It's hard to believe that a year has flown by and we've recorded 52 episodes! What an incredible journey it has been. We've gained so much knowledge from this podcast and we hope you have as well. However, as with all things in life, change is inevitable, and we've decided to conclude our podcast series as we pursue new ventures. Rick is launching a pickleball court in Jaco, Pura Pickleball Jaco—congratulations to him! He's currently swamped with the details of setting it up. Meanwhile, I'll be promoting Rick's coaching and speaking engagements while managing my entertainment company, CallBack.
Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn where Rick will be sharing insights on becoming an Atypical Leader twice a week.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to all of our listeners. We couldn't have had the success we have had without you. You can still find all 52 episodes on our website, atypicalleader.com and any thoughts or comments are welcome.
You never know, we may pick up our mics again one day so we won't say goodbye, just ciao ciao for now.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER, OWN WHO YOU ARE!
We've devoted considerable time to discussing honesty, truth, values, and morals—elements we consider fundamental to being a leader and crucial for Atypical Leadership. When lacking certain skills that typical leaders possess, it's important to highlight the qualities you do have.
- We've had to learn to collaborate with others more effectively, delegate tasks, develop high-performance teams, and adapt to changing situations.
- Establishing a connection with people is essential.
- It's important for people to trust that what you say is true and that you are consistent.
Navigating the corporate world can be challenging; sometimes, you may find yourself balancing different sides to be effective. Determining what constitutes an omission or a lie can be complex. However, one truth remains: you cannot lie about who you are, nor can you deceive yourself.
Please let us know your thoughts and comments:
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Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Perhaps Rick will reach out to you, and we might dedicate an entire episode to your question. Who knows, you could even find yourself featured on the podcast!
We always appreciate hearing from you, our listeners.
Indeed, that is the million-dollar question. Some individuals can effortlessly offer advice, and one might marvel at their brilliance. But the real question is whether they are genuinely addressing your concerns and if their counsel is sound. It remains an enigma.
- Often, when seeking advice, many seem to prefer the sound of their own voice rather than attending to the actual needs presented.
- Have you ever received advice and felt your own understanding was superior?
- Is it necessary to seek testimonials from others?
To solicit advice effectively, one must trust, respect, and be familiar with the advisor. True assurance in the trustworthiness and validity of someone's guidance comes with time and consistent interaction. For someone neurodivergent like Rick, discerning whether others grasp his perspective is a contemplative matter. Let's listen and determine if we can address the million-dollar question.
Please let us know your thoughts and comments:
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Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Perhaps Rick will reach out to you, and we might dedicate an entire episode to your question. Who knows, you could even find yourself featured on the podcast!
We always appreciate hearing from you, our listeners.
This week's discussion is on culture: how is a good one created? What distinguishes a good culture from a poor one? Culture revolves around people; it's about how individuals embody principles, how governance ensures these principles are upheld, and whether the environment enables them to do so.
- How can one ascertain if their perspective on culture is accurate?
- Which tools are utilized to assess the culture?
- How is the culture rectified?
Even within positive cultures, sub-cultures may emerge. On the surface, everyone appears content, yet there are small groups, the occasional shoulder shrugs, smirks, covert conversations by the water cooler, and a sense of cynicism infiltrating the business. Why and how does one initiate change?
Please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Perhaps Rick will reach out to you, and we might dedicate an entire episode to your question. Who knows, you could even find yourself featured on the podcast!
We always appreciate hearing from you, our listeners.
To unlock your true potential, assistance is often necessary to bring out your 'superpowers.' How can this be achieved? We invited Joyce Sunada to discuss this topic on our episode. Joyce and Rick delve into their distinct coaching styles and the individuals who might benefit from each.
- Joyce is an Integrated Health Coach/Speaker, focusing on women seeking to make a change, whether in wellness, personal growth, or a specific aspect of wellness, aiding them in achieving their goals and unlocking their potential.
