Radical Solutions LLC’s Post

I am constantly looking for new and interesting ways to hone my skills and to #AlwaysBeCurious – as a father, community member, and leader.   So, with no shortage of professional development opportunities, including mentorship and training programs, where does one begin? Undeniably one of the easiest and most personalized ways to strengthen your skills is by gleaning the insights of industry giants, scholars, and experts.   Looking for inspiration? 📖 “Great by Choice” by Jim Collins is a book that quickly captured my interest, and I’m sure it’ll capture yours, too.    Exploring why some companies thrive in uncertainty while others falter – this book truly tapped into my #AlwaysBeCurious mindset.   And now, I’m ready for my next great read! What books have fueled your curiosity lately?

Reflecting on the journey over the past six months since the release of Now We're Talking, I’m struck by the profound impact that meaningful conversations can have on our lives—both personally and professionally. The journey to bring this book to life was fueled by a deep belief in the transformative power of dialogue, a belief that was reaffirmed countless times during the writing process. For me, this book is more than just words on a page; it’s a call to action. It's an invitation for each of us to engage in the conversations we often avoid, to address the challenges we face head-on, and to create the change we wish to see in our workplaces and our lives. Over the past few months, I’ve been humbled by the stories shared with me by readers—stories of breakthroughs, of renewed relationships, and of courageous dialogues that have shifted the course of careers and personal lives alike. These stories remind me why I wrote Now We're Talking in the first place: to provide practical tools and inspiration for anyone ready to tackle the tough conversations that matter most. As I look back, I’m filled with gratitude for everyone who has been part of this journey—whether you’ve read the book, shared it with others, or engaged in the meaningful conversations it encourages. A big thank you to Eloise Cook at Pearson for commissioning it and to Amer Parikh, BA (Hons) for his help with getting the word out (and for the fun video!) Thank you too to niamh dowling for endorsing the book along with many others. If you haven’t yet picked up a copy, I encourage you to do so. Let this book be your guide as you navigate the conversations that have the potential to change your life and the lives of those around you. Order your copy today, and let’s keep the conversation going. Together, we can move from avoidance or breakdown to breakthrough, one meaningful conversation at a time. Links in the comments below for ordering the book. #NowWereTalking #Leadership #Communication #BookLaunch #MeaningfulConversations #PersonalGrowth

I wanted to write a book since I was a little girl. I’d sit at my parents computer with a black screen and orange letters and type out “books.” As I got older, it always lurked in my head that I should write a book, but I had no idea what to write about. In fact, I’d told myself for years I’d never write a leadership book. (The universe laughed). As 2020 came to a close, I was frustrated that I kept putting “write my book draft” on my goals list and said book hadn’t written itself by year end. 😏 Honestly, I felt like a fraud to write a book. Who would read it? What if it was terrible? I felt so much doubt and lacked the clarity and confidence to even begin. So I stalled. In 2021, sick of my BS, I finally hired a book writing editor and coach. Guess what she made me do? SHE MADE ME WRITE. 😆 And the first two chapters I owed her DIDN’T even make it into the book. But they did help me build my confidence. The more I just wrote, the more more clear I became on how my book would unfold. The actions of doubtful, unsure writing produced feelings of clarity and confidence. And it made a book, Closing The Confidence Gap! It gave me the confidence to write another one someday. All too often we are tempted to wait until we feel confident to take action, but that’s backward. We have to learn how to get into action WHILE ALSO feeling doubt. Asking for support helps, too! Because confidence is a side effect of taking action. What will you get into action on this week? #womenleaders #careers #confidence #leadershipdevelopment

🌟 It's so great when you receive a review that not only praises your work but also shows a deep understanding of its core message. Thank you Adrian Tan! 🌺 📖 "In her groundbreaking book, ‘Reframing Generational Stereotypes’, Rachele Focardi takes readers on an illuminating journey to reexamine the often negative and limiting perceptions between different age groups. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Focardi deftly dismantles the myths and misconceptions that have driven generational wedges in our society. One of the book’s greatest strengths is Focardi’s ability to provide a nuanced and balanced perspective. She doesn’t simply disregard generational differences but rather encourages readers to appreciate the unique experiences, values, and contributions of each generation. Her empathetic approach allows a deeper understanding of the forces shaping generational worldviews. What truly sets this book apart is Focardi’s emphasis on practical solutions. Rather than dwelling solely on the problems, she offers actionable strategies for bridging generational divides in the workplace, community, and personal relationships. Her insights on communication, mentorship, and fostering mutual respect are invaluable for anyone seeking to build more inclusive and harmonious intergenerational connections. Perhaps most impressive is Focardi’s ability to challenge her readers' preconceived notions without lecturing or condescending. Her writing is engaging, thought-provoking, and often laced with humour, making the complex topic accessible to a broad audience." 📘 **Why Read It?** "Reframing Generational Stereotypes" is a must-read for anyone seeking to foster greater understanding and collaboration across generations. Focardi’s work is a timely and vital contribution to our ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and compassionate society.” I am grateful for such a thoughtful review and hope it inspires you to dive into the book and join us in fostering a better understanding across generations. https://a.co/d/9H8WeKr #BookReview #Leadership #GenerationalDiversity #ProfessionalDevelopment adriantan.com.sg XYZatWork #multigenerationalworkforce #reframinggenerationalstereotypes

