Episode 93: Love Your Leadership Style: Three Secrets on How to Lead with Authenticity with My Former Boss Jennifer D'Angelo
It’s February – love is in the air as we approach Valentine’s Day, and what better thing to talk about than loving your leadership style! If you are a leader who wants to show up more authentically, then this show is for you. Today Erin interviews her former boss, who she can say with certainty is one of the most authentic leaders there is!
On today’s episode you’ll hear three secrets on how to lead more authentically. If you can apply these FUNdamentals to your leadership style, it will not only transform how YOU feel, but how your team feels about YOU.
Get ready to listen and directly apply – because these secrets are too good to not be shared!
About Jenna D’Angelo: Jennifer D’Angelo is Managing Director of Advanced Resources, a Human Capital Firm with expertise in Business Transformation, HR, Data & Analytics and Strategic Finance. She has over 20 years of experience and oversees the National Human Resources & Business Transformation Practices. Jennifer’s expertise is in consulting her clients and network on resourcing strategies to optimize organizational effectiveness. She is an avid networker and has created peer executive networking groups to foster idea sharing and connections during these unique times.
Show Links:
Connect with Jen: JDangelo@advancedresources.com
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Connect with Erin Diehl:
Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the improve it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.
This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.
When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight-pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.
You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!
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Episode 93 Transcription
Erin (00:01):
Improve it fam it is me. I've missed you. Where have you been on my life? Okay, here we are. We are back and today's show means literally so much to me. This is one of my favorite people on planet earth. Just this, just this planet. She is my former boss, Jennifer D'Angelo and I thought it would be really cool to have her on the show. Let me just tell you a little bit about Jen D'Angelo before I tell you my version. So Jen D'Angelo is the managing director of advanced resources, which is a human capital firm with expertise and business transformation, HR data and analytics and strategic finance. This woman has over 20 years of experience and oversees the national human resources and business transformation practices. Jennifer's expertise is in her consulting, her clients and network on resourcing strategies to optimize organizational effectiveness. She's an avid networker and she has created peer executive networking groups to foster idea sharing and connections during these unique times that describes Jen in a nutshell, but the Jen I know is the most authentic leader and she has had such an impact on my life today.
Erin (01:21):
You'll hear us talk about this in the show. But first of all, Jen hired me through a video that I did to be on the Oprah Winfrey network. That is a fact, I had this video that was circulating in like 2010. Oprah Winfrey was starting own. And some people in the office that I had known and, and done a temp job before, or saw the video and Jen saw it and said, who is this? She needs to work here. And so I, I had reached out to them to find a job. It was a recruiting firm. And instead of placing me somewhere, they hired me internally and it was through a phone call. Literally I did not even meet Jen in person. It was through a phone call. And just through the phone, I knew that this woman was just special. And to this day, she is still a dear friend of mine.
Erin (02:11):
My entire family knows and loves her. Not only did she give me this job, but she also helped me and encouraged me to continue doing improv after work. She took an investment in the things that I truly enjoyed doing. And when I came up with this idea for improve it, she was the very first person who told me that I must do it. And she actually encouraged me to talk to one of our clients at our recruiting firm, United airlines. And I did, and that was the very first client improve it ever had. And we had just a great relationship with United in those very first few years. And it's all because of her. And to this day, she is one of my biggest cheerleaders and I am a champion of her. And I am so excited for her to come on the show today.
Erin (03:02):
Because when I was thinking about the month of February, we're thinking about love and Valentine's day and black history month. And we're trying to really create this opportunity here at improve it for us to talk about authenticity and showing up as your real self. And when I think about somebody who shows up as a real self, I went straight to Jen and I thought, wow, this is what this audience needs improve it fam you're for such a treat. She is going to give us three secrets on how to lead with authenticity. And I will just tell you, first and foremost, that we cover a lot of ground. We talk about what she likes most about being a leader. Why seeing people and meeting them where they're at is such an important trait. The three secrets are secrets that you know, but secrets that if you can apply them to your leadership style will transform the way that your team sees you.