- Rick, a Neurodiverse Coach/Speaker, concentrates on neurodiverse individuals in the business world, assisting them in mitigating their weaknesses and transforming their strengths into superpowers.
- Joyce employs a "Typical" coaching style, while Rick uses an "Atypical" approach.
- The question is, which style suits you best?
Everyone is unique, whether typical or atypical; the key is to determine where your focus should lie and from where you should draw your energy.
Please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Perhaps Rick will reach out to you, and we might dedicate an entire episode to your question. Who knows, you could even find yourself featured on the podcast!
We always appreciate hearing from you, our listeners.
Gather around, for the tale of the boat begins now! We've shared parts of this hilarious boat story in previous episodes, but now it's time for the full tale. Get ready for nonstop laughter, as this raucous story contains some strong language and is not for the faint of heart! Through all the laughter, we'll touch on:
- How even meticulous preparation can't anticipate every possibility,
- How our perspectives can shift rapidly when faced with the unknown,
- You don't know what you don't know
A boat trip, a clear mishap, and uncontrollable laughter—sometimes the unexpected makes for the best stories!
Please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, and you just might end up being on the podcast, you never know!
We love hearing from you, our listeners.,
Finding out that a) McKesson owns Rexall and b) McKesson is selling Rexall I had to ask Rick why that would be? Rexall is my neighbour drugstore and I was interested in why it would be sold plus I had a few things to get off my chest about Rexall. So, we had a great chat about the Canadian pharmacy scene...
- Are independent pharmacies going to be a thing of the past?
- How the management / pharmacists play such an important role in the success of the drugstores
- Is it important for the local drugstore to part of the community?
This is a good example of understanding that culture comes first: it starts at the top, you have to listen, follow it down through the system, understand what needs to be done and how to do it. It all comes down to leadership.
Please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, and you just might end up being on the podcast, you never know!
We love hearing from you, our listeners.,
Clams & Chili??? Really Rick? We always say that anyone who is atypical or neurodiverse sees the world through different lens and a lot of times people don't really understand what that means, and everyone is different. Well, if you have every wondered just how Rick's brain works, let me tell you.
- Rick reading a sign and what he thinks it says versus what it really says
- How stubborn he can be when he believes what he saw is right
- How he found his lane which allowed him to deal with his dyslexia
We had a great chuckle at Rick's expense, and we hope you do too. And don't worry Rick was laughing as hard if not harder!
Please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, and you just might end up being on the podcast, you never know!
We love hearing from you, our listeners.,
This week we continue our conversation with Gord Stellick on leadership in sports. How leadership has had to evolve over the years to keep up with how society is constantly evolving. Let's talk about hockey and more..
- The Hockey Canada situation, is this a hockey situation or is it about sexual assault? What's the accountability? Is it a cultural thing?
- Leadership in Sports Radio in Toronto
- What is the challenge of being a leader with remote working?
Another great conversation with Gord, take a listen, and please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, and you just might end up being on the podcast, you never know!
We love hearing from you, our listeners.,
Okay, this episode is not only for people who are atypical / neurodiverse but avid hockey fans! We had a great chat with Gord Stellick who was just 30 years old when he took the job of GM of the Toronto Maple Leaves, becoming the youngest GM in history. I have to admit that I don't know much (nothing really) about hockey, even though I grew up in Canada (shame on me) so I just sat back and let Rick chat with Gord.
- He's a notable author whose books include,
- '67: The Maple Leafs, Their Sensational Victory, and the End of an Empire
- Hockey Heartaches and Hal
- His current Broadcasting roles are:
- Blue And White Tonight: He currently serves as the host of the pre-game edition of “Blue And White Tonight” on The Fan 590 during Toronto Maple Leafs game nights.
- NHL Morning Skate: Stellick co-hosts the “NHL Morning Skate” drive time show with Scott Loughlin on SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s NHL Network Radio.
- Hockey Commentator: You can also catch him as a commentator for hockey games on TV1.
- He gives examples different types of leadership, how effective he thought they were and why
- And of course, he has a story or two about Harold Ballard!
