The Upshot Leadership

Intentional Life Design with Chris Coward

Have you ever paused to ponder what makes you feel alive? And, if so, how often are you actually doing those activities? If you're anything like the vast majority of people, you are probably just trying to survive most of the time. Making space for what makes you feel alive might be considered a luxury versus a necessity. Yet, without making space for self-understanding and intention, as Yogi Berra said, "If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else."
Our next guest on The Upshot Podcast is Chris Coward, a professional Master Certified Coach with over 20 years of experience in executive coaching, preceded by 10 years of leadership in social work. She owns Coaching to Fulfillment and is the VP of Coaching Services at Apollo Health, a company that combines medicine and technology to optimize cognition and reverse dementia.
Beyond her professional titles, Chris is a member of two rock bands and frequently travels to festivals. She is an avid outdoorswoman and skier. She makes time to mentor others and to pursue what lights her up on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
So, what does it take to live this way? And how might fear and boundaries aid in succeeding or sabotaging your intentions? If you say yes to what you really want, what do you have to say no to? (If you find a way to have it all without saying "no" to anything, let us know...) And this is often the real kicker - how do you even know what you want? The process starts with intentional life design.
Tune in to learn about how to create a life with intention, aligned with your values, vs. being blown by the wind and following the herd.

Retail and Leadership with Michelle Telkes

Raise your hand if you worked in retail at some point. Our next guest is a retail management professional with over 22 years of experience, Michelle Telkes. Like many in retail, Michelle was initially drawn in by the allure of fashion but gained so much more. Michelle is currently the Store Manager of Michael Kors in Dallas, TX, and typically leads a team of over 20. She is responsible for everything from people development, including recruiting, hiring, training, and performance, to all facets of store management, including inventory and operations management, strategic planning, sales and marketing, and customer experience. She previously worked for Tesla, All Saints, Swatch, and Betsey Johnson. Listen to how Michelle has created a supportive, agile, and intentional team environment that consistently achieves goals while prioritizing the individuals who make it happen.

Leadership & Sport in Olympic City USA with Vanessa Zink

USA USA USA!!! If you're anything like us, you've been in a haze of Olympics magic this summer. The power of sports to inspire and bring diverse cultures, countries, and beliefs together is undeniable, but what about the role of sports in developing organizational leaders? In this episode, we welcome Vanessa Zink, Chief Communications Officer for the City of Colorado Springs - fondly known as Olympic City USA - to The Upshot Leadership podcast. Colorado Springs is home to the US Olympic Committee, which supports the National Governing Bodies of each sport and is home to a renowned training center where countless athletes come to live and train as they prepare for the ultimate competition.
 
Managing a team of 14 directly responsible for the Mayor's communications, city-wide initiatives, and internal communications for 3,000 employees, Vanessa serves in a high-visibility and high-impact executive role in Olympic City. Previously, Vanessa served in various roles at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the U.S. Golf Association, where she served media at major events, including three Olympic Games and several USGA Championships. Vanessa is a passionate sports enthusiast and former college athlete - competing as a gymnast and track & field athlete at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and going on to become a graduate assistant gymnastics coach at Ball State.
Tune in to learn how her background in sports shaped her career and made her the communications leader she is today. She will discuss building a high-performance team, finding mentorship, setting boundaries, and building a support network in and out of work.

Local Politics and Leadership with Jacq O'Connell

Ah, the good, bad, and ugly of politics. It can make some people run for the hills and others run into the burning flames. So, what is it that makes someone want to put themselves in the line of fire? And what can we learn from leaders that are so bold? Learn how a seasoned sales leader uses sales and EQ skills to collaborate and drive change as a City Council member in a small Texas town. Walk away with strategies to find common ground in any group, even when you're considered an outsider.

AI Impacts on the Workplace with Elizabeth Kiehner

"What sets humans apart from AI - our intuition, unexpected flashes of inspiration, and the disobedience to think about and do things differently." Listen in as we explore leadership and work in the age of AI. The technology is here to stay - and evolve - but it doesn't have to be doom and gloom. When thoughtfully applied, it can enhance our work and lives. 

D.E.I.B Trends in the Workplace with Dr. Alex Zelin

Your first thought is shaped by society; your second thought reflects your true perspective. In episode one, we'll explore how socialization plays into DEIB and the workplace.