Today I’m joined by the wonderful and inspiring Jo Gaines, a seasoned professional who has worked in the technology and media sector for over two decades. Jo's career journey has seen her work for high-profile companies including CBS, Krux, Yahoo and more recently, as Area Vice President of Salesforce. Jo is also a dedicated mother-of-two and a fierce advocate for equality, lending her support as an ambassador for women's shelters. She shares with us her journey through hardship to finding resilience and how changing her mindset helped reshape her story.

Through facing a challenging turning point in her career due to redundancy, Jo embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that saw her turn to practices such as weight training, breathwork and meditation. She shares the new mindset she adopted through these practices, and how her determination to thrive in the face of uncertainty led to a completely new outlook on life.

In our conversation, Jo shares the grief she experienced when her role at Salesforce came to an end, and how lost she felt when it came to her future. However, she notes there are two choices we can make when it comes to facing adversity. Either we can see it as a downfall, or treat it as an opportunity to expand. Jo chose the latter, and decided to view this new path as one she was destined to be on.

Resilience can often be misunderstood as a suppression of emotions or ignoring our problems. However, we define what resilience really is and discuss its ability to help effectively manage our thoughts and feelings. Jo believes that releasing control and trusting everything will eventually work out can free us from fear and the temptation to give up.

We talk about how navigating through our own life challenges produces empathy, and when we view others through this lens, we become more effective leaders. Recognising that everyone experiences change, particularly in a post-pandemic world, we’re able to rally with our team and prioritise their wellbeing. How can we communicate in a way that resonates for each individual? How do we lead in a way that not only gets them through, but also builds resilience?

Jo also shares her shift in perspective that inspired her to live more fully in the present and pursue the passions that had been sitting on the backburner for too long. She talks about the bucket list she created and the importance of making time and space in life to achieve each goal.

Jo's story is a powerful testament to the transformation resilience can create, and the potential for growth when we embrace change with gratitude. I just know you’ll be as inspired as I was by Jo’s incredible wisdom, and hope you find confidence to implement strategies for a full and rewarding life in leadership and beyond.

LINKS

Connect with Jo Gaines

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jogaines

Instagram: @gogaino

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm absolutely thrilled to share this special episode with you today because I've got some exciting news to share! Today marks the prelaunch of my brand new book, "You Always Have a Choice: How to Embrace Change, Build Unwavering Resilience, and Lead a Life You Love." This book has been nearly six months of hard work, and I couldn't be more excited to share it with you. In this episode, I’m sharing a sneak peek into what the book is about and why it matters so much to me.

The last few months have been significantly challenging for me, but during this time, I’ve been all the more grateful for the variety of tools I have up my sleeve to help me get through. Life may bring hardships, but our response to them is a testament to our character and leadership and this is exactly what my new book is about.

You Always Have a Choice is my guide to becoming a true leader of yourself, and from there, extending that leadership to your career, business, and relationships. The book is a journey that begins with addressing overwhelm, a feeling many of us can relate to. I share techniques for managing the juggle effectively and delve into the concept of being "busy" with a new perspective, knowing that you have a choice in how you respond to busyness.

The book also covers embracing change. Whether it's a life event, workplace shift, or universal change beyond your control, I share techniques to help you navigate change successfully. I also explore the power of mindset and choosing a mindset that becomes your superpower, driving your behaviours and, consequently, your results.

Identifying your values is another crucial topic that I cover in the book. Knowing what you stand for and setting boundaries in life is something that many people struggle with. Yet these skills are vital to living authentically. My book guides you through these processes, ultimately leading to embracing courage and confidence, qualities I believe we must actively work on. Finally, I write about celebrating your success, a step that many leaders forget but one that fuels our confidence and wellbeing.

I’m so excited to get this book into the hands of many. Stay tuned toward the end of the episode where I spill the beans on the special bonuses you’ll receive when you preorder. Remember, no matter what life throws your way, you always have a choice in how you respond.