Gord is a very smart, savvy, and fun guy to chat with, this is a good one! And I learned something about hockey, go figure.
Take a listen and please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, you never know!
We love hearing from you, our listeners.
I thought it was about time we did an episode on about women, particularly neurodivergent women, but also about the general struggles' women have in business to get ahead. Rick doesn't agree with a lot of the hype on this subject, and he tells us why...
- He personally has never not worked with women that aren't strong and didn't go after what they want
- He explains his take on equal pay for an equal job
- He says he searched all his career for the boy's club that everyone talks about but could never find it???
Amazingly we only got close to fisticuffs once but overall, we had a great conversation about how Rick's experience in the corporate world gave him a totally different view on women's, atypical or not, role in business. Take a listen and please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, you never know!
We love hearing from you, our listeners.
Well, we hope you all enjoyed last week's episode and are starting to understand what's love got to do with what we talk about in our podcast, changing your so-called limitations into superpowers. This week we continue our chat with Jay Smith to discover more about this path:
- how we define spirituality as finding who you are by projecting kindness, love, enthusiasm, happiness & joy
- it is contagious to other people, and it starts to define your moral values
- these things attract people to you, build relationships and allows your team gel
- help you find the believe in yourself and take it into the corporate world and attract the people you need around you, find your tribe
Grab a beverage, go for a walk, do whatever it is you do while listening to the podcast and enjoy
Then please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, you never know!
We love hearing from you, our listeners
Apparently, everything! Stop listening to the bullshit that the only way you'll make it to the top is if you are ruthless, tough, and cold hearted (what's that saying "it's not personal, it's business, yay fuck that). This episode we chat with Mr. Jay Smith, and he shows us a different way to find what is in you and is uniquely yours.
- He is the author of the book "The Adventures of an Inner City Kid"
- Has had the privilege to hear the Dalia Lama speak and to meet him
- Considered Bishop Desmond TuTu a friend
- "Kindness is one of the most important qualities in life"
Join us on this episode to go on Jay's journey with us which he started in his 50s and is still on (he is 80, but looks 60, amazing!)
Then please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, you never know!
We love hearing from you, our listeners!
Many businesses have created a cultural of rules and policies. It's almost like if there isn’t a new rule by noon, we had better create one. Our North American society has also become a culture of rules but where do we draw the line? What is the intent behind these rules?
- Rules tell us NOT what to do
- Rules are way to constrict the activity of the creative
- We are not suggesting that rules and policies aren’t required at times but only as a framework to keep us between the pipes
- The more productive approach is to build a framework that drives performance, allows people to make the call, be creative and resourceful
This is our topic for this week's episode of "The Atypical Leader" podcast and believe me, Rick goes on the rant! So take a listen and then please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, you never know!
We love hearing from you, our listeners!
For us atypicals and neurodiverse making mistakes or fucking up, depending on what you call it, is pretty much a daily thing but how we recover is so important!
- you need a recovery strategy
- your ability to recover from a mistake may be more powerful that not making the mistake in the first place
- your recovery shows another piece of you that no one would have had a chance to see if the mistake had never been made
Rick also takes a shot at me this week, discussing one of my screwups so take a listen and then, please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast. Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, you never know!
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
We love hearing from you, our listeners!
Well, last week I wasn't able to join in the conversation with Rick and Clare Kumar of Happy Space Podcast due to technical difficulties and this week, well, I just damn well played hooky!! So, the conversation continues with Rick and Clare talking about how leaders can get the best out of their teams...
- understand your people, your environment first before taking action
- self-awareness, awareness of others, communication and how other tools can help
to maximize everyone's talents on your team
- we'd like to say never mind the labels but in most organizations the leader understands how to deal with a diagnosis because HR has commendations on how to deal with them
- and then there is fairness. Is it only fair if everyone is treated the same no matter or, do we treat people by adjusting according to what they need to produce their best work? It is a puzzler.
