Sheer Clarity (J. Kevin McHugh)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Sheer Clarity
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| 25 Mar 2020 | Unlocking Employee Potential with Ryan Niles of Niles Industrial Coatings and Niles Plant Services | 00:38:33 | |
In business, it’s important to not only make sure your executives, directors, and managers have the skills to lead, but it’s also crucial to help your employees unlock their own potential. Ryan Niles is the CEO of Niles Industrial Coatings and Niles Plant Services. It’s his purpose to help his employees be the best they can be in all facets of their lives. In this episode, Ryan opens up to Kevin McHugh about his moments of sheer clarity as a leader, the values and characteristics he believes have helped him in his own journey and advice about tackling change and learning to trust. Stay tuned. Key Topics:
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| 08 Apr 2021 | Communication, Risks, Kindness, and Persistence with Kim Riley, President at Hylant | 00:45:52 | |
Today’s guest is Kim Riley, President at Hylant, a full-service, family-owned insurance firm that stands out from the crowd. Kim is an outstanding leader, gifted speaker, and coach, and today we talk to her about the qualities that she manifests in herself to find the energy and deal with the responsibility of operating at such a high level. Our conversation kicks off with some information about Hylant and the challenges Kim is dealing with as a leader in this new remote working environment. She highlights the need for good communication and talks about how much she prioritizes staying in touch with her staff. We then take a deeper dive into Kim’s upbringing and she talks about growing up in a town without many prospects and the role that a mentor played in encouraging her to dream bigger. On the subject of success, Kim weighs in on the value of taking big risks, getting out of our comfort zones, and being persistent if we want to grow. We then zoom in on the topic of diversity and Kim speaks to her experiences working in a male-dominated industry and shares her advice for men who would like to help to equal the playing field. Toward the end of our conversation, Kim shares some golden nuggets of advice about the dangers of stepping on others as we pursue our dreams. She has made a special habit of helping others in her life and she shares a few details about the role that her solid networks have played in her career. Tune in for sterling insights about being a great leader and person with Kim today!
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| 20 May 2021 | Diversity and Inclusion Part 3: The Power of Learning the Biggest Story | 00:25:31 | |
In the final part of our series on diversity and inclusion, we talk about the power of learning the biggest story of all: the story of humankind. While this might feel overwhelming, it is so important to understand who you are in a broader context because we do not exist in isolation. With more divisiveness than ever before, we need to open up our hearts and view the world with empathy and compassion in order to truly understand one another. In this episode, we hear about worldviews, how we construct them, and what you can do to shift and expand yours. By being open to learning, you will always have so many opportunities to experience love and warmth, even towards those whose beliefs differ from yours. We also learn more about humility, questions you can ponder to contemplate the human story, and the importance of always holding onto hope, no matter what.
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| 09 Oct 2019 | The Positive Side of Feedback | 00:24:32 | |
This week we’re back with Part 2 on the topic of feedback. Now that we’ve gotten clear on the philosophy of feedback, we’re drilling down into the first of the two dimensions of feedback: positive feedback. Being a part of a high-performing team means that there’s a constant expectation of growth, improvement, and positive results. With that focus on performance, we’re often too busy to stop and give positive feedback. So in becoming the consummate leader by attraction, why should you prioritize positive feedback? What does it look like in the corporate context? How do you give genuine, positive feedback? On this episode, Mathew and I explore the many facets of positive feedback and why it’s such an important aspect of good leadership. We discuss the three key elements of positive feedback, why it’s difficult to get positive feedback as a CEO, how you can train yourself to give more positive feedback, the huge benefits of positive feedback on your team, and so much more! Next week we’ll be looking at the second dimension of feedback: negative feedback. You’ll hear about how to provide it, how to think about it, how to approach it and how to receive it. Until then, as always, we’d love to hear from you! What has your experience been with giving and receiving feedback? Will you be training yourself to give more positive feedback? What other areas would you want to hear about from us? Send us your comments and experiences by email or through the form on our home page. Key Topics:
See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/the-positive-side-of-feedback | |||
| 24 Jul 2019 | Appropriate Vulnerability Part 1: What is It? | 00:16:20 | |
Vulnerability is still a bad word in a lot of corporate environments. Wall Street culture is pervasive, and people are trained to be tough above everything else. Despite being more in focus today than any other time in history, it’s still not the norm - even Brené Brown has been asked to avoid the topic of vulnerability when speaking to Fortune 1000 companies. But appropriate vulnerability isn’t a weakness. Getting comfortable with appropriate vulnerability gives you and your team an edge over others who aren’t. Once you’ve created a safe environment for vulnerability, less time is spent on faking it and more on failing fast, growing and being innovative. So, what is appropriate vulnerability and why do you need it as a business leader? On today’s episode, Mathew and I take a look at appropriate vulnerability and what it means in a corporate setting. We look at how Wall Street culture has influenced corporate standards of vulnerability, how vulnerability can help your company to be more creative and innovative, why you need vulnerability to build trust, how your team can benefit from vulnerability, and so much more! You’re also going to want to look out for next week’s episode where we’ll be going deeper into appropriate vulnerability by looking at how to let yourself be vulnerable, how to identify your vulnerability and how to accept that vulnerability once you’ve identified it. Key Topics: ● Why it’s still difficult for a lot of people to talk about vulnerability (2:28) Mentioned in this Episode: ● Why Do So Many Managers Avoid Giving Praise? See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/appropriate-vulnerability-part-1-what-is-it | |||
| 27 May 2021 | Releasing Your Past and Leading with Love with Teresa Lindsey | 00:49:47 | |
Dealing with things that have happened in your past is not always easy, and the process is often viewed as weak. But what if, instead of toughening up, we chose to soften, sit with what we felt, and carry forward what serves us? Then, rather than being weighed down and shamed by our pasts, we know our heart story and can begin to more clearly see what is in other people’s hearts too. Today’s guest, Teresa Lindsey, CEO of Channel Products, a gas ignition components company, joins us to share her inspirational story of going within. We hear about what her younger years were like growing up in a state of poverty, and she shares both the hardships and joys from this time. We talk about how she views her past and how she has managed to let go of feelings of shame and unworthiness, and realize that she is capable and deserving of more. Teresa believes in leading with love, and she sheds light on her leadership style, the importance of executives showing true vulnerability, and how we can look at our teams differently. Teresa’s story and her approach to life are incredibly inspiring and well worth a listen, so be sure to tune in today.
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Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Teresa LindseyChannel ProductsVoice Dialogue International | |||
| 29 Apr 2021 | Leading from a Place of Love with Walt Rakowich | 00:42:13 | |
Walt Rakowich is the former CEO of Prologis, a New York Stock Exchange company and a member of the S&P 500. He is now a member of the Board of Trustees, has made countless media appearances and is also the author of the book Transfluence: How to Lead with Transformative Influence in Today's Climates of Change. In this episode, Walt talks about his early years and the impact of growing up in a loving household. Having parents that were devoted to others instilled in him the value of true leadership early on. We hear about what often goes wrong with leaders when pride and fear of vulnerability get in the way. As someone who is always willing to learn and grow, Walt hired a coach, and we hear about how it transformed him as a leader. Wrapping up, we touch on the value of accountability and gain insights into the main themes of Walt's book. Tune in to hear it all!
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Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Walt RakowichWalt Rakowich on TwitterTransfluenceHalftimeThe WayTrammell Crow CompanyPrologisPennsylvania State University
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| 22 Apr 2021 | The Layers of Leadership with Brian Hayward | 00:51:22 | |
Today’s conversation is all about the nuances of personhood and leadership, and we couldn’t have a better guest than Brian Hayward, a man with no shortage of beautiful inner complexities. Brian has lived a winding life filled with pivots, learnings, and success in business, and he recently wrote The Great Chair, in which he explores the secret sauce of authentic board governance. Our conversation begins with Brian sharing his life’s story where he highlights the light and dark sides of his upbringing, problem-solving skills, and tendency to be solitary and work things out on his own. We talk about his career and what he is currently investing his time and energy in, and more than anything external, it is the inner value of finding joy in the moment that Brian emphasizes. We talk about our culture of valuing achievements, of doing rather than being, and the reality that feeling totally satisfied once an external goal has been reached is an illusion. In the last parts of our conversation, Brian dives deeper into his book, sharing his extensive experience in board meetings and the recipe for truly effective governance. For Brian, good leadership happens by attraction, and trust plays a key role in laying a foundation for this dynamic. Our society is run by the decisions made by governing bodies and when these groups are run in truly communal ways, they are far healthier. So for today’s conversation with a guest who is as funny as he is wise, be sure to tune in!
