Keeping It Real with Dr. Anita

Building Belonging with One Simple Ritual

Culture isn’t a memo—it’s a rhythm. In this final segment, Amber shares one small ritual that makes a big difference in team belonging.Amber’s Insight:Belonging is built in the small, consistent moments—and leaders don’t need to wait for HR to create them.Dr. Anita’s Post-Podcast Prescription:Start doing:Introduce a “5-Minute Share” in your team meetings.Each week, someone leads by asking a thoughtful or fun question.Rotate the leader. Keep it light.Create a rhythm of connection.Why It Matters:Culture lives in your calendar. And rituals like this create psychological safety, deepen connection, and boost retention—without requiring more time. Try This:Add “5-Minute Share” as the first bullet on your next meeting agenda. Then let the team take it from there.Be sure to stay in the FLO:✅ Follow✅ Like✅ Overshare with your network…and repost with your own insight. I want to hear your voice in this community of practice!

Reframing Feedback Through a Leadership Lens

In this bite-sized episode, Amber shares how leaders can shift from delivering feedback that causes defensiveness to offering feedback that inspires growth and engagement. The key? Clarity and intention. Amber’s Insight:Leaders who frame feedback through a lens of opportunity foster stronger, more trusting teams. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, focus on what’s possible. Dr. Anita’s Post-Podcast Prescription:Start doing this month:Next time you give feedback, open with a growth-centered phrase like: “I see an opportunity for you to…”Notice how your team becomes more open, engaged, and ready to rise. Why It Matters:Framing feedback well isn’t just good communication—it’s good leadership. And it’s a core move toward building teams that trust faster and perform better. Try This:Before your next one-on-one, write down one opportunity-based feedback phrase. Use it. Watch what happens. Be sure to stay in the FLO:✅ Follow✅ Like✅ Overshare with your network…and repost with your own insight. I want to hear your voice in this community of practice! 

Bite-Sized Leadership for Big-Time Impact

Hello Community!This week marks the continuation of our new format—5 to 7 minutes of real talk designed to fit your busy schedule and still leave you with actionable insights about leadership, influence, and culture. Because transformation shouldn’t be time-consuming.In this series, I welcome Amber Micala Arnold, powerhouse messaging strategist, who shares how to:· Reframe leadership feedback to inspire action—not resistance· Influence inclusively by making room for all voices· Build connection with simple, consistent team ritualsAt the end of each episode, you’ll get Dr. Anita’s Post-Podcast Prescription—a practical takeaway to help you:· Stop what’s not working· Start something that will· Do more of what builds trust· Do less of what drains team cultureThis week’s insight? Change your frame. Change your focus. Change your future.If you’re ready to lead with more intention, influence authentically, and shape a culture that’s resilient and effective—then this series is for you.Be sure to stay in the FLO:✅ Follow✅ Like✅ Overshare with your network…and repost with your own insight. I want to hear your voice in this community of practice!Listen now and let’s keep it real—together. 

Dr. Mayra Austin is Keeping It Real with Dr. Anita, Part 3

Guest: Dr. Mayra Austin, Founder & CEO of Management CuesTopic: The Strategic Value of Workplace CultureIn today’s episode, we explore Perspective #3: Culture—and debunk the myth that workplace culture is just a “feel-good” concept. In truth, it’s a mission-critical asset that directly affects your bottom line, operations, and long-term growth.🔍 Key Insights from the Conversation:📊 Financial ImpactCompanies with happy employees outperform the S&P 500 by 20% and Nasdaq by 30%Organizations with strong culture report 30% more innovation and 40% higher retentionInvesting in workplace mental health delivers a 370% ROI⚙️ Operational ImpactDisengaged employees cost companies 34% of their salary in lost productivityHighly engaged teams experience 41% less absenteeism and 17% higher productivityOrganizations with strong engagement see 57% more discretionary effort🏢 Organizational ImpactEmployees aligned with company culture are 3.7x more likely to be highly engagedDisengaged team members are 2.6x more likely to leave for better cultureTurnover costs range from 30% to 200% of an employee’s annual salary—culture helps reduce that risk✅ Culture isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. The companies that win are the ones who treat culture as a competitive advantage.💊 Dr. Anita’s Post-Podcast PrescriptionChoose ONE action to take from today’s episode:Stop what’s not workingStart something that willDo more of what builds trustDo less of what drains team culture🛑 Today’s Post-Prescription:Stop sending mixed messages about your company’s values.Inconsistency undermines trust and weakens culture from the inside out.💡 Ready to lead with cultural clarity and conviction? This episode is your blueprint.

Dr. Mayra Austin is Keeping It Real with Dr. Anita, Part 2

Guest: Dr. Mayra Austin, Founder & CEO of Management CuesTopic: The Power of Inclusive InfluenceIn this episode, we tackle Perspective #2: Inclusive Influence—a leadership approach that goes far beyond representation.✨ What is Inclusive Influence?It’s the active shaping of culture and decision-making so that diverse voices are heard, valued, and integrated into the DNA of the business.🔑 Why it matters:Financially → Drives innovation, expands market reach, and reduces costly turnoverOperationally → Builds collaboration, strengthens problem-solving, and reduces frictionOrganizationally → Creates belonging, boosts engagement, and positions your company as an employer of choiceWhen leaders embrace inclusive influence, DEI stops being performative and becomes a sustainable competitive advantage.💊 Dr. Anita’s Post-Podcast PrescriptionChoose ONE action from today’s conversation to commit to:Stop what’s not workingStart something that willDo more of what builds trustDo less of what drains team culture✅ Today’s Post-Prescription:Do empower managers and leaders at every level with the language, tools, and mindset to champion inclusivity in daily interactions—ensuring influence cascades throughout the organization.If you’re ready to lead with influence that inspires and sustains, this episode is for you.