Business Profound: Getting Real About Success

Hosted by Karen Tax

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Dec 2024

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About the show

I’ve Been Exactly Where You Are Right Now I know it can be difficult when you combine profit with purpose. How can you go beyond just focussing myopically on the bottom line into work that reflects the values of your heart and soul? What are you supposed to do when you’re overcome by your monster to-do list? How do you act when what you clearly see as the right thing to do is in conflict with other interests? These are just some of the challenges I’ve had to overcome in my 30+ years working in corporations and as an entrepreneur, and it's the entire reason I launched the Business Profound Podcast. I've developed a leadership framework called IAMX to help individuals, teams, and organizations align with their strategy, operationalize their culture, and through all of that, thrive collectively. As a technically-minded person who is also unapologetically heart-centered, I've been inspired to develop many different tools to resolve some of the biggest challenges we face in corporate America. The Business Profound Podcast is my way of sharing what I've learned with you. Together, we explore and share real-world stories of leaders who are creating bold, new versions of success, and effective ways to integrate mindfulness & sustainability at work. —Karen Tax Creator of IAMX Learn more about Karen’s work https://www.iamx.one Take our transformational leadership course https://www.iamx.one/define-your-true-self/course Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and YouTube

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10 recent

December 23, 2024Episode 1143 min

When More Work Hours Create Worse Results

Are you leading your organization like a factory or a forest? This distinction may be the key to unlocking sustainable success and meaningful transformation in your workplace.In this episode, I explore how our industrial-era approach to leadership - rooted in Frederick Taylor's mechanistic efficiency models - continues to shape modern organizations, often to their detriment. Through real-world examples from my executive coaching practice, I reveal how shifting from a "factory mindset" to a "forest mindset" can dramatically improve team resilience, innovation, and engagement.I share the story of two manufacturing facilities under different leadership styles, where one leader's approach led to employees willingly working longer hours while maintaining high morale - not because they were pushed, but because they felt genuinely supported and valued. This counterintuitive result highlights a crucial truth about sustainable performance that many leaders miss.But what exactly makes a forest-based leadership approach so powerful? And how can you begin implementing these principles in your own organization without sacrificing efficiency or results? Listen to the full episode to discover the surprising answers and learn about a powerful technique I call "the flip" that can transform your leadership impact.Ready to cultivate a more resilient, purposeful organization? Explore my 8-week Define Your True Self course at https://www.iamx.one/define-your-true-self/course and learn how to lead from your authentic best self while creating sustainable value for all stakeholders.

November 4, 2024Episode 1011 min

Help! My boss is a motor-mouth and I can't get him to shut up.

Have you ever found yourself trapped in your boss's office at the end of a long day, nodding politely while they continue talking... and talking... and talking? In this episode, I explore this common challenge through a coaching conversation with a client who faced this exact situation at their startup.Through their experience with an enthusiastic (but overly talkative) CEO, we unpack the complex dynamics of setting boundaries with those in positions of power. Listen as we discuss why simply "sucking it up" isn't sustainable and how letting these situations fester can lead to deeper organizational issues.But setting boundaries isn't just about saying "no" – it's about creating new possibilities for authentic dialogue and co-creative solutions. Together, we explore the crucial mindset shifts and practical approaches that can transform challenging power dynamics into opportunities for growth.Ready to step into your power and speak your truth in difficult situations? My 8-week course, Define Your True Self, will guide you through the exact process of becoming the conscious leader you're meant to be. Whether you're dealing with boundary issues or other leadership challenges, you'll learn how to create meaningful change while staying true to yourself. Learn more at https://www.iamx.one/define-your-true-self/courseTune in to discover the surprising breakthrough moment when my client finally took action with their CEO...

June 17, 2024Episode 82 min

The Garden Secret to Getting Your Whole Team to Flourish

Have you ever wondered why some teams thrive while others struggle to reach their full potential? The answer may lie in the most unlikely of places—your garden.As a conscious leader, your role is to nurture the soil in which your employees can put down roots and blossom. By doing so, you can transform your organization into a vibrant ecosystem where every individual is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their highest potential.But what does it take to become a leader of greatness? How can you identify the right conditions for each member of your team to flourish? And what are the secret ingredients that will help you grow a culture of purpose, meaning, and shared success?To unearth these answers and more, tune in to this enlightening episode of Business Profound.And if you're ready to take your leadership skills to the next level, I invite you to join me in my transformative 8-week online course, "Define Your True Self."Visit Define Your True Self to learn more and start cultivating your journey in conscious leadership today.

