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The Edges of Lean explores topics in continuous improvement (lean thinking, creative problem solving, six sigma) that get overlooked. Meet the people practicing lean in odd places or with different twists, always with a focus on respect for people and continuous learning.
Episodes
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Harriet Stein would like us to pay attention. Paying attention is an absolute necessity for lean practitioners – but it is not something we all find easy – or even know how to start practicing. Harriet kindly spent some time with me at the Edges of Lean explaining how to build our attentiveness skills and why improving them can improve our lean practices and our quality of life. Harriet is the author of “Perfect Attendance: Being Present for Life.
Experience her delightful and captivating perspective on this topic. Don't miss it!
Harriet Stein
Harriet Stein is an inspirational teacher and professional speaker passionate about speaking to organizations on how mindfulness can benefit them. Her customized mindfulness programs provide practical tools for a fulfilling and productive life.
Harriet created the award-winning Take a Pause Mindfulness training program. She has extensive experience teaching mindful practices at Fortune 500 companies to improve corporate culture. While at Johnson & Johnson, she taught over 5,000 employees Mindfulness strategies.
Mixing research and science with fun, Harriet’s proven strategies teach living in the present and being accessible professionally and personally. Learn how to reduce stress and achieve more creativity, efficiency, or better sleep!
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:01:10 - The importance of paying attention and building attentiveness skills to improve Lean practice and quality of life
00:05:30 - What is mindfulness, and how can we pay attention without judgment
00:10:54 - Being mindful at 2:00 AM, and control your racing thoughts before you go to sleep
00:15:02 - What is being present in lean practice, and how to cultivate the right mental state
00:17:26 - Practicing non-judgment and compassion mindfulness
00:23:30 - Attitudes needed for a lean project and the importance of preconceived ideas about oneself and others
00:28:11 - Non-striving and stress and the harmful effect of stress on mindfulness
00:34:29 - The power of gratitude and acceptance
00:35:30 - Generosity and kindness in the workplace and how it can create a positive work environment
00:37:09 - Opportunities for learning and growth both professionally and personally
00:39:44 - The practice of acceptance and how the practice of acceptance can help us deal with difficult situations.
00:45:01 - Mindfulness in manufacturing and how it helped employees become more aware and focused on safety
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Unravel how mindfulness practices can elevate productivity and foster a healthy work environment.
- Acquire the attitudes for mindfulness mastery, including trust, non-judgment, and letting go.
- Gain insight into the benefits of teaching mindfulness to children, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.
- Learn the positive impact of gratitude and generosity on teamwork and interpersonal dynamics.
- Examine methods for approaching fear and conflict mindfully and fostering a more accepting mindset.
- Unveil the secrets to boosting workplace efficiency and personal well-being through mindfulness practices.
- Dive into crucial attitudes for adopting mindfulness, such as beginner's mind, letting go, and compassion.
- Understand the importance of introducing mindfulness to children in developing positive mental habits.
- Realize the potential of expressing appreciation and kindness in enhancing teamwork and communication.
- Delve into mindful techniques for navigating challenging emotions and conflicts with more ease and understanding.
Memorable Quotes From Harriet Stein
“You are capable of impacting thousands and thousands of people with just one decision."
CONNECT WITH Harriet Stein
Email: Harriet@HarrietStein.com
Website: https://www.harrietstein.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harriet-stein/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PauseAndNotice
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bigtoeinthewater
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
Catherine Llewellyn is a humanistic psychologist who coaches and consults with business leaders who want to "go up a level" whether that is personally or in their business. I spoke with Catherine here at the Edges of Lean to learn what humanistic psychology is and how she helps these leaders raise their consciousness and reach their next level. She delves into the challenges faced by individuals in organizations when generating new ideas.
Catherine Llewellyn
Catherine Llewellyn is a Master Humanistic Psychologist who founded Yes You Now in 2020 to help high achievers achieve their personal and business goals while promoting free thinking and self-actualization. Her approach is based on the humanistic philosophical approach, physical embodiment, energy healing, and strategic creativity. Catherine has a profound familiarity with what it is to be a free-thinker and non-conformist, and she has worked with large-scale corporate leadership and transformation to align fiscal success with values-driven leadership and culture. Catherine now works directly with influential and successful entrepreneurs and leaders to help them achieve the Next Level in surprising and remarkable ways.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:04:57 Lead with Consciousness and Compassion.
