R.O.G. Return on Generosity

181. Rob Stoddard - The Value of Mentorship

“...anytime one of those honorees, awardees stands up to accept an award, the first things they do is to thank their mentors…what that means is better entertainment for all of us, better product for all of us, better customer service and customer care…There is no better return on the generosity of mentoring than the success that people ultimately have in the business world.”
Rob Stoddard is a former corporate communications executive who served in the industry for more than 35 years with an impressive array of professional societies, associations, and organizations. He worked in senior positions in corporate communications, public relations, and public affairs serving the cable telecommunications industry.
Stoddard's professional career commenced as a news assistant at the Washington, DC, bureau of ABC Radio, followed by stints as a news director and correspondent for radio stations in Keene, NH and Springfield, MA. He went on to work as a desk editor and regional executive for United Press International in Boston, before joining the staff of U.S. Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum (R-KS) as Press Secretary in Washington, DC.
Stoddard represented NCTA as a member of the industry Customer Care Committee (C5) for nearly 20 years, from its inception at NCTA through the stewardship of the Cable Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) and finally its permanent home at The Cable Center. He is a member of the Cable Television Pioneers as well as the Virginia Cable Hall of Fame. Stoddard has been recognized with major diversity awards from the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and the Washington, DC / Baltimore Chapter of The WICT Network.
Stoddard's career was capped by a 20-year run with the then-National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) as Senior Vice President for Communications & Public Affairs. After the association changed its name to NCTA - The Internet & Television Association, Stoddard became Senior Vice President for Industry & Association Affairs. He retired from NCTA in January 2022.
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Play to your strengths.
Be generous with information.
Respect and appreciate our history. (i.e., analog to digital) 
Seek mentoring.
Mentor someone. It matters.
Acknowledge and appreciate the ways you witness generosity at work.
Behave with civility.
Resources:
NCTA - The Internet & Television Association 
Cable Center Customer Centric Consortium (C5) 
National Press Club Journalism Institute 
Civility at Work by Christine Porath 
Where to find R.O.G. Podcast:
R.O.G on YouTube
R.O.G on Apple Podcasts
R.O.G on Spotify
How diverse is your network? N.D.I. Network Diversity Index
What is your Generosity Style?  Generosity Quiz
Credits:
Rob Stoddard, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.
Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 182, with Shannon Cassidy for a Generous Leadership Coaching Tip.

180. The 5° Principle | Create New Possibilities | Generous Leadership Coaching Tip

“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” - Marcus Aurelius Antonius
Shannon Cassidy is Founder and CEO of Bridge Between, Inc. a boutique leadership development firm specializing in generous leadership, behavioral change, executive presence, effective  communication, collaborative teamwork, and conflict resolution. She provides Executive Coaching, Facilitation (team sessions, mentoring programs, leadership retreats, executive workshops, mediation services) and Keynote Speaking (conferences, annual events, ceremonies) all custom designed. This is her podcast, R.O.G. Return on Generosity focusing on how to be a corporate generous leader by sharing time, talent and gratitude. 
Shannon combines her keen ability to get to the heart of every matter with a proven track record as a corporate leader. Before founding Bridge Between, Inc. she spent years building profitable businesses and driving innovation and leadership initiatives. This real-world experience formed the bedrock of her success. She equips her clients with the strategies, tools, and inspiration to thrive during organizational change and to lead with vision, purpose, and generosity. 
Shannon has authored several articles and books including Discover Your Inner Strength (2009), The Five Degree Principle: How Small Changes Lead to Big Results (2013), V.I.B.E. A Self-Discovery Journey to Authentic Leadership (2014) and Grounded in Gratitude a one-line-a –day, five-year gratitude journal (2015-2023). Her current efforts focus on the benefits of Generosity at Work.
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Notice what you select from the "stuff".
Acknowledge that your selection begins to formulate a truth for you.
The "truth" manifests into a story or perception of the situation.
The story becomes a belief about how things are. 
Have the courage to go "back down the ladder" when needed. 
Resources:
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ShannonCassidybb 
Bridge Between, Inc. https://bridgebetween.com
The Five Degree Principle by Shannon Cassidy
V.I.B.E. by Shannon Cassidy 
R.O.G. on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r-o-g-return-on-generosity/id1508207492 
R.O.G. on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1L9UnWdoiAX8MtRKXjdPY3 
Video of this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/PNfiBD-2PLI 
Free N.D.I. Network Diversity Index https://bridgebetween.com/network-diversity-index/ 
Free Generosity Quiz https://bridgebetween.com/generosity-quiz/ 
Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 181, with special guest Rob Stoddard
Credits: Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.

