What's Next Now!

Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation as Rebecca Reeder navigates the intersections of faith, technology, and ethics, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscape of AI and its profound impact on our society. And hear about ‘What’s Next Now’ for Rebecca as she reflects  on authenticity, alignment, and the pursuit of a fulfilling career. 

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What is it like to fund a startup as a private investor or as part of a private equity firm? 

What is it like to be a founder–the roller coaster journey from idea conception to gaining customers and making it to minimal viable product (MVP) and beyond? 

Join me this week as I sit down with Dr. Ayhan Cetiner, the owner of Elite Orthopedic and Sports Therapy. Ayhan’s core beliefs:  you’ve only got one body, so empower it to last you a long time; you have to put in the reps and work so make time for it; it isn’t all about how much weight you lift or how many marathons you conquer.

Before diving into our personal journey, Ayhan provides insights into his background as a physical therapist, including the role that chance encounters can play in what you end up doing, over and over again. Spoiler alert:  he never intended on becoming a physical therapist. 

We explore the crucial element of genuine care in Ayhan's approach to his clients, discussing the challenges faced in the corporate world, where numbers often take precedence over individualized care. And how as a founder you reach many crossroads to decide ‘if’ and ‘how’ you want to scale the business you birthed. None of it is automatic or always clear.

Ayhan sheds light on the importance of building relationships and the impact of reducing pain on the dynamics of that relationship. 

And if you take that in a different direction, it is about solving problems and (reducing pain) and lessening friction in any relationship we are in. Maybe feeling better in our own body can help with that?

The episode wraps up with Ayhan reflecting on the future of his practice and What's Next Now  for him. Very cool what Ayhan has decided:  despite external pressures to expand, he remains committed to the personalized approach that defines his current success.

Ayhan's dedication to his clients, coupled with his reluctance to compromise one-on-one relationships, sets the tone for a thought-provoking exploration of the soul of his business. Join us in this episode as we challenge preconceptions about physical therapy and highlight the transformative power of personalized, caring healthcare.

Episode Highlights: [0:57] - My guest today is Ayhan Cetiner, owner of Elite orthopedic and Sports Therapy.

[1:25] - Ayhan fills us in on some background information about himself.[3:04] - After reflecting on his post-school journey, Ayhan started as a tech and discovered physical therapy.[6:00] - Ayhan explains that after returning to his previous job, now under a larger company, he prioritized quality patient care.[7:59] - Hear why Ayhan values one-on-one care.[9:37] - Building unique, impactful relationships in one-on-one healthcare, Ayhan focuses on reducing pain and empowering individuals.[11:50] - I commend Ayhan's approach to personalized pain resolution and feel that he would bring the same caring approach to a different profession as well.[13:08] - Ayhan shares a funny story involving a client's back pain from a thick wallet.[16:55] - I express how Ayhan's dedication to educating clients sets him apart, as teaching about muscles and promoting mobility is crucial.[17:53] - People who sit often develop muscle tightness; even regular exercisers tend to neglect crucial stretching.[19:47] - Ayhan touches upon how a 70-year-old, reflecting with a college athlete, would likely emphasize body maintenance, mobility, and endurance.[21:53] - The remarkable resilience of a 70-year-old body, exemplified in a client's progress, highlights underestimated capabilities.[24:49] - Focusing on physical concerns, Ayhan provides extensive education and personalize well-being to individual goals.[27:10] - Ayhan prioritizes making therapy relevant, addressing mobility, flexibility, and strength, and focusing on positive possibilities.[29:19] - What's next now for Ayhan?[32:41] - Ayhan reveals how listeners can get in touch with him.[33:49] - Changing how therapy is perceived, Ayhan aims to make it accessible, educational, and empowering.

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My conversation today is with the incredible Tracey Madigan, media training expert and director of the 15 Minutes Group in Washington, D.C.

Our connection was instant, that rare feeling when you know you've found someone whose energy and approach are similar to your own and their story resonates deeply.

Listen as Tracey shares her remarkable journey, from a career in Canadian journalism to navigating the dynamic landscape of Washington, D.C. as her husband became a White House correspondent.

We explore the unexpected turns that led her from a  pivotal role as an executive producer for a business show in D.C to her current role as Senior Partner with the 15 Minutes Group. 

What especially stands out about Tracey is her passion for helping brilliant minds communicate effectively. She shares invaluable insights based on media training, emphasizing the art of concise, impactful communication.