00:10:59 Purpose-driven change implementation.
00:17:13 Encourage strategic thinking in leadership.
00:20:48 Lead with intention and authenticity.
00:27:40 Develop human, inspirational leadership.
00:30:09 Be open and sensitive.
00:37:43 Grow and maximize potential.
00:41:05 Find your truth and transcend.
KEY TAKEAWAYS OF THIS PODCAST:
- Humanistic psychology is all about self-awareness and potential.
- Respect for people is at the heart of lean principles. By valuing and understanding people better, we can build better leaders and create a healthy culture that supports transformation.
- Personal growth is a factor in lean transformation. By connecting to our truth and transcending our limitations, we can achieve great success and fulfillment in our personal and professional lives.
- Connection is essential. In order to truly embody humanistic psychology principles, one must be willing to get over themselves and connect with others.
- Strategic thinking is a critical component of successful leadership involves taking a step back and looking at the big picture, considering the context of the organization and its goals.
Memorable Quote from Catherine Llewellyn
“I would say to a young person, sit down and work out what questions you'd like to get answers to.”
Connect with Catherine Llewellyn
Podcast: Truth & Transcendence - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/truth-transcendence/id1576720874
Thursday May 11, 2023
Thursday May 11, 2023
Do you like your voice? Does your voice help you to get your message across? How do you take care of your voice? John Henny is a voice coach who works with speakers to help them use their voices to be more compelling and influential, and he is here at The Edges of Lean to give us methods and tips for being better users and caretakers of our great voices.
John Henny
John Henny is a highly experienced voice coach who has helped thousands of people improve their communication skills. He is a featured lecturer at various prestigious institutions and conferences and coaches professionals in corporate businesses, the military, sports announcing, and voice-over artists. He employs creative methods to alleviate stress and enhance the quality of his clients' vocals. He is a skilled writer, host of a podcast, and designer of internet-based courses, with a substantial fan base.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:00 - Using your voice to be more compelling and Influential
07:42 - The resonance of the power of voice
09:10 - How essential your vocal tract is
10:26 - How to make sure your voice is heard.
16:25 - The importance of variety and pace in speaking
20:39 - The magic of best performance is the combination of familiar and unfamiliar.
23:26 - Importance of being structured and memorable.
27:42 - Emotional connection is the key to being unstoppable.
30:50 - The importance of non-verbal communication.
36:52 - The importance of Breathing
40:55 - Take care, be aware, and connect with your voice
KEY TAKEAWAYS OF THIS PODCAST:
- To be more compelling and influential, you need to use your voice effectively. The power of voice is in its resonance.
- Your vocal tract is essential for creating different sounds, tones, and pitches, and understand how it works to use it effectively.
- To be heard, you need to project your voice, use pauses, and speak with clarity.
- Variety and pace in speaking are crucial for keeping your audience engaged. Monotony can make you sound uninteresting.
- The magic of the best performance lies in the combination of familiar and unfamiliar elements
- Emotional connection is the key to being unstoppable
- Non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal communication. Use eye contact, gestures, and body language to enhance your message.
- Breathing is essential for good vocal production. Ude breathing exercises to improve your breathing technique.
Memorable Quote from John Henny
“Connect with your voice, have an awareness of your voice, and take care of your voice. Taking care of your voice is going to help not only your professional but also your personal life. It is our number one means of emotional connection with other people.”
Connect with John Henny
Website: https://johnhenny.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-henny-8ab9142b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBolFwy8OpeiJf23eOQMGbw
Wednesday May 03, 2023
Wednesday May 03, 2023
Are you thinking of writing a book? Did you write a book? Are you wondering about getting your book out in the world? College media instructor Karl W. Beckstrand is the best-selling author/illustrator of twenty-seven multicultural/multilingual books. He is here at the Edges of Lean to help us take advantage of his lessons learned with writing and publishing.
