WEBVTT 1 00:00:18.545 --> 00:00:20.645 Hey, it's Rachel Cook, your Modern Mentor. 2 00:00:21.185 --> 00:00:22.725 I'm the founder of Lead Above Noise, 3 00:00:22.725 --> 00:00:25.005 where we help leaders activate performance 4 00:00:25.145 --> 00:00:26.765 and engagement without burnout. 5 00:00:27.465 --> 00:00:28.485 We run boot camps 6 00:00:28.485 --> 00:00:30.645 that deliver confidence tools and community. 7 00:00:30.945 --> 00:00:33.125 We deliver keynotes that inform and inspire, 8 00:00:33.385 --> 00:00:36.365 and we do pulse checks to help you build custom blueprints 9 00:00:36.435 --> 00:00:38.685 that unlock your team's best performance. 10 00:00:39.075 --> 00:00:40.285 Just let me know what you need. 11 00:00:41.275 --> 00:00:42.295 So when I was a kid, 12 00:00:42.395 --> 00:00:46.015 but also sometimes still, I wanted to be a person 13 00:00:46.235 --> 00:00:48.855 who names the colors of things like paints 14 00:00:48.875 --> 00:00:50.455 or lipsticks or nail polishes. 15 00:00:51.095 --> 00:00:52.535 I mean, it looks so fun. 16 00:00:53.215 --> 00:00:56.135 I have a neutral colored nail polish called the Queen, 17 00:00:56.135 --> 00:00:59.135 takes her tea with milk and a blue one called Iconic 18 00:00:59.395 --> 00:01:01.415 and a red called Don't Mess With Me. 19 00:01:01.845 --> 00:01:02.935 Kind of the best job ever. 20 00:01:02.965 --> 00:01:05.855 Yeah, I think I missed the color naming boat, 21 00:01:06.235 --> 00:01:08.775 but I do have an appreciation for the media 22 00:01:09.275 --> 00:01:11.295 and its parallel work in naming our 23 00:01:11.295 --> 00:01:12.615 workplace trends and crises. 24 00:01:13.235 --> 00:01:16.255 You know, the great resignation, the great reconsideration, 25 00:01:16.625 --> 00:01:19.695 quiet, quitting, all the things we've seen in the headlines 26 00:01:19.695 --> 00:01:22.575 these past few years, like with nail polishes. 27 00:01:22.765 --> 00:01:24.655 They're all variations of the same, 28 00:01:25.235 --> 00:01:26.735 but the names are memorable. 29 00:01:27.195 --> 00:01:29.775 The latest one I'm seeing is called The Great Detachment, 30 00:01:30.305 --> 00:01:32.975 which I'm pretty sure is a rebrand of Quiet, quitting. 31 00:01:33.635 --> 00:01:36.495 But either way, it's to say that we're not quitting, 32 00:01:36.955 --> 00:01:38.215 but we are out of steam. 33 00:01:38.525 --> 00:01:40.215 Whether we're bored or lonely 34 00:01:40.315 --> 00:01:42.735 or overwhelmed, we're going through the motions 35 00:01:42.735 --> 00:01:45.015 of doing the work, but our hearts aren't in it, 36 00:01:45.145 --> 00:01:46.655 which means our creativity 37 00:01:46.795 --> 00:01:48.295 and our opportunity to drive change 38 00:01:48.355 --> 00:01:51.135 and deliver impact aren't so much there either. 39 00:01:52.255 --> 00:01:54.055 I believe like to my core 40 00:01:54.405 --> 00:01:57.215 that the solution here is the great reactivation. 41 00:01:57.965 --> 00:02:00.815 It's why I spend so much time working with leadership teams, 42 00:02:01.415 --> 00:02:02.695 enabling them to do this very thing. 43 00:02:03.025 --> 00:02:06.135 Delivering tools, practice confidence and accountability. 44 00:02:06.515 --> 00:02:10.015 You can check it out@leadabovenoise.com slash bootcamp. 45 00:02:10.975 --> 00:02:14.555 But the thing is, while activation is all about action, 46 00:02:15.225 --> 00:02:16.795 it's not exclusive to leadership. 47 00:02:17.335 --> 00:02:20.195 We can be activating ourselves by taking stock, 48 00:02:20.255 --> 00:02:22.435 taking action, and celebrating progress. 