Today I’m joined by the wonderful and inspiring Jo Gaines, a seasoned professional who has worked in the technology and media sector for over two decades. Jo's career journey has seen her work for high-profile companies including CBS, Krux, Yahoo and more recently, as Area Vice President of Salesforce. Jo is also a dedicated mother-of-two and a fierce advocate for equality, lending her support as an ambassador for women's shelters. She shares with us her journey through hardship to finding resilience and how changing her mindset helped reshape her story.

Through facing a challenging turning point in her career due to redundancy, Jo embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that saw her turn to practices such as weight training, breathwork and meditation. She shares the new mindset she adopted through these practices, and how her determination to thrive in the face of uncertainty led to a completely new outlook on life.

In our conversation, Jo shares the grief she experienced when her role at Salesforce came to an end, and how lost she felt when it came to her future. However, she notes there are two choices we can make when it comes to facing adversity. Either we can see it as a downfall, or treat it as an opportunity to expand. Jo chose the latter, and decided to view this new path as one she was destined to be on.

Resilience can often be misunderstood as a suppression of emotions or ignoring our problems. However, we define what resilience really is and discuss its ability to help effectively manage our thoughts and feelings. Jo believes that releasing control and trusting everything will eventually work out can free us from fear and the temptation to give up.

We talk about how navigating through our own life challenges produces empathy, and when we view others through this lens, we become more effective leaders. Recognising that everyone experiences change, particularly in a post-pandemic world, we’re able to rally with our team and prioritise their wellbeing. How can we communicate in a way that resonates for each individual? How do we lead in a way that not only gets them through, but also builds resilience?

Jo also shares her shift in perspective that inspired her to live more fully in the present and pursue the passions that had been sitting on the backburner for too long. She talks about the bucket list she created and the importance of making time and space in life to achieve each goal.

Jo's story is a powerful testament to the transformation resilience can create, and the potential for growth when we embrace change with gratitude. I just know you’ll be as inspired as I was by Jo’s incredible wisdom, and hope you find confidence to implement strategies for a full and rewarding life in leadership and beyond.

LINKS

Connect with Jo Gaines

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jogaines

Instagram: @gogaino

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine balancing the demands of your career and your family, and then adding the role of a caregiver into the mix. Sounds overwhelming, right?

Well, it’s something that most of us go through when we become responsible for the care of our aging parents. That’s exactly what happened to me in the last few years. So, today I want to share my experiences and offer advice to those who might be going through something similar.

For the past few years, I've been deeply involved in looking after my elderly parents. My father battled cancer for three years before passing away, leaving my mother to manage on her own. Dad had always looked after everything, leaving mum unaware of how to pay bills, use a credit card, or even access cash. When he passed, I became responsible for managing her finances, which was both time-consuming and emotionally draining.

Thankfully, I had already helped my parents switch banks and sort out their direct debits a year before my father passed away, so I was somewhat prepared. But the entire experience highlighted just how unprepared I was for the reality of aging parents.

I’m not alone in this. Many of my friends are going through similar experiences with parents who have Alzheimer's, dementia, or other severe health conditions. One close friend is navigating this difficult journey as an only child. His mother is regressing with dementia and is now in an aged care facility. The impact on his life is significant, both emotionally and financially, as he also supports his father through this tough transition.

For those of you approaching this stage, taking the time to get legally prepared can save you a lot of hassle later on. Here are the top steps I recommend taking:

1. Make sure your parents have an updated will in place. I helped my parents draft theirs only a few years ago, and I’m incredibly thankful I did.
2. Secure an enduring power of attorney. This covers almost everything, including financial matters. I make most financial decisions on mum's behalf now, and having this in place made the process much simpler. You also want to have a medical power of attorney set up for unexpected medical situations.
3. Finally, you want to register yourself as a nominee with your government's relevant social services agency. Here in Victoria, Australia, it's an SS 313 form, but it varies by locale. This will simplify bureaucratic processes immensely.

Spend Time, Start Conversations

Beyond the legal and financial prep, it’s important to have conversations with your parents about their wishes if they pass away suddenly or are involved in an accident. It may be an uncomfortable conversation, but it’s far better to know what they want when the time comes, rather than scrambling to choose for them.

Also, encourage them to talk about their lives! It’s something I wish I had done more with my dad. It was only when preparing his eulogy that I realised how many questions I still had about his life. So, spend as much time as you can with your parents. Trust me, you'll cherish these memories when they're no longer here.

Financial Awareness
It’s important to have some knowledge of your parent's finances before you have to take responsibility for them. Talk to your parents and get clear on their position. It’s equally important to have a solid understanding of your own financial situation.

Women in their fifties and sixties are the largest demographic of people facing homelessness in Australia. This is due to a lack of financial literacy and preparedness. So, make sure you’re vigilant about your financial health, know it inside out, and actively participate in it.

Caring for your parents isn’t easy, but being prepared can reduce the emotional, physical, and financial challenges that come with it. If you’re already in this situation, know that I see you, I hear you, and I send my love your way.

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know the way your voice sounds matters twice as much as the content you’re speaking on?

Our guest today is Rachel Pietsch, a multi-award-winning vocal coach and accredited voice function expert who guides both speakers and singers to bring ease, protection and longevity to their voices.

In our conversation, Rachel shares her fascinating insights into vocal mechanics and the impact a confident and well-projected voice can have on our leadership.

The Journey to Vocal Mastery

Rachel's journey to becoming a voice coach is nothing short of inspirational. Initially a piano teacher, Rachel transitioned into voice coaching and over the course of 15 years, has studied various pedagogies, achieving advanced accreditation and mastering the technical expertise required to train voices effectively. She shares how this journey not only ironed out the issues in her own voice but also equipped her with the tools to help others achieve their vocal goals.

Voice as a Tool for Leadership and Public Speaking

Rachel emphasises that the way a leader's voice sounds can significantly influence their effectiveness. As leaders, we often have many people looking up to us and seeking our direction. A voice that exudes confidence can help them in building trust and receiving our words in the way we intend.

Rachel explains that with proper training, including strengthening and coordination exercises, anyone can improve their vocal quality. For public speakers, additional performance aspects like intonation, pacing and vocal dynamics are crucial.

Practical Tips

To combat nerves and improve vocal projection, Rachel shares some practical exercises involving breathing and specific sounds that can help to relax the vocal cords. She takes us through the concept of breathing low into the diaphragm to reduce strain and enhance sound quality.

Rachel’s own experience and transformation serve as a testament to the power of dedicated practice and proper mechanics in achieving a confident, impactful voice. She encourages us to believe in our potential to become influential through our speech and that with the right guidance, anyone can develop a confident, resonant voice.

So join us in this fascinating conversation and get inspired to embrace the power of using your voice in your leadership journey!

Connect with Rachel:

Website: https://www.rachelpietschvocalstudio.com.au/home

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.