In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of strategy and how it’s perceived differently depending on your role in the organization. Whether you’re an Executive crafting a vision, a Manager turning that vision into actionable plans, or an employee executing the day-to-day tasks, strategy means something unique at each level—and those differences can make or break alignment.

We hear the word “transparency” a lot in organizations. Hardly a day goes by that a leader doesn’t state that they value transparency. Transparency has become a top priority in organizations around the world. Transparency in leadership—it's often hailed as the cornerstone of trust and accountability. But is it always as beneficial as it seems? In this episode, we'll explore the double-edged sword of transparency within organizations, uncovering its potential pitfalls and unintended consequences. From overexposure and anxiety to competitive risks and employee disengagement, we'll dive into real-world examples that reveal the dark side of too much transparency. Join us as we navigate the complex landscape of transparency in the workplace and offer practical strategies for business leaders to strike the right balance. Tune in to discover whether transparency is truly all it’s cracked up to be. Ignorance is bliss.

Fairness—it seems like such a simple concept, yet it’s anything but. Most people will think they’re being fair. In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle one of the most complex and emotionally charged topics leaders face today. Fairness is a concept that varies widely depending on culture, context, and personal beliefs, yet most people assume their definition is universal. We’re going to share our fabulous perspective on fairness and explore why it’s not as straightforward as it might seem.

“Is your focus on departmental success actually sabotaging your organization’s future? In this episode, we dive deep into the paradox of collective responsibility in leadership—why balancing your own goals with the greater good isn’t just an option, but a necessity. Get ready to challenge your assumptions and rethink what it means to truly lead.”

Many people want to work in organizations that prioritize their well-being. Leaders accustomed to driving results may view kindness and treating employees with compassion as a weakness or distraction. Are these two factors at odds with each other or is there a way to combine them? In this episode, we dive into the factors to be considered and how to think about it from various lenses, whether you’re an employee, leader, or CEO. 

In this lighter, more humorous episode, we’re focusing on how to keep perspective starting with Vicki taking a once-in-a-lifetime perspective-changing trip … including the makeshift toilet! We look at what we actually need regardless of the daily clamor of the media and the busyness of our daily responsibilities all the while trying not to be influenced by those around us and what they are buying, what schools their kids are going to, and where they are traveling this year.

Entrepreneurship, for many of us it sounds like a dream. Having a greater impact in the world. Pursuing our passion. Building something from scratch. Being our own boss and having autonomy with the increased flexibility that comes from creating our own schedules. Not having to deal with office politics, unnecessary meetings, performance reviews and other administrative tasks that feel like a waste of time. Given all that, who wouldn’t want to be an entrepreneur?

In this episode, we discuss a truly joyous topic. Something everybody wants. Something that gets celebrated by colleagues, friends and family when it happens. Something that raises our levels of dopamine and makes us feel on top of the world. Promotions! We’re going to give you a sneak peak into the dark side of being promoted and give you food for thought so that you can make sure it is something you’re ready for and that it's actually something you actually want. Join us as we dive in and give you our fabulous perspective.

In this episode, we’re going to dive into a topic that is taking up mental space for many of us. We’ll be discussing AI and its impact on our jobs. While many experience some degree of low-grade anxiety, others panic when thinking about the idea. And then there are others who are excited about it and see it as a huge opportunity. And some of us experience both fear and excitement. In this episode, we’re going to dive into how to think about this topic so that you have a broader perspective and know what you can do now to start moving in the direction of the skills that are going to be the most highly valued.

In this first episode of the series, we’re tackling a topic that evokes a huge amount of emotion - working remotely. Employees question why they can’t work remotely forever as they value flexibility enormously. And they have proven the productivity benefits during Covid. If only it was that easy. Join us as we provide a variety of ways for fabulous people to truly appreciate the complexities as they look through the lens of their boss, the organization, the country and even the world so that they can best navigate this complex topic without unknowingly creating longer term unintended consequences.

Last time we talked about social consciousness and how important it is for leaders going forward. Customers expect it. Employees want to work for a purpose-driven company. Those companies who do will reap the rewards! One of the areas that’s as important for leaders to engage in is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This agenda has been going on for many years and has many different dimensions to it. In order to get our heads around this huge topic, we break the concepts down into three phases and discuss the various dimensions to be considered.

It’s no longer good enough for companies to focus only on profits. Businesses need to not only drive economic value but also be socially conscious, meaning they need to focus on doing good in the world. Why is this? Customers expect it. Employees want to work for a purpose-driven company. Those companies who do will reap the rewards!

Up until last year, hot topic conversations that are social or political in nature were an HR and Legal no-go zone for most Executives. This changed in 2020 where Executives are now seen as complicit if they don’t engage in these conversations. And they've never been trained how to navigate the complexities of these conversations!

In this episode we discuss why adaptability and re-skilling will matter more than ever in the post-Covid world. In fact, we assert that it is going to be more important than deep knowledge acquisition if you do want to be a Fabulous Leader!

In this episode we discuss a framework to become bulletproof and stop your brain from hijacking your success. We teach you how to thrive in our noisy world of disinformation and cancel culture where change and the need for adaptability is constant.

Through the lens of the 5 thinking levels - tactical, operational, structured, systemic and meta - we work through what’s going to stick and rebound in a post-Covid world. We cover everything from how zoom levels the playing field to what happens when you don’t have the same proximity to power and decision making. Organizations want the maximum amount of agility while humans want the maximum amount of clarity, stability, and flexibility - these are two opposing forces that are impossible to reconcile like repelling magnets.

In this 13-part series (or more … if we get carried away :-)), we explore the Future of Work in 2025. We’ll be exploring each topic through the lens of the 5 thinking levels we introduced in Series 1 as we’ve had requests from many of you to share more examples of how to think in levels.

In this new special series of the Be Fabulous Podcast, we are asking ourselves and our listeners to “ Imagine a Reinvented World” guided by our Fabulous special guest and big thinker: Sean Beard.

In Episode 2, we dive deeper with Sean McCall into his career journey learning about the wisdom he has for others making the shift from Techie to Business Leader. We conclude with finding out if Business Leader was the right call given all his learnings or does he wish he’d stayed a Techie.

In this special series 4, our guest Sean McCall takes up through his journey from Techie to Business Leader and how he successfully figured out how to navigate those painful Circles-of-Suck experiences when we’re not in alignment. People are inherently messy. We learn how he figured out whether he should choose the technology or traditional management track.