Worthy to Lead

Kristiana has spent the past twenty years leading innovation for design and technology teams at Fortune 500 companies, and there is one pattern that keeps showing up no matter the company or the team. Brilliant leaders bring ideas that could genuinely change the business, and they have no idea how to pitch those ideas in a way that earns buy-in. So the ideas die in the conference room before anyone even gets to explore them. In this episode, Kristiana breaks down seven of the most common influence gaps costing teams their best thinkers, and shares the real story of a leader named Carla whose pitch fell apart in the room, and what changed once she learned a better way to tell the story. This framework grew out of a partnership Kristiana did more than ten years ago with Techstars Accelerators at Target, where she took the strategies that help startups win funding and adapted them for leaders pitching inside corporate teams. Download the 7 Executive Influence Gaps & How to Solve Them Guide: https://www.worthytolead.co/influenceguide Master the Art of Selling Ideas to the C-Suite. Join the Innovation Storytelling Workshop: https://www.worthytolead.co/storytelling  CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA:Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/  

Dr. Maggie Sass and Dr. Ross Blankenship are consulting psychologists and executive coaches who have spent decades working with executives and senior leaders, and they came to a conclusion that changed how I think about emotions at work entirely. We’re often taught to push past tension or ignore the defensiveness that spikes during tough meetings. But Maggie and Ross argue that friction isn't a problem to solve, but critical information for making decisions. Emotions are the medium through which all work happens. Their new book, Friction: How Tension, Emotion, and Change Reveal Better Leaders, is backed by a national survey of over 1,100 working Americans, and it makes the case that human-centered leadership and emotional intelligence are becoming more essential, not less, as AI reshapes how we work. Order Dr. Ross and Dr. Maggie’s latest book, Friction:Website: https://www.talentsmarteq.com/friction/Amazon: https://a.co/d/09kK3yTq ADDITIONAL LINKS: Nir Eyal on habit-forming products: https://www.nirandfar.com/hooked/ MIT study on AI and cognitive load, "Your Brain on ChatGPT": https://www.media.mit.edu/publications/your-brain-on-chatgpt/ Dr. Marc Brackett on the RULER framework for emotional intelligence: https://marcbrackett.com/ruler/ Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions: https://www.6seconds.org/2025/02/06/plutchik-wheel-emotions/ Lisa Feldman Barrett on how emotions are constructed by the brain: https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/books/how-emotions-are-made/   CONNECT WITH MAGGIE:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiesass-phd/Website: https://www.talentsmarteq.com/ CONNECT WITH ROSS:Website: https://www.tuesdayadvisors.com/Substack: https://rossblankenship.substack.com/Website: https://www.rossblankenship.io/ CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA:Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

Dr. Kevin Sakamoto and I go way back. We worked together at Target, we've spent years comparing notes from our different corners of the world (he's a professor and product leader, I'm a design leader), and we enjoy diving deep and nerding out over leadership and innovation. We recently sat down to challenge how leaders are thinking about leading through AI. We get into the fear that some leaders are feeling right now: the quiet worry that their role, their relevance, their whole reason for being in the room might be slipping away. We talk about the IKEA case study that will truly make you rethink what's possible when a company decides to renew its people instead of replacing them. We dig into why middle management is having its own identity crisis, what an inverted apprenticeship looks like when your newest hire knows more about AI than you do, and why the smartest thing you can do right now might just be to gather everyone around a table to work through it together. If you've been bracing for impact instead of getting curious, this conversation is your invitation to try something different. REFERENCES: IKEA case study on AI-driven customer service and reskilling: https://employerbranding.news/resources/what-ikeas-ai-reskilling-story-looks-like-now-it-has-made-layoffs-too/  Entrepreneur.com article on the collapse of the middle manager layer: https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/as-companies-cut-managers-the-smart-ones-are-investing-in/498397  Zappos culture and the legacy of Tony Hsieh: https://www.forbes.com/sites/keithferrazzi/2024/07/10/the-new-growth-architects-three-companies-honoring-tony-hsiehs-legacy/ CONNECT WITH DR. KEVIN SAKAMOTO:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-h-sakamoto/  CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA:Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/

Rusty Atkinson spent twenty-five years climbing into the highest levels of corporate technology, including time as a CIO, and he vowed not to stop caring about his people in order to get there. In this Worthy to Lead podcast conversation, we get into the real cost of leading with integrity: the rooms Rusty wasn't invited to and why he'd make the same trade every time. He walks us through the six stumbling blocks he identifies in his book, The Integrity Edge, from lack of trust and unchecked ambition to the slow drift toward a toxic culture, and he hands us a Courage Model for building the kind of conviction that holds up when the stakes are high, not just when it's convenient. If you've ever assumed that toughening up and caring less is just part of the job description at the top, this is your permission slip to choose another path. REFERENCES:The Integrity Edge by Rusty Atkinson: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRN8YWKMLove as a Business Strategy by Mohammad Anwar: https://www.loveasabusinessstrategy.com/ CONNECT WITH RUSTY:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustyatkinson/ CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA:Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com  

For once, I'm not the host – I'm the guest. My friend and fellow coach Laurie Hall flips the script and interviews me about my own path: small-town Minnesota roots, unglamorous first jobs, and getting thrown into leadership with zero training. My early stumbles led me to coaching – the moment that changed how I lead for good – and into 23 years of building teams and inventing new roles for myself inside corporate. We talk about why I left a job I loved at Amazon at the start of 2025, the "human-centered leadership flywheel" behind my membership community now, and the mindset shift I keep coming back to: your work is not your worth. If I could create my own role inside four different companies, why couldn't I build the one I actually wanted outside of all of them? I hope this gives you permission to ask the questions you've been putting off. Be the first to know about new episodes, insights, and resources. Join my email list at https://www.WorthyToLead.co/subscribe CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA:Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/ 🎧 LISTEN TO LAURIE'S EPISODE:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-40-from-nasa-engineer-to-leadership-coach-navigating/id1748949789?i=1000768552476  CONNECT WITH LAURIE:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriehallformerlypetersonWebsite: https://newhorizonstrategies.com/  

Andy Vitale has been building with AI since 2015, across healthcare, banking, mortgage, marketing, and now tax software, long before it became a leadership talking point. He was auto-suggesting medical codes at 3M before most people knew what machine learning was. He helped increase loan volume at Rocket Companies by billions of dollars through conversational AI. And now, as VP and Head of Product Design and AI Center of Excellence at TaxWell, he is shipping AI-powered features within a single tax season while spending 75% of his week in AI-related work, at the VP level, hands-on. In this conversation, we trace that full arc: what it looked like to build with AI before it was a trend, how product teams are working differently now, why design systems have become a competitive moat, and what separates the leaders who will thrive in this moment from the ones who quietly become speed bumps. If you have been feeling the pressure to get fluent in AI and lead your team through a transition you are still figuring out yourself, this episode is worth a listen. REFERENCES:Claude: https://claude.aiWisprflow: https://wisprflow.aiFigma Make: https://www.figma.com/make/Cursor: https://cursor.com/ CONNECT WITH ANDY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyvitale/ Website: https://www.andyvitale.com/ Design Executive Council: https://www.designexecutivecouncil.com/ CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA: Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/ Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/

Erin Coupe spent over 17 years inside high-performance corporate environments: Goldman Sachs, CBRE, Fortune 140 companies. She was commuting 10 to 12 hours a week, working 60-plus hours, and building a career that looked impressive from the outside. Then her body started breaking down. Fainting in elevators. Stress rashes treated with steroids. A quiet but persistent sense that something was deeply wrong. What followed was a years-long process of unlearning: not just habits, but beliefs she had never consciously chosen in the first place. Beliefs shaped by a childhood marked by poverty, a terminally ill father, and a survival mode that followed her straight into the boardroom. Erin is now an international keynote speaker, executive advisor, and bestselling author of I Can Fit That In, named a 2026 Next List Selection by JP Morgan. She works with leadership teams to expand capacity, increase sustainable performance, and shift the energy of entire organizations, starting with the individuals at the top. In this conversation, we get into what it cost her to live inside hustle culture for so long, what helped her to start owning her own energy, the importance of daily rituals (not just routines), and what actually moves the needle towards a sustainable work culture. If you have ever felt like you are carrying too much, or quietly wondering how long you can keep operating at your current pace, this conversation is for you. CONNECT WITH ERIN:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-coupe/Website: https://www.erincoupe.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/authenticallyec I CAN FIT THAT IN:https://www.erincoupe.com/i-can-fit-that-in CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA:Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/  

