Kerry Siggins Podcast

Paula Allen is the Global Leader, Research and Total Wellbeing and a Senior Vice-President at Telus Health. In this role, she manages the research agenda for Telus, which includes primary research conducted by LifeWorks, exploratory data science, research collaborations and meta-analyses. Given her focus on industry-leading research, Paula also leads LifeWorks thought leadership and co-chairs the organization’s product and innovation strategy.
Paula is also a well-recognized expert in all areas of workplace mental health, learning strategies, disability management and drug plan management. She designed and led the most comprehensive employer response to the H1N1 pandemic and is LifeWorks’s business response and resource lead for the COVID-19 pandemic. She also works directly with many of Canada’s leading organizations.
Paula is a sought-after speaker by organizations, national media and conferences for her knowledge and expertise in current issues and the future direction of health, well-being, productivity and related risk management.
Episode in a Tweet: A big misconception is that if you focus on employee mental health and well-being, you will somehow have a soft and unproductive workplace. This is categorically false. When you promote health and well-being, you give people the energy and fuel to step up to the plate and do an exceptional job.
Background: During this week’s episode of Reflect Forward, Paula Allen and I discuss the importance of mental health and well-being in the workplace. Paula is passionate about the current and emerging issues impacting health, productivity, and related costs, and her scope includes all areas of well-being — social, physical, financial and mental. Paula shares insights gleaned from the 2022 Mental Health Index (spoiler alert: mental health is on the decline, significantly impacting your employees and overall workplace).
Paula shares how to tell if one of your team members is struggling and what to do about it, including how to listen, ask questions, and helpfully offer support. She argues that the worst thing a leader can do is ignore mental health issues in the workplace. Paula also boldly states that one of the top ways to address a lack of productivity and engagement in the workplace is to focus on mental health and well-being. There are so many great tips and insights in this episode. Check it out and let me know what you think!
How to find Paula:
Website: https://lifeworks.com/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLifeWorks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LifeWorks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeworks/
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!

In the volatile world we live in; it’s hard to remain calm under pressure. But it’s a required trait of great leaders. And that’s what we discuss in this week’s episode of Reflect Forward – how to stay calm under pressure.
Staying calm under pressure is key to surviving these turbulent times. Responding thoughtfully rather than emotionally will help you create a more intentional outcome. Intentional outcomes can lead to lower stress, better relationships, and higher productivity. In short, staying cool, calm, and collected when you want to freak out will improve the overall quality of your life.
Wikipedia defines calmness as “the mental state of peace of mind is free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance. It also refers to being in a state of serenity, tranquility, or peace.” Doesn’t this sound wonderful? Even better, when you make high stake decisions or respond to a high-stress situation from a state of calmness, the quality of the outcome tends to be better. Who doesn’t want that?
Remaining calm under pressure as a leader means maintaining composure and staying level-headed during stressful or high-pressure situations. It involves staying focused on the task at hand, making clear and rational decisions, and communicating effectively with team members.
Leaders who remain calm under pressure can inspire confidence in their team members and maintain a sense of stability even in the face of uncertainty. They can think critically and objectively and are less likely to make impulsive or emotional decisions that could have negative consequences.
To remain calm under pressure, leaders must cultivate emotional intelligence, practice mindfulness and self-reflection, and develop effective coping strategies for managing stress. They may also need to develop contingency plans and anticipate potential challenges to be better prepared to handle unexpected situations.
During the episode, I share the five things I do to stay cool, calm, and collected in the face of pressure, inducing staying present, asking questions, avoiding spiraling, changing negative language to positive language, and giving myself time to cool down.
Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from another Colorado CEO who asked me, “What’s the best icebreaker you use in team meetings? I am tired of using the same ones!”
I love this question. I use icebreakers all the time and recently asked this one, “What’s the worst job you’ve had?” The responses are priceless and insightful.
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!
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Naketa Ren Thigpen is on a to help leaders thrive. She says you’ve got to know yourself, love yourself to be able to lead yourself and others well.
Naketa’s the #1 Balance (and) Relationship Advisor in the World, activating power couples and potent humans ready to recalibrate and own their right to be intentionally selfish to amplify relationship intimacy as they grow to live in the space of (and) fully.
Utilizing her distinct experiential, intuitive and highly energetic style, Naketa hosts the Balance Boldly Podcast and International Best Selling Author of the book Selfish: Permission to Pause, Live, Love, and Laugh Your Way to Joy. A highly sought-after Transformative Empowerment Speaker and CEO of ThigPro Balance (and) Relationship Management Institute, Naketa is revolutionizing work/life balance and how to love yourself fully.
Episode in a Tweet: Perfectionism is a form of bondage that anchors you down and stops you from producing anything until it’s perfect. You’ve got to release your perfectionism to be a great leader and live a fulfilling life.
Background: Naketa’s philosophy is simple. Your balance and relationships improve once you own your right to recalibrate, admit your truth and create boundaries that allow you to achieve that truth as your new reality. Being intentionally selfish gives you the space to grow, learn and thrive. You’ve got to know yourself, love yourself to thrive.
During this episode, Naketa and I discuss what it means to be intentionally selfish, and she shares a deeply personal story about how she had to choose her health and well-being at a very young age. We discuss the importance of creating boundaries and why having intimate (not the sexual kind) relationships at work makes for a more vital workplace. Naketa shares how leaders can improve communication to increase connection with their teammates, which is what most of us look for deep down inside. Naketa is passionate and energetic, and I know you’ll love this interview. Check it out and let me know what you think!
How to find Naketa:
Website: http://www.thigpro.com
Suite: http://beintentionallyselfish.com/
Podcasts: https://balanceboldly.buzzsprout.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/naketathigpen
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/asknaketa
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!

