Tim Stating the Obvious

How Senior Leaders Embrace Social Media

On Tim Stating the Obvious, I had the chance to interview, Jess Jensen, to get her insights on the importance of effective leadership in both professional and personal environments. As a communication strategist, she explored the impact of social media on leadership and discussed her commitment to servant leadership and creating meaningful digital connections. She founded Co-Pilot Communications with the goal of helping leaders enhance their digital presence, aiming to inspire optimism and drive positive change.
Throughout her career, Jess has held positions at major companies like Microsoft and Adidas, supported by her educational background in psychology and business administration. During my conversation with Jess, she emphasized the evolution of social media from a personal tool to an essential business resource, noting how many senior leaders are now actively engaged on these platforms. However, there’s a noticeable inconsistency in how effectively leaders utilize social media—some build genuine connections, while others rely on outdated PR tactics that fail to engage.
Jess also touched on challenges faced by leaders, particularly those with military backgrounds, in navigating social media without jeopardizing their careers. She suggested starting with clear social media policies developed in collaboration with legal and communications teams. Jess offers five strategies for authentically enhancing an online presence, highlighting the importance of supporting team members rather than competing with customers.
Publicly recognizing employees is crucial for boosting engagement and loyalty. Jess shared an example from Qualcomm, where the CEO acknowledged an employee’s adaptability during the pandemic, illustrating how such recognition can be more impactful than financial rewards. She emphasized the importance of acknowledging both customers and employees to strengthen relationships and morale, urging senior leaders to establish thought leadership on social media based on their experiences.
Leaders should clearly articulate their visions for the future of their industries, engaging audiences with personal values and insights beyond company metrics. Successful thought leadership develops over time through consistent sharing and engagement with feedback, as demonstrated by Scott Galloway’s ability to predict industry trends using technology, marketing, and economics.
Qualitative feedback is vital in shaping business strategies, and Jess highlighted Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, as an example of effectively addressing customer input. She recommended starting with small social media interactions, especially on LinkedIn, to build a rhythm of engagement. Two-way communication is key, along with collaboration strategies between marketing and public relations teams.
During her time at Qualcomm, she worked on integrating digital marketing with PR efforts, advocating for breaking presentations into smaller content pieces for broader reach. At Co-Pilot Communications, her approach with clients involves thorough preparation and understanding their needs through a three-phase operational method, starting with strategic audience identification and self-evaluation for effective communication.
This process includes consulting with others to understand their communication style and conducting a detailed audit of their digital presence. Best practices from industry leaders inform the development of a narrative roadmap aligned with the leader’s values. The “flight plan” phase operationalizes this strategy through platform training, such as LinkedIn, equipping leaders for effective communication.
Jess's strategy includes updating social media profiles, creating a 30-day content calendar, and measuring engagement rates and qualitative sentiment. Regular evaluations allow for content adjustments, and sharing plans with team members ensures collaboration.
She places great value on measurement and feedback, preferring clients who are curious and open to experimentation. Reflecting on successful collaborations with companies like Adidas and Microsoft, Jess attributes her success to supportive leadership. Her ideal client is self-aware and mindful of their leadership style and digital legacy. Managing one’s digital footprint is crucial to avoid unintended legacies, promoting authenticity in blending personal and professional lives. The changes brought by the pandemic have encouraged transparency and vulnerability, fostering a culture of humility and goal orientation beneficial to both work and family life.
 
Connect with Jess Jensen:
https://www.copilotcommunications.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakjensen/
 
Tim Staton
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#Leadership #DigitalMarketing #SocialMedia #ThoughtLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #CommunicationStrategies #Podcasting #ServantLeadership #BusinessGrowth #PersonalBranding #ContentCreation #Networking #DigitalPresence #HumanityInBusiness #CSuiteLeadership

Crafting Your Legacy: From Vision to Reality

In my journey to distinguish between having a vision and setting goals, I’ve come to realize the profound importance of crafting a clear personal vision statement. This isn’t just about setting goals; it’s about outlining my long-term aspirations and the legacy I wish to leave behind. The path to realizing a vision is fraught with challenges, and I often ponder whether a vision that doesn’t materialize was merely a goal in disguise.
Through deep self-reflection, I’ve learned to peel back the layers of superficial goals to uncover my true desires. I’ve realized the danger of aimlessness and the power of writing down specific desires tied to a clear vision, understanding the motivations behind them. Faith, as I see it—a blend of belief, trust, and action—is the driving force behind achieving my vision. I find inspiration in the metaphor of Indiana Jones stepping onto an invisible bridge, reminding me that true faith involves moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear. My faith in God and Jesus is the bedrock of my journey.
To keep myself accountable and confident, I write down my goals and share them with others. I’ve noticed how external influences, especially from the media, can shape my desires, so I practice repeatedly affirming my personal vision to stay focused and ward off negativity. Tools like vision boards or index cards help me internalize and regularly revisit my vision. It’s crucial for me to eliminate distractions and influences that don’t align with my goals because engaging in activities that detract from my ambitions only stalls my progress. Consistent self-affirmation and unwavering dedication to my vision are my keys to success.
I’m excited to explore how social media can be leveraged for leadership in upcoming discussions. It’s vital for me to maintain control over my vision and legacy, ensuring they’re not shaped by others. I look forward to diving deeper into these concepts in future episodes, strengthening my resolve to shape my destiny.
#PersonalVision #LeadershipDevelopment #VisionVsGoals #FaithAndAction #VisionBoard #MindsetMatters #GoalSetting #Inspiration #LifeGoals #LeadershipPrinciples #MotivationMonday #GrowthMindset #LegacyBuilding #AutoSuggestion #IntentionalLiving #TimStaton #PodcastCommunity #VisionaryLeadership #AchieveYourGoals #ReflectAndGrow
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Visionary Leadership: Your Key to Success

