In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Peter Winick sits down with Jason Lavender, the co-founder and CEO of Electives. Jason’s career journey is anything but linear. He started as an actuary, transitioned into strategy consulting, and eventually found his entrepreneurial spirit while working closely with innovators. A serendipitous six-week improv class, gifted by his wife, fueled his passion for creativity and human connection, shaping his unique career path.

Jason founded Electives to revolutionize corporate training. Frustrated by ineffective, impersonal training videos, he envisioned a platform offering live, virtual, and interactive learning. Electives aims to make high-quality, engaging training accessible and redefine who can teach in the corporate world. By recruiting experts from diverse fields—FBI agents, astronauts, professors, and executives—they provide a rich library of curated content, solving real problems without the need for months of searching.

Electives offers two training models: Private classes tailored to a company’s culture and Electives Membership, allowing employees to choose live classes from a broad selection. This dual approach addresses both team-wide issues and individual development needs. Electives also simplifies the procurement process, handling all logistics and payments, thus eliminating administrative headaches for both clients and instructors.

Looking ahead, Jason is excited about integrating AI to match business objectives with the necessary skills and corresponding courses, further enhancing the impact and efficiency of Electives.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Peter Winick welcomes Sohee Jun, a premier leadership coach, mindset expert, corporate leadership facilitator, speaker, and best-selling author of "Mommytracked: How to Take Authentic Risks and Find Success On Your Terms" and her latest release, "The Aligned Mindset: Secrets of High-Achieving Women for Navigating Work and Life." Sohee shares insights from her journey, highlighting the importance of following one’s energy to make a significant impact. Moving from a six-year-old immigrant integrating into a new culture to a leader in organizational psychology, she has always prioritized connection and people. Her extensive career includes working with leaders on strategy, culture, and employee engagement.

After 15 years in corporate roles, Sohee ventured into independent consulting. The transition was challenging, requiring her to juggle multiple roles and iterate constantly. She emphasizes the need to discover one’s strengths and delegate other tasks to maintain focus and impact. Initially, she said yes to everything, leading to burnout. Over time, she learned to prioritize quality over quantity, becoming intentional with her time and efforts.

Sohee also discusses the importance of expanding beyond one's initial network and maintaining consistent marketing efforts. She stresses the need to be courageous in saying no to misaligned opportunities to prevent falling into a cycle of overwork and dissatisfaction. On pricing, Sohee advocates for openness and transparency, leveraging her insider knowledge to stay competitive and fair in the market.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Follow Your Energy for Impact: Sohee emphasizes the importance of following where you have the most energy and impact. This approach has guided her journey from a young immigrant to a successful leader in organizational psychology, and later, to an independent consultant.

• Quality Over Quantity: Initially overwhelmed by saying yes to everything, Sohee learned to prioritize quality. She now focuses on intentional time management and selecting projects that align with her values and strengths, highlighting the importance of saying no to maintain balance and prevent burnout.

• Consistent Marketing and Networking: Sohee underscores the necessity of reaching beyond one's initial network and maintaining consistent marketing efforts. She advises that expanding your reach and staying engaged with your audience is crucial for sustainable business growth.

If you're a new consultant or thinking about breaking out on your own, take a few minutes to watch this video from Peter Winick on How to Use Thought Leadership to Grow Your Business.

Bill Sherman hosts Cobe Williams, a pioneer in violence prevention. Cobe shares his journey from personal redemption to global impact. As Director of US Programs for Cure Violence Global, he uses epidemic control methods to halt violence in communities. His story is a powerful testament to transformation and hope.

Cobe's defining moment came in court, in restraints, when he embraced his son after a year and a half. This emotional reunion catalyzed his resolve to change his life and be there for his family. Today, Cobe leads violence prevention programs worldwide, from Chicago to Africa, transforming communities and inspiring change.

With almost two decades in the field, Cobe began as a "Violence Interrupter," mediating conflicts in his neighborhood. His approach is deeply relational, meeting people where they are, and spreading the message that disagreements don't have to escalate to violence. His work involves intense listening, strategic mediation, and leveraging community relationships to prevent retaliation and promote peace.

