Unleashing Authentic Leadership: Embracing the 8 Pillars with Ash Beckham

In this enlightening episode of Training Unleashed, Evan Hackel sits down with leadership expert Ash Beckham to explore the transformative power of authentic leadership. Ash delves into her innovative concept of the “8 Pillars of Leadership,” discussing how empathy, individuality, courage, and grace can be applied across various leadership scenarios. Discover how embracing these pillars can elevate your leadership style, foster inclusivity, and drive organizational success.

Key Takeaways

  1. The 8 Pillars of Leadership: Learn about the core principles of leadership that go beyond traditional methods. Ash Beckham introduces a versatile approach to leadership that includes empathy, individuality, courage, and grace.
  2. Creating Your Leadership Brand: Understand the importance of authenticity in leadership. Ash explains how to establish a consistent and predictable leadership presence, regardless of the situation or organizational change.
  3. Empowering Every Role: Discover strategies to help team members at all levels recognize their leadership potential. Ash discusses ways to validate and encourage leadership qualities in employees who may not see themselves in traditional leadership roles.
  4. The Importance of Discomfort in Growth: Ash shares her insights on the necessity of stepping outside your comfort zone to foster personal and professional growth. Embracing discomfort is key to evolving as an authentic and effective leader.

About Guest

Ash Beckham is a renowned leadership coach and speaker specializing in helping individuals and teams embrace authentic leadership. With a focus on empathy, courage, and inclusivity, Ash works with high-performing teams and executives to build trust and enhance leadership skills. She offers both in-person and virtual workshops and keynotes, tailored to various stages of organizational development.

Connect with Ash

Quote of the Episode

“If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing. Leadership requires embracing discomfort and acting with authenticity.”

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2024-09-04T09:57:32-04:00September 4, 2024|

Unleashing Retention and Development Strategies with Max Holvik

In this episode of Training Unleashed, host Evan Hackel sits down with Max Holvik, a seasoned expert in the field of training and development. Max shares his insights on the importance of training as a tool for employee retention, particularly among younger generations. They discuss the role of training in fostering a growth mindset and the value of having a structured training plan.

Key Discussion Points:

  1. Value of Training in High Turnover Environments:
    • Training as a retention tool, especially for younger employees who value growth and development opportunities.
    • The importance of engaging and career-oriented training programs to motivate employees.
  2. Generational Differences in Training Needs:
    • Younger generations’ appreciation for continuous learning and career development.
    • How companies like McDonald’s have successfully retained employees by offering comprehensive training programs.
  3. Challenges and Solutions in Employee Turnover:
    • Case study of a restaurant chain with 65% turnover and the realization that better hiring and compensation practices are essential.
    • Examples of successful companies like Costco and Chick-fil-A, which invest in their employees through better pay and career opportunities.
  4. Cost-Effectiveness of Training:
    • The economic benefits of training and retaining motivated employees versus the costs of turnover.
    • The importance of cultural fit and motivation in the effectiveness of training programs.
  5. Collaboration Between HR, Training, and Operations:
    • The need for a true partnership between HR, training departments, and operations to achieve successful outcomes.

Special Offer:

Max offers a limited-time opportunity for the first 20 listeners who reach out to receive a hard copy of “Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation,” a fundamental resource for anyone in the training industry. Contact through either company’s website or via email at [email protected].

Max Holvik emphasizes the importance of having a clear training plan and roadmap to achieve desired outcomes. His final tip is to understand the objectives and restrictions upfront to create effective training programs.

About Guest:

Max Holvik is the founder of two companies: Training Systems Design and Learning Staff. Training Systems Design specializes in creating custom training solutions for large corporations, having developed over 1,000 courses. Learning Staff provides staff augmentation services, offering professional learning personnel to clients on a short-term basis.

