Today I’m joined by the wonderful and inspiring Jo Gaines, a seasoned professional who has worked in the technology and media sector for over two decades. Jo's career journey has seen her work for high-profile companies including CBS, Krux, Yahoo and more recently, as Area Vice President of Salesforce. Jo is also a dedicated mother-of-two and a fierce advocate for equality, lending her support as an ambassador for women's shelters. She shares with us her journey through hardship to finding resilience and how changing her mindset helped reshape her story.

Through facing a challenging turning point in her career due to redundancy, Jo embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that saw her turn to practices such as weight training, breathwork and meditation. She shares the new mindset she adopted through these practices, and how her determination to thrive in the face of uncertainty led to a completely new outlook on life.

In our conversation, Jo shares the grief she experienced when her role at Salesforce came to an end, and how lost she felt when it came to her future. However, she notes there are two choices we can make when it comes to facing adversity. Either we can see it as a downfall, or treat it as an opportunity to expand. Jo chose the latter, and decided to view this new path as one she was destined to be on.

Resilience can often be misunderstood as a suppression of emotions or ignoring our problems. However, we define what resilience really is and discuss its ability to help effectively manage our thoughts and feelings. Jo believes that releasing control and trusting everything will eventually work out can free us from fear and the temptation to give up.

We talk about how navigating through our own life challenges produces empathy, and when we view others through this lens, we become more effective leaders. Recognising that everyone experiences change, particularly in a post-pandemic world, we’re able to rally with our team and prioritise their wellbeing. How can we communicate in a way that resonates for each individual? How do we lead in a way that not only gets them through, but also builds resilience?

Jo also shares her shift in perspective that inspired her to live more fully in the present and pursue the passions that had been sitting on the backburner for too long. She talks about the bucket list she created and the importance of making time and space in life to achieve each goal.

Jo's story is a powerful testament to the transformation resilience can create, and the potential for growth when we embrace change with gratitude. I just know you’ll be as inspired as I was by Jo’s incredible wisdom, and hope you find confidence to implement strategies for a full and rewarding life in leadership and beyond.

LINKS

Connect with Jo Gaines

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jogaines

Instagram: @gogaino

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re hitting the middle of the year and it’s the perfect time to check in on your business. Today I’m going to share 7 essential checks that will help you elevate your game and achieve success over the next six months.

1. Your Operating Rhythm:
   How are you operating day to day? Do you have a clear, structured way of working that aligns with your priorities and goals? Or have you fallen into the "busy trap," getting distracted and running around in circles?
2. Your Wellness Strategy:
   Following on from question one, consider how well you’re looking after yourself. Are you managing the metaphorical juggle of professional and personal responsibilities, or is it managing you? Consider factors like your morning routine, sleep quality, nutrition, exercise, and hydration.
3. Your Goals
   Are you focusing on the activities that will get you the results you need, or are you stuck in the details? Are your efforts translating into tangible results? Review your KPIs, P&L statements, and goals to see if you're hitting your targets. If you aren’t you may need to adjust your approach or try something entirely new.
4. Self-Limiting Behaviors
   Where are you holding yourself back? Are you stuck focusing on the negatives? Are you experiencing imposter syndrome? Are you inventing excuses to avoid necessary actions like networking or updating your CV? Reflect on your self-limiting behaviors and how you can overcome them.
5. Your Positioning
   How are you showing up as a leader? Remember, leadership isn’t defined by a title—it’s about how you present yourself and interact with others. Are you empowering others? Are you leading by example? Are you building connections in your organisation? What about outside of it? It’s important to build a network of people you trust and can collaborate with that extends outside your workplace.
6. Focusing on What You Can Control
   Are you focusing on the factors you can control? It’s easy to get caught up in worry, focused on things that are outside of our control. This consumes time and energy that would be better used directly addressing challenges.
7. A Relationship Check
   Are your relationships where they need to be? It’s so important to spend quality time with your loved ones, and if you aren’t, why not? Are you being consumed by work? Also, consider the health of your professional relationships. Make sure you’re investing time in your top performers and building trust within your team.

The Stop, Start, Change, Continue Exercise

Now that you've rated yourself in these seven areas, it's time to take action. I recommend an exercise called Stop, Start, Change, Continue.

Draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper vertically, and another line horizontally.

Label the four quadrants (Stop, Start, Change, Continue) and fill them out. I recommend only picking three items for each category to avoid overwhelm.

Stop: List habits or actions that are not serving you.

Start: Identify new habits or actions that will help you achieve better results.

Change: Note things you’re doing well but could be tweaked for better outcomes.

Continue: Recognise practices that are working well and should be maintained.

Taking the time to reflect and recalibrate can lead to immense growth and success. So, I hope this episode has provided you with actionable steps to drive your success in the next six months If you enjoyed it, please share it with others and let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like me to cover in the future.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disruption is often seen as the big scary monster under the bed. We've all been there, facing unexpected changes and challenges that throw us off course. But what if I told you that the right mindset could help you not only cope with disruption but turn it into a powerful advantage?

Professor Martin Bean is so passionate about this, that he literally wrote the book on it. I was lucky enough to sit down with him to discuss the principles outlined in his book, "Toolkit for Turbulence," and how an adaptive mindset can make all the difference.

The Importance of Mindset
When faced with disruption, many people have a natural response to become defensive in hopes of minimising risks. In contrast, an advantage leader shifts their perspective and views adversity as a chance to push through barriers and accomplish things they wouldn’t normally be able to.

Think about it: when things go smoothly, there's often little motivation to rock the boat. However, disruption forces us out of our comfort zones, compelling us to innovate and adapt. This perspective shift is the foundation for turning challenges into opportunities.

Resilience through Adaptability
After recognising disruption as a catalyst, the next step is adaptation. According to Martin, leaders must recalibrate both themselves and their teams. Often this means creating new tools or processes that fit the new normal.

However, it's not enough for a leader to adapt; the whole team must be on board. To make this possible, leaders must foster a culture that embraces change and views disruption as an integral part of growth. This collective mindset shift ensures that when the next wave of disruption hits, everyone is prepared to not only survive but to thrive!

As you reflect on your own leadership style, consider how you respond to disruption. Do you see it as a threat or an opportunity? Is your team equipped to use it to their advantage?

Remember, the aim is to lead with resilience and creativity, because change isn’t going anywhere. We can’t fight it, or ignore it, but with the right mindset and tools, we can turn it from a roadblock to a stepping stone.

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

Connect with Martin

Book: toolkitforturbulence.com

Website: https://www.thebeancentre.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.