Ethan Johnson on Balancing Work, Family, & Fulfillment

In this episode of Success Your Own Way, “Finding your Agency: Ethan Johnson on Balancing Work, Family, and Fulfillment”,  Yifat Rogers and I sit down with Ethan Johnson who recounts his career journey.  It started with formative experiences like carpentry and washing dishes, which instilled a strong work ethic and creativity. Next, he transitioned to the tech industry where he gained valuable experience in finance and project management as well as roles in payments, marketing, and sales, fostering curiosity and expanding his skill set. Most recently, Ethan pursued entrepreneurial ventures, focusing on advisory roles in startups, gaming studios, SaaS providers, and Athlea – a sports tech company combining AI and physical fitness.

Over the past five years, Ethan’s concept of success evolved from career titles and promotions to empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and creating impactful environments. Drawing on his experience as a rowing coach, he emphasizes understanding individual motivations and tailoring leadership approaches to inspire growth. Ethan advocates for mid-career self-assessment, aligning work with personal values, and prioritizing family dynamics. Ethan highlights the importance of helping others succeed and navigating life transitions with mentorship and coaching. Through deliberate reconnections and holistic exploration, Ethan embraces adaptability, curiosity, and continuous learning as keys to fulfillment.

 

 

About Ethan Johnson

Ethan has over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. He led teams in sales, marketing, finance, and operations across consumer and commercial businesses. He spent 18 years at Microsoft, most recently leading multi-channel Go-To-Market strategy and execution for the Surface line of hardware and services in multiple markets. Recently, Ethan took on advisory roles with small businesses and early-stage ventures supporting business development. Ethan lives in Seattle with his family and two huskies.  He is a sometimes-competitive rower and rowing coach, woodworker, record collector, and live music enthusiast.

Let me know what you are interested in hearing about in future episodes of Success Your Own Way!

Angela Dodd on Leadership, Grit, and Growth

In this episode of SuccessYourOnWay , Yifat Rogers and I sit down with Angela Dodd, founder of Females in Food. Angela shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, including the personal challenges that led her to build a platform dedicated to empowering women in the food and beverage industry. We discuss:

  • How toxic work environments can spark major life changes
  • The evolving definition of success over different career stages
  • Lessons learned from founding Females in Food, including the importance of building a support system and accepting vulnerability
  • Key strategies for career and personal growth, such as setting boundaries, building confidence, and taking action before feeling “ready”
  • The power of writing down goals and speaking them out loud for accountability.

Angela also offers practical advice for anyone looking to redefine success on their own terms. She reminds listeners that success looks different for everyone.

Success Your Own Way: “Building Your Own Stage: Angela Dodd on Leadership, Grit, and Growth”

 

About Angela Dodd

Angela a seasoned leader in the B2B ingredient sector, with 15 years of experience bridging the gap between technical expertise and business strategy. Holding a Master’s in Food Science and an MBA, she has spent the past decade helping clients successfully commercialize food products, leveraging deep industry knowledge to drive innovation and market success.  Angela is the founder of Females in Food (FIF), dedicated to empowering women and organizations in the food and beverage industry through leadership development, career advancement, and industry transformation. FIF has become the go-to platform for companies seeking to attract, retain, and elevate top female talent. Based in Minneapolis, Angela enjoys giving back to the industry, championing meaningful change, and spending time with family, friends, and her two boys.

Let me know what you are interested in hearing about in future episodes of Success Your Own Way!

Coaches Support Growth in Strategic Thinking

Coaches support growth in strategic thinking.  Have you ever been told that you have all the necessary skills to get a promotion or a top performance review if only you had better strategic thinking skills?  The ability to think strategically is more crucial than ever. Executive coaching can empower leaders to navigate complexity, seize opportunities, and lead their organizations into a successful future. But what exactly is strategic thinking, and how does executive coaching enhance this essential leadership skill?

Understanding Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is the ability to envision the long-term direction of the organization or team and make decisions that align with that vision. It involves analyzing the external environment, anticipating trends, and identifying opportunities and threats. Strategic thinkers are not just focused on the immediate tasks; they see the bigger picture and understand how various elements interconnect and where the dependencies and trade-offs are.

The Role of Executive Coaching

Executive coaching is a personalized development process that helps leaders enhance their skills, performance, and overall effectiveness. A coach provides guidance, feedback, and support, helping leaders gain clarity, build confidence, and achieve their goals. Executive coaching can elevate a leader’s ability to drive organizational success through enhancing the leader’s strategic thinking skillset.