How to Connect with Mike Skrypnek:
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2024-08-07T11:28:21-04:00August 7, 2024|

Unleashing the Power of Transparency in Leadership with Todd Davis

In this enlightening episode of the Training Unleashed podcast, host Evan Hackel sits down with Todd Davis, Chief People Officer at FranklinCovey and author of the best-selling book *Get Better: 15 Proven Practices to Build Effective Relationships at Work*. With 40 years of experience in leadership and organizational performance improvement, Todd shares his wealth of knowledge on what it takes to foster effective and lasting change in human behavior within organizations.

Key Discussion Points:

FranklinCovey’s Legacy and Expertise:

  • Todd discusses his 28-year tenure at FranklinCovey and the company’s 40-year history in the leadership space.
  • Emphasizes FranklinCovey’s global reach and their ability to glean leadership insights from top leaders around the world.

Innovations and Research:

  •  Insights into FranklinCovey’s robust innovations team that conducts ongoing research to address pressing organizational challenges.
  • Collaboration with leading thought leaders like Liz Wiseman, author of *Multipliers*, to enhance their course offerings.

Importance of Humility and Partnerships:

  • Todd highlights the importance of partnering with other content creators to bring the best solutions to their clients.
  • Discusses how humility and a willingness to learn from others contribute to FranklinCovey’s success.

Behavior Change and Performance Improvement:

  • Explanation of how FranklinCovey helps organizations achieve results through behavior change.
  • Description of the All Access Pass, which provides clients with comprehensive access to FranklinCovey’s vast array of solutions and resources.

Practical Tips for Leaders:

  • Todd’s top tip for leaders: Be transparent with everyone you interact with, regardless of their position.
  • Emphasis on treating everyone as fellow human beings to foster genuine connections and effective leadership.

Personal Anecdotes and Insights:

Evan shares a personal story about striving for greater transparency and honesty in his own life, underscoring the challenges and benefits of such an approach.

 Notable Quotes:

Todd Davis: “We have this aspirational goal of always trying to model our content… we fall down a lot, but we get back up.”

Evan Hackel: “If you’re gonna be more transparent, you might let some people know. Give them a heads up as to the new you.”

About Our Guest

Todd Davis has over 26 years of experience in training, training development, human resources, executive recruiting, sales, and marketing. He has
been with FranklinCovey for the past 13 years and is the Chief People Officer.Todd is extremely passionate about teaching and living the principles and
concepts contained in FranklinCovey offerings. He believes strongly that to become a true leader you must first “be the change” and he diligently
strives to be a model of what he teaches.

Additional Resources:

FranklinCovey: franklincovey.com

Todd Davis’ Book: Get Better: 15 Proven Practices to Build Effective Relationships at Work 

Liz Wiseman’s Multipliers: Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter 

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Training Unleashed. Stay inspired and keep learning!

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2024-07-31T11:30:06-04:00July 31, 2024|

Unleashing Health in the Workplace: Small Changes, Big Results with David Medansky

In this episode of the Training Unleashed Podcast, host Evan Hackel welcomes David Medansky, known as “The Health Guy,” to discuss how small, positive changes can lead to significant health improvements and enhance productivity in the workplace. David shares his expertise on helping employees adopt healthier habits, which in turn benefits both the individuals and the companies they work for. The conversation covers practical tips for staying hydrated, the benefits of reducing soda consumption, and the importance of creating an empowering and encouraging environment for health challenges.

Key Takeaways:

The Importance of Small Positive Changes:

  • David emphasizes that making small, manageable changes can lead to substantial health improvements over time.
  • Encouraging employees to participate in health challenges can foster a culture of wellness and productivity in the workplace.

Ideal Client Profile:

  • David’s favorite clients are companies with 50 to 300 employees, with a sweet spot of 50 to 100 employees.
  • Successful health challenges typically involve at least 60-70% employee participation.

Creating a Positive Environment:

  • Challenges should be empowering and encouraging, rather than demanding or demeaning, to motivate employees to participate willingly.
  • When employees start seeing results from their efforts, they build momentum and are more likely to continue their healthy habits.

