Professionals Unplugged

In this episode I'm a guest myself of Doug Thorpe's podcast "Leadership Powered by Common Sense". I share a bit of my journey into coaching and emphasize that executive presence is a skill that can be developed through self-awareness, confidence, and effective communication. Doug and I delve into the concept of executive presence, explore its components, the challenges leaders face, and actionable strategies to develop this critical quality. But our conversation also addresses common challenges like imposter syndrome and the dynamics between introverts and extroverts in leadership roles, advocating for adaptability while maintaining one's true self. Doug has a wealth of knowledge. I feel honored having been his guest, and his podcast is a fantastic resource for topics that are important for leading and running a business. Doug's podcast "Leadership Powered by Common Sense": https://podcasts.dougthorpe.com/ Connect with us: Doug Thorpe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougthorpe/ Inga Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/

When I first planned this conversation, I thought we'd be discussing 'building trust' as a leadership cornerstone in 2024. With the rise of AI, hybrid work, and shifting company cultures, trust is more vital than ever for retaining talent and driving success. But what unfolded was a candid discussion on 'Building Trust in Leadership: Lessons from Military and Business.' Joined by Jake Clendenning, Jeremy Ransom, and Stephen Morris, we explored how military principles like servant leadership, active listening, and relationship-building can transform leadership in the corporate world. Tune in for practical insights on cultivating authentic trust and leadership in any environment! 00:00 Introduction to Professionals Unplugged 00:30 Meet the Guests: Leaders in Action 01:30 Building Trust in Leadership 03:48 Personal Stories of Trust and Leadership 05:46 Military Insights on Servant Leadership 15:41 Challenges and Misconceptions in Military Leadership 24:46 Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways Connect with us: Jeremy Ransom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyransom/ Jake Clendenning: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-clendenning/ Stephen Morris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-j-morris-143028251/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

In this episode of 'Professionals Unplugged' I had a fantastic discussion with Bill Haase, Michael Buzinski, and Bob Williams. Our conversation delved into the importance of aligning talent with company vision and creating value. Michael shared his experience of transitioning from a traditional brick-and-mortar marketing firm to a virtual one, highlighting the realignment of core values to match a flexible, independent workforce. Bill and Bob discussed the significance of a mission-driven approach, emphasizing military leadership principles and the need for purpose-driven employee engagement. But we also touches on societal shifts towards values in business, the role of leaders in ensuring alignment, and the evolving importance of vision and mission statements in contemporary companies. Connect with us: Bill Haase: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-haase-a506299/ Michael Buzinski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbuzinski/ Bob Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobwilliamscoach/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

In this episode of Professionals Unplugged, I'm joined by Jan Barlow from Better Job Fit, Matt Luensmann from MJL Recruiting and Consulting, and Dave Nordel, a military transition coach. We had a fabulous conversation on the importance of company culture and how it can be perceived, nurtured, and evolved. Dave created a fascinating picture of culture as a living entity that needs the right environment to thrive, discussing the impact of hiring on culture and the consequences of misaligned values within an organization. We also explored the challenges faced by companies in maintaining a cohesive culture during growth and the importance of self-awareness and asking the right questions for individuals seeking to join a new culture. Connect with us: Matt Luensmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mluensmann/ Jan Barlow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janbarlow/ Dave Nordel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-nordel-85265246/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

In this episode of 'Professionals Unplugged,' I chatted with Kevin Hyer, the founder and CEO of the Heyer Calling Foundation. Kevin's organization is all about breaking down the stigma around substance use disorder at work and offering second chances to those in recovery. Kevin opens up about his own journey through addiction and recovery, and how it led him to help others get their careers back on track. We talk about the stigma and challenges of substance use disorders, the need for supportive and recovery-friendly workplaces, and the legal things companies should know. This episode highlights the incredible impact of giving motivated people in recovery a fresh start, and how it benefits not just them, but their families and communities too. Connect with us: Kevin Hyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhyeresq/ Hyer Calling Foundation: https://hyercalling.org Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

Sometime one needs to just make do and be kind to oneself when technology chooses not to be one's friend by just getting on with things and enjoying a conversation a conversation about the importance of kindness in professional settings with guests Steve Thornton and David Wolfskehl. We've explore how kindness impacts work culture, relationships, and business growth. The discussion highlights strategies to cultivate kindness, the potential downsides of excessive kindness, and emphasizes the need for authenticity and constructive feedback. The conversation underscores the benefits of a kind work environment for fostering community, trust, and overall success. Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram Steve Thornton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevethorntonmba/ David Wolfskehl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwolfskehl/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

