The CEO Sage

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Women Who've Sold Their Business Series: Gail O'Rourke | E168 Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

In the past 20 years, there has been a wave of women-owned businesses, and women selling those businesses. However, no one is really talking about it. In this mini series, host Kris Plachy is bringing women business owners on to talk about their experiences of selling their businesses.

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris talks with Gail O'Rourke. Gail shares her story of owning multiple businesses, and growing them from the ground up, and then selling. She takes us behind the scenes of that big sale – and everything she learned along the way. What it felt like keeping it under wraps, dealing with the legal hiccups along the way, and the bittersweet emotions that came with it. As Gail aptly puts it, "The sale of a business isn't just a transaction, it's a transformation."

Gail talks about what actually sold her business wasn't the customers or profits she made, it was the process she created that made sales easy, from start to finish. She's big on process management and she attests that a well-oiled process is the secret sauce to business success, whether you're managing teams, training, or onboarding new employees.

Kris talks about how inspiring it is to see what women do after they sell their business. How divine it is when women have freedom to either create something again or invest time in making a difference. And that's exactly what is next for Gail, who also talks about what she's been creating with her latest endeavor, Benefact 4.

There's a wealth of wisdom and inspiration packed into this episode. Tune in to learn more about Gail's remarkable journey on Leadership is Feminine.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Gail O'Rourke's experience of selling a business: Setbacks and solutions during the sale process
Importance of structured processes in business management: Processes keep things simple when addressing training opportunities, onboarding new employees, and supporting staff
The need for business owners to take a step back as the business grows: Identifying what you want to do, and hiring staff for the rest
Influence of market conditions, pandemic impact, and industry changes on the sale of her business
Emotional implications of business selling: Concerns for employees after the close of the sale
Gail's life post-business sale: Shift in focus to philanthropy and volunteering and launching Benefact 4

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

Become a Visionary.CEO/catalyst and spread the word! Kris explains all the details on the podcast this week. Essential, go to www.theVisionary.CEO/catalyst, Register, Grab the Visionary.CEO/Podcast link from your dashboard and SHARE IT with all the women you know in your friend, colleague and network circles.

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris's Boutique.

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The best leadership guidance and mentorship experience exclusive for women who lead. High performing teams require highly skilled, high performing leaders. It's time to develop exceptional leadership prowess. THE LEAD LESSONS for Women equip you with the tools and strategies to navigate the leadership landscape like a true visionary.

Our unique blend of Digital Lessons and live Mentorship-calls delivers the real-world practices you need for confident and consistent leadership. thevisionary.ceo/nextstep

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Believing in Your Visionary Ideas | E167 Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

When was the last time you had a great idea? Where were you? Who were you with? What were you doing? When women have great ideas, they lead to successes not just in our own lives, but also for the people in our businesses, and they have a positive impact on the world around us.

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Placy invites us to look at examples of when we have created successes for ourselves, how to be able to recreate those amazing ideas, and the role of self-belief in this process.

Kris discusses how, as women, we need to trust, indulge, and allow our ideas to breathe. She urges that we need visionaries now, more than ever before to solve the world's problems. And too often, women aren't tuned in to their ideas or they don't want to do the work that it would take in order to actualize their ideas.

This episode serves as a reminder that it is worth investing in your own thinking. It can be easy to get caught up in the day to day actions of your business, but remember to recognize your potential and the power of your ideas.

"I think women are going to solve the problems of the world. And we have got to start to believe in our own beliefs. We have got to start to believe in our own ideas and we have to start to believe in our own visions."

Key Takeaways From This Episode

The pivotal role of ideas: Importance of ideas as a driver of personal growth and business success
Various types of ideation sources and environments and their influence on idea generation
Necessity for self-belief and belief in one's potential: The courage required for visionaries to pursue their ideas despite difficulties
Encouragement for women to devise strategies and systems that support innovation
The positive effect of acknowledging one's accomplishments and giving credit to oneself

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris's Boutique.

