88. On the Agency to Define Your Own Ambitions & Success with Al Dea
88. On the Agency to Define Your Own Ambitions & Success with Al Dea

Overview

Today I’m joined again by Al Dea, the founder of Betterwork Labs, an organization focused on helping companies create cultures where their people can thrive. Al is an author, speaker, podcast host, and researcher on workplace trends and talent development.

I had Al back for a second episode so we could go deeper and get Al’s perspective on Sustainable Ambition. I love how Sustainable Ambition takes on different meanings for different people, and Al shares that for him it’s about having the autonomy and agency to define how and where one wants to be ambitious, defining one’s own success. This aligns with the long-term view of Sustainable Ambition that we talk about and managing one’s life and work from decade to decade aligned with their own desires and sense of fulfillment.

In this conversation, we also talk about how the work world historically hasn’t armed people with alternative ways to think about and manage their careers and define their own success, how some companies and thought leaders are innovating to create these new norms, and Al’s counsel for stepping into agency to proactively stay on top of one’s career.

Al - This was another great conversation! Thanks for coming back and sharing your career management wisdom with us.

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87. On Finding Purpose Where You Are with Kathy Oneto
87. On Finding Purpose Where You Are with Kathy Oneto

Overview

In this Sustainable Ambition (SA) Quick Tip, host Kathy Oneto talks about finding purpose in your work and in your life where you are, rather than looking for it externally outside of yourself. She also offers a more accessible definition of purpose and provides examples that can broaden our view of what it can mean and how we can achieve it. It just might be easier than we think.

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86. An Invitation to Examine Life & Find What Works for You with Tara McMullin
86. An Invitation to Examine Life & Find What Works for You with Tara McMullin

Overview

Today I’m joined by Tara McMullin, a writer, podcaster, and producer, to discuss her new book, “What Works: A Comprehensive Framework to Change the Way We Approach Goal-Setting.” Tara has also studied small business owners for over 13 years. She’s been an inspiration to me, and her wisdom has helped tremendously on my own journey of self-employment, getting me to rethink and figure out what works for me.

Her book is for anyone looking for a new approach to goal-setting, one that you might find better aligned to who you are and more satisfying, while still producing results. In this conversation, we discuss what brought Tara to rethink her approach to goal setting, the importance of examining one’s life and making conscious choices, the power of reframing towards practice and commitments, and why she’s found the new approach much more satisfying while helping her create substantive results.

Tara - I absolutely loved being in conversation with you! And I loved the book and appreciate the perspectives and practices you are offering people to help them live a life and do work that is more in sync with who they are, what they want, and how they want to live in the world. So good!

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85. On Ditching Hustle Culture & Thriving Again with Jennie Blumenthal
85. On Ditching Hustle Culture & Thriving Again with Jennie Blumenthal

Overview

Today I’m joined by Jennie Blumenthal, author of the new book, “Corporate Rehab: ditch the hustle culture and thrive again.” After 20 years as an executive in Corporate America, Jennie chose to leave during the pandemic pivot after realizing that she had lost herself and was no longer leading the life she wanted to live.

In this conversation, Jennie shares her career journey and what led her to make her pivot, why it’s easy to fall into hustle culture, how it’s important to step back and re-evaluate and align our values with our work, and how her REHAB methodology can help put people on a more fulfilling path. Where is Jennie on the other side? Having reached her goal of putting more life in her life.

Jennie - thank you so much for being on and sharing your experiences, insights, and REHAB method with us. We champion your personal purpose of helping to heal the C-suite across Corporate America to have a positive impact across all organizational ranks. We’ll be cheering you on as you take each step, one at a time.

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84. On Visual Leadership in Life and at Work with Todd Cherches
84. On Visual Leadership in Life and at Work with Todd Cherches

Overview

Today I’m joined by Todd Cherches, CEO of BigBlueGumball, a NYC-based management consulting firm specializing in leadership development and executive coaching, and author of "VisuaLeadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life."

In this conversation, we talk about Todd’s book, the power of visual thinking, and how visual thinking can be applied through visual images, mental models, metaphors, and stories to be more effective in your thinking, decision-making, and communication. Visual thinking can help us lead more powerfully both at work and in life.

Todd - You’ve packed so many useful tools into your book! And, you give more depth of insight in this conversation. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

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83. On Hybrid or Remote Worker? Double-Down on Work Relationships with Kathy Oneto
83. On Hybrid or Remote Worker? Double-Down on Work Relationships with Kathy Oneto

Overview

Are you a hybrid or remote worker? And, did you know that in today’s remote and hybrid work environments that many of us are feeling disconnected from each other?

