Episode 27:  I’m happy to welcome Rita Ernst to the studio to discuss the launch of her new Show Up Positive book.  You may remember Rita from Episode 22.  She is an industrial/organizational psychologist, who became a business consultant and now, a published author.  She’s appeared in the local news, on radio and to a book signing with 70 people.  Let’s learn about how her approach to helping individuals to have a positive impact.

Meet Rita Ernst

Rita is the owner of Ignite Your Extraordinary, in Louisville, Kentucky.  She is a business consultant working with clients on both a local and national basis.  She’s a trained organizational psychologist.  This background helps her to work with business leaders and teams to craft the workplaces and jobs to ensure people feel their needs are being met, while remaining engaged in their roles.

She began working with companies, on the side, via word-of-mouth.  Eventually, she was able to launch Ignite Your Extraordinary and pivot to it as a full-time passion.

The Pandemic’s Role in Rita’s Decision to Write a Book

She fully explains this in the book’s Preface.  Rita goes on to explain that not all businesses closed or transitioned to remote working, during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Essential businesses remained open.  Those business leaders and employees had to balance the needs of child-related responsibilities, concerns about bringing home the virus and more led to highly-increased levels of stress for many people.

Sustained levels of stress can lead to emotional exhaustion.  It’s simple biology.  People typically withdraw and begin to express negative emotions.  If it gets out of control, it can become a cancer within an organization. Read more →

Podcast Episode 10 Transcript:

Welcome to Episode 10 of Grow For It! This is a podcast for small business owners, managers and professionals. I’m Jim, and my goal is to work in the space between your ears – you know on your mindset – to help you move closer towards your Vision.

Today’s topic is Leading with Gratitude. It’s the art of inspiring loyalty and performance through a simple, but important, action.

Before we get started, let’s review where we’ve been. In Episode 9, we discussed Avoiding Negative Influences. I shared a personal story about how I had to rebound from a negative influence in my own life. I recommended several tips anyone can use to prevent negative influences from derailing your career and having a lasting impact on your life.

In the next few minutes, we’re going to discuss how you can have an impact as a leader, if you’ll add a simple activity to your week. So, if you’re ready, Let’s Grow For It!

Have you ever met or worked with someone who just seem to make you feel better about yourself? There was probably a reason you wanted to perform at your best level for this person. Often, it’s because we know how much our personal efforts mean to that person. There’s a connection; a willingness to go the extra mile. Think about how that makes you feel. What does that do for your self-worth?  Your commitment?  Your overall satisfaction?

Now, think about the last time a boss or coworker seemed to take you for granted. Regardless of how hard you tried, the hours you devoted or the results you delivered, it was never enough. That person considered you just another wrung on the ladder to THEIR success. Remember how that made you feel? Remember what it was like day in and day out?

Close your eyes for a minute. Imagine the vast difference in what it would be like to work for that inspirational leader for whom you wanted to perform versus what I’ll call that “perspiration leader” who only seems to take your blood, sweat and tears for granted. Read more →