Welcome to Season 6.
I’m incredibly grateful for your support and encourage you to keep sharing. Looking ahead, I plan to introduce new content, including video interviews and a book review, all focused on addressing the needs of senior leaders and executives. My aim is to provide insights on personal and organizational improvement by identifying gaps in leadership strategies.
I believe everyone deserves great leadership in both personal and professional realms, and I advocate for the development of a personal vision. This vision should provide clarity, motivation, and alignment with your core values. I’ve highlighted three key principles: clarity and direction, motivation and resiliency, and alignment and fulfillment. A personal vision should serve as your guiding star, help you stay focused amidst challenges, and align your actions with your core values for a meaningful life.
I encourage you to define and document your personal vision to achieve life fulfillment, referencing Habakkuk 2:2-3 to stress the importance of accountability and motivation. Even if progress is slow, maintaining faith in your vision is essential, as personal growth may be required before it materializes. I urge you to reflect on your goals for the upcoming year, keeping your “why” at the forefront to stay focused and committed.
 
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#Leadership #Vision #PersonalDevelopment #GoalSetting #Motivation #Resilience #Clarity #Fulfillment #SeniorLeaders #CLevel #Coaching #Accountability #Inspiration #Podcast #TimStaton

Cultivating Success with Consistency and Discipline

As the new year approaches, I find myself reflecting on the significance of consistency and discipline in achieving both personal and long-term goals. I’ve realized that while motivation and detailed planning are essential, maintaining steady progress through small, consistent steps is crucial for building momentum and avoiding burnout. For me, discipline helps sustain my efforts when my initial enthusiasm fades, fostering healthy habits and routines by reducing decision fatigue and creating automatic behaviors.
For example, I might wear the same clothes daily to eliminate trivial decisions, much like how medical professionals wear scrubs. This structured approach allows me to focus more on important tasks and view failures as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.
In fields like engineering and robotics, I’ve noticed that failure is an integral part of the iterative process of testing and improving designs. This reinforces my disciplined and persistent mindset. To achieve my goals, I find it helpful to set clear, measurable objectives, create implementation schedules, track my progress, and share my goals with others for accountability. Reflecting on motivations, like health and longevity, inspires me to persevere.
Ultimately, I liken achieving success to planting seeds that require time and effort to nurture before they bear fruit. This underscores the importance of dedication and consistency over perfection.
 
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#NewYearReflections #ConsistencyIsKey  #DisciplineEqualsFreedom #MotivationMonday #BuildingMomentum #HealthyHabits  #GrowthMindset #FailureIsFeedback #GoalSetting #ProgressOverPerfection #LongTermSuccess  #DailyRoutine #FocusOnGoals #EngineeringMindset #NurtureYourDreams

Speak to Lead by Harnessing the Power of Words to Inspire and Transform Lives

Join us as we reflect on five years of leadership insights and dive into the profound impact of words on our lives and those we influence—especially children. Words can build confidence or sow self-doubt, shape identities, and create realities. Drawing from biblical principles, relatable leadership strategies, and stories like Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, we explore how positive affirmations inspire growth and resilience, while negativity hinders success.
 
Learn how to:
•Overcome fear and self-doubt through intentional self-talk.
•Use words to encourage, uplift, and foster understanding.
•Avoid gossip and embrace biblical teachings on constructive communication.
•Harness the power of gratitude and daily affirmations to shape a positive mindset.
 
This episode highlights timeless lessons, including the story of Moses and the importance of embracing your God-given identity. Packed with actionable steps, this conversation will empower you to choose your words wisely and lead with purpose.
 
Listen now and discover how your words can transform lives!
 
