Deepening Connection & Team Culture When We Need It Most

Work can feel impersonal [and lonely] these days, especially with hybrid and remote work. Connecting with your team is tough when you're not all in the same room.

In this call, Cecilia leads us through a session to learn more about purposeful actions designed with energy and connection in mind...and how they might help us counter feelings of isolation, loneliness, or disconnect. 

Key learning points: 
✅  Simple actions that benefit you and help build stronger bonds on a team
✅  How personal and team rituals differ from habits and traditions
✅  Practical tips for adding meaning and connection into your day-to-day

Additional Resources

"The Transformative Power of Engaging in Ritual" from Psychology Today - Explores how rituals provide meaning and foster deeper connections, particularly in team settings. (Article)

"How Ritual Increases Social Connection" by Baya Voce - Explains why ritual and regular socializing are the simple keys to feeling connected and less alone. (TED Talk)

"The Power of Rituals at work" from Radical Candor podcast - Everyday actions, when turned into rituals, can manage emotions and create a sense of control and purpose. Michael Norton explores the significance of rituals in reducing stress and enhancing productivity, both at work and in personal life. (Podcast)

"Rituals for Work: 50 Ways to Create Engagement, Shared Purpose, and a Culture That Can Adapt to Change" by Kursat Ozenc and Margaret Hagan - Offers actionable rituals designed to enhance team dynamics and workplace culture. (Book)

Cultivating and Benefitting from Male Allies: An Interview with Faisal Feroz

Faisal Feroz
Faisal Feroz is Senior Director of Partner Engineering, recognized for his commitment to supporting women in the workplace. In this interview, we’ll explore the transformative power of allyship—how individuals can uplift one another and create inclusive environments. While we’ll highlight how women can cultivate and benefit from male allies, it's essential to recognize that the principles of allyship extend beyond any single group. By embracing allyship, we can build equitable workplaces that empower everyone to grow.

We’ll delve into Faisal’s journey, discussing what inspired him to become an ally, the challenges he has faced, and the impact of his actions. Additionally, we’ll explore practical ways to cultivate allyship in our workplaces and foster a culture that values diversity and inclusion. Through these insights, we aim to empower everyone to embrace allyship and create environments that support and elevate all individuals.

Additional Resources
“A Guide to Becoming a Better Ally”  by Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar - This guide emphasizes concrete steps employees can take to practice allyship, like speaking up, listening to marginalized voices, and committing to continuous learning. It outlines challenges allies may face and strategies to stay committed to allyship. (Article)

“The Will to Change” by Jennifer Brown - This podcast explores diversity and inclusion topics, including allyship in the workplace. It features interviews with leaders and professionals sharing their experiences and challenges in being allies.. (Podcast)

“How to Support a Friend Going Through Something Tough” by Tessa Alexander - Although not directly about the workplace, this TED talk emphasizes the importance of being present and supportive, a core part of being an effective ally in any setting. (TED Talk)

“The Wake Up: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change” by Michelle MiJung Kim - This book highlights the need for ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, challenging readers to go beyond performative allyship and take impactful, sustained action. (Book)

Optimize the Intersection of Career & Life with Susie R. Lecker

Susie R. Lecker
Global Executive, Advisor & Speaker

Susie R. Lecker is a seasoned, authentic executive with a background in CPG and proficiency in the Toy and Licensing Industries. Her career has spanned 25 years in marketing and general management leadership roles across multiple consumer packaged goods industries with a focus on children’s brands. Susie has extensive experience in developing and scaling new brands/products, leading cross-functional teams, and successfully managing relationships and P&Ls.

Susie recently established a consulting practice focused on lending her expertise to build brand franchises and support executives in making choices that shape their personal and professional vision. Prior to this, she was the CEO of FitSwoop, a wellness startup. At Mattel, Susie served as EVP/Chief Brands Officer for the Toybox division, overseeing a $2B division and driving trend- inspired innovation in toy development. She played a key role in the acquisition of the Thomas The Tank franchise and launched successful toy lines globally.

Throughout her career, Susie has been recognized for her creativity and innovation in marketing, including receiving the Women In Toys award for Marketing in 2013. She holds a BA in Psychology from York University in Toronto and is dedicated to promoting physical, mental, and spiritual fitness at every age.

In this interview, Chelsea and Susie had an inspiring and transformative discussion that covered:

✅ Embracing Duality: Learn how to hold both sides of a situation, giving yourself permission to enjoy life even when facing challenges.

✅ Overcoming Comparison: Gain strategies to overcome the tendency to compare yourself to others, fostering a healthier self-image.

