IN THIS EPISODE: This episode I speak with Susan Fitzell, an expert in neuro-diversity about the challenges of incorporating and accommodating a neuro-diverse workforce into the modern workplace. The reality is that neuro-divergent workers have always existed but we’re only now gaining an awareness and appreciation of their impact – and the need to adapt the way that we lead and manage. Susan shares some tips and strategies to support neuro-divergent thinkers and help bring out their best work. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Susan Fitzell For over 30 years, international speaker, author, coach, Susan Fitzell has worked closely with educators, students, and high performing employees to discover their personal learning preferences so they can learn fast and achieve more. She zeros in on what motivates employees so they can get their job done and break through self-imposed limitations. She inspires and motivates audiences with her practical, productive, and efficient learning strategies as well as her positive, uplifting approach. Her philosophy is, “Can’t is a four-letter word!” Believe you CAN and do GREAT things by using your talents and strengths. She’s a black belt in kickboxing and a student of kung fu. Her family prides themselves in being geeks and her two adult children have both earned degrees in mechanical engineering using the strategies that she shares with her clients. SHOW NOTES: Connect with Susan: On the Web at:  susanfitzell.com  and  LearnFastAchieveMore.com On Twitter at: @susanfitzell On LInkedIn at: in/susanfitzell/ INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

Insight at Work with Ken Blackwell

#22: Susan Fitzell - Leading and Managing a Neuro-diverse Workforce

IN THIS EPISODE: In a more Human workplace, it’s critical to be an effective communicator and be able to connect with your audience whether that’s one person or many.  Today we get an international perspective from Christine Morley. Christine is an expert in presentation and negotiation skills and learning how to influence others. For over 30 years, Christine has helped hundreds of senior executives from Fortune 500 companies be more memorable and have greater impact on their audiences. She is one of only four, and the first woman, in France to earn the CSP or (Certified Speaking Professional) designation.  Christine is direct and outspoken, and gets right to the heart of an issue. In our conversation, we talk about the keys to effective communication.  How to connect with your audience, by speaking with the brain in mind. And how to shape a message so that it’s easily understood and digested. She also gives us some tips on building our personal brand and how to create an effective 7 Second Pitch so others can quickly know who we are, what we do, and who we help. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Christine Morlet, CSP is a Professional Keynote Speaker and keynote speaking coach, member of the Global Speakers Federation. She is one of four, and the first female, speaker to earns the CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation in France. Her experience includes 30 years of success in international influencing skills: negotiations, public speaking and leaders' coaching of fortune 500 companies, (among others) Peugeot, Millipore-Merck, Mars Chocolates, Capsugel, Pfizer Inc … Christine has helped hundreds of senior executives to improve their presentation & negotiation skills to create much better impact and become memorable. Her customers say that she can transform average communicators into uncontested leaders and basic negotiators into top earning superstars! SHOW NOTES: To connect with Christine on her website and learn more about her here. INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#21: Christine Morlet - Connecting with any audience