The anecdotes she provides-like helping a caterer deliver a compelling talk on food waste when the caterer had hoped to know more about the topic before presenting-showcase her unique approach in helping clients eliminate self-doubt and foster authentic connections.  

Tracey and I also delve into the broader impact of media training beyond interviews, discussing how these skills resonate in negotiations, interpersonal relationships, and everyday professional communication.

Tracey's ability to uncover patterns and provide small, impactful tools for improvement is truly transformative, and we also explore the challenges of returning to in-person communication post-pandemic. Tracey's expertise proves invaluable as we discuss the universal benefits of effective communication honed through media training, and the impact this training can have in both business and our personal lives. 

Tune in to this enlightening conversation with someone whose passion simply glows. Whether you're an entrepreneur, communicator, or simply someone looking for inspiration, you're in for a treat as Tracey and I uncover what's next now!

Episode Highlights: [1:30] - Tracey shares having embarked from Canadian journalism to CBC and how she navigated unexpected shifts in Washington, D.C.[4:24] - After CBC Montreal, Tracey produced a business show in D.C., leading to media passion pursuits.[7:01] - Meeting brilliant individuals, including researchers and authors, Tracey assists in packaging their content for effective communication.[8:44] - Emphasizing clarity as kindness, Tracey helps individuals express themselves while maintaining authenticity.

[10:12] - When speaking to students, teachers focus on what's received, ensuring clarity, and similarly, presenters should prioritize audience understanding to reduce nerves.

[12:03] - Tracey argues that emotionally mapping your talk engages the audience, allowing authentic expression and enhancing connection.

[14:24] - Tracey shares a story of someone acknowledging her audience's expertise, overcoming speaking nerves.

[16:41] - Tracey shares how years as a TV and radio journalist taught her how to guide interviews.

[19:39] - People often share communication hurdles, stemming from past experiences or fear of judgment, but coaching can address these barriers.

[21:37] - Media training's skills extend beyond journalism, benefiting negotiations, relationships, and professional communication.

[22:58] - What’s next now for Tracey?

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Today’s conversation is with Carlos Santana, a remarkable individual.  I've had the privilege of knowing Carlos for a couple of years through our involvement in Google VetNet panels during Veteran's Day week, and every time we talk, I'm inspired by his story.

Carlos’ career is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting as a captain in the Army after graduating from West Point, his path took unexpected turns, leading him to diverse assignments, including counter-narcotics operations and managing satellites in Germany. Today, he holds a pivotal role as the Director of Business Analytics at the Disney Company in New York City.

Throughout our conversation, Carlos shares the twists and turns that guided his career choices, emphasizing how he has had to manage uncertainty. He highlights the blend of volunteering, luck, and determination that brought him to where he is today, and we dive deep into the challenges faced by veterans transitioning into civilian life, especially in the technology and entertainment sectors.

Carlos sheds light on the progress made in fostering diversity and inclusion, emphasizing the pivotal role of aligning personal interests with organizational culture. His insights on continuous learning, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning, are invaluable for anyone navigating the evolving landscape of technology.

Join me as we explore Carlos Santana's remarkable journey, filled with strategic choices, personal growth, and the unwavering commitment to delivering value. This episode is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities, continuous education, and finding the right team that invests in your growth. Carlos's story is a masterclass in carving out your path in the corporate world so you can manage your uncertainty and thrive! 

Episode Highlights: 

[01:38] - Carlos shares how he navigated military assignments, luck, and networking to transition into federal consulting.

[3:01] - Carlos honed interview skills, adapting military experience to civilian job market demands.

[4:26] - During uncertainty, Carlos seized opportunities, landed an embassy project, pursued the MBA, and pivoted to the commercial sector.

[6:01] - Carlos argues that any degree opens doors, facilitating opportunities and networking for career growth.

[7:26] - Identify gaps, address challenges, leverage education, and seize opportunities for strategic career growth.

[10:38] - Carlos emphasizes addressing diversity gaps, leveraging military networks, and offering coaching support for professional growth.

[13:22] - Carlos values ongoing training, certification, and practical experience for career advancement and resume building.

[15:03] - Carlos feels that understanding business context is key; focus on role, manager, and personal growth.

[16:56] - Carlos encourages us to evaluate company culture, team support, and growth plans.

[19:06] - What’s next now for Carlos?