Erin (04:01):
And we just have so much fun. So enjoy this episode with Jen D'Angelo, my former boss, my dear friend. I know you are going to love her. Let's do it. Are you a leader or change maker inside of your business organization or corporation? Are you looking for new and innovative ways to drive morale through the roof? Are you looking for fun and exciting icebreakers team building exercises in activities that will foster team growth, friendships, loyalty, and completely transform your organization from the inside out? Have you been searching for a fun and unique way to create change instead of the same old, dry, boring leadership books and nice breakers that aren't actually working? Hi, I'm Erin Diehl, business improv, entertainer failfluencer. And professional zoombie who is ready to help you improve it. My mission in life is to help you develop teams and leaders through play improv and experiential learning. In this podcast, we will deep dive into professional development team building effective communication, networking, presentation, skills, leadership training, how to think more quickly on your feet and everything in between. We have helped everyone from fortune 500 companies to small mom and pop shops transform their business, their leadership, and their people through play. So grab your chicken hat. We are about to have some fun, welcome to improve it! The podcast!
Erin (05:47):
Jennifer D'Angelo, I'm happy that you are on the show. And you know, I just bragged about you to the audience before improve it! Fam before we hit record. So know that you've been built up as you already know, that is, that is why you are here because you are literally one of my favorite human beings. So I want you to tell arm, prove fan a, a fun fact about you that we couldn't find on your bio or your LinkedIn profile. What's something fun about Jen D'Angelo that we don't know.
Jennifer (06:26):
All right. Well, my dog got a really bad haircut like a month ago. They had to shave his ears and he, he looks a little bit like a gremlin, so they felt bad. They put a bow tie on him. So basically my fun fact is I have a little dog that runs around with bow tie for the last month. And I take him places and people look at me like crazy.
Erin (06:49):
And I know this dog, Jasper, this dog Jasper is what inspired me to get Big Diehl. Do you remember that?
Jennifer (06:56):
Oh yes!
Erin (06:57):
You really was. It really? Ah, well, and I remember I was like, I need it. You're like, I love this dog at the time. I didn't have a child. I was like, I need a furry friend. And so you inspired big deal among many things. So, okay. You are now the managing director at advanced resources, which is a huge, amazing recruiting firm. How did this role come to be? And tell us a little bit about what you're doing right now?
Jennifer (07:28):
Well, how this role came to be is because of the one and only you miss Erin Diehl. And I could not be more, more thankful, you know basically I had been with the same partners for quite some time and it wasn't going anywhere, you know, there was no future and anything. And so I came to you just who, who can I talk to? I haven't looked for a job and gosh, you know, over 20 years and what are other companies who should I connect with. And that, even though this is what I do for a living and you meet the connection to advanced resources and to John, which it's just been a blast, you know, just a, a fun, wild ride, the division. So I lead our HR and business transformation practice nationally. So it's been an amazing ride.
Erin (08:22):
I'm well, first of all, full circle moment, because you took a chance on me with the Oprah video. That's how I got my job with you. Do you know that I really didn't even interview except over the phone, but you saw a video of me wanting to be on the Oprah to create my own Oprah show. And then you were the first person who said, go do this idea for improve it. So that's literally, I, I say you created this monster. Okay. And then it was the least I could do after you gave me a job. And then the, the thing that I'm doing the rest of my life to say, Hey, I know this human being who helps people find jobs and he's really awesome. And then he was like, I love Jen. I need Jen. And so funny the way the the world works, it
Jennifer (09:11):
Works. I'll never forget seeing you on that video. I was like, some, two people in the office were looking at it and I was like, who is that? I'm like, like, she used to work here before and I'm like, we need to get her back like now.
