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In a world that constantly bombards us with challenges, deadlines, and multitasking, it's no surprise that many of us feel overwhelmed and burned out. This sentiment resonates deeply with our host, Dr. Heather Walker, and countless others, like us, seeking ways to navigate the chaos of life while maintaining balance and achieving peak performance. In the latest episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, Dr. Walker delves into these issues with esteemed guest Pam Marcheski, a peak performance coach with vast experience in senior executive roles at Fortune 500 companies.

The Overwhelm
Dr. Walker opens the episode addressing the common denominator in our hectic lives: feeling overwhelmed. From conversations with clients, friends, family, and community members, one thing remains clear—everyone is grappling with stress and fatigue. The feeling of being 'fried' and the desperate wait for the weekend is all too common. This episode aims to offer solace and practical strategies for those struggling to manage their energy and mindset in such a demanding environment.

Presence and Mindfulness
One of the key points Pam makes is the importance of presence—being truly aware of where we are, both in mind and body. In today’s hyper-connected world, we often find ourselves physically present but mentally drifting away. By practicing mindfulness and paying attention to what's capturing our focus, we can devise strategies to better manage our time and emotions.

Mindfulness in Action
Pam's pivotal moment wasn't triggered by burnout but rather a desire to improve her interactions and presence. Her introduction to mindfulness came through Dan Harris's book "10% Happier," which taught her to focus on being present momentarily throughout her day and set intentions for her behavior and responses.

Finding Space and Grace
Pam advocates for creating 'space' and 'grace' within our daily routines. This means recognizing that the long-gone natural boundaries need to be consciously replaced with intentional practices that allow us to disconnect, even momentarily, to recharge.

Facing the Modern Work Dilemma
Dr. Walker raises a familiar scenario—competing priorities and the overbooked calendar. Pam's advice is to get comfortable with discomfort and recognize the importance of prioritizing tasks. She encourages playing with the concept, experimenting with eliminating low-risk tasks to observe the impact, and being strategic about scheduling to enhance overall effectiveness.

Bringing Levity to Work
Bringing fun and joy into our lives is essential to keeping the energy high and preventing burnout. Pam shares personal tips like listening to loud, uplifting music, dancing, and even engaging in creative exercises like improv to add levity and playfulness to her routine.

Conclusion
This episode of Lead with Levity podcast profoundly emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, presence, and intentional living. Pam Marcheski’s insights offer valuable takeaways for anyone struggling with the pressures of modern-day life. From busy executives to overwhelmed parents, there's something in her message for everyone. Take a step back, breathe, and remember—mindful leadership can make all the difference.

To learn more about Pam Marcheski and her work with M Peak, visit her website at intentact.com or connect with her on LinkedIn. Let's take the first step towards balancing our lives and leading with levity!

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In this episode, Dr. Heather Walker delves into the fascinating world of facilitation with Dr. Myriam Hadnes—a behavioral economist and self-proclaimed facilitation evangelist. This conversation uncovers the essence of facilitation, its impact in various environments, and practical strategies to enhance group interactions. If you're a leader, project manager, or simply someone interested in understanding the dynamics of group facilitation, read on as we pull back the curtain on this 'Wizard of Oz’ of workplace skills.

The Core Skills of Facilitation
Facilitation requires a strategic blend of skills:
- Sensitivity to group dynamics
- Communication proficiency
- Idea synthesis
- Behavioral observation and response

Dr. Walker shares her own experiences with facilitation, debunking the myth that effective facilitation is a natural-born talent. Instead, she emphasizes that it is a skill honed through practice and critical reflection.

Facilitation in the Workplace
Facilitation is not limited to designated roles; it’s a daily practice for many, even without their realizing it. From team leaders fostering collaborative atmospheres to project managers synchronizing team efforts, facilitation is integral. Dr. Hadnes explains that facilitation skills overlap significantly with leadership skills, like asking insightful questions, active listening, and encouraging participation from quieter team members.

Creating Psychological Safety
A key takeaway from the discussion is the importance of psychological safety in facilitation. Originating from Amy Edmondson's research, psychological safety is shown to distinguish high-performing teams from mediocre ones. Facilitators must cultivate environments where team members feel safe to share, question, and challenge without fear of retribution. This safety promotes authenticity, vulnerability, and ultimately, better communication and collaboration.

The Journey to Becoming a Facilitator
Dr. Hadnes’s personal journey into facilitation was indirect—the realization of her facilitative role came much later. Her background in academia and her experiences with organizational change positioned her uniquely to embrace and advocate for facilitation. Her story resonates with many who find themselves facilitating without initially identifying as a facilitator.

Case Study: Transforming Sarah's Leadership
A case study in facilitation involves Sarah, a manager in a manufacturing plant who struggles with workplace dynamics. Dr. Hadnes advises beginning with empathy, emphasizing the importance of sharing burdens and encouraging team ownership. Effective meeting management and fostering open communication are key strategies to transforming Sarah’s leadership style.

Conclusion
Facilitation is a powerful tool in fostering effective communication, collaboration, and psychological safety within teams. Dr. Myriam Hadnes’s insights provide a valuable blueprint for anyone looking to enhance their facilitation skills, whether in the workplace, academic settings, or personal gatherings. As we embrace the nuanced art and science of facilitation, we open doors to more meaningful, productive, and enjoyable interactions.

For those interested in diving deeper into facilitation, Dr. Hadnes’s community “Never Done Before” offers a platform to explore and experiment with facilitation techniques. Her collective book project, "A Simple Guide on How to Save the World through Facilitation," promises further insi

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Welcome to the "Lead with Levity" podcast, where your host Dr. Heather Walker delves into conversations that equip you with the tools to improve your emotional intelligence (EQ) and navigate the complexities of leadership. In this episode, Dr. Walker is joined by Dr. Steven Stein, a world-renowned clinical psychologist and international best-selling author known for his pioneering work on emotional intelligence and hardiness. In this insightful discussion, Dr. Walker and Dr. Stein explore the nuances of EQ, the importance of hardiness in overcoming adversity, and practical strategies for enhancing your interpersonal skills.

Understanding Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence has gained significant attention over the years as an essential skill for both personal and professional success. Dr. Stein describes EQ as encompassing five core areas:

1. Self-Perception: Understanding both your micro (current emotions) and macro (overall life satisfaction) emotional states.
2. Self-Expression: Transparently communicating your thoughts and feelings, especially important for leaders.
3. Interpersonal Skills: Building and maintaining relationships, which in turn helps leaders inspire and get the best out of their teams.
4. Decision-Making: Leveraging intuition and emotion to make effective decisions.
5. Stress Management: Successfully managing stress and maintaining composure in challenging situations.

Building Emotional Intelligence
Developing emotional intelligence is a continuous process. Dr. Stein highlights that while some individuals might naturally possess high EQ, these skills can indeed be cultivated. For instance, empathy is one core area that can be developed through active listening and genuine curiosity about others' perspectives.

Applying EQ and Hardiness in the Workplace
Dr. Walker presents a real-world scenario that many HR professionals encounter—a manager named Chewy who uses religious beliefs to resist inclusive leadership principles. Dr. Stein offers actionable advice on how to address such sensitive issues empathetically without compromising on the core values of inclusive leadership. Dr. Stein emphasizes the importance of understanding and acknowledging diverse perspectives while not necessarily subscribing to them.

Dr. Stein’s Unexpected Passions
Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Stein lets listeners in on his personal passion for music. As a musician performing with a jazz-rock band, Dr. Stein finds joy and a sense of community in the arts. This passion for music serves as a reminder of the importance of integrating fun and levity into our lives, a concept that resonates deeply with the ethos of the “Lead with Levity” podcast.

Looking Ahead
In closing, Dr. Stein shares his future aspirations, which include ongoing research into emotional intelligence and continually refining tools for better assessing and developing these competencies. His dedication to both his work and his hobbies exemplifies the continuous journey of self-actualization and learning.

Conclusion
Dr. Steven Stein’s conversation with Dr. Heather Walker is a deep dive into the essential skills of emotional intelligence and hardiness. From practical strategies for improving EQ to understanding the powerful role of self-awareness and empathy, this episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to excel in leadership and personal growth. For more about Dr. Stein's work, visit stevenstein.com or mhs.com.

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Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!