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| 04 Sep 2019 | Developing Your Humility as a Leader | 00:25:37 | |
Last week we broke down what humility is and if it was possible to have humility while being a big personality with a high-profile name. At first glance, it seems like a paradox, but we came away from that discussion realizing that it was possible through self-awareness. This week, we’re diving in even deeper to help you develop this virtue in yourself as you continue on the path to sheer clarity. As we continue our discussion about humility, we want to understand not only whether it is something that can be learned, but also, if it is, the best way to do so. How does someone ruled by ego move to the opposite end of the spectrum, where they become the consummate leader by attraction by embracing their humility? Stick with me here: I strongly believe that transition doesn’t start without a belief in a higher power. On this episode, Mathew and I explore what we mean by a “higher power” and the key areas you need to master to develop your humility as a leader. We talk about why pride and ego can’t live alongside humility, why you need to negate the negatives of your personality, how to handle a boss who lacks humility, how to leap from the limelight, and so much more! Do you think humility can be learned? We’d love to hear your experiences with humility and leaders who you’ve seen in your career transition into being humble leaders by attraction. What were these leaders like before transitioning, and what behaviors did they exhibit afterward? We’re excited to hear your thoughts. Key Topics: • Mathew’s biggest takeaway about having humility while being a big personality (2:29) Mentioned in this Episode: • Everett L. Worthington Jr.’s Book | Humility: The Quiet Virtue See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/developing-your-humility-as-a-leader | |||
| 29 Oct 2020 | Keith Alper - Loving People and Loving What You Do | 00:53:19 | |
When we stop preening and performing, that’s when we open ourselves up to our people and the community around us and embrace the fact that a good leader is one who recognizes it’s not about them. If you’re still wondering what love has to do with leadership, this episode is for you. Keith Alper is the CEO and co-founder of CPG Agency and author of From Like to Love: Inspiring Emotional Commitment from Employees and Customers. With over 30 years of expertise in marketing, branding, business strategy, and event production, Keith has produced events, video/film, broadcast, and major entertainment projects across the world. His uniquely strategic, creative leadership helps steer the agency while leaving room for his love of producing large-scale projects. An active member of the entrepreneurial community, he serves as a high-level strategist, innovator, board member, and consultant for many Fortune 500 companies, CEOs, and executives, as well as large non-profits. In this episode, Keith and I talk about how he’s been able to do what he loves his whole life, meeting his business partner while working at Six Flags as a teenager, how he brings authenticity and a focus on engagement to all his businesses, what loss has taught him about love, why great leaders are those that understand it’s not about them, your five basic needs as a leader, and so much more!
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THANKS FOR LISTENING! Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at kevin@sheerclarity.com. | |||
| 12 Jun 2019 | Welcome to Sheer Clarity | 00:23:56 | |
Welcome to Sheer Clarity! I’m your host, J. Kevin McHugh and for the past twenty years, I’ve helped hundreds of CEOs become better leaders through executive coaching. I’m so excited to launch this podcast and share my insights and resources with you to help you make improvements in the way that you lead and the way that you live. I’ll be joining you each and every week to share my experiences, as well as the tools, techniques, and resources you can use in your own life to gain sheer clarity as you become the consummate leader by attraction. We’ll be breaking down what sheer clarity means for you and how to build your self-awareness and develop exceptional self-management abilities that will help you become more reflective, more open, more trusting and more engaging with the people who matter to you the most – in other words, make you a better leader. In this episode, I’m joined by my co-host and producer, Mathew Passy, and we talk about who we are, why the show was created and what you can expect from the show. We also cover my introduction to executive coaching, our experiences with both negative and attractive leaders, how I help CEOs and other C-level executives build a self-management skillset, my model for becoming a leader by attraction and so much more! Key Topics: • How I figured out that I wanted to be my own boss (02:19) Mentioned in this Episode: • Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) https://www.ypo.org/ | |||
| 04 Mar 2020 | What Does "Leadership by Attraction" Mean? | 00:19:58 | |
Kevin McHugh is the President of JKM Management Development, a management consulting firm specializing in increasing organizational performance and coaching business leaders to develop emotional awareness, conflict resolution capabilities, and maximize executive effectiveness. Over the past twenty years, Kevin has traveled the world facilitating retreats and off-sites within North America, South Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe. McHugh has also served as an executive coach to hundreds of CEOs, helping them to improve their personal and professional leadership competencies. His clients include: American Funds Distributors, Anthem, Estée Lauder, Parker Hannifin, Sprint-Nextel, The Entrepreneurs’ Organization, CEO Roundtable, and Vistage. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
In this episode…Some people are natural born leaders and that’s great. But leadership is something that can be cultivated and developed, especially when you’re looking to practice leadership by attraction. And for Kevin McHugh, there are steps that you can take to become the leader that will inspire the people who are set to follow you. In this episode, J. Kevin McHugh is interviewed by John Corcoran of Rise25 where they discuss what leadership by attraction means, how the emotional intelligence pyramid plays a role in leadership, and the challenges that leaders and CEOs face as they try to work on their own brand of leadership. Stay tuned. Resources Mentioned in this episodeSponsor for this episode...JKM Management Development was developed by J. Kevin McHugh himself in 1990. They provide executive life and leadership coaching and the development of leadership teams that operate with extreme trust and honesty-based on the Sheer Clarity principles. They work with founding entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 executives, and closely-held family businesses of every size and shape. They have helped these entities develop and integrate trust, honesty, and a certain sense of vulnerability into their organizations. | |||
| 21 Aug 2019 | How Will You Measure Your Life? | 00:27:06 | |
How Will You Measure Your Life? I’ve found myself coming back to this article by Harvard Professor Clayton Christensen time and time again because it perfectly captures a message that I try to point out to all my clients: While we can be focused on all the things that the world wants us to focus on, that’s not what you're going to be remembered for. Our society and culture are focused on money and power. From a young age, our educational system teaches us that achievements, awards, and an outstanding resume should be our number one priority, while little or no emphasis is placed on developing character. But while those things are important and oftentimes necessary, we almost universally agree that they are not the most important. In becoming the consummate leader by attraction, you have to turn your attention to your character. So, how will you measure your life? How does this question impact your leadership? How does it tie in with finding your purpose? Are you proud of what you will be remembered for? On this episode, Mathew and I look at the impact of society’s prioritization of power and money over relationships, the aspects of your life you should be focused on, what it takes to create a lasting legacy, why it’s easier to talk about our accomplishments than our character, how your decisions reflect your values, and so much more! We’d also love to hear from you. Share with us how you were measuring your life prior to listening to this episode, and whether you’ve now made some adjustments after reading the articles, books or simply from hearing this discussion between Mathew and me. Key Topics: • Why I wanted to dedicate an episode to the topic “How Will You Measure Your Life?” (1:09) Mentioned in this Episode: • Clayton M. Christensen’s Harvard Business Review Article | How Will You Measure Your Life? See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/how-will-you-measure-your-life | |||
| 16 Oct 2019 | Navigating Negative Feedback | 00:25:59 | |
Positive feedback is important in affirming and reinforcing when people are doing things well, but it doesn’t necessarily teach you about what you need to do to get better. That’s where negative, or constructive, feedback, comes in. Today we’re back with Part 3 on the topic of feedback and we’re taking a deeper look at the not-so-easy second dimension of feedback: negative feedback. On your path to sheer clarity, I believe mastering negative feedback is essential - both how to give it and how to receive it. But while most people would agree constructive feedback is vital for growth, the reality is that in most corporate contexts, the higher up you go in the hierarchy, the more insulated you are from negative feedback. Unfortunately, if you aren't sending the signal to people that you are open to negative feedback, you're operating in a suboptimal way without important data. In this episode, Mathew and I look at how to break through the barriers associated with negative feedback. We discuss how you can create an environment where people are comfortable giving you constructive feedback, the inner work you need to do to be able to benefit from constructive criticism, the elements that need to be in place for negative feedback to be well-received, how you can help your team members to recognize the benefits of constructive feedback, and much more! Next week we’ll be covering issues clearing, where I’ll share my model for handling feedback conversations when they get really dicey. As always, we’d love to hear from you! What has been your most recent experience with negative feedback or constructive criticism? Did you get defensive? Did you already have a good foundation in place to receive or give the feedback? Send us your comments and experiences by email or through the form on our home page. Key Topics:
See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/navigating-negative-feedback | |||
| 18 Sep 2019 | The Halftime Model Part 1: What is it? | 00:27:36 | |
For most leaders, at a certain age you’ll find yourself naturally leaning towards thoughts of self-reflection and questioning. That natural break point in your life is known as the halftime of life. It’s that time where you look back at the first half of your life, check the scoreboard and adjust the game plan for the second half. Today’s conversation is part one of a two-part series and we’re exploring the halftime model as a concept. What is halftime and how does it work? When is the halftime of life? What questions will you ask yourself? In becoming the consummate leader by attraction, understanding the halftime model will help you improve the way you lead and will give you a framework for approaching your goals, aspirations, and ambitions. On this episode, Mathew and I talk about how the halftime model was developed, where it fits in the timeline of life, the type of self-reflection that happens at halftime, why you should become your own cheerleader, the different approach to halftime for second and third generation leaders in family businesses, and so much more! What do you think are you in the halftime of your life? If you’ve already passed the halftime, what advice would you want to pass on to the next person who hasn't quite approached it? We’d love to hear your experiences. Be sure to join us next week when we’ll be doing part two on the halftime model where we’ll dive into what halftime means specifically for leaders at the midpoint in life and how to finish well. Key Topics: • Mathew shares a little about his story and where he is in relation to the halftime of life (2:44) Mentioned in this Episode: • Bob Buford, author of Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/the-halftime-model-part-1-what-is-it | |||
| 22 Jan 2020 | Compassion in Crisis | 00:22:24 | |
If someone who works for you is having serious challenges at home, do you believe that they would confide in you? Being compassionate towards your team is one thing but how do you handle a situation where you are the one who is going through personal issues? In becoming the consummate leader by attraction, compassion in crisis is one of the toughest lessons we have to learn. In previous episodes, we’ve spoken about the importance of creating a culture of caring and in difficult situations like these, the tone from the top becomes even more important. As leaders, we have to be able to not only navigate these situations but also to prepare ourselves to walk the fine line between having compassion and the need for productivity. In this episode, Mathew and I talk about what it means to be compassionate as a leader in times of personal crisis. We dive into the importance of compassion for leaders, the significance of good relationships within a team, how you should set the tone at the top, finding the balance between compassion and the need for productivity, and do much more! As always, thank you for listening! To hear more great stories lessons on leadership, life, and compassion for yourself and others in the workplace, join us on next week’s episode. What has your experience been with compassion in the workplace? Are you open with your team? Have you had to handle a situation with a team member whose productivity suffered? Let us know - we love hearing from you. Key Topics:
THANKS FOR LISTENING! Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotifwithy, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at kevin@sheerclarity.com. Follow Sheer Clarity on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook!