Special Offer:

David offers a PDF of the “9 Simple Golden Rules for Living a Healthy Life,” which listeners can request by emailing him.

About Our Guest

Top-selling author and speaker, David Medansky, is known as The Health Guy because he empowers CEOs, Executives, and individuals to master 9 Simple Golden Rules to Live a Healthy Life. David struggled with his own weight issues until July 2016 when his doctor told him to either lose weight or find a new doctor. During the next four months, David shed 50 pounds, almost 25 percent of his total body weight and has kept it off. He understands your frustrations and challenges to be healthy.

David, in June 2022, at age 67 hiked up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

His mission is to help others to adopt a healthier lifestyle so they can enjoy life to the fullest. The key to his success is alerting clients to the deceptive marketing tactics used by the food, pharmaceutical, and weight-loss industries, to manipulate you into purchasing their products and services that put their profits over your health.

Now, in addition to writing books about health, David is producing and hosting JADED HEALTH, a streaming TV series centered around the topics of health, wellness, and fitness.

How to Connect with David Medansky:
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2024-07-24T11:32:10-04:00July 24, 2024|

Unleashing Customer-Centric Growth: Wisdom Shared by Laura Patterson

Laura Patterson, the founder of Vision Edge Marketing, shared invaluable insights on achieving sustainable business growth through customer-centric strategies. Hosted by Evan Hackel, the podcast delved deep into how businesses can effectively navigate growth challenges by leveraging data-driven decision-making and fostering a customer-first approach.

Embracing a Customer-Centric Approach

In today’s dynamic business landscape, success hinges on understanding and prioritizing the needs of the customer. Laura Patterson emphasizes the critical importance of adopting a customer-centric approach to business growth. According to Laura, integrating the customer perspective into every decision-making process—from product development to marketing strategies—can significantly enhance business outcomes. By putting the customer at the center, organizations not only improve customer satisfaction but also drive sustainable growth over the long term.

The Power of Data-Driven Decision Making

Laura Patterson highlights the transformative impact of data-driven decision-making on organizational success. With businesses inundated with vast amounts of data, Laura advocates for leveraging analytics and insights to drive strategic initiatives effectively. By harnessing the power of data, organizations can gain actionable insights into customer behaviors, market trends, and operational efficiencies. This approach enables businesses to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and seize growth opportunities with confidence.

Building a Strategic Framework for Growth

Drawing from her extensive experience, Laura Patterson underscores the importance of building a strategic framework to navigate the complexities of growth. At Vision Edge Marketing, Laura and her team empower organizations to develop clear, measurable objectives aligned with overarching business goals. This strategic framework not only guides day-to-day operations but also ensures that every action contributes to tangible business outcomes. By establishing a roadmap for growth, businesses can optimize resources, foster innovation, and achieve sustainable success in competitive markets.

About the Guest

Laura Patterson is the visionary founder of Vision Edge Marketing, a renowned firm specializing in marketing performance measurement and management. With over 25 years of experience, Laura has earned a reputation as a pioneer in helping businesses across diverse sectors—from technology to healthcare—achieve measurable growth through strategic planning and analytics. Her expertise lies in bridging the gap between business strategy and execution, empowering organizations to align their goals with customer needs effectively.

Visit The Learning Network to explore more episodes and visit insights on leadership and organizational development. For updates and more valuable content, follow the Learning Network on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Training Unleashed Network on YouTube for video episodes and interviews with industry leaders.

2024-06-20T18:45:46-04:00July 3, 2024|

Unleashing Insights on Diversity and Inclusion with Chloé Valdary

In this episode of the Training Unleashed podcast, host Evan Hackel engaged in a profound conversation with Chloé Valdary, founder of the Theory of Enchantment. This episode delves into the intricacies of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), emphasizing the importance of curiosity, compassion, and cultural fit in the workplace. Chloé shares her unique perspective on DEI training, providing valuable insights and practical strategies for organizations striving to create more inclusive environments.

