Host: Carrie Tuttle
Guest: Enrique Dubon-Roberts

What do family law and time accounting have to do with leadership? Enrique Dubon-Roberts, partner at BDL family law shares his take on leading law professionals with a gentle approach. As an award-winning lawyer, mediator and former high school teacher, he has a lot of experience reading the room and connecting with his team.

Enrique’s journey from a classroom to founding partner was anything but linear, and he explains how letting his “teacher heart” guide his leadership style leads to both team cohesion and client care. His firm is nothing like the popular legal drama “Suits”. They work to be proactive in client work, so that late nights aren’t the norm.

He and his partner make intentional choices in their physical space, services they offer and how they choose who they work with to ensure alignment throughout. We talked about the differences between individual contributor vs. the mindshare of ownership and leading a team.

Enrique is candid about his time and priorities and having his family’s support after moving from El Salvador.

Listen in to hear where he gets his inspiration!

QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS:

• “As lawyers we’re taught that our productivity has to be measured in six-minute intervals all day, every day. And the reality is we're not machines.”
• “Be a little gentler on yourself.”
• “It takes me 40 minutes to get my coffee. Not because it takes that long to make a cup of coffee. But because I want to sense how the office is.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Creating a supportive culture is essential for employee satisfaction.
• Work-life balance is prioritized in Enrique's law firm.
• Mentorship is a key focus for developing young lawyers.
• Gentle leadership fosters a positive work environment.
• Personal well-being is vital for effective leadership.
• Alignment of vision is crucial for team dynamics.
• Teaching experience enhances social awareness in the workplace.
• Setting clear expectations helps avoid misunderstandings.
• Inspiration can be drawn from public figures and their wisdom.

LINKS FROM EPISODE:

Learn more about BDL Family Law @ Website: https://bdlfamilylaw.com/

Enrique on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-dubon-roberts-a2281a70/

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Host: Carrie Tuttle
Guest: Sandra Kokotovic

Discover how a quest for freedom and travel led Sandra Kokotovic, Co-founder and Creative Director of Snap Advantage, from startup employee to a role driving the future of biohacking and wellness marketing as a Fractional CMO.

Whether dealing with team members who instinctively “get it” before she asks, or facing resistance from entrenched staff (“I don’t work for her!”), Sandra’s candid stories reveal the importance of top-level endorsement and providing a genuine ‘why’ behind every decision, especially when managing cross-culturally.

Ever had a client light up a cigarette during a Zoom call? Sandra drops nuggets from around the globe, using analogies like the old “smoke break” for stress relief, and how different cultures embed flexibility in remote professionalism. As an immigrant from Romania, and an avid traveller, she has international perspectives and experience.

Leading contractors and staff in a remote work environment has its challenges and she talks about having to fire someone quickly. Sandra leads a lean team spanning Ecuador, the Philippines, Bosnia, Tunisia, Portugal, and beyond. She shares the pitfalls and the upsides!

QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS:

• “To keep everyone excited and on track, we're breaking that [company goal] down and explaining at every stage of the funnel, what moves the needle.”
• “I can buy time; I can’t buy attention.”
• “I’m very protective of the quality of my team.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Data-driven marketing strategies are critical to achieving sustainable growth
• Build trust in remote teams for effective collaboration and project success
• Metrics should be tailored to each role within the team to ensure accountability and clarity
• Hiring the right team members is essential; founders should focus on sales before bringing in help
• Leaders should back their team members publicly while addressing issues privately
• Delegating tasks sooner leads to better focus on high-leverage activities

LINKS FROM EPISODE:

Learn more about Snap Advantage @ Website: https://snapadvantage.com/

Sandra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandrakokotovic/

Sandra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrakokotovic/

Sandra on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sandrakokotovic

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Host: Carrie Tuttle
Guest: Markku Kauppinen

What if you focused on making a life, instead of making a living? That is one of the deep topics Carrie discussed with Markku Kauppinen, President and CEO of Extended DISC North America. Markku shares the unexpected story of how a $12 dare and a family emergency led him from Helsinki to the helm of his company. Extended DISC has become one of the top assessment companies in the world that provides data to develop self awareness, make better decisions, build better teams and support improved results.Quick reference on DISC styles:

• D (Dominance/Driver): Fast-paced, risk-takers, focused on immediate results.
• I (Influence): Outgoing, social, energized by people and excitement.
• S (Steady-relater): Team-oriented, patient, focused on long-term plans and stability.
• C (Compliance): Detail-oriented, analytical, driven by accuracy and facts.
  Every leader and team member is a blend of all four, but one usually feels most natural.

From elevator rides to emergency rooms, Markku brings the DISC behavioral model to life with real-world analogies and stories, showing leaders how to spot—and leverage—the unique communication styles on their teams. He discusses how the sports world is set up to break down roles and identify improvement areas, but in our personal and professional lives, we can do a better job of that. Having a system like DISC helps. Markku reminds us the most successful leaders don’t just know their own style—they adapt their communication and leadership to meet others where they are. Listen in for life lessons and wisdom to live by, like treating time as the most precious currency!

QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS:

• “One thing I've noticed observing successful people… that they all have in common. They are all confidently self-aware.”
• “Don’t build a happy life—build a happy today.”
• “If you want success in any part of your life, you need to develop good habits.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Self-awareness is crucial for successful leadership.
• The DISC model helps in modifying behavior and communication.
• Leaders must adapt their communication to differentstyles.
• Different DISC styles impact team dynamics andcommunication.
• Integrating DISC into organizational culture enhances teamwork.
• Understanding DISC styles aids in better hiring decisions.
• Good habits are essential for effective leadership.
• Time is a valuable currency that should be spent wisely.
• Clarity in personal and professional goals leads to fulfillment.
• Leadership is a collective effort, not a solo act.

LINKS FROM EPISODE:

Learn more about Extended DISC @ Website: https://www.extendeddisc.org/

Markku on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkukauppinen/

Extended DISC on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/extendeddisc/

Extended DISC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extendeddisc/

Resources mentioned:

Book: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by MarshallGoldsmith https://amzn.to/4lqRbfY

Book: Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith https://amzn.to/3G38k07

Extended DISC Quick explainer videos - https://www.extendeddisc.org/videos/

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Like What You Heard?

Don’t forget to subscribe or follow us on YouTube or your favorite podcast service, so you never miss an episode!

Interested in being a guest on Suits & Sneakers? APPLY HERE