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| 17 Dec 2020 | Mark Scheinberg - Inspiring a values-based culture | 00:42:02 | |
Today’s guest is Mark Scheinberg, founder and president of Goodwin University. Mark is the first university founder to be on the show and a dear friend who I’ve known for over 20 years. No matter where we meet, one of the hallmarks of our friendship is that within two minutes, we're laughing at something. I couldn't be happier to have him here. As Peter Drucker put it, culture is “the way we do things around here.” At Goodwin University, their mission-centered culture doesn’t come from buzzwords reserved for wall signs and the employee handbook, it’s something that their people embody. I attribute a lot of that to Mark’s humility and his drive to live a life of service and love. His leadership by attraction inspires others to follow his example and make it their own. That’s what I believe his legacy is about. In this episode, Mark and I talk about the enormous support Goodwin University offers its students, how he went from a poor childhood to becoming a millionaire by 30, his focus on helping his students better their lives, why he gave away 90% of his assets, and so much more! Key Topics:
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THANKS FOR LISTENING! Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at kevin@sheerclarity.com. Follow Sheer Clarity on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook! [AS1]I can’t link to Kevin’s site – it appears to be hacked or something. When I try to navigate to it, it reroutes me to something not legit. | |||
| 06 Nov 2019 | Exercising the Right Kind of Power in the Workplace | 00:24:58 | |
This episode of Sheer Clarity is all about power in the workplace and how it is exerted by different levels of leadership. Whether it is the CEO or a low-level manager, power plays out in relationships and interactions all the time. There is such an array of ways that it can manifest and the main assertion of this discussion is that when we exercise power in the right kind of ways, in aid of those affected by it, it can make a colossal difference compared to when we are negligent, ignorant and abusive. We have all probably been on both sides of this dynamic and while the feeling of being dominated and ignored is not something easy to forget, we need to keep this mind whenever interacting and dealing with power. There is a natural dimension to how power is directed down the chain of command and its diminishing distribution but there is also a universal and cultural aspect to how an organization is led and how it influences all aspects through this. We want to remind you of the positive and enabling dimension to power and encourage you to foster more honey than vinegar in your approach, the results will speak for themselves! For all and a bunch more, be sure to check this episode out!
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Mentioned in Today’s Episode: See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/the-issues-clearing-model | |||
| 19 Nov 2020 | Gareth Vaughan - Building a Legacy with Humility (The Northeast Ohio Series) | 00:41:49 | |
Taking over the reins of a successful generational company as someone without the family name is a prospect most people would find daunting. Being responsible for carrying on that legacy could even be considered a burden. But that’s not the case for my guest today. For him, an obligation to the employees of the company, to the next generation of leadership, and the legacy of the Higley name is a responsibility he has happily taken on. Today we’re coming at you from right in my backyard in Northeast Ohio with another great leader and friend who I’ve known for over 10 years, Gareth Vaughan. Gareth Vaughn is the President and CEO of The Albert M. Higley Co. He received a BEng in Civil Engineering in 1991 from the University of Trent in the United Kingdom, and in 1993, an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. Gareth joined The Albert M. Higley Co. in 2001 as a Regional Manager and was elected President in 2010 and named CEO in 2017. Gareth’s mentorship from Bruce Higley contributed significantly to his leadership style and combined with his values and commitment, he is truly a great example of what it means to be a leader by attraction. In this episode, Gareth and I talk about how the Albert M. Higley Co. has responded to the pandemic, the guiding principles the company is committed to, how Gareth’s childhood experiences propelled him into a high-performance career, what it means to dive headfirst into a brand-new role, battling imposter syndrome, lessons in leadership with humility, and so much more!
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THANKS FOR LISTENING! Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at kevin@sheerclarity.com. | |||
| 11 Mar 2020 | Liquidating Restaurant Equipment And Nurturing Relationships with Neal Sherman, Founder of TAGeX Brands | 00:49:55 | |
Neal Sherman is the Founder and President of TAGeX Brands, a company that liquidates restaurant equipment and other unused assets. Neal formed the company more than 30 years ago after seeing a lot of restaurant operators getting stuck without a paddle when it was time for them to shut down their businesses. Neal not only focuses on liquidation of assets but also the redeployment of assets and keeping equipment, furniture, and fixtures in the food industry out of landfills. He helps keep the world a little greener and he also helps people from the restaurant and food service deal with closures, remodels, and the corresponding equipment that comes into the market. Neal has also built a marketplace called RestaurantEquipment.Bid, which is an auction platform for unused restaurant equipment. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
In this episode…Whenever a restaurant or any other business in the food industry decides to close shop and shut down it’s business operations, one of the most stressful things for the owners tends to be the disposal of their store equipment. This, on top of the paperwork and letting go of their employees can give anyone a headache. Neal Sherman worked in the food industry more than 30 years ago and it was there that he came to find out about this particular dilemma that restaurant owners often go through when it’s time to close shop. What should they do with all of their unused equipment? He took it upon himself to help these people and thus TAGeX Brands was born. In this episode, Kevin McHugh is joined by Neal Sherman to talk about how he got into the business of liquidating restaurant equipment and what he focuses on in his line of business. Neal also shares his advice for nurturing great relationships and the importance of having inner peace in order to serve others. Stay tuned. Resources Mentioned in this episodeSponsor for this episode...JKM Management Development was developed by J. Kevin McHugh himself in 1990. They provide executive life and leadership coaching and the development of leadership teams that operate with extreme trust and honesty-based on the Sheer Clarity principles. They work with founding entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 executives, and closely-held family businesses of every size and shape. They have helped these entities develop and integrate trust, honesty, and a certain sense of vulnerability into their organizations. | |||
| 26 Feb 2020 | There Simply Is No Downside to Being Transparent and Owning Your Mistakes with Lisa Stein of Revolutions Inc. | 00:47:07 | |
Lisa Stein is the Founder and CEO of Revolutions Inc. She is a tech entrepreneur from Columbus, Ohio who previously worked in an industrial design firm and Cardinal Health. Lisa also founded a software company that was called ORIS Intelligence which was purchased in July last year by PriceSpider. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
In this episode…Being a leader is a tough job, but learning how to accept that your team might be failing because of you is an even tougher pill to swallow. But this comes with the territory, and learning how you can improve things to make everything work better for everyone is crucial in bringing your company to a pinnacle of success. Lisa Stein is the CEO of Revolutions Inc., the largest retailer of durable medical equipment in the US. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs and she has been exposed to the ups and downs of entrepreneurial life from an early age. And Lisa has so many things to share with budding and established entrepreneurs alike when it comes to business. On this episode of Sheer Clarity, J. Kevin McHugh talks to Lisa about what it was like growing up within such a vibrant entrepreneurial environment, and how this shaped her view of what it means to be an entrepreneur. They also talk about the value of efficient and consistent communication when working with a remote team, why it’s important to remain transparent and open as a leader, and how self-awareness helps you become the best version of yourself. Stay tuned. Resources Mentioned in this episode Sponsor for this episode...JKM Management Development was developed by J. Kevin McHugh himself in 1990. They provide executive life and leadership coaching and the development of leadership teams that operate with extreme trust and honesty-based on the Sheer Clarity principles. They work with founding entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 executives, and closely-held family businesses of every size and shape. They have helped these entities develop and integrate trust, honesty, and a certain sense of vulnerability into their organizations. | |||