Understanding the Importance of Cultural Fit

Chloé Valdary highlights the significance of cultural fit when hiring new employees. She explains that beyond qualifications and skills, aligning with a company’s culture is crucial for long-term success. Chloé suggests asking potential hires about what attracts them to the company and why they want to work there. This question helps uncover their core motivations and ensures they resonate with the company’s values. Additionally, she recommends presenting candidates with problem-solving exercises to gauge their curiosity and approach to challenges, further revealing their potential fit within the organization.

Innovative DEI Training Approaches

Valdary introduces her innovative DEI training methods, which include workshops, coaching, and digital platforms. Her workshops range from 90-minute virtual sessions, known as sprints, to full-day in-person marathons. One of her standout initiatives is the Enchanted Games League, a practice-based digital program. Over nine weeks, participants engage in daily quests that encourage self-reflection and curiosity. These quests, which take just six minutes each, prompt individuals to explore their feelings of expansiveness and defensiveness, the mindsets inherited from caregivers, and instances of perceived superiority. This approach fosters a habit of living in the question, enhancing participants’ ability to navigate conflicts with empathy and curiosity.

Embracing Self-Compassion and Lifelong Learning

Chloé Valdary emphasizes the transformative power of self-acceptance and compassion. She encourages individuals to recognize and overcome internalized negative self-judgment. By treating oneself with curiosity and love, people can project these positive attitudes onto others, reducing defensiveness and enhancing interpersonal relationships. Valdary’s advice is particularly relevant in the context of DEI, as fostering self-compassion can lead to more empathetic and effective communication within diverse teams. This practice of self-forgiveness and continuous self-improvement aligns with the philosophy of being a lifelong learner, a concept strongly advocated by both Valdary and Hackel.

About the Guest

Chloé Valdary is the founder of Theory of Enchantment, a company dedicated to providing innovative DEI training through workshops, coaching, and digital platforms. With a focus on fostering curiosity and compassion, Valdary’s methods aim to create more inclusive and empathetic workplace environments. Her approach is rooted in the belief that understanding and accepting oneself is key to understanding and accepting others. For more information about Chloé Valdary and her work, visit Theory of Enchantment or contact her team at [email protected].

Visit The Learning Network to explore more episodes and visit insights on leadership and organizational development. For updates and more valuable content, follow the Learning Network on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Training Unleashed Network on YouTube for video episodes and interviews with industry leaders.

2024-06-20T17:16:56-04:00June 26, 2024|

Unleashing Financial Freedom: Real Estate Insights with Anita Winkles

Welcome to another insightful episode of Training Unleashed! In this podcast, we delve into the world of real estate investing with Anita Winkles, a seasoned entrepreneur who, along with her husband, has navigated from corporate management to financial freedom through strategic real estate investments. Join us as we explore Anita’s journey, her invaluable insights into creative financing, and how you can leverage her expertise to embark on your own path to wealth and independence in the real estate market.

From Corporate Jobs to Real Estate Freedom

Anita Winkles and her husband made a bold decision to leave their corporate jobs to pursue a dream of spending more time together and creating a better lifestyle. Through real estate investing, they achieved financial independence, enabling Anita to leave her corporate management job in 19 months, with her husband following suit a few years later. They now work together, balancing hard work and leisure, and have built a successful real estate investment business.

The Keys to Real Estate Investing

Anita highlights the simplicity of real estate investing, emphasizing two critical aspects: finding property deals and sourcing money. The latter often proves challenging due to a mindset of lack, preventing many from breaking into the market. To address this, Anita and her husband offer a flagship course on creative finance for real estate investors. This course blends traditional bank financing with innovative, tried-and-true methods to help new and intermediate investors navigate the financial hurdles of real estate.

Understanding Hard Money Lending

Hard money lending, often misunderstood, is a key concept in real estate investment. Contrary to its name, hard money is not hard to obtain if you have a great property deal. These loans come from private individuals or small companies that specialize in non-bank lending, typically working with investors looking to fix and flip properties or hold them for rental income. Hard money lenders can provide the necessary funds for acquisition and rehabilitation, making them a vital resource for real estate investors.