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Make it stick:  your message and your presence. How do you do that these days?  I’m not even talking about LinkedIn or other social media. How about when you are actually face to face with another person? With all the competing requirements for their attention-some known and many unknown to you-how do you build a relationship with someone that sticks?

I found some answers to these questions in the third and final conversation from my mini-series discussion  with Nick Sinai and Marina Nitze, authors of the book Hack Your Bureaucracy: Get Things Done No Matter What Your Role on Any Team, a book that I found so poignant and captivating.

Marina, former Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Nick, a key player in the Obama administration, share their insights into building authentic relationships within large organizations, including the government. They emphasize the importance of understanding people's motivations, fears, and career aspirations (something I call, MFC) to help them achieve their goals. 

Throughout my own career in sales, leadership and coaching the golden rule is to understand the MFC and express a sincere appreciation to each person who chooses to share. Across multiple relationships, this begins to form a web of people who become connected and willing to reach a new goal. Whether inside or outside the company or agency, they become willing to work through disagreements to achieve results and many times to create what often becomes a great new service, product or company. One of my takeaways from the book is that the awareness of MFC and then putting it into action are the foundation for Making It Stick whether practiced individually or by a team. 

We highlight Marina’s incredibly innovative "Grilled Cheese Club” (yes, you can form one too!) approach where individuals from different parts of an organization come together to foster collaboration and understanding, overcoming bureaucratic obstacles in a low-key and informal way. Best to do this in person if possible and don’t forget the cheese! 

The discussion turns to the provocative concept of "stabbing people in the chest,” which in practice is nothing like what it sounds like. It means being open and honest with detractors about disagreements to build trust and transparency so that when it does come time to gain agreement on an initiative or program, you can make it stick. In practice, this means navigating bureaucratic challenges and fostering relationships, even with those with whom we disagree. Think about the last part of that sentence: ‘even with those with whom we disagree’. As I work with coaching clients, customers and partners, I have learned something really inspiring:  the art of disagreeing and then reaching compromise is something many people crave to learn more about and practice in their life and work. 

In addition, our discussion touches upon the value of playing the long game and exploring career opportunities that go beyond just traditional paths, where Nick and Marina stress the importance of earning trust and demonstrating excellence before taking such leaps. In my own career as well as those of clients, this is the number one rule and we pair it up to the practice of, ‘give to get’. 

I hope that you will join the conversation as we wrap up this mini-series and as Marina Nitze and Nick Sinai provide valuable lessons on navigating bureaucracy and driving change, all while leaving a meaningful impact on organizations and society.

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Following up on this three-part mini-series with Nick Sinai and Marina Nitze, I bring you part 2 from their book Hack Your Bureaucracy.  I have to say, this book has truly struck a chord with me. The stories are compelling and based on wisdom gained from hacking bureaucracies in both the private and public sectors. What really sets it apart is its practical approach; at the end of each chapter, there are actionable takeaways that bridge the gap between theory and real-world implementation. 

It's like a workbook that tells you exactly how to apply what you've learned! The content applies to getting things done no matter what your role on any team (starting, growing, scaling). 

In this episode, we are delving into some really incredible stories from the book focused on pitching and momentum-crafting your message and gaining support. 

One that especially caught my attention was Marina's journey with a paperclip and bar code readers (yes, true) at the Department of Veterans Affairs, a testament to how small innovations can spark significant change within a complex system. 

Nick discusses the tremendous staying power of the one-pager. We also discuss adapting to shifts in leadership and aligning pitches with evolving visions from new leaders to maintain momentum. It's about finding common ground and speaking the language that resonates with decision-makers.

The next part of the discussion coming to you in September will focus on the critical aspect of building and sustaining change to achieve tangible results. We are going to pull it all together in this final show of the series. 

It's incredible how just three simple words, "I see you," can profoundly impact our business and personal relationships. As leaders-whether starting a company, leading a division or playing a key member role-it's crucial to understand the value of these words. Using them effectively can create deeper connections with those around us:  customers, colleagues and strategic partners and these deeper connections are crucial in this environment. Inspiration for the story today came from a personal experience when I was the first to arrive on a video call (one of several in a row). As I asked if anyone could see me, another guest responded and included those three magic words, "Yes, Gary. I see you." It left a lasting impression and showed me the power of acknowledging someone's presence much more profoundly than, ‘yes, I’ll be right there’. Or, ‘running just a minute late, hang on please’. Right!

