In this groundbreaking episode, Collective Energy is revolutionizing how research insights are delivered. Through the power of Google's Notebook LM AI technology, Dr. Anna is presenting critical findings from her latest white paper, "Closing The Double Skills Gap for Today's Managers: Empowering Technical Leaders for Multigenerational Success"

Discover why organizations are facing an unprecedented challenge in leadership development: a troubling gap between the skills leaders have and the skills organizations desperately need. But there's more – we've uncovered a second, hidden gap that's amplifying this crisis.

Key insights you'll hear:

• Why traditional leadership development is failing modern organizations
• The surprising connection between Gen Z expectations and leadership effectiveness
• How the double skills gap is affecting talent retention and organizational growth
• Critical strategies for closing both gaps simultaneously

This episode showcases the future of content delivery, combining cutting-edge AI voice technology with essential organizational research. You'll experience firsthand how emerging technologies can transform complex insights into engaging audio content.

Want the complete research, including detailed frameworks and implementation strategies? Download the full white paper at the Double Skills Gap page. You'll get access to:

• In-depth analysis of both skills gaps
• Data-driven insights from extensive organizational research
• Practical frameworks for skills assessment and development
• Strategic recommendations for HR leaders and organizational development professionals

Join us for this innovative exploration of modern leadership challenges, and witness the future of research presentation through AI technology.

In this episode, I sit down with Brittany Fountain, Chief Humanity Officer of Britt Joy & Co. Brittany openly shares her story of growing up with a single mom, working her way through college, and spending 15 years in diverse corporate roles before courageously launching her own culture consulting business. We dive into the challenges and opportunities around workplace culture, preparing for the future of work, and the power of intuition in decision making. Brittany's candid and insightful perspective will leave you inspired to approach your own career with more curiosity, authenticity and intentionality. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation!

Episode Quote: "Curiosity is the engine of achievement." - Ken Robinson

Collective Challenge: This week, make a conscious effort to cultivate curiosity in your daily life. Each day, identify one situation where you can pause and ask deeper questions – whether it's about your own thoughts, ideas, and actions, or those of others. Embrace the opportunity to lean in and learn more. Notice how this curiosity impacts your interactions, decisions, and overall perspective. At the end of the week, reflect on your experiences and consider how you can continue to integrate curiosity into your personal and professional life. Share your insights with others and encourage them to join you in this curiosity challenge!

Show Notes:
00:00 - Anna introduces Brittany Fountain and the episode theme of curiosity
04:36 - Brittany shares her childhood background and lessons learned from her single mom
09:46 - College experience as a first-gen student and entering the workforce during 2008 recession
17:33 - Overview of Brittany's 15 year corporate career across various industries and roles
25:01 - The launch of Britt Joy & Co in 2021 and identifying the need for culture consulting
32:13 - Challenges in getting leadership buy-in for prioritizing workplace culture
38:52 - Brittany's experience giving a keynote speech with her baby strapped to her
45:05 - The importance of staying curious and experimenting to identify gaps and solutions
51:50 - How organizations need to prepare for Gen Z and the future of work
58:16 - Balancing customer experience with employee experience and engagement
1:04:30 - Navigating ambiguity as a consultant and establishing metrics for success
1:09:59 - Learning to trust your intuition when making decisions about opportunities
1:12:07 - The value of reflective thinking and being the last to speak in a room
1:15:10 - Anna's closing thoughts on Brittany's openness and insights

Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Anna Stumpf sits down with Josh Brammer, an entrepreneur, growth strategist, Storybrand Guide, and founder of Hello Lantern. Josh shares his profound journey of self-discovery, navigating the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship and finding his true "sweet spot."

From his beginnings in youth ministry to building a successful marketing agency, Josh's career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of clarity and impact. He vulnerably recounts the identity crisis that led him to question his passion for marketing and embark on a transformative path of exploration.

Through candid insights and hard-won wisdom, Josh offers invaluable guidance for professionals at any stage seeking to unlock their potential, reignite their joy, and align their work with their deepest values. His story serves as a powerful reminder that true fulfillment often requires courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to pivot – even when it means walking away from apparent success.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative professional, or simply seeking greater meaning in your work, this episode will inspire you to embrace your unique gifts and forge a path that sparks genuine joy and unlocks your full potential.

Episode Quote: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." - Steve Jobs

Collective Challenge: Reflect on your current professional role or business. Identify one aspect that aligns with your strengths, interests, and passion – your "sweet spot." Commit to focusing your energy on nurturing and expanding that aspect over the next week. Notice how it impacts your overall sense of fulfillment and joy. OR identify one aspect of your professional life where you may feel stuck or unfulfilled. Take one small, actionable step towards addressing this area. This could be as simple as scheduling a conversation with a mentor, enrolling in a short online course to develop a skill you're passionate about, or dedicating time to reflect on your career goals and writing them down. This challenge encourages you to take proactive steps towards personal and professional development, fostering a sense of progress and self-awareness.

Show Notes:

0:00 - 3:35: Introduction, quote from Steve Jobs
3:35 - 13:55: Josh's background and pivot from agency to consulting business
13:55 - 22:45: Discovering his "sweet spot" and mission of unlocking potential and sparking joy
22:45 - 30:10: Balancing work with personal life, managing scope creep
30:10 - 37:20: Biggest career challenge - starting his own business
37:20 - 41:25: The importance of narrowing focus for creatives
41:25 - 47:45: Keeping a narrow focus, avoiding shiny objects
47:45 - 54:10: Collaborating with a collective group, importance of trust
54:10 - 59:02: Josh's family life, final thoughts

Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay