Gandolfo Group Executive Coaching & Consulting

How Companies Can Break Down Barriers and Empower LGBTQ+ Employees

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 20:04:46 -0700

This article was first published on TriplePundit on June 28, 2023

https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2023/companies-empower-lgbtq-employees/777811

Fostering Inclusivity in Tech: Addressing the Barriers for LGBTQ+ Workers

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 19:15:10 -0700

This blog post was first published on Evolution's blog on June 7, 2023.

https://evolution.team/blog/fostering-inclusivity-in-tech-addressing-the-barriers-for-lgbtq-workers

How to Effectively Collaborate in a Hybrid Work Environment

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 19:27:00 -0700

This article was first published in My TechDecisions on October 6, 2022. https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/collaboration-hyrbid-work-environment/

What Ted Lasso can teach us about creating psychological safety

Wed, 11 May 2022 19:43:00 -0700

This article was first published in PeopleMatters on May 11, 2022. https://www.peoplematters.in/article/talent-management/what-ted-lasso-can-teach-us-about-creating-psychological-safety-33950

4 lessons from Ted Lasso about creating psychological safety

Fri, 06 May 2022 19:08:00 -0700

This article was first published in Management Today on May 6, 2022 https://evolution.team/blog/4-lessons-from-ted-lasso-about-creating-psychological-safety

3 Things That Helped Me Stay Grounded As Life Returned to Full Speed

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 18:36:00 -0700

This article was published in Fatherly.com on June 28, 2021.

https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/what-helped-me-stay-grounded-as-things-returned-to-normal

Three Leadership Lessons from Bryan Stockton

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 14:31:33 -0700

It’s been less than a week since I learned of Bryan Stockton’s passing. I’m still processing this loss and trying to clarify why knowing Bryan mattered to me.

Bryan was well-known within the business community. He was an accomplished executive at Kraft, a globally recognized leader and eventually CEO at Mattel, an active nonprofit board member, and someone who gave his time and talent to places of higher learning including Indiana University and UCLA Anderson. Most recently, Bryan had served as a role model of career reinvention while pursuing his passion for travel photography.

While all of these accomplishments are worthy of accolades, I particularly want to share three leadership lessons I learned from Bryan.

Listen Deeply: In 2006, I joined the international marketing team for the Barbie brand. In this role, I served as a link between the global brand team and the local markets, helping balance consistency with local sensitivity and flexibility. My boss had a dotted line to Bryan and would regularly bring me into meetings with him (thank you, Andres!). I remember the nervous feeling of riding the elevator to the 15^th floor for the first time, wanting to make a good impression. Bryan quickly put me at ease, asking my opinion on a strategic decision. I don’t remember the recommendation, but I remember feeling valued. Knowing that he appreciated my on-the-ground perspective on market needs motivated me and connected my contributions to the organization’s bigger goals.

Bryan’s genuine interest was not limited to business matters. In 2008, we shared dinner with a small group while on a business trip in Amsterdam. As Bryan knew, I had just gone through a difficult breakup. Bryan asked how I was doing and empathized with me about the split. I was moved by his thoughtfulness, and it reinforced that he didn’t just care...Read More

How I Want to Be Celebrated for Father’s Day

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 14:33:59 -0700

This article first appeared on Fatherly.com on June 9, 2020.

https://www.yahoo.com/video/dads-really-want-father-day-181955244.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACGlPa8amsCc9DsBIECI71NpodTNEA3FlZ4lncPANoqKWQ3oXchGF9nstrWoHQhR8_OUOYsZVRjO1A5dI1sT0IaPQDto9sR1UJ5Lali7KXZ-d4fIdfLvN6SPIEUBVLlCuX7bUzL02k7Wiud7ZKToh1e1MM_bHx-HHrjWEsBRvjCM

One Day, Two Perspectives

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 13:03:48 -0800

On my birthday yesterday, I lived two days.

In one day, my two sons were disagreeable (the kind description) through breakfast, getting ready, and heading out the door. They didn’t want to keep their voices down when I received a call from my aunt. There was unusual traffic on my drive home from the grocery. My 4-year-old threw a tantrum because I turned off the TV. I was late to a lunch appointment. My phone wasn’t cooperating. I didn’t have enough time to get in the full workout that I wanted, or to read and write. One of the sushi rolls at dinner tasted a little off.

In the second day, I was greeted with birthday wishes and cards first thing in the morning. I enjoyed an empty grocery and a well-behaved son while I stocked up on healthy ingredients for some creative cooking. I took the long, but legal exit from the supermarket parking lot, potentially avoiding being part of the fender bender that created the unusual traffic. I spent quality time with a friend at one of my favorite restaurants. I took a walk on the beach, and caught up with friends and family by phone. I relaxed with a view of the rainbow at Sony at dusk before enjoying a relaxing massage at my gym. My husband brought home a delicious dinner and dessert, and I took in birthday wishes from all three of my loves. My 6-year-old son gave me a goodnight hug that could power the city. We spent time with a dear friend before heading to bed early so I could get ready for a day of work doing what I love.

Parenthood and my 40s have taught me that life isn’t always rainbows and daisies. Actually, no single day is just the good stuff. There is loss, hurt, failure, disappointment and frustration. But there is also growth, love, and joy. I have a choice in how I walk through this world. I won't always get it right. That's not the goal. Accurately locating myself—a concept I first...Read More

Timeless Life Lessons from Toy Story

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 22:54:35 -0700

My sons, ages five and four, are in the sweet spot for Toy Story, as are the children of many of our friends. Add in that I helped develop the toys for the theatrical release of “Toy Story 3” in 2010, and friends and family are eager to share their Toy Story stories with me.

My friend and former boss Tim, who was involved in developing the toys for all three theatrical releases before “Toy Story 4,” shared that this was the first time he hadn’t gone to see the movie with his son Pete, who’s now 27. “He was three when he sat on my lap to watch the first Toy Story in the theater. He was always a Toy Story kid while growing up, and as it turned out, I was lucky enough to take him to the premiere of ‘Toy Story 3’ the day after he graduated from high school. We both had quite the ugly cry in the theater then!”

The Toy Story franchise is unique in Disney’s canon because the four films have been released over a span of almost 24 years, and the last three films were released with gaps of 11 and 9 years, respectively. We may be lucky to have young kids for just one theatrical release. At the current rate, the next time Disney/Pixar releases a Toy Story film, my boys will be 13 and 14. By then, we might be able to convince them to humor their two old dads with a G-rated movie outing but—like Andy—their relationship with the franchise will be more about reminiscing.

The movies present relevant themes about childhood, growing up, selflessness, and listening to the answers that lie within us, while also helping us track the progress of our own lives. Warning: the remainder of this piece is filled with plot spoilers.

Toy Story (1995):

The themes: We first meet the Toy Story characters. With the arrival of Buzz, alpha toy Woody fears that he will be replaced as Andy’s favorite. Through a series of mishaps and mutual rescues, Woody learns that life is more exciting with Buzz in it, and that there is always room in his...Read More