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105: From Uncertainty to Clarity: Managing Grey Area Behaviours

105: From Uncertainty to Clarity: Managing Grey Area Behaviours

by | Nov 29, 2023

Navigate a critical leadership skill: Managing Grey Area Behaviours

Grey Area Behaviours

Welcome back to another episode of Soft Skills for Leaders. I’m your host, Lisa Evans, and today we have a very important and timely topic to discuss: Grey Area Behaviours in the workplace.

Joining me today is Yhana Lanwin, the founder and CEO of Sans Prejudice Solutions, who brings a wealth of expertise in diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Grey area behaviours, those actions that aren’t clearly right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable. These behaviours can create discomfort, ethical dilemmas, and even serious issues in the workplace. As legislative changes require employers to provide a psychologically safe workplace, it’s crucial for leaders to navigate these grey areas with finesse.

Yhana shares her expertise on the subject, highlighting the three common grey area behaviours: silence, uncertainty, and micromanaging. We explore the impact of uncertainty in the workplace and how leaders can address it through effective communication. 

Timestamps

01:50 Concerned about a lack of change, a driving force for Yhana.

04:38 Defining black and gold behaviours to understand grey.

08:42 Acknowledge power, influence, and responsibility as leaders.

10:03 Consistency and listening are important for leaders.

16:34 Creating spaces for conversations, and training struggles to be effective.

19:06 Leaders need to prioritise psychological safety. Confidentiality, independent support, and trauma-informed responses are crucial. 

23:23 Leaders can use system controls to address bias, discrimination, and mental health impact. Affordable online tools are now available. 

25:35 Evaluation of biases through technology and self-awareness.

27:45 Emerging research database offers trends and they are free.

Why Listen?

Gain valuable insights on how grey area behavours can impact your team’s morale, create ethical dilemmas, and even affect individual mental health. Discover practical strategies to navigate grey areas, foster psychological safety, and become a leader who thrives in the ever-changing landscape of modern leadership.

Talking Points

  • Grey area behaviours: Complex workplace actions with ambiguous consequences.

  • Leadership impact: Acknowledging influence and modelling positive behaviours.

  • Psychological safety: Creating a safe and supportive work environment.

  • Reporting processes: Clarity, confidentiality, and involving independent parties.

  • Seeking outside help: Mediation and expert advice for challenging situations.

  • Using technology: Tools to address bias and promote diversity.

  • Creating a thriving culture: Routines, structured spaces, and open conversations.

The top three takeaways from this episode are:

1. Grey area behaviours can create discomfort, ethical dilemmas, and issues in the workplace. Leaders need to be aware of these behaviours and address them to create a psychologically safe workplace.

2. Psychological safety: Leaders must prioritize psychological safety in the workplace. This means acknowledging their impact and influence, modelling appropriate behaviours, and creating a space where employees feel safe to speak up about any issues they may be facing. 

3. Using technology for bias and discrimination: Leaders can utilise tools and technology to address bias and discrimination within their teams. Apps and tools can help assess gender-balanced language in job ads and identify subconscious bias. Checking out research from databases like Sage publications can provide valuable insights. 

Quotes

Creating a Safe Space for Discussions: “It’s around being able to create a space where if you can talk about small things, then you don’t need to talk about big things.”

The Best Tool for Podcasters – check out CastMagic

Connect with Ghana Lanwin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yhanaduffy/

Connect with Lisa Evans 

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website  https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your speaking, presenting and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are based in Australia, you may be interested in hosting a facilitated storytelling for leader’s workshop. I have delivered these workshops to groups worldwide, both in-person and online. There is a format to suit every group, from two hours to two days. Click the button below, to find out how you can get ahead in your communication using the power of storytelling. 
Let’s chat
Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Soft Skills for Leaders podcast.  She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations.  If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.
Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

104: Cracking the Email Code for Clear, Professional Communication

104: Cracking the Email Code for Clear, Professional Communication

by | Nov 2, 2023

How to ensure your emails are clear and professional communication

Cracking the email code

In this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders, host Lisa Evans chats with Carmel Luck, a communication specialist, to discuss the fascinating topic of Cracking the Email Code for Clear Communication.