Laurie Hall spent years working on space exploration and the International Space Station. She was a chemical engineer at NASA and Lockheed Martin, doing exactly what she had dreamed about since she was a kid growing up in Kansas. And then, around year ten, a nagging question started to emerge: Is this still what I’m meant to be doing? What followed wasn't a clean pivot. It was a five-year transition, grief she hadn't anticipated, and a slow process of figuring out who she actually was outside of the identity she had spent her whole career building. When Laurie lost her sister to suicide, something shifted. Her soul needed to see the difference she was making in people's lives directly and up close. That's what led her to found New Horizon Strategies in 2011, where she now leads a global team of coaches and facilitators helping leaders navigate change with clarity and confidence. She also shares the "lifeline" exercise she uses with organizations to help people reconnect with what has shaped them, why she considers "should," "ought to," and "supposed to" red flag words in any coaching conversation, and what she wishes someone had told her when she was beating herself up for caring more about people than problem sets. CONNECT WITH LAURIE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriehallformerlypeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauriehallformerlypeterson  CONNECT WITH NEW HORIZON STRATEGIES:Website: https://newhorizonstrategies.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newhorizonstrategies LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-horizon-strategies-llc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX9Yj-Amk7drvg8uaaZzG0g CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA: Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/ Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/

Powerful leadership skills go beyond your strategy and experience. One of the most untapped sources of potential is your team’s creativity and curiosity. Here’s why that matters: Van Lai-DuMone has spent over a decade proving that creativity isn't just an art class activity. It's a thinking tool, a problem-solving tool, and one of the most underused levers in leadership today. She's brought it into organizations like Google, LinkedIn, and NBC, and she's seen what happens when leaders finally stop treating it like a nice-to-have. The story that started it all begins in a refugee camp in 1975. Twenty Vietnamese refugee women noticed their teacher, movie star Tippi Hedren's, red manicured nails. Instead of moving on, they got curious. That one pause sparked what would become an $8.3 billion industry in the US. In this episode, Van breaks down her three-step framework for turning curiosity into action, what LEGO® Serious Play® looks like inside a real organization, why psychological safety and creativity are more connected than most leaders realize, and how she finally stopped ignoring the idea that had been tapping on her own shoulder for six years. Creativity is more than just arts and crafts; it’s a fundamental element of how the most successful leaders approach problem-solving and strategy. ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:Van’s Speaker Reel: https://youtu.be/3QaUb8srP-0?si=KKe13kM6AxrSO4BkWhat if Pigs Can Fly? Intro: https://youtu.be/GGQoAVlg8MEStrategic Play Podcast: https://www.strategicplay.com/podcast_van-lai-dumoneGeneral Assembly: https://generalassemb.ly/instructors/van-lai-dumone/21492The Honor Foundation: https://www.honor.org/our-tribes/van-lai-dumone/ CONNECT WITH VAN: Website: www.worksmartadvantage.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanlaidumone/ TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLixzTazp2U Book "What If Pigs Can Fly": https://www.amazon.com/What-Pigs-Can-Fly-Possibilities/dp/1953183433 Creative Problem Solving Tools: https://www.worksmartadvantage.com/creative-problem-solving-building-blocks/ CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA: Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/ Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/

What do you do when the identity you built your entire career around disappears overnight? For Greg Bro, losing his job after 20+ years as a UX design leader wasn't just a professional setback. It was a complete identity crisis. The question "what do you do?" suddenly had no answer, and that forced a much deeper one: who do I actually want to be? Instead of looking for a similar role, Greg wrote and illustrated a children's book in ONE MONTH. Greg talks honestly about the disorientation of losing a role that defined him, the emotional spiral that followed, and the moment he realized that chasing the same title at a different company wasn't actually what he wanted. He shares how coaching helped him see his situation from a completely different angle, how he followed a small pull of creative energy into something he never expected, and what it took to go from concept to published author of two children's books in a matter of months. What strikes me most about Greg's story is not just the speed of what he built. It's the courage it took to stop and ask a harder question: what kind of work is actually in integrity with who I am now? REFERENCES:Greg's Books: "Every Shape Has a PLACE": https://amzn.to/4sqFN7W "Every Shape Has a FEELING": https://amzn.to/3NCxkPw Get a signed copy with a custom doodle inside + shop merch at: https://www.bruteoptimism.com/shop Book Greg for an author visit: https://www.bruteoptimism.com/authorvisits CONNECT WITH GREG:Website: https://www.bruteoptimism.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruteoptimism/ CONNECT WITH KRISTIANA:Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/ Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/  

Anya Cheng didn’t build her career by waiting to feel ready. She built it by acting in moments when nothing felt certain. After immigrating from Taiwan and graduating into the 2008 financial crisis, she couldn’t get a single interview. So she created her own access, waiting outside buildings in Chicago winters, knocking on doors, and cold-calling publishers until someone said yes. What looks like persistence was actually precision. She was using what she already knew how to do. As a former reporter, she knew how to approach strangers, ask questions, and follow leads, and she used those strengths to move forward. That same pattern carried her through 15 years at Target, McDonald’s, eBay, and Meta, and eventually into founding Taelor, an AI-powered men’s clothing subscription service. But what stands out is not just how she kept going, it’s how her relationship to confidence evolved. Anya doesn’t see confidence as something you wait to feel. She built it through action, by trusting her own thinking before anyone else validated it. She shares what it looked like to lose opportunities when she stopped trusting herself, and what changed when she began to stand in her own point of view. She also speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, not as something that disappears, but something you learn to recognize and manage early. This episode is about what it really means to earn your authority, through repeated moments of showing up, learning, and choosing to trust your voice when it matters most. Experience effortless style with rental and personal styling services: Taelor: Get 25% OFF your first month of men's clothing subscription. Use code: PODCAST25 Sign up at: https://taelor.style/pages/membership Armoire: Get 50% OFF your first month of women's clothing subscription. Use code: ArmoirexTaelor Sign up at: https://armoire.style/refer/ArmoirexTaelor Give the gift of time, convenience, and effortless style: Taelor Gift Cards: Get 10% OFF. Use code: PODCASTGIFT Purchase at: https://taelor.style/products/menswear-rental-gift-card Where to find Anya: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/anyachengEmail: [email protected] Connect with Kristiana: Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/ Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/  

How do you stay grounded as a leader when everything around you is falling apart? Craig Nishizaki has answered that question more than once. Early in his career, a manager told him he'd only keep him on to avoid a discrimination lawsuit. Later, he went seven months without a paycheck while his wife was pregnant. He was passed over for promotions. And at every single turning point, he made the same choice: face it, don't run from it. Today, Craig is the co-owner of UpTop, a UX design agency that has partnered with Amazon, Microsoft, and SAP. 98% of their clients take him with them when they get promoted. And he leads with one of the rarest qualities in today's workplace: calm, intentional, trust-first leadership. In this episode, Craig shares the experiences that shaped how he leads, why he believes we are in a trust recession, and how he has built a culture that people genuinely want to be part of. Resources Mentioned: Lead with Influence Playbook: https://uptop.docsend.com/view/25tc8687ymbwdkta 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell: https://www.amazon.com/360-Degree-Leader-Developing-Organization/dp/0785260927?&linkCode=sl2&tag=worthytolea0c-20&linkId=8418b78636e8bc864d24a330790ed7e4&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Without-Pitching-Manifesto/dp/1605440043 Where to find Craig:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craignishizaki/Website: https://uptopcorp.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uptopcorp/videos Connect with Kristiana: Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/

What if you started looking at chaos as a transition to a new operating system?  Governments are shifting, layoffs are spreading, AI is rewriting entire industries, and somewhere in the middle of all of it, leaders are expected to show up steady while privately managing fear, uncertainty, and the quiet question of whether everything they've built is going to hold. In this episode, I'm sharing four insights from the 2026 GROW Conference in Galveston, Texas, plus four concrete actions you can take this week to stop bracing for the rapids and start learning how to paddle through them. We get into: Why the discomfort you feel at the next level isn’t a warning signal but a GROWTH signal The difference between fighting random fires and choosing meaningful problems What neuroscience says about sitting in ambiguity too long, and why your brain craves the hard truth Why adaptability is a learnable skill, and how to start building it The one question that can shift you out of survival mode and into action in the middle of a crisis Featured voices from the conference: Drew Bird, Master Trainer in Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability Catherine Brown, serial entrepreneur and founder of the Grow Conference Resources mentioned: High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard Research by Matthew Lieberman, UCLA, on emotional labeling and the amygdala American Psychological Association on cognitive flexibility and resilience Subscribe for new episodes: https://worthytolead.co/subscribe Connect with Kristiana: Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/ Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/