So, enjoy this week's episode of "The Atypical Podcast" and I'll be back to join Rick next week (I'm sure he really misses me lol).
Then, please let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast. Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, you never know!
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
We love hearing from you, our listeners!
This episode Rick speaks with Clare Kumar, host of the podcast Happy Space, to discuss inclusivity which Clare is focusing on these days. When she says inclusivity, she started out looking at high sensitivity in particular and now wants to zoom out and help leaders really think about how to think about their workforce and be more inclusive in a much broader way. Some of the subjects they touch on...
- working with leaders and their teams to get the best out of everyone on their team
- get leaders seeing the strengths neurodiverse people can bring to the table and the struggles they have due to their neurodiversity
- discussing sensory sensitivity, HPS, what is it and how it needs to be dealt with
- creating Happy Space Work Style Program, and what it is all about
And so much more! So, take a listen and then let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast. Or perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, you never know!
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
We love hearing from our listeners!
This week Rick is having a chat with Chris Magee, the mother of Matthew Magee whom we chatted with in Episode 15th, "How Are We Doing So Far". Both are avid listeners, and we are so pleased that our listeners are starting to contact us and ask us questions about how to be an atypical in a typical world! Some of her questions were... -
- While she loves our takeaways she wants to know, do we have specific tools for atypical / neurodiverse people in the workplaces?
- Did you have bosses that believed in you & gave you second chances?
- Did your executive coach give you tools & strategies?
- And one of my all-time favourites... why do companies insist that employees must have a secondary degree? They do such a disservice to atypical/neurodiverse employees!
Take a listen and hear Chris's thoughts on raising a neurodiverse son and how Rick answers her questions and let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Or ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast. Perhaps Rick will contact you and we will do a full episode on your question, you never know!
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Nowadays you hear the term "Teams" a lot in the corporate world so we thought we would chat about creating teams and how to make a good team a great team! A good team reaches its goals but how do you push them to go further?
- What does a High-Performance team look like?
- How do you create a High-Performance team?
- Why do we think that Atypicals are more suited to creating and leading High-Performance teams?
Listen to this week's podcast of "The Atypical Leader" to find out how Rick took his teams from being good to scoring some of the top engagement numbers in the world.
Then let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast or, perhaps we will do a full episode on the question, you never know!
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
How would you describe a work alcholic? Are you one? Are you proud of being one? Let's find out what Rick has to say about work alcoholics on this episode of "The Atypical Leader"
- Are you getting accomplished what you need to by working all the time?
- What exactly is the correlation between working long hours and accomplishing tasks, being an effective manager
- Of course, we have to work hard and long during certain periods of time
- Working smart is what we all need to do, working long hours isn't effective and really, just a waste of time
So are you really being the best you can be by always having your nose to the grindstone? Take a listen and then let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast or, perhaps we will do a full episode on the question, you never know!
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
"The Atypical Leader" is based on taking your so-called "limitations" and turning them into superpowers and this week we have a guest who has done just that. Meet Adrianna Fernandez, a woman who has taken her OCD and turned it into her superpower.
- Her OCD is off the charts
- Being organized is second nature to her
- Created a business organizing others; corporate and personal
- Has been executive assistant to top CEOs
After reading Rick's book it struck Adrianna that she always saw her OCD as a negative thing, something to be "fixed" or "cured". But now she realizes that it is the basis of all of her successes and now sees it as a positive, her own superpower. Adrianna is the epitome of what we are trying to get across on this podcast.
Take a listen and then let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast or, perhaps we will do a full episode on the question, you never know!
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
This week we chat with John McLean who we would call a typical leader but after reading Rick's book, "The Atypical Leader", he discovered that he had many similarities with Rick.
- Rick was limited by certain things that he could and couldn't do and that pushed him down a certain road
- The typical executive, very smart, high IQ's, get all the degrees, become very good talkers, political acumens and they learned a certain set of skills based on that
- John is in between the two, he's not neurodiverse but he's taken the time to work at the ground level and learned things that other executives just can't!
