Shows
Your Future Realized99: How One Curious Habit Builds Resilience in Ops LeadersFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/99. Last week, I was chatting with a creative powerhouse of an ops leader who's been juggling a global team around the clock. She felt overwhelmed, so we came up with a simple challenge: try going to bed the same time her son does for one week.It sounded like a simple thing, but she was surprised by the difference. She woke up more rested, was eating better, got more done, and felt less stressed.Sometimes the smallest tweaks can shift everything.What’s o...
2025-09-2406 min
Your Future Realized98: Hey Ops Exec, Stuck Spinning Your Wheels? Here’s How to Break Free and Gain TractionFind the full transcript at: yourfuturerealized.com/98.Operations execs often tell me they’re running full tilt but are unable to make meaningful progress. Days packed with back-to-back meetings and emails leave little room for breakthroughs.It’s so easy to get trapped on this hamster wheel of reactive busyness. And I know you already get that being busy doesn’t always mean making progress.Breaking out of this pattern is tough, especially when you think you’re playing it safe by trying to do everything yourself. You’re not. You’re actually leaving the...
2025-09-1706 min
Your Future Realized97: How Ops Leaders Can Turn Conflict into Their Team’s Competitive EdgeFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/97.At a successful, growing company, the sales ops team was split into two, to form dedicated sales and ops teams. It looked like the perfect solution. More focus, right? But soon, these teammates who’d worked together side by side for years, even gone to each other’s weddings, were squabbling. The split, instead of bringing clarity, caused confusion and a tug-of-war over priorities and resources. Instead of building the business, they were firing off spicy emails, arguing and building cases against each other. Maybe you’ve been...
2025-09-1006 min
Your Future Realized96: How to Strengthen Stakeholder Relationships as an Ops Exec (and Become the First to Know)Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/96.You know what it’s like when you’re juggling a dozen urgent things, and suddenly a project just… stalls? Out of the blue. Later, you find out that your counterpart in another department “thought you were on it,” but you haven’t actually talked to them in weeks. Now you’re both annoyed, and the work is grinding to a halt.Let’s talk about something that can quietly make or break your reputation: the way you connect with people across the company. When everything’s changing, like ne...
2025-09-0305 min
Your Future Realized95: How to Lead Operations When You Don’t Have All the AnswersFind the full transcript for this episode at yourfuturerealized.com/95.I’m looking at a little photo of a bluebird on my bulletin board, with a saying that’s stuck with me. It goes, “A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not in the branch but in her own wings.”I printed this out years ago during a messy company reorg. Folks kept coming to me, looking for some breathing space, a shoulder, or just a laugh. That bird became a constant reminder: No matt...
2025-08-2706 min
Your Future Realized94: Should Operations Executives Trust Their Gut?Find the full transcript for this episode at yourfuturerealized.com/94.How often do you find yourself in a meeting, the conversation swirling, and suddenly everyone’s looking to you for the answer? You know that moment when you are expected to cut through the noise and make a call fast. And past all the data, there’s an inner voice nudging you.What do you do? Do you go with the numbers, or do you trust that gut feeling you can’t quite put your finger on?You don’t always need all the answ...
2025-08-2005 min
Your Future Realized93: 1 Simple Practice Every Ops Exec Needs to Take Back Their DayFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/93.You know that feeling when you log on in the morning, and before you’ve even had your first sip of coffee, the Slack pings start rolling in? Then the emails, the DMs… It’s like a digital avalanche. I recently spoke with someone with over 2800 unread emails in her inbox. Two thousand, eight hundred! It’s almost funny, except it’s not. And that’s what so many leaders are up against. Hours wading through notifications, before you’ve even glanced at your priorities. Soon, the day feels li...
2025-08-1305 min
Your Future Realized92: Navigating the Messy Middle and the Human Side of Operations, with COO Josh RenickerFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/92."I don't have the answers... I'm the guy that asks more questions." That's Josh Renicker, COO of Energy Access. It's a refreshing take from someone at the top, isn't it?Josh climbed the ladder from midnight shifts to the executive boardroom, working full time while earning multiple degrees, and keeping his boots-on-the-ground perspective all along the way. Recently we talked about the realities of leading operations, how messy and unpredictable it can be, and everything from navigating the AI revolution to maintaining the human to...
2025-08-0632 min
Your Future Realized91: The Most Dangerous Habit in Operations LeadershipFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/91.Ever been the only lifeguard at a packed pool? You’re perched up high, scanning every corner, whistle ready, always on alert. At first, it’s fun. But after a while, you realize you’re just stuck. You can’t be everywhere and jump in every time something happens. And if you try, you just wear yourself out. And honestly, something still going to slip through the cracks.Leading operations can feel exactly like that: Always on edge, always ready to dive in. But here’s the thing...
2025-07-3006 min
Your Future Realized90: 1 Simple Way to Make Your Value Visible in OperationsFind the full transcript at: yourfuturerealized.com/90.Have you heard this old joke?: “What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians? A drummer.” It always gets a chuckle, but anyone who’s ever been in a band knows the truth: The drummer is the backbone. Without them, the whole thing falls apart. They keep everyone in sync, set the pace, and hold it all together, even though they’re not out front with the mic. Just stop and think about that. It’s true, isn’t it? That’s operations in a nutshell. You...
2025-07-2306 min
Your Future Realized89: A Guide to Accountability Conversations for Ops LeadersFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/89.“Ugh, I know I need to have this conversation. But I don’t want to sound harsh or make them defensive.”If your ops team is dropping the ball, that probably hits close to home. Accountability talks can be tough. They’re easy to put off because they’re just plain uncomfortable.But here’s the thing: when you handle them the right way, these conversations don’t just solve problems, they build trust and show your team what real leadership looks like.Let’s be honest, acc...
2025-07-1606 min
Your Future Realized88: Ops Leaders, Are You Ready to Lead Through the Chaos?Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/88.Some days it feels like you’re spinning plates on a windy day, and everyone’s counting on you to keep things from crashing.Whether your job title says “operations” or you’re just the person who quietly keeps the ship running, you know what it’s like to juggle all the moving parts, shifting priorities, and constant surprises. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay steady when everything around you is shifting, you’re in the right place. I’ve spent years coaching operations executives and other...
2025-07-0905 min
Your Future Realized87: Hey Ops Exec, Do You Need to Say 'No' More?Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/87.Most ops leaders I know have a hard time saying no. They don’t want to let people down and just know what needs to be done. It can feel easier, even automatic, to just step in to handle it. But that’s how you end up carrying everyone else’s load.It may sound counterintuitive, but your ability to say “no” is directly tied to your success as a leader. Research shows that leaders who manage their energy and set clear boundaries are more effective, especially during change.*
2025-07-0205 min
Your Future Realized86: How Ops Execs Can Stop Drowning in PrioritiesFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/86.If you’ve ever gone sailing, you know you can’t focus on every wave. You have to pick your course and stick with it, or risk spinning in circles, using up energy but not getting anywhere.Leading operations often means juggling too many things at once, with new priorities flying at you from every side. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos, trying to keep everything afloat. But that’s a recipe for burnout, not breakthrough.The average executive makes about 70 conscious decision...
2025-06-2506 min
Your Future Realized85: Why Every Ops Decision Builds Your ReputationFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/85.Your reputation as an operations leader isn’t built in a single moment. It’s shaped by every decision you make, day in and day out.Over time, those choices add up, not just to results, but to the story people tell about you as a leader.Think about the leaders you most admire. Their expertise matters, but it’s how they show up in critical moments that really defines them.Research shows that executive presence (how you communicate and make decisions) is a top pr...
2025-06-1805 min
Your Future Realized84: How Ops Execs Decide Fast Without RegretFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/84.You know that feeling when you’re stuck in a decision? The more you think about it, the harder it gets to move. I’ve been an Orioles fan since I was a kid. If baseball’s taught me anything, it’s that you can’t wait forever for the perfect pitch. Sometimes you just have to swing. In operations, you almost never have perfect information. Research shows that executives spend a huge chunk of their time making decisions, and a lot of that time is wasted on ch...
2025-06-1106 min
Your Future Realized83: The Secret to Ops Team Trust When Everything ChangesFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/83.This spring, a pair of eastern bluebirds nested on my back deck for the fourth year in a row. I have no idea why they keep coming back, but I like to think it’s because they feel safe here. Safe enough to show up, even when the weather is unpredictable and the world is changing.If you’re leading an ops team, you know trust is just as important, and just as fragile. When everything is shifting, it’s easy for people to hold back and wait for so...
2025-06-0406 min
Your Future Realized82: Unlocking Introvert Potential in Operations with Dr. Jennifer KahnweilerFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/82.Speaking as an introvert who spent years working in operations, I wish I’d met today’s guest sooner. Dr. Jennifer Kahnweiler has been a champion for introverts at work for over 15 years, and I recently got to sit down with her for a great conversation.I know firsthand how easy it is for quieter voices to be overlooked at work! What’s cool about Jennifer is she’s actually an extrovert, but she’s all-in on supporting introverts. She brings a really balanced, fresh perspective to leadersh...
2025-05-2828 min
Your Future Realized81: How Ops Execs Can Stop Being Overlooked and Start Being Heard with 3 Actionable MovesFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/81.Melanie*’s job as an operations leader means she often has to say things people don’t want to hear. She got the role because she’s passionate, driven, and trusted to guide her company through some pretty big changes.But change always brings uncertainty, and how you show up and communicate can make all the difference.When we first met, Melanie’s passion was actually holding her back. She’d get interrupted in meetings, get flustered and leave feeling frustrated, even thinking, “Maybe after seven years, it’s...
2025-05-2105 min
Your Future Realized80: Should Ops Execs Stop Picking Up the Slack?Find the full episode at yourfuturerealized.com/80.Yesterday someone kicked off our conversation by saying: "Why do I feel like I’m the one always picking up the slack? If I don’t step in, things fall apart. But if I do, I’m working every evening, drowning in work that isn’t mine!"If you’re an ops executive, and may sound pretty familiar, and it’s likely you’ve felt this way more than once. Accountability is crucial everywhere, of course, but especially in operations. Why? Because when someone doesn’t follow through...
2025-05-1405 min
Your Future Realized79: Hey Ops Execs, Here’s the Time Management Hack You Actually NeedFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/79.You know Florence Griffith Joyner, right? The fastest woman in history. What makes her legendary isn’t just her speed, but how she embraced her uniqueness. Early on, she struggled with her starts. Her coaches doubted her potential as a top sprinter.But Flo-Jo didn’t let that define her. She stopped trying to fit in and leaned into her own style, focusing on the most important races. Everything changed, and she became unstoppable.As an ops leader, what if you stopped trying to "win every race...
2025-05-0706 min
Your Future Realized78: 3 Ways Ops Execs Nail Presentations Without Self-DoubtFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/78.Once upon a time, there was an operations executive who was brilliant. For years, she’d been the go-to problem solver, building a collaborative workplace that made her indispensable.One day, she was asked to present her ideas on stage. She’d never done this on such a large scale before. Self-doubt crept in, whispering, “Who am I to do this? What if I look like an idiot?” She couldn’t stop imagining every mistake that might happen. It’s not surprising. Nearly 70% of people experience imposter synd...
2025-04-3006 min
Your Future Realized77: What Happens When Ops Leaders Go Unnoticed?Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/77.You know how Chewbacca didn't get a medal at the end of the first Star Wars movie? I never understood that, considering how important he was in destroying the Death Star and saving the day. I do remember hearing that George Lucas had said medals don't matter to Wookiees. That they have different ways of honoring their heroes.Sound familiar, ops leaders? You are the backbone of your company, loyal and dedicated, making sure it all goes according to plan. Your work doesn’t typically get the...
2025-04-2305 min
Your Future Realized76: Are You an Ops Exec Who's Drowning in Team Drama? Here's How to Stay Afloat.Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/76.Picture this: You're in your office, and there's a knock on the door. It's Sarah from Accounting, and she's got that look on her face. You know the one. She's about to vent. Again. Is that ringing a bell?If you're an operations exec, I bet it does. You're the go-to person for getting things done, and that often means being the go-to listener as well. Whether it's a delayed project, a software glitch, or just a tough day, your team turns to you for a s...
2025-04-1604 min
Your Future Realized75: How to Lead Operations Through Change Without Being a PushoverFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/75.Ever catch yourself biting your tongue in a meeting, agreeing to yet another project when you're already swamped implementing big changes? You might be suffering from chronic people-pleasing, and it's costing you more than you think. In operations, efficiency is key. This habit of saying yes can be a real time-thief.That gold star for 'playing nice' isn't just costing you hours. It's eroding your credibility and control. It's like steering a ship while constantly avoiding every little wave. Before you know it, you are off course, wondering...
