EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes Month 1 Communicating with Intention - DISC and Driving Forces Intentional Communication with DISC Kicking off the EPIC journey, DISC centers on building self-awareness through the DISC and Driving Forces assessment—a powerful tool for understanding personal communication styles and how they interact with others. You will learn how to recognize and adapt to different DISC styles, reduce friction, and strengthen trust. By applying these insights to real-world conversations, they’ll begin to turn everyday interactions into opportunities for clarity, collaboration, and connection. Listen to the DISC Corcast Episode: Refer back to this DISC Clue Sheet throughout the EPIC Program DISC Clue Sheet Month 2 Transitioning from a Problem to a Solutions Mindset Shifting from Problem to Solution We all know that great leadership isn't about reacting - it's about responding with clarity and confidence. But how often do you find yourself caught in stress, frustration, or self-doubt? Reactivity to Resilience will help you recognize when you're triggered, understand your DISC-driven stress responses, and apply proven techniques to shift from reactive to resilient. Listen to the Reactive to Resilient Corcast Episode: Read through the Many Faces of Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer: Victim - Many Faces Persecutor - Many Faces Rescuer - Many Faces Month 3 Thinking with Intention - VIPE A Leader's Guide to Getting More, Fresh, High Qualitry Ideas from Their Teams Thinking with Intention challenges participants to elevate their strategic thinking by understanding how their natural strengths—and blind spots—impact team innovation. Using the VIPE model (Vision, Inclusion, Process, and Execution), they’ll assess their preferred thinking roles and how those influence decision-making and collaboration. Paired with insights from A Leader’s Guide to Getting More, Fresh, High Quality Ideas , participants will discover practical ways to foster creativity, avoid common thinking traps, and unlock better outcomes through intentional thought leadership. Listen to the Corcast Episode: Read the executive summary of A Leader's Guide to Getting More, Fresh, High Quality Ideas : Executive Summary Month 4 - Managing Priorities with Intention Time Mastery 2.0 Time Mastery 2.0 Managing Priorities with Intention - you'll take a deep dive into how you use your time—versus how you intend to use it. Grounded in the Time Mastery: 7 Simple Steps for Richer Outcomes framework, and Time Mastery 2.0, you’ll explore how to align daily actions with higher-level priorities. Through reflection and practical tools, this session helps you identify time wasters, clarify outcomes over tasks, and design a rhythm of work that drives meaningful progress—without burning out. Listen to the Time Mastery 2.0 Corcast Episode: Read Time Mastery 2.0 : Time Mastery 2.0 Month 5 Building Trust with Intention - Conversational Intelligence Conversational Intelligence In Month 5 of the EPIC Leadership Program- we'll explore how trust is built—or broken—through everyday interactions. You’ll examine the six key elements of trust: time, reliability, sincerity, competency, involvement, and standards—and how each one contributes to credibility and connection. Using the three levels of Conversational Intelligence®—transactional, positional, and transformational—you will learn how to shift conversations from simple exchanges to deeper, trust-building dialogue that strengthens team cohesion and performance. Listen to the CIQ Corcast Episode: 3 Levels of Conversation: 3 Levels of CIQ

De-Escalation & Conflict Mastery Mastering Conflict for Stronger Leadership These resources were created to address your teams Conflict Tolerance by Lynda McNutt Foster Effective leadership requires the ability to navigate conflict with confidence and clarity. Your upcoming Conflict Mastery Workshop provides your leadership team with the tools to assess their conflict tolerance. Step 1: Read the Agenda - Gain an overview of the key themes and objectives covered in the workshop to set the foundation for learning. Agenda Step 2: Take the Cortex Conflict Mastery Assessment Assessment Step 3: Read the Cortex Conflict Mastery Scorecard Scorecard Step 4: Read the Cortex Conflict Mastery De-Escalation Article Article Step 5: Listen to the Cortex Conflict Mastery Prep Corecast Episode:

EPIC Month 2: Reactive to Resilient Acting with Intention EPIC Month 2: Reactive to Resilient Acting with Intention EPIC Month 2: Reactive to Resilient Acting with Intention EPIC Month 2: Reactive to Resilient Acting with Intention Month 2 Transitioning from a Problem to a Solutions Mindset: Acting with Intention Shifting from Problem to Solution We all know that great leadership isn't about reacting - it's about responding with clarity and confidence. But how often do you find yourself caught in stress, frustration, or self-doubt? Reactivity to Resilience will help you recognize when you're triggered, understand your DISC-driven stress responses, and apply proven techniques to shift from reactive to resilient. Step One - Self-Assessment: Take the Cortex Resilient Leader Index: Measuring Your Response Agility Assessment Assessment Step Two - Read the Scorecard: Empowered Response Scorecard: Recognizing and Elevating Your Mindset to better understand your score Scorecard Step Three - Read the Article: Read how your DISC style influences reactivity and resilience Article Step Four - Prep-Podcast: Listen to a short episode on reactivity vs. intentional leadership

