Natalie Gandara shares her passion for coaching youth softball and how it connects to her professional life. She explains that being known as "Coach Nat" in her HR circles is a source of pride and describes the meaningful transition from playing the sport as a child to now coaching her daughter's team. Natalie reflects on the challenges and rewards of coaching young athletes, emphasizing how building confidence and leadership skills in girls translates into strong future leaders. She highlights the importance of finding joy and outlets outside work and encourages listeners to proudly share their own "And" with colleagues. Natalie also discusses the supportive team culture at her workplace, mentioning activities like group walks, book clubs, and outings that help coworkers connect over shared interests. Her advice to listeners is to embrace what lights them up, as those passions contribute to happiness and better work performance.

Episode Highlights

· Softball and now coaching youth softball has been a big part of Natalie Gandara's life and identity, both personally and professionally.
· The skills and lessons from coaching, like building confidence and teamwork, complement her HR role and help her nurture strong female leaders.
· It's important for people to have an "And" or passion outside of work because it makes them happier and more fulfilled, which translates into better performance at work.
· Sharing personal passions at work, like coaching, fosters deeper connections and helps break down barriers between coworkers.
· Natalie encourages everyone to be proud of their outside interests and not to be discouraged about sharing them, as it positively impacts both their lives and work.

In this episode, Holly Watkins shares her journey from public accounting to rediscovering her passion for writing and creativity. She reveals how her creative side, influenced by her artistic mother, was often set aside in the business world but reemerged after she left public accounting and began journaling, eventually resulting in a published book. Holly talks about the importance of allowing oneself to fully embrace personal interests and how doing so can improve both work and life. She also discusses how process improvement and connecting with others brought more joy and purpose to her professional life. Holly offers advice on taking time for self-care, like short meditation sessions, and encourages listeners to reflect on who they truly want to be. She emphasizes that embracing authenticity and a whole, human approach at work benefits not just individuals but also organizations.

Episode Highlights

· Allowing yourself to be authentic and embracing your creativity leads to greater happiness and success at work.
· Taking intentional breaks, such as meditation, helps clear your mind and makes you more productive.
· High performers in organizations often have hobbies and passions outside of work; the profession should value these dimensions more.
· The culture and leadership of a firm are crucial in creating space for people to be whole humans, not just job titles.
· The younger generation values authenticity and work-life balance more, and organizations must adapt for future success.