| 18 Dec 2019 | Managing Your Internal Head Space | 00:23:39 | |
In our last episode, we started to explore how our brains talk to us through our inner voices. Now we’re shifting gears and looking at the practical side of things and what you can do to manage your headspace as a leader. To be a super leader by attraction, you have to exhibit a level of calm and control that causes people to have confidence in you. And that outward expression of being present and engaged only comes from emotional intelligence developed through reflection and self-awareness. By doing the inner work to understand yourself, you can work on your weaknesses and ultimately become a stronger leader overall. In this episode, Mathew and I discuss how to develop your awareness of your primary and disowned selves. We talk about why managing your headspace is a necessary leadership skill, how our fast-paced lives conflict with the need for quiet reflection, the consequences of not exploring your inner voices, how our sub-personalities are developed, and so much more! If these discussions have triggered something inside of you, we want to know. We'd love for you to share your experiences with us and let us know how you manage your head space. Did you try the exercises we shared in this episode? Have you discovered anything about yourself that you weren’t aware of? We look forward to hearing from you. Key Topics:
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| 25 Dec 2019 | Opening the Listener Mailbag | 00:28:28 | |
Happy Holidays! Whatever it is that you celebrate at this time of year, as long as you do it with love and kindness, we hope that you are having a great celebration. In this season of gift-giving, we want to highlight the gifts we’ve received from you, our listeners and give you some things to think about as you're getting ready to start 2020 with a bang. In this episode, Mathew and I review your feedback and answer questions from our listener mailbag. We talk about being thankful for the gifts we received this year, what some listeners have shared about how the show has impacted them and their team, how to have an honest conversation with a defensive boss, the what and why of introducing vulnerability into the workplace, and so much more! Thank you to everybody who has provided feedback, support, and encouragement so far. If you haven't reached out yet, we still want to hear from you! Share the experiences you’ve had on your journey to becoming the consummate leader by attraction and let us know how we can help you even more. Again, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey.
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[AS1]Kevin mentioned putting these up on the site, not sure if he has a PDF/link instead but wrote them out in case he just wanted them to be outlined here | |||
| 18 Mar 2020 | Investing in People with Annie Yoder of Rea & Associates | 00:41:07 | |
No matter how well trained and educated you are, it’s important to remember that who you are as a person can sometimes bring as much value to your team as your qualifications. This rings true for our guest on the show today, Annie Yoder, who is Director of Development at Rea & Associates, a 300+ employee accounting firm with a national footprint. Annie is a trained CPA, CFF, and CPE but significantly she does no accounting work at her firm, having rather moved into a position that is strictly concerned with the interpersonal. In today’s episode, Annie shares the story behind how this happened and gives listeners a few golden nugget tips on the subject of good leadership, trust, and self-reflexivity. She talks about the lessons learned from her mother and her Amish upbringing, the idea that everybody has value and that people who hurt others themselves are hurt. Our conversation moves to the role she plays at Rea & Associates, and she shares some of the ways she leads employees to their growth, and the exercises she takes coworkers through to help them build trust in each other. We also hear from Annie about her growth process, the things that made her take a look in the mirror, and the idea that a person takes themselves everywhere they go. Ultimately, our interactions cause ripple effects in each other which have huge potential to help us be more compassionate humans or trustworthy leaders, so tune in to hear how these have taken effect in and through Annie today.
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| 08 May 2019 | Preview of Sheer Clarity | 00:02:20 | |
Hi, I'm J.Kevin McHugh, and this podcast is your chance to get more than 25 years worth of business leadership coaching and strategies, which are aimed at helping C-Suite Executives and other leaders like you develop trusting, honest, and healthy relationships at work. This is Sheer Clarity. Learn more and subscribe today at SheerClarity.com | |||
| 30 Oct 2019 | Loincloths and the Beating of Drums | 00:26:07 | |
This week we’re closing the loop on the issues clearing model. As a tool of last resort, the issues clearing model is the one you’d reach for when all else has failed. Unfortunately, that also means that by this point tensions are probably running high and the risk of a communication breakdown is increased. So, what happens if the issues clearing model fails? As a leader, what can you do when the model doesn’t work? How do you handle a team member walking out on the process? I’ve been there before and it’s in those moments that your level of comfort with awkwardness and vulnerability are tested. In becoming the consummate leader by attraction, this is an area that you simply cannot avoid. In this episode, Mathew and I discuss the power of vulnerability for leaders in business. We talk about my personal experience with embracing discomfort and vulnerability, what to do if the issues clearing model fails, the benefits of a breakdown, why leaders need to get comfortable with awkwardness, and so much more! Coming up next week, we’ll start our two-part series on power where we’ll be discussing what power means, when does it work for you, what it looks like when it’s being misused and more. Until then, we’d love to hear from you! Let us know how you’ve been using the issues clearing model and whether you had to come face to face with awkwardness and vulnerability. Send us your comments and feedback by email or through the form on our home page.
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See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/loincloths-and-the-beating-of-drums | |||
| 17 Jul 2019 | Honesty Part 3: Knowing When Others Are Honest With You | 00:21:07 | |
For the past two episodes, we’ve been talking all about the second component of the sheer clarity model, honesty. We started off with the foundational element of self-honesty and followed up with how to be honest with others. Building on those two components, today we’re looking at how to know when people are being honest with you. On the journey to becoming the consummate leader by attraction, one of the stumbling blocks for many C Suite executives is getting honest feedback which is critical to growth and development. You might be up against corporate norms of deferring to the leader’s judgment without question or your team might be holding back out of fear of retribution. In my experience, the higher you are on the corporate ladder, the less likely you are to receive honest feedback. So how do you actually know whether others are being honest with you? Can you set that up and encourage it? On today’s episode, Mathew and I talk about my favorite techniques and the simple practices you can use to create an environment that supports honest feedback and growth. We outline the key steps to get people to be honest with you and to repair disconnect with your team and colleagues, understanding your role in setting the tone, how to manage hurt and defensiveness when receiving negative feedback, and so much more! You’re also going to want to look out for next week’s episode where we’ll be moving on to the third component of the sheer clarity, appropriate vulnerability, and how to achieve it. Key Topics: • Mathew shares his experience from a recent podcasting conference and why he is so passionate about podcasting (2:11) See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/honesty-3-knowing-when-others-are-honest-with-you | |||
| 03 Dec 2020 | Chris Bello - The Millennial Leadership | 00:49:03 | |
Today’s episode is a little different than my recent interviews – we’re coming to you from the other side of the entrepreneurial journey. Where most of my previous guests have been around the halftime of their lives, Chris Bello is still in the first half of the game and looking to the future. I connected with Chris on his podcast and wanted to bring him onto my show so you could share in his insights and generosity. Chris Bello is a realtor, podcaster, and entrepreneur and at his young age is pondering questions I’m still working through with many CEOs in their 50s and 60s. One of the things I love about Chris is his drive for deeper self-awareness and self-reflection, both of which are integral parts of the journey to sheer clarity and markers of a true leader by attraction. In this episode, Chris and I talk about how he went from working in his dream job to thinking outside the cubicle and working for himself, what it means to create a company culture that’s attractive to millennials, why it’s important to find your purpose beyond the money, how selfless service brings success, and so much more!
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THANKS FOR LISTENING! Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at kevin@sheerclarity.com. | |||
| 26 Jun 2019 | Trust Part 2: The Character to Command Trust | 00:21:17 | |
Last week we started the conversation about the first leg of the sheer clarity stool, trust, and the first of its two components, competence. Today we’re continuing that discussion with a look at the second component. Character. Being a leader by attraction means that everything about you makes people feel drawn to you. They’ll listen to what you have to say and know that you care. When you have that, your team will do anything they can to make something happen for you and achieving that level of connection means honing every aspect of yourself to become a better leader who is worthy of that trust. On today’s episode, Mathew and I explore why we make character assessments in the first place and what factors affect these often-subconscious judgments. We talk about the role of intuition and self-preservation in assessing character, why you should be paying attention to how your energy is affected by other people, the role of trust and character in making business deals, the power of eye contact, and so much more! You’ll also hear us referring to my Trust Chart a lot. Make sure to download your free copy here. You’re also going to want to look out for next week’s episode where we’ll be moving on to the second leg of the sheer clarity stool, honesty. | |||
| 20 Nov 2019 | There’s No Such Thing as a Good or Bad Personality Assessment | 00:31:24 | |
In today’s episode, Mathew becomes the subject of a tried-and-tested behavioral assessment facilitated by Kevin. The subject of Mathew coming under public scrutiny is met with nervous laughter initially. However, we come to realize that such a thing as a “good” or “bad” reading doesn’t exist: the assessment is not a value judgment. This is because a perceived strength can always translate into a shortcoming, with the reverse being true as well. Kevin’s years of coaching experience become clear as he guides the audience through the structure of the test, all the while divulging the reading it gave Mathew at each stage. Kevin makes some lucid observations about how certain personalities just aren’t cut out for particular work environments, and how the test can help prevent this through its predictions. Finally, Mathew gets a chance to speak about whether the assessment observations hold any truth. Tune in to engage in this fascinating passageway into the human personality, and to find out why Kevin is grateful to have somebody with Mathew’s personality-type as a co-worker. Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Mathew's Personality Assessment Results
Learn more and see a transcript at - https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-good-or-bad-personality-assessment
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| 11 Sep 2019 | The Power of Your Worldview | 00:26:55 | |
How you show up in the world and your strength as a leader has a deep connection to the strength of your worldview. On your path to sheer clarity, with self-reflection and by asking the right questions, you’ll develop your personal theory of the world which helps to guide you on the journey to becoming the consummate leader by attraction. Many people get caught up being busy making a name for themselves, building their career and paying their bills and overlook the value of being introspective. But having a strong conviction in your worldview is the bedrock for creating long-term success. So, what is a worldview and what questions should you be asking yourself to get clarity around it? And how does your worldview factor into the type of leader you are? On this episode, Mathew and I explore why you need to get clear on your worldview, how to approach questions of mortality and the meaning of life from a non-religious perspective, the essential questions for you to ponder so you can determine what your worldview is, why belief in a higher power can be empowering, and so much more! Have you started on the path to clarifying your worldview? If we’ve raised questions for you, reach out to us and tell us about your experiences. We’d love to hear from you. Be sure to join us for next week’s episode where we’re looking at another important exercise for leaders at the midpoint in their life known as the Halftime Model. Key Topics: • What is a worldview? (2:24) Mentioned in this Episode: • The Worldview Exercise Worksheet See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/the-power-of-your-worldview | |||
| 28 Aug 2019 | Why Humility is Essential for Great Leadership | 00:23:19 | |
Humility is fundamentally an incredibly powerful leadership attribute. Despite that, from Jack Welch to Elon Musk, many celebrated leaders in recent history are not known for displaying humility. Beyond that, our selfie culture seems to promote values that are quite the opposite. So, why should we as leaders be interested in the virtue of humility? Coming from our last episode about how you will measure your life, I want you to join me on another level of self-reflection and talk about the importance of humility for leaders. A leader by attraction has a brand that’s associated with positivity and using their power for the good of others. It’s making the conscious choice to put others ahead of yourself. And it all starts with understanding what humility is and how it is applied in the real world in leadership settings. To help you on the path to sheer clarity, today we’re unpacking humility and the misconceptions that often surround it. On this episode, Mathew and I talk about the connection between a company’s enduring value and its leaders, what humility in leadership looks like, why humility is so hard to define, breaking the misconception that humility is a weakness, how to assess your humility, and so much more! Stay tuned for next week’s episode where we’ll look at how you can develop your humility as a leader. Until then, share your experiences with us about humility and the leaders you’ve had in your career or your own experiences with incorporating humility into your leadership style. We’d love to hear from you. Key Topics: • The link between a certain type of leadership and the creation of enduring value (1:54) Mentioned in this Episode: • Jim Collins’ Book | Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't See the shownotes and transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/why-humility-is-essential-for-great-leadership | |||
| 05 Feb 2020 | Welcome to the Next Stage of Sheer Clarity | 00:03:32 | |
The Sheer Clarity podcast is getting ready to evolve. Moving forward, episodes of Sheer Clarity are going to feature interviews with business leaders from companies of every shape and size, sharing how they are putting their leadership skills and practices to use in the world. We'll talk about what they have learned as leaders by attraction, what mistakes they have made, and what lessons they want to sheer with you as you strive to become a leader by attraction.
Look out for the first new interview episode featuring Dave Maney, CEO of Deke Digital. | |||
| 07 Aug 2019 | Appropriate Vulnerability Part 3: Encouraging it in Others | 00:22:20 | |
In the past couple episodes, we’ve talked about what appropriate vulnerability is, why you need it, how to be vulnerable and how to approach vulnerability as a leader. Now we’re looking at the final element: how to encourage appropriate vulnerability in others. What does that environment look like? How do you pull it off? What are the benefits to you as a leader? Years of research has shown that the biggest factor that impacts employee engagement is their relationship with their boss. It’s up to you to set the tone in your workplace and show your humanity to your team. Your approach to vulnerability and your willingness to share appropriately with those around you can make or break strong connections. And those connections are crucial to achieving your business goals and becoming a successful leader by attraction. On today’s episode, we’re exploring how to encourage people in the workplace to be vulnerable with you and key techniques you can use to encourage that vulnerability. Mathew and I share vulnerable moments we had in the past week, how collaborating and vulnerability are intrinsically linked, why you have to walk the talk, the types of questions you should be asking in your business meetings, and so much more! You’re also going to want to look out for next week’s episode where we’ll be doing a wrap up of the three aspects of the sheer clarity model, trust, honesty, and appropriate vulnerability, and how they fit together to help you on your path to achieving sheer clarity. Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: • Gallup | Employee Engagement See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/appropriate-vulnerability-part-3-encoura | |||
| 19 Feb 2020 | Why Leaders Must Move from Push to Pull Leadership | 00:43:13 | |
Toby LaVigne is the CEO of CleanMark Labels, a multinational label manufacturer headquartered in the pacific northwest. He and his team strive to live the word of God in everything they do in order to succeed not just as a business but to make prosperity possible for everyone involved. Toby feels a deep responsibility to help everyone he can in their hunt for purpose. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
In this episode…We’ve all been conditioned from when we were kids to learn that the world is about a push to be goal getters and get rewarded. But what we fail to realize early on is that people who have that go ‘get’em’ attitude often exude a repelling force or energy. And for Toby LaVigne, that force stagnates growth and makes it hard for people to be attracted to you at some point. So you have to shift from a push to a pull approach. Toby is the CEO of CleanMark Labels, a multinational label manufacturer headquartered in the pacific northwest. His vision for his role is a deep responsibility to help everyone he can on their hunt for purpose so that together they can make the next American dream possible. In this episode, Toby talks to Kevin McHugh about how making the transition from push to pull requires some serious rewiring of your underlying belief system about what the game is, shifting your old beliefs to new beliefs and eventually changing old behaviors to new ones. Stay tuned. Resources Mentioned in this episode | |||
| 25 Sep 2019 | The Halftime Model Part 2: Developing Your Humility as a Leader | 00:28:36 | |
Last week, in part one of this two-part series on the Halftime Model, we explored halftime as a concept, how it works, and the types of questions you’ll asking yourself as it approaches. Today we’re diving deeper to the next level of the halftime of life and if you’re approaching the halftime, we want to help you to develop the tools you’ll need to have a meaningful conversation with yourself about where you are today and where you want to be in the second half. Life is perplexing and societal pressure leaves a lot of us with our heads down, chasing the dream of career success, marked by power and money. But I'm here to tell you: it will not be enough. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s or 50s, there are certain questions you should ask yourself to cultivate the right mindset to live a full and significant life. These questions, combined with the principles shared by Bob Buford in Finishing Well, make up a framework that will help you navigate the halftime and avoid the territory of the midlife crisis. On this episode, Matthew and I discuss the 20 questions you should ask yourself today, how self-reflection about the halftime can help you to become a better leader, the effects of a midlife crisis on leadership, why significance is more important than success, how you can benefit from the self-reflection of halftime even if you’re not yet at that age, and so much more! How do you feel about halftime? Has this discussion made you think differently about your life as you approach or come through halftime? Have you had a new revelation as you hit the third or fourth quarter? Do you think we missed anything? We want to hear about the impact these conversations are having on you. So be sure to share your experiences with us. Key Topics: • A sample of the questions everyone should ask themselves around the halftime of their lives (1:54) Mentioned in this Episode: • The 20 Questions for the Second Half of Life See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/the-halftime-model-part-2-developing-your-humility-as-a-leader | |||
