Albuquerque Business Podcast

As a self-aware leader, it's important to consider the relationship between your business and yourself. After all, you pour your time, energy, and resources into it, but can you trust it to support you in return? In this podcast episode, we explore the concept of trust and fear in relation to business. Fear can be a major obstacle in business. It can hold us back from taking risks and making important decisions. But the opposite of fear is trust, and when we trust ourselves and our business, we can overcome fear and move forward with confidence. So, what does it mean to trust your business? It means having faith in your own abilities and the ability of your business to provide for you. It means having a clear vision and goals, and a plan to achieve them. It also means having the right systems and support in place to ensure that your business is operating effectively and efficiently. But trust is not just about having everything figured out. It's also about being able to adapt and pivot when things don't go as

In this episode, we explore the importance of holding oneself accountable as a leader and the benefits that come with it. We'll discuss the story of Derek Jeter, the iconic captain of the New York Yankees, and his lessons on accountability that every leader can learn from. At the end of this post, you'll find a link to a fascinating article that inspired our discussion. The Power of Accountability: Accountability is a crucial component of effective leadership. When a leader holds themselves accountable, they take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and results. This behavior fosters trust, loyalty, and respect from their team members, as they see the leader owning up to their mistakes and working towards improvement. It also encourages a culture of accountability within the organization, where everyone feels responsible for their actions and works together to achieve common goals. Learning from Derek Jeter, The Captain: Derek Jeter, the legendary New York Yankees shortstop, is an excellent example of

When it comes to problem-solving, there are two broad categories of thinking: realistic thinking and creative thinking. Both modes of thinking have their strengths and weaknesses, and they are often used in different contexts depending on the situation at hand. Realistic thinking is a form of critical thinking that focuses on practicality, facts, and evidence. It is a systematic and logical approach that involves analyzing information and coming up with practical solutions based on what is currently known. Realistic thinking is often used in situations where there is a clear problem that needs to be solved, and the solution requires a step-by-step process. Creative thinking, on the other hand, is more intuitive and imaginative. It is characterized by the ability to think outside the box, generate novel ideas, and come up with innovative solutions. Creative thinking is often used in situations where there is no clear problem or when a problem requires a non-linear approach. This type of thinking can lead to un

In today's fast-paced world, creativity is a highly sought-after skill that can propel personal and professional growth. But how can we harness our creative potential and think outside the box? In our latest podcast episode, titled "How to Think Creatively: 5 Simple Steps to Boost Your Creativity," we explore practical strategies to help you unlock your innate creativity and set yourself apart in any field. Step 1: Embrace Curiosity and Open-mindedness: Curiosity and open-mindedness are the cornerstones of creative thinking. They drive us to explore new ideas, question the status quo, and push beyond our comfort zones. In this podcast episode, we discuss how embracing curiosity and open-mindedness can lead to innovative solutions and spark our creativity. Step 2: Cultivate a Creative Environment: A conducive environment is essential for nurturing creativity. Surrounding ourselves with inspiring and diverse stimuli can help ignite our creative spark. In this episode, we share tips on how to create a creative w

In a world filled with distractions and challenges, it is easy to lose sight of our goals and aspirations. However, as Abraham Lincoln once said, "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." In today's podcast episode, we explore the importance of making a commitment to ourselves and embracing tenacity and integrity to achieve the success we desire. The Importance of Self-Commitment: Committing to our own success is the foundation of personal and professional growth. When we make a decision to pursue our dreams and goals, we are essentially creating a contract with ourselves. This commitment serves as a constant reminder of our purpose and helps us stay focused on our objectives, despite the obstacles that may come our way. Tenacity: The Key to Overcoming Challenges: To accomplish the things we desire, we must exhibit tenacity. This quality is crucial in pushing through difficult situations, setbacks, and failures. By being tenacious, we demonstrate a willingness

Check out these six empowering habits to level up your life and leadership game: #1 - Say "Nope" to Toxic Vibes Want to crush it as a leader? Start by cutting out distractions and bad habits. Take control of your actions and mindset to steer your life in the right direction. Avoid toxic influences like drugs, alcohol, negative people, and partying too hard. Instead, surround yourself with uplifting and supportive individuals who can help you stay focused and be your best self. Sure, it might be tough at first, but you'll soon find that saying no to negative influences will lead to increased focus, energy, and overall well-being. #2 - Find Your Zen Daily Make time for meditation every day. It doesn't matter what type; just do it. Clearing your mind and focusing on your inner state will help you develop self-awareness, inner peace, and mental clarity. Remember: "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." By meditating, you're giving yourself the chance to slow down, reflect, and find inner calm, which will help you

Are you tired of setting ambitious goals at the beginning of each year only to find yourself falling short? If so, it's time to consider a new approach to goal-setting and productivity. In their groundbreaking book, "The 12 Week Year," authors Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington introduce a revolutionary system that can help you achieve more in 12 weeks than most people do in an entire year. In this blog post, we'll explore the key concepts of "The 12 Week Year" and how it can transform your personal and professional life. The 12 Week Year: A Game-Changing System "The 12 Week Year" is centered around the idea that annual goal-setting is ineffective because it leads to procrastination, lack of focus, and reduced urgency. Instead, the authors propose breaking down your goals into 12-week periods, allowing you to maintain focus, accelerate progress, and achieve more. Vision and Planning A successful 12-week year begins with a clear vision of what you want to achieve. This vision should be inspiring, realis

Disappointment is a part of life. We all experience it at some point, whether it's from not getting a job we wanted, failing a test, or having a relationship end. While it can be tough to deal with, it's important to remember that disappointment is not the end of the world. There are ways to get over it and move on. Here are five tips for getting over disappointment: Allow yourself to feel your emotions. It's important to allow yourself to feel your emotions when you're disappointed. Don't try to bottle them up or pretend they're not there. It's okay to be sad, angry, or frustrated. Just let yourself feel whatever you're feeling and don't judge yourself for it. Talk to someone you trust. Talking to someone you trust can help you process your disappointment and feel better. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else who you feel comfortable talking to. Talking about what happened can help you make sense of it and start to move on. Take some time for yourself. After you've had some t

In today's ever-changing world, it is more important than ever for businesses to be agile and adaptable. One way to achieve this is to adopt a culture and practice of Kaizen. Kaizen is a Japanese term that means "continuous improvement." It is a philosophy that focuses on making small, incremental changes that can lead to big results. There are many benefits to adopting a culture of Kaizen. For one, it can help businesses to improve their efficiency and productivity. By constantly looking for ways to improve processes, businesses can save time and money. Additionally, Kaizen can help businesses to improve their quality control. By identifying and fixing problems early on, businesses can avoid costly mistakes. Perhaps the biggest benefit of Kaizen is that it can help businesses to create a culture of continuous learning and improvement. When employees are encouraged to think critically and come up with new ideas, it can lead to a more innovative and dynamic workplace. If you are thinking about adopting a cu

Welcome back to the Self-Aware Leader podcast! In today's episode, we're diving deep into the art of embracing solitude for personal growth. Often, loneliness and isolation are seen as negative experiences, but by shifting our perspective, we can turn these moments into opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Loneliness vs. Solitude Loneliness and solitude are often used interchangeably, but they carry distinct meanings. Loneliness is the feeling of sadness or distress resulting from a lack of companionship, while solitude refers to the state of being alone without necessarily feeling lonely. By reframing our understanding of these terms, we can begin to appreciate the benefits of solitude. The Power of Solitude When we consciously choose to embrace solitude, it can become a powerful tool for personal development. Here are some of the ways solitude can positively impact our lives: Self-Reflection: Spending time alone allows us to delve into our thoughts and emotions, leading to a deeper understanding o

Age differences can sometimes be a challenge in the workplace, especially when you find yourself in a leadership position over people who are older than you. While this might seem intimidating, it's essential to remember that effective leadership transcends age. In this blog post, we'll explore tips and strategies for leading people older than you, building strong relationships, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Recognize and Respect Experience Older team members often bring valuable experience and insights to the table. Recognize and respect their expertise, and make an effort to learn from their wisdom. Show genuine interest in their perspectives, and involve them in decision-making processes. Emphasize Collaboration and Open Communication Create a work environment that encourages open communication and collaboration. Encourage team members to share their ideas and opinions, and make sure everyone's voice is heard. By fostering a collaborative atmosphere, you can demonstrate that age is just

In this episode, we explore the importance of distinguishing between reactive and reflective states of mind. Reactivity is often driven by fear, panic, stress, and anxiety, and it can be an indicator of a lack of trust in oneself and the business built. On the other hand, being reflective allows for the necessary space to think, evaluate options, and find solutions. We discuss how it's easy to slip into a reactive state when facing problems, emphasizing the need to pause, calm down, and assess the situation. Trusting in your business to provide stability and support is essential. Breathe deeply and ask yourself, "What is the worst thing that could happen?" Take control of what's within your power and give yourself some space to distance from the issue. We introduce the concept of fear-setting, a powerful exercise that helps conquer fears by defining and assessing them on a scale of 1 to 10. This exercise can reveal that some fears might not be as significant as initially thought, allowing you to address them

As a leader, it's crucial to surround yourself with the right people. You may think that you're strong enough to avoid adopting the worst of others, but the truth is that we unconsciously become what we're near. If you're surrounded by negativity, sooner or later, you'll become negative too. That's why few things are more important in life than avoiding the wrong people. The Impact of Our Surroundings One of the most significant factors that impact our behavior is the people we spend time with. Whether it's your colleagues, employees, friends, or family members, the people around us have a profound influence on our lives. Their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors can rub off on us, whether we realize it or not. For example, if you work for a toxic boss, you may start to develop toxic behaviors yourself. You may become short-tempered, irritable, and critical of others. Similarly, if you hang around with people who are lazy and unmotivated, you may start to adopt their negative attitude towards work and life. It'

Have you ever found yourself constantly searching for something to fill an empty hole in your heart or chest? Do you turn to exercise, new purchases, or even relationships to try and find happiness, only to be left feeling empty again? If so, it's time to stop running away from your unresolved issues and learn to love yourself. In this blog post, inspired by a recent podcast, we'll explore the importance of self-love and how to cultivate it in your life. Understanding True Self-Love True self-love means accepting and embracing everything you feel and experience inside. Using external things to escape from your own experience is a temporary fix that will never provide lasting happiness. Emotions like sadness and emptiness may be uncomfortable, but the more you resist them, the more they will clamor for your attention. Learning to love yourself means turning towards those difficult emotions, just as you would comfort a small child who feels upset. While exercise is important for physical health, it cannot provi

Leadership encompasses various skills, and one of the most crucial yet often overlooked traits is the ability to listen actively. Active listening involves giving your full attention to the speaker, avoiding distractions, and showing genuine interest in their thoughts and ideas. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of active listening in leadership, providing tips, examples, and benefits. Why Active Listening Matters for Effective Leadership: Active listening is an essential skill for effective leadership, as it helps leaders create a supportive and collaborative environment where team members feel valued and encouraged to contribute their best ideas. When leaders prioritize listening over talking, they can gain valuable insights, build trust, and improve communication, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving. Practical Tips for Improving Your Active Listening Skills: If you want to improve your active listening skills as a leader, here are some practical tips: Be present: Focus on

Are you a manager struggling to have a tough conversation with a disgruntled employee? Navigating difficult conversations with team members who are unhappy or frustrated can be a daunting task. However, with a bit of planning and preparation, you can turn these conversations into productive opportunities for growth and development. In this article, we'll explore how to master the art of conversation and give you easy steps to improve your conversation skills to have conversations that matter. Great leaders have demonstrated the importance of engaging in direct, honest conversations when challenges arise. For example, during the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized the importance of open dialogue to bridge gaps and build understanding. Similarly, Abraham Lincoln, known for his exceptional leadership skills, often held private meetings to address conflicts and frustrations within his administration. Here are some easy steps to improve your conversation skills and manage difficult conversatio

Loneliness has become a pervasive issue in recent years, affecting both personal and professional lives. It not only impacts mental and emotional well-being but also poses a significant threat to physical health and business success. In this article, we'll explore the dangers of loneliness and discuss how to combat it by fostering meaningful relationships. As leaders, we have a responsibility to prioritize our well-being and that of our team members. The Dangers of Loneliness: Overcoming Loneliness and Depression Loneliness has real, tangible consequences on our health and well-being. Research shows that it can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death. It's also linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, which can negatively impact both personal and professional lives. Chronic loneliness can lead to a lack of motivation, creativity, and focus, making it difficult to perform tasks efficiently and achieve success

In his best-selling book, "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership," John Maxwell presents the Law of the Lid as the first and foundational law. According to this principle, an individual's leadership ability is the lid that determines their level of effectiveness and success. Simply put, the higher your leadership skills, the greater your potential for success. Maxwell argues that no matter how talented, educated, or experienced a person is, their success will be capped by their ability to lead and influence others. The Law of the Lid highlights the significance of continually improving leadership skills to break through the barriers that limit personal and professional growth. The Implications of the Law of the Lid The Law of the Lid has several implications for individuals seeking to improve their leadership abilities and achieve success: Leadership ability is the primary determinant of success: Regardless of your innate talents, education, or experience, your leadership skills play a crucial role in your

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where an individual seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a person's mind, making them question their own memory, perception, or sanity. It can be challenging to recognize and deal with gaslighting, but cultivating self-awareness can be a powerful tool to combat this toxic behavior. In this blog post, we will explore strategies to enhance self-awareness and protect yourself from the harmful effects of gaslighting. Understand Gaslighting The first step in combating gaslighting is understanding what it is and how it manifests in various situations. Common gaslighting techniques include denying previous events, twisting your words, projecting the gaslighter's issues onto you, and trivializing your feelings or experiences. By recognizing these tactics, you can better defend yourself against manipulation. Develop Emotional Intelligence Cultivating emotional intelligence (EI) allows you to identify, understand, and manage your emotions effectively. Strengthening your E

In a world where success is often measured by the outcome, it's easy to get lost in chasing the end results rather than focusing on the journey. However, when we shift our focus towards purpose and process, we can create a more fulfilling and sustainable path to success. By aligning our actions with our values and goals, we can ensure that our work is meaningful and enjoyable. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of focusing on purpose and process, and discuss how to implement these principles in your daily life. Discovering Your Purpose The first step in aligning your actions with your values and goals is to identify your purpose. This can be done by reflecting on your passions, strengths, and aspirations. Ask yourself what drives you, and consider how your unique qualities can contribute to the world. By gaining clarity on your purpose, you will be better equipped to set meaningful goals and make decisions that align with your values. Setting Values-Based Goals Once you've identified you