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Five Years Later, This Leadership Training Stuck and It's Still Paying Off < Back Kathlynn Stone Mar 14, 2025 With clients across the globe, Cortex Leadership Consulting equips leaders with the skills to strengthen their teams, improve communication, and drive company success. One company that experienced this transformation firsthand is CMG Leasing in Blacksburg, Virginia. We connected recently, almost 5 years after their engagement with Cortex. It turns out that when Lynda Foster led a leadership training session for their team, it set in motion a fundamental shift in the way they worked together. Today, the lessons they learned are still shaping how they lead and communicate. Through Cortex, Sarah Boor and her team didn’t just learn about DISC behavioral assessments and the Dreaded Drama Triangle. They reshaped their entire approach to leadership, communication, and conflict resolution. A New Mindset on Conflict and Leadership For Sarah, the change was personal. She had always avoided conflict, doing whatever it took to sidestep difficult conversations. “I would do anything to avoid it,” she said. “But after working with Lynda, I realized that avoiding conflict only led to miscommunication, overpromising, and unnecessary stress.” DISC helped Sarah develop self-awareness and recognize her instinct to retreat when confronted with tension. She learned that for someone like her, the first step wasn’t engaging in conflict. It was simply staying still. “I had to practice pausing before reacting. Just creating space changed everything,” she explained. “Instead of knee-jerk reactions, I started responding with intention. My team learned to do the same.” Building a Stronger Team Through Better Communication The training didn’t just change individual behaviors. It transformed how the team operated as a unit. “We started holding each other accountable in a way that made us stronger,” Sarah said. “Instead of reacting emotionally, we reminded each other to take a step back, ask questions, and truly listen.” These lessons also reshaped how they interacted with customers. “In the past, I dreaded difficult calls. Now, it’s my favorite part of the job,” Sarah said. “When you take the time to understand where someone’s frustration is coming from, you can de-escalate situations, improve communication, and create better experiences for everyone involved.” Leadership That Lasts Perhaps the greatest testament to the power of Cortex’s training is its lasting impact. Even as time has passed, Sarah and her colleagues continue to apply what they learned. As new team members join, they pass down these leadership principles, ensuring that the investment in development continues to pay off. “For companies thinking about leadership training, my advice is simple—do it,” Sarah said. “Employees don’t just want a boss. They want a coach who helps them grow. That’s what Cortex gave us.” Transforming Leadership at Every Level Sarah’s story is just one example of how Cortex Leadership Consulting helps leaders and teams redefine the way they work. If you’re ready to create stronger leaders, build a more cohesive team, and foster a culture of emotional intelligence, now is the time to take the next step. Cortex doesn’t just teach leadership. We transform it. Contact us today to learn how our training programs can impact your team and your business. Email: Website: LinkedIn: info@cortexleadership.com cortexleadershipconsulting.com Cortex Leadership Consulting Previous Next

Protecting your institution against fraud is critical—and traditional compliance training alone isn't enough. Fraud Fighter Training addresses the essential human element, empowering your frontline staff to identify manipulation tactics in real-time, reducing vulnerabilities, and safeguarding your organization's reputation. This interactive training goes beyond rules and regulations, focusing on real-world psychological tactics fraudsters use, equipping your team with practical tools to recognize and counter threats effectively. By understanding their personal fraud defense styles, your team members become more confident, engaged, and proactive in stopping fraud before it occurs. Implementing Fraud Fighter Training means investing in a culture of vigilance, shared responsibility, and proactive fraud prevention. The result isn't just improved security—it’s also greater employee satisfaction, reduced turnover, and enhanced customer trust, securing a positive return on investment that extends far beyond initial expectations. Why the Human Part of Fraud is so Important Read: The Human Side to Fraud Prevention Article Listen: Empowering the Human Element in Fraud Prevention Corcast Episode