Pre-order You Always Have A Choice here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m a big believer in the power of reflection and with today marking the final episode for 2023, I’m sharing 10 questions to ask yourself to reflect on the year that’s been. Taking the time to do this is such a profound exercise that will help set the stage for a wonderful year ahead.

One of the most powerful things you can do is tune into how you are feeling. Have you taken good care of your physical and mental well-being this year? Did you engage in activities that rejuvenate your soul or did you get overrun with busyness?

The questions I share today will help you reflect on the things that you were proud of, the things that brought you joy, and perhaps some of the moments you didn’t celebrate enough. I talk about the power of choosing relationships that build you up, the importance of living in alignment with your values and gaining clarity on the things that no longer serve you.

Did you end this year the way you wanted to? Or are there things you would do differently if you had your time again? As you take the time to pause and reflect, be intentional about what you want 2024 to look like.

Asking yourself these questions isn’t about being self-critical or holding yourself to an unrealistic standard. It’s about understanding the power you have to create the life that you want.

After listening to this episode, I encourage you to really take some time to reflect on your year and answer the questions honestly. Doing this will provide valuable insights into shaping your canvas for 2024. You have the power to design your year and live in alignment with your true desires and values. Remember, life is too short to merely tolerate it; aim to live the life you love.

I wish you all the very best festive season and look forward to being in your ears with more exciting guests and powerful content in the new year.

Pre-order You Always Have A Choice here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am so excited to kick off the new year with an amazing guest, Kristina Karlsson. Kristina is the founder of Dream Life Store and the global Swedish design and stationery brand, Kikki K. She is also the author of the book, "Your Dream Life Starts Here," and is on a mission to inspire 101 million people to dream big and make their dreams happen.

Kristina shares her personal journey of manifesting her dreams and provides incredible insights and actionable tips for creating your own dream life. Her story is so inspiring, and I hope it encourages you to take the necessary steps towards turning your dreams into reality.

Kristina's path to manifesting her dream life started at the age of 23 when she moved from Sweden to Australia. She was feeling lost and unsure about her future. One sleepless night, she asked her partner, Paul, for guidance on what she should do with her life. He suggested that she write down what was important to her.

On that list, Kristina discovered that she wanted to drive to work every day and love it. She also wanted to have her own business, work with Swedish design, have a connection with Sweden, and have the flexibility to be there for her family when needed. She even added a dream of having her life in both countries. These dreams seemed impossible at the time, but Kristina has gone on to achieve every single one of them.

Coming through a very challenging time when Kikki-K was taken into voluntary administration not once, but twice during Covid, Kristina Karlsson shared openly about how the power of walking in nature, meditation and journaling helped her through.

I left this conversation feeling empowered to start my own list of dreams to bring into 2024, and I hope you do too.

Pre-order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Kristina:

Free Resources

Coaching and Courses

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year! At the beginning of this brand new chapter, I want to share some inspiring insights today about the art of choice in shaping your year. So often we start the year out strong with new goals and dreams, and then once life has settled back to normal, we return to our old habits. I believe that it doesn’t have to be this way because you always have a choice about how you live your life.

In this episode, I share the story of one of my clients who juggled so many responsibilities that she ended up neglecting herself and feeling overwhelmed. Each year, she would write down all the things she wanted to do for herself, but inevitably her goals fell by the wayside.

Much like my client, many people in this situation struggle because they lose connection with their values and they lack firm boundaries. If you say yes to everyone and everything, you’re left overwhelmed and disconnected from yourself. Trying to please everyone and living out of alignment with your values is exhausting and unsatisfying. Life is too short for this!

As we enter 2024, I want to remind you that you have a choice in how you shape your year. Although life doesn't always go according to plan, being crystal clear about who you are, your values, and how you want to experience the year makes it easier to anchor yourself and take meaningful steps towards a life you love. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, make difficult decisions, and establish new routines. Embrace saying no when necessary and focus on what truly matters to you.

This journey isn’t about neglecting your responsibilities or relationships; it's about creating a legacy you're proud of. Every day, you have the power to shape your own legacy and make choices aligned with your goals and dreams. Cherish each moment, find joy in every season of life, and prioritise your happiness. Remember, you can't please everyone, and trying to do so will only hinder your own progress and fulfilment.

After listening to this episode, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on how you want this year to be. Write down your dreams and aspirations, and choose three things to focus on. Take these three things and break them down into bite-sized pieces, so you can conquer small tasks that lead to greater goals. Remember, building new habits and achieving goals is a process that requires commitment, but it is well worth the effort.

Previous episode mentioned:

The Secrets You Need to Know to Create Your Dream Life

Pre-order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Kristina:

Free Resources

Coaching and Courses

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In times of uncertainty, effective leadership becomes essential. The ability to navigate storms, whether personal or professional, requires resilience, empathy, and a real focus on communication. My guest today is Leah Mether, a renowned speaker, trainer, and author, who joins me to share her insights on leading through challenging times. We dive deep into her experiences and expertise to explore the strategies and mindset required to successfully guide teams and oneself through storms.

In this episode, we dive into some of the wisdom Leah writes about in her book, Steer Through The Storm. And let me tell you, the strategies Leah shares have been tried and tested in her own life. During our conversation, Leah candidly shares how she approached her marriage separation and divorce with love, kindness and compassion as her anchor.

We talk about the importance of leaders recognising their responsibility to steer their teams through change, not just initiating the change. Even if the change is not within their control, leaders must guide their teams, providing support, empathy, and clear communication. This is what true leadership is.

Furthering this topic, we also spoke about the significance of balancing empathy and accountability. Understanding how humans instinctively respond to change is crucial. By expecting resistance and acknowledging the varied emotional reactions, leaders can create a safe space for open dialogue. Curiosity, rather than anger, can help leaders understand the fears and concerns of their team members.

Toward the end of the episode, Leah shares a powerful insight which drives home the importance of long-term thinking. She shares how asking yourself what you want to be known for helps to create a touchstone that you can come back to during challenging times. As leaders, doing this helps us to rise above the momentary difficulties and envision the future we want to build.

Change is inevitable but how we as leaders choose to navigate it is what sets us apart. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Pre-order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Leah Mether:

Website: https://www.leahmether.com.au/

Book: Steering Through The Storm

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahmetherspeaker/

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our fast-paced and demanding world, finding ways to prioritise our well-being can often feel like a challenge.

In this episode, we dive into this problem with the incredible Fleur Heazelwood, a leadership expert, founder of the Blueberry Institute, and author of Resilience Recipes. She shares her journey in the corporate world, the lessons she learned from it, and the wisdom she has gained further studying resilience.

Fleur doesn’t like the traditional notion of work-life balance and proposes a more holistic approach to well-being. She emphasizes that our lives should not be divided into separate compartments, but rather, we should view it as one interconnected whole. By considering work as just one piece of the larger puzzle of life, we can find a better balance that aligns with our priorities and values.

Fleur believes that resilience is a skill set that can be developed. She discussed the importance of emotional agility, mental adaptability, and optimizing energy as key components of building resilience. By understanding our strengths and weaknesses in these areas, we can create a personalised resilience recipe that suits our unique needs.

Fleur emphasised the role of leaders in fostering workplace well-being. She highlighted the importance of leaders prioritising their well-being first to be able to support their teams effectively. Fleur's second book focuses on how leaders can create a high-performing team by introducing conversations around mental health and cultivating a supportive team environment.

I know you’ll love this conversation with Fleur and her insights into prioritizing well-being and incorporating resilience into our daily lives. Enjoy!

Pre-order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Fleur Heazelwood

Website: https://blueberryinstitute.com

Book: https://blueberryinstitute.com/books

Instagram: @fleur_heazlewood

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.