Emails have become an integral part of our daily lives, and it’s crucial for leaders to master the art of effective written communication. Carmel will be sharing valuable insights and practical tips on navigating the email landscape with clarity, conciseness, and impact. 

We’ll explore the use of email helpers, such as voting buttons and file-sharing tools, to streamline communication and save precious time. Discover the power of email templates and auto-responses to enhance your efficiency and manage expectations. 

But it’s not just about productivity. Carmel will delve into the importance of inclusive email communication, considering cultural differences and the needs of diverse recipients. We’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls, like excessive exclamation marks or passive-aggressive language, that can inadvertently cause misunderstandings or frustration. 

Carmel will guide us through best practices, from crafting concise and informative subject lines to using bullet points and bold formatting to highlight key information. We’ll also explore the impact of scheduling emails and the expectations of constant availability in our ever-connected world.

Timestamps

00:01:17 General discussion about how emails have become overwhelming. 

00:06:09 Keep emails concise and consider alternative methods. What needs to go into an email to get your point across? 

00:08:43 Email frustration and passive-aggressive behaviour that can come out in an email. 

00:12:44 Etiquette is important for effective email communication.

00:15:47 Professionalism is key; be approachable and cautious.

00:18:50 Increased email responsiveness prompts increased scheduling tool usage.

00:21:26 Use email tools appropriately: subject, language, compassion.

00:26:23 Email helpers save time by providing tools like voting buttons, file shares, templates, and auto-responses.

00:27:41 Customise email message for mobile efficiency.

Why Listen?

“Master the art of clear and effective communication in every email you send, taking your leadership skills to new heights”

Talking Points

  • Importance of clear and effective email communication.
  • Using email helpers like voting buttons and file-sharing tools.
  • The impact of tone and language in emails.
  • Avoiding passive-aggressive language and excessive punctuation.
  • The need for thoughtful consideration of recipients.
  • Managing expectations and respecting personal time.
  • Promoting inclusive and accessible email communication.
  • Choosing the appropriate communication tool for complex or sensitive topics
  • Implementing the “zero inbox” policy and reducing email clutter.
  • Reflecting on the impact of constant email availability.

The top three takeaways from this episode are:

1.Using email helpers and tools such as voting buttons, file-sharing tools, and email templates to enhance productivity and save time. 

2. Be mindful of clarity and tone: The significance of clear and concise communication in emails. Excessive punctuation marks, sarcasm, and passive-aggressive language can lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings. 

3. Prioritise professionalism and inclusivity: It is essential to be mindful of professionalism in email communication. It is important to avoid mixing personal opinions with professional perspectives and to always stick to stating facts. Inclusive communication must consider different cultures.

Quotes

“The Importance of Professionalism in Emails: “You can never get into hot water if your email is perfectly professional and just stating facts.”

The Best Tool for Podcasters – check out CastMagic

Connect with Carmel Luck 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmel-luck-66b4aa32/

Connect with Lisa Evans 

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website  https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your speaking, presenting and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa.

 

If you are based in Australia, you may be interested in hosting a facilitated storytelling for leader’s workshop. I have delivered these workshops to groups worldwide, both in-person and online. There is a format to suit every group, from two hours to two days. Click the button below, to find out how you can get ahead in your communication using the power of storytelling. 
Let’s chat
Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Soft Skills for Leaders podcast.  She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations.  If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.
Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

103: Creating a Culture of Connection

103: Creating a Culture of Connection

by | Oct 10, 2023

From Small Talk to Big Impact: Harnessing the Power of Personal Conversations

Creating a Culture of Connection

In this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders, host Lisa Evans chats with Kirryn Zerna, a former corporate communications professional in the financial services industry, who spent the first 20 years of her career developing campaigns for large-scale organisations aimed at capturing the hearts and minds of their employees.

Inspired by her passion for public speaking, she transitioned into becoming a speaker herself, focusing on helping individuals envision new possibilities and take the next step in their personal growth. After leaving the corporate world, Kirryn ventured into the field of marketing, where she specialised in assisting small businesses to stand out from the competition.

Welcome back to Soft Skills for Leaders, the podcast where we delve into the human side of leadership to help you enhance your skills and create a culture of connection. I’m your host, Lisa Evans, and I’m thrilled to be bringing you another episode filled with curious conversations, tips, tools, and ideas to develop critical leadership skills.

Before we dive into today’s topic, I want to address the gap in releasing episodes recently. Finding available interviewees during busy times has presented some challenges, but I’m back on track!

I’m considering incorporating more solo episodes based on a suggestion from one of our listeners. Speaking of which, I’d love to hear from you! What topics would you like to explore in upcoming episodes? Drop me a message and let me know.

Now, let’s get into today’s episode.

Connection is the glue that holds organisations together, but building those connections can be challenging due to individual differences and remote work.

In this conversation, we will discuss how connected leaders understand and meet the needs of their teams and organisations. Through effective communication and small talk, they bridge gaps and cultivate high performance.

We’ll also explore the impact of remote work and flexible schedules on connection, as well as the importance of maintaining boundaries while staying connected. Kirryn will provide practical advice on developing communication, understanding team members’ preferred communication methods, and creating rhythms that foster engagement and productivity.

So, whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out on your leadership journey, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable tips to help you create a culture of connection. Stay tuned as we dive into the art of connection with Kirryn Zerna.

“We’re living in a place where there’s an attention scarcity, that there are so many channels, so many digital options competing for our attention and so we need to be intentional about communicating which ones we will use and then stick to that plan.”

Timestamps

00:05:15 Connection is vital; a leader understands team, organisation, relationships.

00:08:57 Flexible work hours, diverse communication methods, potential misunderstandings.

00:10:13 Increased expectation for quick response in flexible work.

00:13:48 Setting intentional boundaries in a global work environment.

00:18:16 Remote work lacks social connection and trust.

00:22:37 Leaders should clearly communicate their preferences.

00:26:36 Building team rapport is important for productivity.

00:28:13 Curiosity, listening, and effective communication for leaders.

Why Listen?

Discover the transformative power of connection in leadership as we explore practical strategies to create a culture of connection and unleash the full potential of your team. Tune in to gain valuable insights and unlock the secrets of fostering meaningful relationships in the workplace.

Talking Points

  • Importance of connection in organisations and its role in team dynamics and performance.
  • Impact of small talk on employee well-being and behaviour at work.
  • Importance of understanding individual preferences for work and communication.
  • Importance of social connection in the workplace and challenges in remote work.
  • Challenges and opportunities in digital communication and maintaining boundaries.
  • Importance of clear communication styles and setting expectations.

The top three takeaways from this episode are:

1. Building connections and cultivating a culture of connection is essential for leaders. It acts as the glue that holds the organisation together and leads to better team dynamics and performance.

2. Small talk plays a significant role in fostering connection and improving employees’ well-being and behaviour at work. Leaders should not neglect the art of small talk and engage in personal conversations to show interest, build rapport, and create connections.

3. Effective communication is crucial for maintaining connections in today’s fast-paced, digital work environment. Leaders should establish clear communication styles and preferences, have upfront conversations, and develop an “operating manual” for each team member to ensure effective and efficient communication.

Quotes

“I see inclusive leadership as the use of inclusion to support individuals, teams and organisations performing. Every single person, regardless of their identity, functions better when they have a sense of belonging and that their uniqueness is valued.”

The Best Tool for Podcasters – check out CastMagic

Connect with Kirryn Zerna

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirrynzerna/

Website: https://www.kirrynzerna.com/

Connect with Lisa Evans 

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website  https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your speaking, presenting and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa.

 

 

If you are based in Australia, you may be interested in hosting a facilitated storytelling for leader’s workshop. I have delivered these workshops to groups worldwide, both in-person and online. There is a format to suit every group, from two hours to two days. Click the button below, to find out how you can get ahead in your communication using the power of storytelling. 
Let’s chat
Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Soft Skills for Leaders podcast.  She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations.  If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.
Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

102: Inclusive Leadership with Síle Walsh

102: Inclusive Leadership with Síle Walsh

by | Aug 1, 2023

Building Successful Teams with Inclusive Leadership

 

In this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders, host Lisa Evans chats with Síle Walsh.