IN THIS EPISODE: When I came up for the title for the “Insight at Work” podcast I had two ideas in mind: 1)    That we would be able to explore various insights about work and the ways in which people approach problems and challenges in the workplace. - and - 2)    To also examine how insight might be at work within us.  To explore how we approach living and working and the personal decisions that we make throughout this journey we call Life.   Today's episode is in that second category.  My guest Tom McManimon had a life that was on a particular trajectory. And then a series of events from 9/11 to losing his job, and a life threatening medical emergency, led him to reassess his life, his priorities and the direction of his career.  Tom talks frankly and straightforwardly about his experiences and sometimes in stark detail.  That might bother some but I think it gives a visceral realness and impact to his story.  It's a very candid conversation about true work-life balance: about what's important in life, how to maintain perspective and one's belief in oneself. And the important need for the time and space to be able to make the decisions that are right for us. It demonstrates that for all our planning and all our intentions, sometimes life pushes us onto a new path. Tom has had an incredible journey. And is incredibly gracious in sharing it with us. I think you're going to get a lot out of this conversation, perhaps you'll even stop for a moment and think about your life's journey with some new insight. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Tom is an award-winning art director/creative director, writer, positioning strategist, musician, and veteran creative director. Tom has led award-winning statewide and national campaigns, created re-branding efforts for large multi-national companies, and led countless company start-ups to ongoing success. His work has been recognized with CLIO, ANDY,TELLY, PRINT Magazine, and various Advertising and Design show awards. Tom is a nationally recognized branding expert whose background reflects extensive experience in strategic brand identity, project management and creative development across b-to-b and consumer marketing landscapes. He brings experience and skill across all media including Logo & Identity, Print and Broadcast Advertising, Display, Collateral Design, Direct Mail and Web, Digital & Interactive Development. Tom has managed creative campaign development, talent, photo shoots, web, TV film & video productions of all size and scope —supporting the marketing and branding needs of Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Prudential Mortgage Capital Company, Brown & Brown, The US Department of Agriculture, Talksoft, Inc., American Reinsurance, Westinghouse, Cushman & Wakefield, StewartXerox, and many other B2B and Professional services companies in Education, Financial Services, Science &Technology, Law Firms, Healthcare, and more. Tom's current gig splits time between running STIMULUSBRAND COMMUNICATIONS, the branding and advertising firm he founded in 2002 and speaking appearances. "My agency reflects my passion. It's in my DNA. My speaking is about changing the way people think, feel and act in ways that can change their lives." Tom McManimon (TMac) is a published author and professional speaker delivering keynotes and professional presentations to companies and business organizations. Recent talks were titled: "The Position Player" and "To rebrand or not to rebrand. How to know." He recently published two books: one on personal branding (The Stuff That Sticks) and Brand Positioning, (The Position Player), both available on Amazon.com. Tom's also delivers motivational talks entitled: Winning Through Crisis, Addiction: Going To The Well, and On Purpose. SHOW NOTES: To connect with Tom visit him on the web: www.StimulusBrand.com  and  www.TMacSpeaks.com  INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#20: Tom McManimon - Life Lessons from a Reluctant Entrepreneur

IN THIS EPISODE: If like me, you'd like to be a little more productive, a bit more focused, and maybe a little less overwhelmed - this episode is for you.  My guest today is Don Khouri. Don is a speaker, author, and executive coach with advanced degrees in Human Development, Organizational Behavior, and Human and Organizational Systems.  He’s written a book for people who struggle with too much to do and not enough time titled, “When to Say Yes, The Five Steps to Protect Your Time”. In this episode we discuss why we say Yes more often than we should. The importance of intentionality, priorities and values. The problem with to-do lists, and my favorite, the Myth of Multitasking. We also talk about the power of delegation and what happens to our time when accountability falls short. It’s a jam-packed episode with lots of great tips and ideas. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Don Khouri is a speaker, author, and executive coach.  He is a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University and an MBA in Organizational Behavior from Boston University.  His Bachelor’s degree is from Babson College, voted the top school in the U.S. in entrepreneurship. He is writing a book for people who struggle with too much to do and not enough time. It will be released in Fall 2021 and is titled, When to Say Yes, The Five Steps to Protect Your Time.   SHOW NOTES: To connect with Don check out his websites:  www.khouricc.com www.donkhouri.com www.whentosayyes.com   INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_   ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#19: Don Khouri - When to Say Yes

