293 Self Reflection: Assessments
Fear of the self is something that has existed for hundreds of years, it’s been something remarked upon by Plato and Socrates, and it is a very common human experience. However if we approach our talents and sense of self with curiosity we can foster a healthy, loving relationship with yourself, your career, and your future.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reflects on the assessments she was hired for and found that some of the audience didn’t “buy into” her assessments, only for said audience members to discover things about themselves.
293 Self Reflection: Assessments
Fear of the self is something that has existed for hundreds of years, it’s been something remarked upon by Plato and Socrates, and it is a very common human experience. However if we approach our talents and sense of self with curiosity we can foster a healthy, loving relationship with yourself, your career, and your future.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reflects on the assessments she was hired for and found that some of the audience didn’t “buy into” her assessments, only for said audience members to discover things about themselves.
Highlights
How you subconsciously act often reflects your talents.
Have faith in the professionals you hire.
Don’t allow the fear of how others may react or treat you based on your talents effect your desire to learn more about them.
Quotes
“One thing I’ve noticed in my work with clients is that some people want to distance themselves from their results, and for one reason or another they don’t want to experience themselves through the concepts of whatever assessment they took.”
“I get it. Most of us have been given negative feedback about our talents, we’ve been criticized for our approach to problem solving.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
When was a time you were skeptical about something and decided to be open to the possibility anyway? Have you recently changed your mind about something you believed strongly? What story can you tell to demonstrate your willingness to change your mind, to demonstrate your ability to take in new information that might alter how you see yourself, or how to approach a problem.
Add your story to your collection of stories, because whether you’re interviewing for a job, interviewing for a podcast, or maybe even on a date, having the right story to share can demonstrate exactly the qualities you want people to know about you.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
292 Food Stories
Love languages come in many different forms; gift giving, words of affirmation, and for today’s episode specifically, the act of cooking and giving a good meal to those you hold close. It is vital to the health and continuation of relationships that we discover these languages and think about how these actions impact how others view us.
In this episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on the concept of love languages and how important they are to understand and how they influence how we are perceived by others and ourselves.
292 Food Stories
Love languages come in many different forms; gift giving, words of affirmation, and for today’s episode specifically, the act of cooking and giving a good meal to those you hold close. It is vital to the health and continuation of relationships that we discover these languages and think about how these actions impact how others view us.
In this episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on the concept of love languages and how important they are to understand and how they influence how we are perceived by others and ourselves.
Highlights
Discovering your love language is vital to understanding how you are seen by others.
Living in the moment and enjoying that moment is more rewarding than any photograph.
Find your why and realize how it impacts yourself and those around you.
Quotes
“I think a lot about legacy, about how I want to know myself and how I want people to experience me. And in my work as a speaker and coach I’ve asked a lot of people those questions: “How do you want to see yourself? What do you want to see in yourself? Kindness? Intelligence? Competence? What do you need to know or experience to be confident that you are those things?”
“I asked her the question: How do you want to see yourself? What words do you want to use to describe yourself?
Her answer didn’t surprise me, but it surprised her a little. She said: I want to see myself as resilient, competent, and thoughtful.
My next question made her stop to think: How will you know you are those things?
After a few moments she answered: “When the people I care about describe me that way.”
“And what do you need to DO, to BE, to SAY to ensure they describe you that way?”.”
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
291 The Stories We Keep
As much as we all may wish for life to be sunshine and daisies we can often end up focusing on the storms and trials that accompany them. It can be easy to lose yourself to grief and bitterness when viewing your life through those storm clouds, however it is important to remember that it is only a passing thing that shadow and even darkness must pass, and how you tell your story after those times can reframe how you see your life and give hope to others who may be going through something similar.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and the esteemed Rob Kugler discuss the importance of stories involving grief and sorrow, while also acknowledging the great acts of kindness and courage it takes to survive through these times in life.
