https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/being-an-executive-and-being-happy-with-larissa-thomas

I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Larissa Thomas, Vice President of Talent and Effectiveness at Electronic Arts.

We dive right into career fulfillment, emphasizing the importance of defining personal happiness and success.

Larissa shares her journey, highlighting struggles with confidence and societal pressures. She underscores the necessity of self-care and resetting to achieve mental clarity.

We also touch on cultivating happiness, setting realistic expectations, and focusing on personal growth.

I hope this episode inspires you, as a fearless female leader, to take charge of your career, prioritize well-being, and redefine success on your own terms.

Key Takeaways:

Defining Personal Success (00:03:28)

Larissa discusses the importance of defining her own version of success rather than following corporate norms.

Crafting a Career Change Plan (00:08:15)

Larissa details her process of planning a career change, focusing on strengths and desired work environments.

Controlling What You Can (00:15:34)

Larissa highlights the importance of focusing on controllable aspects of her career and reflecting on accomplishments.

Divorcing the Need for Validation (00:18:15)

Larissa shares her journey of breaking free from seeking validation in the corporate world, enhancing her self-worth.

Reframing Happiness (00:23:29)

She advises listeners to redefine happiness as an active pursuit rather than a passive state.

Visualization Techniques (00:26:05)

Larissa compares career visualization to Olympic training, highlighting its role in achieving clarity and success.

If you’d like to connect to discuss how I can help you or your team with coaching, speaking, or about early access to my upcoming book due out just prior to IDW 2025, let’s talk soon!

To your next level of success and joy,

Sheryl

https://www.sherylkline.com/blog/competency-architecture-for-high-performing-teams-to-avoid-burnout-and-attrition

I am honored to share this conversation with you that I had with Chrissy Medeck, Senior Vice President at B.O.K Financial, about combating workplace burnout and attrition through competency architecture.

Chrissy shares her leadership journey and introduces competency architecture as a framework to help employees identify necessary skills, behaviors, and knowledge for success.

Emphasizing strengths-based development, Chrissy advocates for clear career pathways and recognizing transferable skills. Our discussion highlights the importance of integrating competency architecture into organizational culture to enhance employee well-being, engagement, and productivity, ultimately fostering a more resilient and successful workforce.

Key Takeaways

Addressing Imposter Syndrome (00:04:29)
Exploration of how awareness and support can help combat feelings of inadequacy, particularly in women.

Challenges of Burnout and Attrition (00:06:23)
The speakers discuss the widespread issue of burnout and attrition in the corporate environment.

Understanding Competency Architecture (00:08:34)
Chrissy explains the concept of competency architecture and its relevance for career development.

Benefits of Competency Architecture (00:09:58)
Discussion on how organizations can use competency architecture to clarify success pathways for employees.

Focus on Strengths (00:15:01)
The significance of strengths-based coaching and feedback in employee development and career growth.

Competency in Sustainable High Performance (00:21:07)
Discussion on the need for employees to develop competencies for sustainable work-life balance and well-being.

If you’d like to connect to discuss how I can help you or your team, let’s talk soon!

To your next level of success and joy,

Sheryl

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

When my daughter was a teenager, it seemed like every conversation ended in an argument. I could not say anything right! It was so frustrating for both of us.

Have you ever had an important conversation, either with family or with a colleague, and it just goes horribly wrong?

I have recently read Charles Duhigg's book, ‘Super Communicators’, and there are a few key take-aways that I found very interesting and incredibly important when preparing to have a crucial conversation.

One thing that jumped out at me was the importance of understanding others' needs before engaging in conversations, whether in professional settings or family dynamics.

Recognizing whether someone needs data, emotional support, or simply a listening ear can enhance communication whether this is in personal relationships, or at work.

Do they need a hug or empathy? Do they need an answer? Do they need data facts? Do they just need to be heard and listened to?

Approaching conversations with intentionality and empathy, fostering stronger connections and more productive interactions, and thinking about what others really need from us before we open our mouths to speak can make the difference between a successful conversation and one that doesn’t go so well.

If I can help you or your team with determining ‘what’s next’, sustainable high-performance habits, or how to become even more influential to gain buy-in or get paid what you’re worth, let’s connect!

Finally, if you would like to get on the pre-order list for my ‘Fearless Female Leadership book, be the first to know about the launch date, book tour, or inquire about an IDW 2025 speaking event, I’d love to partner with you! Let’s chat!

To your next level of success and joy,

Sheryl