Rejoined audible. Hoping to reinforce the lessons of "Dare to lead" from when I read it. I am really interested in the discussion about rumbling with your team and being vulnerable. In my opinion leaning into the issues your employees are facing every day and being vulnerable and listening is one of the hardest things to do. Especially when you are giving 100% to make things better. Listen to Dare to Lead by Brené Brown on Audible. https://lnkd.in/g6aSg6SM

August was a month of intense Shadow Work for me, confronting the vestiges of hustle culture still clinging to my business mindset. I recognized I'd allowed my schedule to become overcrowded with misaligned tasks and meetings again. Something needed to change! I took a week off from being CEO, guide, and speaker to focus on my heart's work: writing. I finished my upcoming poetry book, "Daddy's Girl," and sent it to beta readers. This process helped me recognize how essential writing is to me—from poetry to blogs, and especially creative writing like science fiction and fantasy. I've realized I had been limiting myself, believing I needed to focus solely on writing that directly supported people's growth: non fiction, self-help, and self-development in particular. I feared my creative work, which often explores "controversial" or less "mainstream" themes, might make people take my professional role less seriously. But I'm reclaiming the fullness of myself, allowing myself to follow my dreams while still offering valuable services and content. Fellow leaders, I invite you to reflect: Are you fully embracing all aspects of yourself in your work? Are there creative pursuits or passions you've set aside for fear they might impact your professional image? I challenge you to reconsider these self-imposed limitations. Authenticity can be a powerful driver of innovation and connection in business. If you're looking to align your business and life more closely with your authentic self or need guidance in overcoming limitations holding you back, let's connect. I offer tailored guidance and consulting services to help business leaders integrate their whole selves into their work, driving both personal fulfillment and business success from soul-leadership vs. societal standards. It can feel hard to show up fully in a world with so much division and negative noise right now—a world where people are shamed or even attacked for being who they really are. But, the more of us that step into shining our authentic selves, the spark of our souls, the more we help other people awaken into embracing who they are at heart. That’s work worth doing in my eyes! So, how was August for you!? Did you have any major AHA moments? #shadowwork #poet #author #speaker #CEO #guide #selfreflection

Friday. Reflecting on the week?   Well, I’ve been experimenting with a new writing form called #weeknotes. Not a blog, not a brag document, less private and personal than a journal entry.   I’ve been doing this for a few months now, so I thought I’d share my experiences.   https://lnkd.in/edt6raqT   #leadership #management #weeknotes #blogging #indieweb

I read a lot, and I always share my list half way through and at the end of the year. It’s a real mixed bag of books for the first half of 2024 as my reading shifted into a bit more fiction and a bit more into human behaviour. As I finished writing my second book earlier this year (now in the editing phase) I wanted to bring a bit more fiction in so I could improve my skills in storytelling for those elements of the book. I’ve also been reading a bit more about things like rest, productivity, mindset and negotiation as I’ve been investing in some broader development as a wellbeing coach (assignment still to do!). If I’ve learnt anything over the years of professional development, it’s that it needs to be purposeful. I can always recommend a book to others but it has to be aligned to a purpose for you so it’s truly helpful and action can happen on the back of it. Some of these might be a really good addition to your reading, others less so but I enjoyed them all. So this is my list for 2024 so far - it’s a mix of reading and audio and all of them have taught me something: Mind your Mindset, by Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller Year of Yes, by Shonda Rhimes The Hanging Tree, by Ben Aaronovitch Rest, by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang Feel Good Productivity, by Ali Abdaal Innovative Internal Communication, by Joanna Parsons (pre-read) Death on the pier, by James Waite Art of Explanation, by Ros Atkins Never Split the Difference, by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz Building a Culture of Inclusivity, by Priya Bates, ABC, MC, SCMP, IABC Fellow and Advita Patel I’m on a week off this week so I’ve managed to finish a few which always feels good! #readinglist #professionaldevelopment #internalcomms #leadership

As an author, it is a fascinating experience to see which topics resonate with readers most from what you write. As I wrote my first book, Values First, I had a few ideas on what topics would jump out most to readers, but I didn’t realize the extent to which certain topics would resonate. By far, the most popular topic from my book that leaders ask me about is Life Boundaries. How do I build and keep boundaries? I’ve thought a lot about why this is the most popular topic. I think it is because we’ve never permitted ourselves to do it – to have boundaries. Within the book, I not only give you that permission, I’m giving you the three-step method to do it. I think back on my corporate career, and there have been so many missed opportunities for me to have boundaries. And often, the person holding me back from doing it was ME. ME. I didn’t permit myself to have a boundary. Now, I teach and coach others to build boundaries. A boundary is for you, not anyone else. A boundary is a way to prioritize your values. It is a way to care for your values. It isn’t a hard line or an all-or-nothing thing. It is a way to prioritize the things that are important to you, the non-negotiables to the ways you work best. Just in case you still need it — I’m giving you permission to get out of your way and build a boundary to care for your values. #valuesfirst #lifeboundaries #authorinsights #leadershipdevelopment #buildboundaries #prioritizeyourvalues #permissiongranted

Ever been told you weren’t “good enough” to become or do something? I’ve been there too. In my latest blog post, I open up about how harsh feedback crushed my confidence and haunted me for over a decade. But then I discovered something powerful: I get to decide my own path and who I become. I turned that painful criticism into the fuel that drove my journey forward. 🔥 Read on and let’s turn doubt into determination together!👇 https://lnkd.in/ge5nce_8 #thursdaymotivation #EmpowermentJourney #SuccessMindset #ConfidenceBoost #mindset #selfconfidence #journey