IN THIS EPISODE: Today we discuss the challenges of being human at work with two of my favorite humans – Amanda & Simon Cookson. The three of us have a passion for helping leaders and organizations build more human workplaces and shift away from the commoditization of employees that has created stifling, unproductive and dehumanizing work environments. We talk about the power that humans have to innovate and succeed in times of disruption. We also talk about future trends in the workplace and the necessity for trust, vulnerability, and honesty, and a flexible, more person-centric workforce. Amanda and Simon are partners in both their personal and professional lives. They’re married with two children and they are also the cofounders of the UK-based consulting firm, Northern Value Creators. Some of you might recognize Amanda from the “Leaders in Conversation” web series that she and I cohost. I think Amanda and Simon are both brilliant and as we move through the conversation I’m sure you’ll see why. ABOUT OUR GUESTS (in their own words): Amanda: “I’ve always been drawn to rebellious ideas and their potential to change the world.   Following years in senior roles, building award winning teams I realised that my approach and ideas were often at odds with conventional management thinking. Treating people like resources, controlling them through bureaucracy didn’t feel right. I knew there were better ways.   After my organisation went through a merger, radically shifting the culture; I began to feel like an outsider. My approach was not welcome and I felt under attack. Leaving this bruising experience behind me, I began my exploration into coaching and human leadership.   I was fascinated by how my experiences had impacted me, leading me to study the neuroscience of conversations and how our brains react in the workplace. This deep work allowed me to do what I love today – making business better by making them more human.” Simon: “It started back in the DotCom Boom when I was part of the team changing the way we do banking. For the past 20 years I’ve been involved in digital start ups, technical consultancies and big IT firms. All trying to bring about change with technology.   Stopping to reflect I realised most projects had failed, or at least failed to deliver what they promised. I wanted to know why. This investigation led to the founding of Northern Value Creators 4 years ago and shapes everything we do and believe today.   We can’t afford to keep getting it wrong. There are no more excuses.   We can get the people piece right.” SHOW NOTES: To connect with Simon on LinkedIn and Twitter. To connect with Amanda on LInkedIn and Twitter. Check them both out at: http://www.northernvaluecreators.com/ and https://peopleprimer.co.uk . INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.comYou can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#18 - Amanda and Simon Cookson - The Challenge of Being Human at Work

IN THIS EPISODE: OK, just between you and me: have you ever done something that you knew you shouldn’t, but you did it anyway? Even if you knew that doing it would get in the way of accomplishing something else that you really wanted? If we’re being honest with ourselves, we’ve all probably done something that wasn’t in our best interest, even though we knew better. That my friend, is self-sabotage.   Self sabotage is defined as unwanted behavior that undermines one’s goals. That unwanted behavior can range from common things like procrastination (one I’m guilty of) to more extreme behavior like excessive drinking, risky sex or worse.  To try and understand why we sometimes behave in this counterproductive way, I reached out to today’s guest, Dr. Howard Farkas. Howard’s work with self-sabotage began when he observed repeated behavior patterns while working as a health psychologist in a hospital-based, medical weight-management program. He discovered that there was an internal conflict that was the source of these self-defeating behaviors. However, these insights on self-sabotage extend far beyond that experience and into other areas such as workplace culture, productivity, motivation, habit creation, and goal setting. This was a really an eye-opening conversation for me and I think you’re going to get a lot out of it as well.  ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Howard Farkas is a clinical psychologist based in Chicago. He is the founder and president of Chicago Behavioral Health, which in the past year has become a telehealth psychotherapy practice called Equipoise Teletherapy. He is also on the faculty of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where he teaches a course on Motivation and Self-control in Health Behavior. And he’s the author of the book, 8 Keys to End Emotional Eating. SHOW NOTES: To connect with Howard: www.equipoiseteletherapy.com h-farkas@northwestern.edu https://www.linkedin.com/in/chicagobehavioralhealth/  Foundations for a Science of Personality by Andreas Angyal Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#17 - Howard Farkas - Self-Sabotage - why we undermine our own goals

IN THIS EPISODE: I think it’s fair to say that we would all like to have as much joy in our lives as we possibly can. But Life is full of highs and lows – there are events that bring us joy, and unfortunately, ones that can take it away. That’s unavoidable. The question is - once we’ve lost joy, how do we get it back?  And what role do we play? Can we influence how much joy is in our lives? Today’s guest, Linda Shively, discovered how to bounce back from loss and how to begin to restore the joy in her life. She did it by identifying and avoiding what she calls Joy Stealing Dragons. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Linda Shively has been in the Wall Street Journal, is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, and neuroscience and mindset expert.  She has presented across the country at places like the Harvard Club of Boston, the New York City Bar Association, Walmart, and Carnegie Hall.  Linda has been a multiple-time guest and a host on cable television, featured in a feature-film with Winona Ryder and Jeff Daniels, and even performed at the Rose Bowl for over 90,000 people.  After healing from an abusive marriage, and navigating the diagnosis and eventual death of her 3-year-old daughter, Linda found her way to bounce back and reclaim her joy in life. Today she helps successful women defeat the dragons in their life and elevate their joy to new levels.  Linda has studied brain and mind function for over 30 years, earning a psychobiology degree from UCLA, is a certified Master Life and Executive Coach, a Master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), a Master Hypnotherapist, and a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader. SHOW NOTES: To connect with Linda, check out her website: https://lindashively.com To identify which Joy-Stealing Dragon is most active right now go to: JoyStealingDragons.com  A gift to help you de-stress now: MyPeacefulMeditation.com INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.comYou can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#16 - Linda Shively - Slaying the Joy Stealing Dragons