Karl Beckstrand
Karl Beckstrand is a college media professor and the founder of Premio Publishing, which has over 200 multicultural offerings. He values cultural diversity and collaborates with illustrators from Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Beckstrand has lived in Chile, worked as a Spanish-English interpreter, and visited various countries. He is passionate about using the arts to promote literacy and help people realize their worth and potential, regardless of their background.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
0:00:00 - Karl Beckstrand: best-selling author and illustrator of 27 multicultural multilingual books
0:03:05 - Exploring the pros and cons of traditional publishing vs. self-publishing
0:04:57 - The benefits of long-term book marketing
0:14:58 - S,elf-publishing and the financial side of the process
0:17:15 - Marketing strategies for self-publishing a book
0:22:44 - Writing and marketing a book
0:24:58 - Writing a book and marketing strategies
0:26:41 - Learning from failure and continuous improvement
0:29:31 - Writing for young people: approaches and beta readers
0:31:52 - Self-publishing and book bannings
0:37:02 - Book selection and curation in libraries
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Self-publishing is quicker and allows the author more control over marketing, content, and finances, while working with a big publishing house requires finding an agent and can take more time.
- Self-publishing has become more accessible, leading to a surge of books to publish, but the quality is improving due to the experience gained by writers.
- Technology can impact the book industry, making it easier to find high-quality writing.
- Ideas can come in the form of complete stories or just snippets, and it is crucial to write them down before they slip away.
- The importance of being a prolific writer, constantly jotting down ideas, and having a bank of inspiration to draw from.
- While working with a publisher, authors may not receive the marketing support they expect, and authors need to take charge of marketing their books.
- Carl stresses the importance of perseverance in the publishing industry and encourages authors to keep pushing their work, no matter how long ago it was published.
- It is essential to consider the target audience when writing for children, including their age range and interests.
- Editing services provide different perspectives, which is valuable for improving the quality of a book.
Memorable Quote from Karl Beckstrand
“We live in a wonderful age where you could just go online and look up something you don't know.”
Connect with Karl Beckstrand
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlbeckstrand/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlbeckstrand/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarlBeckstrand.AuthorSpeaker/
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Brad Eisenberg of BE Lean is a scalability consultant with over 15 years of experience as a Founder, COO, and consultant. He works with growing businesses that are at the point where everything that used to be fun and easy has become messy and complex. Brad is here at the Edges of Lean to help us understand what scalability is and the relationship between scalability, lean, and seeing things as they really are.
Brad Eisenberg
Brad led greeNEWit as its COO and is also the founder of BE Lean. Brad was also the founder of weBIKE, a bike share company that gave him his first taste of entrepreneurship. At BE Lean, he focuses on helping clients see what is happening in their businesses, focusing on the critical components of traction, profit, throughput, and innovation; components required for scaling up (or down). Brad’s insights ensure businesses have the tools and resources to scale up or down as demand requires. If you are running a growing business, you know how frustrating it can be when the things that used to be fun and straightforward become messy and complex. That is where Brad comes in - he is an expert in helping businesses scale effectively and efficiently.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
0:00:00 - Understanding scalability, lean, and visibility in growing businesses
0:06:19 - Understanding the four components of scalability
0:16:24 - Maximizing return on investment for business growth
0:18:10 - Optimizing business growth strategies
0:24:44 - Understanding the benefits of experimentation in business decisions
0:26:57 - A framework for making good decisions on risky ideas
0:32:46 - Risk vs. Return in pharmaceutical product development
0:34:34 - Identifying critical questions and making cold-hearted decisions for business success
0:38:25 - Challenges faced by businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic
0:40:42 - Improving efficiency through infrastructure building and hiring strategies
0:42:30 - Scaling a business and knowledge management
0:44:35 - Taking risks and starting in business
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Scalability is not just about growing or shrinking a business but about having the capacity to adjust to meet demand.
- The four critical scalability components are traction, profit, throughput, and innovation.
- Traction is the ability to move forward, throughput is the ability to generate revenue, and innovation is the ability to adapt and stay ahead. (You know what profit is!)
- Scalability should be considered an ongoing change process, not a one-time goal.
- Measuring and validating ideas is crucial for success, as a business model is just a hypothesis until proven.
- Having an external perspective can help identify and address any blind spots.
- Control, replicability, and consistency are essential elements to achieve scalability.
- Scalability consultants come from various backgrounds, including engineering, math, and science, and help businesses run more smoothly and efficiently.
Memorable Quotes From Brad Eisenberg
“You need a person that will be championing the idea to really kind of push the business forward, and you need that champion to push the envelope.”
CONNECT WITH BRAD EISENBERG
Website: https://www.beleanbusiness.com/about
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-eisenberg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.eisenberg.5/
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Jim Gitney has been coaching and consulting for decades and, over the years, has seen many strategies fail because of poor execution. He knew there had to be a better way to bridge strategy and results. He developed the Business Hierarchy of Needs to clearly show how to make the decisions that lead to excellent execution of strategy. Let’s hear Jim’s approach from him and discuss how it relates to lean and continuous improvement approaches.
