"I believe boundaries are kind of the user manual to me. Here's how to be in relationship with me. Here are my preferences, my desires, my limits, my non-negotiables."

— Cy Wakeman

***

In this episode, I’m joined by drama researcher and NY Times best selling author, Cy Wakemen.

In our conversation, Cy shares stories of both a great friend and a great boss. She shares that the key to a great relationship is the ability to “love each other up AND call each other up.”

We talk about the key to being more resilient. And we unpack why we should all be more willing to vocalize our appreciation and bids for connection with others.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 The transformative power of female relationships and the importance of a supportive network, especially during tough times.

👉 How validating someone’s suffering without validating their sense of victimhood can foster both compassion and accountability.

👉 Effective strategies for managers to balance holding space and taking action, including practicing curiosity and using self-reflection.

👉 The significance of making bids for connection, showing genuine appreciation, and cultivating heartfelt communication in professional relationships.

👉 How relationships act as mirrors reflecting valuable lessons, emphasizing the need to be a good student and learn from these reflections.

***

Cy Wakeman is a drama researcher, NY Times Bestselling Author and recipient of the #1 Global Leadership Guru award for three years running.

Deemed “the secret weapon to restoring sanity to the workplace and the worldplace.” Cy Wakeman works with organizations globally to ditch the drama, hardwire accountability in their teams and turn excuses into results.

She has published four best-selling books, the latest of which is Life’s Messy, Live Happy: Things Don't Have to Be Perfect for You to Be Content (2022). Cy shares her latest leadership insights on the Reality-Based Leadership podcast where she offers practical ways to modernize how leaders evolve their teams beyond the challenges they face.

Connect with Cy:

Website: http://www.realitybasedleadership.com/meet-our-team/cy-wakeman/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cywakeman/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cywakeman

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

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***

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com

"The one thing that we absolutely have control over is how we show up in the world."

— Sarah Mann

***

In this episode, I’m joined by leadership and executive coach, Sarah Mann. Together, we explore the power of asking for what you need as a means to building stronger relationships. Plus, we explore the many ways we sabotage our relationships with our assumptions and talk about strategies for how to stop taking things so personally.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 The importance of having clarity in language and expectations, stressing how assumptions often lead to misunderstandings.

👉 Insights on coaching strategies like "Q tip" (quit taking it personally) and understanding the iceberg metaphor to recognize unseen personal struggles.

👉 The significance of controlling emotional responses and taking personal responsibility, which impacts both personal and work relationships.

👉 Reframing narratives to feel more comfortable in asking for what you need at work.

👉 Different people and relationships fulfill different needs in life; recognizing this prevents isolation and fosters a well-rounded support system.

***

Sarah is a seasoned business leader, and executive coach with a style described as creative, insight, and a “straight shooter.” She is sought out by high performing, driven and savvy leaders who want to increase their executive presence, better manage competing demands, and navigate organizational sprints.

Connect with Sarah:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlmann/

Website: https://sarah-mann.com/

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com

"The reason there is a lack of acceptance in teams is because there's usually a lack of clarity about what the team is there to do.’"

- Tegan Trovato

***

In this episode, I’m joined by CEO and executive team coach, Tegan Trovato. Our conversation dives deep into the power of radical acceptance within relationships and teams. Tegan breaks down how highly effective leadership teams use clarity of purpose to foster acceptance and unlock the power of diversity.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 The necessity of radical acceptance within any team to foster an environment conducive to effective communication and decision-making.

👉 Teaching executives the difference between judgment and discernment can significantly aid in making unbiased and emotionally clean decisions.

👉 Emphasizing intentional actions like shared meals, walks, or check-ins can strengthen interpersonal connections within teams.

👉 The irony that slowing down to invest in relationships ultimately leads to greater long-term efficiency and productivity.

👉 How having clarity and alignment on team goals minimizes egos and power struggles, allowing the team to focus on common objectives.

***

Tegan Trovato is the founder and CEO of Bright Arrow Coaching and an executive and leadership team coach with over two decades of experience in talent development and executive coaching. Before founding Bright Arrow Coaching, she was an executive or a leadership team member for companies such as Levi Strauss, Zynga, Xerox, and Cielo. Her approach to leadership and coaching combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for creating an abundant and equitable world through exceptional leadership.

Connect with Tegan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachtegan/

Website: https://www.brightarrowcoaching.com/

Life and Leadership Podcast: https://www.brightarrowcoaching.com/podcast/

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com

In this episode, I’m joined by culture expert, Craig Forman. We discuss the importance of having clear agreements to building safe, trusting relationships both individually and in groups. We also unpack how these agreements must be accompanied by a process for how we hold each other accountable to them. We also talk about the power that leaders have to give people both permission and protection to be themselves and take chances at work.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 The necessity of having clear, written agreements to foster consistency, safety, and authenticity within teams.

👉 The powerful impact of honoring personal needs and making intentional decisions about leaving or evolving relationships.

👉 The role of accountability and integrity within organizations, emphasizing that actions and words must align.

👉 How extending trust and freedom to employees can lead to greater commitment and enhanced performance.

***

Craig Forman is the Founder of CultureC Consulting, helping organizations evaluate and transform their workplace culture. He’s spent the past fifteen years supporting hundreds of organizations to build effective, human-focused cultures. Prior to starting CultureC Consulting, Craig spent six years as Lead People Scientist with Culture Amp, where he developed a keen ability to help organizations effectively evaluate their cultures and translate insights into meaningful and measurable outcomes.

Aside from his work in the “Culture” space, he is a proud Air Force veteran and currently resides in Bay Area California with his spouse and two daughters.