You think things are fine. Your team seems okay. But your best people are quietly checking out, and the reason might be something you can't see about yourself. In this episode, I break down what a leadership ceiling actually is, why the most dangerous blind spots are the ones you're most confident you don't have, and how to build a simple feedback system that tells you the truth before your team stops showing up. We get into: Why less than 5% of leaders are developing the right skills What Google's Project Aristotle revealed about what actually makes teams perform The two Amazon leaders whose stories contrast the importance of feedback A 4-question feedback loop you can start using this month If you've ever had a top performer leave and wondered why, or if you suspect there's something going on with your team that nobody's saying out loud, this episode will show you exactly where to look. 🔗 Free leadership audit: https://www.worthytolead.co/audit Connect with Kristiana: Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/

You know you need to sell. Your business depends on it. But every time you think about reaching out to someone, you feel like you're about to do something sleazy. In this conversation with Catherine Brown, we talk about why so many of us are carrying around baggage about sales, and what it actually takes to sell in a way that feels honest, useful, and like yourself. In this episode, we get into: Why even salespeople secretly hate sales The one vow that changes everything about how you sell How to know if you're being helpful or pushy How to build a business without feeling conflicted If you've ever avoided following up with a lead because it felt gross, or if you're tired of feeling conflicted every time you have to sell your work, this episode will give you a completely different way to think about it. 📕How Good Humans Sell: https://www.howgoodhumanssell.com/about  📩 Connect with Catherine Brown: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineleebrown/  Connect with Kristiana:  Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/   LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/  Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/  

You're smart. You're experienced. You're ambitious. So why does it feel like you can't find time to think strategically? Most senior leaders aren't lacking intelligence or drive. They're lacking what I call “white space.” Their calendars are crammed, their days are fully stacked, and their strategic thinking is forced between the cracks of back-to-back meetings. In this episode, I'm getting personal about my own struggle with white space and sharing what the science actually says about how our brains do complex thinking. We get into: Why your best strategic thinking happens at 3 AM (and how to fix that) The Default Mode Network: the part of your brain that only works when you stop consuming information Why walking increases creative output by 60% compared to sitting The real reason leadership culture gets strategy wrong Practical experiments you can try this week to create white space How to protect thinking time like you'd protect a meeting with your CEO If you've ever said "I wish I had more time to focus on strategy" or "I don't have time to innovate right now, I'm too busy," this episode will challenge how you think about productivity, leadership discipline, and what actually drives better decisions.  Mentioned in this Episode: "Deep Work" by Cal Newport: https://amzn.to/3Nt6LvS 20 years of the default mode network: A review and synthesis by Vinod Menon:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627323003082 Stanford study finds walking improves creativity by May Wong:https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2014/04/walking-vs-sitting-042414 Book a free call to explore coaching as a way to increase your strategic thinking: https://calendar.app.google/MaFvGfH7YHATZ1Nz6 📩 Connect with Kristiana: Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/

You've done the work. You know what the answer should be. But when you walk into that meeting with senior leaders, everything falls apart. The conversation goes sideways, people argue about things that don't matter, and you leave without the decision you came for. In this conversation with strategy consultant Marja Fox, we talk about what it actually takes to influence upward, facilitate difficult conversations, and get results when the stakes are high, and everyone disagrees. In this episode, we get into: Why middle managers have the hardest job in any organization The one thing people skip when preparing to influence upward How to tell a story executives actually want to hear The secret reason senior leaders always want to change your recommendation How to facilitate meetings when people are entrenched, emotional, or stuck Why creative techniques work better than PowerPoint (even with skeptical executives) The real-time decisions that make or break a difficult conversation If you've ever walked out of a meeting wondering why it didn't go the way you planned, or if you're tired of watching important decisions get derailed by politics and rabbit holes, this episode will give you a completely different playbook. 📩 Connect with Marja Fox: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjafox/Email Newsletter: https://izmkb-zngp.maillist-manage.com/ua/Optin?od=11287ecd287ef6&zx=135d19bbf&tD=1156ea13bb23b8b91&sD=1156ea13bb23c9143 Connect with Kristiana: Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/Substack: https://worthytolead.substack.com/

As the year comes to a close, Kristiana Corona is joined by Operations Manager and Coach Catalina Velez-Watson for an honest reflection on what it really took to build Worthy to Lead from the ground up. In this end-of-year recap, they go behind the scenes of the past year—leaving corporate careers, navigating burnout and uncertainty, learning how to work together in real time, and the seamless collaboration that helped to build the business quickly. This conversation isn’t about polished success. It’s about the messy middle. The experiments that worked, the ones that didn’t, and the lessons that shaped both the business and their leadership along the way. In this episode, we explore: Leaving corporate careers and stepping into the unknown What it takes to build a business from scratch without having all the answers The benefits of coaching and collaboration while business building How experimentation, reflection, and feedback feed growth What’s next for Worthy to Lead If you’re in a season of transition, building something new, or rethinking how you lead, this episode offers perspective, reassurance, and a reminder that growth rarely follows a straight line. Connect with Catalina Velez-Watson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catalinavw/Substack: https://substack.com/@cvwatson Connect with Kristiana:Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

Leaders are doing everything they can to support their teams, but many don’t realize they might also be training their people to rely on them for every decision. That pattern has a name: learned helplessness. And once you see it, you can’t unsee it. In this conversation with executive coach and host of The STaR Coach Show, Meg Rentschler, we talk about why so many well-intentioned leaders end up exhausted, overloaded, and stuck with teams that won’t move without their approval. Meg shares how her background as a psychotherapist opened her eyes to how unhealthy work dynamics form, and why leaders often contribute to the very problems they’re trying to solve. We also unpack what happens when you start using a coaching mindset to bring out the ideas, confidence, and creativity in the people around you without giving up your standards or losing control of important decisions. In this episode, we get into: The elephant metaphor that explains why teams stop thinking for themselves Why leaders leave 1:1s with to-do lists that were never theirs to begin with The questions that help team members think instead of wait The mindblowing changes that happen in a team when people finally feel seen and trusted If you’ve ever felt like you can’t go on vacation without everything falling apart, or you’re tired of being the person who has to solve every problem, this episode will give you a calmer, more sustainable way to lead. Links and Resources:📕Get Meg’s free guide on Coaching vs. Managing: https://starcoaches.mykajabi.com/optin-coaching-vs-managing Connect with Meg Rentschler:www.starcoachshow.comwww.afocusonresults.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@starcoachshowLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megrentschlerFB: https://www.facebook.com/STaRCoachShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/megrentschler/ Connect with Kristiana:Website: https://www.worthytolead.co/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacoronaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

Leaders are being asked to “figure out AI” while juggling shrinking teams, constant change, and heavier expectations. Many are overwhelmed not because AI is too technical, but because they’re trying to navigate this shift without support. In this episode, I sit down with Blessing Richardson, small business AI & tech strategist and founder of Sayla. Blessing has 15 years of experience building digital tools, leading engineering work, and helping non-technical founders use AI effectively.  Blessing brings a clear, grounded perspective that helps leaders understand what AI can do, what it can’t, and how to start using it with confidence. We discuss: • The real reason AI feels overwhelming for leaders • How to use AI to reduce friction, not replace your work • What good data hygiene looks like and why it matters • How to evaluate whether something is truly an AI problem • How to build your AI skill set through small, safe experiments • Why judgment and context remain a leader’s greatest strengths If you’re ready to approach AI with more clarity and less pressure, this episode is for you. Links and Resources: Join the Core Leadership Lab: https://worthytolead.co/member Connect with Blessing Richardson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blessingri/ Sayla: https://sayla.co/g/worthytolead?utm_source=wtl202511 Build smarter AI profiles for better results:Free access to About Me GPT + 30 percent off About My Brand GPT: 👉 https://syl.to/worthytolead Connect with Kristiana Corona: Website: http://worthytolead.co LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