291 The Stories We Keep
As much as we all may wish for life to be sunshine and daisies we can often end up focusing on the storms and trials that accompany them. It can be easy to lose yourself to grief and bitterness when viewing your life through those storm clouds, however it is important to remember that it is only a passing thing that shadow and even darkness must pass, and how you tell your story after those times can reframe how you see your life and give hope to others who may be going through something similar.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and the esteemed Rob Kugler discuss the importance of stories involving grief and sorrow, while also acknowledging the great acts of kindness and courage it takes to survive through these times in life.
Highlights
Spite can be a great motivator in certain circumstances.
Stay mindful of how you tell your story so that you tell it in a way that can be appreciated and reflect your values.
Doing your best in situations where things feel out of control.
It’s important to know that what you’re going through is not uncommon and to tell those stories brings comfort and acknowledgement to others. No story is too mundane to tell.
Quotes
“People keep on asking, “Hey are you going to write another book?” And I tell people, “Yes, I’d love to but I haven’t done the things I want to do to write about yet.”.”
“There’s not alot to complain about if you don’t look at the one thing you can’t have.”
“When is that moment, or when is that conversation that starts your story? There’s times when, even to get to the other side as we mentioned earlier, just moving forward with confidence of knowing the value of the story that already exists. So if we’re like to say “Hey I want to look at making a second edition.” But also following through on the ideas of the calendars and prints from the photos that I took along the journey.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
The first thing I’m going to ask you to do is when you read a book that you really like, leave a review. You can do it on Amazon, on Good Reads, maybe share it because those of us who have written books know that writing a review really is meaningful, so if you really liked a book leave a review even if you kind of liked a book write a review and leave three or four stars. But write a review because that means people are reading the book and that matters to us.
The second thing I’m going to ask you to do is to consider what struggles you’ve experienced in your life, what grief you’ve experienced in your life, and how you can frame that story so that somebody else can feel what you’re feeling and see what it’s like to come out the other side.
That’s what I’m asking you to do because your stories don’t define you, but how you tell them will.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Rob from his LinkedIn
Through experiences from teaching Pre-K to leading Marines, from acting in Los Angeles to field marketing, from leading volunteers in Disaster Relief Operations to finishing a degree in Fire Protection Technology, from traveling the country taking photographs with my three-legged labrador to publishing a book with a major publisher, well rounded life experience is my biggest asset.
I am currently bringing those experiences into classwork at Washington State University where I am obtaining a degree in Strategic Communications.
My goal at WSU is to learn new ways that my writing and photography can not only tell stories of my experiences, but the stories of brands, companies, organizations and people I believe in.
Be sure to check out Rob’s LinkedIn, his photography Instagram, and Facebook! As well as Marcus Brotherton and Rob’s website Life Illustrated!
Pick up a copy of his book A Dog Named Beautiful! And be sure to check out No Vet Alone where you can help veterans in need.
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
290 Ideation
Working on ourselves is a never ending yet very worthwhile endeavor that shapes who we become as people, and where we want to go in life. Sometimes that work is hard and can seem intimidating or at the very least tedious, especially if our strengths have been criticized or used against us in the past. However, like anything worth doing, growing as an individual takes hard work and support, especially from yourself.
In this episode Sarah Elkins poses this thought to the listeners of Your Stories Don’t Define You How You Tell Them Will, and implores us to look inward and begin to see our strengths as things that can benefit us instead of hinder us.
290 Ideation
Working on ourselves is a never ending yet very worthwhile endeavor that shapes who we become as people, and where we want to go in life. Sometimes that work is hard and can seem intimidating or at the very least tedious, especially if our strengths have been criticized or used against us in the past. However, like anything worth doing, growing as an individual takes hard work and support, especially from yourself.
In this episode Sarah Elkins poses this thought to the listeners of Your Stories Don’t Define You How You Tell Them Will, and implores us to look inward and begin to see our strengths as things that can benefit us instead of hinder us.
Highlights
Love your talents because they make you who you are even if you sometimes struggle with them.
Practicing what you have learned and want to learn will improve your skills both new and old.
Allowing yourself to flow in whatever way you need to go.
