Innovation Inside Launchstreet: Leading Innovators | Business Growth | Improve Your Innovation Game

I'm back! It's been a minute, but as I explain in this podcast, I took a step back so that I can come back on FIRE! I've got a new format, new content, new conversations and new value for you. I explain all this in the podcast and then I dive right in! I talk about the relationship between fear and resistance. As fear dials up, so does resistance. And conversley, I talk about how to minimize your resistance by recognizing and understanding where your fear is coming from.  You can't be fearless. But, you can push through and even harness fear to move forward Tamara's Everyday Innovator style is Risk Taker Experiential. What's yours?     Sticky Inspiration: Increase fear = increase resistance   Lesson & Action: Don't be fearless! Instead, learn to recognize where your fear is coming from so that you can push through it.      Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn Join our global Everyday Innovators community on Facebook

Let's face it, failure is a part of life. Failure can often feel devastating, and worse, it can feel final. In today's episode, I'm going to go open up, get a little vulnerable and share a recent failure I had and the lessons around mental toughness, not counting yourself out too early, and cheering on your supporters. Of course, I'll also talk about why this failure, while it hurt, isn't final and what I'm going to do to bounce back. I hope in sharing this you'll get some inspiration and determination to push through your next failure. I'm also going to share a technique I often use to solve my biggest problems, and how to leverage the little quirks of your brain to work for you, not against you. This format is a little different than my usual Friday wrap-ups. This is experimentation so let me know what you think. Tamara's Everyday Innovator style: Risk Taker Experiential Connect with Tamara on LinkedIn Check out Howdy Puppy Use code ‘Tamara’ at checkout for the discount Discover your Everyday Innovator S

Are you playing to win or playing not to lose? As our Everyday Innovator guest, Evans Mehew shares that mindset difference is also the difference between innovating and moving forward or falling behind. It changes how you think, act, the goals you set and so much more. As the founder of FastFulcrum, a content design and creation firm, Evans shares his passion for driving innovation and how the culture you set often determines your outcomes. He also digs deep into how to shift with relevancy in today's uncertain world, and why it's important to recognize that pivoting is now a part of life. He also gives some great advice on how to not give in to the power of inertia, aka staying still. And, he talks about the power of value stacking, understanding what you believe in, and how to let that guide you to a more fulfilling personal and professional life. Evans' Everyday Innovator style: Inquisitive Instinctual Connect with Evans on LinkedIn Check out Howdy Puppy Use code ‘Tamara’ at checkout for the discount Dis

Disruption can be a positive force for helping you find your value. In fact, keeping up with disruptors on the edges takes a real understanding of the value you bring to the table. Our Everyday Innovator guests, Mike Kenevan and Jessica Howard share how they see the human role in a technology-driven world, and how to define the value you bring. As leading branch managers at Spire Financial, they talk about how they've adapted to change in their industry and being nimble when necessary. They also dig into how to keep moving forward when the obstacles you face feel insurmountable and being the person that helps others ease their stress and make good decisions. They also talk about how "this is the way we've always done it" is the worst phrase you can think and say in the face of uncertainty if you want to be innovative and why you need to get comfortable being uncomfortable. They also open up about the negative consequences of sweeping things under the rug and avoiding the tough conversations and situations, an

Being the absolute best you can be doesn't mean being good at everything. In fact, it means recognizing where you aren't the best and letting go of those things. Today's Everyday Innovator guests, Matt DeLuzio and Turner Williams share how they've learned to work in their genius zones, not project what they love or hate to do on others, and why meeting people where they are is the key to tapping the human potential of themselves and those they lead. As the top producing loan officers at Spire Financial, they share how going back to the basics, focusing on what you can control, and adjusting your sails is the key to their success in changing times. They also share how the fear of loss can actually drive strong innovation. We dig into how the key to leading through change is about recognizing the signals before they become an undertow that sweeps you out to sea. Matt and Turner also open up about what they think it takes to continue to be top producers in changing times, including understanding your personal va

The winter season always comes. It's inevitable. Today's Everyday Innovator Dan Brown shares with us how he thinks about preparing for the winter seasons and uncertain futures. As the Regional Director of Spire Financial, Dan shares how he's always working on contingencies to prepare for the future. He also talks about what it took to get out in front of the quickly changing and highly competitive real estate market in a way that gave their customers the competitive advantage, and why you shouldn't wait until you are disrupted to think about change contingencies. He also shares some major insights into how to put your customer and their needs first by offering products and services that your competition doesn't and sets your customers up for success. And, a story of creative ways to serve their customers that brings in the fun and the value. He also opens up about the arc of inspiration, motivation, and determination, and why you actually need all three to succeed.  Dan's Everyday Innovator style: Collabora