But "I see you" is more than just a physical acknowledgment. It's about recognizing someone's worth and building stronger relationships. In South Africa's Northern Natal region, the tribes greet each other with "Sawubona," which means "I see you." It's about acknowledging someone's value beyond their physical being. It's about  more than words of politeness, Sawubona carries the importance of recognizing the worth and dignity of each person. Wow. So I began to wonder:  is there a way to bring the value and weight of this saying into the digital domain? Can the depth of this greeting be useful in a business setting? Can this greeting help us with our humanness as distinct from our AI? 

To answer these questions I created four pillars to help you harness the power of "I see you" in your business and personal life (which are inextricably connected), and they are;I.   Seeing and Leading Yourself (how you show up in business online and in person),

II.  Leading others, three behaviors are key to a leader who is ‘seen’ and ‘sees others’,

III. Expanding your organizational impact by educating and influencing others, 

IV. Expanding your career by seeing others and creating your portable tribe. 

By recognizing someone's worth and connecting with them on a deeper level-even in business settings-you can turbocharge your communication and transform your relationships in ways you might never have dared imagine, and there create unusually high business impact.  

In a day and time when we are all both excited and yet anxious about integrating the many roles of AI into helping us be our best human beings, we hold the absolute power in our unique human form of recognizing the value in each other, one person at a time. We can truly see what no machine can see. 

Let's make those around us feel more fully seen with the power of "I see you," and join me on this journey to see and be seen!

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Layoffs happen. Most likely, you either have already or will experience a layoff during your career. When they occur, you have no control over when or how they happen. Being blindsided by a layoff can be devastating, depending on how prepared you may be to handle it.

I've worked at 7 seven companies where layoffs occurred and have been laid off at 4 of those companies. I've also had to be the person to carry out the layoffs and terminate people. Being on both sides of the layoff, I have been taught the value of always being prepared; always having a parachute if you get pushed out of the airplane while in flight.

Being prepared means knowing how to Pack Your Parachute and carry it with you at all times ready if you get laid off, change companies, or if funding dries up. In the show today I walk you through:

1. Dealing with the loss and grief of being laid off, losing friends and colleagues.

2. How to move into grief, including a breathing exercise, during the initial loss.

3. The three steps of packing your parachute which include rest and recovery, re-connecting and then finally reformulating yourself in a new way and restarting your career.

I also talk about the inside company re-connection and how a "side hustle" within your company can be beneficial.

Ultimately, packing your parachute builds the muscle of resilience–the core strength needed to use your parachute one or more times over the course of your career!

Episode Highlights:

[04:35] As of this recording, Google has just laid off 12,000 people. Microsoft also laid off 10,000 people. Before that, Amazon also laid off a large number of people.

[05:13] Layoffs aren't uncommon. They are cyclical. This is why people need to be able to pack their own parachute.

[05:41] It's also important to be where you are and grieve the loss.

[06:27] The five stages of grief include shock and denial, anger, depression, detachment, and the final stage of acceptance.

[08:28] You can invoke the eight second breathing technique to deal with these stages of grief.

[08:52] Inhale for eight seconds. Hold your breath for one second. Exhale for eight seconds.

[09:10] This is about the amount of time that it takes to shift your body from the sympathetic or fight or flight reaction to parasympathetic which takes you out of the fight or flight.

[12:11] You have to rest and recover before you move on to anything else when packing your parachute. Develop a practice of rest and recovery throughout the day.

[13:21] When you move on to dialogue and bargaining and reaching out to others is when you begin to reconnect. You begin to appreciate your new opportunity to move forward.

[14:55] I share a story about when I wanted to move from selling hardware to software after a layoff.

[17:07] The “inside the company” reconnection. This is a side hustle inside the company. I want to be connected across disciplines and operating units. It's an opportunity to go deeper and wider inside the company.

[18:42] The final stage of grief is acceptance. This is when you restructure and restart who and how you are going to be in the career portion of your life.

[19:33] The layoff may have actually been a bit of a gift and an opening. Use this time to reformat and restructure your work.

[20:08] Ultimately, packing your parachute builds the muscle of resilience.

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Have you taken a leap lately? Many of us want to take a leap-in our business or personal lives-or may even be forced to these days? These leaps can come as unexpected shocks or amazing opportunities to invent something brand new for ourselves! I took a leap recently by having Gay Hendricks on What’s Next Now and want to share our energetic conversation with you.