For years, I thought leadership meant working harder, showing up stronger, and keeping it all together. What I didn’t realize was how lonely that can feel. In this episode, I talk about the moment that completely changed my approach to leadership and the day I realized I didn’t need to have all the answers. I share how coaching skills helped me lead with more ease, how community reshaped my growth, and why I started the Core Leadership Lab to give leaders a space to learn, connect, and grow together. If you’re feeling the weight of leadership, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to carry it alone. And if you join the Core Leadership Lab before December 5th, you’ll get my bonus masterclass about becoming a thought leader on LinkedIn. It’s a hands-on session where I’ll walk you through how to elevate your profile, grow your influence, and use your voice to open new opportunities. Links and Resources:  🌐 Join the Core Leadership Lab: https://www.worthytolead.co/member 💼 Connect with me: linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona📷 Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/worthytolead

After more than two decades in corporate leadership, I decided to start something new. Leaving behind a steady career was exciting and terrifying at the same time. In this episode, I share seven lessons I’ve learned since becoming an entrepreneur. In this episode, I cover: What it takes to build a financial runway How to simplify technology so it doesn’t overwhelm you Why community has become such an important part of my work How I’ve stayed motivated on hard days And how I’ve learned to see every challenge as an opportunity to grow If you’re thinking about leaving corporate life or you’ve already started your own business, I hope these lessons give you perspective and encouragement for the journey ahead. Links and Resources:📘 Free Downloadable Guide: WorthyToLead.co/newbusiness  Connect with Kristiana Corona: 🌐 Website: WorthyToLead.co 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/worthytolead

What does it really take to break through to the executive level, and lead with influence, not just authority? In this episode, Kristiana Corona sits down with Caleb Schmidt, Senior Vice President of Experience Design at U.S. Bank, to unpack what it really takes to cross that threshold. Caleb shares candid insights on how creative leaders can evolve from managing the work to leading at scale, communicating with clarity, earning executive trust, and thinking like an enterprise leader. Key Insights From This Conversation: The mindset and communication shifts that open doors to the executive level How to earn buy-in and build advocacy across the organization The habits that help you protect time for strategy and vision How to use empathy, feedback, and business fluency to lead with influence What it means to show up with confidence in rooms where you once felt unqualified This isn’t about managing better, it’s about transforming how you lead so you can take your seat at the executive table.   Links and Resources: Outcomes Over Output by Jason Seiden: https://www.amazon.com/Outcomes-Over-Output-customer-behavior/dp/1091173265 Connect with Caleb Schmidt:💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/calebjschmidt Connect with Kristiana Corona:🌐 Website: worthytolead.co💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona📷 Instagram: @worthytolead

What happens when you feel stuck in your career, sending out endless applications with no results? Brian Collins, a veteran design leader who has worked at Google, Amazon, and more, shares how the Core Leadership Lab helped him shift from rejection and self-doubt to confidence, clarity, and recruiter calls. In this conversation, Brian unpacks: The “black box” frustration of today’s job search How coaching skills changed the way he leads The role of community in accelerating leadership growth Why “owning your brand” is non-negotiable for modern leaders The mindset shift that turned six months of silence into new opportunities If you’re ready to unstick your career and rediscover your momentum, this episode is for you. Links and Resources:Join the Core Leadership Lab: https://worthytolead.co/member Connect with Brian Collins:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancollins/🌐Website: collinsux.com Connect with Kristiana Corona:🌐 Website: http://worthytolead.co💼 LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

What does martial arts have to do with business leadership? For Lisa W. Rogers, the two are inseparable. In this episode of Worthy to Lead, Lisa shares how her journey from white belt to master instructor in Taekwondo shaped her leadership style as a technology executive. Along the way, she unpacks powerful lessons about confidence, perseverance, respect, and passion. You will learn why confidence is built by doing hard things, how perseverance creates long-term mastery, why integrity is the result of living your values, and how passion fuels leadership that lasts. This conversation blends timeless wisdom from the martial arts with practical lessons for today’s leaders. Links and Resources:📝Articles by Lisa W. Rogers: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/everything-i-need-know-succeeding-business-learned-martial-rogers-3f Connect with Lisa W. Rogers:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lwrogers🌐 SIM Houston: https://simhouston.org Connect with Kristiana Corona: 🌐 Website: http://worthytolead.co💼 LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

Most leaders avoid conflict because they think it will damage relationships. But what if conflict could actually make your team stronger? In this episode of Worthy to Lead, conflict resolution expert Mills Vautrot shares a proven 7-step Be the Leader framework for turning friction into connection. Drawing from decades of experience and remarkable stories from the field, Mills shows why conflict is less about tasks and more about dignity, and how leaders can transform it into a tool for growth. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why dignity, not deadlines, drives most workplace conflicts How to stay calm and clear-headed when everyone else is on fire The 7-step Be the Leader framework for resolving conflict Real-world stories of transformation, from engineering projects to hospital teams, and even a barbecue that saved millions Why leading through conflict builds long-term trust and resilience If you’ve ever struggled with tough conversations at work, this episode will give you a roadmap to step in with courage and come out with stronger relationships.   Links and Resources:🌐Website: https://leadershipandperformancecompany.com/ (pattyshull.com) 📑Download the 7-step conflict resolution handout: https://leadershipandperformancecompany.com/what-we-offer/conflict-resolution/ Connect with Mills Vautrot: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/millsv/ Connect with Kristiana Corona 🌐 Website: http://worthytolead.co 💼 LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

Most leaders don’t think of podcasting as a leadership tool. But after 21 episodes, I’ve learned it can change the way you connect, build trust, and grow your influence. In this episode, I share the biggest lessons from my own podcasting journey: Why it’s not about sounding polished, but about showing up for a listener who needs your voice How sharing consistently builds credibility and shapes your leadership brand The surprising way podcasting grows your network and attracts opportunities And how saying yes to the mic is really about believing your voice deserves to be heard If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast as a leader, this episode will help you see what it actually looks like — the wins, the struggles, and why it might be worth it for you. Links and Resources:📘 Free “Getting Back on Track” Guide: https://www.worthytolead.co/ontrack📚 Jenna Kutcher’s “The Podcast Lab”: the step-by-step course that helped me get started podcasting: https://thepodcastlab.jennakutcher.com/🌐 Kajabi: Hosting & email platform: https://app.kajabi.com/r/DpJrgGvB🎙️ Riverside: Recording platform: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=kristiana🎨 Canva: https://www.canva.com/🎤 Blue Yeti Microphone: https://amzn.to/4lzOWq2 Ready to level up? Consider getting help:🎧 Podcast production support: http://www.podcastpointman.com Connect with Kristiana:🌐 Website: http://worthytolead.co💼 LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

You don’t need a title to lead. And you definitely don’t need permission to drive results that matter. In this episode of Worthy to Lead, I share three real stories from my time at Amazon where individual contributors stepped up, took ownership, and delivered high-impact results without any formal authority. We’ll unpack what it looks like to lead like a founder, how to influence across teams, and why the best leaders are always looking for ways to contribute. In this episode, you’ll learn: What extreme ownership actually looks like in a corporate setting How internal "founders" influence up, across, and beyond their scope How to help your team build more authority for themselves Links and Resources: Free 15-Minute Coaching Guide → worthytolead.co/coaching15 Watch the "Greatness" video by David Marquet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqmdLcyES_Q&t=46s Connect with Kristiana:🌐 Website: worthytolead.co💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

What does it really take to make a 10x leap, in business and life? In this episode, you’ll learn the answer to that question from a friend and mentor who’s done it multiple times.  This is the second part of my conversation with 5-time founder-turned-business coach Bob Hoeffner, about our experiences applying the principles from one of my all-time favorite books: “10x Is Easier Than 2x” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Bob and I dive deeper into the identity shifts required for 10x growth, what he learned from the hardest day of his career, and the mindset behind taking on a brand new venture (and growing a following on Instagram!) into his 70s. We also share:  The single trait 88% of top performers share How to handle chaos and adversity as a leader The truth about BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) The importance of surrounding yourself with growth-minded peers Links and Resources: “10x Is Easier Than 2x” by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy: https://amzn.to/3TCkgZD Bob’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobhoeffner/ Bob’s “Optimize My Franchise” course: https://optimizemyfranchise.com/ Download my free 15-Minute Coaching Conversation Guide to take the first step toward a 10x leap: https://worthytolead.co/coaching15 Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/

