The Change Your Mindset Podcast

Welcome to the Change Your Mindset podcast, hosted by Peter Margaritis, CPA, AKA The Accidental Accountant. Peter is a speaker, expert in applied improvisation and author of the book 'Improv Is No Joke, Using Improvization to Create Positive Results in Leadership and Life'. Peter's new book, Taking the Numb Our of Numbers: Explaining & Presenting Financial Information with Confidence and Clarity will be published in June 2018.

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.

Beautiful Asian business woman sitting on a bench relaxing, meditating and performing breathing exercises

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.

Business woman making plans with somebody, shaking hands.

S5E49: Unscripted Give and Take: Using Business Improv to Resolve Disputes and Negotiate Deals (Part 2)

“Negotiation is not a fight but a collaboration. Prepare more than memorize.” Peter Margaritis

In today’s episode, Peter Margaritis continues his on Unscripted Give-and-Take and how to use Business Improv to resolve disputes and negotiate deals. Going for an all-in approach is not an excellent way to begin a business with someone you are trying to build a relationship with.

You have the tools you need to have a win-win outcome in a negotiation. The beginning of every conversation is a smile that disarms the other party. Your smile needs to be genuine. You may not get everything you need, but you will get the chance for future business opportunities.

Humanizing the conversation during negotiation creates an atmosphere of calm and respect so that both parties can feel comfortable no matter the outcome. Do not manipulate the other party to get them to make your point. You can show them the benefits of what you are telling them to their goals and agenda, which makes the relationship last longer.

Preparedness during negotiation is better than memorizing facts and figures for that table. Adapt to the changing moods and turns at the table, and do not follow a written-in-stone script; you will fail.

Young modern men in smart casual wear shaking hands and smiling while working in the creative office

S5E48: Unscripted Give and Take: Using Business Improv to Resolve Disputes and Negotiate Deals (Part 1)

“Emotional resistance to negotiation wastes time and makes working with others hard. Negotiation is a relationship builder and not a war zone.” Peter Margaritis

In today’s episode, Peter Margaritis talks about Unscripted Give-and-Take and how to use Business Improv to resolve disputes and negotiate deals.

Sometimes during negotiations, we must understand that you can negotiate up instead of down. Therefore, be able to negotiate to your best and have a win-win outcome.

As a business owner, entrepreneur, consultant, or employee of an organization, even when you feel that you are not a great negotiator, it’s good to learn the skills for your business and yourself and give credit to your skills and experience. Then, be confident to sell your expertise to the best you can.