“Don’t be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” - Steve Jobs "Surround yourself with people who can make you even better." In this episode, Shannon Cassidy discusses the importance of choosing connections carefully as a generous leader. She emphasizes the impact of the people we surround ourselves with and provides insights on managing toxic relationships, setting boundaries, and expanding our network thoughtfully.  Chapters: 00:00 The Impact of Choosing Connections Carefully 03:00 Managing Toxic Relationships and Setting Boundaries 04:00 Expanding Your Network Thoughtfully Shannon Cassidy is Founder and CEO of Bridge Between, Inc. a boutique leadership development firm specializing in generous leadership, behavioral change, executive presence, effective  communication, collaborative teamwork, and conflict resolution. She provides Executive Coaching, Facilitation (team sessions, mentoring programs, leadership retreats, executive workshops, mediation services) and Keynote Speaking (conferences, annual events, ceremonies) all custom designed. This is her podcast, R.O.G. Return on Generosity focusing on how to be a corporate generous leader by sharing time, talent and gratitude.  Shannon combines her keen ability to get to the heart of every matter with a proven track record as a corporate leader. Before founding Bridge Between, Inc. she spent years building profitable businesses and driving innovation and leadership initiatives. This real-world experience formed the bedrock of her success. She equips her clients with the strategies, tools, and inspiration to thrive during organizational change and to lead with vision, purpose, and generosity.  Shannon has authored several articles and books including Discover Your Inner Strength (2009), The Five Degree Principle: How Small Changes Lead to Big Results (2013), V.I.B.E. A Self-Discovery Journey to Authentic Leadership (2014) and Grounded in Gratitude a one-line-a –day, five-year gratitude journal (2015-2023). Her current efforts focus on the benefits of Generosity at Work. R.O.G. Takeaway Tips: The people we surround ourselves with significantly influence our leadership and personal growth. Managing toxic relationships and setting boundaries is essential for maintaining positive and energizing connections. Expanding our network thoughtfully and seeking diversity in our connections is important for personal and professional growth. Resources: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ShannonCassidybb  Bridge Between, Inc. https://bridgebetween.com The Five Degree Principle by Shannon Cassidy V.I.B.E. by Shannon Cassidy  R.O.G. on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r-o-g-return-on-generosity/id1508207492  R.O.G. on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1L9UnWdoiAX8MtRKXjdPY3  Video of this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/PNfiBD-2PLI  Free N.D.I. Network Diversity Index https://bridgebetween.com/network-diversity-index/  Free Generosity Quiz https://bridgebetween.com/generosity-quiz/  Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 185, with special guest Frank Gregory. Credits: Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.