Shockingly Different Leadership https://www.shockinglydifferent.com Up-leveling leader capability and optimizing workforces to do their best work. Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:08:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-SDL-Logo_Square-60x60.png Shockingly Different Leadership https://www.shockinglydifferent.com 32 32 Episode 140 | Mastering the Power of the Pause with Tinna Jackson https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-140-mastering-the-power-of-the-pause-with-tinna-jackson/ Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:50:54 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21641 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS TINNA JACKSON. Tinna shares her journey from Capitol Hill to executive coaching, focusing on building leadership skills through self-awareness, resilience, and the power of taking intentional pauses. She offers advice on recognizing team needs, managing burnout, and aligning personal values with professional achievement. Tinna Jackson is the…

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]]> Episode 139 | Re-envisioning Community-Driven Financial Institutions with Bahari Harris https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-139-re-envisioning-community-driven-financial-institutions-with-bahari-harris/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:00:18 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21630 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS BAHARI HARRIS. Bahari discusses his journey from founding Urban Hope to leading financial inclusion programs at Truist. Bahari discusses the importance of financial literacy and the Start, Save, Win initiative, which incentivized new savers to save $25 each, leading to over 25,000 new accounts and millions saved. He emphasizes the need to address…

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]]> Episode 138 | How AI is Reshaping Learning and Development with Josh Bersin https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-138-how-ai-is-reshaping-learning-and-development-with-josh-bersin/ Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:05:19 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21620 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS JOSH BERSIN. Josh Bersin, founder and CEO of the Josh Bersin Company, discusses the transformative impact of AI on leadership and organizational development. He highlights the current experimentation phase in AI adoption, emphasizing the need for strategic focus and internal development. Bersin shares insights on leveraging AI to enhance…

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]]> Episode 46 | Unlocking Innovation Via Smart Staffing with Sara Fortier https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-46-unlocking-innovation-via-smart-staffing-with-sara-fortier/ Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:13:33 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21600 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS SARA FORTIER. Sarah shares her journey from industrial design to founding Outwitly in 2016, initially as a consulting firm and later focusing on staffing. Fortier emphasizes the importance of proactive contractors, effective onboarding, and maintaining a supportive community through Slack and coaching. She stresses the importance of stakeholder…

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]]> Episode 137 | Learning, Leading, and Leaping In with Carrie Stokes https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-137-learning-leading-and-leaping-in-with-carrie-stokes/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:53:30 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21612 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS CARRIE STOKES. Carrie Stokes, CEO and President of Barge Design Solutions, discusses her journey from intern to CEO, emphasizing the importance of advocating for oneself, continuous learning, and strategic decision-making. She highlights Barge’s new five-year strategic plan and the need for innovation, particularly in cybersecurity and work…

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]]> Episode 45 | Using Learning Technology to Enhance Business Strategy with Brendan Noud https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-45-using-learning-technology-to-enhance-business-strategy-with-brendan-noud/ Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:27:01 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21591 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS BRENDAN NOUD. Brendan highlights the importance of AI in enhancing administrative tasks and learner engagement. He also emphasizes the importance of businesses understanding their training goals and selecting LMSs that align with their specific needs. Brendan Noud is the CEO and co-founder of LearnUpon, discusses the evolution of his learning…

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]]> Episode 136 | Growth Mindset as a Leadership Game Changer with Rhonda Anderson https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-136-growth-mindset-as-a-leadership-game-changer-with-rhonda-anderson/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:29:34 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21581 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS DR. RHONDA ANDERSON Dr. Rhonda discusses her path from being a first-generation college graduate to founding Silver Hawk Coaching and Consulting after years of experience in talent development across various industries. She shares how her personal journey and expertise inspired her to help leaders and organizations grow. She highlights her book…

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]]> Episode 135 | Remote Leadership Under Pressure During a Turnaround with Andy Allaway https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-135-remote-leadership-under-pressure-during-a-turnaround-with-andy-allaway/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:47:12 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21573 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS ANDY ALLAWAY Andy delves into his professional journey, leadership philosophy, and the challenges he faced steering the company through industry changes. Andy shares insights from his early career in IT sales, his transition into online business, and his eventual rise to CEO, highlighting the importance of adaptability, team culture…

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]]> Episode 134 | The Silent Killer of Performance and Profits with Sherry Yellin https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-134-the-silent-killer-of-performance-and-profits-with-sherry-yellin/ Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:08:56 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21565 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS SHERRY YELLIN Sherry Yellin is the author of several books on leadership and is driven by a passion for understanding how the brain learns and how this knowledge can transform leadership and organizational culture. She shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, recounting pivotal moments that shaped her career, including her early work in…

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]]> Episode 133 | Using Purpose to Fuel Innovation with Brandon Sawalich https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/episode-133-using-purpose-to-fuel-innovation-with-brandon-sawalich/ Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:17:55 +0000 https://www.shockinglydifferent.com/?p=21556 IN THIS EPISODE, KARAN FERRELL-RHODES INTERVIEWS BRANDON SAWALICH Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, discusses his 31-year journey at the company. He shares insights into his personal and professional journey, describing how he began as an intern and went on to lead the only American-owned hearing technology manufacturer. Brandon explores his leadership philosophy of servant…

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