S6E1: Milk Carton Musings and Leadership with Nick Lozano

“As much as we need technical skills in the business world, soft skills are even more important.” Nick Lozano

Today’s guest is Nick Lozano who is a technology professional who has a love for digital media. He co-hosts a podcast called >Lead.exe, which is for anyone who wants to level up their leadership skills and enhance their careers. ​ As someone in Tech, you need soft skills because you will have to sell yourself and the business to your clients and potential prospects. So much as we need technical skills in the business world, softer skills are even more critical.

During the initial talks about Tech, Nick brings about the analogy of building a house; you can make it as high as you need to go, as big as you want, or it can be a simple one-room house and still be great. The complex sides of technology can be a headache, especially for someone outside the industry. Nick’s soft skills make it easier to understand the technical side of technology in a fun way.

The audience you present to will determine how you will do your presentation for your message to go through. This is even more so when you have a paid sponsorship and must make the audience get the news across. Sometimes being simple and precise works better than using jargon.

Making mistakes is part of the process, and I know there is room for failure, but the lowest point is if you fail once, learn from it; this is how you gain experience. The downside is that if you are making mistakes and you aren’t learning from them, you are wasting your time and energy. Be prepared for how you will receive feedback, which will broaden your perspective on issues. All feedback is there to build you; the good and the bad appreciate everyone who will give it to you.

Nick humorously shares his story and experiences making this a unique and fantastic interview to begin the year.

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S5E51: Take a Load Off: Stress Relievers for Overwrought Leaders (Part 2)

“Yes…but, Yes…and, the first disrupts the thoughts flowing while the latter connects an idea already forming.” Peter Margaritis

In today’s episode, Peter Margaritis continues his series on: Take a Load Off: Stress relievers for overwrought leaders. Peter shows how Business Improv is a tool that all leaders need to master to learn how to overcome pressures that come from business.

Awareness is one way that can help you develop confidence and help you overcome stress. Being aware of your environment can help you control your involvement in any situation, enabling you to manage and control your reactions to different triggers.

Being prepared in any circumstance adds a layer of confidence. You may not be able to foresee the unexpected, but you can be ready for the curves that may come your way. Without being prepared, in most cases, you are more concerned about anxieties and the stress of not binge prepared.

As Peter shares with us the rest of the tools he believes can help manage stress for leaders, he gives fantastic examples of different stages that help drive the points home.

S5E50: Take a Load Off: Stress Relievers for Overwrought Leaders (Part 1)

“Stress is not always bad; it can motivate us into positive, meaningful actions.” Peter Margaritis

In today’s episode, Peter Margaritis begins his series on: Take a Load Off: Stress relievers for overwrought leaders. He also shows how Business Improv is the way to go when facing uncertain situations and changes in the business world.

When trying something new, always try it with a beta test on people you are sure will give you honest feedback before taking it to the market. Peter gives an example of how something he hadn’t thought about previously became one of the most successful business decisions for 2020. Something set up to be educational also turned out to be entertaining, enjoyable, and a bonding session to learn.

What makes you happy? What doesn’t make you happy? What stresses you? Stress is part of our everyday lives. It comes from the good, the bad, and the in-between. Stress is an opportunity to make a change and make a positive outcome in the long run. Stress can help you add value to your life and business.

Peter shares some of his tools to manage stress into a positive outcome.

S5E42: Scripted For Safety Letting Go of Negativity and Dismissal (Part 2)

“How we learn to collaborate is more important than who is on the team.” Peter Margaritis

In today’s episode, Peter Margaritis continues to talk about safety, and today the main focus is psychological safety in the workspace. How a team works and is assembled speaks more volumes than the members’ contributions.

Peter talks about the meaning of psychological safety, the books he draws from, and how to handle conflict. How we react to stimuli (conflict) speaks volumes about the psychological calmness in the office. As an improv leader, it’s up to you to shift the culture of your organization or team to an open and intentional squad, where they can speak their mind and have their ideas and opinions listened to.

Listen to this and so much more in the episode; petermargaritis.com

S5E38: Off and Running Vulnerability & Generosity at the Fuel for Selfless Leaders (part 2)

“Great leaders shine the light and draw the attention to others.” Peter Margaritis

Improv Leadership sometimes means learning and being vulnerable as a tool that fuels the leaders’ thoughts and actions. It leads to turning the spotlight on others. Peter has explored different methods in today’s episode on how as a leader, one can motivate others and make them shine. The light shines every day, not just during special events.

Examples include Oprah Winfrey, Simon Sinek, and great movies like Remember the Titans and Don’t Think Twice. The Improv leader’s qualities and responsibilities regarding their teams and how they treat them.