2025-04-0905 min
Your Future Realized74: Why Ops Execs Should Brag More (Yes, Really)Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/74.Did you know that, according to Harvard Business Review, the average executive spends 23 hours a week in meetings*? Yet most of them have a hard time communicating their value? Think about it: 23 hours in conversation. But how much of that time is spent telling the story of what you bring to the table? If you’re an operations executive, this might hit close to home. You’re the one making sure things actually get done. But how often does your work get the spotlight it deserves?In th...
2025-04-0205 min
Your Future Realized73: The Ops Leader's Guide to Projecting Confidence Under PressureFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/73.A client reached out, caught off guard by her boss’s unexpected invitation for coffee the next morning. Out of the blue. No details, no hints.This was way out of the ordinary. In years working together, he'd never suggested such an informal meet-up. And their relationship had seen its share of tense moments.I could hear the uncertainty in her voice. She's used to all manner of tough challenges, but this threw her off balance. Her mind was racing: Why the sudden interest? Why is he...
2025-03-2605 min
Your Future Realized72: How Operations Leaders Shape Organizational ClimateCheck out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/72.Are you feeling like you're always putting out fires instead of making real progress at work? I recently got to chat with Kristy Farewell, the brains behind Kairos Insights. She has over two decades of experience with Fortune 500 companies. We dug into how operations, culture, and performance are all connected and how you can move from just reacting to leading with intention. In this episode, Kristy breaks down the five key parts of a healthy culture and why you need to measure the things you ca...
2025-03-1921 min
Your Future Realized71: The Human Side of Operational LeadershipFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/71. One of the worst pieces of advice I ever got was from a boss who thought being powerful meant being detached. To her, emotions were messy, and leadership was all about cold hard logic.I tried her way during a tough re-org, but it backfired. I felt disconnected from my team, like a malfunctioning robot. I realized that being an effective leader in tough times doesn’t mean shutting down emotions, but acknowledging them, for both my sake and my team’s.Let’s face it: feeling...
2025-03-1205 min
Your Future Realized70: How Ops Execs Transform from Busy to BrilliantFor the full transcript, visit yourfuturerealized.com/70.What if you didn't have to choose between working hard and taking care of yourself? Is it possible to find that right balance?As an operations executive, you’re carrying the weight of such a demanding job, dealing with globalization, fierce competition, and limited resources among other things. There’s constant pressure to always be improving. But here's the truth: you can't do it all. And that's perfectly fine.Taking care of yourself is just as vital as completing your work. Many think...
2025-03-0505 min
Your Future Realized69: Mastering the Strategic ‘No’ in OperationsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/69.Working with operations leaders has shown me time and time again just how essential you all are in transforming chaos into order. Your strength, creativity, and humility are the backbone of your organization. It's not just about multitasking. It's mega-tasking: handling complex tasks across various departments, while aligning them with company goals and culture.Does this sound like you? If so, you’ve got an incredible gift. But stretching too far and overusing this gift is an easy path to burnout. I often get asked...
2025-02-2605 min
Your Future Realized68: When Personal Branding Doesn’t Work for Ops Execs (and How to Fix It)Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/68.How often do you find yourself dwelling on a moment where you didn't quite shine? Perhaps it was a presentation that fell flat, a missed opportunity to highlight your team's achievements, or a hesitation that let a crucial opportunity slip away. It's not uncommon to revert to old patterns that once served you well but now hold you back.This is where personal branding becomes a powerful tool to help break free from outdated habits and level up to where you are now and where you w...
2025-02-1905 min
Your Future Realized67: How Shrewd Ops Execs Escape the Trap of People-Pleasing & Imposter SyndromeFind the full transcript and more resources for operations executives at yourfuturerealized.com/67.Being an operations executive is no easy feat. Your attention is constantly pulled in lots of directions to keep the gears of your company running smoothly. And, you’re human, dealing with a lot of change, so you’re handling all of that while battling internal challenges like self-doubt. This is much more common than you probably think. Many leaders are out there facing the same challenges, and dealing with the dual pressures of people-pleasing and imposter syndrome. This invisible rock-a...
2025-02-1205 min
Your Future Realized66: Empowering Your Ops Team with Clear & Effective FeedbackFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/66.Adam seemed like the perfect leader for a tech start-up: visionary, problem-solver, and a great team motivator. But as year-end neared, some cracks started to show. Adam had trouble giving feedback and often avoided it altogether. When he did give feedback, it was using the classic 'sandwich' approach:"Your attention to detail is great! It would be good if you could start being more proactive. I’m sure that you’ve got what it takes to get us on track!”His approach was too vague and ineffe...
2025-02-0506 min
Your Future Realized65: 5 Survival Strategies for Overworked Operations ExecsFind the full episode at yourfuturerealized.com/65.Operations executives usually love to solve problems. And why not? It’s not just about fixing issues. It’s about creating seamless systems, putting the kibosh on bottlenecks and breakdowns, and ultimately driving the organization’s success. It is so satisfying to see a well-oiled machine in action.It’s tempting to treat every problem like it’s urgent. But it’s also draining. It’s like a slow leak in a tire. Eventually, going full throttle can wear you down, particularly without good support systems in place. Even if you ca...
2025-01-2905 min
Your Future Realized64: Networking Secrets for Introverted Ops LeadersFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/64.Does the idea of networking make you cringe? I get it. I've often joked that I'd rather re-grout my bathroom tiles or even sit through a root canal than network. As an introvert, small talk feels tedious and social media interactions lack the depth that I crave. I just enjoy one-on-one chats much more.But networking is often the first step to those great one-on-one chats, so I've worked hard to shift my mindset and get better at it. In doing so, I've gotten to meet a...
2025-01-2206 min
Your Future Realized63: The Unseen Strength and Emotional Labor of Ops LeadersFind the full transcript and more resources for operations execs at yourfuturerealized.com/63.To everyone out there leading operations: I see you being the glue holding your organization together! In this special episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Mira Brancu, a seasoned consulting psychologist with leadership experience across various industries.We discussed how today’s global issues, geopolitical tensions, economic shifts, and environmental concerns, are influencing the workplace and adding pressure on operations leaders. We also covered strategies for managing stress, setting boundaries, and finding strength through community support. And we explored the...