It was my birthday recently which made me think about celebrating life events and work successes, why celebrating these is important and why we often actually don't make time for it. And so I was intrigued what others had to say and I got together with Jan Barlow and Dave Nordel and we had a fabulous conversation! It ranged from sharing stories of how taking time to celebrate can boost team spirit and keep employees happy to stipulating that companies should make celebration a key part of their culture, starting from the top down. And we also talked about how work needs to become more people-focused, moving away from old-school thinking with the idea to build celebration into company routines, even if it's just small gestures, like buying everyone ice cream! Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram Jan Barlow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janbarlow/ Dave Nordel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-nordel-85265246/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

Leading others successfully starts with leading yourself, and this lively discussion served up some juicy insights on how to do just that. I got together with Bill Haase, Susan and Steven Eklin to chat about the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and empower teams while fostering a positive vibe in the workplace. With a nod to previous conversations, we also emphasized the need for leaders to strike a healthy work-life balance, be open to feedback, and never stop learning and growing. And let's not forget the importance of embracing change and adapting leadership styles to keep up with the ever-evolving needs of today's multigenerational workforce – after all, "the only constant in life is change!" Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram Bill Haase: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-haase-a506299/ Susan Eklin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-eklin-62751449/ Steven Eklin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-eklin-growth-mindset-master-74a64a46/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

Das Abenteuer mit der deutschen Fassung geht in die zweite Runde! In dieser Podcastfolge beleuchten wir was gute Mitarbeiterführung eigentlich bedeutet. Dabei gehen wir näher auf konkrete Fragen ein wie: • Was ist die Definition von guter Mitarbeiterführung? • Was ist das Ziel guter Mitarbeiterführung? • Was spielt Psychologische Sicherheit für eine Rolle? Für dieses Gespräch haben wir diesmal Leif-Birger Hundt und Kathrin Lamm eingeladen. Leif beschäftigt sich als Gründer der Firma EnjoyingWork vertieft mit der Frage wie man motivierende Arbeitsbedingungen durch datenbasierte Organisationsentwicklung erreichen kann. Der Einblick in sein Kerninstrument der strategischen Mitarbeiterbefragung bringen spannende Erkenntnisse und sind ein guter Wegweiser für all diejenigen, die sich in der Mitarbeiterführung verbessern möchten. Kathrin Lamm hat als Gründerin der Firma Lamm HR GmbH beschlossen die Menschlichkeit als Dreh-und Angelpunkt in ihren Führungsstil zu integrieren und schafft so intuitiv bereits eine der wichtigsten Grundlagen für gute Führung: psychologische Sicherheit. Sie möchte einen Gehenpol schaffen zur reinen Führung nach KPI‘s und hat sich in letzter Zeit vertieft mit New Work beschäftigt und setzt davon bereits viel in ihrem Business um. Horcht mal rein und vernetzt euch mit uns: Leif-Birger Hundt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leif-birger-hundt/ Kathrin Lamm: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrin-lamm/ Gastgeber Inga Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon AND https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon Stephanie Apel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieapel/

Let's be real, we've all come to appreciate how crucial well-being is for peak performance, whether we're talking work or play. The whole 'recharge your batteries' spiel makes sense in theory, but how often do we actually walk the walk? Not too long ago, workaholism was practically a badge of honor in many workforces around the globe. Of course, well-being isn't just about taking a few extra vacation days and slacking off. Oh no, it's a whole lot more nuanced than that, my friends. And that's precisely what we're unpacking in this episode. I was joined by my good friend Birgit Grigoriou, from Germany, the one and only Sir Billy Dorsey, Jr., representiung the US and by Kevin Wash, a Brit living in Spain. We're diving into the true meaning of well-being at work and how it's inextricably linked to performance and motivation. Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram Birgit Grigoriou: https://www.linkedin.com/in/birgit-grigoriou-182aa011/ Kevin Wash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wash-23b90915/ Sir Billy Dorsey, Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-billy-dorsey-jr-0a5b7535/ or https://www.instagram.com/sirbillydorseyjr/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