In this week's episode of Reflect Forward, we talk about the difference between responsibility and accountability.
Responsibility and accountability are terms often used interchangeably, but they're not quite the same. While they're both important for success in life and work, understanding their differences can help you navigate situations more clearly and confidently.
Let's start with responsibility. When we talk about responsibility, we're talking about what we're expected to do or our obligations to ourselves and others. It's about fulfilling our duties and being reliable. When we take on responsibility, we promise ourselves or others that we'll follow through.
Sometimes people feel burdened by responsibility. But being responsible can be empowering. It's about choosing to choose. And when you take full responsibility for everything that happens in your life, you can change your situation, rectify a mistake, grow and learn, and live a more fulfilling life.
For example, I am responsible for stewarding my company and its employees. Rather than feeling obligated or burdened, I choose to embrace this responsibility wholeheartedly. No matter what happens, good or bad, I am responsible, and being responsible drives my decision-making and attitude. And this gives me the power to create my future, impact my company, and fix mistakes.
Now let's talk about accountability. Accountability is about ownership and consequences and how your decisions impact others. When we're accountable, we take responsibility for our actions' outcomes and acknowledge that we have a role in the results, whether positive or negative.
Here is an example of responsibility and accountability: let's say you're working on a team project at your job. You have a specific task to complete, and you're accountable for ensuring it gets done on time and to the best of your ability. If you don't fulfill this accountability, the project might suffer, and your team members might have to pick up the slack.
So, responsibility is embracing your obligations, commitments, choices, and attitude, while accountability is about owning the outcomes of our actions and their impact on others.
During the episode, I share a few more examples to explain the difference and why responsibility is SO important in life and leadership. Why? Because taking ownership of your actions and being accountable for your mistakes can help you grow and improve as an employee, ultimately leading to greater success in your career.
Here is a link to the book I discuss in the episode, The Power of Owning Up.
Question of the Week
This week's question comes from a fellow YPOer who asked me, "how do you do with your anxiety?"
While everyone is different, I share my tips, including introspection, exercise, deep breathing and time.
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!

Sam Jacobs believes leading with kindness is the only way to lead. He is the Founder & CEO of Pavilion, a community-powered learning platform for go-to-market leaders and teams. Sam launched Pavilion as Revenue Collective in 2016 and bootstrapped the company to $10M in ARR before taking on a $25M growth financing round in early 2021, led by Elephant Ventures and GTM Fund.
Pavilion is powered by an international community of more than 10,000 sales, marketing, RevOps, and successful leaders from the world’s fastest-growing companies. Everyone at Pavillion teaches new skills, forges meaningful connections, and helps companies grow. Pavilion University leverages a proprietary Immersive Learning Framework™ to fuse structured training with ongoing social learning and just-in-time resources that drive results.
Prior to Pavilion, Sam spent 15 years as a senior revenue leader at VC-backed companies in the New York area, including Gerson Lehrman Group, Axial, Livestream/Vimeo, The Muse, and Behavox.
Episode in a Tweet: You will find success when you understand your values and what brings you joy. I found joy in helping people I care about and respect achieve their personal goals; nothing is more rewarding.
Background: “There’s a better way to do business.” This belief is what inspired Sam Jacobs to start his company, Pavillion. Sam says, “We’ve been taught that business is cutthroat — but it doesn’t have to be. Pavilion is proof that building a business on foundational values, centering reciprocity, and coming from kindness works.” During this week’s episode of Reflect Forward, Sam and I discuss the power of values, networking, and finding what brings you joy and doing it.
Same talks about his book, Kind Folks Finish First, the story of how Pavillion came to be after being fired from his 5th job. After seeing his tenure as a revenue leader shrink, he was inspired to look at the long game and stop being transactional. Sam shares the process he went through to find his mission and how joy, kindness and respect drives everything he does. This is an introspective and fun conversion that I know you’ll enjoy. Have a listen and let me know what you think!
How to find Sam:
Website: www.joinpavilion.com
Website: https://www.joinpavilion.com/kind-folks-finish-first
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samfjacobs/
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!

Mindfulness is important in the workplace. It helps leaders and employees to be more present, aware and focused. I’ve experienced benefits such as:
• Improved decision-making: Mindfulness can help leaders better manage their emotions and reactions, leading to more thoughtful and considerate decision-making.
• Increased creativity: It can help to open up new perspectives and ideas, leading to more creativity and innovation.
• Better communication: It can help improve listening and empathy, leading to better communication and stronger relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Reduced stress: It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can lead to better health, well-being, and improved job performance.
• Improved time management: It can help increase focus, leading to better time management and productivity.
• Increased job satisfaction: It can help increase job satisfaction and engagement as employees better manage their emotions and are more focused on their work.
It can help improve the overall performance and well-being of your company’s employees and is becoming an increasingly important topic in the workplace.
How can you incorporate mindfulness in the workplace?
• Encourage regular breaks: Employees should take regular breaks during the day to practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, meditation or stretching.
• Lead by example: Practice mindfulness. Model the behavior you want to see in your team.
• Offer mindfulness training: Training or workshops could help employees learn and practice mindfulness techniques.
• Incorporate mindfulness into meetings: Start with a guided meditation or deep breathing exercise.
• Encourage digital detox: Encourage employees to unplug from technology during breaks to help them be more present and focused.
• Encourage work-life balance: Help employees to prioritize their well-being by promoting a healthy work-life balance and encouraging them to take time off when they need it.
Remember that mindfulness is a personal practice. What works for one person may not work for another. Offering various options and encouraging employees to find what works best for them is important.
What should I do if I hate meditating?
There are many other ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine such as:
• Walking: Take a mindful walk and focus on your breath, your surroundings, and the sensation of your feet on the ground.
• Yoga: It can be a form of moving meditation, focus on your breath and movement.
• Journaling: Reflect on your thoughts and emotions by writing them down.
• Coloring: It can be a meditative activity that helps to focus the mind and reduce stress.
• Listening to music: Listen to music mindfully, focusing on the lyrics and the feelings the songs evoke.
• Cooking or Baking: Pay attention to the textures, colors, smells and the process.
• Mindful Eating: Pay attention to your food, the flavors and eating experience without distractions.
• Mindful Breathing: Take a few minutes to focus on your breath; you can do it anywhere, no need to sit in silence.
Finding a mindfulness practice that works for you is important. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques to find one you enjoy. Remember, the goal is to be present and aware, not to force yourself to do something you don’t like.
Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from a LinkedIn connection who asked, “What are you reading now?”
I’m listening to Berne Brown’s Power of Vulnerability: Teachings of Authenticity, Connection and Courage, and it’s fascinating. I love the way she differentiates between shame and guilt. Have a listen to find out more!
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!

Guest: Chaz Wolfe is truly a servant leader. His motto is “always serve others because it’s the right thing to do.” He is a high-performing, serial entrepreneur who has built, purchased and sold multiple seven-figure franchising, real estate and consulting ventures. Chaz is a studied and accomplished professional who values discipline and integrity. He’s an operations and process maximizer and an award-winning sales and business mind. Chaz is known to push the limits of work ethic, mindset and results. As a dynamic leader, consultant and speaker, he has helped domestic and international organizations achieve massive growth and success.
Chaz is also the founder of The Gathering of Kings, a peer-to-peer learning organization whose mission is to ignite successful entrepreneurs with genuine connection points that intentionally develop a lifestyle of leveraging time, resources, and key relationships. His podcast, also called The Gathering of Kings, brings together entrepreneurs who can learn from each other as they build their lives and businesses.
Episode in a Tweet: You can’t lead the world without authority, and you don’t have authority without serving others. Always be of service. Not for what you get out of it but because it’s the right thing to do.
Background: I met Chaz on his show, The Gathering of Kings. I loved his passion and energy and invited him to join me on Reflect Forward. During our conversation, Chaz tells us what it was like being raised by a single mom (we share similar experiences) and what it was like when he met his real dad for the first time in his late 20s – and it was a complete surprise. We discuss authenticity and grit and why leaders go through the Warrior stage. Listen in to find out what that means.
Chaz and I also discuss the power of choosing yourself and working hard to achieve what you want. He sheds insight on how not to view life as a zero-sum game but one that can produce many outcomes if you focus on the right things. And I love Chaz’s take on servant leadership. He says leaders must always serve, serve, serve – not because of personal gain but because it’s the right thing to do.
I know you’ll enjoy this interview. Check it out and let me know what you think!
How to Find Chaz:
Gathering the Kings: www.gatheringthekings.com
Website: www.chazwolfe.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaz-wolfe-86767054/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chazwolfe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatheringthekings/
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!

We discuss purpose in this week’s episode of Reflect Forward: Advice From a CEO. Not just personal purpose by your company’s purpose. A company’s higher purpose is a crucial component of its success, as it provides a clear direction and meaning for all stakeholders, including employees, customers, shareholders, and the wider community. A higher purpose can help a company attract and retain top talent, build a loyal customer base, make strategic decisions, and create positive social and environmental impact. Leaders need to prioritize purpose and help their employees embrace it.
Leaders can help employees embrace purpose by communicating it clearly, making it part of the company culture, providing opportunities for employee input and development, leading by example, measuring and rewarding progress, and encouraging volunteerism and community service. These steps will help employees understand and align with the company’s purpose and be more motivated and engaged in their work.
When a company has a clear purpose, it is easier for leaders to make decisions that align with its values and goals, leading to long-term success. Additionally, having a higher purpose can help a company create a positive social and environmental impact, which benefits society. By prioritizing purpose, leaders can help their employees be proud of their work and feel a sense of meaning and fulfillment in their careers.
A higher purpose is essential for a company’s success and should be a priority for leaders. By helping their employees embrace purpose, leaders can create a more engaged, motivated, and purposeful workforce aligned with the company’s mission and values. This, in turn, can lead to long-term success for the company and a positive impact on society.
Question of the Week
“How do you know if you are hard to work for?”
I was once told I was hard to work for, and truth be told, it was true. I am hard driving and change my mind often. During the episode, I talk about different ways you could be hard to work for and how to let go of some of the behaviors that hold you back from being your best leadership self.
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!