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Cortex Leadership Launches “The AI Leader Brief” to Equip Executives for Rapid AI Disruption < Back Cortex Leadership Consulting Jul 11, 2025 Roanoke, VA — July 1, 2025 — As artificial intelligence continues to reshape decision-making, operations, and strategy in every sector, Cortex Leadership Consulting has launched a new tool to help leaders adapt. The AI Leader Brief, a weekly executive digest, is designed to equip organizational decision-makers with timely, actionable insights at the intersection of AI, leadership, and strategy. The newsletter was developed by Cortex CEO and executive strategist Lynda McNutt Foster in response to what she calls “an urgent need for clarity” amid the AI boom. “Leaders are bombarded with noise and buzzwords,” said Foster. “These briefs deliver what they actually need—what’s real, what’s working, and what to watch next.” Each issue of The AI Leader Brief synthesizes critical AI developments—from advancements in generative tools to shifting regulatory standards—into leader-ready formats. It also includes tested frameworks for team communication, leadership development, and organizational integration of emerging technologies. Addressing a Strategic Gap in AI Literacy According to a 2024 McKinsey report, just 17% of business leaders feel “very prepared” to lead AI integration efforts, despite 72% reporting that AI will significantly alter their roles. The AI Leader Brief aims to close this gap, combining strategic foresight with Cortex’s 15 years of experience coaching over 10,000 leaders through transformation. Key components of the newsletter include: AI trend decoding with business implications explained in plain language Leadership messaging prompts for framing AI with teams and stakeholders Security and ethics watch-outs for executives responsible for risk mitigation Productivity updates on tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and CoPilot One-click resources for AI adoption and professional development The brief also supports Cortex’s broader programming in AI leadership , including cohort-based development programs and custom consulting engagements. A Response to Leadership Overload “Executives don’t have time for 30-minute YouTube explainers or noisy Slack channels,” said Foster. “The AI Leader Brief gives them what they need in five minutes or less—every Monday morning.” The newsletter is currently available by subscription . Organizations can also inquire about private cohorts or enterprise-level integration at info@cortexleadership.com . About Cortex Leadership Consulting Cortex Leadership Consulting is a leadership development firm headquartered in Roanoke, VA, serving organizations across North America. Known for its data-informed coaching, high-impact facilitation, and customized learning experiences, Cortex partners with executives and teams to accelerate growth, clarity, and culture transformation in high-stakes environments. Previous Next

How AI Will Change Your Job—And What You Can Do About It < Back Cortex Leatership Consulting Jun 8, 2025 Live Small Group and One-on-One Demo Experiences Show Leaders and Everyday Workers How to Stay Ahead of AI's Disruption Event Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Location: Grandin CoLab, Roanoke, VA Roanoke, VA — While national headlines warn of job loss and fear around artificial intelligence, a first-of-its-kind leadership demo event on Tuesday will flip the script, showing local professionals how to partner with AI , not fear it. Hosted by Cortex Leadership Consulting, the event—“The AI Demo Experience: Leading Through the Shift”—will show leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals how to collaborate with tools like ChatGPT, CoPilot, NotebookLM, and Gemini to save time, reduce stress, and increase quality of work without needing to be “tech-savvy.” “This is not a lecture. It’s an immersive demo where you’ll see AI work with real-world data from local businesses to solve problems in real time,” said Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership. “We want leaders to walk away with less fear, more clarity, and practical next steps they can use tomorrow.” Why This Matters (Fast Facts for Newsrooms) 44% of work skills will be disrupted by 2027 , according to the World Economic Forum. Only 1 in 10 professionals feel confident using AI tools at work (McKinsey 2024). In a recent local survey of over 40 professionals, the #1 challenge was “not knowing where to start with AI” . This event is designed to address that head-on. Real-time demos of how leaders and employees can collaborate with AI Why AI is not replacing humans—rather amplifying those who use it well How leaders can overcome the "blank page" problem and decision fatigue Insight into which jobs and tasks will likely be automated first—and what will never be replaced A Local Perspective This isn’t Silicon Valley. It is right here in Southwest Virginia. These are local teams and business leaders navigating real pressures—from healthcare to finance to entrepreneurship. The Cortex team will show how AI can: Create customized training content from internal and external documents Build messaging for change through an organization Help leaders use AI as a thinking partner through Conversational Intelligence Media seats are limited for small group main demos, but open for any of the mini demos available one-on-one. Please RSVP for access and early arrival for interviews and visuals. Contact: lynda@cortexleadership.com About Cortex Leadership Consulting Cortex has worked with over 12,000 leaders to accelerate team performance, engagement, and innovation. Known for its pioneering use of AI in leadership training, Cortex brings coaching, consulting, and tech together for next-level transformation. Previous Next