Connect with Craig:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/culturecraig/

Website: https://www.culturecraig.com/

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com

In this special episode of Better Relationships: Better Work, I am joined by my wife Angie. Together, we discuss what lessons we’ve learned through 20 years of marriage about making a relationship work.

We explore how mutual respect and trust are the foundation of the relationship and the vital role of listening has played in laying that foundation. We also discuss what it means to fully accept someone, always assuming positive intentions from the other person. And, as a bonus, Angie shares what she’s learned about relationships through her career in politics, needing to build connection with those who may have very different beliefs and values.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 Fostering trust through mutual respect and prioritizing relationships over winning arguments.

👉 Building a foundation of effective communication and understanding early on to align on significant issues.

👉 Embracing active listening and having open conversations about difficult topics without judgment.

👉 Learning not to internalize personal attacks, attributing them to others' issues rather than your own.

👉 Trusting your instincts and valuing the power of compassion.

***

“See a need, fill a need” has been Angie Lauritsen’s motto for decades and that is how she leads in her community. Her leadership has included serving on the Gretna City Council, running for state legislature, founding Gretna Hometown Heros, and being a fierce advocate for survivors and children. Angie is the State Director for Nebraska For Us, a non-profit focused on federal economic policy that affects hardworking Nebraskans.

Connect with Angie:

X: https://x.com/AngieLauritsen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-lauritsen-23475752/

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com

In this episode, Jason shares why he started this podcast and why he feels this work is more important than ever. He shares how he discovered that he’d become closed off to connection in some important ways and the steps he’s taken to “re-open” himself to it. He also shares a relationship lesson from his childhood–if you want better relationships you need to be willing to invest in them and be willing to make the first move. Then, he shares some practical tips for how you can apply these lessons to build better relationships at work.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 The necessity of being open to connection: It all starts with your willingness to engage and show curiosity about those around you.

👉 Recognizing the impact of relationships on workplace dynamics: Almost every workplace issue can be traced back to a relationship issue, making it crucial to nurture these connections.

👉 The role of work in societal healing: By teaching better relationship skills at work, we can elevate well-being, productivity, innovation, and overall satisfaction.

👉 Investing in relationships intentionally: Reach out to colleagues, suggest regular check-ins, and create meaningful moments over coffee or lunch.

👉 Implementing tools to foster connection: Use a "question of the day" in meetings to spark dialogue and understanding among team members.

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com

"You think it's about love. It's love and your ability to navigate change, because that picture on the wedding cake, right? You're going to have job issues, kids, health issues, death, hopefully death in the proper order. How do you stay aligned?"

- Russell Robinson

***

In this episode, we have some real talk about what it takes to have a good marriage and what we can learn from that about all relationships with guest, Russell Robinson. You’ll hear the phrase, “how you treat anybody is how you treat everybody” and discover what that means in terms of how we show up with other people. Finally, we talk about what it looks like to normalize healthy disagreement at work as a means to build connection within a team.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 The significance of being intentional and precious about your time to maintain authentic and respectful relationships.

👉 The parallel between coaching youth sports and workplace leadership, emphasizing the importance of trust, confidence, and availability.

👉 The transformative power of honesty and curiosity in building deeper relationships at work and beyond.

👉 Valuable strategies for leaders to normalize disagreement and welcome critique to enhance team dynamics.

👉 Practical tips for using probing questions, such as "What are you most proud of and why?" to understand colleagues' backgrounds and perspectives.

***

Dr. Russell Robinson is a Program Director and Professorial Lecturer within American University’s School of Public Administration (SPA). In these roles, he is the Director of the newly created Key Undergraduate Leadership Certificate Program. Russell teaches graduate- and certificate-level leadership and public administration within SPA and the Key Executive Leadership Program. Prior to joining American University, Russell spent over twenty years as a civil servant within the US Federal Government developing and delivering training solutions focusing on leadership and improving the workforce experience. In addition,

Russell is the Founder of Amplified Research and Consulting, LLC (Amplified Research), which focuses on research, analysis and consulting solutions regarding employee engagement, voice and silence, and talent management. Russell does organizational assessments, focus groups and culture-building coaching services.

Connect with Russell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-robinson-edd-4428b157/

Website: https://www.amplifiedresearch.com/

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com

"It's okay to set a boundary to protect your own serenity if you need to, and you're valuable enough and you're worth it enough." - Lindsey Rai Kortan

***

In this episode, we delve into the complex relationship between trust, boundaries, and self-worth. Guest Lindsey Rai Kortan shares her journey of discovering that boundaries are really about protecting your serenity and honoring your own value and worth. She also shares stories of how trust is built and tested in relationships over time and the value of honoring your intuition.

👉 The importance of setting boundaries to protect oneself, not just in personal relationships but also in the workplace.

👉 Valuable advice for leaders on modeling vulnerability and how it can encourage employees to come forward with their own challenges, fostering a culture of trust and openness.

👉 Why you should trust your instincts in professional contexts.

👉 The transformational power of supportive relationships.

👉 Building trust through consistency and honesty. Consistency fosters dependability and integrity, which are essential for strong, successful professional bonds.

***

Lindsey Rai Kortan is the Chief Executive Officer for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha. She is responsible for executing the strategic vision for the organization as it aligns with the mission. Lindsey Rai originally began working for the Ronald McDonald House as the Director of Development in 2012 and was appointed CEO nine months later. She brings with her a diverse professional background inclusive of academic administration, non-profit management, and environmental compliance.

Connect with Lindsey Rai:

Website: https://rmhcomaha.org/

Instagram: @LindseyRai

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor: Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com