  • 72% of employees say they aren’t able to socialize enough when they’re remote (Workplace Intelligence)

  • 60% of remote workers say WFH (working from home) makes them feel less connected to their colleagues (Pew Research)

That’s a problem. Why? Because having friends, relationships, and a community at work has huge benefits! That means each of us needs to be proactive in making connections and friendships at work.

In this Sustainable Ambition (SA) Quick Tip, host Kathy Oneto talks about all the benefits and offers tips on how to double down on building your work relationships.

The Takeaway: If we choose or have to work from home, over-invest in building relationships.

The Action: What’s one action you’ll take today to start or deepen a relationship at work?

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82. On Living and Working with Ordinary Resilience with Luis Velasquez
82. On Living and Working with Ordinary Resilience with Luis Velasquez

Overview

Today I’m joined by Luis Velasquez, an expert in resilience. Luis is an Executive Coach, Stanford University facilitator, and an HBR Ascent contributor. He is also an avid endurance athlete and a brain tumor survivor.

In our conversation, we dig into the definition of and Luis’s equation for resilience, which = Commitment + Persistence x Optimism. We hear core themes of what resilience truly looks like through Luis sharing his own personal experiences from his childhood in Guatemala to surviving a brain tumor to completing endurance events. What comes through is that resilience isn’t a superpower. Sure, resilience might start as being about survival, but Luis notes that it is really about adapting and thriving. He also believes that we are all already resilient. We just need to unlock it and take the next step.

Luis - It was wonderful to have you on! I appreciated hearing your personal journey and lessons on resilience, as well as how you are shaping what Sustainable Ambition can really look like through your own life and work choices.

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81. On the Novel Bit Flip and Ambition in Silicon Valley with Mike Trigg
81. On the Novel Bit Flip and Ambition in Silicon Valley with Mike Trigg

Overview

In this episode, I’m happy to be joined by my business school classmate, Mike Trigg. Mike has worked for twenty-five years in Silicon Valley as a founder, executive, and investor in dozens of venture-funded technology start-ups. And now he’s turned his attention to creative pursuits, having just published his first novel, a corporate thriller called “Bit Flip.”

In this fun conversation where Mike and I talk about the book, we discuss what it’s like to have an entrepreneurial career in tech, the role of ambition in Silicon Valley and how it plays a central role in the book, the shifting view of the tech industry today, and how an unbridled and over-abundance of ambition is resulting in negative impacts in our world. The book is meant to be a cultural critique and to get people thinking. Mike wanted “Bit Flip” to “be a cautionary tale for people coming to Silicon Valley embarking on their careers to say, ‘I need to keep this in balance. I need to do this in a way that is sustainable, not just for two years of doing a startup but for the 40 years of my career.’”

I encourage you to pick up the book for a fun, energetic read that will make you reflect on your own ambitions.

Mike - I loved this conversation! Congratulations on the book and can’t wait to read the next one!

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80. Part 2: A More Sustainable+Ambitious Year Q4 Planning - How to Avoid the End of Year Crush with Kathy Oneto
80. Part 2: A More Sustainable+Ambitious Year Q4 Planning - How to Avoid the End of Year Crush with Kathy Oneto

Overview

This episode builds on the series that kicked off the year on planning and living a more sustainable+ambitious year. Kathy Oneto, founder of Sustainable Ambition, is back with Part 2 of the Q3 Review to now focus on Q4 planning.

Here she talks about dialing in your ambitions for the end of year, creating a sustaining plan to avoid the end of year crush, and has you focus, despite her own resistance, to looking ahead to 2023 to make initial plans for making it all more sustainable if you expect the fourth quarter to be demanding.

A reminder that E79 and this episode are good ones to do while out on a walk or making time for quiet reflection. You’ll likely want to pause the episode, think, take notes, and then hit play again. Have your notes app ready or have a journal nearby!

Here’s to an ambitious, sustainable, and joyful end to the year!

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79. Part 1: A More Sustainable+Ambitious Year Q3 Review & Learning - Discerning Between This and That with Kathy Oneto
79. Part 1: A More Sustainable+Ambitious Year Q3 Review & Learning - Discerning Between This and That with Kathy Oneto

Overview

In this episode, Kathy Oneto, founder of Sustainable Ambition, builds on the series that kicked off the year on planning and living a more sustainable+ambitious year. In this episode, we check in on your Q3 progress. Then in Part 2, we’ll look at planning for Q4 to avoid the end-of-year crush and make our end to the year more sustainable.

A reminder that these episodes are good ones to do while out on a walk or making time for quiet reflection. You’ll likely want to pause the episode, think, take notes, and then hit play again. Have your notes app ready or have a journal nearby!

As we look back to Q3, we want to think about: How have things gone? What worked? What didn’t work? Kathy shares her experiences and learning on working with discernment and when to operate from this or that or this and that around goal setting, free-thinking vs. directed attention, and thinking vs. doing times.