Erin (09:29):
Oh my God! That was like pre TikTok, pre like any type of video content that would go out in the world. You know, that was just my friend, Dustin like brought his huge video camera to my apartment. And we had to like, you know, it was like old school video. There were no video phones. Like we barely had anything less than one of those cameras. You dropped off with the, the disposable cameras. I think they still were. I don't even know if digital cameras existed back then, but
Jennifer (09:58):
Here we're full, but full circle. So thank you again, you know, you sent a wonderful note and made the connection and you know, I, I absolutely love it here.
Erin (10:09):
Oh, well, they love you. And I know that for a fact, and I, I can say this because I, I loved working with you for you. You were obviously my former boss, my confidant, my prank advisor. We'll get into that. My friend and you literally made work so much fun for me, for everybody who works with you and for you, and you pushed me to start improve it. So I wanna ask you this, because I know you're leading a team. Now, how many people are you currently leading in your in your role now?
Jennifer (10:45):
I have four.
Erin (10:47):
Adding and adding, and they did. They have direct reports as well. No. And Jen, but let me say this. Jen managed this group. How many of like 12, 10 to 12 of us in, in a recruiting firm of all women. And there literally was not a day that went by that I wasn't like, I cannot wait to see what we do today. Like you, we, we would just dress up in ridiculous costumes and to our clients, we would do prank people in the building that we loved with love pranks, with love, mostly the gym manager, Katie, Katie, Katie, if you're listening, we're sorry, but it was also really fun. And, you know, you loved it. And we just had such a good time and you, and it wasn't just, for me, everybody loved working with you and you just, you celebrated every birthday, every anniversary, everything, every milestone and goal that we came to together, you made it fun.
Erin (11:51):
And it was the work had to be done, cuz we had to, that's what we were there to do. But you really just led from this place of I'm Jen. I like to have fun and that's what we're gonna do because that's the way it goes around here. And that to me was, I, I, I never thought I would be in recruiting, but I love working with, and for you, like I was like, I cannot leave this. This is amazing. So let me ask you this. What, what do you like most about being a leader?
Jennifer (12:23):
You know, I think, you know, it's just how any everyone engages with each other. Like just the relationship, you know, that everyone forms during the pandemic, you know, my goodness, no one was recruiting during that time. Our business was down to almost, you know, 20% of what we were doing, you know, overall and scary time. But instead of we're, some teams would be gloom and doom, you know, oh no, what are we gonna do in panicking? Everyone bonded together, you know, as a unit and came up with different and creative ideas and helped us to rebuild to now this year, it was 300% to budget. So in the highest we've ever been, but I, it was, you know, the power of attitude and learning from people on the team being inspired, you know, by those that I work with, the camaraderie, everything involved. So during that time, it really it made me proud, you know, to work with this team and to see what we can do and, and brought us really close together.
Erin (13:32):
Mm. And I love that so much. And I will say you knowing all of those things, you were always finding inspiration in other areas, you would see something and be like, oh, I just saw this. We should try this promotion for our clients or, oh, you know, that's a good idea. And you never you're the epitome of, yes, and to me, like when I tell people, you know, this is what improve it is all about, but literally you embody it and you've never taken an improv class in your life ever. And you're, you would be a hilarious at it. People have told you, but you, you always make people feel good for sharing their ideas. What's your least favorite thing about leading a team?
Jennifer (14:11):
So when you get one bad apple, you know, where no that's not gonna work or it comes, you know, with the, you know, they drain the energy out of the room. And when you get one that just doesn't participate, like doesn't give a hundred percent of themself every day. And the rest of the team has to pick up the slack for it. That's the least thing I like is to, you know, have to work with that situation and, you know, remove it from the equation.
Erin (14:41):
But then when you do, it makes the rest of the, the equation work.
Jennifer (14:47):
Absolutely
Erin (14:48):
X minus Y equals yay. OK.
Jennifer (14:53):
Yeah, exactly.