Síle is a captivating leader specialising in leadership and organisational development. Her focus is on creating inclusive environments that foster performance and psychological safety.

With a background in coaching psychology and organisational development, Síle brings over a decade of experience working with clients both in Ireland and internationally.

Her mission is clear: supporting effective leadership to cultivate high-performing, inclusive workplaces where people not only thrive but also achieve extraordinary results. Get ready to be inspired as Síle shares her expertise and passion for making a lasting impact on organizations worldwide through our podcast..

Timestamps 

[00:01:17] From car washing to leadership coaching. 

[00:06:43] What is Inclusive leadership? 

[00:09:50] Journey of self-improvement and overcoming biases.

[00:12:02] Inclusive leadership to address diverse needs. 

[00:17:11] Inclusive leadership involves acknowledging valid perspectives, considering organisational values, and reassessing decisions. It requires self-regulation and listening for nuances in language and values.

[00:24:15] Reduced fear, improved performance, higher engagement, better outcomes.

[00:29:20] Inclusion is a shared responsibility for all.

[00:36:39] Inclusive skills, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking are essential soft skills for leaders.

Summary

 In this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders, Síle Walsh discusses the importance of inclusive leadership, highlighting the need for leaders to embrace diversity, create psychological safety, and develop essential skills such as emotional intelligence and critical thinking.

Talking Points

  • The importance of acknowledging that everyone’s position is valid.
  • Taking into account organisational values, mission, and purpose in decision-making.
  • Asking the team to reassess their decision before reassessing the leader’s own decision.
  • Developing the team’s capacity for inclusive decision-making in future meetings.
  • The self-regulation and multiple truth perspectives required for inclusive leadership.
  • Considering nuances in language and different perspectives in discussions about inclusion.
  • Being attentive to what has been missed or misunderstood between people in meetings.

The top three takeaways from this episode are:

  1. The top three takeaways from this episode on inclusive leadership are:

    1. Inclusive leadership is essential for maximizing the potential of teams and organisations. It allows leaders to leverage the individual competencies of team members to enhance overall performance.

    2. Inclusion fosters psychological safety within the team, enabling individuals to express their true thoughts and contribute to the work without fear. This leads to more innovative and creative ideas, robust decision-making, and improved business outcomes.

    3. Inclusive leadership is a shared responsibility that requires active participation and contribution from everyone in the organisation. This includes leaders, colleagues, and individuals themselves, who should communicate their needs and seek support to create an inclusive work environment.

Quotes

“I see inclusive leadership as the use of inclusion to support individuals, teams and organisations performing. Every single person, regardless of their identity, functions better when they have a sense of belonging and that their uniqueness is valued.”

Powered by CastMagic 

Links to other Soft Skills for Leaders podcast episodes

Self-Awareness with Dr Nia Thomas

 Leading with Empathy

Connect with Síle Walsh

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silewalsh/

Website: https://www.silewalsh.com/

Connect With Lisa Evans

Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa. Book a complimentary 30-minute  session to find out how I can help you share your message.

Book a complimentary mini-coaching session with Lisa here.

 

 

If you are based in Australia, you may be interested in hosting a facilitated storytelling for leader’s workshop. I have delivered these workshops to groups worldwide, both in-person and online. There is a format to suit every group, from two hours to two days. Click the button below, to find out how you can get ahead in your communication using the power of storytelling. 
Let’s chat
Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Soft Skills for Leaders podcast. 

She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations. 

If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.

Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

101: Building a Culture of Thriving with Arthur Carmazzi

101: Building a Culture of Thriving with Arthur Carmazzi

by | Jul 21, 2023

Building a Culture of Thriving as a Leader

 

In this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders, host Lisa Evans sits down with Arthur Carmazzi to discuss the importance of soft skills in building a thriving culture, highlighting key skills such as empathy, communication, and being concise, along with creating an inclusive and diverse workplace and understanding different processing types.