49 00:02:22.935 --> 00:02:25.715 And today I'd love to walk you through how you can do this 50 00:02:25.715 --> 00:02:28.435 for yourself so you are ready to start the new year 51 00:02:28.435 --> 00:02:29.915 with energy, enthusiasm, 52 00:02:30.135 --> 00:02:32.035 and a plan to really tackle something big. 53 00:02:32.695 --> 00:02:35.315 So I use an activation framework in my programs. 54 00:02:35.615 --> 00:02:38.315 It stands on the four pillars of deliver, develop, 55 00:02:38.385 --> 00:02:39.435 connect, and thrive. 56 00:02:40.055 --> 00:02:41.915 As in when we can do all of these things 57 00:02:41.975 --> 00:02:44.315 and do them well, we see both our performance 58 00:02:44.495 --> 00:02:46.315 and our experience of engagement start 59 00:02:46.315 --> 00:02:49.075 to climb together like they fuel each other. 60 00:02:49.775 --> 00:02:51.075 So let's talk today about 61 00:02:51.175 --> 00:02:52.915 how well you are currently doing each of these 62 00:02:53.015 --> 00:02:55.315 and how you might discover a handful of tweaks 63 00:02:55.315 --> 00:02:58.475 that you can make to turn the dial up one notch at a time. 64 00:02:59.565 --> 00:03:02.345 So let's start with deliver. You know the basics. 65 00:03:02.845 --> 00:03:04.545 How well can you deliver your work? 66 00:03:05.145 --> 00:03:07.145 I mean, how simply and how effectively 67 00:03:07.165 --> 00:03:09.425 and how efficiently can you get your stuff done? 68 00:03:10.125 --> 00:03:12.105 And how much aggravation, repetition, 69 00:03:12.245 --> 00:03:14.065 and inefficiency is weighing you down. 70 00:03:15.325 --> 00:03:17.635 These questions are important obviously, 71 00:03:17.635 --> 00:03:19.195 because getting our work done matters, 72 00:03:19.695 --> 00:03:23.075 but also there's tons of data that show that when we're able 73 00:03:23.075 --> 00:03:24.155 to get our best work done, 74 00:03:24.285 --> 00:03:26.195 we're actually more engaged in our jobs. 75 00:03:26.695 --> 00:03:27.915 So it's a double win. 76 00:03:28.525 --> 00:03:30.395 Start with an honest assessment of 77 00:03:30.455 --> 00:03:33.035 how you're spending your days sitting in meetings, 78 00:03:33.045 --> 00:03:35.875 responding to emails, whatever the shape of a typical day, 79 00:03:36.485 --> 00:03:37.675 how's it serving you? 80 00:03:38.485 --> 00:03:40.075 We're not looking for smoking guns, 81 00:03:40.175 --> 00:03:41.715 but tiny tweaks you can make. 82 00:03:41.985 --> 00:03:44.595 Like was there one meeting on your calendar this week 83 00:03:44.625 --> 00:03:45.675 that should have been an email 84 00:03:46.055 --> 00:03:47.955 or that another member of your team attended 85 00:03:48.015 --> 00:03:49.275 and could have just given you a summary 86 00:03:49.335 --> 00:03:51.875 of has something been stuck in approval for a while 87 00:03:51.875 --> 00:03:54.275 and it's not moving because that one leader who needs 88 00:03:54.275 --> 00:03:56.355 to decide is drowning in 27. 89 00:03:56.355 --> 00:03:59.635 Other decisions Are you spreading yourself way too thin 90 00:03:59.815 --> 00:04:01.675 across way too many priorities? 91 00:04:02.415 --> 00:04:04.355 Really ask and answer these questions. 92 00:04:04.815 --> 00:04:07.875 The goal is not a major overhaul, but tiny tweaks. 