Erin (14:54):
Well, let me ask you this. So you've always been able and I've, I've known you now, Jen, I feel like it's been, I started working with you in 2011, so 12 to 11 years, 11 years. Unbelievable. And you were there for so many milestones in my life. Literally you were there when I got engaged, you were there. When I got married, you came to our wedding in Charleston. You were there a couple weeks after Jackson was born sitting on my roof deck with me. Like we were just, you know, you, you've just always been, you're like family look. Right. And that's how I feel like you just present yourself is you see people as who they are, you meet them where they are. And that's just something that has always been a strong suit for you. And I wanna know, is this a trait that you intentionally developed or is this something that just comes natural? Has this always been who Jen is?
Jennifer (15:52):
You know, I, I feel like it wasn't intentional to begin with, but then, you know, when you see the effect, you know, even on those that you may not be as close to you, you may get intentional. And so thank you for the compliment. I mean, that's just the biggest compliment I could ever receive. So I'm so appreciative of that, but definitely have to be intentional about that in order to build the strongest relationships on your team.
Erin (16:19):
Yeah. And I've, I mean, that, I think is something that you've always as a leader, just known how to do. And, and when I mentioned those milestones, it's because during each one of those milestones, those were pivotal moments in my life. And I'll never forget. I remember when I got engaged and you were like, well, we've lost an employee today. And, but you knew that it was so important and you, I remember Jen, I have so many stories that I should share with the improve it! Fam you and I were looking up rings on computers, trying to send random emails to John from anonymous emails. Like this is the one. But it was, and see that's again, you made work fun. You met me where I was. You found joy in what I found joy in. And you did that for every single person who's ever worked for you.
Erin (17:09):
You, you you've really leaned into what are they going through? How can I be empathetic to them or also getting the work done? And it's just a trait that you don't find. So this is why I wanted you to come on the show. This is, this is February, we're getting close to Valentine's day. And I wanna talk about loving your leadership styles, because again, you've just been this authentic leader you've just led from you. And it's your way. You're not reading all these leadership books. You're not. And I may, I know you've read books and you've done trainings, but you're not sitting on your nightstand and you're not referencing quotes every day. You know, you're, and, and, and you're just leading from within, and I wanted to bring you on the show because you mean so much to me. And I know you were talking about this before we hit record.
Erin (18:00):
I, I did this post on LinkedIn. I don't know, like three months ago. Cause I, we were talking about leadership on this show and I, I thought to my myself, well, who, who is a leader? I just really admire. And I, the first person came to my mind was you and I posted on LinkedIn. And it was this picture of you and I and these witch costumes from Halloween. Oh, it was around Halloween. That's when it was. And best picture ever. We're in witch costumes, we were passing out witches brew, which was, I think, root beer that we had labels made for our clients. Cause we couldn't drop off real beer. And we were going to our clients and dropping off, which is brew and witch costumes like to their corporate offices. And I had this picture and I just posted a caption about how important you are to me as a leader.
Erin (18:48):
And then this, I post on LinkedIn almost every day. This picture got the most views that I've ever gotten on any picture I've ever posted and the most authentic floodgate of comments, because a lot of people a knew you had you as a leader or saw something in that, that remind of them, of the leader that they know and respect. But so many people love you and you've just affected their lives in such a positive way. You changed my life. Like I literally would not be sitting here if you did not encourage me to do it. I, I, I tell you that from my heart and I could cry. I, I mean that like I really do because I always say this and every time everybody's like, well, how did improve it? Come to be? I say, my boss, my biggest cheerleader at the time was like, you have to do this pitch yourself to United airlines. And I did because of you!
