MSMP 111: Stacy Owen Johnston on The Pursuit of Happiness and Finding Your Authentic Self

/40:20 /E111

What Does MSMP 111: Stacy Owen Johnston on The Pursuit of Happiness and Finding Your Authentic Self Talk About?

In this episode of the Mads Singers Management Podcast, host Mads Singers welcomes Stacy Owen Johnston, CEO of EnlightenUp and a personal development coach. Stacy shares her journey from a dancer to a state employee and eventually an entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in both life and business. The conversation centers on how managers can foster a positive work environment by prioritizing employees over customers, encouraging ownership, and recognizing that people leave bad management, not bad jobs. Stacy and Mads discuss the power of influence, celebrating failures as learning opportunities, and the decision to pursue happiness in one's career.

People don't leave bad jobs but leave because of bad management.Stacy Owen Johnston

Who Is Featured on MSMP 111: Stacy Owen Johnston on The Pursuit of Happiness and Finding Your Authentic Self?

Stacy Owen Johnston is the CEO of EnlightenUp, a personal development coaching and training company. With 40 years of entrepreneurial experience, she has helped individuals and groups uncover their authentic selves. Stacy's background includes working as a Family Services Specialist for the state and thriving as a dancer earlier in her life. She is also a conversational public speaker and hosts the Hero Builder Podcast.

What Are the Key Takeaways From MSMP 111: Stacy Owen Johnston on The Pursuit of Happiness and Finding Your Authentic Self?

  • People leave bad management, not bad jobs, so managers must create a supportive environment.
  • Giving employees ownership and letting them try fosters motivation and growth.
  • The best leaders develop new leaders to take their place, focusing on influence rather than power.
  • A good manager recognizes an employee's interest in a niche and helps them pursue it.
  • Life is too short to be unhappy; happiness is a decision, and managers should encourage staff to be quality human beings.
Leadership is about influence - not power, a corner office, or a nameplate.Stacy Owen Johnston

Is MSMP 111: Stacy Owen Johnston on The Pursuit of Happiness and Finding Your Authentic Self Worth Listening To?

This episode is a must-listen for managers and leaders who want to build a positive workplace culture. Stacy's insights on putting employees first and celebrating failures as steps toward goals are refreshing and actionable. The conversation offers practical advice on how to influence and develop your team without relying on authority.

Who Should Listen to MSMP 111: Stacy Owen Johnston on The Pursuit of Happiness and Finding Your Authentic Self?

  • New managers looking to build leadership skills
  • Experienced leaders seeking to improve team culture
  • Entrepreneurs wanting to foster employee ownership
  • Personal development enthusiasts interested in authenticity

What Are Listeners Saying About This Episode?

★★★★★

This episode changed how I view management. Stacy's point about people leaving bad managers hit home. I'm implementing her advice on giving my team more ownership.

Sarah M.
★★★★★

Finally, a podcast that puts employees first. The discussion on celebrating failures was eye-opening. Highly recommend to any leader.

James K.
★★★★★

Mads and Stacy have a great dynamic. I loved the emphasis on authenticity and not living for others' dreams. Practical and inspiring.

Emily R.

Joining me today in this episode of the Mads Singers Management Podcast is Stacy Owen Johnston, CEO of EnlightenUp.

Stacy is a personal development coach and trainer for individuals or groups and a conversational public speaker. Although she grew up and thrived as a dancer, Stacy took a pivot and worked for the state where she has served as a Family Services Specialist. She has been an entrepreneur for 40 years and has spent much time building businesses and helping people uncover their authentic selves.


Stacy shares that the energy you put out can significantly impact the people around you and your business. And while there are times where we put our customers first (especially if they are high-paying clients), managers should always put their employees first because this helps encourage and motivate them.


She continues that all of us have our beat that we dance to, and we should learn how to find it instead of following others, don’t live and work for the dreams of your parents or other people because only you should be able to live the life you want and deserve. 


Stacy adds that we shouldn’t judge people quickly because we don’t know what trials or battles they face privately. People are doing their best to separate their private and public struggles, but there are times where people can get overwhelmed, and their performance takes a dive. Because people have different ways to handle scenarios, business owners should be cautious in approaching them if they notice they are not performing their best. Sometimes some people need a little push to get them going or to unlock their potential. 


Our life is too short to be unhappy or hating our job every day; go after your dreams and goals rather than live the life others want you to.



Key Learning Points:

  1. Stacy says that people don’t leave bad jobs but leave because of bad management. - 08:06
  2. Mads says that it’s essential to give people ownership and let them try - 10:00
  3. Stacy says that the best leaders help develop a new bunch of leaders to take their place. - 10:57
  4. Stacy says that leadership is about influence - not power, a corner office, or a nameplate. - 11:10
  5. Stacy points out that a good leader or manager can easily recognize a person’s interest in a niche and help them pursue it. - 12:46
  6. Stacy stresses the importance of a person’s ability to influence people and bring out their best version. - 14:25 
  7. Mads says that managers should always focus on their staff first - 15:44
  8. Stacy says that managers should encourage their staff and people around them to be quality human beings. - 16:50
  9. Stacy says that we should learn how to celebrate our failures because failure is still a movement towards our goals and allows us to learn from our mistakes. - 21:26
  10. Stacy says that life is too short to be unhappy every day or hating your job because happiness is a decision. - 31:22


Resources Mentioned

Extreme Ownership: How U.S Navy Seals Lead and Win: by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Becoming a Person of Influence: How to Positively Impact the Lives of Others: By John C. Maxwell



Connect with Stacy

Email 

LinkedIn

Facebook

Stacy’s Instagram

Hero Builder Podcast Instagram

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