Motivated By Kelly

How do great leaders make decisions when the stakes are high? Why do some leaders instinctively prioritize people while others naturally focus on results? And how can understanding these differences lead to stronger decisions, greater employee engagement, and a healthier organizational culture?
In the fourth and final episode of The Human Side of Leadership™ VIEW series, Kelly Foster is joined once again by Samantha Stead, Co-Founder of Better Change Tools, to explore the third dimension of the VIEW Framework: Ways of Deciding. Together, they discuss how our natural decision-making preferences influence leadership, teamwork, communication, and organizational success. The conversation explores the continuum between Person-Focused and Task-Focused decision preferences, emphasizing that neither approach is better—both care deeply about people and results, but they naturally prioritize them in a different order.
Through practical leadership examples, Kelly and Samantha examine how executive teams can make better decisions by intentionally balancing diverse perspectives, establishing decision criteria before discussions begin, and creating an environment where both people and organizational outcomes are considered. They also explore how understanding decision preferences can improve employee engagement, strengthen collaboration, enhance customer experiences, and transform organizational culture.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What the VIEW Ways of Deciding dimension measures
The differences between Person-Focused and Task-Focused decision preferences
Why caring about results doesn't mean you care less about people—and vice versa
How executive teams can make more balanced, intentional decisions
Practical strategies for reducing tension during difficult conversations
How decision-making preferences influence employee engagement and organizational culture
Why leaders should "decide how they'll decide" before making important decisions
How understanding customer preferences can improve communication, marketing, and business results
Why "The Power of the Pause" leads to stronger leadership decisions
Leadership Takeaway
Throughout this four-part VIEW series, one message stands above the rest: People aren't difficult because they think differently—they're valuable because they think differently. Exceptional leaders don't ask, "Who's right?" Instead, they ask, "Whose thinking are we missing?" When leaders intentionally leverage diverse perspectives, they improve meetings, strengthen innovation, make better decisions, and create cultures where people and performance thrive together.
Thank you for joining us throughout this special four-part series on the VIEW Framework. We hope these conversations have inspired you to better understand the people you lead, communicate more intentionally, and create environments where different ways of thinking become a leadership advantage.
Connect with Kelly Foster📧 kelly@motivatedbykelly.com
Interested in bringing the VIEW Framework to your organization or becoming a certified VIEW facilitator? Connect with Samantha Stead at BetterChangeTools.com, Sam@BetterChangeTools.com, or on LinkedIn.
Remember: The strongest leaders don't expect everyone to think alike. They recognize the power of diverse perspectives, intentionally leverage those differences, and help every individual contribute their very best thinking. Keep Thinking Different. Leading Better.™
 

 
Why do some people think best by talking through their ideas, while others need time to reflect before they contribute? If you've ever left a meeting wondering why some people dominate the conversation while others remain quiet, this episode will change the way you think about leadership, collaboration, and decision-making.
In Episode 3 of The Human Side of Leadership™, Kelly Foster welcomes Samantha Stead, Co-Founder of Better Change Tools, for an engaging discussion on Manner of Processing, the second dimension of the VIEW Framework. Together, they explore how people naturally process information differently—some gaining clarity through discussion (External Processors) while others develop their best ideas through reflection (Internal Processors). Understanding these preferences helps leaders create environments where every voice is heard and every team member can contribute their best thinking.
Throughout the conversation, Kelly and Samantha share practical leadership examples illustrating how processing preferences influence executive meetings, brainstorming sessions, innovation, and workplace relationships. They discuss why organizations often reward the quickest answer instead of the best answer, how leaders can avoid misinterpreting quiet employees as disengaged, and why "the power of the pause" can dramatically improve the quality of decisions.
You'll also hear real-world examples of how understanding processing preferences has helped leadership teams improve communication, reduce conflict, strengthen collaboration, and create more effective meeting practices. Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, this episode offers practical strategies you can implement immediately.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What the VIEW Manner of Processing dimension measures
The differences between External and Internal Processors
Why silence is not the same as disengagement
How to facilitate meetings that encourage participation from everyone
Practical brainstorming techniques that leverage diverse thinking styles
Why the first answer isn't always the best answer
How "The Power of the Pause" can improve creativity and decision quality
Strategies for reducing workplace conflict by understanding how people process information
Meeting practices that help leaders unlock the best thinking from their teams
Leadership Takeaway
The most effective leaders recognize that great ideas don't all arrive the same way. Some people think by talking, while others think before speaking. By intentionally creating space for both reflection and discussion, leaders foster greater engagement, improve decision quality, and build cultures where every team member can contribute at their highest level. As Kelly reminds listeners, "Silence doesn't necessarily mean disengagement—sometimes it's where the best thinking happens."
Connect with Kelly Foster📧 kelly@motivatedbykelly.com
Interested in learning more about the VIEW Framework or becoming a certified VIEW facilitator? Connect with Samantha Stead at Better Change Tools.
Next Episode: Join us as Kelly and Samantha conclude the VIEW series by exploring Ways of Deciding, the third dimension of the VIEW Framework, where you'll discover how different decision-making preferences influence leadership, collaboration, trust, and organizational success.
 

