Note: We use AI transcription so there may be some inaccuracies
Danielle Cobo: Would you like clarity and hope for your future? If you made a change in your life, are you finding yourself sometimes disengaged at work? Do you want a rewarding career with a purpose-filled focus? Today's guest is Lee Birch and after years of experience in healthcare, business and education, we went out on her own to build bold industries.
Danielle Cobo: A conglomerate organization that encompasses her passion for business, as well as home design and curated experiences. She is driven by tackling challenges that when solved, make the world a better place and helping leaders solve problems for good. Thank you so much for joining today.
Leigh Burgess: Thank you for having me.
Danielle Cobo: you've had an interesting career when we had talked a little bit before you had joined on today's guest. tell us a little bit about your career journey, cuz you have shifted from a similar industry in a different role than I was in and where you're at today.
Leigh Burgess: So definitely an interesting path.
Leigh Burgess: actually, before I founded my company, which has four different businesses within it, which is in itself is different than what I was doing before I was in corporate healthcare and had so many great experience in it, across academics primarily. So I was a chief of a large academic overseeing all of their research in a particular area.
Leigh Burgess: Making sure that we would be able to meet the patient's needs. And then also, someone who helped build infrastructure for another large academic and so really brought up or grew up in healthcare specifically. But I also did a stint in K through 12 education, and that was where my love of actually implementation and then connecting data to.
Leigh Burgess: Came in the middle of my career. So kind of different levels, different strata, of my experiences, but primarily have always been in healthcare and education and always been an innovator, which is really what I now get to do full time working across, healthcare and education still, but also other businesses and working different people in the different areas of what I do around the bold framework, like coaching and, retreat.
Danielle Cobo: And you have put your mission in the business that you're in now around being bold. what does it mean to be bold and brave?
Leigh Burgess: for me, and I love the question. And if you ever heard my podcast, I was just of flipping the script on me a bit, cuz I ask every guest this question.
Leigh Burgess: So you're the first person to ask me. So I appreciate it. I think for me being bold, means you're willing to try something that isn't guaranteed. You're thoughtful about it you're possibly even pragmatic, but it most likely makes you feel uneasy or have butterflies and you go for it. for me, know, throughout my career, I think being bold is also standing up for what's right?
Leigh Burgess: When, you know, it may be unpopular or not the politically correct thing to do. for me, those are the two things that probably combined mean you're bold and brave. you're doing the uneasy thing that may not be popular.
Danielle Cobo: Any time we're making some bold moves in our life that uncertainty can sometimes be paralyzing.
Danielle Cobo: It can sometimes hold us back because when we don't know what the future's going to bring, it creates uncertainty. It creates sometimes a little bit of a. Fear of the unknown and sometimes that can paralyze us. So being bold and brave from what I'm hearing from you is leaning in, even when it's uncomfortable, but leaning in and taking it one step at a time and moving forward and leaning into being bold, courageous and brave.
Danielle Cobo: Even if it's not. the most popular opinion sometimes.
Leigh Burgess: Yeah. For me probably is jumping in. it's not just the lean in like I'm all in. And I think I've always been that the majority of my career, I think you can take micro and macro steps into it. I guess my personality's all are nothing.
Leigh Burgess: and anyone will tell you that probably whatever I do, I do it deeply and passionately. And I think for me, it's I really jump into the being. Sometimes that's not the smartest thing to do. know, every bold move is not a success. Uh, every creative idea, isn't the best one. as you go through your trial and error, I think that's also part of it.
Leigh Burgess: I call it taking big swings of bold, meaning that you're trying something new. You're thoughtful about it, but you know, it might not succeed, but you're gonna learn. And I think that's the other thing to being bold is you're always learning if you're being bold. for me, that really connects back to me being really a lifelong learner of life.
Leigh Burgess: And then also within my profession
Danielle Cobo: you talk about investing in yourself and when we are bold and we jump in and I like how you said that jumping into making these big decisions. Cause. A lot of us have made some shifts in our careers. Recently there's actually a study by the us labor of studies.
Danielle Cobo: And they've said that there was 76.1 million people. Shifted their career left their job, uh, between 2021 and 2022 and April So within the past year, there's been 76.1. People who have left their current role, and some of 'em have either stayed in an industry and a lot of people have made bold moves and shifted into different in.
