For the first time on Pilot to Co-Pilot, we have not just two people part of the conversation but three, as we are joined by special guest Susan Toalson McGinity, Chief Growth and Advocacy Officer at the University of Illinois “U of I” Community Credit Union. Tune in as we get into some of the "what-the-heck" moments that leaders often face - the unexpected challenges that force us to re-evaluate everything and shape who we become. Susan shares her experiences getting through these turbulent times and how she has become a leader who is both friendly and fierce.

Susan also describes how her career journey, starting at 40 after leaving a difficult marriage, instilled a strong sense of fierce determination and confidence which she has had to work through. She emphasizes the importance of "vulnerable trust" on teams, where leaders can openly own their mistakes, setting an example for others.

Meanwhile, Jason highlights the value of compartmentalizing work and personal life, using the workplace as a "blessing" and "solace" from daily challenges. He stresses the need for grace and transparency as a leader, acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes and the power of revisiting issues once emotions have settled down. Both share some incredible insights into developing meaningful mentor-mentee relationships, where the exchange of advice and expertise is reciprocal. They encourage listeners, especially young leaders, to be proactive in seeking guidance rather than waiting to be approached.

Ultimately, our conversation highlights the true human side of leadership - the importance of empathy, compassion and self-awareness, even (or especially) when facing the unexpected. Along with Susan, we provide some practical tips for taking on those tough "what-the-heck" moments and emerging as a stronger, more authentic leader!

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In this thought-provoking conversation, we take a crucial look at some of the challenges of balancing work and home life as leaders and executives, and we open up about our personal experiences of feeling like "dynamic figures" at work only to struggle to bring that same energy and presence home to our families.

Listen in as we talk about the importance of communication and setting clear expectations with partners who often understand the demands of these types of roles, and we share strategies such as shared calendars, disconnecting from work during family time, and being intentional about bringing joy when transitioning from the office to home.

Our conversation also touches upon the idea of being "on stage" as a leader, whether it's facilitating a meeting, engaging with an audience, or simply interacting with the team. We also, however, are sure to acknowledge the loneliness that can come with these leadership positions and the need to find outlets such as exercise to wind down.

We hope that our conversation leaves you wanting more perspectives on this - especially from the perspective of female leaders and working mothers who face their own unique struggles in achieving a balance between their home lives and their work lives. Please be sure to stay tuned for future episodes featuring additional guests to further explore this incredibly important issue facing the business leaders of both today and tomorrow!

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Welcome back to the show, everyone! In our first episode, Antonio led the conversation as Jason discussed his own experiences, and in this episode, we are flipping the script, with Jason taking the lead which is definitely appropriate for our topic this episode!

As leaders, we often talk about the importance of leading a team, but what about leading yourself? Tune in as Antonio walks us through what it means to lead yourself, especially when everything around you is falling apart.

Antonio shares his powerful story of losing his home and community in the devastating California wildfires earlier this year, candidly opening up about the grief, uncertainty, and challenges of rebuilding his life from scratch. Through it all, however, he reveals the key strategies that he used to get through each day - focusing on what he could control, simplifying his priorities, and leaning on his support system.

As a self-employed public speaker, Antonio has had to learn to be his own leader, with no organization or paycheck to fall back on, and he highlights the importance of leading by example and staying committed to your goals, even when it's difficult, and as a CEO myself, I (Jason) can absolutely relate to the solo nature of leadership and how you have to set the tone for yourself before you can effectively lead others.

We also touch upon the power of vulnerability in leadership. In a world of highlight reels, people are always craving authenticity and connection, and by opening up about our challenges, setbacks, and even our dislikes, we help create deeper bonds and show others that it's okay to not have it all figured out.

Whether you're leading a team or leading yourself, this episode will likely encourage you to be more intentional about how you show up each day and to reach out to support the people in your life who may be going through their own storms. After all, that human connection can make all the difference!

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