In this episode of "Everyday Leaders Leading Exceptionally," I sit down with Taren Storrs, a remarkable leader from Michigan State University with nearly a decade in her role. Taryn's journey through higher education, particularly in admissions and alumni relations, has shaped her unique view on leadership far beyond traditional titles. We delve into her adventurous spirit, having traveled to over 50 countries with a goal to visit all continents and every U.S. state—only Australia and Alaska to go!

Taren shares her insightful perspectives on combating fear in leadership, the importance of motivation and inspiration, and how leadership qualities can thrive without formal titles. Her vivid analogy of "filling the cup" emphasizes the joy and unexpected rewards of investing in others. We discuss the significance of authentic connections, both in professional settings and community involvement, and the power of personalized support, such as recognizing and responding to individual needs.

A highlight in our conversation includes Taryn's advocacy for "practicing the pause," a powerful technique for thoughtful and genuine leadership. Her wisdom on career development, relationship-building, and self-acceptance offers invaluable advice for anyone aiming to lead exceptionally in their everyday life.


Connect with Taren:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarenstorrs/

Connect with Ashley:

Ashley Pattee's website: www.evokecs.com

Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs

Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/

In this episode, I sit down with Annah Aschbrenner, Senior Deputy Campaign Editor at The Washington Post, to explore her strategies for managing a team and navigating the unpredictable world of political journalism.

Annah shares her insights on balancing reactive news coverage with planned tasks, the importance of maintaining a calm demeanor, and the critical role of self-care. We delve into her journey of personal and professional growth, from receiving mentorship to embracing feedback. Annah also discusses the challenges of high-stress reporting, integrating personal priorities into work, and leading with authenticity and empathy.

Tune in for a candid conversation on leading exceptionally amidst chaos.

Annah Aschbrenner’s Bio:

Annah is the senior deputy campaign editor at The Washington Post. In her role, she helps lead coverage of the 2024 presidential campaign as well as races for the senate, house, and state level campaigns. She previously was the post-congress editor covering the rise and fall of house speaker Kevin McCarthy and innumerable spending fights on the Hill. She started her career as an intern in her hometown in Muskegon, Michigan before taking a job at the Klamath Falls Herald and News in Oregon. She eventually moved to Iowa where, as a politics editor at the Des Moines Register, she directed coverage of the 2016 Iowa caucuses and the presidential election before becoming the news director. She then went on to be USA Today's elections editor for the 2020 campaign before becoming their White House, Congress, and National Politics editor. She's a proud Michigan State University graduate, go green, and lives in Virginia with her husband, son, and hound dog.

Connect with Annah:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annahbackstrom

Website: https://www.washingtonpost.com

Connect with Ashley:

Ashley Pattee's website: www.evokecs.com

Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs

Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/

In Episode 3 of "Everyday Leaders, Leading Exceptionally," I sit down with co-founders of iCOR Solutions, Frank Cox and Zack Pittman, to delve into the power of co-leadership and transparency in fostering team growth and trust. Zack shares his insights on recovering from setbacks and continuous improvement, while Frank emphasizes the value of clear communication, accountability, and mutual respect.

We discuss their journey from thriving careers at MarshBerry, to starting their own venture, the importance of ego management, and how they intentionally built a strong company culture that prioritizes learning and openness.

Join us for a conversation filled with practical leadership advice and techniques to improve your own leadership skills.

Frank Cox’s Bio:

As a Co-Founder of iCOR, Frank has a passion for growth and development, seeking to provide value on every interaction.

Prior to iCOR, Frank was the Senior Vice President of Management Consulting at MarshBerry, the nation's leading growth and advisory firm in the Insurance industry, with more than ten years of insurance sales experience and a track record for coaching, sales training, public speaking and senior executive management. Frank led a team that was focused on delivering management consultation and sales leadership to MarshBerry’s portfolio of insurance brokerage clients. ​

Prior to iCOR, Frank worked as USI’s Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, which involved leading Property & Casualty (P&C) and Employee Benefits sales. His responsibilities also included senior operations management.

Frank holds both a P&C and Life & Health license and holds certifications in DiSC training and Professional Selling Skills. Frank earned his associate’s degree in business from Grand Rapids Community College and holds a bachelor’s of science in Business Management from Cornerstone University.

Zack Pittman’s Bio:

As a Co-Founder of iCOR, Zack has a passion for sales and operational improvement, focusing on the development and execution of plans that align with organizational growth.

Prior to iCOR, Zack was the Vice President of Organic Growth at MarshBerry. As a leader of MarshBerry’s Organic Growth division, Zack worked with agencies and brokerages to build an infrastructure that would achieve growth and profitability goals, as well as working with them through the continued development and execution of that process.​

Zack has a passion for helping his clients increase sales through a strategic growth plan, while improving culture and focusing on team development dynamics. Additionally, he’s driven to develop sales leaders and sales teams to help implement a successful and repeatable sales process while also assisting firms with organizational infrastructure, business planning and sales management.

Zack holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and marketing management from the University of Akron.

Connect with Frank & Zack:

Website: https://www.icoradvantage.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icor-solutions/

Connect with Ashley:

Ashley Pattee's website: www.evokecs.com

Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs

Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/