In this eye-opening episode of CTRL+ALT+DELETE with Lisa Duerre™ LIVE, Lisa Duerre is joined by Michael Diettrich-Chastain, CEO and Executive Coach at ARC Integrated, for a deep dive into resilience and burnout prevention for leaders in the tech industry.

With 46% of leaders reporting a lack of resilience to meet the demands of 2024 (Forbes), this discussion couldn't be more timely. Michael brings his extensive expertise in change management and workplace culture to share practical strategies for building resilience, managing stress, and fostering healthy workplace ecosystems.

Throughout the episode, Lisa and Michael explore the alarming connection between leadership stress, depression, and lost productivity, which costs U.S. employers $87.8 billion annually. They discuss how leaders can begin to shift their organizational cultures to better support mental health and resilience, while also setting higher standards and reducing tolerance for toxic leadership behaviors. Key takeaways include Michael’s three strategies for fostering resilience in tech leadership:

1. Find Incongruencies: Ensure your organization’s values align with your employees’ lived experiences.

2. Behavior Modeling and Involvement: Leaders must model healthy behaviors and engage meaningfully across all levels of the organization.

3. Set Higher Standards and Reduce Tolerance for Toxicity: Create a culture that prioritizes mental health and productivity without sacrificing employee well-being.

   
   

The conversation also touches on the small, incremental changes leaders can make to protect their mental and physical health—whether it’s carving out time for meditation, hydrating, or simply enforcing stronger boundaries.

Michael's Changes Cards and book, Changes: The Busy Professional's Guide to Reducing Stress, Accomplishing Goals, and Mastering Adaptability, also feature prominently, offering practical tools for both personal and professional resilience. Whether you’re a leader feeling the pressure or someone navigating the challenges of workplace culture, this episode offers powerful insights into surviving and thriving in the ever-changing tech world.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Michael Diettrich-Chastain’s Changes Cards and book: ARC Integrated

• Forbes statistic on leadership resilience : https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelwells/2023/12/20/46-of-leaders-lack-an-essential-leadership-skill-for-2024-resilience/

  
  

Tune in to be inspired, challenged, and equipped with the tools you need to prevent burnout and build a resilient leadership culture!

This episode is brought to you by RLD Group

Let’s Connect:

RLD Group’s FIRM Leadership Lab: ⁠⁠https://rldgroupllc.com/firm-leadership-lab⁠

RLD Group’s LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/rldgroupll⁠c

RLD Group on X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/rldgroupllc⁠

Lisa Duerre on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaduerre/⁠

⁠Ctrl+Alt+Delete with Lisa Duerre™ on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkwithlisa⁠

Welcome to the latest episode of CTRL+ALT+DELETE with Lisa Duerre™ LIVE, where we tackle a critical issue affecting tech leaders everywhere: preventing burnout through mindful communication. In today’s fast-paced environment, where back-to-back meetings and constant digital distractions have become the norm, leaders must ask: how do we communicate effectively without losing ourselves in the process?

Lisa Duerre, along with her guest Susan Nelson, a Chief People Strategist & Integrative Leadership Coach, who brings a wealth of experience in guiding leaders to cultivate people-first cultures in start-ups and SMBs, dive deep into the power of FIRM leadership, focusing on the “M” – Mindfulness. Together, they explore how mindful communication can transform team dynamics, improve employee engagement, and strengthen leadership resilience.

The episode highlights the staggering statistic that 86% of employees and executives attribute workplace failures to poor communication (from a Fierce Conversations survey). With real-world examples, personal stories, and expert insights, Lisa and Susan discuss how leaders can foster stronger relationships with their teams by practicing active listening and creating intentional pauses. Whether it's taking a "mindfulness moment" before a big meeting or simply asking better questions, the episode provides practical tools for communicating with clarity and compassion, even under pressure.

Listeners will hear actionable strategies like using pattern interrupts, facilitating better team meetings with mindful grounding exercises, and the importance of creating space for others to be heard. You'll learn how to avoid reactivity and foster alignment in team goals—ultimately leading to a more productive, engaged, and resilient workforce.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Fierce Conversations and Quantum Workplace Survey: https://fierceinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/PR___2011_Workplace_Collaboration_Survey___Fierce_Inc__.pdf

• American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/

• McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/

Tune in to this must-listen episode to get inspired on how to lead with intention, avoid burnout, and ensure your team thrives in today's demanding tech industry!

This episode is brought to you by RLD Group

Let’s Connect:

RLD Group’s FIRM Leadership Lab: ⁠⁠https://rldgroupllc.com/firm-leadership-lab⁠

RLD Group’s LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/rldgroupll⁠c

RLD Group on X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/rldgroupllc⁠

Lisa Duerre on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaduerre/⁠

⁠Ctrl+Alt+Delete with Lisa Duerre™ on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkwithlisa⁠

In this insightful episode of CTRL+ALT+DELETE with Lisa Duerre™ LIVE, Lisa Duerre engages in a deep conversation with Ilene Schaffer, a renowned expert in fostering resilience and a passionate advocate for the power of a positive mindset. Sharing practical advice and personal stories, Lisa and Ilene break down what it takes to build resilient teams and create a workplace culture that prevents burnout — even in high-pressure environments.

The episode opens with a staggering statistic: 40% of non-managers and 41% of managers experience daily stress, according to Gallup. If you’re feeling the weight of stress, you’re not alone. From understanding the role of trust in reducing stress to discussing the importance of midlife women’s leadership, Lisa and Ilene provide a compassionate, relatable approach to navigating the demands of both life and career.

Tune in to discover:

• The Power of Trust: Why extending trust first can transform team dynamics and create fertile ground for collaboration.

• Midlife Women and Leadership: Insights on the unique stressors facing women in midlife — balancing caregiving, professional demands, and personal health.

• Actionable Tips for Leaders: Simple yet effective strategies to build resilience, like modeling authenticity, acknowledging stressors, and incorporating small acts of appreciation.

• The Role of Connection: How creating genuine human connections can combat burnout and foster resilience.

Highlights: Lisa and Ilene share powerful stories about how large organizations support employee well-being through policies like structured sabbaticals and stress management programs. They also discuss the misconception of resilience, revealing how it’s less about “powering through” and more about pausing, reflecting, and leveraging your internal and external resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Gallup Research on Workplace Stress: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx

• Silicon Valley Change: https://www.svchange.com/

Tune in for an empowering conversation that will leave you inspired to lead with empathy, build trust, and support a more resilient workplace culture.

This episode is brought to you by RLD Group

Let’s Connect:

RLD Group’s FIRM Leadership Lab: ⁠⁠https://rldgroupllc.com/firm-leadership-lab⁠

RLD Group’s LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/rldgroupll⁠c

RLD Group on X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/rldgroupllc⁠

Lisa Duerre on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaduerre/⁠

⁠Ctrl+Alt+Delete with Lisa Duerre™ on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkwithlisa⁠