Take a listen to Rick and John chat about how they both found a way to success; wins & losses and then let us know your thoughts and comments:
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast or, perhaps we will do a full episode on the question, you never know!
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
This week we are going to talk about how people can deflect from what you’re talking about or the intent of your message and turn it back onto you. Why is this important to us atypicals?
- Deflection is making their issue ours
- It can become the distraction that gets us off our game and we can't let go
- People often use tricks to cause others to be uncomfortable
- Taking that words matter to the extreme and discount the message behind them
So take a listen to the episode and then let us know your thoughts and comments
https://www.atypicalleader.com/leave-a-comment
Ask us a question about this episode or any others and listen for the answer on a future podcast or, perhaps we will do a full episode on the question, you never know!
https://www.atypicalleader.com/questions-for-podcast
Do you ever find that from one day to the next there are things you can and cannot do? Like a calculation that was easy on Monday come Wednesday you have no idea how to do it? Or perhaps you're in a meeting and your mind just goes blank? All the ideas you had prior are just gone, leaving you sitting there with your mouth open, unable to put a thought together.
- what is the brain's plate?
- how do you reduce what's on your plate?
- is it hard to do?
On this week's episode Rick will explain what, how and why the brain's plate gets full and give you tips on how to empty it. And we would love to hear from you; your comments, thoughts, any questions you may have on this or any other episode. Or, if you have a subject you'd like us to discuss we'd love to hear that too. Just click on one of the links below and who knows, you may hear your name on an upcoming episode!
Leave us a comment — Atypical Leader
Question Submission for Podcast — Atypical Leader
Imagine going to work every day, feeling pumped up, happy and satisfied, loving every moment! IMPOSSIBLE? Well, we don't think so, as a matter of fact, we think it is a MUST!
- We think it's fair to say that you, your employees and colleagues enjoying work is essential to creating high performance.
- If you can evolve to a point where having fun and hard work become the same thing, really becoming interchangeable, you will be ROCKING!
- Think of the success you could achieve.
So how do you go about achieving this? Listen to this week's episode of "The Atypical Leader" to find out.
1 YEAR, 52 EPISODES ... AND THAT'S A WRAP!!
18:35
Defining What Constitutes a Lie Can Be Intriguing And Nuanced. In Other Words, We Have No Fucking Clue!
21:30
How Do You Decode Advice? Navigating the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
25:29
Watch Out For Sub-Cultures!
26:22
Navigating Coaching Styles: Finding Your Fit, Typical vs Atypical Approaches
23:51
Buckle Up Boys & Girls, We Are Going For A Hell Of A Boat Trip!
33:31
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News In The Pharmacy World... Rexall Is Being Sold, Again!
22:13
Clams & Chili ... What The Fuck Are You Seeing Rick?
23:23
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Continuing Our Conversation about Sports And Leadership With Gord Stellick, Former GM Of The Toronto Maples Leafs And Hockey Personality Part 2
23:22
Sports And Leadership With Gord Stellick, Former GM Of The Toronto Maples Leafs And Hockey Personality
23:54
Rick Says He Could Never Find The Boys' Club, I Call Bullshit!
20:20
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What's Love Got To Do With It? Part 2
24:35
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What's Love Got To Do With It?
27:31
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Rules, Rules And More Rules! They Drive Rick Fucking Nuts!!!
21:42
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We All Fuck Up But How Do You Handle Your Fuckups? Do You Stand Up Or Stick Your Head In The Sand?
23:23
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Tune In Before You Lean In - Part 2
22:28
Tune In Before You Lean In!
24:39
In Conversation with Rick
30:10
Creating High Performance Teams
26:25
Do You Work So Much You Forget You Have A Home?
21:12
Harnessing Your Superpower!
27:03
Walking The Middle Road
33:18
Don't You Hate When People Deflect
25:25
Do You Ever Empty Your Brain's Plate?
25:25
Can Fun And Hard Work Co-exist?
25:43