Now it’s your turn! What did you learn, and what do you want to practice next?

And be sure to listen in for Part 2 to plan a sustainable close to the year.

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78. On Building a Values-Aligned Career and Life with Stephanie Movahhed
78. On Building a Values-Aligned Career and Life with Stephanie Movahhed

Overview

Joining me today is Stephanie Movahhed, a leadership coach based in my hometown of San Francisco. In this conversation, Stephanie talks us through her career journey and offers learning and tips from her personal and coaching experiences.

Stephanie has had an interesting career full of pivots that have kept her challenged and growing. Her experiences are a great illustration of staying engaged and in action to help identify one’s next career arc. What comes through is how Stephanie has always been guided by what was important to her and her values, interests, curiosities, and what was calling her next. She also shares how she has leaned into experimentation to de-risk career transitions.

We close with Stephanie offering thoughts on how to step into living and working aligned with one’s values, how to build supporting routines, and how one can coach themselves if they don’t have access to a resource.

Stephanie - thank you for sharing your journey and your tips for navigating pivots in one’s career! I truly believe your story is an inspiration for how others can navigate their career journeys with more joy, confidence, and ease.

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77. On the Big, Bold Choice of The Self-Employed Life with Jeffrey Shaw
77. On the Big, Bold Choice of The Self-Employed Life with Jeffrey Shaw

Overview

Today I’m joined by Jeffrey Shaw, author of The Self Employed Life and host of the podcast of the same name. Jeffrey is a champion of self-employment and through his book, podcast, institute, and coaching guides people to lead a successful life of self-employment.

In this conversation, we hear what pulled Jeffrey into self-employment for his entire career and what’s given him the focus to support others choosing this courageous path. We cover a lot of ground discussing what calls people to self-employment, the importance of giving yourself a runway before making the leap, getting clear on who you are and your offer, accepting the integration between our businesses and our lives, and much more.

Jeffrey - Thank you so much for being on! I so appreciate all the work you do to champion self-employment and to guide those courageous souls choosing this path.

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76. On Finding the Courage to Step Back to Go Forward in Your Career with Kathy Oneto
76. On Finding the Courage to Step Back to Go Forward in Your Career with Kathy Oneto

Overview

In this solo episode, host Kathy Oneto builds on Episode 75 with Dr. Dawn Graham where they talked about building confidence to make a career switch. Hear Kathy answer a listener question that builds on that prior conversation: “How does one find the courage to take a step back in their career to then move forward onto a new path? And what are smart ways to do that?”

Kathy shares six smart actions to consider from her research, the podcast, and what she’s personally learned over the years that can help build your courage and give you the confidence to step into what’s calling you next.

Ready to make a switch? Let’s get you started.

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75. On Building Confidence in Making a Career Switch with Dr. Dawn Graham
75. On Building Confidence in Making a Career Switch with Dr. Dawn Graham

Overview

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Dawn Graham, a career switch coach and author of "Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success."

If you are contemplating a career switch, this episode is for you. What I appreciate about Dawn’s approach in her book is that she tells you the really reallys, because she doesn’t want you to be surprised. We’ll have more resilience to get through the process if we have realistic expectations of what it will take to move from this to that.

Yet, for that reason, I start with why we should be optimistic about the process. What makes it worth it to step into making a career switch? Then we delve into aspects of the book and core principles Dawn lays out that help you get confident in your switch so you can show that confidence to hiring managers, giving them the confidence to hire you.

We cover a lot of ground also discussing being market focused, putting aside ego, and forming relationships with people who can become personal ambassadors. And a parting word of wisdom from Dawn that we champion here at Sustainable Ambition: pay attention to your career with a yearly check-in. Don’t go on autopilot.

Thank you so much for being on, Dawn! You offer switchers a great roadmap to get confident in making a change that will put them on a more fulfilling path.

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74. On Why I Love & Hate Arthur Brooks’ “From Strength to Strength” with Kathy Oneto
74. On Why I Love & Hate Arthur Brooks’ “From Strength to Strength” with Kathy Oneto

Overview

In this episode, host Kathy Oneto talks about how age should not be viewed as a limiter. If we want to be ambitious in our second stage, “Go for it!” Despite what Arthur Brooks writes in his recent book, “From Strength to Strength,” decline is not inevitable. Sure, our intelligence may shift, as he claims, but there are more types of intelligence than he references, and there’s plenty of evidence that bucks the claim that older workers don’t perform as well as younger workers.

Frankly, this is what gets us fired up. These are the types of claims that don’t serve us and create a dangerous narrative that suggests that companies shouldn’t hire older workers when the evidence suggests otherwise.

A different book, “The Formula: The Universal Laws of Success,” by Albert-László Barabási suggests the opposite of what Brooks claims. The fifth law says, “With persistence, success can come at any time.”