93 00:04:08.345 --> 00:04:10.595 What if next week you could save yourself 30 minutes 94 00:04:10.595 --> 00:04:12.195 of aggravation or rework, 95 00:04:12.655 --> 00:04:14.275 and then 30 more the next week 96 00:04:14.865 --> 00:04:19.315 find a small change you can make and just make it next? 97 00:04:19.565 --> 00:04:22.955 We've got develop. And this one is about finding small ways 98 00:04:23.015 --> 00:04:25.795 to expand your knowledge and your growth and your learning. 99 00:04:26.415 --> 00:04:28.675 It can't be formal programs, but it doesn't have to be. 100 00:04:29.175 --> 00:04:32.275 And again, when we're developing our work product 101 00:04:32.575 --> 00:04:35.435 and our personal engagement, both amplify. 102 00:04:36.215 --> 00:04:39.315 So now ask yourself, who do you know in another part 103 00:04:39.315 --> 00:04:41.635 of the organization whose expertise intrigues you? 104 00:04:42.015 --> 00:04:43.995 Can you invite them to coffee and just listen 105 00:04:44.055 --> 00:04:46.075 and learn what meeting is coming up 106 00:04:46.075 --> 00:04:47.955 where you would love a chance to speak or present 107 00:04:48.055 --> 00:04:49.115 and get some feedback? 108 00:04:49.815 --> 00:04:52.595 How about you start a shared drive with your team, 109 00:04:52.595 --> 00:04:55.595 with your favorite TED Talks or podcasts or books? 110 00:04:56.125 --> 00:04:57.195 These are all ways 111 00:04:57.655 --> 00:05:00.595 to creatively drive development without having 112 00:05:00.595 --> 00:05:01.835 to make a huge investment. 113 00:05:05.965 --> 00:05:07.185 The next pillar is connect. 114 00:05:07.765 --> 00:05:10.025 One of the secret superpowers of this framework is 115 00:05:10.125 --> 00:05:11.945 how the pillars start to overlap. 116 00:05:12.445 --> 00:05:15.505 So for example, when you create more efficiency in your day, 117 00:05:15.695 --> 00:05:17.625 finding meetings you didn't need to be at 118 00:05:18.005 --> 00:05:21.545 and you move processes faster, then you find more time 119 00:05:21.885 --> 00:05:22.985 to invest in your learning. 120 00:05:23.525 --> 00:05:26.065 And when you see someone in another function whose expertise 121 00:05:26.065 --> 00:05:28.945 you'd like to tap, you invite them for coffee to teach you. 122 00:05:29.485 --> 00:05:32.065 And this also drives connection, right? 123 00:05:32.495 --> 00:05:35.225 It's a little bit magical. So what more can you do 124 00:05:35.225 --> 00:05:36.945 to amplify your feeling of connection? 125 00:05:37.385 --> 00:05:38.945 I know it doesn't have to be in person. 126 00:05:39.525 --> 00:05:42.025 So personally, I do love a little bit of shared space 127 00:05:42.025 --> 00:05:43.305 with members of humanity. 128 00:05:44.015 --> 00:05:47.105 Like can you put two 30 minute meetings on your calendar 129 00:05:47.135 --> 00:05:48.665 each week just to catch up 130 00:05:48.665 --> 00:05:50.225 with someone you haven't talked to in a while? 131 00:05:50.845 --> 00:05:53.185 Can you spark some reciprocal thought partnership 132 00:05:53.185 --> 00:05:55.145 with a colleague you've always respected? 133 00:05:55.685 --> 00:05:58.685 Can you share one brave idea in a meeting just to see 134 00:05:58.685 --> 00:06:00.765 who might build upon it and make it even sharper? 135 00:06:01.345 --> 00:06:03.085 And before you tell me you don't have time, 136 00:06:03.705 --> 00:06:06.965 let me assure you, there's data that says feeling part 137 00:06:06.965 --> 00:06:09.885 of a trusted community positively impacts our health, 138 00:06:10.265 --> 00:06:12.725 our efficiency, and our creativity, all 139 00:06:12.725 --> 00:06:13.725 of which drive great work. 140 00:06:14.925 --> 00:06:17.625 And finally, let's talk about thrive. 