I call Gay Hendricks ‘a life practitioner’ and ‘holder-back of nothing’. I’ve just been on a three-plus month journey diving into some of his work, including The Big Leap, The Genius Zone, and Conscious Luck. If you aren’t already familiar with his work, you’ll be on the road to becoming a fan after listening to this episode. He shares so much wisdom on work, life, and relationships and the surprising intersection of all three.

We kick off the show by talking about the critical importance of breath as a gateway to our emotions. We learn about how in the bedroom, the living room and the boardroom things work basically the same way. Most of us have an allergy to things going well for a very long time.  Gay discusses how we can conquer self-sabotage and get back on track to overcome our upper limit problem (ULP) and actually achieve all we hope to and then some. Gay also shares how to discover your genius zone and the mindset shift that can create conscious luck. This is a great episode filled with life-changing wisdom. So go ahead:  Take a Leap today by listening to this episode on What’s Next Now!

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It is the word ‘Dare’ in the new book by Dalia Feldheim, ‘Dare To Lead Like a Girl’ that is the most provocative. What does that mean? How do Girls Lead? They show up, they play hard and they win! But they do it somewhat differently than most men and therein lies the lessons for all of us.

In our 35 minute conversation, Dalia talks about some of the science and research behind why women have a different emotional reaction to anger and other triggers  in the workplace than men do. The story continues and covers why men are more prone to get into action and fix things while women are more skilled at just sitting and listening before action. Sound familiar? Dalia also shares facts and possible solutions for the alarming drop in empathy from college graduates, new entrants to the workforce and many of us in the workplace today. When it comes to inspirational as well as functional leadership, there’s a lot men can learn from women and Dalia shares ways we can all gain from each other to build strong and more resilient organizations.

Episode Highlights:

[02:46] Dalia shares credit for the successful #LikeAGirl marketing campaign with all of the marketing directors, but her inspiration came from the women of India and a girl she saw using light from passing cars to read outside at night.

[03:46] She also shares a sad story about an in-home visit in India where a girl on her period was treated as unclean. Dalia was so disturbed by the experience that she wanted to do something about it.

[05:39] Dalia has a passion for women's empowerment and wanted to use the P & G brand voice to talk about these issues. This is when they came up with the "Touch the Pickle" campaign.

[06:50] #PlayLikeAGirl turned an insult into a women's empowerment icon. It's important to use our voice to better the world no matter what business we're in.

[08:35] In Dare to Lead Like a Girl, there are the five P's of leadership. The last two are people and positivity.

[09:36] Emotional bravery is about accepting that emotions are part of being human and bringing emotions to the workplace in an appropriate way.

[11:20] Women have a tendency to sit with empathy longer than men. Men revert to problem-solving much faster.

[13:35] Only 7% of our message is actually driven by what we say. 93% is how we say it. We need to share emotions in a way that doesn't completely overwhelm.

[15:40] A trick for having more empathy by listening more or thinking about how listen equals silence. Leaders and parents need to create space not fill it.

[17:26] In leadership training, we learn soft skills which are actually strengths. Data shows that EQ is responsible for 66% of success as managers and 85% as leaders.

[21:36] Seven countries led by women leaders had better outcomes during the pandemic than countries led by men. With our changing environment, we need more historically female qualities like empathy and teamwork.

[25:46] Dare to Lead Like a Girl isn't about masculine or feminine. It's about all of us connecting with traits that have been historically feminine.

[28:13] After Dalia's TED Talk, she received many calls and reactions. She even received a call from a man in Australia who said he was a bully and seeking advice.

[29:05] Love is always stronger than fear. When you operate with love, the results are always ten times stronger.

[33:33] Dalia is on a mission to help leaders have better people skills.

[34:09] Uppiness is a game that celebrates Dalia's leadership course.

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Here we are in 2021 and can really take a look at how technology and human behavior are changing what we expect from work, how we work and where we work-in the future and importantly, right now-today!

Alexander Titus has biked 3,000+ miles from Alaska to Silicon Valley, worked as a recruiter at Box, picked up a PhD in Biomedical Data Sciences and is now  Chief Strategy Officer at ARMI.  Here's the crazy thing...that's not even the full list!

What’s  so great about the guy I call The Mighty Titus (you'll hear why in the episode) is the humility and quiet determination he uses to create each step of his career and in his public-private leadership roles. In his episode you will hear new attitudes and approaches you can use:  like rather than denying inevitable failure, thinking of it as, ‘not yet succeeded’.