Danielle Cobo: Yeah, but you're right. When you jump into it and you put everything you have into this new move, one way of being successful of making that bold move is investing in yourself and providing yourself the resources to help guide you. Mentor you learn through that process. Um, as you're making these bold steps,
I have a next question for you, according to a recent study, uh, published by Gallup, it's interesting. 36% of employee. Are not engaged in their role mm-hmm and this top trending feature that we're seeing because of a most recent wall street journal, one of the top trending, uh, articles in the wall street journal has pegged this as a trend called quiet, quitting, and I'm seeing it more and more pop up.
Danielle Cobo: If you've been on LinkedIn listeners, you've probably seen this topic of a discussion coming up, but it doesn't necessarily mean. Employees are quitting their job. If anything, they're putting more of a focus on activities outside of the company. And before you and I had jumped on and hit record, we both shared our stories of this burnout feeling that we were experiencing in our previous roles.
Danielle Cobo: And almost this. bold move that we've made to pursue a new line in our career, which is more purpose filled. how can we live a life outside of the comfort zone and how can we make more bold moves in our career and in our personal life?
Leigh Burgess: The reason I say, jump in versus lean in is sometimes when we tiptoe into something, we can easily get back out of it.
Leigh Burgess: that's why I purposely jump. when it comes to making decisions about yourself and the whole quiet, quitting thing, I think. I really hate the name. And people have been doing this probably for a while, but it isn't really about quitting. It's about, placing value on themselves.
Leigh Burgess: and making sure that they're working in alignment with their purpose and too bad, we didn't come up with some alliterative word and words, but it's like the great resignation that did not just happen. And you can look at all the data on this, but it got the attention. So I think we're in a time where these types of things are getting attention, which is a good thing because people, I think then can see that it's okay.
Leigh Burgess: To value themselves as much as they may value their job, others in their family. Cuz I think for women specifically, it's harder for us to place that value. Cuz we're caregivers, we take care of things. We, we do all that we can and sometimes the last person that gets any energy out of us is ourselves. So I think the quiet quitting pieces and being able to decide where your alignment is it doesn't mean people aren't doing a good job or doing the job.
Leigh Burgess: They were. For it means they're doing their job. They're not doing the, you whatever above and beyond, which is, in quotes because they're not getting paid to do it. , know, different generations think you should be working a certain way, you know, or a, a way to lead to something else.
Leigh Burgess: As we all grow up I'm not super young, but I'm not super old either. I think I'm in a wonderful space that, you you get to make decisions. And I think what people need to do is think about, are you happy is what you're doing, bringing joy. Do you feel like you. Aligned with your mission.
Leigh Burgess: If it's to do good or to make other people's lives better, are you doing that? Are you creative? Like you'd like to be, are you strategic? Like you'd like to be, that's what I hear a lot from people is that they never have time to be creative or strategic because they're too busy doing the work. So now people who are.
Leigh Burgess: Supposedly quiet quitting may be able to do an improv class in the evening or go to that art class or go to that business class that they've been wanting to do, but they can never get out of work before seven. I actually think it's a good thing. I just wish we would've called it something different.
Danielle Cobo: I couldn't agree with you more it's people taking a step back. If there's one thing that we learned from the pandemic is we were given an opportunity to look at our life through a different lens. I used to hang my hat. I remember when I received my diamond Delta badge, I had this badge of honor that in one year I spent 250 nights on the road.
Danielle Cobo: on Delta in Marriott. And I had got my badge and now saying, okay, I can get free upgrades to first class. And I was so excited about it. Mm-hmm and then through the pandemic, it really shifted the lens and gave us a glimpse into what would life look like if we were home more if we weren't so much chasing the title.
Danielle Cobo: But we were there and present to see the little moments that our kids are experiencing or more time with our friends or what I've seen. Some of the younger generations do is they've sold everything and they've bought these vans and they're starting these businesses building websites, and I'm almost a little envious of them.
Danielle Cobo: And. I love my kids. I love my life. Mm-hmm . But if I was in my younger twenties, I almost look back and go, I kind of wish I had done that. I wish I had explored more of the world instead of putting so much of a worth to. What I did in my career and the title, it's more about how can we live a life of purpose and be fulfilled, and also knowing our self worth what we are supposed to be paid for as well.