Yokohama Leadership Workshop De-Escalation & Conflict Resolution for Senior Leaders Mastering Conflict for Stronger Leadership These resources were created to address your teams Conflict Tolerance by Lynda McNutt Foster Effective leadership requires the ability to navigate conflict with confidence and clarity. Your upcoming Conflict Management Workshop provides your leadership team with the tools to assess their conflict tolerance. The following tools are below: 🔹 Executive Summary: Gain an overview of the key themes and objectives covered in the workshop to set the foundation for learning. 🔹 Conflict Tolerance Assessment: 🔹 Conflict Tolerance Scorecard: 🔹 Conflict Management De-Escalation Article: Conflict Management Prep Podcast: Executive Summary Q1: Yokohama Workshop Conflict Tolerance Assessment Conflict Tolerance Score Card Mastering Conflict Management Article

Leadership Experts Urge Global Business Shift from VUCA to BANI Framework to Navigate Chaos of the 2020s < Back Cortex Leadership Consulting Jun 20, 2025 Roanoke, VA & Cologne, Germany – In a bold and timely call to action, Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting, and Holger Heinze, Director & Partner at O'Donovan Consulting AG, have co-authored a powerful new thought leadership piece titled “From VUCA to BANI: Leading in Today’s Chaotic World.” The article challenges today’s business leaders to move beyond the now-outdated VUCA framework and embrace a new, more relevant leadership model: BANI – Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible. For decades, the VUCA framework (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) has guided executive decision-making amid change. However, Foster and Heinze argue that today’s disruptions – from pandemics and geopolitical instability to climate crises and AI-driven transformation – demand a more honest and actionable map. “VUCA no longer fully captures the intensity or emotional weight of our world,” says Foster. “BANI gives leaders a better language to interpret and respond to the stress fractures showing up across every industry.” Why BANI, Why Now First introduced by futurist Jamais Cascio, BANI captures the emotional and structural instability of modern systems. The article walks readers through how: Brittleness reflects systems that break under pressure. Anxiety is an ever-present emotional state due to constant uncertainty. Nonlinearity means minor events can cause disproportionate impact. Incomprehensibility challenges leaders’ ability to interpret fast-moving, ambiguous data. The authors emphasize that BANI is not just a trend—it’s an urgent leadership imperative. “Our institutions, processes, and mindsets must evolve. We can no longer rely on planning cycles built for stability,” says Heinze. “BANI leadership demands resilience, empathy, improvisation, and intuition.” A New Leadership Playbook The article outlines a modern leadership toolkit suited for the BANI world. Leaders must: Shift from reactive firefighting to resilient foresight . Replace rigid, hierarchical workflows with agile and adaptive systems . Invest in psychological capital (PsyCap) – Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism – to sustain teams amid stress and uncertainty. Foster cross-functional collaboration and collective sensemaking as a strategic advantage. “Leaders who thrive in BANI environments don’t seek perfect control—they build cultures prepared to bend without breaking,” says Foster. Global Examples of BANI Leadership Foster and Heinze back their insights with powerful case studies: Home Depot chartered private ships to avoid supply chain chaos. Tesla rewrote software to accommodate chip shortages. GM & Ford pivoted to produce ventilators and PPE during COVID-19. Microsoft focused on emotional intelligence and psychological safety through empathetic policies. These real-world examples show that BANI-ready companies outperform not by avoiding chaos—but by being structurally and culturally prepared to engage with it. Call to Action The article closes with practical steps: forming a “BANI Response Team,” measuring adaptability alongside efficiency, and conducting team conversations about readiness. Leaders are encouraged to ask, “If our world is truly BANI, what’s one thing we should change today?” As Foster notes, “Chaos favors the prepared, the courageous, and the flexible. That can be you and your company.” Contact Information For North America: Lynda McNutt Foster CEO, Cortex Leadership Consulting 📧 lynda@cortexleadership.com 🌐 www.cortexleadership.com For Europe: Holger Heinze Director & Partner, O'Donovan Consulting AG 📧 holger.heinze@odonovan.de 🌐 www.odonovan.de Previous Next

Leading Others to Peak Performance Your leadership impact will be greatly affected by the competencies you are able to build a foundation for and enhance as you adjust to changing working environments and market conditions. Deciding which ones you will need the most in the coming 1-3 years is a critical success factor in achieving the outcomes you want you, your team, and your organization to achieve. Review the following information to ensure an understanding of each competency, complete the spreadsheet provided, and then review it with whom you report to so that you can ensure alignment. This information will be used to create your Cortex Leadership Development Plan that you will utilize during your executive coaching journey. Step 1: Take the Cortex Coaching Intake Form Intake Form Step 2: Review the Leadership Competencies Selection and Instruction Guide Guide Step 3: Take the Leadership Competencies Assessment Assessment Step 4: Review with your Supervisor It is best, when you complete this exercise, to review it with who you report to in order to get their feedback. Step 5: Bring your Assessment results to your upcoming coaching session