Guest: Jeffrey is passionate about using conscious leadership to maximize impact. He is a nationally recognized thought leader and award-winning author on the next evolution of leadership: Conscious Leadership. His recently published book: “Developing the Conscious Leadership Mindset for the 21st Century” won a total of four national and international Stevie Awards® and is an Amazon best seller in the Occupational and Organizational Psychology category.
Jeffrey’s background is one of a serial entrepreneur who bootstrapped two multi-million dollar companies, several non-profits and multiple political organizations. Since 2005 he has been a leadership and organizational performance consultant and leadership coach. He’s helped scores of clients grow by strengthening their leadership teams and helping them uncover and mobilize the hidden human capital that drives performance and profits in the 21st century. Jeffrey is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and regularly publishes on the Forbes.com blog.
Jeffrey is also a stage 4 cancer “thriver” and a dedicated student of spiritual teachings and a Reiki Master. He blends his life experiences with decades of front-line management experience to help his clients build powerful and resilient 21st-century-ready organizations.
Episode in a Tweet: Those who educate themselves in the ways of Conscious Leadership will maximize their impact in the new world that is unfolding in front of our very eyes.
Background: Jeffrey Deckman’s mission is to help other small businesspeople to grow their businesses without going through the headache he went through as a serial entrepreneur. He does this by sharing his keys to success:
• Understanding that human capital is more valuable than financial capital
• moving away from authoritarian operating to conscious leadership
• Empowering individuals to maximize the collective genius of the “tribe” and, consequently, increase their profits in a way they can implement in the real world
During the episode, Jeffery and I discuss how the days of command-and-control leadership are over and how the be effective; leaders must learn how to connect with their team members, tapping into what motivates them. We discuss why the journey inward to understanding oneself is the beginning of conscious leadership. We discuss the power of feedback, being coachable, and the freedom of knowing yourself, being okay with who you are, and always being authentic.
This is a fun and spiritual conversation that I know you’ll enjoy. Please have a listen and let me know what you think!
How to find Jeffrey:
https://jeffreydeckman.com/blog/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/jeffreydeckmanconsciousleadershipinaction/
https://twitter.com/_deckman_
https://www.facebook.com/JDeckman56
https://www.youtube.com/c/JeffreyDeckman
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!

In this week’s episode of Reflect Forward: Advice From a CEO, I discuss what to do when you embarrass yourself at work. We’ve all experienced embarrassment at work, and I share two very visceral experiences during the episode. In both instances, I was so upset with myself and mortified beyond belief.
If you find yourself in a situation where you have embarrassed yourself at work, there are a few things you can do to try and mitigate the situation:
• Breathe and practice self-compassion
• Take responsibility and apologize
• Learn from the experience
• Let go and move on
Pro tip: Communicate with your supervisor or HR if the situation is problematic to the organization. Don’t allow your manager to be blindsided by learning about the situation from someone else.
I also discuss what to do as a leader when an employee is upset and embarrassed over a mistake such as showing empathy and compassion. It’s never easy to talk about screw-ups, and you must create an environment where it is safe to talk about mistakes and find a path forward. Do not blame or shame. If the employee’s embarrassment was due to a mistake or performance issue, provide constructive feedback and coaching to help them improve. And finally, show appreciation and recognition for the person’s hard work, effort, and the strengths they bring to the table to help them see that the mistake doesn’t define them.
Remember, your embarrassing mistakes don’t define you but can shape your identity if you embrace the lessons learned. We all embrass ourselves from time to time, it’s part of being human. Lead yourself through it and come out the other side stronger and more resilient.
Question of the Week
“What do you do when one of your colleagues isn’t doing their job?”
It can be incredibly frustrating working with someone who doesn’t pull their weight. I’ve experienced this myself and eventually left the organization because the person never stepped up. I recognize this isn’t an option for everyone so I share the process you should use to address it and some tips to stay positive and not enable the behavior.
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes
Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO!
And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!