Danielle Cobo: Because as inflation has gone up to this 6.9% merit increases are between three and 5%. There's a mismatch, and it's creating a greater gap on what we're paid for, what we're contributing. People are saying enough is enough.
Leigh Burgess: And I think there's power in, I think what happened, there's so many negatives from the pandemic.
Leigh Burgess: So I'm in no way saying what happened to us was a good thing. But I think there are moments within it where people realize they had a choice. And that they are empowered to make that choice. No one gives you that power. No one comes in and saves you you are the one that has to make that step to say, I'm going to either stand up for myself or I'm going to say what I want, or I'm gonna say, no, I will not leave my child at X, Y, Z.
Leigh Burgess: I'm. I will be in two hours or now I'm gonna continue to be remote. Now. I think all this is done. Professional conversation and with kindness and with understanding of everyone has something that they're trying to accomplish, whether it be the business or the person, but I think from a personal perspective in their workforce, people are now I think, empowered to really say what they need and then for organizations to figure out how to do that.
Leigh Burgess: I think for so long, it was like, if you're not in a seat, then you're not working, which. Was always very frustrating for me. I think in the industry I was in healthcare because they were very reticent to let anyone work for home. And I remember I was losing one of my best project managers because she was having a child.
Leigh Burgess: And she said, I guess that I can't come back to work because I can't be here. And I'm and this was in the. Mid two thousands so far. like, late 2008, nine. And I said, I'd like for her to be a remote employee and you would not have imagined all the hoops I went through, but I did accomplish that.
Leigh Burgess: that should just be a no brainer because it will take me three people. Hired, you to do what she did in a halftime capacity. think we've also as businesses thought, it's not about where you're located. It's about actually accomplishing the work that's to be done and being very clear about what that is.
Leigh Burgess: And then whether you're in in a van. Surfing at lunchtime and working in the van in between, Hey, I don't care. let's have a meeting and I'll come over there. I think we've had to think innovatively and open-mindedly, which I think for me has been normal, but for many, I would say it is not.
Danielle Cobo: Even, Apple's getting a little bit of that pushback right now. Apple has said that they want their employees to come in three days a week and then remote two days a week. And they're getting a lot of pushback from their employees. And they're saying, no, no, switch that. for the first time, employees are a little bit holding the power of how these organizations and, and I wouldn't necessarily say holding the power, but they're raising their hand, being more vocal and saying, this is what we want so that we could give the best version of ourselves and be amazing employees and contribute to the organization. But there's also some needs and wants that we have as well.
Danielle Cobo: What advice do you have for our listeners on how they can jump in and make bold moves in their.
Leigh Burgess: the first thing is to really do an assessment of themselves and really think through, am I in the right space for what I want to be doing? You know, if you're working in a job and it brings you joy, you feel fulfilled.
Leigh Burgess: And you really feel like there isn't anything more that you'd wanna be doing other than what you're doing then, you know, that's not a bad thing you're in the right spot. But for many of us I'd say there were some pros to it and there were some cons to it. You know, I knew I was making a difference, but I also knew it was really hard at times.
Leigh Burgess: To really move the needle as quickly as we could because of multiple reasons, some good, some not so good. and then I think I was very out of alignment with my personal and professional. way that I wanted to be, you know, work was getting more of me than my family was. I wasn't able to take a vacation or to ever rest you know, I always like to look at things in, you said, uh, three, but I'll give you four. I think thinking about where you are from a mindset perspectives, and in where you are. In really feeling like you belong in the role that you're in. I think the other thing is being, open to owning what's happening.
Leigh Burgess: do I feel this way because I'm tolerating something I shouldn't. And maybe if I just say what I need and what I would like, my employer will understand, and then I can kind of fit back in and, feel like I'm in the right spot. Or maybe I say what I need and what I want. And they say it's a no go.
Leigh Burgess: We can't do that. Then you have the next step of where you're going to go and what you may need to do. And then I'll combine the last two, which is learning and designing, which is really taking what you've learned through understanding where you are from a mindset perspective, your alignment in your personal professional life.
Leigh Burgess: And then being able to say, you I need something different and I'm a real big proponent of writing it down. once you write it down, it's kind of in your face as well as maybe others that support your goals and your strategies. and I find it so helpful just to share those things with at least three people.