Arthur is not only a thought leader and a renowned speaker, but also the founder of Directive Communication Psychology and The Coloured Brain, two incredibly innovative approaches to understanding human behaviour and enhancing leadership skills.

 

Timestamps

[00:00:03] Arthur Caramazzi founder of Directive Communication Psychology and The Coloured Brain. 

[00:05:34] Blaming people, realising it’s the environment, and ultimately saving the company.

[00:09:06] Different industries require different cultures for success. Key factors include a safe environment, trust and respect.

[00:11:51] A good culture values and empowers individuals.

[00:15:42] Personality is complex; cannot be simplified.

[00:20:23] Lack of communication and differing processes hinder productivity.

[00:23:46] Embrace diversity, respect others, and foster growth.

[00:28:30] Creating awareness and connection with language in workplace.

[00:33:05] Understand your coloured brain and perception gaps.

[00:38:26] Soft skills: empathy, communication, and being concise.

 

Summary 

Building a thriving culture and creating an inclusive and diverse workplace and understanding different processing types. 

Talking Points

  • Arthur’s journey: From blaming others to developing models that saved the company money
  • Roller coaster ride: From managing director to losing all his money.
  • Blame game – the importance of understanding one’s processing style and ambiguity relief process. 
  • Leadership identity and skills in different areas of life.
  •  Knowing self and the culture for effective leadership.
  •  Clarity, understanding our Coloured Brain, and desired culture are foundational.
  • Soft skills: awareness, communication, conciseness. 
  • Business mindset and culture – Importance of a safe environment, trust, and respect in a good culture.
  •  Connecting on a higher level and creating a thriving culture.
  •  Respecting diversity and authenticity.
  • Understanding and respecting different perspectives.
  • Building genuine connections and supporting emotional motivations. 

Top Three Takeaways From This Episode

  1. Building a culture of thriving requires understanding and practising soft skills such as empathy, communication, and being concise. These skills are essential for creating a safe and inclusive environment where people can thrive and succeed.
  2. Understanding different processing types and learning how to effectively communicate and collaborate with people who have different perspectives is crucial. The Coloured Brain model can help teams understand each other better and improve relationships, promoting a culture of respect and understanding.
  3. Trust and respect are the foundations of a culture where people can thrive. Creating a diverse and authentic workplace environment where individuals can be their true selves and grow personally and professionally is key to building a culture of thriving.

 

Powered by CastMagic 

Links to other Soft Skills for Leaders podcast episodes

Leading with Purpose 

Head and Heart Leadership

 Leading with Empathy

Connect with Arthur Carmazzi

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/arthurcarmazzi/

Website: https://carmazzi.net/

Quotes

If we can ultimately help people to be who they think they should be and help them on a journey of who they want to become and create that within a diverse setting. And now what you’re doing is you’re creating a culture of diversity, but at the same time, The precedent is that you get to be you, and that is ultimately the criteria for basically, you know, achieving this higher level of thinking – Arthur Carmazzi

 

Connect With Lisa Evans

Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa. Book a complimentary 30-minute  session to find out how I can help you share your message. 

Book a complimentary mini-coaching session with Lisa here.

 

 

If you are based in Australia, you may be interested in hosting a facilitated storytelling for leader’s workshop. I have delivered these workshops to groups worldwide, both in-person and online. There is a format to suit every group, from two hours to two days. Click the button below, to find out how you can get ahead in your communication using the power of storytelling. 
Let’s chat
Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Soft Skills for Leaders podcast. 

She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations. 

If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.

Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

100: Redefining Leadership to Inspire Sustainable Change with Vikas Garg

100: Redefining Leadership to Inspire Sustainable Change with Vikas Garg

by | Jun 20, 2023

 

Sustainable Change – Redefining Leadership

On this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders, my guest is Vikas Garg, founder of Abillion, a digital platform that encourages conscious living and advocates for a vegan lifestyle to promote sustainability and social equity.

Find out how Vikas Garg is redefining leadership and creating sustainable change through his movement and purpose. 

Vikas has a passion for promoting a plant-based lifestyle, and discusses how individually we can have more impact on sustainability than governments or corporations.

