Becoming Your Best | The Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

Is it possible to balance the demands of daily operations with the need for ongoing innovation?  In this episode, the extraordinary Robyn Bolton explains why innovation is much more than the buzzword most leaders think it is. Robyn is the Founder and Chief Navigator of MileZero, created to help companies innovate confidently, and a leading expert in corporate innovation strategies who honed her skills working for giants like Procter & Gamble and BCG.   Throughout this episode, you'll hear Robyn's thoughts on the importance of innovation in both personal and professional settings. Robyn shares insights on overcoming leadership challenges that stifle innovation, fostering a culture that embraces new ideas, and balancing the demands of daily operations with the need for long-term innovation.   Plus, we explore how fear and reward systems impact innovation efforts, what makes companies fail, treat innovation as a business, and much more.  Tune in to Episode 444 of Becoming Your Best and discover why innovation is a catalyst for success. Learn Robyn's actionable strategies to foster a culture of creativity, overcome common leadership obstacles, and create new revenue streams through innovation.   Some Questions I Ask: What are the things leaders do that kill innovation, and what can they do to overcome those obstacles? (9:40) What advice can you give us to make good judgments and "weather the storms"? (24:40)  In This Episode, You Will Learn: A bit about Robyn's background (4:40) What is disruptive innovation (7:00) How can leaders overcome things that destroy innovation (13:10) Three things innovative leaders do (16:30)  Connect with Robyn Bolton: Website LinkedIn  Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: support@becomingyourbest.com  Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety 