Quotes
“One thing I became aware of in the first year of my coaching practice, is that I have to be very careful not to project my own feelings onto my clients.”
“The space between stimulant and response and the choice we have in that space. Will we give that stimulant a positive, negative, or neutral value?”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Have you reacted defensively to frustration after seeing the results of an assessment, maybe like the Clifton Strengths, Meyers-Briggs, Enneagram, or Disc? What are the memories that are surfacing after seeing those qualities that were criticized in the past, and what stories can you begin to collect as evidence of those results as beneficial in your life as strengths.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
289 Fear Is A Liar
Doubt, fear, and feeling awkward is a normal human experience, although it is important to celebrate the great and amazing things you do and are capable of, it is just as important to acknowledge that we all have limitations and we all feel fear in trying the new or the not quite perfected. It is only through facing and accepting that fear and persevering onward that we can continue to grow into our ideal selves.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Tammy Hader discuss how fear influences our decision and the importance of overcoming that fear in order to succeed in life and grow as an individual by confronting your fears and inner monologue in order to become the best version of yourself.
289 Fear Is A Liar
Doubt, fear, and feeling awkward is a normal human experience, although it is important to celebrate the great and amazing things you do and are capable of, it is just as important to acknowledge that we all have limitations and we all feel fear in trying the new or the not quite perfected. It is only through facing and accepting that fear and persevering onward that we can continue to grow into our ideal selves.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Tammy Hader discuss how fear influences our decision and the importance of overcoming that fear in order to succeed in life and grow as an individual by confronting your fears and inner monologue in order to become the best version of yourself.
Highlights
Sometimes our fears motivate us, but we have to remember we’ll only be scared in the moment and nothing will ever be as bad as our fear convinces us it will be.
Perspectives shift and change as we grow and that is okay.
It’s okay to occasionally have doubts but never let them consume you.
It’s okay for behaviors you are trying to teach yourself to feel awkward and unnatural at first, but eventually they will come naturally.
Quotes
“It’s only going to be scary while I’m surrounded by things I don’t see, and once I’m on top of that fear everything will be fine.”
“What I’ve kind of figured out through this whole process is that you can take that regret and if you just own it and learn from it, then it kind of turns it into something a lot more special, and meaningful, and at times maybe even something beautiful, and it gives you something you can bond with each other over.”
“I’m just an average person which is kind of the point, I’m one of the millions of average people out there that could change the world just by being a little kinder everyday. You know it’s really us worker bees that can do that, it’s not the grand viral gestures that can make the biggest most sustainable difference.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Time to look in the mirror. It’s time to look up, and do that thing that’s uncomfortable for you, model what you want to see in the world remember that when you put something out there whether it’s on social media or in person, you are sending signals about what kind of person you are, whether you’re a loving and kind person or whether you’re a person who’s judgmental and hateful. So pay attention because this is your legacy.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Tammy
Tammy Hader possesses no official, academic writer’s pedigree. With a BBA in accounting from Wichita State University, her history resides in numbers. After a 30-year accounting career, Tammy reinvented herself as a writer in 2018. She is an essay writer at Medium, BizCatalyst360, and WebMD. Tammy is an editor for the Medium publication Journal of Journeys, and she is a contributing author in the Daily Gift Book Series. When not writing, she enjoys caring for her mom, cooking for her family, and serving her two rescue kitties with the royal attention they deserve.
Be sure to check out her website and pick up her book at Tammy Hader! Connect with her on her Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
288 Do Overs
It’s completely normal to have limiting beliefs and times in life that are stressful and discouraging, they can make you feel as if you’re alone and stuck in a rut that you can’t quite escape. However it is not the end of the world, although it is difficult you can change these thought processes and pull yourself out of the rut you’re in, through your hardwork and determination as well as a supportive network you can give yourself a “do over” and change the trajectory of your life for the better.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Curt Sassak discuss the importance of giving yourself grace to change and start over, as well as unlearning the harmful ideologies that have been ingrained in us, while working towards a fulfilling and meaningful life.