Today’s uncertain and volatile world requires more than hard skills – it requires soft skills. In fact, soft skills have become essential to your success. In this episode, I’ll share the six soft skills essential to success in complex times. Then I share the major insight I received from each of the Everyday Innovators. First is Toni Shelton (Collaborative Inquisitive) in the public schools and education space, then Mark Flint (Futuristic Instinctual) the CEO of Escape Game, Emilia D’Anzica and Sabina Pons (Tweaker Risk Taker & Instinctual Collaborative) in the technology space, and Justin Bieganek (Instinctual Futuristic) owner of Mercury Creative.    Tamara's Everyday Innovator style: Risk Taker Experiential   Connect with Tamara on LinkedIn Check out Howdy Puppy Use code ‘Tamara’ at checkout for the discount Discover your Everyday Innovator Style Everyday Innovators Online Facebook Group Innovation is Everybody’s Business Book

As I always say questions in is answers out. Asking good questions is the difference between incremental, useless answers and big breakthrough solutions. But, what makes a question a “good question?” Our Everyday Innovator guest, Justin Bieganek, shared with me that in his view asking the right question is not actually about the answer, it’s about asking questions that make people think. As the Creative Director & Founder of Mercury Creative Group, Justin talks to me about how he wants people around him that tell him “no” and the struggles he’s experienced with stepping away from the weeds of the work and more into a leadership role and what he’s done to work through that. We also have a lively conversation about teaching others to read and respond to the energy of a room, making you a better listener, facilitator, and collaborator. He also opens up about the importance of curiosity in a time when we can re-think everything, and the power of deeper conversations and allowing yourself thinking room. Justi

None of us achieve our goals alone. We need support, help, and people that push us forward. Our Everyday Innovator guests today, Emilia D’Anzica and Sabina Pons, don’t just work together, they’ve created a connection of trust and support that helps them both go further, faster. As the authors of Pressing on as a Tech Mom and Managing Director and Operating Partner of the technology consultancy, Growth Molecules, they know first-hand how a partnership is more than one plus one equals two. In their experience, one plus one equals exponential growth. They also talk about how to overcome the fears that hold you back and how the biggest obstacles they faced in their lives became their biggest motivators – even when everyone around them told them they couldn’t do it (actually that just motivated them more). Sabina and Emilia also talk about what they’ve learned about themselves in working with each other, and how learning that has helped them grow into their best selves, together. They also give some great advice a

Sometimes we forget how much we ask of those around us during challenging times. We ask people to take on more work, work longer hours, deal with new and unknown challenges, drive more innovation, and do it all with a smile. Our Everyday Innovator guest, Mark Flint, understands that in a challenging time when we ask for more withdraws from our people than ever before, we also need to add more deposits. This is how you keep people motivated, engaged, and moving forward. As the CEO of the Escape Game, Mark shares how they thought about innovation as something that is good for their customers and their employees, and how that thinking led to breakthrough ideas - including one that allowed customers to play Escape Game in person or at home through avatars. He also opens up about how he never thought of himself as a risk-taker because he prefers to be more calculated and thorough, but how in fact that is a form of risk-taking, in his world. He also talks about how desperation can lead to great innovation, how inno

When I was first promoted into a leadership role I was paralyzed. I was good at my job but I had no idea how to lead others to do the same. Our Everyday Innovator guest today, Toni Shelton, realized that setting people up for leadership success before they actually took on the roles is essential for their success. As the Manager for the Office of Professional Development for Denver Public Schools, she created a program that allowed people to get skills and experience their future selves will need as leaders. Toni also talks about how important being humble and shifting the focus from self to others is in becoming a leader. Toni also opens up innovation in education with how the last two years have forced the school system to change in areas they previously thought were unchangeable, and why massive transparency is key to removing the resistance to change, especially when you are stepping into the unknown. She shares how the “can’ts, don’ts, won’ts” turned into “cans, ares and wills,” and how to change that in

Sometimes rules are good for us, and other times they are just other people’s way of doing things. And, sometimes rules are used to keep people small-minded and in place by other small-minded people that don’t want to move forward. In this Friday episode, I share my personal experience with feeling held back by the rules, a teacher squelching my dreams, and what my dad taught me about breaking the rules to get to my goals. Then, I share my major insight from each of the Everyday Innovators. First is Lizza de la Garza (Tweaker Imaginative) in the oil and gas, economic development space, then Tony Jamous (Fluid Imaginative) global workforce and talent space, Taylor McCarten (Inquisitive Collaborative) in the composting space, and Yuri Elkaim (Instinctual Imaginative) an expert health-preneur.  Tamara's Everyday Innovator style: Risk Taker Experiential Connect with Tamara on LinkedIn Check out Howdy Puppy Use code ‘Tamara’ at checkout for the discount Discover your Everyday Innovator Style Everyday Innovators

Having a growth mindset is the key to leaning into the challenges you are inevitably going to face. Our Everyday Innovator guest, Yuri Elkaim, shares his keys to growth which include obsessing about your clients (not your competition), making the painful recognition that no one cares as much as you do, and realizing that you don't get full effort by giving fractional energy. As the founder of Healthpreneur, Yuri shares his hard-knock lessons about how to balance the dangers of delegation with working in your zone of genius, and how the key to avoiding commoditization is in your client's pain when they leave you. He also opens up about how you can't grow a million-dollar business doing ten-dollar tasks. Yuri's Everyday Innovator style: Instinctual Imaginative Connect with Yuri on LinkedIn Check out Healthpreneur group Check out Howdy Puppy Use code ‘Tamara’ at checkout for the discount Discover your Everyday Innovator Style Everyday Innovators Online Facebook Group Innovation is Everybody’s Business Book

