Shift from Fixing to Facilitating with Laurie Maddalena episode artwork

EPISODE · May 19, 2026 · 25 MIN

Shift from Fixing to Facilitating with Laurie Maddalena

from Productive Joy · host Dr. Christie McMullen

Today Dr. Christie welcomes executive coach and leadership development consultant Laurie Maddalena to discuss how leaders can be more productive and intentional with their time to enjoy life outside work. Lori shares her path from untrained first-time manager to VP of HR, then launching her coaching business 18 years ago after earning a coaching certification and experiencing company value misalignment. Key leadership coaching themes include defining success, clarifying 3–5 key results vs. a long job description, and focusing on what only the leader can do—especially coaching and developing team members. Laurie explains the value of executive coaching as an outside lens and protected thinking time. Practical productivity strategies include planning the next day before leaving work, “productivity sprints,” reducing interruptions, improving meeting clarity and alignment, and shifting from fixing and micromanaging to facilitating performance through curiosity and questions.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Meet Lori00:51 Busy vs Productive Leaders02:19 Lori Leadership Origin Story04:20 From VP to Coaching Business05:42 Should You Go Solo07:51 Intention and Modern Leadership09:47 Key Results and Unique Genius11:34 Why Executive Coaching Works13:18 Define Productive Joy14:29 Leadership Saboteurs and Focus15:35 Crisis Mode and Meeting Overload17:28 Recalibration and Productivity Sprints19:34 Protect Focus Time and Energy20:45 Find Lori and Final Takeaways21:42 Rapid Fire Fun Questions23:38 Final Wisdom Facilitate Performance24:37 Closing Challenge Turn Fun Into Action

Today Dr. Christie welcomes executive coach and leadership development consultant Laurie Maddalena to discuss how leaders can be more productive and intentional with their time to enjoy life outside work. Lori shares her path from untrained first-time manager to VP of HR, then launching her coaching business 18 years ago after earning a coaching certification and experiencing company value misalignment. Key leadership coaching themes include defining success, clarifying 3–5 key results vs. a long job description, and focusing on what only the leader can do—especially coaching and developing team members. Laurie explains the value of executive coaching as an outside lens and protected thinking time. Practical productivity strategies include planning the next day before leaving work, “productivity sprints,” reducing interruptions, improving meeting clarity and alignment, and shifting from fixing and micromanaging to facilitating performance through curiosity and questions.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Meet Lori00:51 Busy vs Productive Leaders02:19 Lori Leadership Origin Story04:20 From VP to Coaching Business05:42 Should You Go Solo07:51 Intention and Modern Leadership09:47 Key Results and Unique Genius11:34 Why Executive Coaching Works13:18 Define Productive Joy14:29 Leadership Saboteurs and Focus15:35 Crisis Mode and Meeting Overload17:28 Recalibration and Productivity Sprints19:34 Protect Focus Time and Energy20:45 Find Lori and Final Takeaways21:42 Rapid Fire Fun Questions23:38 Final Wisdom Facilitate Performance24:37 Closing Challenge Turn Fun Into Action

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Shift from Fixing to Facilitating with Laurie Maddalena

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This episode was published on May 19, 2026.

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Today Dr. Christie welcomes executive coach and leadership development consultant Laurie Maddalena to discuss how leaders can be more productive and intentional with their time to enjoy life outside work. Lori shares her path from untrained...

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