When I first heard the idea that “10x Is Easier Than 2x,” I was skeptical. But the more I sat with it—and started making my own bold career moves—the more it rang true. In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and mentor Bob Hoeffner, who knows a thing or two about 10x growth. He’s launched five businesses (one of which sold for $73M), scaled a rental chain to 40 stores in just 14 months, and now—in his 70s—is reinventing himself again with more energy than ever. We talk about what it takes to say yes before you feel ready, why letting go of control is a leadership superpower, and how identity shifts are often the biggest leaps of all. I also share my own journey—from head-down designer to global leader at Amazon to building this next chapter as a coach and founder. If you’re feeling the pull toward something bigger—but aren’t sure you’re ready—I hope this conversation gives you the courage to take the next step. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why saying “yes” before you’re ready might be the best move you make The 10x mindset that helps you grow faster—without doing more How Bob built scalable teams (and took real vacations) by leading with trust Why reinvention is possible—at any stage of your career Links and Resources: “10x Is Easier Than 2x” by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy: https://amzn.to/3TCkgZD Bob’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobhoeffner/ Bob’s “Optimize My Franchise” course: https://optimizemyfranchise.com/ Download my free 15-Minute Coaching Conversation Guide to take the first step toward a 10x leap: https://worthytolead.co/coaching15 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worthytolead/  

When I first stepped into senior leadership at Amazon, I felt like my calendar had a life of its own—and I was just trying to keep up. Double-booked days, endless meetings, and zero space to think… I loved the work, but felt completely buried by it. In this episode, I’m sharing the mindset shift and practical tools that helped me take back control—not by working harder, but by working smarter and leading with intention. If you’re constantly reacting instead of leading, I hope this gives you a new path forward. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your previous habits won’t work as your leadership expands 5 practical steps I used to take back control over my time at Amazon How to use coaching—not control—to grow your team’s ownership What "Prolific Quality Output" is and why it’s your secret weapon  Links and Resources: Download my free 15-Minute Coaching Conversation Guide to help you empower your team and reclaim your time: worthytolead.co/coaching15 "High Performance Habits" book by Brendon Burchard: https://amzn.to/3HKQVJV Visit www.worthytolead.co for more leadership & coaching resources Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristianacorona/

Summary:  In this episode of the Worthy to Lead podcast, host Kristiana Corona interviews Patty Shull, founder of Leadership and Performance Company. Patty shares her unique approach to leadership development, emphasizing the importance of leading from the zone, creating a high-performance environment, and using humor and curiosity to foster collaboration.She discusses the six key criteria for effective leadership and how improv can be a powerful tool for creativity and connection in the workplace that also drives industry-leading results. The conversation highlights the significance of play in leadership and offers practical advice for aspiring virtuoso leaders. Takeaways:  - Patty Shull emphasizes the importance of leading from "the zone", which is like a jazz musician or artist being in a flow state. - The six key criteria for leadership success include: clarity, standards, flexibility, rewards, trust, and situational awareness. - Humor can break down barriers and foster open communication in teams, allowing them to reach new heights in their performance. - "Connected curiosity" encourages collaboration and innovation among team members. - Improv can be a powerful tool to enhance creativity and problem-solving in corporate settings, making leaders at all levels appear more approachable. - Play is essential for leaders at all levels to reduce stress and enhance performance. - Leaders should embrace a mindset of learning and curiosity to move from competence towards virtuosity.Find out more about Patty Shull: - Website: https://www.pattyshull.com - Phone/Text: (713) 446-8700 - Leadership Assessment & Coaching Sessions: Email: [email protected]  - 12 Week Virtuoso Program: Email: [email protected] - Improvisation for Teams: https://leadershipandperformancecompany.com/happy-hour-improv-class/

In this first of a podcast mini series, Kristiana Corona reflects on the valuable leadership lessons learned during her time as a leader at Amazon. She discusses the complexities of last mile delivery, the importance of adapting to challenges, and how leaning into the discomfort of complexity equates to investing in oneself, which can lead to personal growth and confidence. Kristiana encourages listeners to face their fears and embrace discomfort as a pathway to success.

In this episode of the Worthy to Lead podcast, host Kristiana Corona interviews executive coach Ginnie Plauché about the importance of leadership identity and emotional intelligence in personal and professional development. They discuss how emotional intelligence is often misunderstood and delve into its various dimensions, including self-perception, self-expression, interpersonal relationships, and social responsibility. Ginnie shares insights from her coaching practice, emphasizing the need for leaders to understand their identity and how it impacts their interactions with others. The conversation highlights the significance of intentional living and the role of emotional intelligence in fostering effective leadership and team dynamics. In this conversation, Ginnie Plauche and Kristiana Corona explore the nuances of emotional intelligence using the framework of the EQ-i 2.0 Assessment, a multi-dimensional leadership assessment. This assessment reveals where leaders fall in a wide array of emotional intelligence skills, including: empathy, decision-making, impulse control, stress management, and more. Ginnie's Emotional Intelligence Resources: Get a FREE copy of the EQ-i 2.0 Model of Emotional Intelligence that we dove deep on:https://www.sunshineclimateco.com/eqi Book a call to discuss an EQ-i Assessment with Ginnie:  https://calendly.com/sunshineclimateco/explore-coaching-with-ginnie The EQ Edge book by Steven J. Stein:https://www.amazon.com/EQ-Edge-Emotional-Intelligence-Success/dp/0470681616  **Special offer for my listeners: Get 10% off an EQ-i 2.0 assessment with Ginnie when you sign up at: www.sunshineclimateco.com/eqi using the discount code "WORTHYTOLEADEQ". 

Welcome back to Season 2 of the Worthy to Lead Podcast! In today’s episode, host Kristiana Corona shares a personal story about falling off track with her goals and offers actionable strategies to get back on track when life throws us off course. Whether you’re struggling to stay on top of your habits or goals, this episode will provide you with the tools to reset your mindset, overcome self-doubt, and get moving forward again. Key Takeaways:Self-Sabotaging Thoughts: Pay attention to thoughts like "I never follow through" or "This is too hard for me." These thoughts can trap you in a cycle of shame. Learn how to pause and avoid turning mistakes into identity statements. The Four I’s to Get Back on Track: Investigation: Instead of self-judging, take a moment to reflect on what caused you to fall off, like an investigative journalist would. What external factors played a role? What’s in your control? Importance: Reconnect with why this goal or habit is important to you. Does it align with who you want to become? If not, it might be time to reevaluate. Integration: Make the process easier by breaking it down into smaller pieces and habit pairing to reduce friction and make progress smoother. Use visual reminders and set up your environment to make habits easier. Find an accountability buddy or coach to keep you motivated. Inspiration: Instead of measuring your success against the ideal state (where you’ll fall short), look back at how far you’ve come. Celebrate your progress by “measuring backwards” and use that to regain your momentum and define the path forward.  .......Download the FREE “Getting Back on Track” Guide: Download my free guide that summarizes today’s strategies in a simple four-step process.https://www.worthytoleadpodcast.com/ontrack....... Other Resources: Jenna Kutcher’s The Podcast Lab: A step-by-step course to help you start your own podcast without all the stress, overwhelm and steep learning curve. Let It Be Easy Podcast by Susie Moore: Learn how to shift your mindset to make tasks easier and more enjoyable. Atomic Habits by James Clear: A book on building sustainable habits with practical, science-backed strategies. Tips on Habit Building: Make habits visible, reduce effort, and focus on consistency over perfection. Atoms App by James Clear: An app to help track daily habits with simple visuals and fun motivation. The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy: A book that teaches you to measure success by looking at past achievements rather than future gaps. Need some added accountability?If you’re ready to make lasting changes, get accountability, or need support with resetting your mindset, Kristiana offers coaching to help you overcome mental roadblocks and develop habits that stick. Contact her at [email protected]  Subscribe & Share:If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with others who may benefit from these messages. You can subscribe at: https://www.worthytoleadpodcast.com/subscribe Thank you for tuning in!