141 00:06:18.215 --> 00:06:19.425 This is about your health 142 00:06:19.685 --> 00:06:22.465 and your wellness, your sense of being recognized. 143 00:06:22.965 --> 00:06:25.545 And again, it matters When we're healthy 144 00:06:25.685 --> 00:06:27.545 and rested, we have boundaries. 145 00:06:27.925 --> 00:06:31.505 We show up more fully, more energized with more creativity. 146 00:06:32.085 --> 00:06:33.665 So what can you play with in this bucket? 147 00:06:34.485 --> 00:06:35.945 Is there a boundary you can set? 148 00:06:36.255 --> 00:06:38.985 Like just stop responding to emails after 6:00 PM 149 00:06:39.045 --> 00:06:42.065 or on weekends and just watch the world not end. 150 00:06:43.005 --> 00:06:45.145 Can you schedule one walking meeting per week 151 00:06:45.155 --> 00:06:46.585 where you don't need to be on a screen 152 00:06:46.605 --> 00:06:47.825 and you can just breathe? 153 00:06:48.685 --> 00:06:50.625 Can you humbly highlight something you're proud of 154 00:06:50.625 --> 00:06:51.785 that your boss may have missed? 155 00:06:52.415 --> 00:06:54.985 Make sure you're being seen for the work you're doing. 156 00:06:55.805 --> 00:06:58.185 At the end of the day, when we deliver our best work, 157 00:06:58.535 --> 00:06:59.545 develop new skills 158 00:06:59.545 --> 00:07:02.065 and capabilities, connect with our colleagues, 159 00:07:02.245 --> 00:07:04.385 and we thrive, we manage our boundaries 160 00:07:04.385 --> 00:07:06.425 and our health, the work gets better 161 00:07:06.765 --> 00:07:08.065 and our experience gets better, 162 00:07:08.725 --> 00:07:11.745 and we start to reattach and reactivate. 163 00:07:12.245 --> 00:07:15.105 And whether or not my specific suggestions resonated, 164 00:07:15.365 --> 00:07:18.185 the point is this, there's a lot that lives outside 165 00:07:18.185 --> 00:07:21.225 of our control and yet still plenty that lives within it. 166 00:07:21.605 --> 00:07:22.865 So be your own advocate. 167 00:07:23.255 --> 00:07:24.265 Find the things that you can 168 00:07:24.265 --> 00:07:25.865 influence and go influence them. 169 00:07:26.525 --> 00:07:28.785 And if you'd like to have a facilitated conversation 170 00:07:28.785 --> 00:07:31.225 with your team, shoot me an email at 171 00:07:31.225 --> 00:07:33.145 rachel@leadabovenoise.com. 172 00:07:33.845 --> 00:07:36.305 For now, join me next week for another great episode. 173 00:07:36.675 --> 00:07:39.505 Until then, visit my website@leadabovenoise.com. 174 00:07:39.885 --> 00:07:42.025 If your workplace could use an activation boost, 175 00:07:42.055 --> 00:07:43.705 whether it's a bootcamp, a keynote, 176 00:07:43.765 --> 00:07:46.945 or a pulse check, you choose, you can follow Modern Mentor 177 00:07:46.945 --> 00:07:49.905 or on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you listen. 178 00:07:50.405 --> 00:07:52.865 Thanks so much for listening and have a successful week. 179 00:07:53.165 --> 00:07:55.345 Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast. 180 00:07:56.015 --> 00:07:57.825 It's audio engineered by Dan Feierabend. 181 00:07:58.325 --> 00:08:00.545 Our director of podcasts is Brannan Goetschius. 182 00:08:00.765 --> 00:08:03.025 Our podcast and advertising operations specialist 183 00:08:03.025 --> 00:08:04.065 is Morgan Christianson. 184 00:08:04.605 --> 00:08:07.385 Our digital operations specialist is Holly Hutchings. 185 00:08:07.725 --> 00:08:10.305 Our marketing and publicity associate is Davina Tomlin, 186 00:08:10.685 --> 00:08:12.745 and our marketing contractor is Nathaniel Hoopes.