Marlene D. Chism / CEO. Author. Keynote Speaker

Every stuck moment in your career traces back to a conversation you avoided.Leadership expert Marlene Chism spent 21 years as a blue collar worker before making the leap to become one of the leading authorities on workplace conflict and difficult conversations.In this episode, Marlene reveals the three life tragedies that keep you trapped, the SAND framework for getting unstuck, and why willingness is the only thing standing between you and the change you desperately want.If you've been avoiding a crucial conversation or know you want more but can't figure out what that looks like, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to finally move forward.5 Key Takeaways:The Three Life Tragedies framework reveals exactly which stage of stuckness you're experiencing and provides the specific pathway forward, whether you don't know what you want, don't believe it's possible, or are too afraid to act.The SAND model diagnoses where your resistance lives by identifying if you're Stuck in patterns, Attached to how things should be, Negative in thinking, or Distracted from what matters, giving you a precise target for change.Willingness is the fulcrum point of all transformation, requiring only that you ask "Am I willing to try? Am I willing to fail? Am I willing to be uncomfortable?" to create immediate pathways forward without needing certainty.The Performance Coaching Model provides a systematic blueprint for difficult conversations, teaching you how to analyze problems, achieve leadership clarity, and create accountability without destroying relationships or avoiding crucial issues.Shifting from "How do I do this?" to "Who can help me do this?" eliminates the paralysis of not knowing and accelerates transformation through strategic relationships and willingness to invest in expertise.GUEST BIO:Marlene D. Chism is the leading authority on stopping workplace drama and building drama-free cultures that drive growth and reduce costly mistakes. Known for getting to the root problem, simplifying the complex, and increasing leadership clarity, Marlene works with C-Suite executives and decision-makers, offering frameworks and tools to navigate difficult conversations and increase accountability. As a recognized expert on the LinkedIn Learning platform, she has produced six educational video courses on high-stakes topics including working with high conflict people, having difficult conversations, and anger management. Marlene is the founder of The Performance Coaching Model and author of four commercially published books: Stop Workplace Drama (Wiley 2011), No-Drama Leadership (Bibliomotion 2015), 7 Ways to Stop Drama in Your Healthcare Practice (Greenbranch 2018), and From Conflict to Courage (Berrett-Koehler 2022), which was nominated for an international award from GetAbstract. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communications with a minor in Psychology from Drury University, a master's degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University, and is an advanced practitioner in Narrative Coaching. After spending 21 years as a blue collar workeSend us Fan MailPaul Povolni (Voppa) is the founder of Voppa Creative and a creative leader with over 30 years of experience in brand strategy and design. Based in Jackson, Mississippi, he has worked with clients internationally, leading teams in award-winning branding while serving as a coach and speaker. Paul delivers workshops and keynotes on brand strategy, creative thinking, and organizational culture, and hosts The Headsmack Podcast: Conversations with Misfits. His work centers on helping organizations lead with Clarity, Creativity, and Culture.Headsmack WebsiteVoppa Creative Website