Leigh Burgess: And then maybe the next time they see you, like, oh, what are you doing with that? You wanted to look into being, know, learning more about and whatever it may be insert, the topic someone else is kind of like clicking that spark and kind of seeing if there's a flame there from what you're doing, and maybe you explor it.
Leigh Burgess: And it isn't what you're interested in. But I think making sure you just are getting the most out of your life personally, and professionally is really Because no, one's guaranteed to live to 65 where you can quote retire. I always was just perplexed by people who were like, here's my career.
Leigh Burgess: And I can't wait till I have the right equation to equal when I can retire and then I can live. It's now it's right now, this very moment, like live it out, to the fullest because there is no guarantee. And I think the more people understand that and then, you go through those phases of just understanding where they are and then what would they change?
Leigh Burgess: And then start working on how to change it.
Danielle Cobo: you've given amazing, advice for our listeners, and I really appreciate it. I. Love how you spoke into evaluating what you're doing right now. And does it align with what you want to do? Mm-hmm and one of the exercises that I talk about in my book is understanding and gaining clarity of specifically, what do you want to do?
Danielle Cobo: So if you're listening out there, this exercise looks like, take your resume. And pull out two pieces of paper on one piece of paper, you're gonna go through each job that you've had throughout your career. What are three things that you loved about each of the roles that you've had? And you're gonna write that all down on one piece of paper.
Danielle Cobo: And on the other piece of paper, you're gonna write down three things you didn't enjoy about each job on your resume. And then take that piece of paper of all the things that you've enjoyed over each role that you've had within your career. and write a job description from it. that's exactly the type of job that you want when you look at your career and what you've enjoyed the most and take that exercise.
Danielle Cobo: And then as you said, evaluating what your priorities are in your overall life. I always say, look at somebody's calendar and I'll show you where their priorities are. If they're spending. An immense amount of hours at work. And they're only getting 30 minutes a day with their kids because they're working early morning in the evenings.
Danielle Cobo: They've got weekend conferences, which you and I have both been in that situation. Mm-hmm and taking a realignment kind of that gut check and saying. my looking at my calendar over the past three months, what would somebody say about my priorities? What's that perception. And does it align with where I want my priorities in my life.
Danielle Cobo: So taking those two exercises is really looking at what is the possibility in the future look like and helping you gain clarity of what you want in your career and in your
Leigh Burgess: personal. Yeah, I think that's great advice. the only thing I might add is because a lot of times I ask people about some of the similar things you just said and their responses, but I'm the breadwinner, I'm the person that, really needs to be responsible.
Leigh Burgess: I'm the only parent. And those are all very, very important considerations, but what is the cost of not doing. and I think we in today's society, people I've heard people say, know, this is a stable job. I have insurance, I have this, but you are seeing the number of layoffs that are happening, where people don't have control.
Leigh Burgess: And I think, this is a very unstable time, whether you're an entrepreneur or whether you're. Within a company there's some unknown. it's really important do what you just said, but also being alignment with, are you happy? Is it bringing you joy and are you spending time in the right places when you do that time audit that you recommended, which is an excellent recommendation, because life is short you don't know even know how short it is.
Leigh Burgess: And so I think it's so, so important. What's the cost of not making a change. Oh,
Danielle Cobo: And that is spot on spot on what is it really costing you to not make the changes that you want in your life for those of you listening, where you're currently at, and maybe you're in a place where you're doing exactly what you wanna do, which is awesome.
Danielle Cobo: And that's fantastic, but maybe, you know, somebody who's out there. Is kind of waffling back and forth, not sure what they wanna do. Not sure if they're in the right spot, share this podcast episode with them, give them some of the, tools that were shared in here so that all of us are living from a place of purpose and fulfillment and joy and happiness, which is kind of the overarching of what we've talked about in today's episode.
Danielle Cobo: Mm-hmm most definitely. thank you so much for joining. I really appreciate it. And for those of you that are listening, I will include in the show notes where you can find Leah and She's gonna be on, LinkedIn. You can follow her. She posts great content on LinkedIn.
Danielle Cobo: Um, and then I'll include all those links in today's episode. So thank you for joining and create an intentional day. Thank you.