity. He reminds us of some of our own work around having a beginner’s mind.Peter follows Ed Mullet on YouTube.Peter is intentional about exposing himself to people who are not like him.Peter reads and writes every single day. He also prays and meditates each day.Dr. Rios spends some time at the end of the show talking about learning to lead in the context of your situation. There are certainly aspects of leadership that everyone can adopt, but there’s also an aspect of leadership that requires adaptation.Plausible preferred future. Find out what that means.Peter ends with the need for everyone to be kind to themselves and each other.Go to PeterRiosConsulting.com for free chapters.