May 22, 2024Episode 73 min

How to Cultivate a Thriving Business Culture: Leadership Lessons from the Garden

In this episode of Business Profound, host Karen Tax shares her experience of guiding a head of IT in a large organization through managing anxiety for leadership effectiveness. By helping him shift focus from external pressures to internal mindfulness practices, the leader was able to approach work in a more relaxed, curious, and open manner. The conversation also highlights the impact of a leader's anxiety on their team and the culture it can create within an organization.This episode covers:- The Problem: Unfocused Energy in Leadership- The Root Cause: Anxiety and Aggression- The Solution: Mindfulness and Internal Focus- The Transformation: From Anxious to Relaxed Leadership- Conclusion and Invitation to Define Your True Self Course

May 8, 2024Episode 64 min

How You Can Thrive as a Leader: Leadership Lessons from the Garden

In this episode of Business Profound, you’re invited to explore holistic leadership through the metaphor of gardening. Karen shares her insights on how placing the right person in the right role within the right environment can lead to success. She shares a personal story of how rohdea plants that were previously struggling in her garden were transformed into thriving plants simply by changing their environment, drawing a parallel to managing teams and organizations.00:00 Intro00:30 Meet Your Host01:04 The Garden Metaphor: A Lesson in Leadership01:58 Applying the Garden Metaphor to Team Management02:31 Closing

April 24, 2024Episode 54 min

The Thing More Important Than Time Management

In this episode of 'Business Profound', Karen Tax, a former computer programmer turned leadership mentor, explores the concept of internal focus versus external focus in the face of uncertainty. Karen suggests that leaders should pay more attention to their internal state and perception before focusing on external events. She also argues that although time is commonly seen as an asset, it's actually our focus that's more important. The key is to operate from a calm and centered place, thereby being able to move confidently into uncertainty and project positivity into the world. Karen's experiences, insights and strategies throughout her career in corporate America provide valuable advice for executives facing challenging business scenarios. The aim of the podcast is to guide leaders and organizations towards maximizing their performance and achieving profound success.This episode covers:- Introduction to Business Profound- The Importance of Time and Focus- The Power of Internal Focus- Understanding the Locus of Control- Closing Remarks and Course Promotion

April 10, 2024Episode 411 min

Is it okay to be POWERFUL?

In this podcast, host Karen Tax discusses the concept of power dynamics in the corporate world. She shares her personal experiences with power-related dynamics, including examples of manipulation and lack of responsibility. She encourages listeners to embrace their personal power for the advancement of their careers and organizations, referring to Martin Luther King's definition of power, highlighting that power should be grounded in love. She emphasizes the need for business cultures to shift and allow employees to express powerful ideas. Karen also discusses the need for leaders to incorporate feedback and transparency, thereby developing a culture that facilitates empowering people.This episode covers: - Introduction to Power and Leadership- Understanding the Concept of Power- The Host's Journey and Mission- Exploring the Fear of Power- Real-life Experiences with Power Dynamics- The Role of Humility and Kindness in Power- The Assumption of Avoiding Discomfort- The Power of Choice and Self-Reflection- The Struggle of Being Heard and Understood- Defining Power: An Insight from Martin Luther King- The Role of Love in Power- The Extremes of Power: Domination vs. Spinelessness- The Difference Between Inner and External Power- Inviting Others to Share Power- Creating a Culture of Empowerment- Addressing the Discomfort Around Power- The Need for Powerful, Compassionate Leaders- Conclusion and Final Thoughts- Podcast Credits and Additional Resources

March 27, 2024Episode 36 min

How to Shift Your Focus from Anxious to Calm

In this episode of Business Profound, host Karen Tax discusses the impact of anxiety on business leaders and how to manage it using mindfulness practices. Arguing against forcing or suppressing anxiety, Karen presents a method that involves noticing and allowing anxious feelings to move. Karen emphasizes that it's an individual journey and progress depends on personal experience. She also unveils that the technique involves daily practice and may require guidance from a skilled coach, especially for beginners.The interview culminates with an invitation to the listeners to check out 'Define Your True Self course' at IAMX. 1 to learn more about creating success for themselves and their organizations.This episode covers: - An Introduction to Mindfulness in Business- Understanding the Shift from Anxiety to Calmness- The Role of Mindfulness Practices in Managing Anxiety- The Importance of Daily Practice and Skill Development- The Power of Acceptance and Welcoming Anxiety- The Role of Coaches in Managing Anxiety- Understanding Individual Differences in Anxiety Management- The Next Steps After Noticing and Accepting Anxiety- Conclusion and Further Resources

March 13, 2024Episode 22 min

Define Your True Self

Define Your True Self is a course aimed at leaders looking to bring about positive change and implement their ideas effectively. It comes with audio guides, a personal workbook, and mindfulness practices. We emphasize intelligence in all its forms, not just IQ.The goal is to help leaders (whether you lead others or not) tap into their full potential and find clarity in their leadership identity.

February 28, 2024Episode 112 min

The One Thing You are Missing to Recover Permanently from Burnout

In this episode, holistic leadership coach Karen Tax clarifies how a scarcity mindset (the belief of never doing enough), can lead to burnout. She shares the three-part story of a client who transitioned from being a mom to a business owner, eventually suffering from burnout due to unresolved conflicts and power struggles. Karen’s coaching helps this client to understand and resolve unhealthy power dynamics and recover from burnout by shifting her thinking from a scarcity-based belief to one of trust and empowerment. Karen invites listeners to her online course, 'Define Your True Self' to develop into holistic leaders.This episode covers:- Understanding the Root Cause of Burnout- The Journey of a Burnt-out Lawyer: Part 1- The Journey of a Burnt-out Lawyer: Part 2- The Journey of a Burnt-out Lawyer: Part 3- Overcoming Scarcity Mindset and Burnout- The Power of Holistic Leadership