Summary In this episode of the Worthy to Lead podcast, host Kristiana Corona speaks with author and science journalist Lynne Peeples about her book on circadian rhythms. They explore the importance of understanding and optimizing our internal clocks for better health and productivity. Lynne explains how circadian rhythms affect various bodily functions, the significance of light exposure, and practical strategies for managing jet lag and improving sleep. The conversation also delves into chronotypes, power hours, and the impact of modern lifestyles on our natural rhythms, providing listeners with actionable insights to enhance their well-being. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Circadian Rhythms02:47 - Understanding Circadian Rhythms05:42 - The Impact of Circadian Rhythms on Health08:38 - Personal Journey and Research Adventures11:34 - Chronotypes and Power Hours14:38 - Jet Lag and Travel Strategies28:45 - Harnessing Light for Performance34:33 - The Impact of Indoor Lighting on Circadian Rhythms40:12 - The Role of Darkness in Sleep Quality45:59 - Practical Tips for Optimizing Light Exposure51:52 - Resources and Tools for Circadian Health Resources mentioned in the episode: Lynne's website (with links to her new book "The Inner Clock: Living in Sync with Our Circadian Rhythms", media appearances, social media channels, etc): https://www.lynnepeeples.com  Center for Environmental Therapeutics - scientist-approved products to support circadian rhythms: https://cet.org/  Munich Chronotype Questionaire: https://www.med.upenn.edu/cbti/assets/user-content/documents/Munich%20Chronotype%20Questionnaire%20(MCTQ).pdf Rise App - sleep debt and energy tracker: https://www.risescience.com/  Lynne's best practices for sleep hygiene - Follow the "3 C's": Contrast, Constrict, Consistency. 1) Contrast light between day and night. Daytime = sunlight or blue/white light, Nighttime = darkness or red/amber light. Contrast temperature also - cooler at night is better; 2) Constrict calories 3 hours before bed, try to keep eating and drinking to within a 10 hour window. Constrict coffee to the morning only to limit sleep disruption;3) Consist schedule for wake / sleep times, exercise and eating times will regulate your circadian clocks and help them synchronize bodily functions. 

In this episode of the Worthy to Lead podcast, host Kristiana Corona speaks with mindset coach Pam Aks about the importance of developing an unstoppable mindset, especially in times of stress and uncertainty. Pam shares her personal journey from being a people pleaser to embracing her authentic self, emphasizing the role of neuroscience in understanding and overcoming negative self-talk. The conversation delves into the significance of mindset in managing stress, the power of neuroplasticity, and practical tools for building resilience. Pam also discusses the importance of self-advocacy in leadership and shares a powerful visualization exercise to illustrate the impact of thoughts on our experiences. They explore the intricate relationship between stress, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, as well as practical strategies for leaders to manage stress and enhance resilience, emphasizing the importance of understanding physical sensations and the body-mind connection. The dialogue highlights the role of curiosity in transforming negative thoughts and reactions, ultimately guiding listeners towards healthier coping mechanisms and self-care practices. Takeaways Mindset coaching can help leaders to navigate stress and uncertainty. Negative self-talk can be reframed through self-awareness and mindfulness. Resilience is built by viewing stress as an opportunity for growth. Neuroplasticity allows us to rewire our brains and change behaviors. Our bodies send signals that our brains interpret, influencing our thoughts and reactions. Curiosity can shift our perspective and reduce stress responses. Understanding past experiences can help us rewire our responses to current stressors. Resources Pam Referenced: Ethan Kross - Chatter  Deepak Chopra - “I wonder what my next thought is going to be?” Kelly McGonigal - TEDtalk - How to Make Stress Your Friend Lisa Feldmann Barrett - 7 ½ Lessons About the Brain and other books Breathwrk App Pam Aks' Coaching Business - WhatsWithinU.com Sign up for the Free 7-Day Confidence Building Challenge - training your brain for taking bolder actions.  Vision Lab Small group coaching Confidence Builders e-Course Blog & Other free resources Books: Developing a Confident Mindset, How to Manage Stress & Worry Before It Manages You ---------- mindset coaching, resilience, neuroscience, stress management, personal transformation, self-talk, neuroplasticity, leadership, self-advocacy, visualization, stress, resilience, mindfulness, self-awareness, leadership, emotional regulation, body-mind connection, breath work, self-care, curiosity

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alison Gretz, seasoned design executive, leadership coach and trainer (and a good friend of mine for more than 10 years!). We dove deep into the essence of authentic leadership, career exploration, and personal growth. Alison shared incredible insights and actionable tips for becoming not just a better leader, but a more aware and attuned human, which is the ultimate antidote to workplace toxicity. Episode Highlights: Leaning Into Authentic Leadership: One of the core takeaways from my conversation with Alison was the importance of showing up as your authentic self. Authenticity is key to disrupting disempowering behaviors, whether intentional or accidental. Knowing yourself deeply helps you show up better for others and allows you to combat workplace toxicity by being true to who you are. The Career Playground: Alison’s idea of a “career playground” challenges the traditional notion of climbing a straight ladder to success. Instead of focusing solely on vertical growth, there’s immense value in exploring lateral moves, trying new things, and stepping outside of your comfort zone. This approach builds confidence, empathy, and broadens your perspective as a leader. It allows you to better understand other points of view as you evolve in your career. The Importance of Coaching and Reflection: We also discussed the importance of taking intentional moments to pause, reflect, and increase self-awareness. Alison emphasized the need for leaders to “be the CEO of themselves” and to measure success on their own terms, not based on societal expectations. Success should be aligned with who you want to become, and it's important to set goals that resonate with your personal vision. Special Offer for Listeners: 10% off The Design Leadership Accelerator: Alison has a fantastic cohort starting in less than 2 weeks (deadline is Sept 16th, 2024 to get signed up!) designed specifically for design leaders looking to accelerate their growth. Don’t miss the special discount code WORTHY, exclusively for Worthy to Lead Podcast listeners. Use it to get 10% off when you join Alison’s training on Maven.com. https://maven.com/bydesign/ux-management-accelerator?promoCode=WORTHY Additional Resources Mentioned: Alison’s website: designbydesign.co Good Manager Operating System: https://design-by-design.ck.page/products/good-manager-operating-system Manager Foundation Training: https://designbydesign.co/manager-fundamentals/  Executive & Life Coaching: https://designbydesign.co/coaching/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongretz/   Full video episode available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/idX3KE9C1LA  

In this episode, podcast host Kristiana Corona dives deep into the powerful technique of mirroring, a tool used by coaches, therapists, negotiators, and salespeople to build emotional connections and influence others effectively. These techniques are rooted in neuroscience and emotional intelligence, and are simple to use once you become aware of them. Listeners will learn what mirroring is, how it works in the brain, and how it can be used to enhance coaching, negotiation, and sales. Kristiana breaks down four key strategies for implementing mirroring in professional and personal scenarios: Building Affinity: Use mirroring to make others feel like you're on the same team, working collaboratively rather than oppositionally. Challenging Their Thinking: Subtly prompt others to reconsider their positions and think more deeply, without confrontation. Eliminating Doubts and Blockers: Anticipate and address potential concerns upfront, creating a psychologically safe space for discussion. Selling the Vision: Mirror the exact thoughts and feelings of your audience to create a compelling and motivating vision of the future. Resources: Download my Mastering the Secrets of Mirroring Cheat Sheet to get everything we talked about in this episode in a quick and easy step-by-step format: https://www.resonantpurpose.com/mirror Books Mentioned: Unconscious Branding: How Neuroscience Can Empower (and Inspire) Marketing by Douglas Van Praet Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss Courses: Sell From Stage Academy by Colin Boyd ---- Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying this podcast, don't forget to subscribe so that you get all the new episodes as I release them. You can subscribe at worthytoleadpodcast.com/subscribe. 