Get Access to LEAD LESSONS

Our unique blend of Digital Lessons and live Mentorship-calls delivers the real-world practices you need for confident and consistent leadership. thevisionary.ceo/nextstep

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Solving Difficult Leadership Issues Through Your Own Growth | E166 Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

You have built a successful business. You have a team and you're making money, but something is just not right. It doesn't feel the way it's supposed to. Those are the gaps. And while they may be easy to recognize, it might not feel as easy to solve them.

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy explores the idea that leadership isn't a skill, but an outcome resulting from a collection of behaviors, abilities, and most importantly, human behavior. She emphasizes that a gap exists in every leader's capability, often resulting from internalised beliefs and insecurities. And while that may feel like a lot, Kris shares the reminder that all of it is fixable.

A lot of women come to coaching with the hope of getting the specific issues addressed. When really, Kris acknowledges, these leaders know how to solve the problems, they just don't trust themselves to do it. Kris shares that the work then is to then look at what you believe about yourself, and to overcome insecurities and internalized beliefs that might be getting in the way.

Kris reminds us that leadership isn't just about how we handle our team, but about how we handle ourselves. As a leader, you owe it to yourself to develop and get stronger, so the frustrations of your business can become less charged and more navigable. If you find your emotions running high when you should be running your business, don't worry. It's not you, it's just the gap, and it is totally solvable.

"If you are in a leadership role and you know you have gaps, the one person you owe it to to develop that and move through it and get stronger is you."

Key Takeaways From This Episode

The Complex Nature of Leadership: Leadership isn't a skill, but instead, is the outcome.
The Gap in Leadership: Discussing issues related to the lack of results despite having a team
Importance of Effective Communication in Leadership: The need to learn effective negotiation techniques with team members.
Solving Leadership Problems: Diagnosing, understanding, and addressing the underlying gaps
Reflecting on the need for self-growth and the importance of standing up for one's truth

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris's Boutique.

Get Access to LEAD LESSONS

Our unique blend of Digital Lessons and live Mentorship-calls delivers the real-world practices you need for confident and consistent leadership. thevisionary.ceo/nextstep

Work with Kris and Her Team:

Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo
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Embracing Challenges: Clotilde Dusoulier's Perspective on Living an Extraordinary Life | E165 Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

You've checked all the boxes and you've reached a point where many other people would be satisfied, but you know you are ready for more. Do you know what life looks like when you get 'there'?And do you know how to get from here to there?

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy talks with guest and former client, Clotilde Dusoulier. Clotilde is a food writer and coach, helping men and women better the relationships with themselves and define success on their own terms.

Clotilde's podcast "Change Ma Vie" and her new book "La Methode Change Ma Vie" are all about defining your personal success and avoiding the trap of toxic positivity. It's not about avoiding difficulties, but rather learning how to negotiate them.

Ever felt that unsettling feeling or like something is missing? Clotilde explains that for many, they choose to push away those feelings with temporary relief in the form of buying more or eating more. Instead, she recommends sitting with the discomfort and being inquisitive in order to determine what needs to change on the inside, and that by answering those questions, life will naturally and beautifully unfold.

Kris and Clotilde also focus on the importance of seeking out new projects and maintaining a commitment to growth. Change in life is inevitable, and it is critical to avoid stagnation and find ways to be flexible. As Clotilde says: "We need to create a life in which we can appreciate what we have and where we are, and also be sowing the seeds of something new and pursuing growth."

This is an enlightening conversation between two kindred spirits, both committed to helping people live exceptional lives. Tune in to Leadership is Feminine and find out how to be the difference for yourself and for others!

Guest Bio

Clotilde Dusoulier is a Master Certified Coach, and founder of the coaching company Change ma vie, the reference for life coaching in France.

She is the creator of the top-rated coaching podcast Change ma vie : Outils pour l'esprit, with 40+ million downloads to date. Every Thursday, with her signature voice of precision and modernity, she delivers the tools to understand the way your brain and your feelings work, so you can create the life you want.

With her stellar team of coaches, she runs a life coaching membership called Change ma vie : Mode d'emploi, helping people who have checked all the boxes yet feel unfulfilled and lost. Through the unique methodology she has developed, this program supports them in developing the VISION, FOCUS and DRIVE to create their extraordinary life.

She is the author of the book La Méthode Change ma vie (Robert Laffont, 2024), in which she walks the reader through her coaching methodology. She lives in Paris, France, with her husband and two sons.

Website: changemavie.com

La Méthode Change ma vie on Kindle

Instagram: @ouichangemavie

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Definition of Personal Success: Creating your own markers for success in order to get where you want to go
Necessity of having a focus and a vision for an extraordinary life
Counterproductive Approaches to Life: The harm from toxic positivity, realistic expectations about happiness.
The importance of ongoing pursuits and growth for well-being: The dangers of complacency and stagnation and contribution to vitality
Coaching and Personal Development: Discussing the impact of coaching on Clotilde's relationships and limiting beliefs.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris's Boutique.

Connect with Kris Plachy

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

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Where Are You Following More Than You Are Leading? | E164 Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

Are you abiding by someone else's model of success or are you forging your own path? There's a lot of noise when it comes to what it means to be a leader and we often find ourselves following the advice of others instead of listening to our own instincts. In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy invites listeners to ask themselves where are you following instead of leading?

For many leaders, there's a point where you start to defer to the people you bring in to your business, your queendom. And slowly, you find yourself being less of a leader and more of a follower. Kris reminds the audience that even though it's not easy, it is important to not acquiesce to those ideas. Instead of finding someone with the answers, seek out those who ask you questions.

Kris opens up about her own personal journey with social media, revealing her struggle to find a fulfilling and authentic relationship with the platform. She describes the journey she has taken in order quiet the noise, and be able to use the platforms in a way that is aligned with her values and the type of leader she is.

She provides compelling insights into the drawbacks of mimicking someone else's "kit" or model of success instead of figuring out your own unique composition. The episode thoughtfully explores how to navigate the pressures of following the herd, asking more questions than providing answers, keeping you critically engaged. Nonetheless, Kris emphasizes that in spite of the struggles, we have the ability and indeed, the right, to carve our own path.

And so if you were to get really honest with yourself, where are you not leading? Where are you following? Where are you hoping someone else will just throw you the answer?

Key Takeaways From This Episode

The Concept of Balance in Leadership: Proposal to balance masculine and feminine perspectives on leadership.
Reevaluation of Social Media and its Impact: Kris shares her personal experience with social media, specifically its performative aspect.
Analyzing the Influence of Others on Our Decisions: Discussion about remaining true to one's values even when they conflict with others' opinions.
The 'Kit' Analogy and Self-Discovery: Emphasizing the importance of exploring one's own attributes instead of following others
Reimagining Leadership Structures: Encouragement to pursue genuine leadership.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris's Boutique.

Connect with Kris Plachy

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo
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Nurturing Future Leaders with Intent and Grace from Dr. Camysha Wright May 27, 2024

Show notes

Are you building a business with intention? Have you thought about the kind of culture you want to cultivate in the workplace? This week on Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy, talks with her guest, Dr. Camysha Wright about what it looks like to be a practicing physician and how to thoughtfully create a workplace with grace and empathy.

Dr. Wright is a board certified otorhinolaryngologist, otherwise known as an ENT. She serves on the board of governors for the Florida Society of Otolaryngologists, and operates her own practice for going on 10 years. She is also a published author who recently released Breathe Easy: An Overview of Allergies and the Unified Airway.

In their discussion, Dr. Wright discusses the importance of meeting patients where they're at and how her book aims to provide a simple resource for patients to be able to identify what they are experiencing when it comes to allergy and inflamation-related illnesses.

Dr. Wright also details her experience of what it was like to build a business. "As a physician… I would say that we get a lot of training about medicine, about how to save a life… but you don't get any really direct guidance on how to run a business or how to lead your team." She stresses the importance of intentionality, respect for employees, and building a rock-solid team. She's all about creating turnover opportunities for growth and attracting top talent with a culture of empathy and grace.

So, whether you're a young female doctor stepping into your own practice, or just keen on some top-tier leadership advice, this episode is packed with gems to elevate your game. Tune in to Leadership is Feminine and let's make leadership more inclusive, intentional, and empowering together!

Guest Bio

Dr. Wright received her Medical Degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC and graduated with A0A honors. Dr. Wright completed a General Surgery Internship and Otolaryngology Residency at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. She also obtained her Master of Public Health degree

Dr. Wright is a member of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. She is also board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. Dr. Wright served as Clinical Assistant Professor at Florida State University College of Medicine Fort Pierce Campus for 4 years, teaching medical students about Otolaryngology.

Dr. Wright offers evaluation and treatment for the full range of problems affecting the ears, nose and throat. She has advanced training in Allergy, which is her focused area of interest. Dr. Wright's goal is to provide the highest quality care through a balance of grace, empathy, and innovation.

Website: thewrightent.com

Breathe Easy on Amazon

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Intentional Leadership and Team Building
Fostering Employee Growth and Turnover: Attracting top talent and future leaders through intentional culture building
Creating a Thriving Culture in Healthcare: Balancing empathy and grace with maintaining clear standards
Leadership Advice for Women Doctors: Self-understanding and defining business values
Progress in Women's Leadership: Creating pathways for more women to become prominent leaders

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris's Boutique.

Connect with Kris Plachy

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo
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The Path to More: How to Create an Exceptional Life After Success | E162 May 20, 2024

Show notes

You've worked hard to build a successful and thriving business and you feel like you've reached the top that everyone talks about. And yet, you look around and think, "I'm ready for more". You are a visionary, ready to create a full life alongside your business, and you want to know how to get there.

In this episode, host Kris Plachy shares what it means to be a Sage, to be that woman who feels compelled to ask even more questions. In this honest conversation, Kris defines the qualities of a Sage and illustrates the journey these women have in their business and in their lives. The path of a Sage is an exploration of your purpose, your growth, and your coming into your own.

The Sage CEO, as explained by Kris, isn't a playbook or a how-to guide. It's an idea, a mindset, a state of being that transcends being merely a program. This episode is highly recommended for those women feeling the restless stirrings of curiosity, those women who are never quite satisfied, who are always asking, ever evolving, always wanting to do more, be more, and achieve more - but in unique and meaningful ways.

Kris pinpoints that the journey to becoming a Sage Visionary CEO is one where self-discovery is your navigation system, and curiosity is your compass. So, if you're ready for more than a taste of the extraordinary, if you're yearning for an exceptional life, if you're ready to explore, connect, and truly step into your visionary power, then this is an episode designed for you.

"Your growth, your investment in yourself is not a selfish act...I believe that every woman who is listening to this podcast is worthy of who she is."

Key Takeaways From This Episode

What it means and feels like to be a Sage woman: The process of self-exploration and questions Sage women may grapple with
Living an Exceptional Life as a Sage Woman
Struggles That Successful Women Often Encounter
The Importance of Meaningful and Connected Conversations
The Value of Surrounding Ourselves With Others On This Journey
The Sage Program: What the program can offer and who it's for
Encouragement for women to seek out what enriches their lives.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris's Boutique.

Connect with Kris Plachy

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

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Who Are You Without Distractions: The Value of Original Thinking for Female Entrepreneurs | E161 May 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy invites you to ponder a compelling question: What would your thoughts be if they weren't constantly shaped by external stimuli? She challenges you to reflect on the nature of your thinking—how much of it is truly original, and how much is reactive to your daily interactions, from conversations to the media you consume.

Kris encourages you to embark on a journey of self-awareness and self-exploration, emphasizing the importance of understanding and reflecting on your own thought processes. This exploration isn't just about identifying what you think, but why and how your environment influences those thoughts.

She suggests that true leadership requires a keen self-awareness that allows you to critically assess and navigate your thoughts, which in turn shapes your actions and leadership style. Kris's conversation is a call to action for you to cultivate a more mindful approach to your thoughts and leadership, freeing yourself from automatic responses to create space for genuine self-discovery and growth.

"I think our lives are better if we're willing to invest in them and investigate them and seek out ideas and insight and explore all that we already have within us to know."

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Exploring Self-Introspection: Reflecting on personal behaviors and thoughts
What might you think without external stimuli?
The concept of living in an "algorithm": Disrupting the algorithm to think differently
Importance of self-discovery in leadership: The idea of openness to transformation and exploration

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris's Boutique.

Connect with Kris Plachy

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo
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Overcoming Internal Obstacles for Effective Leadership | E160 May 06, 2024

Show notes

In this thought-provoking episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy dives deep into how we view and face leadership challenges within ourselves. Instead of assigning blame to external influences or people, Kris encourages us to turn inward and explore how our own behaviors, attitudes, and thoughts inform the way we lead.

She shares from her list of 30 truths, derived from years of working closely with female entrepreneurs. As she goes through each statement, Kris urges listeners to reflect and ponder on their truthfulness and examine the parallels between personal habits and management styles, handling 'difficult' people, the importance of understanding your business's numbers, and so on.

Wherever you find yourself, Kris assures that it's okay to feel uncomfortable, upset or even disagree with some of her insights. In fact, it may just be the signal indicating there's something to explore further. As leaders, the ability to objectively assess oneself, one's team, and the business needs is invaluable. This episode is a deep-dive into what makes us tick as leaders and how we can change our thought patterns to achieve better results.

This discussion is perfect for those in leadership roles that are willing to delve deeper into understanding the fundamentals of their leadership style and how it affects their business operations.

"Leadership means the ability to objectively assess yourself, people on the team, the needs of the business, all of it. Anything that feels off, it's just interesting to explore, be curious. Curiosity is always available."

Key Takeaways From This Episode

The connection between personal life traits and leadership capabilities: The importance of maintaining boundaries in both personal and professional life
The dangers of people-pleasing for leaders
Impact of Emotional Understanding on Leadership: The importance of managing emotions for creating high-performing teams
Importance of Effective Communication: The importance of transparency and clarity in leading
Fear and Risk in Leadership roles: The implications of fear and evasion in making decisions in business and in life
Becoming a better leader by working through difficulties: Difficult people are only difficult due to our perceptions
Importance of Business Acumen: The significance of financial awareness and avoiding blind spots
Making a distinction between "having a job" and "leading a business"

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris. thevisionary.ceo/store

Connect with Kris Plachy

ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

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People Pleasing Leaders | E159 Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

In today's episode, we dive deep into the realm of people-pleasing, a topic that many of us can relate to. Host, Kris Plachy, self-proclaimed people-pleaser, shares personal insights and experiences, detailing the good, the bad, and the complexities that come with constant people-pleasing.

As leaders, we may often find ourselves bending over backwards to accommodate everyone's needs and avoid conflict. Kris asserts that while this can be a nurturing trait, it often also means ignoring the core needs of our business and, more importantly, ourselves. She warns of the perils of slipping into the people-pleasing vortex and the challenges that come with emerging from it.

But it isn't all doom and gloom. Kris also discusses the hidden strength in being a people-pleaser. The ability to empathize deeply, foresee potential conflicts, and manage tricky situations are all part of this power. But, as we know, even superpowers require balance and our host dives into ways we can harness our people-pleasing tactfully without compromising integrity.

We don't shy away from the tough stuff either. Kris talks about confronting underperformance without blame, the impact of psychological safety in an environment, and the concept of feeling unsafe in certain relationships. Leaders, Kris insists, need to employ grace while holding people accountable, creating a win-win for all.

Tune in to this thoughtful episode of Leadership is Feminine with Kris Plachy, and discover how to transform your people-pleasing into stratospheric leadership skills.

"The world doesn't end when we say no, and ironically, it might just start."

Key Takeaways From This Episode

People Pleasing in Leadership: Acknowledgment of the prevalence of people-pleasing in leadership roles
The Strengths and Weaknesses of People Pleasing: The concept of people-pleasing as both a superpower and a poison
The Impact of People Pleasing on Decision Making: The necessity of prioritizing business needs over individual desires
The Fear of Addressing Poor Performance Due to Potential Negative Reactions: The art of giving feedback gracefully without blame or anger
The Importance of Acknowledging and Addressing One's Feelings: The necessity of learning to say no

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe!

We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris. thevisionary.ceo/store

Connect with Kris Plachy

ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo
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