Special Offer

Anita Winkles is currently writing a book on private money lending, designed to help readers understand and safely navigate this type of investment. For those interested in learning more without the hands-on involvement in property management, becoming a private money lender offers a fantastic opportunity. To get a free digital copy of Anita’s upcoming book, email [email protected] with “Free Book” in the subject line, and mention Training Unleashed to receive your copy.

About Anita Winkles

Anita Winkles is a seasoned real estate investor and educator who, alongside her husband, transitioned from a corporate career to achieving financial freedom through real estate. With years of experience and a passion for helping others succeed, Anita specializes in creative financing and real estate investment strategies. Her expertise and dedication have made her a trusted resource for new and intermediate investors looking to enter the real estate market.

2024-06-19T01:31:10-04:00June 19, 2024|

Unleashing Transformative Leadership: Insights from Sue Bingham

In the latest episode of the Training Unleashed podcast, hosted by Evan Hackel, we had the pleasure of hearing from Sue Bingham, founder of HPWP Group. Sue shared invaluable insights into the world of leadership development and training, shedding light on her approach to transforming workplace cultures and empowering leaders.

The Philosophy of HPWP

HPWP stands for High Performance Workplace, a philosophy that Sue and her team have been championing for over 25 years. Their mission is to help organizations create environments where trust, respect, and positive assumptions about people drive performance and engagement. Sue emphasizes that most people are inherently good and, when treated with trust and respect, will reciprocate those values in their work.

Transformative Leadership Training

Sue’s approach to leadership training is both innovative and deeply human. HPWP Group’s flagship program is designed to be highly experiential, filled with stories, exercises, and experiences that genuinely transform participants. Sue recounted instances where initially resistant managers, attending reluctantly, left with profound insights and sometimes even tears of gratitude, wishing they had learned these principles earlier in their careers.

Real Impact Beyond the Workplace

One of the most striking aspects of Sue’s training is its impact beyond the workplace. Participants often report that the principles they learn improve their personal relationships, including those with their spouses and children. This holistic impact underscores the importance of positive leadership and human-centric training in all areas of life.

Unique Offerings and Collaboration

Sue highlighted two key offerings from HPWP Group:

  1. In-House Workshops: These are tailored specifically for individual companies, ensuring all leaders within the organization can benefit from the training.
  2. Open Leadership Workshops: These sessions bring together leaders from different organizations, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and solutions. This collaborative environment allows participants to learn from each other’s challenges and successes.
Training Made Simple

In a generous offer to the podcast audience, Sue introduced “Training Made Simple,” a virtual program designed for those responsible for training within their organizations but who may lack formal training in this area. This program guides participants through a structured process to develop effective training programs, incorporating collaboration and feedback to enhance the learning experience.

How to Access the Free Training Program

Sue is offering “Training Made Simple” for free to listeners of the Training Unleashed podcast. To take advantage of this opportunity, simply email Sue at [email protected]. While HPWP Group’s website, www.hpwpgroup.com, is undergoing updates, you can still find valuable information and contact details there.

A Powerful Closing Tip

Sue’s parting advice to the audience was profound: “Believe that the vast majority of people are good people. Operate off of positive assumptions more than negative assumptions. Positive assumptions will drive us to treat people with trust, and thus receive trust in return.” Evan Hackel echoed this sentiment, adding his personal philosophy of leading with love, which he finds foundational to building trust and fostering positive relationships.

About Our Guest

For more than 30 years, Sue, a former Human Resources Executive, has provided direction to companies in the transportation & logistics, pharmaceutical, aerospace, food, bottling, floral, optical, textile and medical device industries.

She has worked closely with company leaders to analyze their organizations and facilitate the implementation of common-sense systems that have a positive impact on the organization’s bottom line. She is an expert at effectively using culture to form a common language across global operations leading to greater collaboration, higher levels of team member satisfaction and increased business unit cooperation.