2025-01-1527 min
Your Future Realized62: The Secret to Staying Overwhelmed in OperationsCatch the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/62.Life in the fast lane. That is leading operations. Your calendar is a marathon of day-to-day firefighting and your to-do list stretches well past the hours in a day. You may not have had real breathing room for months or even years.You push yourself hard and feel guilty when things slip through the cracks. You think you’re bad at managing your time because you can’t get it all crossed off your list. Want to know a secret? It’s your mindset that really controls...
2025-01-0806 min
Your Future Realized61: Decoding Tension in Your Operations TeamFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/61.Someone recently confided in me:“No matter what I try with my team, there’s this constant rumble of tension that won’t go away. It’s stressing me out. What am I missing?” Frustrating, right? Team dynamics are rarely straightforward. Even genuine efforts to connect can cause friction unintentionally. Working in highly diverse teams, differences can be a double-edged sword. You’ve got a variety of valuable perspectives, but also a great risk of conflict. The real challenge lies in understanding the unspoken issues that li...
2025-01-0107 min
Your Future Realized60: How Operations Execs Master MediocrityFind the full transcript at: yourfuturerealized.com/60.Are you feeling stuck in the background, the unsung hero of your company? Ever wonder why your contributions seem to go unnoticed?You’re in good company. Many operations leaders find themselves in this position. It’s easy to blame this oversight on the nature of operations, often unnoticed until something goes wrong. With so much cross-functional collaboration, it can be difficult to pinpoint specific achievements.But here’s the kicker: ops leaders’ humility can work against them. By quietly getting everything done, your efforts can easily b...
2024-12-1805 min
Your Future Realized59: The Ops Exec's Guide to Maternity Leave SuccessFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/59.You've poured your heart and soul into leading operations. And things are humming along smoothly thanks to your expertise and dedication.So, when you’re expecting a little one, stepping away for maternity leave can of course be daunting. When someone is about to go on mat leave, they often wonder, "How will it impact my career and my reputation? How am I gonna manage it all? Am I gonna lose the professional edge that I've worked so hard to build?" Your life will certainly change and...
2024-12-1105 min
Your Future Realized58: How Not Having All the Answers Can Fuel Your Ops TeamFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/58.As the person in charge of operations, you’re probably known as the one with all the answers.With rapid changes in technology and across industries, the pressure to know everything can be overwhelming. Can anyone really have all the answers? Many executives struggle without immediate solutions or a clear path to find them. This can leave you feeling exposed and anxious.Today, curiosity and adaptability matter more than having all the answers yourself. So what if advancing your team isn't about having all the answers, bu...
2024-12-0405 min
Your Future Realized57: Free Your Ops Leadership from the Burden of Over-ResponsibilityFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/57.Years ago, I led a growing department in a quickly-evolving business. It was a whirlwind experience, testing my limits, especially with a toddler at home. My boss once referred to me this way: "Whenever I toss anything even remotely in her direction, she just catches it and handles it!" I dined out on this complement for weeks and relished being known as the go-to problem solver.But I eventually realized that my drive had shifted into overdrive. It was in the way of...
2024-11-2706 min
Your Future Realized56: How Operations Execs Turn Self-Doubt into StrengthFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/56.Do you sometimes question your right to be leading operations? You're not alone. I know that even though you are the backbone of your organization, it can be easy to feel out of place and question your own value. In a role like yours, where precision and leadership converge, even executives with lots of years under their belt have self-doubt. It’s easy to forget in the moment, but feeling out of place doesn’t mean that you’re inadequate. It's a normal part of stepping up and t...
2024-11-2005 min
Your Future Realized55: Mastering Self-Promotion in OperationsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/55.Leading operations is like running a mental marathon. You're constantly in motion to keep it all going smoothly.In the hustle of the day-to-day, it’s not unusual to look up and see others getting recognition and advancing, while you feel left behind. Other roles typically are more visible . So, how can you make sure you’re moving in the right direction too?Operations executives often come to me feeling stuck and wondering if it's time to throw in the towel to consider new opportunities. It’s a si...
2024-11-1306 min
Your Future Realized54: How to Unlock Your Ops Team's Creative PotentialFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/54.Brainstorming sessions. They’re supposed to ignite creativity and bring out new ideas, right?In theory, it makes sense. For many, gathering with the team, with a whiteboard and markers, is a blast. The collective focus and the pressure to generate breakthroughs sounds fun.But for others, particularly the more introverted geniuses, these sessions have always been uncomfortable at best. Worst case, they actually stifle creativity. And they can make some feel out of place if they don’t love it or do it as well as t...
2024-11-0606 min
Your Future Realized53: How Top Ops Execs Achieve Peak Productivity with Archery PrinciplesFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/53.What sets apart someone who manages their time gracefully from someone who gets lost in the daily grind? Maybe the answer can be found in the practice of archery. Since diving into archery earlier this year, I’ve noticed that hitting a bullseye has a lot in common with wrangling a busy schedule. This realization struck me when a client said: "I start every day determined to make a dent in something significant. But one email turns into a hundred. Before I know it, it's 5 PM and...
2024-10-3006 min
Your Future Realized52: When Feedback from Your Ops Team Feels Like an AttackFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/52.How good are you at handling feedback when it hits a nerve? When feedback feels more like an attack than constructive advice, it’s natural to feel defensive.Picture this feedback as a rough diamond. It’s abrasive at first, but underneath, there may be something super valuable. So, will you confront it to discover its value, or shy away and let it tarnish your confidence?Think of the most successful leaders you admire. Every one of them has gotten tough feedback. So, what if this feed...
2024-10-2306 min
Your Future Realized51: Elevate Your Ops Leadership from ‘Too Nice’ to ‘Just Right’Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/51.Think of a company’s operations as the wheels on a bus. They keep everything moving forward. Your role is crucial ensuring it stays on track by maintaining strong relationships across teams. Building healthy interdepartmental relationships is a unique skill, and it comes with its own challenges. One client, a leader in research ops, shared her concerns about career stagnation with me, saying: “I feel trapped trying to make everyone happy. I’m overcommitted and they think I’m a pushover. Can you help me grow a spine?”
2024-10-1605 min
Your Future Realized50: Empowering Your Ops Team Post-ReorganizationFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/50.Not too long ago, an Ops team lead reached out to me, feeling overwhelmed by her company’s layoffs and shake-ups. Her team was having a tough time adjusting. Morale was taking a nosedive. With all the chaos, staying focused and productive felt nearly impossible. She said to me:“I have to somehow put the broken pieces together and keep everyone moving. Can you give me some best practices for rebuilding trust when half the team is still reeling from the changes?”Can you relate? It's a situ...