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#leadership #positiveaffirmations #self-talk #positivity #mindsetmatters #empowerment #transformativeleadership

Book Review 1: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

In this episode, I review Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” emphasizing its enduring relevance since its 1936 publication. With over 30 million copies sold, this classic offers timeless principles for leadership and personal growth. I highlight key takeaways, such as the importance of avoiding criticism to inspire change, providing sincere appreciation to motivate others, and genuinely engaging with people to build meaningful relationships. I underscore the significance of focusing on others’ interests to effectively influence them and suggest framing ideas in a way that aligns with their goals to foster empathy and collaboration. In today’s technology-driven world, this book remains a valuable resource for enhancing interpersonal skills and communication. I encourage small actions, like offering compliments and active listening, to improve leadership abilities.
 
Link to Book: https://timstatingtheobvious.com/products/professional-reading-list/how-to-win-friends-influence-people-53098858
 
#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #DaleCarnegie #CommunicationSkills #PodcastEpisode #Influence #InterpersonalSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #DaleCarnegie

Leader's Get Educated Not Indoctrinated

In this episode, we delve into the distinctions between education, schooling, and indoctrination, offering insights into the diverse interpretations of education. Education is defined as a process that draws out individual potential and encourages self-discovery, standing in contrast to the structured framework of schooling. Over time, schooling has shifted from a space for reflective discussion to a focus on instruction and memorization. Historically, education in ancient Rome and the medieval era transitioned from informal gatherings to formal institutions imparting specific knowledge and societal roles, often shaped by religious influences. In modern times, schools frequently emphasize standardized curricula, prioritizing memorization over personal discovery and reflective engagement.
Indoctrination, originating from “endoctrinare,” involves teaching principles as absolute truths without promoting exploration. While schools aim to educate, they often inadvertently indoctrinate students into accepted worldviews, limiting critical thinking. Effective leadership, however, surpasses traditional schooling by fostering curiosity and understanding, encouraging individuals to question norms and apply theories in real-world contexts through experimentation and reflection. True education nurtures individual strengths and creativity, promoting independent thinking over rigid adherence to doctrines.
For me, genuine education is an active, continuous process that cultivates self-awareness and emotional intelligence, empowering me to inspire others authentically. It requires self-belief and conveying that belief through storytelling, fostering genuine growth and empowerment within organizations. I advocate for reclaiming education as a liberating journey that prioritizes curiosity over conformity. Emphasizing the importance of creating environments in organizations where questioning and exploration are encouraged, I differentiate between an educated workforce driven by curiosity and a schooled workforce limited by indoctrination. While degrees may suggest some level of indoctrination, they do not equate to true education or critical thinking, prompting reflection on whether organizations prefer free-thinking individuals or those simply indoctrinated.
 
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Storytelling Makes You a Better Leader with Andrea Sampson

Andrea Sampson, the CEO and founder of Talk Boutique, transitioned from a successful 25-year career in marketing and advertising to focus on thought leadership and coaching. Motivated by a desire to make a positive impact through storytelling and communication, she found that advertising no longer aligned with her values. She now coaches leaders and speakers, trains TEDx participants, and engages in initiatives centered on kindness, equity, and sustainability.
Sampson’s journey began with volunteering as a speaker’s coach for TEDx Toronto, inspired by individuals making significant contributions despite negative media narratives. Her advertising experience helped her guide speakers in crafting impactful presentations, leading to the creation of Talk Boutique. The company aims to transform experts into thought leaders through effective storytelling, ensuring diverse voices shape the future.
Tim highlights the crucial role of storytelling in business, illustrating how brands are narratives that resonate with consumers. Effective storytelling positions brands as relatable heroes, as seen with Apple and Nike. Similarly, storytelling enhances organizational leadership by improving communication and bridging gaps between self-perception and external perception. Strong communicators often make effective leaders, especially for emerging leaders who face challenges related to mistrust or uncertainty.
Furthermore, the importance of personal branding and authenticity is emphasized, urging leaders to align actions with stated values to maintain credibility. Sharing personal stories helps build a relatable brand and foster trust. Many employees struggle to understand their roles within an organization’s vision due to inadequate storytelling from leaders. Leaders are encouraged to evaluate and potentially rewrite their vision to be more aspirational and relatable, using storytelling frameworks like the “story spine” to craft engaging narratives that resonate with audiences.
Andrea Sampson underscores the power of storytelling in communication and encourages individuals to use personal narratives to enhance connections and strengthen leadership. She believes thought leadership is accessible to all and urges individuals to embrace their roles as thought leaders in their communities to contribute diverse perspectives to the future.
Andrea's Links:
Story Telling Framework: https://www.talkboutique.info/blank-page-bb6ca388-e9d8-43e5-8519-47ef9619f1c7
Website: https://madison_dalynmillerpr_com-dot-mm-event3.appspot.com/em_9cNSivhwP8rFAiIJwcpk?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftalkboutique.com%2F&key=d21ead72fd64f0323bac616085babaf2665fcbe4
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/talkboutiqueinc/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10447960
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@talk.boutique?si=94KcFVxOo4zN46_O
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