Have you ever found yourself frustrated by a persistent problem? Or have you ever wondered why something you do is so complicated or never quite meets your needs? Our Everyday Innovator guest, Taylor McCarten knows all about taking one of those frustrating moments and turning it into a global business opportunity. Taylor shares with me how his frustration with the clunkiness and challenges of composting, along with his passion for working on climate change, led him to seek out solutions that didn't exist today. As the founder of BinBreese, he shares how his willingness to be open to the surprising opportunities, not the ones you planned out, often leads to the greatest success, why asking for help is his superpower, and balancing what needs to be done today with moving towards his big vision helps his team stay on track and innovate at the same time. He also shares how the idea for BinBreeze didn't come from what existed in the market today; in fact, it came from walking away from current options. Taylor's Ev

It's amazing how far a little initiative and imagination can take you. Our Everyday Innovator guest, Lizzy de la Garza Putegnat shares with us how she combines both to drive innovation that provides massive value. She also shares how she thinks about delivering real value to her leaders, her team, and the community. Lizzy gives us her key to success which is really a simple question that drives everything. As the Executive Director of Marketing and PR and Total Fuel, Lizzy shares her story of turning company values into innovative programs that serve her community and engage employees. She also opens up about how she deals with being afraid to take bold steps and how she thinks the biggest thing we should fear is lack of progress, i.e. staying in place.  Lizzy's Everyday Innovator style: Tweaker Imaginative Connect with Lizzy on LinkedIn Check out Howdy Puppy Use code ‘Tamara’ at checkout for discount Discover your Everyday Innovator Style Everyday Innovators Online Facebook Group Innovation is Everybody

Self-doubt can be debilitating. It seeps into your subconscious and then shows up in how you think, act and respond to the world around you. In this Friday episode, I share my personal experience with self-doubt, how it impacted my life and what I did to overcome it and move forward. Then, I share my major insight from each of the Everyday Innovators. First is Richard Fertig (Risk Taker Instinctual) in the real estate and investing space, then Ayal Annac (Imaginative Inquisitive) in the healthcare innovation arena, Stephan Parent (Collaborative Tweaker) in the meetings and events industry, and Matt Ley (Collaborative Inquisitive) an expert in leadership and people development. Tamara's Everyday Innovator style: Risk Taker Experiential Connect with Tamara on LinkedIn Check out our sponsor Howdy Puppy Code ‘Tamara’ for 20% off your order Everyday Innovators Online Facebook Group Innovation is Everybody’s Business Book

As founder of Flip The Script, Matt Ley describes himself as a lover of people and a chaser of shiny things. His goal in life is to have interesting conversations with interesting people, and in his eyes, everybody is interesting, in some way. He shares how he's learned that when people fight things it's not a cue that they are disengaged but in fact a cue that they are incredibly engaged. As he says, it takes a lot of energy to fight ideas and people. He also opens up about how most failures or misunderstandings start with a lack of clear or explicit expectations. He also gives some great advice about moving from right versus wrong to optimal versus suboptimal. Matt also digs into how for him being an innovator is about growing on the edges, not in the center. Matt's Everday Innovator style is Collaborative Inquisitive. Check out Howdy Puppy Use code ‘Tamara’ at checkout for discount Discover your Everyday Innovator Style Everyday Innovators Online Facebook Group Innovation is Everybody’s Business Book

We throw around the words "pivot" or "adapt" a lot. But, what does it really mean to do either of those things? Our Everyday Innovator guest, Stephan Parent, shares his stories of having to truly pivot and find new opportunities for himself and his business when COVID pulled the rug out. He opens up about how almost overnight he had to rethink his business and in doing so found surprising ways to add value to his customers. As the President of Novam Interactive, he helps us see how the questions you ask at the front end can drastically change how the solutions you create on the back end. He also opens up about how pushing your ideas and thoughts on people actually pushes them away and why respect and value are a give and take. Stephan's Everyday Innovator style: Collaborative Tweaker Connect with Stephan on LinkedIn Check out Howdy Puppy Use code ‘Tamara’ at checkout for discount Discover your Everyday Innovator Style Everyday Innovators Online Facebook Group Innovation is Everybody’s Business Book

When you are a pioneer in your field you have to recognize that lack of recognition and acceptance is the price of being ahead of your competition, But, like our Everyday Innovator guest, Ayla Annac shares with us, being a leader is highly rewarding in other ways. As the CEO and President of InvivoSciences (innovation in heart care) Ayla shares with us how she leads from the heart both in terms of her passion and how she leads her team. She also opens up about how she thinks about taking risks, the power of intent, and how you differentiate between the naysayers and the supporters. She also talks about why as a leader it's important to be and show positivity to your team so that you can get through the good and tough times. Ayla also opens up about how her personal experience of losing her dad to heart failure is the driving force behind her work. Ayla's Everyday Innovator style: Imaginative Instinctual Connect with Ayla on LinkedIn Check out Howdy Puppy Use code ‘Tamara’ at checkout for a discount Discover