The Human Side of Leadership™ | Episode 2: Orientation to Change
Why do some people instinctively challenge the status quo while others excel at improving what already exists? More importantly, how can leaders leverage both approaches to build stronger, more innovative teams?
In this episode of The Human Side of Leadership™, Kelly Foster welcomes Samantha Stead, Co-Founder of Better Change Tools, for a deeper dive into the first dimension of the VIEW Framework: Orientation to Change.
Together, they explore how our natural preferences influence the way we approach change, solve problems, and contribute to organizational success. You'll learn why "problem solving" extends far beyond process improvement—it includes leading change, building trust, fostering collaboration, gaining buy-in, implementing new ideas, and helping teams navigate uncertainty.
Kelly and Samantha discuss the differences between Explorer and Developer preferences, why neither style is better than the other, and how leaders can intentionally create environments where both thrive. Through practical leadership examples, they demonstrate how understanding these preferences can improve communication, strategic planning, innovation, delegation, and team performance.
Whether you're a new supervisor, an experienced executive, or an aspiring Senior Executive Service (SES) leader, this episode provides actionable insights to help you better understand your team—and lead them more effectively.
In this episode you'll learn:
What Orientation to Change measures
The differences between Explorer and Developer preferences
Why organizations need both revolutionary and evolutionary thinking
How leaders can improve team performance by understanding problem-solving preferences
Practical ways to apply VIEW during your first 90 days as a leader
Warning signs your team may be overbalanced toward one preference

The Human Side of Leadership Series.
Throughout this series, we'll explore the people side of leadership by introducing you to some of the most respected experts behind leadership development tools that help us better understand ourselves, our teams, and the way we work together.
We'll discuss assessments, leadership frameworks, coaching tools, and evidence-based approaches that help leaders become more effective—not by changing who they are, but by better understanding how they naturally lead, communicate, collaborate, and solve problems.
The first episode in this series: Introducing VIEW: Understanding How Leaders Solve Problems Differently with Samantha Stead, co-founder and president of Better Change Tools (betterchangetools.com).  
Today's organizations don't struggle because people lack intelligence or technical expertise. They struggle because talented people approach problems differently—and often don't understand those differences.
The VIEW Model provides leaders with a scientifically grounded framework for understanding how people approach change, process information, and make decisions. Instead of trying to make everyone think alike, leaders learn how to leverage diverse thinking to improve collaboration, innovation, and execution.
The VIEW workshop equips leaders with practical strategies they can immediately apply to reduce unnecessary conflict, improve team communication, increase engagement, and make higher-quality decisions.
The outcome isn't simply greater self-awareness. It's stronger leadership, stronger teams, and better organizational results.  Contact Kelly@motivatedbykelly.com 
 

Military life teaches resilience—but what happens after the mission changes?
If you’re a veteran or military spouse navigating transition, stress, or just trying to find your balance again… this episode is for YOU.
On the latest Motivated by Kelly Podcast, Joanna Starling (military spouse & wellness coach) shares how she’s helping veterans and those in recovery:✨ Reduce anxiety through breathwork✨ Reconnect with themselves after transition✨ Build a personalized path to wellness
And there’s more:She’s offering a FREE weekly live meditation session to help you reset, refocus, and recharge.
💻 Check it out here: www.starlingwellness.com
Because your next chapter deserves just as much strength, clarity, and support as your last mission.
#Veterans #MilitarySpouse #WellnessJourney #TransitionSupport #MentalWellness #StayMotivated #BeBetterNotBitter

In this inspiring episode of The Motivated by Kelly Podcast, Kelly Foster sits down with veteran entrepreneur Zorina Pritchett, founder of Zochey Quick Play Card Games, to discuss her powerful journey from military service and a 30-year career supporting veterans to becoming a visionary game creator focused on strengthening families and restoring meaningful social connection.
Motivated by her observations as a substitute teacher and grandmother, Zorina recognized the growing impact of digital isolation on children’s social and emotional development. This insight led her to create fast-paced, colorful card games designed to engage children, spark conversation, and bring families together. Her mission is clear: help families achieve digital balance while fostering communication, confidence, and connection.
Zorina shares how a vision in the middle of the night led to the creation of her first game, and how encouragement from her granddaughter and community inspired her to turn that vision into a business. Despite facing personal health challenges, distribution setbacks, and the realities of entrepreneurship, she continues to move forward with resilience, courage, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in children’s lives.
Her long-term vision extends beyond games—she hopes to create conferences, tools, and resources that equip parents and children with the communication skills and emotional support they need to thrive in today’s digital world.
To learn more about Zorina Pritchett, explore her games, and support her mission to create meaningful family connection through play, visit her website at:   https://zochey.com/
 

In this inspiring Veteran to Visionary episode, we welcome U.S. Navy Veteran and entrepreneur Toni Tomlin, founder of My Healing Suite. Toni shares her powerful journey from military and federal service to building a wellness brand dedicated to helping individuals restore balance, reconnect with themselves, and heal through mindfulness and intentional experiences.
Through creativity, leadership, and resilience, Toni transformed her vision into a portable sanctuary offering wellness activations, mindfulness tools, and community-centered healing experiences. Her story highlights the courage it takes to pivot, the strength found in purpose, and the impact veterans can make in entrepreneurship and community healing.
To learn more and experience the powerful wellness offerings of My Healing Suite visit www.myhealingsuite.com

In this episode, Magda Brown talks about her career journey, her aspirations to join the Senior Executive Service, and the role that mentoring, coaching, and professional associations have played in her career growth and preparing for senior leadership opportunities.

This episode wraps up the Retirement themed podcast series and dives into What Is Next!  Veteran to Visionary Podcast series, Making Connections Podcast Series, Be Better, not bitter series and more...

After your last day as a federal employee - what happens?  In this episode I discuss the process as I experienced it and share key tips of things to know.  HR experts are fantastic with what they do; however, their expertise typically gets you to your last day of employment and can't advise on "what happens next".  I hope by sharing my experience and insights gained through the process will be of benefit and helpful for those that are currently in the process or will be.  Note: Retired Life is Good!