Communication is such a crucial tool and skill in our everyday lives as well as at work! Why? Well, because that's how we convey our messages, express our thoughts, and interpret the world. So getting it 'right' is so important if we don't want to get our wires crossed. Although we all communicate from birth, we all think we're experts. But is that really the case? Think about it - how many times have you ended up frustrated because someone said something which rubbed you the wrong way, and it turns out it was meant completely different but simply not well communicated. And that's just one example. I find it fascinating what can go wrong when we're communicating with our fellow human beings, and so I got together with Patricia Selmo, Meredith Bell, and Richard Perry to chat about what good and bad communication is and how we create a sustainable change in our communication skills. We faced some technical issues but didn't let that faze us, and I hope you'll enjoy listening and if you'd like to connect, you can find us here: Patricia Selmo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciaselmo/ Meredith Bell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithmbell/ Richard Perry - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-perry42/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

Jetzt auch in deutsch! Zusammen mit einer guten Freundin, Stephanie Apel, habe ich beschlossen einen deutschen Ableger von Professionals Unplugged zu starten. Aber Stephanie ist nicht nur meine Freundin, sondern sie ist auch eine HR - Managerin und hat somit berufsbedingt mit allen Facetten des Berufsalltags zu tun, denn bei HR landen fast alle positiven und negativen Geschichten des beruflichen Lebens auf dem Tisch. In dieser Pilotfolge tauchen wir in das Thema "remote working“ ein und beleuchten insbesondere Deutschland und die Entwicklung von remote working seit Corona und danach. Zu Gast sind Jonas Janktus und Stephanie Fischer. Beide sind als HR-Manager tätig und für die Belange rund um den Employee Life Cycle verantwortlich. Während Jonas in einem Technologie-Innovations-Unternehmen arbeitet, ist Stephanie im produzierenden Gewerbe unterwegs. Wir sprechen über die leider rückläufige Bereitschaft von Unternehmen in Deutschland, remote working zu ermöglichen, woran das liegt und was es benötigt, damit Firmen hier wieder mehr Vertrauen in die Mitarbeiter haben und ob die Frage „remote working ja oder nein" eine Generationen-Frage ist. Hoffentlich gefällt euch was ihr hier so hört. Und findet uns doch auf LinkedIn und vernetzt euch mit uns. Unsere zwei ersten, tapferen Seelen: Stephanie Fischer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-stephanie-fischer/ Jonas Janktus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonasjankus/ Gastgeber Inga Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon AND https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon Stephanie Apel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieapel/

In this episode of Professionals Unplugged, I delved into the mind of a seasoned CEO, fortunately having the opportunity to pick the brain of Max Lambright, a remarkable individual who has served as a serial CEO for medium-sized businesses a staggering seven times. Currently, Max mentors aspiring CEOs, preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities of occupying the corner office. With a career spanning over five decades, Max generously shared invaluable lessons he has learned along the way. He shared with me captivating anecdotes that shed light on the potential pitfalls and unforeseen obstacles that can arise, while also candidly acknowledging the loneliness and demanding nature of the CEO role. Yet, when asked why he chose to pursue this path, Max's response was simple yet profound: "Because it's extremely rewarding… it's the best job in the world." Hopefully, you listening to this episode promises to be as fascinating as my conversation with Max itself, offering insights into the multifaceted world of leadership and the dedication required to navigate its complexities successfully. It is crucial to note that if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse, there is help available. One of them is the SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Or talk to your local doctor. Seeking assistance is a courageous step towards healing and creating a better path forward. And if you'd like to connect, you can find us here: Max Lambright - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxlambright/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Robin Odegaard, a fellow coach whom I greatly admire. We discussed various leadership trends and the importance of authenticity when building one's personal brand. We concluded that effective leadership requires the ability to lead oneself, along with genuine care for others and authenticity. I also shared a humorous anecdote from my past to illustrate the concept of a poor leader/manager. Transitioning from authenticity, we highlighted its significance for personal branding, emphasizing the need to avoid creating a facade or trying to mould oneself into someone they're not. And if you'd like to connect, you can find us here: Dr Robyn Odegaard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/ Inga Hebdon (your host) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon/ or https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon/

Building trust and rapport in a team is easier said than done as Katja, Jason, Calvin and I agreed. One fundamental thing is that one must care enough about fellow human beings in the first place. Because if we fake interest, people easily spot it and the chance of ever creating some form of trusted relationships goes out of the window. And so sincere interest in the people around us goes hand in hand with caring about them hence being interested in them as a person, what drives them, what do they want to achieve , what environment do they need to flourish, etc. Because guess what, about 80% of the people leave their jobs because of their manager and so the leader is key to creating that trustful environment where people feel psychological safe. Of course there is so much more to say and to explore, and some of which we also touched on in this episode. So, have a listen for more. Connect with the three brave souls who joined me in this adventure: Katja Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katjamartin/ Jason Emmons: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonemmons/ Calvin Niles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-niles/ Your host: Inga Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon AND https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon

Erin Spencer, Jennifer Jones, Andrew Lamb, and I got together to talk about what we think are the most important skills one needs in order to succeed in business. Googling the topic as part of my own reflection and preparation, the skills I found were very different from what we ended up discussing and agreeing on as the most important ones. In a nutshell, we think that being passionate about the type of work we do is critical, but also having a good level of awareness when it comes to understanding what we're good at and what we should outsource. Additionally, we've also discussed the importance of understanding and inspiring others, especially as leaders, and that leaders need to create space for people to fail safely. Paraphrasing the great Michael Jordan, 'failure is learning'. Connect with the three brave souls who joined me in this adventure: Jennifer Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferjnia/ Erin Spencer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erincspencer/ Andrew Lamb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjlamb/ Your host: Inga Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon AND https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon

As it was Valentine's Day when Mikey Newton, Bill Haase, Jorge Pilay, and I got together for another candid conversation about work, we thought it would be fun to chat about workplace romances. We have all experienced them in one way or another, either by meeting our spouses or simply having awkward moments after dates didn't work out. But we also discussed some of the more serious implications, such as the impact on work performance, or laughed about some stories of when things got too far at work parties. Connect with the three brave souls who joined me in this adventure: Mikey Newton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikey-newton Bill Haase: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-haase-a506299 Jorge Pilay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgepilay Your host: Inga Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon AND https://www.instagram.com/ingahebdon

Catching up and reconnecting with former colleagues can be so much fun, especially when they are as great conversationalists as Melissa Warren. Melissa is a Director and Head of Client Engagement at JLL and a passionate ocean sailor. Like me, she left the UK and is now living Melbourne, Australia. So we ended up having a 2.5hr conversation about what it's like to live and work abroad. The main parts of our conversation are here in this 20min-ish podcast episode where we reminiscing about how much the experience has transformed us and what it took to make it work. To put it into one sentence "Say yes to everything and keep an open mind". For more, check it out and enjoy listening. And if you'd like to connect, you can find us here: Melissa Warren - LinkedIn Inga Hebdon (your host) - LinkedIn or Instagram

In this episode I talked with Clayton Hicks, Andrew Lamb and Simon Hebdon about the idea of knowing our "why" at work (inspired by Simon Sinek). Understanding why you do what you do is crucial for motivation and happiness. Andrew pointed out that companies like Apple and Nike have a clear "why" which helps them build strong communities. We touched on personal experiences and the challenge of making your personal "why" match up with a company's goals. Clay shared his "why" of valuing others whilst lifting them up is the foundation of his business. It takes time to figure out one's "why" as Simon pointed out and he shared some tips on how to help others figure out their own "why," for example by focusing on listening and open communication. Overall, we all agreed that knowing and acting from your "why" can make a big difference in how well you and your team perform. Connect with the three brave souls who joined me in this adventure: Clayton (Clay) Hicks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claytonrhicks Simon Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-hebdon Andrew Lamb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjlamb Your host: Inga Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon

I loved my conversation about finding passion and purpose, Mikey Newton, Simon Hebdon and Jennifer Johnson. All of us discovered that we all had more or less a trial-and-error approach to finding our passion and purpose. Simon stumbled into learning and development after a long stint in sales, Mikey found satisfaction in educating stakeholders during his medical sales career, and Jennifer transitioned from real estate to her passion for networking. The advice for our younger selves includes exploring, prioritizing personal happiness, and leveraging networks. But we also looked at valuing purpose and family over status in different generations and agreed on the importance of early exploration to align career paths with passion. Connect with the three brave souls who joined me in this adventure: Mikey Newton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikey-newton Simon Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-hebdon Jennifer Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferjnia Your host: Inga Hebdon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inga-hebdon

A sneak preview of what this podcast is all about - it's mission, concept and execution. And a little bit about me, Inga Hebdon, your host.