What is etiquette's role in maintaining professionalism and respect in business and social interactions?Understanding and being aware of etiquette can significantly enhance personal and professional interactions, especially in multicultural contexts. Mastering direct or indirect communications can be crucial to fostering stronger relationships and successful outcomes.In this episode, Jamila Musayeva teaches us everything we need to know about the impact of etiquette on building successful relationships. Jamila is a Certified Etiquette Consultant, Author, and Content Creator with a profound knowledge of diplomatic protocol and refined behavior. Her YouTube channel has over 1 million subscribers, and she stands as one of the world's most esteemed and accomplished international personal development coaches.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about the differences between direct and indirect communication and the nuances of meeting etiquette across cultures. You'll also gain valuable insights on how to navigate international business interactions, enhance your professionalism, and build stronger, more respectful relationships in both personal and professional environments.Tune in to Episode 443 of Becoming Your Best and discover how mastering etiquette can elevate your personal and professional interactions, navigate cultural nuances, and build respectful and successful relationships.Some Questions I Ask:Tell us about your books and how they can be of help in mastering etiquette (7:00)Can you explain the difference between direct and indirect communication styles, and how these styles can impact business interactions in different cultures? (10:00)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Who is Jamila Musayeva and how she got interested in etiquette (3:20)How cultural differences affect communication styles (1300)About cultural nuances in business communication (17:20)The most common business etiquette mistakes (24:00)How to stick to etiquette and good manners in personal and professional settings (29:40)Connect with Jamila Musayeva:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramTikTokGet Jamila's books!Becoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.com Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Many think being empathic is agreeing with everything others think or finding common ground. Others go even further and label empathy as a weakness.Yet, in reality, listening and considering others' points of view without defensiveness, fear, or ego takes a lot of strength. Empathy is about connection, not conversion.In this episode, the brilliant Maria Ross invites us to challenge and resignify what it means to be an empathetic leader. Maria is a TEDx and Keynote Speaker, Business Expert, Entrepreneur, Podcast Host, and Author who helps leaders across the globe to improve their companies' cultures and make the world a better place while they turn a healthy profit. Throughout this episode, we discuss the significance of empathy in leadership, its role in accelerating a company's growth and impact, and its influence on how quick teams connect and engage. Maria also talks about the five pillars of becoming an empathetic leader, why it is so hard yet crucial to balance empathy with accountability and performance, the role of effective communication in inclusive cultures, and much more. Tune in to Episode 442 of Becoming Your Best and discover how to become a stronger leader by embracing Maria Ross' unique perspective on empathy.Some Questions I Ask:How do you define empathy, and what's the role it plays in the workplace? (6:40)How can you really take a breath and rather than just start talking, be empathic and listen? (15:00)In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Maria's first steps in becoming an empathy expert (4:00)The five pillars of becoming an empathetic leader (10:30)Curiosity is the number one trait of empathetic people (17:00)Empathy is not a weakness; it demands a lot of strength (21:40)Can empathy become a habit? (25:00)Connect with Maria Ross:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramThe Empathy Edge PodcastBook: Maria Ross - The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal BoundariesBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.com Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Spiraling into the depths of our negative thoughts is easier than we think, especially when things don't work out as we planned. Still, we are the ones with better chances of talking ourselves out of the darkest places our mind can take us: "The biggest and best person we have to learn how to communicate well with is ourselves."In this episode, we uncover the secrets of deeper and lasting wellness guided by the incredible Dr. Monica Vermani. Growing up in a household where the circumstances forced her to become a caregiver, Dr. Vermani feels the medical field chose her and not the other way around. She is a Clinical Psychologist, Founder, TEDx Speaker, Author, and passionate Mental Health and Wellness advocate. In her practice, "Dr. Vermani Balanced Wellbeing," she provides a multi-faceted approach using a variety of treatments and techniques, such as supportive Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Breath, Body, Mind practices, executive coaching, Mindfulness Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).Throughout our conversation, Dr. Vermani shared several mental health and wellness strategies and explained why CBT and MBSR work and how they can help you reduce stress and improve mental health. You'll also hear about her journey into the medical field, the three distinctive ways problems manifest in our lives, and practical tips to improve our relationship with our inner voice.Dr. Vermani also talks about the importance of sleeping hygiene, why she believes awareness is the first step in every healing journey, the significance of romantic words in relationships, and much more.Tune in to Episode 441 and learn how to talk to the only person who can transform your life from the inside out, yourself.Some Questions I Ask:Please, tell us why you wrote the book, who it's for, and what's in it (6:40)Can you describe how CBT can be helpful for someone who may have trouble going to sleep? (16:00)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why Dr. Vermani feels the medical field chose her (2:50)The three ways every problem manifests in our lives (10:50)Why prioritizing sleeping hygiene is crucial (18:50)What anger says about us (23:40)Connect with Dr. Monica Vermani:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramYouTubeFacebookArticles and Meditations - Dr. Monica Vermani's podcastBook: Dr. Monica Vermani - A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety and TraumasBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Resilience is more than showing up every day and working through the obstacles; it is adapting and surrendering to whatever is happening to you. To thrive through resilience is to accept that sometimes, the obstacle is the only way.In this episode, Nina Sossamon-Pogue invites us to reframe our definition of resilience. Nina is a Keynote Speaker, Author, Podcast Host, Tech Executive, and former USA Gymnast and Emmy-winning News Anchor. Despite major setbacks as an athlete in her teen years and as a journalist at the beginning of her professional career, Nina always found a way to overcome challenges and bounce back stronger than before. As an influential thought leader who already had her success, she is on a mission to help others achieve theirs.Throughout this episode, you'll hear Nina's thoughts on using mental toughness and self-reflection to overcome setbacks and achieve success. Nina also talks about how she recovered from not making it to the US Olympic team, her career-ending injury, and being released from her job after winning Charleston's Favorite News Anchor for the seventh time in a row.You'll also hear about Nina's THIS framework, her TIPS for becoming resilient, why it is crucial to address Excellence Exhaustion, how relying on our reverse resume can help us increase our confidence, and much more.Tune in to Episode 440 and discover how you can transform a major setback into your biggest win by relying on your mental toughness, self-reflection, and resilience.Some Questions I Ask:You refer to setbacks as plot twists. Could you explain that? (5:20)What is your perspective on high achievers' constant struggle to succeed? (14:40)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Nina and her first major setback as a USA Gymnast (3:40)Setbacks or plot twists? (6:30)Nina shares her THIS framework and her TIPS to increase resiliency (8:20)What can we do with the stress from life's plot twists (18:00)Why we should pay more attention to our reverse resume (20:10)Connect with Nina Sossamon-Pogue:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis Seriously Sucks podcastNina Sossamon-Pogue booksBecoming Your Best Resources:WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Overcoming incredibly challenging obstacles is already a massive feat worthy of praise. Yet some people feel defeating the beast is only the beginning of their journey; they feel compelled to share their stories and inspire others. Meet JR Martinez, US Army Veteran turned Best-selling Author, Motivational Speaker, and Dancing With The Stars Winner.In this episode, we learn the true meaning of resilience and optimism from JR Martinez. Only one month after his deployment to Iraq, JR's Humvee got hit by an improvised explosive device, causing him several injuries, burning 30% of his body, and sending him into a long recovery of three years. After over 30 surgeries, JR started the second part of his story and, relying on his inner strength, an acute sense of humor, and incomparable love of life, became an inspiring figure and a beacon of hope and optimism.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about JR's inspiring story, his relentless capacity to adapt and overcome challenges, and the thought process behind the decision to face the toughest struggles as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. JR also talks about his defying upbringing, shares his thoughts on the importance of taking a moment to appreciate how far we've come, and reveals details of his participation in Dancing With The Stars.Tune in to Episode 439, learn more about this exceptional man who travels the world spreading his message of resilience, humor, and optimism, and discover why he sees scars as tattoos with better stories.Some Questions I Ask:Tell us about your background, including any turning points in your life that have had a significant impact on you (4:30)Could you tell us more about your experience in Dancing With The Stars? (21:30)In This Episode, You Will Learn:JR talks about his recovery and why he decided to use his story to inspire others (6:30)How to transform how we see the world through active listening (8:40)JR talks about the mentor who changed his life through empathy and love (10:10)The importance of looking back and praising our progress and achievements (18:20)JR talks about his experiences at Dancing With The Stars (22:30)From scarred, disabled veteran to burn survivor, complete human, and inspiring figure (26:20)Connect with JR Martinez:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterBook: JR Martinez - Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and SpiritBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