2024-10-0906 min
Your Future Realized49: 7 Steps for Ops Execs to Achieve Laser-Focused ProductivityFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/49.Are you overwhelmed by your schedule, struggling to focus on what’s truly important? You’ll never have more time than your focus and discipline allow. What if you could reclaim your day and direct your energy where it matters most?Think of a sculptor, creating a masterpiece. They focus on the fine details that bring their vision to life, not the rough outlines.I use an exercise with my clients that’s a blend of Zen mindfulness and strategic task management. It helps you zoom in and...
2024-10-0206 min
Your Future Realized48: Resilience Strategies for Operations ExecsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/48.How often do you find yourself wishing for a seamless, hiccup-free day? Let’s face it. Your world will always be filled with challenges. From technology failures and workflow breakdowns to budget constraints and team conflicts, you’ve got a relentless stream of problems to solve. Over time, it can sap your confidence and reduce your effectiveness.It’s tempting to fantasize about a perfect world where everything flows smoothly! But what if you could shift your mindset to embrace the real world, instead? What if...
2024-09-2506 min
Your Future Realized47: Advance Your Operations Career with Personal BrandingFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/47.As the ‘go-to person’ in your organization, do you struggle with feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated? Operations teams rarely get the spotlight unless something goes wrong.To change this, you need more than just hard work. You need to build a strong personal brand to get recognized and boost your credibility.Managing your brand isn’t just about showing who you are. It’s a smart way to get noticed and advance your career.It’s like designing a car. You choose the features, colors, and perfor...
2024-09-1806 min
Your Future Realized46: Ops Exec, Are You Over-Relying on the Usual Suspects?Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/46.Did you know that when the steam locomotive first exceeded 30 mph, a renowned doctor claimed that the human body would explode at 40 mph? This misguided and extreme belief mirrors a common constraint in operations teams. Always relying on the same dependable team members repeatedly may seem efficient, but this habit restricts their growth and overlooks the unique strengths of others. Are you inadvertently stifling your team by clinging to what’s comfortable?This is the tyranny of 'is’: A mindset that traps you in a perceived reali...
2024-09-1106 min
Your Future Realized45: Ops Exec, Are You Struggling with Delegation and Support?Check out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/45.This morning, I was working with a VIP client. I asked her: “What do you need most today?” She laughed and said: “Help me accept help!”After listing her many challenges for the week, she got serious and said, “Logically, I know I can't do it alone, but how do I make myself actually believe that?"I often see Ops heroes stuck in this situation. Taking on every task and forgetting that asking for help is a smart move, not a weakness. Admitting you need he...
2024-09-0406 min
Your Future Realized44: How Ops Execs Can Stop Chasing Success and Start Living ItFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/44.As an operations executive, you are the backbone of your organization. It’s remarkable how you keep everything running smoothly and manage crises day after day.But always being prepared for what’s next can be draining. Perpetually chasing success leaves little room for rest or satisfaction.I had a college professor who called this way of being the "I'll be happy when..." game. It’s a game that has no winners and creates endless pressure.It’s time to break free from this future-f...
2024-08-2806 min
Your Future Realized43: Bespoke Career Design for Operations ExecutivesAre you ready to break free from the conventional career path and design a professional journey that’s tailored to your strengths and goals?I recently chatted with Dr. Sharon Hull. Sharon is a primary care expert, academic, researcher, and executive coach with over 30 years of experience, and she’s the author of Professional Careers by Design.Whether you're just starting your career, shifting mid-way, or planning your final chapter, this transformative discussion could open doors you never imagined.We dove into applying design thinking to career strategy, aligning work with personal values, and...
2024-08-2129 min
Your Future Realized42: Elevating Your Ops Team’s Performance from Mediocre to GreatFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/42.An operations exec at a mid-sized manufacturing firm asked for help with a pressing issue. He revealed:“My team is 'eking by' with subpar performance. Even though they have clear objectives and ample skills, they lack drive. Everyone’s doing the bare minimum. I can’t figure it out, but it’s been dragging on for a while.”While having clear objectives is great, teams also need a strong sense of shared vision and enthusiasm. Mediocrity doesn’t have to be the norm. It can be changed with...
2024-08-1405 min
Your Future Realized41: 6 Maternity Leave Best Practices for Operations ExecsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/41.Many operations execs reach out for guidance when they are prepping for maternity leave. This momentous time requires thorough preparation and can be emotionally complex.Balancing the excitement of a new baby with your work can be challenging. How will your team manage without you? Will you fall behind professionally? These uncertainties can add to your anxiety. But this time can be a time for both personal and professional growth.In this episode, you’ll get tips on planning your leave, empowering you...
2024-08-0706 min
Your Future Realized40: How Operations Execs Make Mindfulness Their Secret WeaponFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/40.Picture this: You're in a high-stakes meeting at the big table. Decisions need to be made. The pressure is on. You begin to feel the weight of the situation. In that crucial moment, you take a deliberate deep breath, clearing your mind. And a new sense of composure, you tackle the problem head on and move forward effectively.This isn’t a fantasy. It's the power of mindfulness. It offers a competitive edge by boosting brain power, reducing stress, and helping you make better decisions under pre...
2024-07-3105 min
Your Future Realized39: Signs Your Operations Need an OverhaulHow can you tell if your business ops are due for an overhaul?Today I’m talking to Andrea Dunathan, a professional peer, business guru and one of my walking buddies. Andrea is the Principal Consultant and Owner of Dunathan Consulting. She’s a seasoned business operations consultant who helps businesses find and fix problems in their operations.We recently did a LinkedIn Live interview together, and you’re about to hear it. We talk about how to notice these problems early and some practical tips to prevent overload. We’ll also discuss remote work, keeping...
2024-07-2430 min
Your Future Realized38: 3 Steps for Ops Execs to Rebuild Confidence after Political SetbacksCheck out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/38.Operations execs often reach out to me when their confidence has been shaken by their superiors. Despite many years of expertise and dedication, being undermined is not uncommon, and it can be deeply disheartening.How do you survive unfair criticism, missed promotions, or other brutal realities of office politics?In a similar situation, I felt minimized, isolated, embarrassed, and off balance. And I still had to show up as if my self-esteem wasn’t just destroyed.If this sounds familiar, I empathize with yo...