288 Do Over
It’s completely normal to have limiting beliefs and times in life that are stressful and discouraging, they can make you feel as if you’re alone and stuck in a rut that you can’t quite escape. However it is not the end of the world, although it is difficult you can change these thought processes and pull yourself out of the rut you’re in, through your hardwork and determination as well as a supportive network you can give yourself a “do over” and change the trajectory of your life for the better.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Curt Sassak discuss the importance of giving yourself grace to change and start over, as well as unlearning the harmful ideologies that have been ingrained in us, while working towards a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Highlights
What beliefs or phrases are you carrying with you from someone you know from your formative years?
You are what you practice.
You can always start over when you recognize patterns that negatively affect you.
Quotes
“Limiting beliefs are so insidious and are so ingrained in us we don’t even recognize them.”
“One of those things I can change and have complete control over is my attitude. I can be negative and moany or I can just accept, “Okay this is how it is right now but it doesn’t mean it’s permanent.” And you chin up, and weather the storm, smooth seas don’t make a skilled sailor. That was another thing, that was when it really hit me that it really comes down to mindset. We have a choice, we all have a choice.”
“When you take responsibility you have control over it.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I’m going to ask you to consider the Victor Frankle quote which is one of my favorites, and I’m going to paraphrase because I don’t have it completely memorized, but Victor Frankle was a Holocaust survivor and if he can say this after experiencing Auschwitz almost anyone can relate to this. And his comment was, “There is space between stimulant and response and in that space is our choice.” Listeners, I am asking you to take that space between something that’s happening and how you respond to it, to choose the value instead of giving it automatic value, positive or negative. Really consider that part of your life that you are frustrated with, is it happening to you or is it happening for you.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Curt
A former award-winning executive chef of 27 years. Very successful, Curt climbed every career mountain but found emptiness at the top and lost his purpose and fulfillment. He now helps leaders and executives who end up in the same predicament rediscover their "why" and purpose in life and career.
Be sure to check out Curt’s LinkedIn like this post or this one! As well as his Free Training offer!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
Episode 287 Should I Stay or Should I Go?
When you’ve been in a job position, or really any position, long enough you will notice things that make that position grating on your nerves, or maybe it’s even making you sick to some degree due to how you are treated in the workplace. Maybe these issues are simply perceptions you have or projections onto others of a much larger issue. Regardless it is your responsibility to be mindful of these actions and decide what will be best for you and fall in line with your values.
In this reuploaded episode of 217, Sarah Elkins and Karen Elkins Cohen discuss stories from their careers on clients they’ve helped and what these people inadvertently taught them, and through these stories they hope that you too will gain something useful and helpful to your own life.
Episode 287 Should I Stay or Should I Go?
When you’ve been in a job position, or really any position, long enough you will notice things that make that position grating on your nerves, or maybe it’s even making you sick to some degree due to how you are treated in the workplace. Maybe these issues are simply perceptions you have or projections onto others of a much larger issue. Regardless it is your responsibility to be mindful of these actions and decide what will be best for you and fall in line with your values.
In this reuploaded episode of 217, Sarah Elkins and Karen Elkins Cohen discuss stories from their careers on clients they’ve helped and what these people inadvertently taught them, and through these stories they hope that you too will gain something useful and helpful to your own life.
Highlights
It’s okay to love your work but make sure that you are in touch with your own values and messages so you can decide if the work you’re doing now should be continued in the same way.
Keep your communications respectful regardless of if that respect is reciprocated
Take accountability for your own actions, acknowledge and learn from your mistakes.
Quotes
“Sometimes we don't know that it’s time to move on to a new opportunity, we may love the work we’re doing or the organization we’re doing it.”
“If you find yourself continually late to work, ask yourself if you are dreading the work, the environment, your supervisor, or if there’s a different reason.”
“Anyone who has held a job has made a mistake at some point.”
About Karen
Karen is a Human Resources and Organization Development expert with more than 20 years of human resources experience. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders for the University of Northern Colorado and a Master’s degree in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco.
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!