This week I share Part 2 of my interview with Tim G. Williams, a senior executive of finance who reached the top levels of leadership at a $17 billion corporation without selling his soul, or his authenticity, to do it.Tim and I met in the graduate program for executive coaching at University of Texas Dallas, and I could tell right away that Tim was a person who leads with heart and wisdom.In today's episode, you'll get to hear more about Tim’s fascinating journey from being a first-time leader at Texas Instruments all the way to VP, Controller, Special Advisor to the CEO, and beyond.Tim shares leadership lessons he learned along the way that helped him become effective at every level and now establish the foundation of his new consultancy and coaching business, Bonafide Leaders.Tim’s philosophy is that you CAN reach the highest levels of leadership while still remaining true to your authentic self and leading with both your head and your heart. Tune in to hear the rest of Tim’s ✨ amazing leadership journey ✨ and the key strategies and principles he operates by that can help you align with and develop your own authentic leadership style!Resources shared in this episode: Tim's coaching & consulting business: Bonafide Leaders: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/ Bonafide Leaders Podcast: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/podcast Digital Leadership Courses: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/courses Tim's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BonafideTimGWilliams

In Episode 7 & 8, I interview senior finance executive & executive coach, Tim G. Williams, about his journey from humble beginnings to the highest levels of finance for a multi-billion dollar company, and beyond. Tim’s philosophy is that you CAN reach the highest levels of leadership while still remaining true to your authentic self and leading with both your head and your heart. In Part 1 of our conversation, Tim shares the impact that basketball, a love of numbers, his mom and his faith had on forming a foundation of excellence and a determination to succeed no matter the challenges he encountered. Tune in for ✨inspiring stories✨ that will uplift you and remind you that anything is possible! Watch the full video interview on my new YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/gRlebCx72acPS. You won’t want to miss next week’s episode (Part 2) where we’ll continue the journey of what got him from being a first-time leader all the way to VP, Controller, Special Advisor to the CEO, and beyond. Stay tuned for more authentic leadership goodness! Tim's Business Resources: Bonafide Leaders website: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/ Podcast: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/podcast Online courses: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/courses Tim's Recommendations: The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren Killing Comparison - Nona Jones interview by Ryan Leak ...... Want to uplevel how you coach your team & create more impact?Check out my FREE 15 Minute Coaching Conversation Guide to get started: https://www.resonantpurpose.com/download-15-minute-coaching-guide

Have you ever wished you could show up more confidently, calmly and with “leadership presence?” My podcast guest this week, Eric Montag, is a pro at helping connect your mind and your body to the feeling of presence you want to embody - even during the tough, stressful moments! We’ll cover topics from bio-hacking your nervous system to rebooting your mindset so that you show up as your best self and help your teams to thrive. Eric is a senior leader of product management - a job that requires business savvy, people skills, and the ability to navigate tough tradeoffs. With high stakes decision making as a daily norm, you may be surprised to learn what helps him keep his cool. Join us for a fun, purpose-filled conversation that will help you dig deeper into what creates an unshakable presence in the face of daily chaos.  Find more inspiration and insight from Eric Montag on his YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@eric_montag -----Looking to improve your coaching skills as a leader? Get started today and build confidence quickly using my FREE 15 Minute Coaching Conversation Guide. I give you the step-by-step questions you can ask to start empowering your team in new ways. Download the guide here: https://www.resonantpurpose.com/pl/2148366486 

In this episode of the Worthy to Lead podcast, Kristiana Corona explores the challenges leaders face in truly disconnecting from work during vacations and the negative impact this has on both themselves and their teams. She shares her personal experiences and outlines five strategies to help leaders take guilt-free, rejuvenating time off. The Importance of Unplugging:According to a recent study by Movchan Agency, highlighted on Forbes.com, 47% of workers feel guilty for taking a vacation this summer. And 1 in 4 workers admit that their leaders demand that they work on vacation. What kind of expectations are we, as leaders, setting for our teams with our own behaviors while out of the office (ex. responding to emails when we should be unplugged)?Leaders set the tone for the time-off culture of the team. By strategically planning and taking vacations, leaders not only recharge themselves but also empower their teams to handle responsibilities effectively, fostering a culture that values well-being and productivity.We'll discuss five key strategies for how to take a guilt-free vacation and help your team to step up in your absence. This is the perfect opportunity to rethink how you show up as a role model and culture leader, even when you're out.Resources: Movchan Agency study highlighted on Forbes.com: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2024/06/08/47-of-workers-feel-guilty-for-taking-a-vacation-this-summer-study-finds/  Subscribe to get updated every time I release a new episode at: worthytoleadpodcast.com/subscribe. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with other leaders. Thanks for your support!

In this episode of the Worthy to Lead podcast, we dive into a common leadership trap: the urge to always come to the rescue, also known as White Knight Syndrome. This episode will help you understand why over-helping can be detrimental to your team's growth and how to shift your approach to truly empower them. What We’ll Cover: The cycle of over-helping and its impact on your team and yourself. Recognizing signals that you might be falling into the White Knight trap. Strategies to support your team without always stepping in to save the day. Discover why letting your team take the lead in solving their own challenges fosters self-efficacy and leads to greater long-term success. Key Moments: The science behind why helping feels so good. Practical advice on how to identify when to let your team solve their own problems. Role-playing scenarios to build your team's confidence and problem-solving skills. Shifting your leadership identity from rescuer to visionary. Reflective Questions: When do you feel the need to rescue, and why? How can you inspire and challenge your team without giving all the answers? (hint: coaching is the perfect way to do this!) What leadership qualities can you focus on to empower your team more effectively Resources: 15-Minute Coaching Guide: http://www.worthytoleadpodcast.com/15minutecoaching Harvard Business Review article on leadership identity: https://hbr.org/2020/02/how-to-overcome-your-obsession-with-helping-others  Subscribe and Share:If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe at https://www.worthytoleadpodcast.com/subscribe and share it with fellow leaders who could benefit from this insight. Thank you for listening!

June 20, 2024 Worthiness & Finding Your Voice as a Public Speaker - An Interview with Dr. Seema Desai In this episode, Kristiana Corona interviews Dr. Seema Desai, a full-time leadership coach, trainer and motivational speaker, about her journey to becoming a confident public speaker. Seema shares personal stories and insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, dealing with fear, and finding her voice while balancing cultural expectations of her intersecting identities as a South Asian, Texan, wife, mother and female professional. Seema was raised by hard-working Indian immigrant parents to think that “success” meant being a doctor, making good money, and being married with kids. She checked off all those boxes, but somehow still felt unfulfilled and stuck. As Seema would say, "I had sold myself a version of success that wasn’t mine." After coming to this realization, she made a courageous pivot and began a healing journey through yoga, mindfulness, and professional coaching. Join us to hear all about her journey and how it led her to truly find her deep, fulfilling inner purpose as a transformational success coach.  Finding her voice as a public speaker Growing up in a more traditional patriarchal culture where women's voices were often suppressed, Seema learned to stay quiet to avoid ridicule and conflict. Over time, Seema learned to take small, consistent steps to develop her voice. By learning to befriend fear, develop interoception and use visualization techniques she was able to connect to her purpose with conviction and speak with confidence to any audience. Seema is now a professional coach, public speaker and trainer who travels the country training other leaders to improve their speaking skills. She is also the host of the podcast, Happy and Human, where she uses her voice on a weekly basis to provide encouragement and insights to other hard working, overachieving South Asian professionals.  ----- You can find more about Seema, her content, trainings and other offerings below: Website: https://drseemadesai.com/  Happy & Human Podcast: http://happyandhumanpodcast.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seema-desai-dds/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.seemadesai/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090420715279  Wellness Retreat:Join Seema for a retreat in Austin, TX in October 2024, designed for spiritually conscious, compassionate female leaders looking to step into more confidence and empowerment. You will practice leaning into your authenticity and intuition with her signature blend of yoga, breath work, and coaching techniques; rejuvenate with intentional rest; explore your innate creativity; bond in empowerment circles and eat delicious chef-created vegetarian meals in a beautiful, luxury location in Austin. Learn more about this unique and intimate event at drseemadesai.com/retreat. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Share this episode with anyone who might benefit from Seema’s insights on overcoming fear and building confidence as a public speaker. http://www.worthytoleadpodcast.com/subscribe