2024-07-1705 min
Your Future Realized37: 8 Personal Branding Tips for New Operations ExecsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/37.Starting a new position as an operations exec is an exciting time. It’s your chance to shape the future of your organization. And the stakes are high. You’re expected to hit the ground running. You need to earn the trust and respect of your team quickly. So, where do you begin?Whether this is your first role like this, or you’re a seasoned professional, your personal brand matters.A compelling and authentic personal brand is hugely impactful. It builds credibility fast and hel...
2024-07-1006 min
Your Future Realized36: 3 Compelling Reasons Why Operations Execs Should Prioritize Time in NatureCheck out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/36.A client confided to me in a moment of exasperation: "I'm drowning in responsibilities. Don’t even know what to do first, because everything is critical. It feels like burnout is always just around the corner.”This feeling is all too common among operations executives. Given the relentless pressure, it’s not surprising. Unfortunately, it’s also not sustainable.In times like these, stepping away from your desk and out into the great outdoors may seem completely counterintuitive. But scientific evidence shows that’s the perfect thi...
2024-07-0306 min
Your Future Realized35: How Savvy Ops Execs Prioritize Strategic Initiatives for Maximum ImpactFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/35.Are your daily tasks getting in the way of important projects that could help your team and organization grow? As an operations exec, your ability to ensure smooth operations is vital. But what sets successful organizations apart is their ability to execute strategic initiatives effectively.Even the most skilled leaders face the challenge of unfinished projects. Refining your focus can transform them into tangible successes that drive growth.The key lies in your mindset. Imagine the impact if you could channel your focus toward s...
2024-06-2606 min
Your Future Realized34: The Unspoken Challenges of Transitioning from Ops to Strategic LeadershipCheck out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/34.What does it take to move from an operational role to a strategic one? This was the burning question on Emily’s mind when we first crossed paths. She was great at overseeing the day-to-day as an operations executive at a top professional services firm.After eight years in her role, she wanted a new challenge. She wanted to help shape company’s future.But she had doubts about her ability to fit into a strategic role. 360-degree feedback showed she needed to impro...
2024-06-1906 min
Your Future Realized33: 3 Keys to Empowering Your Operations TeamFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/33.Leading operations, you have considerable influence over your organization’s success. You’re orchestrating the flow across your company’s processes and every detail counts. Even small mistakes can cause problems that make big ripples.This high-stakes environment can place a lot of pressure on your team. High expectations and constant tight deadlines can limit their creativity and willingness to try new things. It leaves too much on your shoulders. But, you’re also in a prime position to make positive changes. If you can start...
2024-06-1206 min
Your Future Realized32: The Case Against Time Blocking for Operations ExecsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/32.The least helpful tip for being productive I ever got was to pack every day with blocks of time dedicated to just one task.At first it seemed promising and gave my days a sense of structure and purpose. But it quickly proved counterproductive, limiting and stressful. It didn’t give me flexibility for surprises or changes in priorities. I often overestimated how much I could do, Does this resonate with you?As an operations exec, juggling multiple stakeholders, complex projects, and tight deadlines is...
2024-06-0507 min
Your Future Realized31: How Operations Execs Can Overcome Failed ImplementationsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/31.Once upon a time, there was an operations executive, much like yourself. He faced the daunting task of picking up the pieces after a technology implementation failed. And he needed to launch a new tool in its place. In a coaching session he said:“The team is skeptical, and I can’t blame them. Our last rollout flopped, hard. The new tool has been vetted and pilot tested. But I can’t shake off the feeling that they have lost faith in my leadership.”Feeling wary after a...
2024-05-2906 min
Your Future Realized30: How Operations Execs Become Strategic LeadersFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/30.Ops leaders often contact me when they want to shift from detailed operations work to a more strategic role in their organization.They know all the ins and outs of how the org runs and want to leverage that in shaping the future. But there’s no one-size-fits-all manual for tackling a more strategic role.You likely already know it takes a significantly different approach than that of Operations. It’s like going from tending and weeding a garden to creating an environment where the best plan...
2024-05-2206 min
Your Future Realized29: Building a Culture of Decisiveness in Your Ops TeamCheck out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/29.How effective is your ops team at making decisions quickly? When decision-making slows to a crawl, it’s a sign that something needs to change.A client confided to me that her team seems to be afraid of decisions. She said:“Decisions seem to get passed around like a hot potato. Nobody wants to take the lead. It jams up the works for the other teams too. We're just burning time and energy. How do I get them to be more decisive?”No matter...
2024-05-1507 min
Your Future Realized28: Optimizing Your Time with Personal BrandingCheck out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/28.Imagine if ignoring your personal brand was costing you more time than it saved. It's a provocative thought, isn't it? The idea that operations executives don’t have time for personal branding seems reasonable. You keep the business machinery running smoothly. So personal branding falls to the bottom of the list, considered non-essential to day-to-day success. Yet, what if this is a significant leak in your professional boat?If you don’t create your personal brand, you’ll be assigned one by everyo...
2024-05-0807 min
Your Future Realized27: Panic Habit Detox for Operations ExecutivesFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/27.With a cup of coffee in your hand, you start the day and log on. You’re greeted by a barrage of unread messages. Your tasks are piling up. You rush to answer urgent questions as quickly as possible and get it all cleared out. As the pressure increases, your mind races and your heart rate speeds up.What’s your overall feeling at this moment? Are you already feeling behind even before it’s 9:15?Maybe you’ve been trained to think stress is on your...
2024-05-0108 min
Your Future Realized26: How to Elevate Your Ops Team's Profile & RecognitionFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/26.The core of every successful business is its Ops team.Like the roots of a big tree, their efforts run deep and wide. They're the stable foundation that allows the business to grow, and they keep it steady during stormy times.And like roots, their work is often unseen. It gets overshadowed by the visible achievements of the organization.Focused on internal challenges, members of an ops team are typically humble and dedicated. They're used to putting the needs of the business above their...
2024-04-2406 min
Your Future Realized25: Unlocking the Potential of a Multi-Generational Ops TeamCheck out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/25.If I asked you to name what you like about each generation in your Ops team, which would have the longest list?Baby Boomers bring valuable wisdom. Generation X is known for being resourceful and efficient. Millennials excel in collaboration. Generation Z are tech natives.Together, they could be unbeatable. But when you pull all their diverse work styles, communication preferences, and tech proficiencies together, sparks can fly. A client once described it as a generational tug-of-war:“It’s between who's for...