| 10 Jul 2019 | Honesty Part 2: Being Honest with Other People | 00:23:37 | |
Last week we did a deep dive into the first component of honesty: self-honesty, which is the first critical step to master before being able to be truly honest with others. As a leader by attraction, self-reflection, self-management, and self-curiosity are key tools you’ll use over and over again as you continue on the path to sheer clarity. The next component of honesty which builds upon self-honesty is honesty with others. This is an enormously important skill set in the area of leadership and something you will be faced with on a daily basis in your interactions with your team, colleagues, and clients. Most often, this type of honesty falls in the category of feedback. As a busy executive, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of being so results-oriented that you come across as impatient and uncaring in your feedback. So how do you find a way to be compassionately honest, instead of brutally honest? On today’s episode, Mathew and I discuss my pre-honesty checklist, which covers the most important steps you should work through before being honest with others. We also talk about why positive feedback is both important and problematic, how you could be contributing to the negative reaction to your feedback, why you should examine your motives for being honest with others, and so much more! You’re also going to want to look out for next week’s episode where we’ll be talking about how to know when people are being honest with you. Key Topics: • The best advice I got about starting a podcast (1:14) Mentioned in this Episode: • Ken Calvert, host of The Ken Calvert Show See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/honesty-part-2-being-honest-with-other-people | |||
| 08 Apr 2020 | Adversity Builds Strength | 00:45:04 | |
Today we visit with Rob Follows. Rob is the Chairman and CEO of STS Capital Partners. Rob helps people who are ready to sell their business, giving them the freedom to contribute their time, treasure and talent to make the world a better place. As leaders, we can create success from challenges in life. If we view adversity as a friend and teacher, there’s a potential for significant self-understanding. Listen as Rob shares his stories of adversity and the lessons he learned from it.He also explains how reflection and meditation are keys to self-understanding, the importance of finding a mentor, and putting a life plan in place. Key Topics: Rob gives us an overview of his company, STS Capital Partners
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| 03 Jul 2019 | Honesty Part 1: Deep Self-Reflection | 00:24:00 | |
As a leader by attraction, sheer clarity is about becoming crystal about every aspect of yourself, your goals, your business, and understanding others. To achieve that, you’ll need to master all three elements of the sheer clarity model – trust, honesty and appropriate vulnerability. For the past two weeks, we’ve been looking at trust and all its components. Today, we’re moving on to the next leg: honesty. An important part of self-honesty is purposeful deep self-reflection and self-curiosity. But how do you find the time for that in the midst of a busy life? Can it really fit in with our constantly connected work culture? On today’s episode, Mathew and I cover what self-honesty means in the context of work and how it relates to your development as a leader. We also discuss why you should talk to yourself, the importance of admitting hard truths, why there’s always time for self-reflection, how we self-sabotage by being tied to our devices, how to manage the skills that both help and harm you, and so much more! You’re also going to want to look out for next week’s episode where we’ll be talking about the next component of honesty: being honest with others. Key Topics: Why I trusted Mathew to be the right person to bring this podcast together (2:15) Mentioned in this Episode: • Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/honesty-part-1-deep-self-reflection Thanks for Listening! | |||
| 01 Jan 2020 | Top 5 Themes of Sheer Clarity in 2019 | 00:42:29 | |
Happy New Year! Around this time of year you’re bound to be getting a lot of countdowns and “Best of” lists so we thought, let's join the party. Following the conventions, we’re giving you the top five themes of Sheer Clarity in 2019. As a bonus, we’re also sharing a sneak peek at how the show is going to evolve in 2020 and the exciting changes we have in store for you. In this episode, Mathew and I share the most popular themes from the show in 2019 and discuss our takeaways. We talk about how to go beyond a simple apology, using the 24-hour rule for handling tension, the connection between self-honesty and self-reflection, the importance of quiet time, how vulnerability can help you in the battle with imposter syndrome, the New Year’s resolutions you need to make, and so much more! Thank you so much to everybody who is taking part in this adventure with us of Sheer Clarity. We would love your feedback on what we've been doing and what you'd like to hear from us in 2020. All of your support and feedback so far has been phenomenal and we know we can't do without you.
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| 15 Apr 2021 | The Central Role of Relationships for a Great Leader with Dale Dawson | 00:44:32 | |
There does not have to be a disparity between the calling of success in business, and a passion-driven, divinely inspired pursuit of meaning. These things can culminate by allowing a fulfilling career in the business to serve others and spread positivity and empowerment through the work. Dale Dawson joins us on the show today to share his story in business and non-governmental projects that have landed him as the Founder and CEO of Bridge2Rwanda, a powerful organization that is helping young Rwandans, travel and learn before returning to their country to enrich its fabric and economy! One of the most beautiful messages that Dale shares is about living in uncertainty. He believes that uncertainty is not something we have to run away from, and we should attempt to live with more of it in our lives. When we pursue passions in a less fearful way we end up in a more connected realm, where we are really able to take the focus away from ourselves and serve those around us. We also talk about Dale's father, his leadership style, the power of friendship building, and much more. So make sure to listen in with us on the Sheer Clarity Podcast today!
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| 11 Dec 2019 | Learning to Listen to the Inside Voices | 00:25:11 | |
Today we’re talking about the voices in your head. Right now, they’re probably speaking to you, saying what on earth is he talking about. Doing work on my inner voices has been transformational for me and after listening to this episode, I want you to at least start to be conscious of yours. Your brain speaks to you through your thoughts. For humans, these thoughts go so many layers deep that sometimes you might not even be aware that they’re there. Do you want to be more in control of your situation and to have the opportunity not to react at the first sign of trouble? As a leader, I want to challenge you to do a better job of listening to those underlying thought streams. In this episode, Matt and I explore our inner voices and thought streams. We talk about the art of hearing yourself, the Voice Dialogue model, where these inner voices come from, how you can respond to them, why this awareness is important as a leader, why you need to figure out your natural energy patterns, the problem with being unaware of your primary selves, and so much more! We’re going to continue talking about listening to the inner voice on our next episode. Until then, let us know what discussions you had with your inner voices while listening to this episode. Will it change how you lead and interact with people on a daily basis? What questions did this raise for you? We look forward to hearing from you. Key Topics:
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| 15 Jan 2020 | No Time To Care | 00:22:50 | |
Picture this: You know how valuable it is for people to care about each other, so you organized a team-building retreat. The retreat is a success but within a few weeks of returning to work it all fades away and it’s back to the status quo. What happened? Most work environments are completely counter to this idea of peace, patience, and kindness. The incredibly fast-paced nature of the corporate world has us focused on productivity and performance metrics and in all likelihood, there is no time being carved out for reconnection. So how can you make the shift towards compassion and support? In this episode, Mathew and I explore why you should create a culture of caring. We discuss how most corporate environments inherently displace kindness and caring, our biases about spending time connecting, why leaders should care about their teams, how you can start to walk the talk and lead your team into openness, and so much more! Thanks for listening! Check out the YouTube page for full episodes and our new Moments of Sheer Clarity directly from me to give you that extra boost of sheer clarity between our weekly episodes. Remember to share your experiences, feedback, and questions with us - we love hearing from you.
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| 13 May 2021 | Diversity and Inclusion Part 2: The Power of Learning Another Person’s Heart Story | 00:31:28 | |
Today on Sheer Clarity, we continue our three-part series on diversity and inclusion with part two. In the last episode, we discussed the power of learning your heart story, and today we continue this discussion by talking about the power of learning another person’s heart story. Instead of taking a big global approach or national approach to addressing the problem of divisiveness and hatred, we’re taking an inside-out approach by focusing on the human heart. Kevin suggests that when you know your own heart and are prepared to share it, then you can find other human beings who are also willing and share your hearts with each other. If this is done with sincerity and vulnerability, there is an enormous amount of connection building, empathy, and healing that occurs. Tuning in today, you’ll hear about what it takes to be able to really engage with another human being, and what we can learn about this from Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s poem “The Invitation”. Find out some practical advice on how to share your story, how to decide who to share your story with, how to set the tone for openness and vulnerability, and even the topics you should cover to guide the conversation and help you really connect with each other’s heart stories.