June 12, 2024 Coaching Basics You Can Start Using Today Summary: In this episode, Kristiana Corona explores the world of professional coaching, distinguishing it from other leadership techniques like mentoring, teaching, and performance management. She introduces a practical 15-minute coaching framework and shares essential tips for creating an effective coaching environment. Key Points: Introduction to Professional Coaching: Coaching is distinct from therapy, mentoring, teaching, and managing. Focuses on the present and future, helping individuals realize their potential. Differences Between Coaching and Other Leadership Techniques: Therapy: Addresses and helps resolve issues by delving into the past. Coaching differs in that it focuses on the present version of you and helps you make progress towards the future your want for yourself. Note: Coaching is not a replacement for professional therapy or medical advice. Mentoring: Involves sharing personal experiences and advice. Coaching does not share personal experiences or give advice. Rather it relies on the employee's own intuition and creativity to come up with solutions. Teaching/Managing: Provides clear instructions and feedback for specific, near term tasks. Coaching, on the other hand, gives the employee the freedom to explore their own solutions. Performance Management: Requires direct, actionable feedback to meet specific performance goals. Coaching is a good companion to this process after clear expectations about performance improvement have been stated.  When Not to Use Coaching: Employees who are experiencing a high level of distress and are unable to commit to any change (or even experiment with new ideas) would be best served by therapy or employee assistance programs.  Urgent or emergency situations when speed it critical and direct guidance is required. New or junior employees who need specific information to do their job (ex. where to find files, who to talk to find answers, etc) Coaching cannot take the place of clear performance management conversations. In situations where you must be direct and let the employee know that they are not meeting expectations, coaching should be used as a follow-up, not as the primary communication. 15-Minute Coaching Framework: Intro: Ask open-ended questions to set the stage Clarify Focus: Understand the specific problem  Envision Success: Ask questions to visualize a successful outcome  Explore Possibilities: Encourage brainstorming solutions  Define Actions: Help them commit to concrete actions  Wrap-Up: Reflect on the conversation and affirm their efforts  Creating an Effective Coaching Environment: Silence Alerts: Eliminate distractions and do NOT multi-task. Private Space: Ensure conversations are confidential. Avoid Giving Advice: Focus on asking questions and keep an open mind. Non-Judgmental Approach: Be a neutral third party - allow them to explore ideas without judgment.  Express Gratitude: Thank them for their openness and honesty. Wrap up: Embrace coaching (no matter how awkward it feels when you start!) to empower your team and enhance your leadership skills. Stay curious, listen actively, and practice regularly for meaningful change. Resources: 15-Minute Coaching Conversation Framework: Download here Follow Up: Share your experiences using the framework with me! I'd love to hear how it works for you. You can also submit questions or scenarios for me to consider covering in future episodes of the podcast. ---- Want to be a podcaster too? Have you ever considered creating your own podcast, but learning to use the technology just felt too complex and overwhelming? If so, I would highly recommend checking out Riverside.fm, which is my recording software of choice. Unlike other complex recording software, it is so easy to learn. Riverside will transcribe the text for you and makes it so simple to remove words and phrases and pauses from the transcript with just the click of a button, just like editing in Microsoft Word. It's free to use anytime, but you may want to test out the pro level, which is what I use. You'll get things like magic audio controls, AI generated show notes, transcriptions in a hundred languages and built -in teleprompters. You can even do high quality video interviews like you were on a zoom call and Riverside will do all the work transcribing it for you, which is such a time saver. So next time you get the urge to reach out and share your message with others, Do not let technology get in the way. Try Riverside.fm for your next project. Learn more   Tags: Coaching, Leadership, Mentoring, Teaching, Performance Management, Professional Development, Executive Coaching, Leadership Skills, Team Development.

June 3, 2024 Welcome to my leadership journey Have you ever been a new leader (or aspired to be one) and felt this nagging feeling that maybe you don't have what it takes? Have you tried to do what you thought leaders were supposed to do, but then realized it felt all wrong? Like you were pretending to be something you're not? I have! In this episode, I dig deep and share exactly where I started my leadership journey - awkward missteps and all! I share frameworks and insights I've learned along the way that now guide me as I face new or challenging situations, so that you don't have to do it alone. And most importantly, I tell you the ONE THING that changed everything about how I lead. The one thing that opened my eyes to the way that I had always wanted to lead and made it possible. Tune in to find out what caused this dramatic shift in my mindset, skills and feelings of worthiness, and how you can use it to empower and unleash your best leadership style as well! Tools & Frameworks shared in this episode 1. How to know when to say "yes" to challenges that scare you Have you ever been faced with an opportunity that was so big, so challenging that it made you feel that weird sensation of exhilarating excitement and shaky panic all at the same time? What did you do when that opportunity presented itself? Did you fearlessly leap in or did you freeze? Maybe you procrastinated on making a decision by analyzing it from every possible angle. Or maybe you asked everyone else what they thought you should do, because the idea of making this decision on your own was too much pressure. If you've ever been in this situation, it feels high stakes and you don't want to make the wrong decision, but it is so hard to think things through logically in that moment. Rather than starting from a place of panic or overwhelm, try using this framework to help bring confidence and clarity to the outcome. This is the framework I wish I had when choosing to become a leader so many years ago! Download my FREE Big Decision Resolution Framework and give it a try. I'd love to know how it works for you! https://www.resonantpurpose.com/big-decision-resolution-framework 2. Empowering your mindset when you're starting at the beginning When you're faced with a situation where you have to become a beginner again, it can feel SO awkward and uncomfortable. You may just want to ditch the situation altogether because you think "I'll never be good at this!" Instead, try focusing on these empowering beliefs that can help you persevere through the tough moments and believe that they'll be worth it. This awkwardness or anxiety you’re feeling means that you’re pushing yourself further than you ever have before, and that’s something to be proud of. These feelings won’t last forever. They are signals to pay attention to, but they don’t define your identity or what you’re capable of. You are in a “growing phase” or a “rebuilding phase” right now and the only direction you have to go is up. All great leaders started at the beginning. You see often them when they’re farther down the path, but don’t think that they didn’t go through these same struggles. Ten years from now you’ll look back on this moment and be amazed at how far you’ve come because you didn’t give up.   Helpful Tip for my listeners If you'd like to create your own podcast and do high quality video interviews in a way that feels fun and not overwhelming, check out Riverside.fm, my recording software of choice. Unlike other complex recording and editing softwares, it's SO easy to learn. Riverside transcribes the text for you, allowing you to remove words, phrases, pauses and UMMs from the transcript with the click of a button, just like editing in Microsoft Word. So cool! It's free to try anytime, but if you want to take advantage of some next level features like Magic Audio, AI-generated show notes, transcriptions in 100 languages, built in teleprompters and more, check out the Pro level, which is what I use. Instead of feeling like a daunting chore, you'll look forward to recording and editing in Riverside. Give it a try for your next project! Try Riverside.fm

The Worthy to Lead Podcast is a business podcast that blends hands-on workshops, insights and interviews to provide leaders with the tools and mindset they need to develop teams of any size to be empowered and effective. Using techniques from executive coaching, you’ll learn to create a “coaching leadership style” that will transform the way you lead forever. Join Kristiana Corona, a corporate leader, mom of 3, and ICF-certified executive coach who has spent more than two decades building design and technology teams for Fortune 500 companies. Like so many leaders, she started off with very little training and felt completely unworthy of the title of “leader.” After making every mistake in the book, a surprise encounter with executive coaching changed her life and led her to dramatically improve her leadership style, and results. Fast forward to today and you’ll see the thriving teams she leads: confident, resilient, strategic, and empowered. They’re making a real impact on the world. Have you ever asked yourself, how can I get to be one of those leaders who truly inspires their team? That doesn't just manage the work, but impacts the trajectory of their career. Maybe you want to be more strategic, but you're constantly stuck in the weeds, feeling overwhelmed by managing all the details. You find yourself tethered to the desk, making every decision, and desperately wishing you could take a vacation without things falling apart. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Whether you are a new leader, an aspiring leader, or an experienced leader who has seen it all, this podcast is for you.Host Kristiana Corona brings you step-by-step tools, frameworks, and insights into coaching, leadership, neuroscience, behavioral psychology, emotional intelligence, focus, mindset, and so much more. She examines the inner workings of why coaching is so effective at shifting behavior, teaches you how to get started coaching with your team and builds confidence in your leadership style. Kristiana doesn’t shy away from sharing personal stories of her own mistakes and challenges. She dives deep, shares real talk, and takes the learnings to help guide you on the path to overcoming similar challenges for yourself. She interviews inspiring leaders across many industries who share their personal journey to feeling worthy and the strategies that got them there. Each episode is packed with inspiration and practical steps that you can use to start taking action today. Learn the best-kept secrets of coaching as a leadership style and how it can transform your life and unlock new potential in your teams. Become the leader you’ve always dreamed of - a leader who does feel worthy to lead. Join us as we go deep and explore what it takes to build an authentic leadership style that you, and others, are going to love.