2024-04-1705 min
Your Future Realized24: Conquering Analysis Paralysis in Ops LeadershipFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/24.How often do you get stuck overthinking, and struggle to make important decisions? It’s common for many in leadership.One of my clients, a brilliant leader in ops, excels at solving tough problems and inspiring her team. The CEO trusts her, her staff adores her, and she consistently gets rave peer reviews.She confided in me that her Achilles heel is making decisions. She’ll get caught thinking in a loop of details and stall there. She thinks, or hopes, that her team doesn’t notice...
2024-04-1005 min
Your Future Realized23: How Operations Executives Drive Success One Thought at a TimeFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/23.Recently, a client was telling me about her day:“It’s like I’m caught in a game of Tetris, moving every block into place constantly. It keeps speeding up, forcing me to keep on it all the time to prevent a pile-up.”I asked how that’s working for her. She said:“Sometimes it’s great. I’m not afraid of hard work. I thrive on it. But it could topple over anytime, and it’s not scalable. I can’t turn my brain off. I’ve got...
2024-04-0309 min
Your Future Realized22: 6 Things Your CEO Needs to Hear to Stop Micromanaging OperationsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/22.An operations exec I know has been knocking it out of the park the last year and a half, exceeding expectations.He’s added new team members and shaped sleeker processes. Employee retention is up. And the latest employee survey shows that motivation and trust in leadership have increased among employees.He came to me frustrated, saying:“I’m ready to take more day-to-day away from the CEO, but he keeps meddling around with it. It’s like I’m trying to fly a kite and h...
2024-03-2707 min
Your Future Realized21: The Essential First Step to Resolving Conflict within Your Ops TeamFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/21.Do you enjoy a little interpersonal drama in your ops team? Yeah, neither do I. In a complex business environment with a diverse team, conflict is inevitable. It is the unwanted guest that keeps showing up to the party uninvited.As the drama unfolds, it can trigger a domino effect. Misunderstandings multiply, resentments fester, and it drags down everyone’s productivity and morale.Conflict happens wherever people come together, especially in workplaces, and especially wherever people with different goals are constantly interdependent, like in Ope...
2024-03-2007 min
Your Future Realized20: How Operations Execs Master Boundary-SettingFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/20.Working with my clients is like jumping into a sea of endless wisdom and inspiration. Every wave carries valuable insights and keeps me on my toes!I'll never forget a conversation with one of my first clients. A busy entrepreneur and author, he was juggling several groundbreaking projects and leading a very fulfilling personal life. I couldn’t help but ask, "How on earth do keep this all going?" Without skipping a beat, he said: "I have excellent boundaries. And I never compromise them."He...
2024-03-1307 min
Your Future Realized19: Master Your Mind with Personal BrandingFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/19.In the complex realm of Operations, personal branding isn't just nice-to-have. It's a game-changer.Take, for example, Matt, a seasoned operations VP I met a couple of years back. Despite a rockstar track record, he battled feelings of imposter syndrome. He said:“I met the new Marketing VP on the elevator. Between floors, she said, “Tell me about yourself.” I just fumbled for words. I’ve been here for 8 years. I love what I do and I’m great at it. But I suck at communicating it. I seco...
2024-03-0607 min
Your Future Realized18: How to Get Your CEO to Tune in to OperationsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/18.Holly is a force to be reckoned with. As the EVP of Finance Operations, she has an encyclopedic knowledge of the company. She’s the go-to person for solving problems. She revolutionized processes in recent years, increasing efficiency in some areas by as much as 22%. But she often sees the CEO's eyes glaze over when she’s talking. She told me:“It’s so frustrating. We bust our butts here keeping everything going no matter what. But his attention is always elsewhere. I’ve been told I give too...
2024-02-2807 min
Your Future Realized17: How to Build Psychological Safety in Your Ops TeamFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/17.Trust is like air. Once it’s left the room, it’s all anyone can think about.A break in trust in a team diminishes morale and can cause decreased productivity and increased turnover.An executive shared a story with me about a direct report who was reluctant to give feedback to a peer. They worried they’d be called negative and critical, so they kept silent even though their feedback was valid. She said:“It’s on me to create cohesion, to keep things run...
2024-02-2106 min
Your Future Realized16: How Operations Execs Break the Curse of People-PleasingFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/16.Do you remember when you first landed your role running operations? You probably thought:"Yes! My hard work paid off. This is what I was meant to do!”I bet you had high hopes and felt unstoppable as you stepped up to that next level.But then something changed. You got pulled in lots of directions you didn’t expect. You started to get a little less organized. And your calendar got jam-packed with things you can’t say “no” to. Unable to get to...
2024-02-1406 min
Your Future Realized15: How to Lead Operations Without Losing Your CoolFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/15.When you’re running your organization’s Operations, there’s always work to do. It is hard to stay on top of everything without getting bogged down just stomping out fires every day. I often think of a story about a cook in a busy restaurant who was frustrated by the constant mess in the kitchen. He complained to a Zen master: “The kitchen is filthy! They never clean up.”The Zen master told him: “If you want a calm kitchen, calm your mind.”Your environme...
2024-02-0707 min
Your Future Realized14: Why Ops Execs Need to Get Out of the WeedsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/14.I spoke with a bunch of operations executives not long ago and got a good taste of their impressive work ethic. I have one myself.Accomplishing big things for a mission is commendable. But doing it single-handedly is neither sufficient nor sustainable.Many of the operations execs wished for a future where they would spend less time in the day-to-day weeds and more time on strategy and focus so they could orchestrate greater results. Ring any bells?Many high achievers get caught up in...
2024-01-3106 min
Your Future Realized13: The Harsh Truth About AccountabilityFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/13.This episode is for operations leaders who struggle with accountability. It’s hard to hold people accountable when you rely on them. This is true for all leaders. Someone told me this recently:“I can have the tough conversations. But I have trouble going back and enforcing it. I don’t want to be ‘the bad guy’. I really want him on my team, and I’m worried he'll leave. So, I keep putting it off.”If this strikes a chord, keep listening.If you’re avoidin...
