In this episode of Leaderish, Doris and Regina are joined by productivity expert Cindy Sullivan, creator of the Six Pillars of Productivity framework. Together, they explore two big challenges many leaders face: perfectionism and procrastination.

You'll learn:

• Why perfectionism can feel rewarding but lead to burnout
• How procrastination often stems from unclear tasks or fear—not laziness
• Cindy’s simple, effective strategies to reduce both, like defining what “done” looks like and using the one-minute rule
• The importance of leverage—one of Cindy’s six productivity pillars—and why it’s often the hidden key to getting unstuck

📍 Plus, hear how Doris and Regina scored on Cindy’s productivity assessment (spoiler: they’re not perfect either 😉) and discover the surprising root causes of your own productivity challenges.

🎁 Want to know your biggest productivity barrier? Take Cindy’s free assessment at sixpillarsproductivity.com.

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• • Email: regina@collectivegrowthcc.com
  • Website: www.collectivegrowthcc.com
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
  • Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• • Email: doris@dunnwise.com
  • Website: www.dunnwise.com
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
  • Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call
• Cindy Sullivan
• • Email: cindy@cbsullivanconsulting.com
  • Website: www.cbsullivanconsulting.com
  • LinkedIn: (7) Cindy Sullivan | LinkedIn
  • Productivity Assessment: Six Pillars assessment

00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic

00:59 Meet Cindy Sullivan: Productivity Expert

01:23 Cindy's Journey into Productivity

06:06 The Six Pillars of Productivity

10:41 Deep Dive into Leverage and Assessment Results

17:01 Perfectionism vs. Procrastination

24:53 Recognizing and Managing Perfectionism

25:57 Defining Excellence and Setting Boundaries

26:10 Strategies to Combat Perfectionism

31:33 Understanding and Addressing Procrastination

39:20 Techniques to Activate Tasks

43:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Doris and Regina dive into the fascinating world of emotional intelligence (EQ). They discuss its importance, especially in leadership, and how it surpasses IQ in contributing to a successful and cohesive team environment. The conversation covers the four components of EQ—self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and social skills—with personal anecdotes and practical tips. They share their experiences with EQ assessments, and provide actionable strategies like mindfulness, journaling, and seeking feedback. Tune in to learn how you can develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader and build stronger relationships.

Mini EQ Self-Assessment:

Reflect on the following:

1. Do I recognize my emotions as I experience them?
2. How well do I manage my stress or frustration in high-pressure moments?
3. Do I consider others’ perspectives before reacting?
4. How often do I seek out and accept feedback?
5. Am I intentional about how I connect with others?

Optional Facial Expression Quiz: Greater Good’s EQ Quiz

Download the How We Feel App, created by Yale! You're gonna love it!

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

01:05 Defining Emotional Intelligence

02:40 Personal Stories and Emotional Intelligence Tests

04:18 Components of Emotional Intelligence

05:20 Self-Regulation and Personal Anecdotes

09:32 Social Awareness and Relationship Management

14:33 Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Leadership

19:26 The Power of Emotional Impact in Leadership

20:00 Practicing Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation

20:58 The Let Them Theory: Handling Negativity

23:40 The Importance of Naming Emotions

25:07 Using Technology to Track Emotions

29:16 Journaling and Gratitude Practices

31:47 Seeking Feedback and Reading Fiction for Empathy

36:08 Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• • Email: regina@collectivegrowthcc.com
  • Website: www.collectivegrowthcc.com
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
  • Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• • Email: doris@dunnwise.com
  • Website: www.dunnwise.com
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
  • Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

In this episode, Doris and Regina explore the power of creating a success list—an essential tool for anyone looking to achieve long-term career and life goals. Unlike a to-do list, the success list focuses on your dreams and aspirations, helping you visualize and plan for the next 1, 3, and 5 years. The conversation dives deep into the process of setting these goals, identifying the gaps that may be holding you back, and staying accountable to your dreams.

Key Highlights:

• Success List vs. To-Do List: Learn how to differentiate between short-term tasks and long-term goals, and why both are essential for success.
• Strategic Planning: How to break down big dreams into manageable, time-bound tasks, and create a roadmap to your future.
• Accountability: The importance of having someone to hold you accountable, whether it's a mentor, colleague, or friend.
• Building Momentum: Tips for staying motivated and maintaining focus on your goals without feeling overwhelmed.

This episode pairs well with two previous episodes on Mentorship and Weeding out the Noise:

• Libsyn Five | The Mentorship Mindset: Pathways to Success
• Libsyn Five | Weeding Out The Noise

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• • Email: regina@collectivegrowthcc.com
  • Website: www.collectivegrowthcc.com
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
  • Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• • Email: doris@dunnwise.com
  • Website: www.dunnwise.com
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
  • Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call