Cobe also discusses his upcoming book, "Interrupting Violence: One Man's Journey to Heal the Streets and Redeem Himself," co-authored with Josh Gryniewicz. The book aims to inspire others by sharing Cobe's personal journey and the lessons he's learned in violence prevention.

Cure Violence Global’s success attracts mayors, health departments, and private funders seeking proven methods to reduce violence. Cobe emphasizes the importance of community credibility and relationship-building in their programs, ensuring local leaders are respected and effective.

Through his story, Cobe hopes to show that it's never too late to change, and redemption is possible for everyone. His work and message aim to foster understanding, reduce judgment, and inspire others to share their stories and seek help.


Three Key Takeaways:

• Transformative Power of Personal Redemption: Cobe Williams' journey from a courtroom revelation to leading global violence prevention efforts illustrates how personal transformation can drive impactful change. His story emphasizes that it's never too late to change and that redemption is possible for everyone.

• Community-Centric Violence Prevention: Cure Violence Global’s approach leverages deep community relationships and epidemic control methods to interrupt and prevent violence. By training and supporting local leaders who are respected and credible within their communities, the program effectively reduces shootings and killings.

• Inspiring Others Through Storytelling: Cobe's upcoming book, "Interrupting Violence: One Man's Journey to Heal the Streets and Redeem Himself," aims to motivate and inspire others. By sharing his personal experiences and the challenges he faced, he hopes to encourage people to understand the roots of violence, reduce judgment, and inspire others to seek help and share their stories.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Bill Sherman chats with Karen Wright Gordon, CEO of 5 Dynamics, about revolutionizing organizational performance.

Karen explains their unique assessment, a product of Mike Sturm's pioneering research. This tool, while not the company's sole focus, is integral to their methodology. It reveals individual preferences in project phases, enhancing productivity by aligning tasks with personal strengths.

Karen elaborates on the five phases: Ideation, Alignment, Planning, Execution, and Evaluation. Each person has phases where they excel and others that drain them. Their assessment helps identify these preferences, fostering a more efficient and satisfying workflow.

Karen's journey with 5 Dynamics began when she encountered Mike Sturm at a Women's Presidents Organization meeting. Despite her company's success, she felt unfulfilled. Mike's insights resonated with her, leading her to acquire and further develop his IP, making it accessible and practical for businesses.

Karen's vision transcends merely improving performance; she aims to democratize coaching and transform organizational cultures. By focusing on creating a unique lane rather than competing with others, she emphasizes the importance of having Champions—advocates who believe in and spread the methodology.

Karen also shares how their methodology has surprised them with its versatile applications, from the corporate world to academia and healthcare. Studies have shown improvements in teamwork, satisfaction, and overall performance when using the 5 Dynamics framework.

To keep the work fresh and vital, Karen collaborates with a diverse team, including a young neuroscientist and a seasoned chief revenue officer. This diversity ensures a broad reach and rich perspectives in their thought leadership efforts.

Karen feels a profound responsibility to honor Mike Sturm's legacy. Continuing his work and seeing its impact on people's lives keeps her inspired and driven.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Leveraging Personal Preferences: The 5 Dynamics assessment identifies individual preferences in project phases, enhancing productivity by aligning tasks with personal strengths.

• Creating a Unique Path: Karen emphasizes the importance of not just competing but creating a new lane, focusing on democratizing coaching and transforming organizational cultures.

• Honoring Legacy and Innovation: Karen's dedication to Mike Stern's legacy drives her to keep the work impactful and fresh, collaborating with a diverse team to reach wider audiences and bring new perspectives.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Bill Sherman sits down with Judy Wilkins Smith, an executive coach and trainer specializing in Systemic Constellation Work. Judy has recently released her second book, "The Hidden Power in Your DNA: How to Use Genealogy to Explore Ancestral Patterns & Transform Your Life." Dive in as she shares insights from her transformative journey and groundbreaking work.

"Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint," emerged from personal tragedy. After losing her father, she turned to writing to channel her emotions. Her background in award-winning poetry helped her craft a powerful narrative that connects deeply with readers. That ability to connect and evoke emotion can be seen in Judy's Systemic Constellation Work. Bringing hidden patterns to light by Using 3D tools like paper and props, she helps clients visualize and understand their obstacles. This method allows for a tangible shift in perception and strategy.

