Strengths

Donna Lichaw is an internationally sought-after executive coach, keynote speaker, and best-selling author. She helps visionary founders, CEOs, and executive teams level up their leadership and scale their impact while staying true to their mission, purpose, and themselves. Donna works with leaders at companies like Google, Disney, Twitter, Microsoft, Mailchimp, and Adobe, as well as a plethora of mission-driven startups and nonprofits. In our conversation, we discuss:

• How our personal narratives influence our success and failure

• Why identifying your superpowers (and kryptonite) is so important, and how to do it

• The value of doubling down on your strengths rather than trying to fix weaknesses

• How to acknowledge and reframe feelings of impostor syndrome

• The Double Diamond framework for personal growth and goal-setting

• The power of visualization and how it can fuel motivation and creativity

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Find the full transcript at: https://www.lennyspodcast.com/how-to-discover-your-superpowers-own-your-story-and-unlock-personal-growth-donna-lichaw-author/

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Where to find Donna Lichaw:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dlichaw/

• Website: https://www.donnalichaw.com/

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Where to find Lenny:

• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

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In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Donna’s background

(04:25) Donna’s origin story and transition to coaching

(08:38) The power of storytelling in leadership

(11:36) Becoming the hero of your own story

(14:49) Changing your story

(21:19) Understanding and shifting others’ stories

(25:41) Imposter syndrome

(31:28) Exploring different types of kryptonite

(36:41) Identifying and leveraging strengths

(43:53) Identifying superpowers

(56:39) Running experiments

(01:01:52) Using product frameworks for personal growth

(01:12:41) Identifying subconscious goals

(01:15:27) Envisioning impact

(01:16:44) Lightning round

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Referenced:

• The Leader’s Journey: Transforming Your Leadership to Achieve the Extraordinary: https://www.amazon.com/Leaders-Journey-Transforming-Leadership-Extraordinary/dp/1959029134

• Effective Leadership Is Transformational, by Ken Blanchard: https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2019/06/13/effective-leadership-is-transformational/

• Ken Blanchard’s website: https://www.blanchard.com/

• How to write a kickass README: https://dev.to/scottydocs/how-to-write-a-kickass-readme-5af9

• This Week #5: Overcoming impostor syndrome, introducing growth to an org, and how to partner with your Data Scientist: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/this-week-overcoming-impostor-syndrome

• Community Wisdom: Dealing with impostor syndrome as a PM: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/community-wisdom-dealing-with-impostor

• Stuart Smalley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Smalley

• Kryptonite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kryptonite

• How Dyslexic Thinking Gives Entrepreneurs a Competitive Edge: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisoncoleman/2023/05/16/how-dyslexic-thinking-gives-entrepreneurs-a-competitive-edge/

• Characterizing Creative Thinking and Creative Achievements in Relation to Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9283685/

• Robert Iger: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/

• CliftonStrengths test: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx

• VIA Character Strengths: https://www.viacharacter.org/

• How to fire people with grace, work through fear, and nurture innovation | Matt Mochary (CEO coach): https://www.lennyspodcast.com/how-to-fire-people-with-grace-work-through-fear-and-nurture-innovation-matt-mochary-ceo-coach/

•10 Steve Jobs Quotes That’ll Stick With You Long After You Read Them: https://www.themuse.com/advice/10-steve-jobs-quotes-thatll-stick-with-you-long-after-you-read-them

• Gestalt coaching: https://gestaltcenterforcoaching.com/

• Gestalt therapy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/gestalt-therapy

• Head, Heart and Hands: http://creatingminds.org/tools/head_heart_hands.htm

• Managing nerves, anxiety, and burnout | Jonny Miller (Nervous System Mastery): https://www.lennyspodcast.com/managing-nerves-anxiety-and-burnout-jonny-miller-nervous-system-mastery/

• The User’s Journey: Storymapping Products That People Love: https://www.amazon.com/Users-Journey-Storymapping-Products-People/dp/1933820314

• For All Mankind on AppleTV+: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/for-all-mankind/umc.cmc.6wsi780sz5tdbqcf11k76mkp7

• Ted Lasso on AppleTV+: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/ted-lasso/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy

• The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Possibility-Transforming-Professional-Personal/dp/0142001104

• IMPRESA Monkey Noodle Stretchy String Fidget/Sensory Toys: https://www.amazon.com/IMPRESA-Glitter-Stretchy-Phthalate-Latex-Free/dp/B0868X6NRQ

• Dolly Parton quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/21268-find-out-who-you-are-and-do-it-on-purpose

• Donna’s favorite fidgets: https://pen-name.notion.site/Donna-Lichaw-s-Favorite-Fidgets-f84f241d31704a498d71d3502af1821b?pvs=4

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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

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Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.

In part 4 of this short audio series, the focus is on COMPASSION. 

Here's my 4-step Leadership Playbook:
 1. Discover your strengths
2.  Understand the science of change
3. Practice compassion and
4. Take action.

Throughout my career, I've earned how important it is for leaders to practice compassion and self-compassion. It makes a difference in the workplace and at home.   But sometimes practicing self-compassion is easier said than done. 

Dr. Kristin Neff is a pioneer in the study of self-compassion.  She's on the educational psychology faculty at The University of Texas at Austin.  Dr. Neff shares some great resources about compassion on her website.  In this episode, I summarize the key elements of self-compassion.  You can read Dr. Neff's detailed description of self-compassion here.    

Topics:

Compassion vs. Self-Compassion
Self-care
Your role as a leader
Growth opportunities

In part 3 of this short audio series, the focus is on the science of change. 

Here's my 4-step leadership playbook:
 1. Discover your strengths
2.  Understand the science of change
3. Practice compassion and
4. Take action. 

Watch this short video by Dr. BJ Fogg.  

Topics:

Fogg Behavior Design
Fogg Behavior Model
B=MAP
Tiny Habit Recipe (A-B-C)
Emotions create habits
Thrive Global - Microsteps
Tiny Habits Academy

In part 2 of this short audio series, the focus is on discovering and understanding your strengths and natural talents.  

Here's my 4-step leadership playbook:
 1. Discover your strengths 
2.  Understand the science of change
3. Practice compassion and 
4. Take action.  

Topics:

Gallup CiftonStrengths Assessment 
Donald Clifton
The 4 Domains - Executing, Influencing, Relationship Bulding, Strategic Thinking
Dial up your strengths
Dealing with weaknesses
Communicating strengths

Do you want to set better Goals? 

Do you want to see patterns before your competition? 

Jay sits down with the CEO of Fanatics, Michael Rubin. Fanatics is a global digital sports platform that is reimagining the fan experience across many different businesses. 

Michael Rubin is a noted entrepreneur, philanthropist, and social justice advocate who has built several multibillion-dollar direct-to-consumer companies. Driven by a deep passion for business and a life-long love of sports, As growth is constant and never ending, Michael shares the value in learning from those you admire, the biggest mistake many make when building a brand and the undeniable connection between financial success and loving what you do every day.

Michael shares secrets to his mindset of continuous learning and discovers the role of pattern recognition in achieving business success. Michael shares his tips for finding incredible talent and the importance of routines for productivity, learning how to define your worth, turning negatives into positives, and setting billion-dollar goals.

In this interview, you will learn:

• How to be a successful entrepreneur
• How to change your mindset when building a business
• How to overcome challenges and naysayers
• How to be financially independent 
• How to spot patterns in business 

This episode isn't just about business—it's about family and finding what truly matters to you. It's about building empires but creating a life you love.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

• 01:03 Introduction 
• 02:50 Pursue Your Passion for Entrepreneurship
• 05:05 Why Learn From the People You Admire
• 06:42 Evolution of Entrepreneurship
• 08:04 A Peek into the Trading Card Business
• 12:16 The Biggest Mistake when Building a Brand
• 14:45 Financial Success is Loving What You Do Everyday
• 16:17 You Don’t Stop Learning
• 17:32 The Role of Pattern Recognition in Business Success
• 19:01 The Quest for Incredible Talent
• 23:42 Routines to Help with Productivity
• 25:24 Can You Define Your Worth?
• 29:01 The Positive Impact of Turning Negative into Positive
• 34:01 The Billion Dollar Goal
• 35:23 Family Life in the Midst of Success
• 35:57 Finding Balance Between Career and Family
• 38:22 How to Prioritize What Matter the Most
• 42:23 Conclusion with Michael Rubin

Episode Resources:

• Michael Rubin | Instagram
• Michael Rubin | Twitter
• Michael Rubin | TikTok
• Fanatics
• Reform Alliance

Want to be a Jay Shetty Certified Life Coach? Get the Digital Guide and Workbook from Jay Shetty https://jayshettypurpose.com/fb-getting-started-as-a-life-coach-podcast/+

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But New York Times bestselling author Marcus Buckingham argues that you can improve your team dynamics if you understand the people you manage: how they learn, what they love, and how to bring out their strengths.

“[W]hen you first join, [Lululemon] want to know all about your goals and aspirations and dreams,” Buckingham, head of research on people and performance at ADP, tells IdeaCast host Alison Beard. “So right from the get-go, they’re like what’s inside you?”

In this episode, you’ll get step-by-step advice for improving collaboration on your teams from day one. You’ll also learn how you can balance your team members’ unique strengths and interests with your business goals.

Key episode topics include: leadership, leading teams, talent development, psychology, organizational culture, managing people, team building, team joining, onboarding, employee engagement.

HBR On Leadership curates the best case studies and conversations with the world’s top business and management experts, to help you unlock the best in those around you. New episodes every week.

· Listen to the original HBR IdeaCast episode: Find Joy in Any Job: How Do I Get My Team to Love Work? (2022)

· Find more episodes of HBR IdeaCast

· Discover 100 years of Harvard Business Review articles, case studies, podcasts, and more at HBR.org.

Today's conversation is a keynote I gave at the Inbound conference in Boston back in 2016. We discussed the very evident changes that were happening to the media landscape back in 2016 and have only become more clear today in 2023. We discuss everything from self awareness and influencer marketing to programmatic advertising and how to make long-term decisions. This episode is full of practical tips to elevate not only your business or brand but can even help you in your personal life. I hope you enjoy this keynote and your Sunday! :)

Learn how to put yourself first

Mel Schilling, relationship expert and “Married At First Sight” veteran joins us as we delve deep into Jamie and Sophie’s love life. It’s basically couples therapy. Are they meant to be together? Are they TRULY happy? You’ll have to listen to find out. 

Shout out to Rosie Ashworth for proposing the pod this week sat in a dentist chair laughing whilst getting a filling. 

Our wedding favour this week is from @foreverbouquet_art who create incredible paintings of your wedding day flowers.

If anyone is interested in taking the relationship test, here’s the link: https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/testcenter

Thanks for listening x

Instagram: @nearlywedspodcast

TikTok: @nearlyweds

Youtube: NearlyWeds

Email: contact@nearlywedspodcast.com

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Credits:

Podcast Producer & Editor: @jacksuddaby_

Videographer: @jamierg99

Social Media: @emzchampion

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Many experts argue we must only work on our strengths and that somehow this approach will magically make our weaknesses disappear. Any strength over-used becomes a weakness. It is not our strengths which block our ability to improve personal and professional relationships or rise in our careers or win a championship, it is our weaknesses. I am a proponent of maximizing our strengths. Yet we must not ignore our weaknesses. We can find strength in our weakness. Join Christian Napier and Spencer Horn as they discuss and debate this important topic.

Yes!  You are in!  51 countries and counting.  Special shout out to our listeners in Germany and Denmark and New Zealand.  Greetings from the Coachella Valley, CA.  Home of the thee Coachella Music Festival...where the biggest names have played and where the smaller names get their break to the world music scene.  And Yes!  We get Deep here in Crazy Cali.  James from Compton and I are running with Coachella Dudes.  If you are in the area, hit us up at the 'Contact Us' page at FriDudes.com.  Or if you are starting your own Dudes group let us know and we'll put you on the map.  Not sure what to do, learn and emulate how these flawed dudes tune in and determine truth.  Case in point, another BTR from 19...Why do we write things down?  Here you go...oh side note, for those scratching your heads this was recorded back by the Minnesota FriDudes...

Click here for the full listen...

Ready to get in a group to further tune into your purpose and sharing with others to hold you accountable?  Go to GtSurf.org