179. Dr. Natalie Nixon - Wonder + Rigor

“Creativity is our ability to toggle between wonder & rigor to solve problems, produce novel value & generate meaning.”
Natalie Nixon is a Creativity Strategist and President of Figure 8 Thinking, LLC. She helps organizations accelerate innovation and growth by developing meaningful strategy through design thinking and ethnographic research. Dr. Nixon is a Fellow at the Paris d.School, a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania in social innovation and design for social impact, and a Senior Advisor at Econsult Solutions. She is the Founding Director of the Strategic Design MBA program at Philadelphia University, where she was a professor in design strategy and management. She is a published author and a global speaker.
She is a highly sought after keynote speaker, valued for her accessible expertise on creativity, the future of work and innovation. Natalie advises leaders on transformation- by applying wonder and rigor to amplify growth and business value. She brings an innovative and unique perspective to every keynote, strategic advisory engagement, and leadership coaching session. Her experience living in 5 countries combined with her background in anthropology, fashion, academia, and dance distinguish her as a one-of-a-kind creativity expert.
Natalie has been named among the top women keynote speakers by Real Leaders and BigSpeak; and has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company and INC. She’s the author of the award-winning The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation and Intuition at Work and her firm Figure 8 Thinking, was named among the top women-led innovation firms by Core 77. Marketing guru Seth Godin has said that Natalie “helps you get unstuck and unlock the work you were born to do!”; and Jessi Hempel, host of LinkedIn’s “Hello Monday” podcast called Natalie “a personal trainer for your creativity muscle”.
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Start with gratitude. 
Stay humble. 
Model empathy.
Be curious.
Take action. 
Know and practice asking divergent and convergent questions.
Seek to strike a balance of wonder and rigor.
Be a clumsy student.
Always seek creative ways to learn and grow.
Resources:
Figure 8 Thinking with Natalie Nixon
About Natalie Nixon | Figure 8 Thinking
Cultivating Curiosity with Natalie Nixon
7 rules for improvising at work | Natalie Nixon | TEDxPhiladelphia
Natalie Nixon Speaker Reel
Warren Berger’s Books 
Natalie Nixon | Penn GSE
Where to find R.O.G. Podcast:
R.O.G on YouTube
R.O.G on Apple Podcasts
R.O.G on Spotify
How diverse is your network? N.D.I. Network Diversity Index
What is your Generosity Style?  Generosity Quiz
Credits:
Natalie Nixon, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.
Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 180, with Shannon Cassidy for a Generous Leadership Coaching Tip.

178. The 5° Principle | Improve the Quality of Your Questions | Generous Leadership Coaching Tip

“We thought that we had the answers, it was the questions we had wrong.” - Bono
Shannon Cassidy is Founder and CEO of Bridge Between, Inc. a boutique leadership development firm specializing in generous leadership, behavioral change, executive presence, effective  communication, collaborative teamwork, and conflict resolution. She provides Executive Coaching, Facilitation (team sessions, mentoring programs, leadership retreats, executive workshops, mediation services) and Keynote Speaking (conferences, annual events, ceremonies) all custom designed. This is her podcast, R.O.G. Return on Generosity focusing on how to be a corporate generous leader by sharing time, talent and gratitude. 
Shannon combines her keen ability to get to the heart of every matter with a proven track record as a corporate leader. Before founding Bridge Between, Inc. she spent years building profitable businesses and driving innovation and leadership initiatives. This real-world experience formed the bedrock of her success. She equips her clients with the strategies, tools, and inspiration to thrive during organizational change and to lead with vision, purpose, and generosity. 
Shannon has authored several articles and books including Discover Your Inner Strength (2009), The Five Degree Principle: How Small Changes Lead to Big Results (2013), V.I.B.E. A Self-Discovery Journey to Authentic Leadership (2014) and Grounded in Gratitude a one-line-a –day, five-year gratitude journal (2015-2023). Her current efforts focus on the benefits of Generosity at Work.
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Ask quality questions.
Stay on the Road of Resolution. What… How…
Create a “back pocket” question for when you need it like, “What am I grateful for?”
Encourage others to join you on the Road of Resolution.
Resources:
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ShannonCassidybb 
Bridge Between, Inc. https://bridgebetween.com
The Five Degree Principle by Shannon Cassidy
V.I.B.E. by Shannon Cassidy 
R.O.G. on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r-o-g-return-on-generosity/id1508207492 
R.O.G. on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1L9UnWdoiAX8MtRKXjdPY3 
Video of this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/PNfiBD-2PLI 
Free N.D.I. Network Diversity Index https://bridgebetween.com/network-diversity-index/ 
Free Generosity Quiz https://bridgebetween.com/generosity-quiz/ 
Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 179, with special guest Dr. Natalie Nixon
Credits: Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.

177. Kim Scott - Radical Respect

“Disrupting bias is really important because bias is a pattern and if we don't publicly correct it, then we reinforce it. We make it more likely that it's going to happen again.”
Kim Scott is the author of “Radical Respect: How to Work Together Better” and “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity” and co-founder of the company Radical Candor. 
Kim was a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other tech companies. She was a member of the faculty at Apple University and before that led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google. Prior to that Kim managed a pediatric clinic in Kosovo and started a diamond-cutting factory in Moscow. 
She also co-hosts the podcasts Radical Candor and Radical Respect.  She lives with her family in Silicon Valley.
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Exhibit Radical Respect for all.
Step 1: Create a shared vocabulary to call out bias. 
Step 2: Shared norm. If someone makes you aware of something I have done/ said is biased, say, “Thank you for making me aware.” 
Step 3: Shared commitment to working on being better.
Resources:
RadicalRespectBook.com
How to Disrupt Bias in the Workplace
Radical Respect: How to Work Together Better
Kim Scott — Bio
How to Lead With Radical Candor | Kim Scott | TED
Radical Respect — Indivisible
Out of the comfort zone - Radical Respect with guest Kim Scott
Where to find R.O.G. Podcast:
R.O.G on YouTube
R.O.G on Apple Podcasts
R.O.G on Spotify
How diverse is your network? N.D.I. Network Diversity Index
What is your Generosity Style?  Generosity Quiz
Credits:
Kim Scott, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.
Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 178, with Shannon Cassidy for a Generous Leadership Coaching Tip.

176. The 5° Principle | Find Your Happiness and Success Formula | Generous Leadership Coaching Tip

“Perhaps if one really knew when one was happy one would know the things that were necessary for one’s life.” Joanna Field, Author, A Life of One’s Own
Shannon Cassidy is Founder and CEO of Bridge Between, Inc. a boutique leadership development firm specializing in generous leadership, behavioral change, executive presence, effective  communication, collaborative teamwork, and conflict resolution. She provides Executive Coaching, Facilitation (team sessions, mentoring programs, leadership retreats, executive workshops, mediation services) and Keynote Speaking (conferences, annual events, ceremonies) all custom designed. This is her podcast, R.O.G. Return on Generosity focusing on how to be a corporate generous leader by sharing time, talent and gratitude. 
Shannon combines her keen ability to get to the heart of every matter with a proven track record as a corporate leader. Before founding Bridge Between, Inc. she spent years building profitable businesses and driving innovation and leadership initiatives. This real-world experience formed the bedrock of her success. She equips her clients with the strategies, tools, and inspiration to thrive during organizational change and to lead with vision, purpose, and generosity. 
Shannon has authored several articles and books including Discover Your Inner Strength (2009), The Five Degree Principle: How Small Changes Lead to Big Results (2013), V.I.B.E. A Self-Discovery Journey to Authentic Leadership (2014) and Grounded in Gratitude a one-line-a –day, five-year gratitude journal (2015-2023). Her current efforts focus on the benefits of Generosity at Work.
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Figure out your Formula for Fulfillment. Ask Shannon for a PDF of the framework if you’re interested. 
Resources:
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ShannonCassidybb 
Bridge Between, Inc. https://bridgebetween.com
The Five Degree Principle by Shannon Cassidy
V.I.B.E. by Shannon Cassidy 
R.O.G. on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r-o-g-return-on-generosity/id1508207492 
R.O.G. on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1L9UnWdoiAX8MtRKXjdPY3 
Video of this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/PNfiBD-2PLI 
Free N.D.I. Network Diversity Index https://bridgebetween.com/network-diversity-index/ 
Free Generosity Quiz https://bridgebetween.com/generosity-quiz/ 
Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 177, with special guest Kim Scott
Credits: Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.

175. Liz Christo - A-Game: Uniting Authenticity, Accountability, Autonomy, and Alignment

“You have to give without the expectation of return…you can be pointing your time in the right direction, but it is not a give and take. So much of what is asked of you, or where you choose to give, should be done without any expectations.”
Liz Christo is a Partner at Stage 2 Capital where she partners with Dan Heck to back early stage entrepreneurs in their journey to build generational software businesses.
Liz spent the last 6 years at OpenView Venture Partners. She joined OpenView in 2016 to lead the Expansion Platform and build out the post-investment consulting team, was elevated to Partner and joined the Investment Committee in 2017, and ultimately led the Investment team with a focus on developing the systems, processes and team to identify and win the best expansion stage software deals.
Prior to joining OpenView, Liz spent a decade as an operator. Her experience spans sales operations, account management and inside sales. As the AVP of Worldwide Business Development at NetSuite, she launched and scaled NetSuite’s BDR team to a 170-person global organization.
Liz is an avid reader, amateur chef and spends as much time as she can outside in Vermont with her husband Drew and dog Bear.
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
The treasure of time and how are we investing that treasure? 
Be generous with your time and have boundaries. 
Invest in self-care.
Think about the culture you’re creating and what is the value of working here? How are we attracting talent and retaining talent? 
Have clarity of your values and how they are celebrated. 
Give without the expectation of return.
Resources:
Liz Christo, Stage 2 
Liz Christo of Stage 2 Capital shares how your go-to-market strategy should shift during a recession
How to build and scale your RevOps team with Liz Christo
Sales Nerds Live! From IC to VC: Getting Ahead as a Woman In Sales
Where to find R.O.G. Podcast:
R.O.G on YouTube
R.O.G on Apple Podcasts
R.O.G on Spotify
How diverse is your network? N.D.I. Network Diversity Index
What is your Generosity Style?  Generosity Quiz
Credits:
Liz Christo, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.
Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 176, with Shannon Cassidy for a Generous Leadership Coaching Tip.

174. The 5° Principle | Keep Promises | Generous Leadership Coaching Tip

"Action expresses priorities."  - Mahatma Gandhi
Shannon Cassidy is Founder and CEO of Bridge Between, Inc. a boutique leadership development firm specializing in behavioral change, executive presence, effective communication, collaborative teamwork, empowering leadership, and conflict resolution. She provides Executive Coaching, Facilitation (team sessions, retreats, conferences) and Keynote Speaking (conferences, annual events, ceremonies) and Mentoring Programs (associations, ERGs, leadership circles) all custom designed. She has a podcast called R.O.G. Return on Generosity that focuses on how to be a corporate generous leader by sharing time, talent and gratitude. 
Shannon combines her keen ability to get to the heart of every matter with a proven track record as a corporate leader. Before founding bridge between, she spent years building profitable businesses and driving innovation and leadership initiatives. This real-world experience formed the bedrock of her success, enabling her to provide clients with the strategies, tools, and inspiration to thrive during organizational change and lead with vision, values, and purpose.
Shannon has authored several articles and books including Discover Your Inner Strength (2009), The Five Degree Principle: How Small Changes Lead to Big Results (2013), V.I.B.E. A Self-Discovery Journey to Authentic Leadership (2014) and Grounded in Gratitude a one-line-a –day, five-year gratitude journal (2015). Her current efforts focus on the benefits of Generosity at Work.
 
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Choose one promise you will make to yourself or others that enables you to be congruent with what you say you care about. What’s your one thing?
Resources:
View this episode on YouTube
BridgeBetween.com
Network Diversity Index Quiz
The Five Degree Principle by Shannon Cassidy
V.I.B.E. by Shannon Cassidy
R.O.G. on Apple Podcasts
R.O.G. on Spotify
R.O.G. on YouTube
Coming Next:
Please join us next week, Episode 175, with special guest Liz Christo.
Credits:
Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.