IN THIS EPISODE: A recent Gallup report titled “Employee Burnout: Causes and Cures”, says that: “employee burnout is a symptom of modern workplaces that are increasingly fast-paced, complex and demanding.” The World Health Organization has recognized burnout as an illness defined as “an occupational syndrome caused by chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” The impact of this unmanaged stress is reduced productivity, disengaged workers, and increased absenteeism. And it’s been well-documented that  stress  can  cost  businesses  billions  each year in healthcare costs. How do we avoid becoming burned out? Today’s guest, Janice Litvin, has some answers. Janice is the author of “Banish Burnout” and she is on a mission to help leaders and teams to lower stress and eliminate burnout in their organizations, so their employees can be healthy, happy, and ready to work. In this episode, we discuss:  Recognizing signs of burnout so you can head it off. Some powerful strategies for managing stress for work & life. How to Set healthy boundaries to prevent burnout and ultimately, how to go from stressed out & negative to happy & healthy ABOUT OUR GUEST: Janice Litvin is on a mission to help leaders and teams banish burnout in their organizations. She does this through keynote speeches, workshops, and accountability groups. As an award-winning speaker, certified virtual presenter, and official SHRM Recertification Provider, she wants to help as many people as possible take care of their physical and mental health, including teaching them to manage stress to prevent burnout, fall in love with fitness, and eat healthier. In these ways, she is helping people change their lives. She has developed unique strategies to maximize engagement in workplace wellness and has also developed a stress management methodology available through her workbook, Banish Burnout Toolkit™. What makes Janice unique is that in addition to 20 years as a technology recruiter, 10 years of IT experience, and her studies of psychology, she has overcome all the challenges she talks about in her presentations. She went from being overweight and sedentary with a critical, negative attitude to a lighter, fitter, happier person who now teaches Zumba Fitness and leads stress management and healthy eating workshops and accountability groups. She is certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. After forming Micro Search in 1983 to help clients learn how to manage their business using a desktop computer, she became a human resource executive technology recruiter in response to her Fortune 500 clients’ needs for technology talent. Over the next twenty years, clients included Charles Schwab, Oracle, The Gap, Computer Partners, Network Appliance, QuinStreet, Symantec, Vodafone, Chiron, TheraSense, Nokia, Borland, United States Army, Pacific Gas & Electric and Pacific Bell. Janice has served on the Workplace Wellness Committee of the American Heart Association and spoken on their behalf to San Francisco Bay Area organizations. She is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, WELCOA (Wellness Council of America), and SHRM Northern California (Society for Human Resource Management). In 2017 she formed the Bay Area Wellness Association. In addition to SHRM Nor Cal, Janice has worked with a range of other clients to present wellness workshops and programs, including PIHRA (Professionals in Human Resources Association), CAL SAE (California Society of Association Executives), Coral Reef Alliance, San Mateo Unified High School District, WellRight, Minnesota State SHRM Council, NCHRA (Next Concept Human Resources Association), First Republic Bank, Robert Half, Cities of Walnut Creek and Sunnyvale, and US HHS. SHOW NOTES: Find out more about Janice at: www.JaniceLitvin.com To get your free copy of the “Banish Burnout Toolkit” go to: www.JaniceLitvin.com/resources For more on “Morning Pages” check out “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.comYou can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#15 - Janice Litvin - Banish Burnout