Jennifer (19:47):
I knew you were going to do huge things. And from the minute I saw you on the video, you know, the, the audition video to be hired, I was like, I know I'll have her for a moment in time to help with sales, but she will be off to do something fabulous. And I'll never forget when you shared the idea with me and the vision. I knew it was brilliant and everything that embodied who you were. And I had no doubt it, it was gonna be the most amazing thing. So
Erin (20:17):
I'm not crying. OK. Hears me like trying not to crack my voice. No, so it's, and then ill never forget. I had told you about this. We had kind of kept it quiet for a little bit. And you, you know, I said, I'll pitch it to our CEO at the time. And it was, cause I said, we'll sell this as part of our offerings at our recruiting firm, it was brilliant and they didn't go for it. And so we said, okay, we're gonna go the other route. I'm gonna go on my own. And then there was that competition in Chicago, the red eye, big idea awards where people had to vote for the next best entrepreneurial idea in the city. And that's when I sort of let the cat out of the bag that this was happening. And then you and the entire team showed up the night that every the public came out to vote and we ended up winning and it meant so much to me. And you've again, that's you, you know, that I, wasn't gonna continue on working with you and you saw the light and you said, this is where she's supposed to go. And I know because I, I literally like, I, I, and by the way, not only did you do that, but you also gave me a scavenger hunt with a GoPro cam around the building. I still don't have that footage.
Jennifer (21:36):
It's my favorite going away party ever!
Erin (21:38):
Ever. It was so fun. There was a t-shirt made, it was, and I would go to all the people in our building from the security guards, there was clues hidden every protein bar or favorite run lunch spot. Anyway. So this is just to fill, you know, the improved audience in, on how much, you know, and love the people and do things that make them feel important. So improve it fam this is what you've been waiting for. You are gonna tell us three seat secrets that would, you would tell any leader that would help them harness their authenticity. So if you could tell them three secrets to lead like Jen D'Angelo, What would those three secrets be?
Jennifer (22:26):
I think the biggest thing is getting to know, know the people on your team, like authentically, you know, really get to know the folks and build that comfort level. Like to your point, you know, when you were leaving you, we, we had an open relationship where you could always share with me, you know, and that's what I tell everyone on the team. Like, just tell me where you're at at all times. Cuz if I don't know, I can't fix it. If it's something that's not, you know, something that's wrong and I don't know about it, or if you're looking to move on for something bigger, if I can't help develop that here, I will support it. And you're never going to lose your job by being honest and open with me. So, you know, not only for that purpose, but just for many other reasons the other thing which you already spoke about, but celebrating the successes, you know, and again, not a gift box from corporate that everyone gets the same thing, you know, like a mug or whatever, like really take the time, you know, to celebrate the milestones, the homes, the first, the babies, the, you get a dog, you know, anything and everything.
Jennifer (23:34):
And the tough times, you know, a loss of someone in your family, like people never forget, you know, the way you support them and you know, it really inspires the entire team. And then the last thing I would say is always offer development opportunities and you know understand where people are at and meet them where they're at to help them grow and the way that they're interested, not just what you're interested in doing. So I would say those, those three things are key.
Erin (24:06):
I love 'em. I was taking notes and I love that so much. So you said, get to know your people, tell me where you're at. And that, that is so I think easy to say right now, but in those moments where, you know, there is that one bad egg, and you're constantly thinking about how do I engage them? How do I bring them in? How do I make them feel heard and seen, forgetting to ask them, just tell me where you're at. It happens because we're, we're creating these other stories in our minds. Right? And so you just coming at it very authentic authentically that that's a hard word to say sentence authentically. I always felt like I could tell you anything. I always felt like if something wasn't working or if I was struggling in a certain area, I wasn't afraid to say it or ask you. And, and it never, because you were open that never made me feel like I wasn't doing my job or I didn't know how to do my job. It was, is just like, because that open relationship exists, I can, I can ask questions. And I remember I was terrified to even ask you to go part-time at, like at, at the company we were at, you know, I was, I was so scared and you were like, no, we were gonna do this. And you figured out a way to make that happen.
Jennifer (25:26):
And I think too, as a leader, you have to be ready. Like don't act like you're open and you know, if something hard or something you don't wanna hear comes your way, you know, react to it. Cuz there, there are those that I'm sure people have met out there too. Like tell me anything and then you do and they don't take it the right way. You know, that's a big component.
Erin (25:49):
And you keeping your cool if the answer that's I think one of the biggest takeaways too, for me with you is that knowing that you even if the answer wasn't what you, or the question, wasn't something you wanted to hear, you would, this was my gen, my favorite gen quote. That's interesting. Remember that
Jennifer (26:12):
That's the word I use!
Erin (26:13):
And, and so that's interesting. Let me think about that. But again, that's, you're Ewing. Yes. And you're not in negating. You're just saying it's not a no, you're not judging. Let me think about that. So I love that, but it's, it's asking people for getting to know them. So they feel comfortable enough that they can come to you and you feel comfortable enough asking them, tell me where you're at. And most likely, because you're so comfortable with them and you know them and you know, what's going on because you have that open dialogue. You're not gonna be surprised when they tell you where they're at and what's going on, cuz you kind of already have an understanding. And then you said, celebrate the success in support during the tough times. And this Jen is, I will, I will always be grateful for you for this because you taught me how to be a good leader in this.
Erin (27:03):
That truly, even as you were saying, this, I'm thinking every person who had a baby shower or had a baby, they had a baby shower, every engagement, there was an engagement party. We were a small team team of 10 or 12 at times. And we would do every little thing that needed a celebration. We would do it Fridays. We would end at 4, and we would say, okay, if, if all things are done, if all, you know, all things are in place, we're gonna hang out in the, in the break room and just have fun and, and you know, enjoy ourselves and get to know each other on that level. And I'll always be grateful for that cuz that's where we came back together on Monday morning and we felt closer in after those moments and we can, we can get through a lot of the tough times.
Erin (27:48):
And I really think celebrating every single person, every anniversary, every birthday, every milestone in their life was celebrated in that office. And you just felt seen, you just felt like you mattered. I'll never forget at my 30th birthday again, I'm coming up with milestones. I walk in, you even used my best friend as part of the surprise. We always would put people's pictures all over their desks and just, you know, print those out and totally humiliate them. Totally humiliate. But I had all these things waiting on my desk and Betsy, my best friend, hope with the surprise. And you know, there was just so much that you did and I will never forget those things. I mean, I'm sitting here love, you know, however many years later, still reminiscing and, and, and you did that.
Jennifer (28:33):
Yeah. You created that idea, your creativity, You would take it up a notch and I can't thank you enough.
Erin (28:47):
Every birthday. We did that for every person. So everybody got that on their birthday and then the development opportunities. I mean, again, I really think that is so important. I'll just never forget a lot of the, the lessons that I received, even going to networking events with you, you taught me just by bringing me along with you, how to network, how to build relationships, how to get to know people. So as a leader, if you're listening today and you're thinking, well, we don't have budget to invest in some type of leadership training or in type of training for whatever avenue your, your team is in to take them to a networking event with you to have them shadow you, doing something that's free and give them that invested development. You showed me so many things without, I know you probably knew you were doing it, but those intent, those things, really, if you have the people who are there to sponge it up, they will intentionally find the learning in those moments. And it's so beneficial than having them just sit behind a desk all day, right? Even if it's virtual work, bring 'em on a different call with you and have them attend an event in their area. It's just it's. So, and those three things I think are what make you Jen, the best leader, the most authentic leader in my mind.
Jennifer (30:08):
Thank you, Erin. I think the same about you. You, I think the world of you, you are an incredible leader, an incredible human being and you know, lucky to have worked with you and to have you sprint
Erin (30:21):
Well, the failing is very mutual and I here's, here's a, here's a question I have for you. So we say it improve it. Your, it is the thing that means the most to you or that thing that you feel like you are put here to do. So if you could say, what is Jen D'Angelo's it? What is the thing that you're feel like you're put here to do?
Jennifer (30:46):
I guess, in a work related way it's to help people find meaningful jobs, like meaningful, fulfilling work in their life whether it's internal or external with our clients or candidates. And that's fun for me, like it's the best reward I can get is when someone is super happy when they've landed in a job or got a new job or accomplished some milestones.
Erin (31:12):
And it's very genuine. I want everybody listening to know that she really does care. She can see and spot a placement a mile away and she'll know who belongs with which leader and who and which company she helped my brother get a job. She gave me a job. She's given so many people that I know opportunities that they wouldn't have had. And you're just, you're such a guiding light and that, and I know what after being in recruiting for a while, sometimes recruiters don't have the best reputation and Jen is, or there's, there's some slimes. Definitely. There's some slimes. And I will say this, Jen is everybody who knows Jen is just grateful to have the opportunity to know her because it's a very genuine heartfelt. You just, you have a gift of seeing people.
Jennifer (32:04):
Thank you, Erin.
Erin (32:05):
You're welcome. You get so many compliments. You're like you and I are the worst. Cause we both do not take compliments. Well, and you're
Jennifer (32:14):
Like, oh, I'm like awkward with them. Everyone who knows know weird now about compliments, that talkers, things like that. That's my other, I gets really awkward.
Erin (32:26):
The pat pats, a million pats compliments. Jen, when Jen hugs, it's a pat, pat, it's a, there's an, a wide, there's like the fifth grade, middle school dance up, you know, know our arm. And then there's the pat pat on the back and I love it. And that's why I always say pat pats, pat pats. Okay, well, this is the fun part. This you've made it to the end. This is what we call the fail. Yeah. Lightning ground. Because in improv we say there are no mistakes, only gifts. And this is a fun part to this is you ready? Cuz this is gonna be real fun. I'm gonna ask you questions. Okay. And you are just gonna respond with one word. Okay. And if you don't give me one word, if you say more than one word, I'm gonna say fail yeah like that. A real creepy creep girl. Okay. Are you ready for fail yeah!?
Jennifer (33:23):
Yes.
Erin (33:24):
OK. Here we go. One word answers. First question. Who is your favorite leader? And their first and last name can, is counts as one word
Jennifer (33:33):
Rich.
Erin (33:35):
Oh, okay. Favorite work from home snack
Jennifer (33:39):
Pirates. I'm not, not say the second word that fall floor Erin.
Erin (33:46):
Okay. What's the word that best describes your leadership style.
Jennifer (33:50):
Genuine.
Erin (33:51):
Oh, word that describes your work from home fashion style
Jennifer (33:55):
Yoga
Erin (33:58):
One word that describes the favorite prank that you and I played in the office.
Jennifer (34:26):
Costco!
Erin (34:29):
Literally to this day improve it! Fam, Just now I had a British accent. There was a a pretending to be a Costco customer service representative to a person and said person thought that they were supposed to go to Costco to receive a prize that they won. And it was genuinely one of the funniest things that Jen and I have ever done.
Jennifer (34:56):
And we pull it off every time every time.
Erin (35:00):
And the thing is, is like, I, I, about it. I'm like, man, should a subset of improve it. Be called prank it, do we need to create pranks for people in the office?
Jennifer (35:13):
I think it's absolutely necessary. I I'd love to be a part of it or in an advisor of some sort.
Erin (35:21):
Can you, can you be on the board?
Jennifer (35:22):
I, I can honestly say I haven't done pranks in a while and I, I really need to do some soon.
Erin (35:29):
Alright. We'll do it after this call. We, we, okay. We've got people. We've got people on speed dial. We could, we could, we could think about a good a one. Okay. Well tell the improve it F how they can find you if they wanna connect with you and anything else that you want them to know about Jen D'Angelo.
Jennifer (35:48):
If you wanna reach out to me anytime. My email is JDangelo@advancedresources.com and would love to connect on LinkedIn email, phone, whatever I'd love to hear from you.