Her passion is helping companies embrace and transition to high-performance work environments.

2024-06-07T13:30:58-04:00June 12, 2024|

Unleashing the Power of Leadership: Insights from Michelle Beauchamp

In a recent enlightening episode, host Evan Hackel sat down with Michelle Beauchamp, an expert in leadership and corporate training, to delve into the essence of effective leadership and organizational culture. The discussion revolved around several key principles that are crucial for fostering a thriving, inclusive, and productive workplace.

The Importance of Culture in Leadership

Michelle Beauchamp emphasized that leadership is not just about guiding others but about cultivating a culture that aligns with the core values of compassion, competence, and character. These elements are fundamental to building a team that not only follows a leader but works alongside them, creating a collaborative and trusting environment. Michelle pointed out that:

  • Compassion: Leaders must show genuine care for their team members. This involves understanding their needs, challenges, and aspirations.
  • Competence: Continuous training and development are crucial. Leaders should invest in their team’s skills and provide opportunities for growth.
  • Character: Trust is built when leaders follow through on their promises and maintain integrity in their actions.

Generational Diversity and Unified Collaboration

One of the standout points in the conversation was the acknowledgment of generational differences in the workplace. Michelle highlighted the need for leaders to recognize and respect these differences, fostering a culture of collaboration that leverages the unique strengths and values of each generation. This approach not only unifies teams but also drives innovation and adaptability.

Assessment and Gap Analysis for Cultural Alignment

Evan Hackel and Michelle Beauchamp discussed the process of evaluating and realigning organizational culture. This involves:

  1. Assessing the current culture and values within the organization.
  2. Identifying the desired cultural values that will support the company’s goals.
  3. Conducting a gap analysis to find discrepancies between the current and desired states.
  4. Implementing training programs to bridge these gaps and, if necessary, rehiring to align with the new cultural direction.

Training as a Profit Center

A significant insight shared by Michelle was the concept of viewing training as a profit center rather than just an investment. Effective training programs can improve performance metrics, such as close rates in sales or error rates in manufacturing, leading directly to increased profitability. This perspective shifts the narrative from training being a cost to being a revenue-generating activity.

One-on-One Coaching vs. Mastermind Groups

Michelle differentiated between the benefits of one-on-one coaching and mastermind groups:

  • One-on-One Coaching: Provides personalized attention, allowing individuals to address their specific challenges confidentially and in detail.
  • Mastermind Groups: Offer a collaborative environment where like-minded individuals can share experiences, brainstorm solutions, and gain a sense of community and support.

The Champ Group’s Approach

Michelle Beauchamp’s company, The Champ Group, specializes in leadership training, diversity, equity, inclusion, and communication. They focus on ongoing training rather than one-time workshops, ensuring that the principles taught are integrated into everyday practices. The Champ Group provides various services, including workshops, corporate training, mastermind groups, and one-on-one coaching.

For those interested in assessing their leadership style, Michelle offers a free leadership quiz available on The Champ Group’s website. This tool provides valuable insights into personal leadership strengths and areas for growth, fostering self-awareness and continuous improvement.

Stretching Out of the Comfort Zone

Michelle concluded with a powerful tip: stretch out of your comfort zone. Growth and relearning require stepping beyond familiar boundaries. By embracing discomfort and continuously striving for improvement, leaders can significantly impact their organizations and drive meaningful change.

About Our Guest

Michelle’s passion is, quite simply, helping people grow. Her motto, “Unleash Your Inner Champ,” is evident in her client relationship rapport, vast course curriculum, design structure, and delivery method.

Michelle is a certified coach, speaker, and trainer on the John Maxwell team. Michelle’s 25 years in Corporate America as a Sales Leader in Telecommunications, combined with her 12 + years as an entrepreneur, has equipped her to help others explore their strengths, improve areas of weakness and through a journey of inner discovery, create and lead inclusive cultures that enrich relationships and increase productivity.

2024-05-31T00:49:24-04:00June 5, 2024|
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