IN THIS EPISODE: When we talk about creating a more human workplace we often focus on bringing your whole self to work. In this episode, we bring that idea to the world of innovation by looking at it through the lens of both masculine and feminine energy. Slight spoiler here, to be successful at innovation you need to use both but unfortunately, many individuals and many organizations, only focus on just one of those. Today’s guest, Fabienne Jacquet, embodies the duality and contradictions of the masculine and the feminine. At a time when the sciences were dominated by men, she graduated from the Institut National Polytechnique in Toulouse, France with a Docteur d'Etat (or PhD) in Organic Chemistry. She had a long and successful career as a scientist, working with prestigious companies such as Colgate-Palmolive. She has also been able to bring her femininity, and her passion for disruptive innovation, to help her clients discover creative and sustainable solutions to their business problems. Fabienne has just authored a book, “Venus Genius – The female prescription for innovation” to shine a light on, and to celebrate, the duality of the feminine and the masculine in everyone. And she dares us to activate both energies so that we can create meaningful innovation that brings true value to the world. So, get ready for an exciting and fresh take on the topic of innovation with today’s guest: Fabienne Jacquet. ABOUT OUR GUEST: While she was by no means predestined for the sciences, Fabienne Jacquet, a natural born rebel, graduated as Docteur d'Etat (PhD) in Organic Chemistry from Institut National Polytechnique in Toulouse, France. Fabienne has a successful career as a scientist and innovator who has worked with prestigious companies including Colgate-Palmolive. She brings her fearlessness and resilience to all that she sets her mind to, including her own company, INNOVEVE®, dedicated to bringing feminine DNA to the progression of innovation. She is always dreaming up fresh, fun and dynamic ideas in the name of celebrating female empowerment and the evolution of innovative thought. SHOW NOTES: For more information about Fabienne and her company, you can visit: www.innoveve.com. Her book: Venus Genius: the Female Prescription for Innovation, is now available! Check it out on Amazon and other platforms (Kobo, Barnes & Noble). And if you like it, please post a review on Amazon or on Goodreads. INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.comYou can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_  ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.  

#14 - Fabienne Jacquet - Venus Genius

IN THIS EPISODE: Elaine and I explore building more diverse, inclusive, and productive organizations by improving our communication, making conscious choices, and through the power of curiosity. We also discuss the impact of assumptions and unconscious bias on our perspectives and the need to have the difficult conversations that lead to growth and transformation. ABOUT OUR GUEST: A 6’5″ 250-pound man once looked at Elaine Pasqua standing at 5’3″ and said: “You are the biggest little thing I’ve ever seen!” For 25 years this funny, passionate, and energetic woman has been traversing the country, helping her clients obtain peak performance through positive relationships and choices. She has worked with countless businesses and associations, 31 professional sports teams across the NFL, NBA, and MLB, hundreds of college campuses, our military leaders, and high schools and parent groups. Elaine has been featured in USA Today, NY 1 News, Time Warner TV, NPR, NBC Sports Radio, CBS Sports, and Knight Ridder News Service. She is an author, columnist, and producer and director of public service videos. Her passion lies in transforming people to create stronger, innovative teams to increase business profits. When Elaine is not traveling for fun, or singing with friends, you can find her home in her gardens with plenty of dirt under her fingernails! SHOW NOTES: To connect with Elaine, check out her website: ElainePasqua.com, You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.comYou can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#13 - Elaine Pasqua - Conscious Choices and the Power of Curiosity

IN THIS EPISODE: They say it’s a wise person that learns from their own mistakes and it’s an even wiser person who is able to learn from the mistakes of others. Of course, all of this wisdom comes easier if you have someone willing to share the mistakes they’ve made and what they’ve learned from them.  Today’s guest, Ed Rigsbee, is going to do just that: share the wisdom he’s gained over a nearly 4 decade long career. For many years now, Ed has been amassing many universal truths about business and life and he’s collected these bits of wisdom into a project he’s calling Life’s Little Blue Playbook. Ed’s going to share some those hard earned lessons with us today, including: That there’s something more important to success than being right How to get the best (and avoid the worst) from your people The value of Relationship Bank Deposits What he learned at the sunglasses display at the Park Pharmacy in Paso Robles, CA And we end with the 3 great words that will change your life.   SHOW NOTES: To connect with Ed, go to his website: https://rigsbee.com/, on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edrigsbee/ , check on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/edrigsbee or to sign up on his mailing list, email him at: edrigsbee@gmail.com INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.comYou can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#12 - Ed Rigsbee - Life's Little Blue Playbook