Sustainable Ambition is possible. Find your ambition, then get to work. Be consistent and be persistent.

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73. On Building Your Career Operating System with Al Dea
73. On Building Your Career Operating System with Al Dea

Overview

Today I’m joined by Al Dea, the founder of Betterwork Labs, an organization focused on helping companies create cultures where their people can thrive. Al is an author, speaker, podcast host, and researcher on workplace trends and talent development.

In this conversation, we talk about key aspects of building a sustainable career. Both Al and I believe in paying attention, following your curiosities, and the power of community. Al shares more on the importance of being self-reflective while also getting into action, building your career operating system, and fostering a mindset for career growth. Al offers a lot of great wisdom bombs in here!

Al - I love what you champion and appreciate your ambition to create better work for all. Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights with us!

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72. On Career Arcs with Adventure, Grace, & Courage with Kathy Oneto
72. On Career Arcs with Adventure, Grace, & Courage with Kathy Oneto

Overview

In this Sustainable Ambition (SA) Quick Tip, host Kathy Oneto talks about career arcs with adventure, grace, and courage. Often when people are at a career inflection point, they can feel angst and guilt and be cautious. Why? Because there’s a lot of well-meaning, yet inaccurate, work and career advice out there that sets the wrong expectations. When we aren’t able to live up to those expectations, stress manifests. Instead, Kathy talks about reframing towards adventure, grace, and courage to help reduce the stress associated with such transitions and, most importantly, redirect our energy to help us enjoy and make positive progress on our career journeys.

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71. On Living Life as an Experiment with Leanne Hughes
71. On Living Life as an Experiment with Leanne Hughes

Overview

Today I’m joined by Leanne Hughes, an Australian businesswoman, entrepreneur, and high-performance business consultant who helps organizations lift performance through people. Leanne is also the host of two podcasts: First Time Facilitator and Leanne Hughes’ Work and Live Large.

In this conversation, we hear about Leanne’s own career journey, what led her to find her zone of genius, and what took her out on her own leaving Corporate. We learn about one of Leanne’s core philosophies around treating life like an experiment. Leanne is a prime example of someone who leans into taking action and learning by doing. For her, a paradox is that it isn’t confidence that gets her into action, but rather knowing that being in action is what actually breeds confidence.

What I loved in this conversation was hearing how Leanne is continuously moving towards how she operates best in the world and leans into what’s possible for herself, just as she is championing with Work and Live Large, through which she helps you imagine what's possible is possible for you.

This was such an energizing conversation, Leanne! Thank you for being on and sharing your journey and wisdom with us all.

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70. SA Quick Tip! On Why to Always Be Thinking about Your Next Play with Kathy Oneto
70. SA Quick Tip! On Why to Always Be Thinking about Your Next Play with Kathy Oneto

Overview

This Sustainable Ambition (SA) Quick Tip builds on the last Quick Tip in Episode 67: On Don’t Know? Get Into Action. Many of us often get caught off guard when our life and work algorithm shifts. How can we avoid being surprised, leaving us standing in the messy middle of a career transition not knowing what’s next? By being proactive and consistently exploring and investing in our next play. Thinking about what’s next as a practice can help us avoid feeling angst on the journey and being overly cautious along the way.

This concept is rooted in the Sustainable Ambition method, yet this episode was inspired by a talk I was able to hear back in May with Shane Battier, the basketball player who played for Duke in college and won two NBA championships with the Miami Heat. This core mantra of Duke’s former, legendary basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), has relevance for all of us.

How are you exploring and investing in your next play?

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69. Part 2: On Intentionally Living & Working with Pace with Kathy Oneto & Wade Brill
69. Part 2: On Intentionally Living & Working with Pace with Kathy Oneto & Wade Brill

Overview

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend, Wade Brill, who was on the podcast with me early on in Episode 5. Wade is a Mindfulness Coach, Podcaster and Speaker.

Wade and I got together to discuss Pace, a topic we’re passionate about as it shows up in the work that we both do. If you’ve been listening to the podcast, you know that I’ve talked about pace on a few other episodes in the past year: Episode 52: On Setting Your Own Pace and Episode 39 on Rethinking & Shaping Your Time.

We thought it would be interesting to explore this topic further and share our own experiences working with and experiencing pace.

This is the second episode where we talk about ambitions, goals, and pace. How does pace show up when we consider ambitions and where that intersects with life and work? We hope through these two episodes that we raise your awareness of the power of thinking about and being intentional with pace both in your daily experiences and how you manage your personal and professional ambitions.

It’s been a pleasure, Wade! What thought-provoking conversations, and I was even a part of them! These discussions have further deepened my own consideration of pace in my life and my decision-making.

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