✅ Breaking Free from Perfectionism: Understand the pressures of perfection and develop techniques to overcome them, allowing for a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Additional Resources

The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage by Kelly McGonigal - discusses how to shift your perspective on stress, turning it into a positive force that can improve your performance and well-being. (Book)

Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington - argues that true success is not just about money and power but also about well-being, wisdom, and wonder, advocating for a balanced life that prioritizes health and happiness. (Book)

3 Lessons of Revolutionary Love in a Time of Rage by Valarie Kaur - shares insights on transforming anger and grief into a force for positive change, which is applicable to both personal and professional challenges.. (TED Talk)

The Fallacy of Work-Life Balance by Forbes - The article argues that the concept of work-life balance is a misleading ideal, suggesting instead that individuals should strive for work-life integration where personal and professional aspects coexist harmoniously. (Article)

Resilience: Building Mental Strength in a Fast-Changing World by Medium - The article emphasizes the importance of developing mental resilience to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world, focusing on strategies like adaptability, emotional regulation, and maintaining a growth mindset.. (Article)

Overcoming Patriarchy & Hierarchy: An Interview with Positive Psychology Play Coach Jeff Harry

Jeff Harry
Positive Psychology Play Coach

Jeff Harry shows individuals and companies how to tap into their true selves to feel their happiest and most fullfilled — by playing.

Jeff has worked with Google, Microsoft, Siemens, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon, and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day.

Jeff is an international speaker who has presented at conferences such as INBOUND, SXSW, SHRM National, and Australia’s Pausefest, showing audiences how major issues in the workplace can be solved through play.

Jeff was selected by Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers for his organizational development work around addressing toxicity in the workplace.

​Jeff believes that we already have many of the answers we seek, and by simply unleashing our inner child, we can find our purpose and, in turn, help to create a better world. 

In this interview, Cecilia interviews Jeff for a fascinating conversation on patriarchy and how it shows up at work. The conversation covers:

✅ Overview of Patriarchy -- How it shows up and does damage in the workplace

✅ Countering Toxic Masculinity at Work - Plus, signs to be watchful of in yourself

✅ Incorporating Play as an Antidote and a Solution 

Additional Resources

“Women & Leadership: Breaking Through Barriers” by The Lead Women Podcast - Explores challenges women face in leadership and strategies to overcome them. (Podcast)

“Disruptors, Unconscious Bias and Gender Equity with Dr. Patti Fletcher” by Punk Rock HR Podcast - Discusses what it means to be a disruptive influence at work and how it can work to your advantage. (Podcast)

“The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - This classic TED Talk explores the importance of diverse narratives and challenging stereotypes. (TED Talk)

“The Power of Play at Work” by Greater Good Magazine - Discusses the benefits of play in fostering collaboration and innovation, potentially leading to more flexible hierarchies. (Article)

“Rediscover Your Play” by Jeff Harry - Jeff Harry shows individuals and companies how to tap into their true selves to feel their happiest and most fulfilled — all by playing. (Website)

Connect on Linked in with Jeff Harry

Syncing Work Cycles and Rhythms: A Blueprint for Dodging Burnout

Do you find yourself constantly in motion, striving to accomplish more and more, with the belief that completing just one more task will bring relief or solve all challenges? If so, you're not alone. Many professionals are ensnared in unsustainable and often toxic productivity cycles.

During this call, Chelsea will delve into:

✅ Examination of prevailing productivity patterns and behaviors.

✅ Introduction of a transformative productivity cycle.

✅ Exploration of how transitioning to this new paradigm can cultivate heightened energy, creativity, resilience, and passion in your work endeavors.

Additional Resources

“How Woman Can Use Monthly Periods As A Productivity Tool” - Explore the female hormonal cycle and how you can use it to your advantage as you navigate work productivity.

‘Ano Lani: ‘Año Honua by Kahu Wendell Kalanikapuaenui Silva - This book provides a look into the Hawaiian Lunar Calendar and introduces you to a new way of looking at cycles and their affects on the human world.

"How to Gain Control of Your Free Time" by Laura Vanderkam: In this TED Talk, Vanderkam discusses how to manage time effectively and make choices that align with your values, rather than just trying to do more.

"What is Toxic Productivity & How to Break Free" by Natalia Rossingol - The article from Runn discusses toxic productivity as an excessive focus on constant work at the expense of well-being, explaining its risks and offering strategies like setting boundaries and prioritizing tasks to maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout.

"Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown - This book emphasizes focusing on what is essential and eliminating the non-essential to improve productivity and lead a more purposeful life.

