Jevon Wooden, CEO of BrightMind Consulting Group, is a speaker, coach, and author of two books, including From Functional to Phenomenal. A Bronze Star recipient and Army veteran, his expertise in leadership and business strategy has been featured in Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company.

Key Takeaways:

1. Many new managers are promoted for technical excellence but receive little leadership training.
2. Empathy and emotional intelligence are essential for navigating pressure from both executives and teams.
3. Uncertainty becomes opportunity when leaders focus on what they can control and stay curious.
4. Clarity starts by defining the real problem and accurately labeling emotions before acting.
5. Strong cultures are built by understanding people’s motivations, communication styles, and sense of belonging.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Follow Jevon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jevonwooden/

Follow Jevon on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jevonspeaks

From Functional to Phenomenal (book): https://jevonwooden.com/functionaltophenomenal/

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Alaina G. Levine, CSP, is a professional speaker, corporate comedian, science writer, coach, and author of books, including Networking for Nerds, which beat out Einstein for an award (REALLY!), and Create Your Unicorn Career. As an expert in STEM workforce and career development, she travels the planet collaborating with organizations who want to recruit, retain, and grow their STEM talent and leverage the power of their STEM unicorns. NASA said she is worth her weight in gold! She has spoken 1000+ times for clients in 35 US states, 16 nations and on 5 continents, and has written 500+ articles for publications like Scientific American, National Geographic News Watch, and the World Economic Forum. Alaina is the winner of over 20 business awards, including the Tucson Leader of the Year award (previously bestowed upon a former US Surgeon General), and the Johnson Lecturer in Science Communications at Penn State University. She studied Arabic, Egyptology, and mathematics at the American University in Cairo as a US Department of Defense Boren Fellow, and holds bachelors degrees in mathematics and anthropology from the University of Arizona. And here's a fun fact: as an undergraduate, she was a championship billiards player and competed in national tournaments under her nickname, Lady Dyn-o-mite.

Key Takeaways:

1. New managers need support and permission to lead with empathy.
2. Leaders often default to outdated or ineffective management styles.
3. Safe, people-first cultures lead to better team performance.
4. Accountability and kindness can go hand in hand.
5. Simple tools help managers gain confidence and clarity.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Follow Alaina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainaglevine/

Follow Alaina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alaina.levine

Follow Alaina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alainaglevine/

Visit her website: https://alainalevine.com/

Take a look at her book: https://www.amazon.com/Create-Your-Unicorn-Career-Practical/dp/B0GDRNNG8G/ Email Alaina: alaina@alainalevine.com

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Daria Rudnik is a Team Architect and Executive Leadership Coach, author of CLICKING, and co-author of The AI Revolution.

A former Chief People Officer and ex-Deloitte professional, she brings over 15 years of international executive experience. Having lived in three countries and worked with clients across six continents, Daria has helped leaders from Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing startups navigate global financial crises, wars, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daria helps leaders build high-performing teams in a world of rapid change and disruption. She does this through a mix of team and leadership coaching, and an AI-powered coaching tool she developed.

Key Takeaways:

1. Daria emphasizes that HR should be viewed as a strategic partner, not just an administrative function.
2. She shares how building trust and understanding business needs are essential for HR to add value.
3. The importance of giving and receiving feedback is discussed as a growth opportunity.
4. Daria reflects on how career transitions can be powerful moments for reflection and alignment.
5. She highlights the need to balance structure with adaptability when building people strategies.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Follow Daria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariarudnik

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/