Impact Makers Podcast | Jennifer McClure`

Building Influence and Impact: The Executive’s Guide to Personal Branding With Claire Bahn

On episode 082 of the Impact Makers podcast, I chat with Claire Bahn, the CEO and Founder of Claire Bahn Group, a strategic marketing communications and branding agency.

For over 15 years, Claire has been helping leading businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders to maximize their authority and influence in order to accelerate business growth, gain recognition and increase opportunities.

In our conversation today, we dive into the concept of personal branding, why it’s important for everyone – but especially for executives – and what it takes to develop an effective personal brand in a world where most everyone is sharing online, and AI is being used more than ever to create content for people who may not have been previously good at it.

Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:

What personal branding is, how it’s changed over the last few years, and why it goes well beyond visual elements like colors and logos.
Why differentiation is key to developing a successful personal brand, and key steps to take to determine what makes you different.
How CEO and executive personal branding can positively impact a company’s brand.
Should you share only business/professional content online, or should you also be sharing more of your personal life? Does that help or hurt your personal brand and business?
Why storytelling – and the ability to tell a story well – is key to building and communicating an effective personal brand.
Do you have to do video in order to really stand out with your personal brand?
How AI is impacting personal branding, and what you need to focus on in order to keep your brand personal and differentiated.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 82

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

Supporting Links and Resources:

Claire Bahn – Website, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

Written by Jennifer McClure

Finding Balance and Success as Leaders by Focusing on Winning at Home First With Cory Carlson

On this episode of the Impact Makers podcast, I’m chatting with Cory Carlson, an executive coach and speaker, who helps leaders win both at home and at work.

With over 20 years of corporate experience, including managing large teams and holding executive positions, Cory understands the challenges and pressures that many leaders face firsthand.

In our conversation, he shares his personal journey of self-discovery as a leader, from battling with imposter syndrome to finding a better way to lead. He also opens up about the pivotal moment in his career that led him to seek out an executive coach, and how that decision helped him to transform his life, while also becoming a better father, husband, and leader.

We chat about some of the key lessons that he learned along the way, and we discuss the importance of embracing coaching, focusing on what truly matters, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Cory’s insights and practical strategies are not only beneficial for leaders but for anyone seeking personal growth and fulfillment. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or aspiring to make a meaningful impact, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to inspire and empower you on your own career and life journey.

Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:

The biggest challenge facing leaders today in regards to prioritizing both their work life and home life.
How leaders can address the need to be constantly available to their teams, and “always on the clock”, which can negatively impact their home life and relationships outside of work.
The life experiences that prompted Cory to write two business books focused on leaders – Win at Home First, and Rise and Go.
Why creating time and space to spend in solitude is important for improving self awareness and emotional balance.
The importance of shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundant mindset, and simple steps that leaders can take to create a more positive mindset and enhance their overall well-being.
Where Cory believes leaders have the opportunity to create the greatest impact in the world today.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 81

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

Supporting Links and Resources:

Cory Carlson – Website, LinkedIn, Instagram

Win at Home First podcast

Win at Home First: An Inspirational Guide to Work-Life Balance by Cory M. Carlson

Rise and Go: How to Get Back Up with Courage and Move Forward with Confidence by Cory M. Carlson

Written by Jennifer McClure

Dress for Success: How Intentional Style Choices Reinforce Your Personal Brand With Image Coach Melanie Lippman

What does it take to unlock your true confidence and become the best version of yourself?

The answer may lie in your personal style. On episode 80 of the Impact Makers podcast, Melanie Lippman, an image coach and personal branding expert, shares her journey from the luxury fashion industry to empowering women leaders by defining their unique style.

In our conversation, we dive into the power of developing a positive mindset about our bodies and finding the clothes that work best for us. Melanie reveals how fashion can be a combination of math and science, but with the right formula, your look can be both comfortable and powerful. We also explore the unique challenges that women face in the corporate environment and how clothing can be used to either play bigger or look more approachable.

Don’t miss Melanie’s insights on building a versatile and intentional wardrobe to reinforce your personal brand, as well as tips on finding a balance between your authentic style and workplace expectations.

Tune in to level up your style game, make a lasting impact, and show up as your most powerful self!

Even though Melanie works primarily with women, her systems and approach – to create a wardrobe that makes you feel confident and reinforces your personal brand – make sense for everyone in the workplace.

Melanie and I chat about how important it is to develop a positive mindset about your own body, and the clothes that work best for who you are today, as well as how you can discover your own personal style and the powerful impact that can have on your confidence and success.

Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:

Our clothes significantly influence our confidence and how we show up in various situations, so by understanding our personal style, we can feel empowered and in control of our wardrobe choices.
How your style and clothing choices can impact and strengthen your personal brand.
Overcoming negative mindsets around clothing and shopping experiences, and challenging limiting beliefs to embrace a new perspective.
How to develop a personal formula for dressing with impact, so you can show up with confidence.
The importance of understanding your own body shape, and finding clothes that work for you in the present moment, rather than waiting for a future weight loss journey.
How to adapt style for professional settings, and address some of the different expectations and challenges faced by women in corporate environments.
The importance of finding a balance between feeling confident and comfortable in your attire.
Why it does not have to cost you a fortune to restyle yourself, or to update your wardrobe.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 80

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

Supporting Links and Resources:

Melanie Lippman – Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn

Free Online Masterclass for those who are ready to break out of their style rut

Written by Jennifer McClure

Dancing with Monsters and Embracing Fearless Leadership with Dr. Todd Dewett

On this episode of the Impact Makers podcast, I welcome back my friend, Dr. Todd Dewett, a globally recognized leadership educator, author, and speaker, to chat about his latest book, “Dancing with Monsters: A Tale About Leadership, Success, and Overcoming Fears.”

If you’re familiar with and love some of the best-selling business books that are written as fables, like The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, The One Minute Manager by Kenneth H. Blanchard and Dr. Spencer Johnson, or Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson, then you’re going to love Dr. Dewett’s book as well.

Dancing with Monsters is written as a business fable, told through the perspectives of vampires and monsters, with names like Sheets, Mum, Wolfy, and Z.

Through these intriguing characters, Dr. Dewett explores what facing fears, leadership, and success have in common, and how embracing and confronting our fears is necessary in order to harness our teams’ true power.

The book is a fun read, and I believe it’ll inspire you to face and overcome some of your own fears, so you can better optimize your key relationships by leveraging humility, authenticity, and kindness.

Todd is always one of my favorite people to learn from, and in our conversation today, he does not disappoint.

While we do talk about the book, which I highly encourage you to read, I think you’ll really enjoy hearing more of his frank and fresh approach to leadership, authenticity, and self-awareness.

In today’s podcast episode, we’ll chat about why he believes that embracing authenticity must be a part of every leader’s journey, and why it’s important to view people as partners, not resources in the work we’re trying to accomplish together. We’ll discuss how toxic positivity can derail teams, and the difference that building trust and communicating with candor can create. We’ll also discuss how leadership has changed and is evolving in a post-pandemic world, and Dr. Dewett’s 5 Rules of Leadership, as well as a motto that he believes every leader should adopt.

Dr. Dewett is a lot of fun to talk to and listen to, so sit back, and get ready to discover how to embrace authenticity, build trust, and turn obstacles into opportunities on your leadership journey.

And don’t forget to grab a copy of his new book, “Dancing with Monsters,” to discover how you can overcome fears, lead with authenticity, and unleash your true potential.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Dr. Dewett’s journey in writing his fifth book, “Dancing with Monsters,” after previous attempts at writing a novel.
His inspiration for creating a fable that addresses common struggles such as anxieties, fears, and confidence issues faced by millennials and Gen Z.
The importance of authenticity in leadership, and how it aligns with the expectations of today’s generations.
Dr. Dewett’s 5 Rules of Leadership.
The dangers of treating employees like children and the importance of creating a balance between authority and open dialogue.
The role of candor in leadership, and the necessity of balancing candor with kindness to foster a productive and supportive work environment.
The importance of framing challenges in a positive and productive manner to help teams see the silver lining and find opportunities for growth.
The motto Dr. Dewett believes that every leader should embrace: SSGW – Take the step, Get the scare, Grow, and Win.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 79

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

Supporting Links and Resources:

Dr. Todd Dewett – Website, Linkedin, Books, LinkedIn Learning Courses

Dancing with Monsters: A Tale About Leadership, Success, and Overcoming Fears by Todd Dewett

Written by Jennifer McClure

Discovering Strength and Courage in the Face of Job Loss and a Cancer Diagnosis with Nicole Roberts

Imagine receiving a breast cancer diagnosis just nine days after losing your job.

This was the reality for my friend, Nicole Roberts, an HR executive who faced these challenges beginning in December 2022.

In this truly inspiring episode of the Impact Makers podcast, Nicole shares her journey through conquering cancer and navigating the financial difficulties that came with it. Not only is she shouldering her family’s living expenses and her own medical care, but she also embarked on the journey of starting her own HR consulting and coaching business, People Solutions Group.

In our conversation, my friend Laurie Ruettimann, host of the Punk Rock HR podcast, joins me to explore with Nicole the original misdiagnosis of her breast cancer, and to discuss the importance of self-advocacy and self-care. Nicole’s story highlights the significance of having a treatment plan and the unwavering support of loved ones, as well as how to better support those who may face health or personal challenges in the future.

As Impact Makers, let’s unite in showing Nicole our support on her journey in every possible way. Connect with Nicole through the links in the show notes and consider contributing to the GoFundMe campaign set up to assist her and her family during this time.

Don’t miss this powerful episode, as it is essential listening for leaders and anyone in the workplace who may face similar challenges.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Nicole Roberts, President of People Solutions Group, shares about her 20-year career in HR, and the motivation behind starting her own business.
Nicole was laid off from her job as an HR executive in December 2022, and was diagnosed with breast cancer nine days later.
Why it’s important to be your own advocate: Nicole’s journey from an initial misdiagnosis through seeking a second opinion, leading to a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and lymph node involvement.
How resilience, mindset, and positive thinking has played a crucial role in Nicole’s approach to managing her health, while she is also pursuing the next steps in her career.
It can be embarrassing or difficult for many cancer patients to accept financial support, as it was initially for Nicole. She shares about her own experience with when she was ready and able to accept help and support from friends and professional colleagues, as well as why she believes it’s important to offer support without being asked.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to provide an opportunity to support Nicole and her family in this journey. We hope that you’ll not only consider donating whatever you can, but also sharing it with others in your network who may be interested in her story, and ready to support.