Vision and Goal Setting

Effective leaders have a clear vision for the future and set strategic goals that align with that vision. Executive coaching helps leaders articulate their vision, develop a strategic plan, and set achievable goals. Coaches provide tools and frameworks for goal setting, ensuring that leaders stay focused and on track.

Environmental Analysis

Strategic thinkers are adept at analyzing the external environment, including market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory changes. Executive coaching enhances this capability by helping leaders develop critical thinking skills and stay informed about industry developments. Coaches encourage leaders to adopt a proactive approach, continuously scanning the environment for opportunities and threats.

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

Strategic decision-making requires the ability to evaluate options, consider trade-offs and potential outcomes, and ultimately make informed choices. Executive coaching equips leaders with decision-making frameworks and problem-solving techniques. Coaches challenge leaders to think critically, weigh pros and cons, and consider both the short and long-term implications of their decisions.

Innovation and Adaptability

In a world of constant change, innovation and adaptability are essential for strategic success. Executive coaching fosters a growth mindset, encouraging leaders to embrace change and seek innovative solutions. Coaches help leaders identify opportunities for innovation and develop strategies to implement change effectively.

Communication and Influence

Communicating the strategic vision and influencing others to buy into that vision is a critical leadership skill. Executive coaching focuses on enhancing communication and influence skills. Coaches help leaders articulate their ideas clearly, build persuasive arguments, and engage stakeholders. Effective communication ensures that the entire organization is aligned with the strategic direction.

Leadership and Team Development

Leading an organization into the future requires a strong, cohesive team. Executive coaching emphasizes the importance of leadership development and team building. Coaches work with leaders to identify and develop key talents within the organization, foster collaboration, and create a culture of continuous improvement.

Leading Your Organization into the Future

Coaches support growth in strategic thinking and elevate your leadership abilities to transform your organization. By leveraging this capability, you will navigate the complexities of the modern business environment, seize opportunities, and lead your organization into a successful future. The legacy you leave as a leader will be defined by your ability to think strategically and inspire greatness in others. Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey and shape the future of your organization? The power to lead and transform is in your hands.  Want to learn more? Reach out and let’s talk about how a coach can help.

Coaching Helps Elevate Your Executive Presence

Coaching helps elevate your executive presence. In the world of business, executive presence is the X-factor that separates good leaders from great ones.  It separates the leaders who are able to achieve their dreams of promotions, larger scope, larger impact, greater professional success, among other goals. I have personally seen clients be the most knowledgeable people in the room, but who are less able to effectively articulate their vision, ideas, or needs in a credible way due to a gap in their executive presence.

What is Executive Presence?

Executive presence is the intangible quality that commands attention, instills confidence, and inspires action.  It’s the way you carry yourself, the clarity with which you communicate, and the respect you command. Strong executive presence is a blend of confidence and composure, gravitas, and communication skills which are explored below. While some people seem to naturally possess these qualities, not everyone does.  The good news is that these skills can be developed and refined through targeted coaching. Developing a strong executive presence is essential for anyone looking to lead effectively and leave a lasting impact.

Confidence and Composure

Confidence is the cornerstone of executive presence. It’s about believing in yourself and your abilities, even in the face of challenges. Sometimes this confidence can be muted as a result of Imposter Syndrome.  Composure is equally important—remaining calm and collected under pressure demonstrates that you can handle any situation. Expert coaching helps you build confidence through self-awareness, positive reinforcement, and practical strategies for managing stress and anxiety.

Gravitas

Gravitas is the hallmark of a respected leader. It’s the ability to convey a sense of seriousness, importance, and authority. This doesn’t mean being stern or unapproachable.  Gravitas is about being decisive, thoughtful, and impactful in your actions and words. Coaching can help you develop gravitas by enhancing your decision-making skills, deepening your knowledge, and practicing effective communication.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial for executive presence. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. Clear, concise, and compelling communication builds trust and respect. This includes verbal and non-verbal cues—your tone, body language, and eye contact all play a role. Coaching focuses on improving these skills, helping you articulate your vision, engage your audience, and navigate difficult conversations with ease.

The Role of Coaching in Executive Presence

Expert coaching provides personalized guidance and feedback tailored to your unique strengths and areas for improvement. A coach helps you identify the key elements of executive presence that you can focus on developing and provides practical strategies for growth. This could include role-playing exercises, public speaking practice, and techniques for managing stress and building resilience.

Defining Your Legacy

As you work to elevate your executive presence, it’s important to consider the legacy you want to leave. What do you want to be remembered for? How do you want to impact those around you? Your legacy is the lasting impression you leave on your organization, your colleagues, and the broader community. It’s about more than just achieving business success—it’s about making a positive difference and inspiring others to do the same.

Conclusion

Elevating your executive presence is a journey of self-discovery, growth, and intentionality. With expert coaching, you can develop the confidence, gravitas, and communication skills needed to lead effectively. More importantly, you can define and work towards the legacy you want to leave, ensuring that your impact is both meaningful and enduring. So, are you ready to elevate your executive presence and inspire greatness? The journey starts now.  Reach out if you want to learn more about how coaching helps elevate your executive presence.

Coaches Help Leaders Become Better Leaders

Coaches help leaders become better leaders. Leadership is often perceived as a mystical quality, a rare trait that only a select few possess. However, the truth is that leadership is a skill that can be developed and nurtured in anyone. It’s about more than just leading a team or managing a project; it’s about inspiring, influencing, and empowering those around you. Continue reading “Coaches Help Leaders Become Better Leaders”

Alignment Between Personal Values and Professional Endeavors

Alignment between personal values and professional endeavors.  It sounds hard, but coaches can help.  Finding this alignment is key to achieving true fulfillment in your career. When your work resonates with your core beliefs, it not only enhances your job satisfaction but also fuels your motivation and sense of purpose. Here’s a guide on how to align your values with your work for a more meaningful professional life.

Understanding Your Core Values

The first step towards aligning values with your work is identifying what truly matters to you. Core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that drive your behavior and decision-making. They encompass a range of aspects, including ethics, integrity, social responsibility, creativity, and personal growth.

As part of a coaching arrangement, one of the first things we do together is uncover these values and beliefs through a “floorplan” exercise where you identify the beliefs and values from the various rooms in the home you grew up in.  Then you get the opportunity to contemplate what values have changed for you over time. This exercise helps you use the past to understand your present while also guiding your future.

Evaluating Your Current Role

Once you’ve identified your core values, evaluate how well your current job aligns with them. Consider the following aspects:

  • Company Culture: Does the company promote a culture that aligns with your core values? Are its ethics in line with your own values?
  • Job Role: Does your role allow you to leverage your strengths and pursue your passions? Do you feel that your contributions are valued and make a meaningful impact?  How well does your role align with your values?
  • Work Environment: Is the work environment supportive and conducive to your personal and professional growth? Does it offer a healthy work-life balance?  Does the environment support your values?

Assessing these elements can help you determine if your current job aligns with your values or if there are areas that can change to help bring that alignment closer together.

Making Adjustments

If you find discrepancies between your values and your work, it’s time to make adjustments. Here are some strategies to align your values with your professional life:

  • Communicate: Openly communicate your values and concerns with your supervisor if there is psychological safety in doing so. This can help foster an understanding and create opportunities for adjustments within your role or work environment.
  • Seek Alignment: Look for projects or tasks within your current job that align more closely with your values. Volunteering for initiatives that resonate with your core beliefs can provide greater satisfaction and fulfillment.
  • Professional Development: Invest in your professional development by seeking out training, certifications, or courses that align with your values and enhance your skills. This can open up new opportunities and roles that better match your principles.
  • Networking: Connect with like-minded professionals and organizations. Networking can provide valuable insights and opportunities to collaborate on projects that align with your values.
Exploring New Opportunities

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your current job may not fully align with your values. In such cases, exploring new opportunities may be necessary. Research companies and roles that prioritize the values you hold dear. Look for organizations known for their ethical practices and employee satisfaction.

When applying for new jobs, make sure to highlight your values and how they align with the company’s mission during interviews. This not only demonstrates your commitment but also helps ensure a good fit for both you and the organization.

Embracing Continuous Growth

Aligning your values with your work is an ongoing process. As you grow and evolve, your values may shift, and it’s essential to periodically reassess and realign your professional life accordingly. Embrace continuous growth and stay adaptable to maintain alignment between your personal and professional aspirations.

Conclusion

Aligning your values with your work is crucial for achieving long-term satisfaction and fulfillment in your career. By understanding your core values, evaluating your current job, making necessary adjustments, exploring new opportunities, and embracing continuous growth, you can create a professional life that resonates with your beliefs and brings true meaning to your journey. Remember, a fulfilling career is one that reflects your values and allows you to contribute authentically to the world.  Do you want to learn more about how coaches help you find alignment between your personal values and your professional endeavors?  Please reach out and let’s chat!