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Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability The Worksheet: ‘Sharing your Story: Discovering, disclosure, openness, and vulnerability’ | |||
| 31 Jul 2019 | Appropriate Vulnerability Part 2: How to be Appropriately Vulnerable as a Leader | 00:20:24 | |
Vulnerability isn't about winning or losing. It’s about having the courage to show up and be seen. As business leaders, we set audacious, future-oriented goals that inherently have an element of risk. The bigger the goals, the bigger the risk. In those moments where the outcome is uncertain, vulnerability is a key part of the equation. And being vulnerable enough to understand where you need help and when to ask for that help is a huge part of becoming a successful leader by attraction. So as a leader, what do you do if you’re not sure about your vulnerabilities or how to approach them? Is it too late to change if you haven’t embraced vulnerability with your team in the past? More than that, does it really make a difference to your team and your business when you create that environment of vulnerability? Today we’re talking about how to approach vulnerability as a leader and how to put yourself in a vulnerable position that’s appropriate. Mathew and I dive into how vulnerability can be your greatest strength, what appropriate vulnerability looks like for a business leader, how to change if you’ve been a closed-off leader in the past, how to start identifying your vulnerabilities, and so much more! You’re also going to want to look out for next week’s episode where we’ll be finishing up appropriate vulnerability by looking at how to encourage it in others. Key Topics: • Mathew’s insights from our previous episode about appropriate vulnerability (2:31) Mentioned in this Episode: • Brené Brown See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/appropriate-vulnerability-part-2-how-to-be-appropriately-vulnerable-as-a-leader | |||
| 19 Jun 2019 | Trust Part 1: Characteristics of a Trusting Relationship | 00:25:26 | |
Welcome back to Sheer Clarity! Today’s show is all about the first leg of the sheer clarity stool: trust. As you continue on the path to becoming a leader by attraction, trust is one of the essential components you’ll have to master in order to build a high-performing team and get the support you need from cross-functional departments. And before that, you’ll need to demonstrate to potential employers that you are the person to trust. We all have an idea of what a trusting relationship looks like in our personal lives but how does this translate to the workplace? And how does it relate to competence and character? On today’s episode, Mathew and I break trust down to its core components. We’ll share an overview of trust and do a deep dive into the first leg of the trust tree: competence. We cover the characteristics of a trusting relationship, how you can apply the components of trust to the hiring process, how to develop a trusting relationship in a professional setting, why you should place integrity above all other characteristics, how to demonstrate competence in an interview and so much more! You’ll also hear us referring to my Trust Chart a lot. Make sure to download your free copy here.. | |||
| 08 Jan 2020 | The Problem with Retreats | 00:31:06 | |
If you’re using retreats as a catch-all for everything you want to get done in your company, then this episode is for you. As leaders, we have to have a long-term focus but that same focus can cause us to skip over the essentials which need to be in place before strategic planning can happen.
Without connection, your team is just a workgroup that is not equipped to adapt and succeed when plans go awry. To build that connection, team building should be your priority. To help with that I’m sharing the critical elements you need to incorporate into your retreats – and no, we’re not talking about trust falls.
In this episode, Mathew and I talk about the right way to plan a retreat. We discuss where most retreats go wrong, what it means to be a team, why you should prioritize relationships, how to structure your retreats, why you can’t tackle several issues in one retreat, the importance of a leader’s vision, and so much more!
If you’re tuning in for the first time, I highly recommend going back and listening to our early episodes about trust, honesty and appropriate vulnerability. These elements are the foundation for becoming a leader by attraction and play a key role on the path to sheer clarity. As always, thank you for listening and please continue to share your feedback, questions, and experiences - we love hearing from you! Key Topics:
THANKS FOR LISTENING! Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at kevin@sheerclarity.com. Follow Sheer Clarity on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook!
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| 02 Oct 2019 | The Philosophy of Feedback | 00:25:31 | |
Feedback is a topic with which I have an ongoing love-hate relationship. It’s extremely common in business settings and for many people, it brings up painful memories of tedious annual performance reviews which never resulted in any progress. But done right, feedback is at the core of every successful team. So, what do you need to do to set the tone for an effective system? What is positive and negative feedback? How do you give constructive criticism? Do you care about the evolution and development of your team? We’ve talked in the past about the importance of self-awareness and on your path to develop the right environment for feedback, that self-awareness is be an essential tool. On this episode, Mathew and I examine the foundation you need to build to successfully provide and receive feedback. We also discuss Mathew’s experiences with feedback during his stint in corporate America, the shortcomings of the standard annual review process, why self-awareness is critical for leaders, what to ask yourself before giving feedback, and so much more! Be sure to join us next week for the second half of the discussion on feedback. We’ll be exploring how to provide and receive it. In the meantime, we’d love to get some feedback from you. Send us your questions, comments, and experiences with feedback by email or using the form on our home page. Key Topics:
See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/the-philosophy-of-feedback Thanks for Listening! | |||
| 27 Nov 2019 | Being Grateful and Thanksgiving | 00:22:23 | |
Happy Thanksgiving! Before we dive into the show, I want to express my deep appreciation for you. I am thankful for you plugging in and spending time with us, week after week. The idea that there are people actually listening and caring about our content and maybe taking away stuff that we share and using it to better their lives is something I am very grateful for. Thank you!
This week, in the spirit of this national time of celebration, we’re taking a closer look at gratitude and what it means for the consummate leader by attraction. Gratitude is one of the easiest things to fall by the wayside in the chaos and fast pace of the corporate world and its benefits are often undervalued. So, how can you make time for gratitude in your daily life? And with everything else on your plate, why should you?
In this episode, Mathew and I talk about gratitude in the context of family and business. We share how our families’ Thanksgivings have changed and evolved over the years, why clashes are inevitable during mergers and acquisitions, what you can do to stop a bad mood, how to be thankful in a fast-paced corporate environment and retain an attitude of gratitude, and so much more!
Next week we’ll be diving into a very misunderstood topic: forgiveness. It’s an essential attribute for leaders and should be a part of your organizational culture but how do you practice it? And does it mean you have to excuse the offense? Until then, let us know what you’re grateful for and how you’re using gratitude in your life at home and in business. We love hearing from you! Again, Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for listening to us here on Sheer Clarity.
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Mentioned in this Episode: Learn more and find a transcript at - https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/being-grateful-and-thanksgiving THANKS FOR LISTENING! Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at kevin@sheerclarity.com. | |||
| 23 Oct 2019 | The Issues Clearing Model | 00:27:25 | |
As a leader, you’ll inevitably encounter conflict, whether with your colleagues or team members. It might start as small quarrels that add up over time, sowing the seeds of resentment, or it might happen as one a big eruption that blocks the channels of communication immediately. You've lost control, you start disagreeing about the facts, the whole relationship is broken down. How do you move forward? When communication has broken down, emotions are running high and resentment has taken hold, it’s time to call on the Issues Clearing Model - an essential tool for every leader by attraction. At first glance, the model feels strict and rigid, but that’s exactly why it works. By forcing everyone to take turns boxing up their emotions into the five elements of the model, you can get the communication done. In this episode, for the first time since starting the podcast, I’m going to be covering a specific model and sharing detailed instructions on how to apply it yourself. Mathew and I talk about what the issues clearing model is, when to use it, the five elements of the model, why it’s important to follow the rules of engagement to the letter, how executives use this model in the workplace, and much more! I encourage you to gather your team and with the PDF in hand, work through this model together. We’d love to hear about your experiences using the issues clearing model. Has it helped open back communication channels? Was it a challenge implementing it with your team? Is there any feedback you’d like to share with us? Next week we’re talking all about vulnerability. It might not make sense right now but all I’m going to say is “loincloth and drum circles.” As always, send us your comments and feedback by email or through the form on our home page. Key Topics:
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See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/the-issues-clearing-model | |||
| 29 Jan 2020 | Managing vs Leading | 00:26:43 | |
If I aspire to be in a leadership role, how can I get there? What should I do to get myself to be identified and placed in such a role? How do I communicate my ambitions and experiences when I’ve taken on leadership responsibilities but don’t have the title to show for it? If you find yourself asking these questions, this is the episode for you. As an ambitious high achiever, you have probably taken on more than your share of responsibilities at work. At first glance, the terms management and leadership may seem synonymous but in fact, each one requires a very different skillset. As we continue on the journey to sheer clarity, it’s important to not only be able to distinguish between the two but to ensure that you are embodying the key traits of a leader and creating value for your organization. In this episode, Mathew and I investigate what it means to be a leader versus a manager. Mathew shares his experiences in his previous corporate career, and we talk about why a title is not as important as you might think, how to demonstrate and communicate your leadership abilities, key characteristics of a leader, what it means to create value, and so much more! Once you’ve learned the differences between managing and leading you might be wondering whether you’re wired for leadership. We’re going deeper into this topic and looking back at your personality assessments as we explore that aspect next week. Until then, let us know: what has your experience been with communicating your leadership ambitions? Do you feel better able to demonstrate them? We look forward to hearing from you! Key Topics:
THANKS FOR LISTENING! Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at kevin@sheerclarity.com. Follow Sheer Clarity on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook!