IN THIS EPISODE: Today’s guest is a friend and colleague, Anne Archer.  Anne is based in the UK and is Director of Anne Archer Associates Limited.  She has over 20 years’ of experience in coaching and holds a number of degrees and certifications in coaching and mental health including approval to deliver Adult Mental Health First Aid. It’s Anne’s most recent work in the mental health field that is the focus of today’s conversation.  We spoke about:  The necessity of understanding the whole person and the interrelatedness of mental, emotional and physical health  How we can use the 5 Fundamental Building Blocks of Mental Health to maintain a healthy mental state How to manage the drains and negative impacts that can reduce our mental health capacity The impact of COVID and working virtually over the long term As well as the power of listening in being able to help others with their mental health and wellness Anne has a lot of really valuable insights that can help you, a co-worker or perhaps someone you love and I’m excited for her to be able to share them with you today. SHOW NOTES: To connect with Anne & learn more about her work, go to her website: https://annearcherassociates.com INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work on SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/fliplucca and find him on Twitter: @FlipLucca. ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#11 - Anne Archer - Maintaining Mental Health

IN THIS EPISODE: Today were going to discuss one of my favorite topics which is neuroscience and the study of the brain!  About 20 years ago I was introduced to neuroscience through the lens of how it applied to coaching, training and leadership development. This understanding of neuroscience instantly gave me a context for why a particular development approach worked well and why another didn’t. I found that when the approach sync’d with how the brain works it was successful, when it ran counter it almost always failed. It changed the way I trained and coached. And ever since, I’m always on the lookout to increase my knowledge and understanding of neuroscience.  Needless to say, I was really intrigued when I heard a friend use the phrase “brain myths” during a conversation. Ooh, tell me more!  So let me step back a bit for a minute and tell you about my friend. Jess Walcott is an assistant professor at Bucks County Community College where she teaches neuroscience and biology. Her undergraduate work at Bryn Mawr College was in chemistry and psychology but she then went on to complete a Ph.D. in neuropharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, Jess began a career as a medical writer working on regulatory submissions for new drugs and writing publications in scientific journals which she found more gratifying that running her own experiments. On a lark, she began teaching biology at Bucks and realized this was WAY more engaging than sitting at a computer analyzing patient data. These days her focus is completely on teaching where she concentrates on boosting scientific literacy and getting messy doing real experiments.  Back to brain myths.   As as a fun and  interesting way of pulling together the learning for her students at the end of the semester, Jess challenges them to identify a myth about the brain and then explain why it’s not true. There are many beliefs about the brain that we commonly believe are true, when in fact they’re not. What are we talking about here? You know things like there are left-brained and right-brained people. That the brain works like a computer. Another one is very common is the belief that we only use 10% of our brains. Of course a favorite of mine, and apparently of Jess’ students is the myth that drinking alcohol can kill brain cells.  Jess and I sat down to discuss these brain myths and others and to get into some of the science that underlies these fallacies and if there are parts of them that might in fact be a little bit true. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Jess is an adjunct professor at Bucks County Community College where she gets to learn along with her students in neuroscience and biology. Although she majored in chemistry and psychology for her undergraduate work at Bryn Mawr College, she studied neurodegeneration in an inherited form of muscular atrophy to complete her Ph.D. in neuropharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, Jess began a career as a medical writer working on regulatory submissions for new drugs and writing publications in scientific journals which she found more gratifying that running her own experiments. On a lark, she began teaching biology at Bucks and realized this was WAY more engaging than sitting at a computer analyzing patient data. These days her focus is completely on teaching where she concentrates on boosting scientific literacy and getting messy doing real experiments. Outside of the classroom, Jess serves on the board of directors for a residential summer camp and volunteers at an organic farm. Jess also has two boys who provide her with countless opportunities to marvel at the wonders of the developing brain. INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at: http://chrisluccamusic.comand find him on Twitter:@Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_ ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#10 - Jess Walcott - Brain Myths

IN THIS EPISODE: Bias. You may think you’re immune to it - but you’re not. We all have biases and they come from a multitude of sources which accumulate over the course of our lives. These biases impact how each of us view the world, our decision making processes and how we interact with others. The impact of bias is felt everywhere - in the workplace, the classroom, and in our larger society. Unfortunately, we’re often unaware of our biases, hence the term “unconscious bias”.  But what can we do about unconscious bias - after all, it’s unconscious, right? On the surface it might seem hopeless but luckily, there are strategies to manage unconscious bias and its impacts. To explore the options and opportunities, I asked an expert in unconscious bias to join us on today’s podcast. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Glenda Gracia-Rivera is the Director of Professional Development and Training at the Center for Women & Work, Rutgers University. Glenda’s work focuses on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion in education and corporate industries through professional development, leadership training, curriculum development, student programming, and provision of technical assistance. In addition to this, she also has an extensive background in program development and management. Prior to coming to the Center for Women & Work, Glenda was with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families in their Office of Education. She has also worked for the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey in Trenton, and FOCUS Hispanic Community Center in Newark, where she was responsible for implementing various human service and youth development programs. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, and a Master of Public Administration in non-profit management from Seton Hall University.  Outside of her responsibilities at Rutgers, Glenda is also engaged in various volunteer efforts that focus on women/girls, education, and underserved communities. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Mercer Street Friends in Trenton and serves as the Chairperson for their Governance Committee. For the past 28 years she has also proudly served in various leadership roles for her sorority Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. whose mission is to “Educate, Elevate, and Empower” all women.  SHOW NOTES: To connect with Glenda or learn more about her work go to: https://smlr.rutgers.edu/faculty-staff/glenda-gracia-rivera.  INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work on SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/fliplucca and find him on Twitter: @FlipLucca. ABOUT THE HOST: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#09 - Glenda Gracia-Rivera - The Impact of Unconscious Bias

In this Episode: Even for experienced job-seekers the process of recruiting, and what recruiters actually do, can be a mystery. One that can often lead to confusion, anxiety and unmet expectations. To provide some clarity and guidance, I spoke with experienced recruiter Ed Han about what recruiters actually do, how job requirements come together and some tips for job-seekers to improve their chances of landing the job. About our Guest: Ed Han is a recruiter and job seeker ally with a passion for networking and helping professionals return to the workforce. As a veteran of several industries, including publishing, financial services and software, Ed has a keen understanding of, and appreciation for, the skills and traits valued in a wide range of environments, regulated and otherwise. Although he came to recruiting six years and change ago, Ed finds fulfillment professionally as a recruiter, and that the diversity of his prior work experience is a great boon in connecting with people from a broad range of industries and experience. Active in his community, Ed helps facilitate the job search group NJ JobSeekers in Princeton NJ, has previously served as the Executive Chair of the PSG of Mercer County, and as the online community manager for the HR networking group Whine & Dine. Since autumn 2017 he is also an adjunct instructor at Princeton Adult School where he leads a course about LinkedIn. Ed holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Albright College (Reading, PA) awarded in 1993. Ed is also an avid social media fiend. Show Notes: To connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmhan/  Insight at Work Podcast theme music: Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris' work on SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/fliplucca and find him on Twitter: @FlipLucca. About the Host: Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

#08: Ed Han - Peering Behind the Curtain

I talk with top performers in diverse fields of work to uncover their secrets to success. We explore the insights and breakthroughs that have changed the way they work and, at times, how those insights that have transformed the way they live their lives. Along the way, we’ll also delve into topics like: leadership, teamwork, communication, mentoring & coaching, stress and time management and conversational intelligence. And just generally, how to make work, and life, more productive, engaging and rewarding.

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Insight at Work with Ken Blackwell

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