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

Listen in as Doris and Regina discuss the various types of 'noise' that contribute to overwhelm, from digital distractions to decision fatigue, and explore practical techniques to manage them. You'll learn about the Eisenhower Matrix for prioritizing tasks, the Pomodoro Technique for focused work, and how to leverage internal validation and celebration practices.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

00:31 Identifying Different Types of Noise

04:26 Strategies to Weed Out Noise

06:47 The Eisenhower Matrix

12:11 The Pomodoro Technique

28:29 Managing External Noise

33:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 special Valentine’s Day episode Regina and Doris are joined by Ellyn Jansen, a strategic planning expert who shares her insights into succession planning—because, let’s face it, we do love our employees! 💘 Ellyn dives into how organizations can ensure business continuity, prepare for leadership transitions, and develop a sustainable leadership pipeline that supports both employees and business growth. With a mix of humor and practical advice, Ellyn highlights the importance of identifying key roles, developing high-potential talent, and fostering a culture of mentorship.

Tune in for an episode that’s all about planning ahead—for the future of your business, and for the love of your team. 🎧

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Episode

00:20 Listener Feedback and Networking Importance

01:30 Introducing Ellen Jansen

01:59 Ellen's Career Journey and Community Involvement

04:18 Transition to Succession Planning

04:57 Importance of Succession Planning

07:59 Critical Roles in Succession Planning

11:49 Steps to Start Succession Planning

14:52 Knowledge Transfer and Organizational Readiness

22:29 Mentorship Programs and Their Challenges

30:29 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

33:24 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

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

Ellyn Jansen

• Email: ellyn@ocooedge.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ellynjansen/

We would also love a review! Please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review and a comment.

If you are interested in being a guest and/or you have an engaging topic you want to learn more about, please email us at leaderishpodcast@gmail.com with details and how to contact you.

In this episode, Doris and Regina dive into the power of setting expectations for yourself and others. drawing on the impactful study by Bob Rosenthal, Angela Duckworth's "Grit" and personal experiences, they discuss how expectations shape our interactions and achievements, whether at work, at home, or within ourselves. The episode also touches on strategies to reset limiting expectations by visualizing success, acting as if you've already achieved your goals, investing in personal growth, and practicing gratitude. Doris and Regina highlight how these tools can lead to greater abundance, success, and personal growth in 2025.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

00:22 Listener Feedback and Episode Impact

01:22 Today's Topic: Expectations

02:20 Bob Rosenthal's Study on Expectations

04:14 Applying Expectations to Leadership

06:14 Personal Experiences with Expectations

12:04 Visualizing Success and Self-Expectations

19:46 Four Steps to Setting Expectations

20:40 Communicating Expectations Effectively

34:24 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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

We would also love a review! Please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review and a comment.

If you are interested in being a guest and/or you have an engaging topic you want to learn more about, please email us at leaderishpodcast@gmail.com with details and how to contact you.

Doris and Regina explore the power of mindset, with a focus on shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. They discuss insights from Carol Dweck's Mindset and Angela Duckworth's Grit, highlighting how persistence, effort, and the ability to learn from failure play key roles in personal growth and achievement. Learn how to identify and overcome fixed mindset triggers, embrace discomfort for growth, and cultivate resilience through self-compassion. Whether you're looking to improve your personal or professional life, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you thrive

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

We would also love a review! Please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review and a comment.

If you are interested in being a guest and/or you have an engaging topic you want to learn more about, please email us at leaderishpodcast@gmail.com with details and how to contact you.