2024-01-2406 min
Your Future Realized12: Why Fitness Is Non-Negotiable for Operations ExecutivesFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/12.Warning: This episode may challenge your beliefs about productivity.Recently, a client was searching for time on her calendar. She’s in New York, but the company HQ is in France, and she has teammates in California.So, she takes meetings anytime between 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. I asked when she slept. She laughed and said:“Oh yeah. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”She got quiet and continued:“I don’t have the luxury of work-life balance. Somehow, I nev...
2024-01-1706 min
Your Future Realized11: The Secret Ops Execs Use to Trust Themselves MoreFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/11.Everyone doubts themselves from time to time. But for some, it takes the form of a constant uphill battle.When you lead cross-functional operations, your attention is always pulled in different directions. It’s easy to get over-stimulated and take the stress out on yourself.A Director of People Operations recently said to me, “I internalize a lot of what goes wrong. I tend to think that when things are going wrong it’s because there’s something wrong with me.”Does that hit c...
2024-01-1006 min
Your Future Realized10: 6 Mistakes Operations Execs Make About FeedbackFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/10.Nothing stretches us as leaders like someone shining a spotlight on our blind spots.And as an operations executive, you are no stranger to the feedback process. You probably get it regularly through review cycles and 360s.A client recently said to me:“I don’t mind feedback, I’ve learned how to deal with it. But it’s so hard to get clear feedback that I can do something about.”Can you relate?The fact is that some people are just l...
2024-01-0308 min
Your Future Realized9: How Ops Execs Break the 'Move Over, I'll Drive' HabitFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/9.Have you been overcompensating for your operations team’s weaknesses? Then listen up.When you live and eat operations, you know how things work and the best, most efficient ways to do them.And your team is busy. You’ve likely built guard rails for them to minimize burnout because you take good care of your team.So, when a crisis hits, if you sense your team lacks the time, resources or urgency to get it done right, you might have trouble keeping your hand...
2023-12-2707 min
Your Future Realized8: 6 Habits of Effective Operations Execs Who Don't Work Late NightsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/8.Every high-achieving operations executive I spoke with this year named work-life balance in their top three challenges.One SVP of Global Operations said:“Sometimes I finish at 11:30 at night and am back online at 8 am. I lose sight of what’s important to me, including eating well and working out. I almost never log off before 8 pm and feel good about it.”Are you in the same boat?Succeeding doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your well-being. It does require you to a...
2023-12-2008 min
Your Future Realized7: How Operations Execs Can Gain an Edge in CommunicationsFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/7. Interviewing a diverse group of operations executives this summer, one item popped up on many wish lists:Gaining an edge in dealing with different personalities and styles.Some wanted to build greater trust with the CEO. Others wished for an easier path through sticky situations with cross-functional partners. Many could do with more leverage in holding reports accountable for results.With operations, you're touching such a broad realm of stakeholders. There will inevitably be some people who are easy to ride with, and some...
2023-12-1306 min
Your Future Realized6: The Fastest Way for Operations Execs to Reach the Next LevelFind the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/6.Compared to other function leads, as an operations lead, you are less likely to connect with people outside your organization.By design, you are focused internally. You keep a finger on the pulse across the system. You’re nurturing relationships, optimizing resources, and carving efficiencies to keep progress rolling.That doesn’t leave much opportunity to focus on professional networking, so it's not unusual to get caught in your own echo chamber.That hinders creativity and dampens your potential for growth and advancement....
2023-12-0607 min
Your Future Realized5: 12 Simple Ways to Keep Your Ops Team MotivatedFind the full transcript for this episode and more resources for ops execs at yourfuturerealized.com/5.When I interviewed a bunch of ops execs earlier this year, I was listening for what was most important to them.One theme that bubbled up was the joy execs get watching their team collaborate and grow as they march toward common goals.And Ops never stops! The Ops team is the backbone of your org. It’s fun to watch them achieve great things by connecting the dots that make it all work. Isn’t it?...
2023-11-2906 min
Your Future Realized4: The Meeting Habit that Drains Ops Executives' EnergyFind the full transcript for this episode and more resources for ops execs at yourfuturerealized.com/4.How often do you get to the end of the workday unable to recall what you accomplished?You know that you were busy, lots of important info was exchanged, maybe some problems solved. But no big stones really got moved. Sound familiar?Operations heroes often find themselves drained and unable to pinpoint what they’ve accomplished.Now, there’s a lot of moving parts in your day and a lot of ways to hand...
2023-11-2206 min
Your Future Realized3: How Ops Execs Hack Imposter SyndromeFind the full transcript for this episode and more resources for ops execs at yourfuturerealized.com/3.This past summer, I interviewed a slew of operations executives to learn about their most common problems and their best practices for them.Challenges followed clear patterns regardless of company size or industry, age, gender, location, or number of years in their role.And I was surprised by the most pervasive challenge. One highly successful COO for ten years with over 1600 people reporting to him summed it up like this: ‘I’ve constantly got a low-key tape play...
2023-11-1505 min
Your Future Realized1: Operations Executives Are Heroes Who Over DoFind the full transcript for this episode and more resources for ops execs at yourfuturerealized.com/1. I am an operations and change management whiz turned executive coach. I love getting to see all sides of a business, being in the eye of a storm, and creating fresh perspectives and possibilities in the chaos. Blending strategic thinking with execution is just fun! It’s a beautiful thing to bring people together to build a solid team that pulls together in service of a powerful vision. It takes a uniquely driven and multi-talented person to play...
2023-11-0806 min
Your Future Realized2: 3 Lessons Ops Execs Need to Learn to Get to the Next LevelFind the full transcript for this episode and more resources for ops execs at yourfuturerealized.com/2.Ops execs make the world go round! You oversee all the cross-functional teams, systems, and workflows, so your org hits its goals.That means there are a lot of plates spinning. And you are the one in the center of that orbit, making sure all those teams and systems make sense and create the right results.It’s easy to get lost in the sauce of day-to-day activities – especially when your time and attention are called for from...
2023-11-0807 min
Your Future Realized0: What 'Your Future Realized Podcast' Is AboutYour Future Realized Podcast is hosted by me, Laura Malinowski, Trusted Advisor to Operations Executives. This show offers inspiration and guidance for ops execs who want to level up and have a more fulfilling experience personally & professionally. Episodes include powerful, actionable insights for strengthening your mindset & communication muscles. The episodes will get you out of the weeds so you can love your work, enjoy your team, and move everyone towards true north. My experience includes decades in business operations and expertise in change management, which I blend with my calling to executive coaching. I love helping ops execs gain g...
2023-09-2001 min