541: Leadership is Changing Highlights 2023 (ft. Bridgette McAdoo, Chris Caldwell and Vash Tomanec)

How can individuals navigate significant career transitions and overcome challenges in leadership roles, and what role does personal well-being play in enhancing professional success and decision-making? In this episode, we delve into the diverse career paths of three remarkable individuals. Bridgette, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Genesys, shares her transition from aerospace engineering to leading sustainability efforts, highlighting her journey of 'purposeful pivots' and the challenges of being a young woman in leadership. Chris, transitioning from law and investment banking, delves into the world of renewable energy entrepreneurship after an enlightening MBA. He underscores the significance of wellness and exercise in achieving clarity and resilience in both professional and personal realms, along with his role in transforming the energy sector through United Renewables. Lastly, Vash recounts his evolution from a conventional employee to a successful entrepreneur, inspired by the insights from "Rich Dad Poor Dad." He narrates his bold decision to leave his job at Uber Eats, leading to the creation of three lucrative businesses, and stresses the importance of a strong personal 'why' in driving success and change.In this episode:Bridgette shares her unconventional journey from engineering to sustainability.She reflects on her early leadership experience at NASA, managing a diverse engineering team.She highlights the importance of building trust and listening in leadership.Chris discusses his transition from a legal career to investment banking, followed by entrepreneurship in renewable energy.He talks about the benefits of taking time out for health, exercise, and well-being in improving business performance.He shares insights about his organization, United Renewables, detailing its growth and challenges in the renewable energy sector.Vash recounts his transition from a conventional employee mindset to becoming an entrepreneur.He highlights the role of self-reflection in finding personal motivation and goals.He also speaks about the process of starting a business and eventually leading over 20 employees.Main takeaways:Effective leadership, especially in diverse settings, requires empathy and the ability to influence others positively.Having mentors and supportive colleagues is crucial for navigating professional challenges and personal growth.Bridget's approach to not internalize conflict and focus on her strengths highlights the importance of a resilient and positive mindset.Regular exercise and attention to health contribute significantly to professional efficiency and decision-making.The journey of entrepreneurship, especially in challenging sectors like renewable energy, requires resilience and adaptability.Taking time out for activities like exercise provides opportunities for reflection, essential for wise decision-making.Transitioning to an entrepreneurial mindset can open new paths and opportunities.Identifying a strong, personal reason or purpose is key to sustaining motivation and success.Spending quality time alone for introspection is vital for discovering inner motivations and strengths.Quotes:"I love working on work that absolutely allows me to extend my focus." - Bridgette McAdoo"You just try to stay steadfast because you know that your talent is enough to be in the position that you're in." - Bridgette McAdoo"After 10 years, the thought occurred, well, is there not more to life than this and chasing a kind of quarterly earnings and quarterly profits?" - Chris Caldwell"Exercise is my...