Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal the author of The 5 Practices of Highly Resilient People: Why Some Flourish When Others Fold. It was incredible to be able to connect with her and discuss all sorts of topics. I truly enjoy moments of connection and being able to connect with her was simply amazing. Below are the AI generated transcripts from our call and I hope you will find them as enlightening I did.

Julie and Taryn discussed their respective roles in leadership development and resilience, and the potential for collaboration. They explored the concept of thought leadership, the importance of identifying a central theme, and the challenges of defining a niche. They also touched upon their recent collaboration with a pharmaceutical manufacturer on branding, emphasizing the need to understand clients’ language and focus on resonating benefits. The conversation also revolved around the power of sharing resilient stories, the use of storytelling in leadership and strategic planning, and the importance of intentionality and preparation in crafting stories. Towards the end, they discussed their work schedules and time management strategies.

Work and Resilience Discussion Proposal
Julie and Taryn discussed their work and experiences at a networking event. Julie described her company’s role in leadership development and supporting companies, emphasizing their impact on 75,000 people in the last 12 years. Taryn mentioned her habit of conducting walking meetings and the benefits it brings. They also touched upon the topic of resilience, a subject they believed was of interest to many groups. Julie proposed the idea of giving out books on resilience and discussing Taryn’s work in this field. The conversation concluded with both expressing excitement and eagerness to learn more about each other’s work.

Thought Leadership Strategies Discussed
Taryn and Julie discussed the strategies and considerations for building a thought leadership platform. They examined the approaches of different thought leaders such as Bernie Brown, Adam Grant, and Daniel Pink. Taryn emphasized the importance of identifying a central theme or expertise to establish oneself as a thought leader, even though one might have multiple interests. She also suggested that it’s possible to expand into related areas once recognized for a particular focus. Julie shared her own struggle with defining her niche within her business. Taryn suggested that identifying her specific expertise and the problems she solves would be beneficial for her thought leadership.

Pharmaceutical Branding and Sustainability Discussion
Taryn and Julie discussed their recent collaboration with a pharmaceutical manufacturer on its branding. Taryn emphasized the importance of understanding the clients’ language, especially in the healthcare sector, and the need to focus on benefits that resonate with their target audience. They agreed that the product’s sustainability, reliability, and ability to expand business were key points that physicians and pharmacies had raised, rather than the specific term “sustainable supply chain.”

Resilience, Mental Health, and Storytelling
Taryn and Julie engaged in a conversation about understanding audiences in the context of resilience and mental health. They emphasized the importance of tailoring solutions to meet a diverse range of needs. Julie shared that she is writing a book about storytelling and inspiration, and the power of these elements in creating effective strategies. She also sought Taryn’s permission to record their conversation and share it later. Towards the end, they briefly touched upon the concept of ‘gratiosity’, a term Taryn coined to describe the combination of gratitude and generosity.

Resilient Storytelling: Inspiring Human Connectivity
Taryn and Julie discussed the importance and power of sharing resilient stories. Taryn emphasized how reflecting on challenges and difficult experiences can help solidify one’s resilience and inspire others. She also highlighted the fear some people have in sharing their vulnerable stories, but noted the potential for human connectivity and inspiration when these stories are shared in a meaningful way. Julie agreed, noting that many powerful leaders have shared stories of overcoming adversity such as alcoholism, homelessness, abuse, and depression.

Storytelling in Leadership and Strategic Planning
Taryn and Julie discussed the use of storytelling in leadership and strategic planning. They noted that while many leaders recognize the value of storytelling, they often struggle with it, particularly those who lead with an operational and analytical focus. Taryn suggested that storytelling could help leaders connect with their team on a deeper level, but emphasized the need for brevity and relevance in the stories shared. They also touched upon the potential for catharsis through storytelling, but agreed that such stories may not be suitable for general consumption.

Intentional Storytelling: Emotional Challenges and Connections
Taryn and Julie discussed the importance of intentionality and preparation in crafting stories. Taryn highlighted the example of Woodrow Wilson, who required a significant amount of time to prepare his speeches. Julie shared her personal experience with vulnerability in storytelling, particularly in relation to the death of her colleague and friend. They agreed on the power of storytelling in fostering connections and promoting humanity, despite the potential emotional challenges it may bring.

Managing Workload and Time: Taryn’s Strategies
Julie expressed her intention to let go of some old project-related items after nine months, which was an emotional process. Taryn reassured Julie that there was no need to let go of anything and shared her strategy of having a team to handle details, which helped lower her stress level. Taryn also discussed her work schedule and time management strategies, including blocking time for work, scheduling appointments at the beginning or end of the day to avoid commuting, and using lists to keep track of tasks. She also mentioned that she used to start meetings at 11 AM when she worked in corporate because she found her mind most clear in the morning and wanted to preserve that time for creating and writing. Taryn stressed the importance of being able to adapt her schedule if unexpected issues arise.

Helping People Live Best Lives
Taryn and Julie discussed their mutual interest in helping people live their best lives. Taryn shared about her upcoming speaking engagements in Scottsdale or Phoenix, and Julie expressed her desire to host Taryn and show her around Arizona. They agreed to reconvene to discuss their respective programs and businesses in more detail.