What is the role of the highest-paid individual in a company, making the calls or crafting a team capable of making decisions as a unit?  In this episode, we learn new ways of empowering teams and creating winning cultures from the extraordinary Jim Stevenson. Jim is a Strategic Advisor, Consultant, Transformation and Growth Specialist, and the Founder and CEO of Bletchley Group. He has over 24 years of experience crafting systems that focus on customers and turning growth into the objective of companies' strategies and the result of their transformation.   Throughout our conversation, Jim shares his thoughts on the challenges of assembling teams capable of dealing with today's volatile environments, the benefits of empowering teams, and why leadership's reaction to failure molds culture. Jim also talks about Agile Methodologies and their impact on culture, shares several real-life examples of how different cultures affect teams' productivity and overall health, the massive role communication has in creating a winning culture, and much more.  Tune in to Episode 438 of Becoming Your Best, and learn more about Jim Stevenson's unique approach to empowering teams and crafting winning cultures that make companies grow.   Some Questions I Ask: What are the most important aspects of what you can provide a team so they can be empowered? (6:10) What have you learned about organizational structure and how it impacts empowerment and productivity? (14:20)  In This Episode, You Will Learn: About Jim's background and his first steps in leadership (3:10) How Agile Methodologies impact organizations (7:40) Jim talks about what leaders' main role should be in an organization (10:00) Jim shares a story of two different cultures with two different results (12:30) How organizations deal with failure shapes culture (17:30) What is the role of communication in empowering teams and creating winning cultures (22:20)  Connect with Jim Stevenson: Website LinkedIn  Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: support@becomingyourbest.com  Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety 

Anybody who navigated the world of grants will agree: it is an extremely daunting experience. Our guest, Libby Hikind, believes following directions meticulously and staying organized is crucial to dealing with applications' complexities and the stiff competition and securing the funding you need.In this episode, The Queen of Grants, Libby Hikind, joins us to unravel the unknown world of grants. Libby is the Founder and CEO of GrantWatch, the leading grant-funding search engine for nonprofits, businesses, and individuals. She is also the Best-selling Author of "The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEO" and the Host of the GrantTalk podcast.Throughout our conversation, you'll hear about Libby's journey from grant writer to CEO and founder, her best tips to navigate the grants industry, and the thought process that helped her transition from grant writer to leader and public figure. Libby also talks about the work behind building GrantWatch, the company's purpose and the tools it provides, the most common grant writing mistakes, how to avoid them, and much more.Tune in to Episode 437 and discover the secrets to successful grant writing with The Queen of Grants, Libby Hikind.Some Questions I Ask:What are some of your best lessons learned as a leader? (7:00)Let's talk about GrantWatch, how it works, and how can we access it? (13:10)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Libby talks about her journey from teacher, to grant writer, to founder and CEO (3:00)What is "The Queen of Grants," Libby's book about (5:10)How grants can help at-risk youth (11:00)What is GrantWatch and how it works (13:00)Libby shares insights on her podcast, GrantTalk (15:10)About Libby's biggest mistakes and lessons learned in the world of grants (18:50)Connect with Libby Hikind:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterGrantTalk podcastBook: Libby Hikind - The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEOBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

In today's special episode, we are honored with the presence of Dr. Amani Ballour, a Pediatrician, Human Rights Activist, and someone who will be definitely remembered as one of history’s great heroines.Growing up in Syria's confined society, and despite her siblings being married off in their teens, our guest, Dr. Amani Ballour defied the system and performed the greatest act of rebellion against it: she dared to get an education. When the Syrian revolution unfolded, she went from being a volunteer at a local clinic to being thrown into the depths of emergency medicine, becoming the director of an underground hospital, shielding children, to a refugee, and a human rights activist.Throughout this episode, Dr. Amani talks about her journey from being a medicine student to managing "The Cave," the underground hospital that saved thousands of lives during the Syrian revolution, and the challenges and horror she faced. You'll also hear about her passionate advocacy for human rights, her inspiring message of compassion and resilience toward war refugees, and much more.Tune in to Episode 436 of Becoming Your Best and learn more about Dr. Amani Ballour's relentless dedication and leadership that saved hundreds and inspired thousands globally.Some Questions I Ask:Dr. Ballour, please tell us about your background, including turning points in your life that significantly impacted you (2:00)What motivated you to share your experience in The Cave, the underground hospital? (11:40)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Dr. Ballour talks about the challenges she faced growing up as a woman in Syria (3:00)Overcoming gender barriers to become a female doctor in Syria (15:20)Dr. Ballour talks about the current conditions in Syria (18:00)The impact individuals can have on global issues (20:10)Dr. Ballour shares her thoughts on refugees' resilience and the continuous need for global support (22:30)Connect with Dr. Amani Ballour:InstagramTwitterFacebookBook: Dr. Armani Ballour - The Cave: A Secret Underground Hospital and One Woman's Story of Survival in SyriaBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety