People Business w/ O'Brien McMahon

Aaron Levy is the Founder of Raise The Bar and Stride, two companies focused on helping companies create high- performing teams by building better leaders. He is the author of the bestselling book Open, Honest, & Direct, the host of Raising The Bar on Leadership Podcast, a Thrive Global contributor, an ICF Certified Coach, and a member of the Forbes Coaches Council. Over the last decade, Aaron has worked with 10,000 business leaders in various industries, inspiring them to define their goals, create tactical action plans, and achieve sustained success.

Mentioned on the Show

• Learn more about Aaron Levy on the Raise the Bar website: https://www.raisebar.co/team/aaron-levy-founder
• Read Aaron’s book Open, Honest, and Direct: https://a.co/d/081LR77O
• Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aelevy
• O’Brien discussed the book Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin: https://a.co/d/0iN1Z70x

Timestamps
(00:00:00) – Aaron Levy returns to People Business with O'Brien McMahon

(00:02:42) – What is Raise the Bar and how do you help develop leadership skills in teams?

(00:03:09) Have leadership lessons have evolved since the pandemic or if they remain the same?

(00:04:28) How has the hybrid work world changed how we need to lead people and what skill sets have become important?

(00:08:14) What opportunities exist now, post-pandemic, that didn't before?

(00:14:19) What key fundamental skills are foundational for leadership development?

(00:20:53) How is psychological safety created in the workplace?

(00:21:44) How can someone receive feedback constructively, “like a scientist”?

(00:23:51) What factors allow people to receive difficult feedback in a positive way?

(00:32:09) How can difficult, tough conversations be made in a way that helps?

(00:42:35) Millennials, Gen Z, are generational differences real or just examples of human nature across life stages?

(00:48:11) Is there anything about how Aaron leads Raise the Bar that surprises clients?

Dr. Jennifer Fraser is the author of The Bullied Brain and The Gaslit Brain. It is her mission to educate people on how to recognize and name these behaviors and stay safe when they show up.

Mentioned on the Show

• Dr. Jennifer Fraser’s website: https://bulliedbrain.com/
• Read The Gaslit Brain: https://a.co/d/0fupTc7K
• Get Dr. Fraser’s book The Bullied Brain: https://a.co/d/09JvZBgo
• Jennifer Fraser, PhD is a regular contributor to Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/jennifer-fraser-phd
• Learn more about BrainHQ training: https://www.brainhq.com/

Timestamps
(00:00:00) - Jennifer Fraser, PhD joins People Business with O'Brien McMahon

(00:02:24) - Workplace dynamics: Personal agendas vs. Organizational agendas

(00:06:09) - Denial: why do we think “this could never happen”?

(00:11:48) - What does gaslighting look like and what is manipulative communication?

(00:17:46) - What is happening in our brains when we are being gaslit?

(00:23:25) - What is healthy self-esteem and status and what is unhealthy ego?

(00:25:55) - Is “true” psychopathy a spectrum?

(00:29:40) - DARVO: Denial; attack; reverse; victim; offender

(00:35:30) - When is appropriate to terminate and when should a second chance be offered?

(00:37:46) - How can workplace gaslighting be recognized earlier?

(00:48:08) - What happens in the brain after gaslighting and bullying?

(00:53:20) - How we should think about high status people in positions of power?

(01:00:38) - Final thoughts from Jennifer Fraser, PhD

Daniel Ratner is a relationship coach, speaker, and author helping people build healthier connections by recognizing draining patterns and setting stronger boundaries. He is the author of three books, including Emotional Vampires, teaching readers how to protect their happiness from toxic people.

Mentioned on the Show

• Coach Dan Ratner’s website: https://coachratner.com/
• Connect with Coach Ratner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-ratner-45b4678a/
• Check out Coach Ratner’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thecoachratnerpodcast
• Coach Ratner on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachratnerpodcast

Timestamps
(00:00:00) Coach Daniel Ratner sits down with O'Brien McMahon of People Business

(00:03:43) What is an "emotional vampire"?

(00:07:22) What are some of the red flags for narcissists?

(00:08:53) How do we set the right boundaries with manipulative people in the workplace?

(00:11:21) How do we protect ourselves against narcissists who love bomb people?

(00:12:51) Wisdom about assessing if someone treats people well (or poorly)

(00:19:50) Drama Queens and people who play the victim card

(00:21:20) Is there a good way to snap people out of the victim mindset?

(00:23:43) How do we find that balance between helping people change and knowing when to move on?

(00:25:17) How do we build self-esteem in ourselves so it's easier to look at painful truths?

(00:28:42) What kinds of activities help people build esteem outside of relationships and work?

(00:36:25) What are things introverts can do to still bring positive energy into meetings?

(00:41:50) Anything we didn't hit that would be important or any final message?