"The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal" by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz - This book focuses on managing energy to enhance productivity and overall well-being.

Gratitude’s Powerful Impact on Your Work, Health and Well-Being

Deepti Gandhi, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine
Master Certified Physician Development Coach™

As a practicing physician for almost two decades, I have had the experience of working in a large managed care setting as well as in private practice. In the past, I too struggled with exhaustion, disillusionment, burnout and making time for self-care. I often felt over-extended at work and home. I constantly worried about my ability to be a present parent. It was ultimately my practice of gratitude journaling that led to much-needed inner work, self-awareness, and a transformation in my life.

As a physician treating patients, a human being, and curious observer of life, I am reminded daily that mindset is integral to health and well-being. My journey has inspired me to empower others in gaining clarity on their true purpose and developing the action steps needed to design a life aligned with it. I am very excited and honored to be of service to physicians, entrepreneurs and organizations seeking growth and development.

Additional Resources

Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Dr. Robert A. Emmons - Delve into the science-backed benefits of gratitude (Book)

The Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan, This podcast specifically focuses on gratitude and its effects on everyday life (Podcast)

Want to be happy? Be grateful by David Steindl-Rast - Learn how gratitude leads to true happiness (TED Talk)

The Mental Health Benefits of Gratitude by Nicole McDermott - Highlights the research-backed benefits of practicing gratitude. (Article: Forbes)

The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain by Madhuleena Roy Chowdhury - Explains how gratitude affects our brain and overall health. (Article: Positive Psychology)

How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain by Joshua Brown & Joel Wong - Discusses the psychological and neurological effects of gratitude practice. (Article: Greater Good Magazine)

Transforming the Voice of Your Inner Critic

Everyone has an inner critic. You get to decide how important of a role it plays in your life. During this call you'll learn to navigate the negative voice in your head in order to jump start your ability to better set boundaries, take risks, try new things, and share your needs and wants - all elements which are crucial to a fulfilling and successful career (and life).

During this call, Chelsea will cover:

✅ Spotting sneaky ways your inner critic rears its head into professional scenarios
✅ Shining the light on your inner guide and connecting deeper to it
✅ Tools to bridge the gap between your true intentions and the limitations/pressures imposed by self-doubt

Additional Resources

Mastering Your Inner Critic and 7 Other High Hurdles to Advancement by Susan Brady - This book offers first-hand advice for scaling the hurdles that prevent you from controlling that little voice. (Book)

Better Days: Taming Your Inner Critic by Neal Allen - In this book, Allen examines a critical aspect of the human psyche that often gets ignored - the superego. (Book)

To Defeat Your Inner Critic, Bring Your Inner Champion Out To Play by Sohee Jun - This article offers some tools to help you untangle yourself from the harsh ugliness that is the inner critic. (Article: Forbes)

Find Out Which Inner Critic Is Holding You Back And How To Subdue It by Shade Zahrai - This article introduces you to the five main critics and how to face each. (Article: Forbes)

How To Make Friends With Your Inner Critic by Lakeasha Sullivan - This article offers tips to quiet the harsh, judging inner voice. (Article: Washington Post)

Make Peace with Your Inner Critic with Tara Mohr - This podcast explains how to deal with self-doubt. (Podcast: Harvard Business Review)

Navigating Personal Hardships At Work (Yours and Those of Others)

This month’s call is with Christie Bishop, an Advertising & Marketing Executive, and host of the podcast, “What Nobody Tells Us.” Prior to starting her own Marketing Strategy consultancy firm in 2021, Christie spent nearly two decades in Executive roles leading North American and Global Strategic Planning teams both at agencies and in-house.

At home, Christie was (and continues to be) the primary caregiver for her husband, Bryan, through his ongoing treatment for brain cancer. During this call, we'll dive into how Christie's experiences have helped her support not only herself, but also her teams, colleagues and direct reports through personal hardships of their own. These tips are especially important, given they apply to personal situations that a lot of employees often hide from others.”

We'll cover:
What Personal Hardships are and the Impact They Can Have at WorkTools & Tips to Navigate Personal Hardship as:

✅ An Individual Employee (yourself)

✅ A Manager or Leader supporting a direct report or colleague

✅ A Colleague Supporting Another Colleague

Additional Resources

"How To Handle Personal Issues in the Workplace (Plus Tips)" (Indeed)

"What to Do When a Personal Crisis Is Hurting Your Professional Life" (Harvard Business Review)

”How to Keep Working During Personal Hardship” (Forbes)

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant - This book discusses how to navigate personal hardships, including grief and loss, and find resilience and happiness.

The Tim Ferris Show (Podcast)