Jim Gitney
Jim Gitney is an experienced strategy, operations, and supply chain expert with over 45 years of experience working for startups to Fortune 50 companies. He is the author of "Strategy Realized – The Business Hierarchy of Needs - Turning Strategy Into Results" and the Founder and CEO of Group50 Consulting. Jim has extensive experience running large global operations and working with boards, business owners, and executives on developing and implementing transformative strategic initiatives. He has worked with various industries, including consumer and industrial products, government, aerospace, professional services, healthcare, big data, and high-tech. Jim has been instrumental in developing and implementing dozens of global business strategies, 11 operational and financial restructurings, and adapting blockchain to the supply chain.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
0:00:00 - Bridging strategy and results to achieve continuous improvement
0:05:17 - The benefits of empowering employees
0:10:53 - Leveraging people for enlightened leadership
0:16:22 - Setting goals to achieve business growth and resonating with younger generations
0:18:31 - Leadership, sustainability, and diversity in the workplace
0:26:33 - Business hierarchy of needs and engaging stakeholders in strategic planning
0:33:20 - Utilizing the five why and five how exercises to refine strategic goals
0:35:42 - The benefits of implementing lean strategies in business
0:41:16 - Strategy realize the business hierarchy of needs
0:44:05 - Tools to improve speed to market in research and development
0:49:58 - Achieving your most important goals in business
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Leaders need to change their thinking to understand the value of their employees.
- Bridging strategy and results are critical for achieving continuous business improvement.
- Empowering employees has numerous benefits for organizations, including increased productivity and employee satisfaction.
- Enlightened leadership requires leveraging the potential of people within an organization.
- Setting goals is essential in achieving business growth and resonating with younger generations.
- Leadership, sustainability, and diversity are essential in building a successful workplace.
- The Five Why and Five How exercises can help refine strategic goals and improve decision-making.
- Implementing lean strategies can help streamline processes and improve business efficiency.
- Using proper tools and procedures can enhance the pace of bringing research and development to the market.
- Achieving the highest goals in business requires a focused approach and consistent effort.
Memorable Quote from Jim Gitney
“Business leaders who are enlightened and who understand that they can leverage the skill sets inside their organization can help not only the business needs but also the personal needs of the people in their workforce.”
CONNECT WITH Jim Gitney
Website: https://www.group50.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgitney/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/group50consulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimgitney?s=20
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.gitney/
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
If you are a continuous improvement professional, you probably use some games in the training you deliver – maybe as an ice-breaker or perhaps as a simulation to teach a tool. But have you ever wondered how far you can take game-playing to build a team or create a culture? Alex is a woman on a mission to transform workplaces from the inside out. She has been playing around with games that create fun and meaningful learning experiences for years. Are you ready to hear some juicy insights on gaming in the workplace? Don't miss her unique and engaging take on this joyful topic.
Alexandra Suchman
As the CEO and co-founder of Barometer XP, Alex is well-versed in organizational development and improving business operations. She has a unique approach to consulting - she uses games to create engaging learning experiences for her clients. Her expertise stems from her early career in public policy and health, where she noticed many companies struggling with processes. Alex began to focus on creating simple systems and better planning. Today, she continues to help her clients become more strategic and organized in their work, through the use of games.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
0:00:01 – Exploring continuous improvement with games: an interview with Alexandra Suchman
0:02:37 – Exploring the use of games and simulations to enhance interpersonal skills in the workplace
0:04:33 – Conversation on game development with business partner
0:06:51 – Reflecting on the benefits of Games in the workplace
0:18:00 – Improving communication through pre-planning and games
0:19:36 – Conversation on the benefits of practicing habits and playing games to navigate uncertainty
0:26:33 – Exploring different thought processes in the workplace
0:28:15 – Conversation on team dynamics and diversity in the workplace
0:30:06 – Exploring the benefits of team-building games for group dynamics
0:35:04 – Conversation on developing experiential learning games and simulations for organizational change
0:39:12 – Exploring curiosity and changing paths
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Leadership skills are developed and demonstrated in well-designed games.
- Diversity and inclusion are the most significant factors in a team's success that CEOs should consider.
- There are huge differences between people who are detailed based and those that see the big picture. And most of the time, both are needed.
- The opportunities to practice that come with game playing give leaders proven skills
- Learning and practicing different ways to respond to others' styles helps us get the most out of conversations.
- Game-playing strengthens communication and empathy skills
- It is not just about playing the game but building upon the learnings people will acquire while playing.
- Reflection on games will significantly improve communication and collaboration among group members.
Memorable Quotes From Alexandra Suchman
“Being able to learn in the situational moments and apply the lessons from it is one of the best ways to mitigate the problems that happen over and over."
CONNECT WITH Alexandra Suchman
Email: alex@barometerxp.com
Website: https://www.barometerxp.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrasuchman
Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexbxpteams
Friday Mar 31, 2023
Friday Mar 31, 2023
The bots are here, and lean and continuous improvement practitioners see that organizations are eager to take advantage of the capabilities of artificial intelligence – or my guest Lauren Hisey calls it, intelligent automation. Lauren is here to demystify AI and share how continuous improvers can make peace with it – and use it effectively in improvement work. And, we are going to hear about her 100 Lunches project. Lauren embraces and overcomes the challenges that other people prefer to avoid. She has an immense passion for continuous improvement and loves to show others how to use it effectively in their businesses and organizations.
Lauren Hisey
Lauren Hisey is a dynamic person with a wealth of experience as an employee and business owner. She is passionate about innovation and creativity and has worked across various fields, such as TA/HR, Sales, Operations, Product Leadership, and Technology. Lauren is a natural problem solver who approaches each day with vigor and enthusiasm, leveraging her extensive knowledge of Lean Six Sigma to help companies achieve sustainable growth. She has spent over a decade working with companies of all sizes as a coach, consultant, trainer, and speaker, honing her skills and imparting her expertise to businesses, universities, podcasts, and networking groups.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
- 0:00:02 – Exploring intelligent automation and continuous improvement with Lauren Hisey
- 0:02:42 – Conversation on automation and lean six sigma with Lauren
- 0:05:09 – Exploring automation and technology: a conversation with a systems engineer
- 0:06:46 – Heading: exploring automation and artificial intelligence in business
- 0:09:43 – AI and automation in the lean transformation
- 0:15:06 – Conversation on knowledge management and virtual assistance tools
- 0:17:31 – Improving customer experience through automation and data analysis
- 0:20:04 – Improving customer experience through intelligent automation and AI
- 0:22:05 – The intelligent automation and lean transformations
- 0:24:19 – Empowering citizen developers and creating a center of excellence for automation and quality
- 0:30:12 – Conversation on process discovery and business process management
- 0:37:32 – Networking: taking risks and learning from others
- 0:40:58 – Advice for young professionals on networking and learning
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Do not be afraid to go out there and meet someone new.
- When you are networking, it is not about you. It is always about how you can help the other person.
- The biggest thing is getting to know people and maybe understanding how you can help them instead of looking to be helped.
- When it comes to IT in operations and sales, we always try to start small. But at the end of the day, the biggest thing is having where you create partnerships.
- When we talk about IT and automation, most people are concerned. However, the earlier you adopt it, the better success along the way.
- Technology and continuous improvement go together because development of AI is continuously improving.
- Despite much advancement in AI and automation, it is “still a kid” and in the learning process.
- Technology is a tool more than a solution, and we must use the tools in the right way.
Memorable Quotes From
“Network and be open for learning and if you have a chance to find a mentor, don't miss it. Because, they have gone through most of the trouble and will answer your questions when needed.”
CONNECT WITH
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenhisey
Website: https://laurenhiseyconsulting.com/
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Every time we use our lean practices to define and solve a problem, we create knowledge. How can we improve our organizational recognition and management of all that newly created knowledge – which is key to not having the same problem occur again? It turns out that knowledge management itself requires a process and continuous improvement and Dr. Cindy Young is here to share her insights.
Cindy is the Founder/CEO of CJ Young Consulting, LLC, a knowledge management consulting firm, and Curriculum Development and Training Lead with Leidos in Virginia Beach after retiring as a Surface Warfare Officer with 23 years in the U.S. Navy. She holds professional certifications as a PMP, LSSMBB, and CMQ/OE. Cindy has written for Harvard Business Review and is a Management columnist for ISE Magazine. In September 2020, she gave a TEDx Talk called “A Knowledge Mindset: What You Know Comes from Where You Sit." In February 2023, her book, The Knowledge Management Memory Jogger®, was published by Goal/QPC.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:02:40 – Definition of knowledge management
00:04:44 – Importance of documentation of process improvement
00:06:38 – Managing tacit knowledge in the workplace and strategies for sharing it
00:12:51 – Tips for managing a remote working team and prioritizing knowledge management
00:19:00 – Machine vs. human-centric management
00:22:20 – The Knowledge Management Memory Jogger
00:27: 20 – Knowledge management and organizational culture
00:29:28 – Power and mode of sharing knowledge
00 32: 10 – Knowledge findability and professional knowledge management
00:36: 20 - Knowledge management as a core competency and placement of knowledge manager
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Knowledge management is the process of understanding, sharing, and managing information an organization.
- Documentation of process improvement helps ensure transparency, efficiency, and knowledge sharing.
- Tacit knowledge can be acquired from other people's lives and past experiences, and can used by finding a mentor in a related field or process.
- Establish a rhythm for your team that includes time for management and action. In return, it will enable each team member to contribute their knowledge and experience to the group.
- Knowledge management memory jogger encourages organizations to foster communication between departments and break down silos. It allows personnel to understand their roles and how they can work together.
- Leaders should create a culture of knowledge sharing, where collaboration is highly promoted, and respected, allowing colleagues to learn from mistakes and empower each other.
- Knowledge findability: knowledge managers must be skilled in research, communication, collaboration, and understanding organizational structures and systems.
Memorable Quotes From Dr. Cindy J Young
“Professionally managing knowledge requires special skills to organize information, break down silos, and make knowledge accessible, but one also needs to know how to communicate with people who may be withholding information.”
CONNECT WITH DR. CINDY J YOUNG
Website: https://www.cjyoungconsulting.com/
Email: Cindy@cjyoungconsulting.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcindyyoung/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drcynthiajyoung?lang=en
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Erin Whalen is a coach whose practice is focused on serving the people who work with the grieving and dying: bereavement professionals who need perhaps more than anyone to be seen, heard, and supported. Erin comes to coaching through the path of acting and the art of improvisation. She utilizes the tools she's learned through her artistic experience to help “fill the cups” of her clients and provide them with the communication skills they need to succeed. Erin's passion for coaching shines through her work, and her innovative approach to communication skills training makes her a leader in the field.
Erin Whalen
Erin Whalen, the founder of Compassionate Coaching, has guided teams of bereavement and end-of-life professionals toward being seen heard, and supported. Erin's dedication to effective communication and team building led her to present at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations Virtual Conference twice and host events such as Playback Theater to unite a community of like-minded individuals.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
0:02:49 Supporting bereavement professionals through team building and communication skills training
0:05:02 Building a community through creativity
0:06:43 Exploring how acting helped Erin become a better coach
0:10:17 Communication skills for bereavement professionals
0:15:11 Role-playing and compassionate coaching for professional growth
0:22:06 Challenges and rewards of Playback Theater
0:23:39 Art of storytelling through music, movement, and drama
0:25:33 Transforming lives through storytelling
0:28:56 Discovering the surprising benefits of creative expression in the workplace
0:30:37 Artful leadership: exploring the role of art in healthcare leadership and resilience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Providing support and communication training can help individuals in challenging professions to stay motivated and committed to their work.
- Effective communication involves nonverbal cues and personal histories. Bereavement professionals must show empathy and genuine compassion to support those experiencing loss.
- Practice and feedback are essential in improving communication skills. Role-playing can create a safe environment for people to practice difficult conversations and receive constructive feedback.
- Actors must connect emotionally with their characters, even without shared experiences. The highest compliment is a genuine performance. Being present and aware of scene partners is key
- Playback Theatre uses music, movement, and drama to play back essential moments of a person's story, reflecting their emotional state. The process is improvisational and honors the storyteller.
- Trust, honesty, and creativity are essential for good leadership. Supporting caregivers ensures they feel valued and heard, leading to purposeful work
Memorable Quotes From Erin Whalen
“It's all about the stories we hold. We can give and receive empathy through storytelling and reflection and creating a transformative experience.”
CONNECT WITH Erin Whalen
Website: https://www.compassionatecoaching.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-whalen-compassionate-coaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/compassionatecoachingllc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin_compassionatecoaching/