The interview explores topics such as the importance of empathy and trust as a leader, as well as the impact of animal consumption on social equity and biodiversity. Vikas also shares his personal journey towards becoming vegan, and how ABillion aims to inspire more people to choose plant-based options through the community-based platform. 

Tune in to listen to this episode,  a thought-provoking exploration of sustainability and how individuals can make a difference through their daily habits.

Timestamps

[00:00:30] Introducing Vikas Garg, founder of Abillion, a digital platform promoting sustainable change.

[00:02:28] From India to  New York, Vikas had a successful career that led him around the world, but began to question if he wanted to spend the rest of his life in the finance space. He started to think about the role of his values and personal mission, which led him to start his own company.

[00:06:16] Vikas was raised vegetarian and appreciates how his values have given him a sense of purpose. Choosing a vegan lifestyle was influenced by his parents’ health issues and a better understanding of the impact on health and the environment that dairy has.

[00:11:08] Sustainability is about social equity and biodiversity loss caused by consuming animals making us and the planet sick, leading to diseases, deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. We have an opportunity to change.

[00:15:41] Abillion inspires sustainable living through consumption, creating a digital community to help people find the best vegan options and influence businesses to do more. The community aims to inspire simple changes like modifying diet

[00:22:20] Great food must be convenient and accessible. Show empathy, not judgment. Create a positive community on social media. Incremental change is good, as reduction is just as important as achieving absolute change.

[00:25:30] Large, strong, fast animals are mostly vegetarian, getting protein from plants. Humans get a diluted form of protein from animals, while plants provide clean protein and essential amino acids. Dairy products are marketed as good sources of protein and calcium, but there are other options. Marketing influences ideas about food more than reality.

[00:30:34] Soft skills driving success. Leadership requires listening, empathy and trust in your team. It’s important to make decisions by considering everyone’s voice and feelings. Trust your team and give them space to execute.

[00:33:40] Exciting times are ahead for the business to impact more people and double charitable donations. Mission: inspiring a billion people to go vegan.

[00:36:00] Speaking to a room of professional speakers, he didn’t see that coming!

Summary 

An inspiring interview with a conscious living entrepreneur Vikas Garg founder of Abillion, a digital platform tackling sustainability through personal consumption. He is redefining leadership for sustainable change. 

Talking Points

🌱 The benefits of a plant-based diet for sustainability, health, and animal welfare.

 🌎 The sustainability challenges we face, including water scarcity, deforestation, and climate change.

🍴 The challenges of finding vegan options while dining out and how technology can help.

🤝 The importance of empathy, trust, and active listening for effective leadership.

 💻 The mission of Abillion, a digital platform that helps consumers make sustainable choices.

 🎁 The impact of donations on social causes and the goal of doubling Abillion’s charitable contributions.

 🙌🏼 Redefining Leadership through positive incremental change and how individual actions can make a difference.

🧐 The need for critical thinking and questioning the status quo when making decisions.

 🌿 The misconceptions surrounding veganism, including the myth that it’s carb-heavy.

 💕 The importance of living the values you believe in and being grateful for the influence of family.

Powered by CastMagic 

Links to other Soft Skills for Leaders podcast episodes

Leading with Purpose 

Head and Heart Leadership

Connect with Vikas Garg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikas-garg/

Website: https://www.abillion.com/explore

Quotes

“We can solve so many of our biggest social and sustainability challenges just by looking at what’s on our plate.”

“Animal consumption is a leading cause of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions and suggests that society has the opportunity to change its meat consumption habits and act with greater compassion”

Connect With Lisa Evans

Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa. Book a complimentary 30-minute  session to find out how I can help you share your message. 

Book a complimentary mini-coaching session with Lisa here.

 

If you are based in Australia, you may be interested in hosting a facilitated storytelling for leader’s workshop. I have delivered these workshops to groups worldwide, both in-person and online. There is a format to suit every group, from two hours to two days. Click the button below, to find out how you can get ahead in your communication using the power of storytelling. 
Let’s chat
Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Soft Skills for Leaders podcast. 

She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations. 

If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.

Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker