Coaching for Leaders Podcast: Detailed Summary of "Getting More and Better Insights, with Irma Trageser"
Episode Overview In this insightful episode of Coaching for Leaders, host Dave Stachowiak engages in a meaningful conversation with Irma Trageser, a healthcare executive and alumna of the Coaching for Leaders Academy. Released on February 14, 2025, the episode delves into Irma's journey of enhancing her leadership skills, overcoming challenges in her executive role, and the transformative impact of the Academy on her professional and personal growth.
1. Introduction to Irma Trageser’s Leadership Journey
Irma begins by sharing her current responsibilities and the challenges she faces as she transitions into a higher executive role within the healthcare sector.
Key Points:
- Expanded Responsibilities: Irma recently acquired a new group, leading to the management of two distinct organizations with varying levels of maturity.
- Balancing Act: She discusses the complexities of juggling different roles and ensuring both organizations continue to thrive despite their divergent stages.
Notable Quote:
“I just have another responsibility. So I just acquired another group... juggling between those two kind of different roles.”
— Irma Trageser [02:28]
2. Discovering the Coaching for Leaders Podcast
Irma recounts how she initially discovered Dave's podcast and the profound impact it had on her sense of hope and direction during a challenging period in her career.
Key Points:
- Struggles in the New Role: The first year in her elevated position was fraught with difficulties, including a lack of transitions and feeling isolated in decision-making.
- Finding Hope Through the Podcast: A recommendation from her church's leadership group introduced her to the podcast, which resonated deeply and provided her with much-needed encouragement.
Notable Quotes:
“It made me feel like, okay, well, there is hope, and other people are going through the same things I’m going through.”
— Irma Trageser [04:00]
“Your church is looking at podcasts and recommending resources like that.”
— Dave Stachowiak [04:00]
3. Joining the Coaching for Leaders Academy
Transitioning from listener to participant, Irma explains her decision to apply to the Academy and the initial interactions that led to her enrollment.
Key Points:
- Application Process: After being inspired by the podcast, Irma applied to the Academy but did not anticipate an immediate response.
- Personal Connection: Dave’s personal engagement, including a follow-up message, made Irma feel valued and reinforced her decision to join the Academy.
Notable Quotes:
“I was totally starstruck. Whoa. He answered, and he was so kind...”
— Irma Trageser [05:51]
4. Defining Vision and Setting Commitments
Irma discusses the structured approach of the Academy in helping her articulate a clear vision for her leadership role and the actionable steps she took to achieve it.
Key Points:
- Vision Articulation: Writing down her vision made her ideas tangible and provided a clear direction.
- Actionable Steps: The Academy emphasized breaking down the vision into specific actions, fostering a focused and disciplined approach.
Notable Quotes:
“Putting it on paper and then socializing it with our cohort just made it real.”
— Irma Trageser [06:31]
5. Implementing Leadership Commitments
Irma shares two significant commitments she made to enhance her leadership effectiveness: asking more open-ended questions and practicing compartmentalization.
A. Becoming a Coach-like Leader
Key Points:
- Open-Ended Questions: Irma committed to asking more open-ended questions during one-on-one meetings to better understand her team members.
- Initial Discomfort: The practice felt awkward at first but gradually became second nature, leading to more meaningful interactions.
Notable Quotes:
“The first week was really uncomfortable... but as I started doing it consistently, it just started becoming very interesting, second nature.”
— Irma Trageser [08:27]
“People started noticing and I started noticing that I get more information and better information by doing that.”
— Irma Trageser [09:33]
B. Practicing Compartmentalization
Key Points:
- Managing Multiple Roles: With responsibilities across two organizations, Irma found her mind constantly shifting between different topics.
- Structured Daily Review: She began starting her day by reviewing her calendar to group tasks and took deep breaths between meetings to reset her focus.
Notable Quotes:
“Taking a deep breath, see where I was, what I was feeling, and how I was kind of taking the rest of the day...”
— Irma Trageser [13:11]
“Having the time in that space to collect myself and the intentionality of being present at the next meeting...”
— Irma Trageser [14:14]
6. Outcomes and Transformative Insights
Reflecting on her year-long journey with the Academy, Irma highlights the tangible progress she has made and the shift in her leadership mindset.
Key Points:
- Visible Progress: Irma observed significant advancements towards her goals and developed greater confidence in her leadership abilities.
- Opportunity Readiness: The Academy equipped her with the mindset to recognize and seize opportunities as they arose.
- Paradigm Shift: Transitioning from trying to tackle everything at once to embracing small, consistent actions led to sustainable growth.
Notable Quotes:
“It doesn’t apply only to leadership, but to everything in life... if you want to start something, you start small and be consistent.”
— Irma Trageser [19:20]
“Putting the things on paper... having a clear vision... I was able to concentrate on that.”
— Irma Trageser [16:05]
7. Key Takeaways and Leadership Lessons
Irma and Dave conclude their conversation by emphasizing the importance of starting small, maintaining consistency, and focusing on what truly matters in leadership roles.
Key Points:
- Start Small, Be Consistent: Avoid the trap of trying to implement massive changes all at once. Small, steady actions lead to lasting impact.
- Focus and Intentionality: Defining clear priorities and staying committed to them ensures progress and minimizes distractions.
- Empathy and Active Listening: Cultivating a coach-like approach enhances team dynamics and fosters a more productive work environment.
Notable Quotes:
“You don’t have to work on everything at the same time... start small and just be consistent.”
— Irma Trageser [18:21]
“Just one more question... it's really fascinating how... people started volunteering more information.”
— Irma Trageser [10:56]
8. Conclusion and Invitation
Dave wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners who find themselves at a leadership inflection point to consider joining the Coaching for Leaders Academy, highlighting the structured support and transformative potential it offers.
Notable Quotes:
“If you're at an inflection point right now and ready to get moving, the Coaching for Leaders Academy may be the right fit for you.”
— Dave Stachowiak [20:22]
Final Thoughts This episode serves as a testament to the profound impact structured leadership coaching can have on executives navigating complex roles. Irma Trageser's journey underscores the value of clear vision, consistent small actions, and intentional leadership practices in fostering both personal growth and organizational success.
For those interested in embarking on a similar transformation, the Coaching for Leaders Academy offers a comprehensive library and supportive community to guide leaders toward their highest potential.