In this episode, we’ll look at how to make progress every day in our leadership and life. We'll cover the Progress Principle and provide helpful tips to make meaningful progress.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

• Primary Source: The Neuroscience School, led by Dr. Irena O’Brien
• Book: James Clear, Atomic Habits
• Nutritionist: Chelsea Gloeckner, owner of Victae.
• Video: James Clear, Atomic Habits: How to Get 1% Better Every Day
• Video: Carol Dweck, The Power of Believing that You Can Improve
  

This episode looks at the current understanding of willpower and motivation. We'll learn about the progress principle and fixed and growth mindsets and make some valuable connections to leadership and life.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

• Primary Source: The Neuroscience School, led by Dr. Irena O’Brien
• Book: Lisa Feldman Barrett, Seven And A Half Lessons About The Brain
• Book: David Rock, Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long.
• Video: James Clear, Atomic Habits: How to Get 1% Better Every Day
• Video: Carol Dweck, The Power of Believing that You Can Improve
• Web Article: James Clear, Procrastination
• Diagram: Progress Loop

In this episode, we look at the neuroscience behind focus, what it means to pay attention, and what’s going on in our brain when we’re multitasking. Lastly, we'll discuss the three distinct networks of our brain, Central Executive Network, Default Mode Network, and Salience Network.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

• Primary Source: The Neuroscience School, led by Dr. Irena O’Brien
• Book: Lisa Feldman Barrett, Seven And A Half Lessons About The Brain
• Article: Multicosts of Multitasking
• Article: Who Multi-Tasks and Why? Multi-Tasking Ability, Perceived Multi-Tasking Ability, Impulsivity, and Sensation Seeking
• Phone App: Ten Percent Happier: Meditation and Sleep
  • Apple
  • Google
• Video: What multitasking does to your brain | BBC Ideas

This episode will define and provide an overview of neuroplasticity and make valuable connections to leadership and life. We'll discuss the two principles of neuroplasticity, the first being neurons that fire together wire together and the second being we either use it or lose it.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

• Primary Source: The Neuroscience School, led by Dr. Irena O’Brien
• Document: Select Brain Myths with links
• Book: Seven And A Half Lessons About The Brain, by Lisa Feldman Barrett
• Book: Neuro: The New Brain Sciences and the Management of the Mind, by Nikolas Rose and Joelle M. Abi-Rached
• Article: “The Impact of Studying Brain Plasticity”
• Article: “Neuroplasticity 101,” by BrainFutures
• Article: “The Neuroplasticity of Phineas Gage”
• Video: What Actually Happened to Phineas Gage?

In this episode, we take our first dive into the application of neuroscience to leadership and life. We'll unpack some of the complexities and capabilities of our brain and discuss its purposes that keep us alive and well.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

In this episode, we explore the notion of meaning, and the importance of trust in the crazy times we’re living in today. I'll provide some resources and ideas that will help cultivate trust with those around you.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

In this episode, we’re going to explore an approach to leadership and change that is one of my favorites. It’s the work of Otto Scharmer, a disciple of Peter Senge and Edgar Schein at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It’s called Theory U.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

In this episode, we explore the work of Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey and what they call the Immunity to Change. What is your tolerance to change? I'm sure each of us would say we would make the necessary changes if our life was on the line, but what about those changes and decisions we make each day? “The problem is the inability to close the gap between what we genuinely, even passionately, want and what we are actually able to do.” Let's explore this gap and how you can use this change model to impact where your Leadership Meets Life.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

Change, especially transition, is hard. It just is. And you know why? Because it involves loss. In this episode, we look at the difference between change and transition and making sense of the three phases of transition proposed by William Bridges.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
• Managing Transitions, 25th-anniversary edition: Making the Most of Change by William Bridges, Susan Bridges
• The Way of Transition: Embracing Life's Most Difficult Moments by William Bridges

In this episode, we’re going to take a look at two types of leadership difficulties. Using the work of Ronald Heifetz, we’ll look at the differences between what he calls technical problems and how they are different from adaptive challenges.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

• The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World, Ronald Heifetz, Marty Linsky & Alexander Grashow, Harvard Business Press, 2009
• Leadership Without Easy Answers, Ronald Heifetz, Harvard University Press, 1998
• A Survival Guide for Leaders, Harvard Business Review
• Ronald Heifetz - On Leadership (Video)

Today, we’re going to take a look at navigating polarities and looking at how polarities in work and life can drive us apart and make us less productive, or how they can help us overcome significant obstacles and allow us to function at our best.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

• Navigating Polarities: Using Both/And Thinking to Lead Transformation, by Brian Emerson and Kelly Lewis.
  
• Breathing Polarity Example - Click here to access a diagram provided by the Navigating Polarities: Using Both/And Thinking to Lead Transformation, by Brian Emerson and Kelly Lewis.
  
• 6 Leadership Paradoxes for the Post-Pandemic Era (Harvard Business Review), by Paul Leinwand, Mahadeva Matt Mani, & Blair Sheppard.
  

Welcome to the very first episode of the Leadership Meets Life Podcast. Today, we’re going to take a look at systems, and how being aware of the many systems you are participating in can help you make more intentional decisions and strengthen relationships with those around you.

A few resources to go along with this episode:

• How the Coronavirus Created a Toilet Paper Shortage by Andrew Moore
  
• What Does It Mean to Be a Manager Today? by Brian Kropp, Alexia Cambon, & Sara Clark
  
• Check out Phil's short stack of books for leaders looking for practical reading resources.

In your leadership roles, do you too often feel the need to be good at everything? No one is actually good at everything, of course, but maybe you wish you could strengthen your ability to lead your team, your organization, or—let’s face it, to better lead yourself. Leadership Meets Life is about connecting wisdom and action for your leadership world. It’s for anyone willing to explore… the head, heart, and soul of leadership. Maybe this sounds like you!?

Phil Bergey is an executive leadership coach who builds on 30 years of diverse leadership experience in business and non-profit roles to form trusted relationships and deliver results with humor, flexibility, and depth. He grew up and was a partner in what is now a three-generation-led family business and has led both start-ups and 300-year-old organizations. Phil has served hundreds of leaders, boards, businesses, and organizations as an executive leadership coach, process consultant, facilitator, and educator.

Phil is married to Evon, and in addition to enjoying their eight grandchildren, he loves walking, kayaking, paddleboarding, birding, and fishing. His formal education includes an MA in human development and a Ph.D. in human and organizational systems. His coaching is focused on helping executives and other senior leaders live with greater effectiveness, more meaning, and increased health as they grow personally and professionally. He has held a Professional Coach Certification from the International Coaching Federation since 2009 and is certified to use multiple psychometric assessments.