In my time with C-Suite executives, I often encounter a common yet complex challenge in executive leadership: teams working in silos with little to no collaboration. My recent interaction with a CEO facing this exact dilemma inspired this episode. In it, I offer a structured and practical approach to understanding this challenge's root cause before jumping right to solutions. KEY TAKEAWAYS (1) Observation Is Key: Paying close attention to the team's interaction and communication, including...

In this episode of "Help Me Think," I dive deep into the world of team decision-making methods, offering valuable insights and practical strategies for success. With years of experience as an executive coach, I share my expertise in this critical skill for leaders and teams alike. Tune in to this episode now to enrich your decision-making toolkit and lead your team to smarter, more effective decisions in today's dynamic and complex business environment. KEY TAKEAWAYS (1) Discover five...

In today's insightful discussion, we delve into the transformative, but not so new, concept of entrusting the management of your calendar to a skilled assistant. A calendar isn't just a tool for scheduling. It is much more. It's a roadmap to optimizing your work and life. And much like the challenging video game Tetris, where one must masterfully orchestrate falling blocks into a puzzle, busy executives often need the help of an expert who can expertly navigate the puzzle of their daily...

In this episode of "Help Me Think," I interview Tiffany Nguyen, the Executive Assistant to the CEO of RepeatMD, known for her expertise in strategic calendar management and productivity within the administrative professionals community. My encounter with Tiffany and her insights at the Enlighten 2023 conference led to this enlightening conversation. Tiffany's strategic calendar management skills revealed their magic by liberating her CEO's time, providing 10½ extra hours for strategic...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION I recently had an unexpected encounter with three persistent flies during a leisurely day by the infinity pool, and surprising leadership lessons emerged from observing these tiny creatures. They left me with lessons from knowing when to assist others, fostering resilience, and providing structure. Join us as we delve into these three transformative principles that might change how you approach challenges and growth. KEY TAKEAWAYS In this introspective journey, we delve...

In this installment, we delve into a journey that took my husband and me to Costa Rica for a life-altering Ayahuasca Retreat.​ If the term "Ayahuasca" raises eyebrows, fear not – we break it down in this episode for you. This episode features the insights of Ayahuasqueros Matt Mormello and Jeanae White, who provide invaluable insight into the world of Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca, a potent plant spirit medicine, can induce profound healing and transformation. This psychoactive brew, derived from...

In this episode of "Help Me Think," Mary Beth Oakes, CEO and co-owner of Business Furniture + CO, discusses the significance of a hybrid work environment for employees. She shares insights into Business Furniture's successful transition to hybrid work and how they redesigned their office spaces to support it. Mary Beth also reflects on her career journey, the importance of staying open to opportunities, and her co-founding of Choreo in 2008, a spinoff of Business Furniture. This episode...

What are the five characteristics of exceptional decision-makers? This thought-provoking episode delves into the five crucial traits that pave the way for effective decision-making. In my years of coaching high-achieving executives, I have found that they all employ five key characteristics that make decision-making and leadership easier: humility, empathy, risk tolerance, patience, and self-assurance. How can you develop these traits? Tune in to discover how to train your brain to develop...

Decisions are one of any leader's most important responsibilities. Yet, not enough time is dedicated to helping leaders develop a systematic process for doing so so that when they make decisions, they can make them quickly and efficiently while getting the desired outcomes. What has led me to this conclusion is the observation of leaders consistently making the same mistakes that either make the decision-making process more difficult than it needs to be or lead to results that are less than...

In this episode of "Help Me Think," I emphasize why top-performing executives must protect their optimal thinking times in their schedules, including when and how they do it. This episode aims to help you identify your ideal mental state for productive thinking and provide insights into when and how to cultivate this state more frequently. I guide you to identify your best mental states for deep thinking, then share strategies to incorporate those into your routines for maximum productivity...

In this episode, I dive deep into the intricacies of executive-level and critical thinking and how it influences daily decision-making, organizational alignment, and individual growth. I begin with a powerful question, "Do you feel guilty allocating time for reflective thinking with a demanding schedule?" and illustrate this through a real-life example and explore how aspiring leaders – like executives – can leverage this principle to think, behave, and inspire confidence. Next, I introduce...

In this inaugural episode of the "Help Me Think" podcast, Starla West, an accomplished executive coach, introduces her brand new series aimed at empowering ambitious professionals with the mental models and best practices leveraged by successful executives. By breaking down complex thought processes into actionable steps, Starla aims to transform how listeners approach life and work. Takeaways: Starla provides an overview of the podcast's objective, highlighting the podcast's focus on...