Erin (36:01):
And you mostly place people in HR, professional roles,
Jennifer (36:06):
HR and business transformation. So yep. HR professional to consulting and PMO support. So love to help
Erin (36:15):
Love it. So if you're looking for a job or need help with a company that like Jens advanced resources to find a solution to the, the person that you have been searching for Jeni Angelo is ye right. We're gonna put all that in the show notes, just so you know, but Dengo, lover of the pat, pat, that's the gen hug. And Fred, I want you to know I adore you the improve at fam now adores you. And I just wanna thank you so much for being you and for just leading with authenticity. The world really does need more Jen D Angelo!
Jennifer (37:01):
Erin. I love you. Thank you.
Erin (37:06):
Thank you.
Erin (37:17):
Improve it! Family, oh man. Such such a good episode. And I could talk to her forever. As you can imagine, we spent the first 15 minutes before we hit record, just catching up and laughing. It's so funny. I probably, we haven't talked on the phone maybe in a couple months and it's just like time never passed. She's such an important person in my life. And I'm, I'm sure after listening to today's episode, you can hear that too. And I wanna go back through these three secrets to leading with authenticity with you. So number one, she said, get to know your people and really get to know them. So where you are to ask them a question such as tell me where you're at. They are a able to give you a very honest answer. And at that same time, you aren't surprised by that answer because you have gotten to know them and what drives them.
Erin (38:11):
And this conversation is an open dialogue where both parties feel comfortable to be transparent, open and honest. Number two, celebrate the success and support during the tough times. Can't you heard us talk about this in the show, but I can't tell you enough how much the things that she did for not only me, but for our teammates still stick in my brain, their memories. I don't remember sitting down and doing a spreadsheet. I remember the memories that she created and number three, always offer development opportunities, which I think is easy to do. There's so many resources out there. So if you don't have a budget, if you can't bring in a company like improve it that's okay. Go ahead and find an opportunity that speaks to the needs of the individual and of the human being. All right. Here's what I want you to do.
Erin (39:07):
You know, I like to give you with a tangible to take away. I am really, when I look at these three secrets, all of them speak to me, but the one that really stands out out is celebrating the success. Here's what I want you to do. I want you to look at the calendar that you have in front of you and see any milestones that are coming up. Has anybody had something personal, like an engagement or a birthday coming up that you could celebrate together as a team? And I want you to plan something. It does not have to be big, but I want you to plan something to celebrate the individuals on your team. And I also want you to think about this as Jen mentioned during the tough time. So if you see somebody struggling, what's the simple thing that you could send to someone today or in the next couple of days, that would brighten their day. Let them know that you're thinking of them and that you see them as an individual.
Erin (40:06):
I could go on and on about this woman. And I'm so grateful she came on the show. I'm so glad you got the opportunity to hear from her, improve it. Fam if today motivated you, don't forget to get your hybrid hype handout. This is a free downloadable PDF that gives you more tangible tips and tricks on how to lead your team. We're gonna put that in the show notes for you. It's called hybrid hype, and it's literally a tool that gives you actual, tangible exercises that you can take into your team. And today, while we have people working from home and people working in the office, so take that, take it with you, that's for you. And then I just wanna say to everybody listening, thank you for your time, your energy for giving this time to you, keep failing, keep improving because you know what I'm gonna say.
Erin (40:59):
The world needs that special it that only you can bring, we'll see you next time. Bye. Hey friends, thanks for tuning in to improve it. I am so happy you were along for the ride. If you enjoyed this show, head on over to iTunes to leave us a five star review and so subscribe to the show. So you never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Now, if you're really feeling today's show and you've improved it even just a little bit, please take a screenshot and tag me at keeping it real deal on Instagram and share it in your stories. I'll see you next week, but I wanna leave you with this thought, what did you improve today and how will that help your future successful self? Think about it. I am rooting for you and the world needs that special. It that only you can bring see you next time.