Vulnerability in leadership. They seem like two completely disconnected concepts but what Terese Lam has found is that vulnerability builds trust. That is the key to keeping your company connected while working remotely.

Terese Lam started her life and her journey in Australia. She had a love for culture and HR and made her career in building company relationships. Through a series of fortunate events, she made her way to the U.S. and is now the Chief People Officer of Wind River. 

While she’d already had a fairly vast remote team, there were still opportunities within the company to visit both remote and in-person teams. This past year took all that away. What has she done to keep her teams connected and thriving? 

They have definitely incorporated more Zoom meetings but it’s the content of the meetings that have really changed. Instead of getting right to business, time is spent just getting to know more about her team, their lives, their struggles, and how they’re feeling about their world and work. 

That little touch of the personal has made it possible for relationships and bonds to grow even stronger. Additionally, Terese is becoming more and more comfortable with showing her own vulnerability, both in her leadership and in her life. 

Listen in to learn all of the amazing nuggets that Terese has to share. What do you think you could incorporate into your own culture to build stronger relationships within teams? 

Show Notes:

• [02:36] Welcome Terese Lam to the show and learn more about her background. 
• [05:09] How Terese made it to the U.S. from Australia. 
• [06:57] What helps people to thrive in a company? 
• [10:39] Terese shares how they’ve made up for the in-person touchpoints that have been lost. 
• [14:39] Has she found that personal connection has increased in the workplace? 
• [16:10] One of Terese’s learning moments as she’s grown in her career. 
• [18:47] Why vulnerability is important in a leadership team. 
• [22:19] It is so important to face your fears as a leader and to lead with empathy. 
• [23:26] How is she staying focused and motivated? 
• [24:46] Terese’s advice for staying close and bonding despite the distance. 
• [26:11] Connect with Terese.  

Links and Resources:

• Wind River
• Terese on LinkedIn

Beautiful, modern, sustainably made products that also keep families safe and responsible while partaking of the healing powers of cannabis? That’s exactly what Sharon Kevis thought of when she created Forti Goods. She segued from interior designer to furniture creator and business owner and is excited about this innovative new product.

Sharon launched Forti Goods in the midst of a pandemic but there’s definitely a market for this product. Cannabis prohibition has failed, as their website states, which means it’s time to elevate the reputation of the plant. 

That being said, not everyone is on board with Sharon’s idea. She’s already getting plenty of hate on the social channels, but she makes a very keen point. Do people call up Crate & Barrel and complain about liquor carts? No? Then they really shouldn’t do so with cannabis!

My favorite part of this conversation is how Sharon has approached building her business. She has a fantastic mindset around growth and business building and her overall approach is so positive. 

You’ll definitely want to hear her advice to women everywhere. It’s a topic we’ve discussed before but her viewpoint is fresh and electric, bringing it new life.

Show Notes:

• [02:34] Welcome Sharon Kevil and learn more about her story.
• [05:04] Is the market ripening for her new venture in normalizing and safely storing cannabis? 
• [07:57] Sharon shares the highs and lows she’s experienced since going to market. 
• [09:31] Have they participated in any virtual trade shows? 
• [10:15] What have been some of the high points? 
• [11:40] Has she had any AHA or Uh-Oh moments? 
• [15:15] She shares her experience with self-selecting and when she realized how hiring practices work. 
• [17:28] What keeps her focused and motivated every day? 
• [20:00] How success and being present are much like planning a vacation. 
• [22:31] Sharon provides some tips for getting started on creating your own vision or dream. 
• [24:55] Connect with Sharon. 

Links and Resources:

• Forti Goods
• Forti Goods on Instagram
• Forti Goods on Facebook
• Forti Goods on Pinterest
• Sharon on LinkedIn

If you’re running a business, then it is time to start investing in becoming a better storyteller. Stop relying on the marketing gobbledygook and start relating to your clients and customers in a real way. Christoph Trappe is one of the foremost experts on just this and he’s sharing his
thoughts on Going Live.

Christoph has spent years helping businesses to tell their stories more effectively and to better reach their ideal audiences. What has that meant in recent years? It has meant taking static marketing methods and making them more dynamic by changing the delivery.

He is now a global top 14 content marketer and top 100 online marketer. He loves the beauty and challenge of content marketing campaigns because at the end of the day, they last. Content really is king in marketing but only if you’re making the right content for your business.
Listen as he shares his thoughts on content but more specifically why live streaming is the best way to create content these days. He’s also sharing his tips for creating impactful live streams that reveal the inner workings of business without giving it all away.

If you’ve been struggling with content creation, then you won’t want to miss this!

• [02:51] Welcome Christoph Trapp to the show and learn more about his background in content marketing.
• [05:01] What would he like his readers to get out of his most recent book, Going Live.
• [06:44] Why live streaming?
• [09:31] Mistakes you should avoid making when going live.
• [11:21] Christoph explains why the C-suite might be hesitant to implement live streams.
• [14:22] You don’t need to be an extrovert but know that there is a level of stress to going live.
• [15:44] What is his process for live streaming?
• [17:03] His AHA moment for going live and what he’s learned as the market has evolved.
• [19:07] How does he stay focused with everything going on these days?
• [21:48] Does he have a team behind him?
• [24:34] Christoph shares his parting advice for telling better business stories.
• [26:01] Connect with Christoph.

Links and Resources:

• Authentic Storytelling
• The Business Storytelling Podcast
• Going Live by Christoph Trappe
• Christoph on Twitter
• Christoph on Instagram
• Christoph on Facebook
• Christoph on LinkedIn

When hard times come upon you and your life, how do you react to them? Do you approach them as learning opportunities or do you allow them to ruin the moment? Andrea Heuston has faced her share of tough times, but she’s still here smiling and empowering others. Listen in to learn all about her story.

Andrea’s corporate life started off with a bang. She was the head of a team at her company and then was asked to fire all of them. The next day she too was laid off. Rather than give anyone that kind of control over her finances again, she stepped fully into the entrepreneurial world. 

Fast-forward through three very impactful events in her life and she knew that she was meant for more. Which was why she wrote her book, Stronger on the Other Side.

Listen as she shares more about the book and what she hopes her readers take away from her experiences. She’s even sharing some of the questions that she keeps on hand to ask herself when things are spinning out of control.

Andrea has been through some seriously major moments in life and her ability to shift her mindset and refocus her emotions is what she credits for continuing to live a happy life. You’ll definitely want to tune in to hear her amazing story.

Show Notes:

• [02:54] Andrea shares her story and how she became an entrepreneur, author, and podcaster.
• [04:46] Where did she get the gumption to start her first business? 
• [05:57] What does she want people to take away from Stronger on the Other Side?
• [08:47] How grief has affected her life and health. 
• [09:54] The questions you can focus on to move past grief and shift your mindset. 
• [12:01] Was there one particular moment that she remembers knowing she’d be stronger after it? 
• [14:58] How does she compare where she is now to where she was when she was younger? 
• [16:43] Why it’s freeing to let go of the need for validation. 
• [18:15] Does she still face challenges today? 
• [21:49] How you can be stronger on the other side. 
• [24:15] Connect with Andrea. 

Links and Resources:

• Andrea’s Website
• Artitudes Design
• Stronger on the Other Side by Andrea Heuston
• Andrea on LinkedIn
• Andrea on Instagram
• Andrea on Facebook

So many people need a voice in this world that we’ve created. One of the most underserved communities, and one who may truly not have a voice to share their experience, are those who suffer from hearing loss. Janice Lintz is a fierce advocate for this group and is sharing her advice for taking your advocacy to a whole new level.

Janice first started to realize that there were disparities for those with hearing loss after giving birth to her daughter. Her daughter was born hearing impaired and as such Janice was thrust into a world that she didn’t fully understand but that she knew needed change. 

In her time advocating for this community she has come up against federal agencies and huge corporations who have pushed aside accommodations for this group year after year. All of the setbacks and rejections have done nothing more than fuel the fire of her convictions.

Listen as she shares more about her story and what it takes to become a fierce advocate for causes that you believe in. She’s not stopping until those who suffer from hearing loss have the same recognition as those who suffer from any other marginalization.

What causes are you passionate about? Do you feel that all causes need their space? 

Show Notes:

• [02:22] Welcome Janice Lintz, who is here to share her journey of raising awareness for those who suffer from hearing loss. 
• [03:25] Did she have any surprises along the way while building her business? 
• [05:09] Janice shares some of the challenges she has faced in finding funding and raising awareness. 
• [07:42] How major corporations are failing those who live with hearing disabilities. 
• [11:01] What characteristics do you need to properly advocate for others? 
• [14:07] Ways she knows who to work with and bring into her world.
• [16:29] Her biggest AHA and learning moment. 
• [17:55] Where is her book? 
• [19:56] How does she stay focused during tough times? 
• [23:38] Janice shares her parting advice for becoming a better advocate. 
• [26:38] Connect with Janice.

Links and Resources:

• Janice’s Website
• Hearing Access
• Janice on LinkedIn