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| 13 Nov 2019 | How Personality Assessments Make You a Better Leader | 00:25:32 | |
This episode of Sheer Clarity is all about personality assessments, inventories, and how you can utilize them to expand your understanding of yourself and those around you. For most of us, our natural personality and behaviors are solidified by our mid-twenties, and once we know how we operate, we can use that information to play to our strengths and our weaknesses, rather than fight them. When we are more self-aware, we can communicate better with those around us, and be more efficient in the workplace. In this episode, we discuss the components that make up your personality, how personality assessments work under the DiSC system, and how to use personality tests to become a great leader. Here, we talk about the dominance construct and what this can reveal about us, as well as the importance of leading with your vulnerability and staying in-tune. Key Points from This Episode:• Discover how personality assessments were commonly conducted in the past. • How the influence of digital automation has changed the face of personality assessments today. • Learn more about the disk system of dominance, influence, steadiness, and complaints. • Using products like Target Training International (TTI) for a deep analysis of the data. • When it comes to self-assessment, how accurate are personality assessments really? • Why the dominance construct is used as a personality measurement and what it reveals. • From genetics to thought patterns: discover the components that make up your personality. • Your natural personality won’t change much over time, but your approach to it can. • How leaders can use personality information to improve themselves and team dynamics. • Getting in tune with your natural style and knowing how it has created problems for you. • The importance of leading with your vulnerability, what that looks like, and how to do it. • And much more! Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Target Training International (TTI) See the shownotes and transcript at - https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/how-personality-assessments-make-you-a-better-leader | |||
| 01 Apr 2020 | Putting Core Values Into Practice | 00:53:34 | |
Every organization has or should have core values in place. However, just writing them down and displaying them on a poster isn’t enough. The hard part comes in living them.
Today, I’m talking with Buddy Teaster, CEO of Soles4Souls. Buddy talks about his organization, what they do and how their core values have been integral to Soles4Souls’ success. We go in depth about what it means as a leader to put your core values into practice and how that benefits not only your organization’s bottom line, but also provides meaning to everyone in the organization.
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| 04 Dec 2019 | Granting Forgiveness | 00:21:59 | |
Whenever a group of people comes together, conflict can occur. Whether it’s a squabble over misplaced Tupperware or a fundamental disagreement about how to handle a client’s account, the result tends to be two people being angry simultaneously with each other. Regardless of how it all started, someone has to make the first move toward resolution. Many people hold on tightly to their anger, thinking that the offense committed against them cannot be excused, however, forgiveness doesn't mean you have to let go of the fact that a transgression was committed. Forgiveness means letting go for your own sake, with no requirement for positive feelings towards the other person. But what do you do when the person you need to forgive is yourself? With interpersonal forgiveness, no reconciliation is needed but in self-forgiveness it’s essential. So how do you navigate these negative thoughts and feelings? And why should you even take on this task that’s often easier said than done? In this episode, Mathew and I break down what it means to forgive. We talk about how conflicts can arise at home and in the workplace, why you don’t need to forgive and forget, the consequences of letting resentment fester, how grace is different from forgiveness, why it’s so difficult to forgive yourself, and so much more! We would love to hear from you about your experiences with getting and granting forgiveness, the lessons you have learned and the struggles you have had with it. Email Kevin at kevin@sheerclarity.com or share your comments and feedback through the form on our home page. Tune in next week as you continue on the path to becoming a successful leader by attraction. Key Topics:
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Find a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/granting-forgiveness | |||
| 12 Feb 2020 | We Learn Best Through Painful Failure | 00:49:40 | |
Dave Maney is a national economic and financial writer and commentator. He's also the executive chair and co-founder of Deke Digital, a digital media company that combines their deep knowledge of industry segments and their understanding of the ever-changing media landscape. Deke Digital uses knowledge and experience of the complex world of digital marketing to create innovative and highly effective marketing programs and solutions. Dave has written a number of publications and columns for national publications, and he’s frequently seen on and is a commentator on Fox Business, as well as on CNBC, Fox News, and CNN.
In this episode…Are you somebody who already owns a business but feel like it’s time to bring things up a notch? Do you have any idea on where to start? Do you have the guts to do what it takes to take that risk for your business? For Dave Maney, these are the things you need to think of the moment you decide that you’re ready to step up your business A-game and bring things to a whole new level. And this, he says, is where his team can help you best. Dave Maney is the executive chair and co-founder of Deke Digital, a digital marketing company. Their company thrives on the success stories that they have made for their clients who are primarily dynamic financial services and healthcare organizations through their expert media marketing services. In this episode, Kevin talks to Dave about identifying the best role you can play in your own business, recognizing the necessary risks you need to make, and the importance of knowing yourself in order to have the confidence to do what needs to be done. Stay tuned. Resources Mentioned in this episode
Sponsor for this episode...JKM Management Development was developed by J. Kevin McHugh himself in 1990. They provide executive life and leadership coaching and the development of leadership teams that operate with extreme trust and honesty-based on the Sheer Clarity principles. They work with founding entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 executives, and closely-held family businesses of every size and shape. They have helped these entities develop and integrate trust, honesty, and a certain sense of vulnerability into their organizations. | |||
| 06 May 2021 | Diversity and Inclusion Series Part 1: The Power of Learning Your Heart Story | 00:28:39 | |
There is no doubt that societies are more divided and polarized than ever before. So many of us are torn when it comes to dealing with these hate-filled, angry times. While there are so many institutional approaches to tackling issues of diversity and inclusion, today, Kevin wants to offer a different approach; that of learning your heart story. This is the first of a three-part series around diversity and inclusion. By taking a heart-led approach, you have to dig deep within. What is it that your heart is telling you if you are truly willing to listen? Where are your blind spots? Where do you still need to grow, and what are your strengths? Being a great leader means being willing to do some self-reflection, and while this is not easy, it has to be done. We cannot shy away from asking ourselves the difficult questions that will allow us to move forward and be the kind, caring changemakers we need in this world.
Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Amin ToufaniThe Invitation By Oriah Mountain DreamerOriah Mountain Dreamer | |||
| 14 Aug 2019 | Battling Imposter Syndrome | 00:28:24 | |
Not knowing something is not a weakness, it is an opportunity to get stronger. Despite the fact that creativity and innovation are intrinsically linked to exploring the unknown, embracing your own uncertainty can be terrifying. As we close the door on our series on appropriate vulnerability, we’re taking a deep dive into a very specific aspect of vulnerability: imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome affects people at every level and your experience with it might range from manageable fears that are quickly dealt with, to frequent anxiety and the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. If you’ve been applying the self-reflection we spoke about in past episodes, odds are that you’ll encounter imposter syndrome on your journey to becoming the consummate leader by attraction. As a leader, how do you deal with imposter syndrome? How can it get in the way? How do you manage it appropriately? And it’s not just about you. Once you become more aware, you'll be in a better position to help your team restore their confidence, unblock them, and enable new levels of productivity and efficiency. On this episode, Mathew and I reflect on how we became aware of imposter syndrome and the fact that it is truly a universal issue. We explore the different ways it shows up in leaders, why being a second-generation leader often requires extra preparation, how to identify imposter syndrome, the importance of self-reflection and being conscious of your own insecurities and anxiety, my top two techniques you can use to manage imposter syndrome, and so much more! Key Topics: • Mathew’s experience with imposter syndrome (2:11) Mentioned in this Episode: • Dr. Pauline Rose Clance & Dr. Suzanne Imes’ Article | The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention See the show notes and a transcript at | |||
| 12 Nov 2020 | Mike Swiger - Developing Emotional Intelligence through Self-Reflection | 00:39:20 | |
Today’s interview is with a leader in a non-traditional category who I’ve known for years, Mike Swiger. Mike is the Executive Director of True Freedom Ministries, an evangelical, non-profit organization dedicated to reaching people locked in jails and prisons, the homeless, and those trapped in addiction across Ohio. While a student at Case Western Reserve University, Mike was convicted as an accomplice to a crime his older brother committed and ended up serving 17 years for involuntary manslaughter. While incarcerated, he became a Christian and began the process of preparing himself for a better life once he was back home. In this episode, Mike and I talk about how he ended up in prison and the unconventional path he took into the non-profit world, what you think about when you have the time to examine your own heart, how the pandemic is affecting prisoners, what Mike has learned over the years about leadership, the lessons we can learn from lifers about vulnerability, and so much more! Key Topics:
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THANKS FOR LISTENING! Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at kevin@sheerclarity.com. | |||