Judy talks about the humble journey of becoming the biggest version of oneself. It's about taking full responsibility for personal growth and inviting others to join the adventure. She emphasizes the importance of growth feeling like play rather than a burden. She uses these same ideals when helping clients see the biggest versions of themselves. In her coaching Judy prefers inviting clients to explore their potential rather than pushing them. She’s keenly aware of hesitation, understanding it as a form of self-protection that can be transformed into a strength.

Judy reflects on her own journey with undervaluing her work. Coming from a culture that shies away from ambition, she struggled with Imposter Syndrome. Her growth involved recognizing her worth and pushing past those limiting beliefs.

Judy discusses her "Head, Heart, and Gut" framework, which combats negative self-talk and aligns these three powerful centers to manifest success. When your heart, head, and gut are in sync, you unlock your full potential.

Looking ahead, Judy sees the need for leaders who inspire rather than push. She emphasizes moving beyond victimhood, using personal challenges as a catalyst for remarkable achievements.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Transformative Power of Ancestral Patterns: Judy Wilkins Smith's
work with Systemic Constellation reveals how understanding and
addressing ancestral patterns can transform lives. Her books,
"Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint" and "The Hidden Power in Your DNA," explore how genealogy and systemic work can uncover hidden influences and provide pathways to personal growth.

• Aligning Head, Heart, and Gut: Judy emphasizes the importance of aligning one's head, heart, and gut. By overcoming negative self-talk and ensuring these three elements work together, individuals can achieve conscious manifestation and unlock their full potential. This alignment is crucial for personal and professional success.

• Inspiring Rather Than Pushing: Judy advocates for leadership that inspires rather than pushes. She highlights the significance of
inviting others to explore their potential and grow in a supportive
environment. Her approach focuses on turning challenges into strengths and moving beyond a victim mindset to achieve remarkable outcomes.

In this riveting episode of Thought Leadership Leverage with host
Peter Winick, we dive into the world of non-fiction with Phil Simon, a multifaceted writer, ghostwriter, speaker, and podcaster. Phil shares his journey from a college professor in business information systems to becoming a prolific author and the founder of a hybrid publishing company. He explains his dual role as both a creator and coach, helping others craft their books and platforms while avoiding common pitfalls.

Phil recounts his transition into writing in 2008, which ignited his passion for the craft and led to the establishment of his own publishing company. His unique perspective as an author, ghostwriter, and publisher enables him to guide others effectively. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit with clients, setting clear expectations, and ensuring that the client's voice shines through while adhering to effective business writing principles.

Discussing the ghostwriting process, Phil highlights the critical need for compatibility and clear communication with clients. He shares insights into the evolving publishing landscape, noting the rise of hybrid publishing as a cost-effective and rewarding alternative to traditional publishers. Authors now have more control and potential for higher rewards, balancing the risks with substantial marketing and support efforts.

Phil also delves into his personal intellectual property, which he
proudly owns under "Racket Publishing." This ownership allows him to explore various avenues, such as international translations and teachable courses, without intermediary restrictions. He discusses innovative business models that leverage the credibility of a published book, including bespoke versions for corporate clients, custom training, and webinars.

Phil's experience underscores the chaotic yet rewarding nature of
thought leadership and publishing. His advice for aspiring authors and thought leaders is to embrace the non-linear path to success and capitalize on the multifaceted opportunities a book can provide.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Hybrid Publishing: Phil Simon emphasizes the advantages of hybrid publishing over traditional routes. This model offers authors more control, potential for higher rewards, and flexibility, while still maintaining professional quality. Hybrid publishing allows authors to manage costs and directly benefit from their work.

• Find the Right Fit in Ghostwriting: The importance of compatibility and clear expectations in ghostwriting is crucial. Successful partnerships hinge on mutual understanding and clear communication, ensuring the final product resonates with the intended audience and meets client expectations.

• Leverage Your Book for Broader Opportunities: Owning your
intellectual property opens up diverse monetization avenues. Phil
discusses how a book can elevate your brand, allowing for additional revenue streams through custom training, webinars, and bespoke book versions for corporate clients. Embracing these opportunities can significantly enhance your thought leadership platform.

If you want to learn more about the Changing Landscape of Publishing be sure to check out this video by Peter Winick.