Episode 128: Winning at Business and Life with Mikaela Kiner

This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast, where business leaders share their insights. It is 6 questions in 7 minutes because successful business leaders are busy and rarely have more time to spare. So let's get to it. Question number 1: In a few sentences, please tell me who you are and what you do.

Thanks so much for having me, Pete. My name is Michaela Kiner. I run an HR consulting firm, and I am also a first-time author.

Michaela, it's great to have you on the show. Question number 2: What's the best thing about working in your industry?

Well, what I love about my industry and also working for myself is that I get to choose both who I work with and for. And my company has a value of kindness, which means we only work with people who are kind both to their employees and to our team and our consultants as well.

Oh, I love that. And I can hear that passion actually in your voice too. So I'm somewhat jealous. Question number 3. I have a fictitious book with all the answers for business. What chapter would you think most companies should read?

Well, first, I think you should make it into a real book. When I saw the question, I was looking for the book. I would really encourage people to read a chapter about leadership presence and the impact that the mood and tone and communication that the leader can have on their team and their organization. There is a saying that all leadership is communication, and I am a huge believer in that.

That's really insightful. And the tone is really something, as you mentioned. I assume that if that goes both positive and negative?

That's right. That's right. I was chatting with a coach yesterday, actually, and she had this question about, as a leader, what's the weather that you bring? And I loved that. So am I bringing the sunny weather? Am I bringing the stormy weather? And there are times to be serious and intense, but I think it's also about moderating our mood and tone that I can say, hey, we're going to talk about something really serious or really difficult without being angry or tense or negative about that conversation.

And I love that metaphor about the what weather are you bringing? I mean, it really matches perfectly. So I've learned something new. Question number 4, other than generic, the generic work harder, have a great attitude, and care for customers, what advice or insight would you give to other business leaders?

Yeah, I'm a believer. I have this mantra that life is long, so I'm just a huge believer in thinking about the long term. I much prefer to collaborate than to compete. So it doesn't mean that there aren't other firms or other individuals that I'm competing with, but I working really hard to establish friendships and relationships because those people can be helpful and can sometimes be your biggest asset. So collaborate, definitely get to know your peers and get to know your competition.

Mm-hmm. And it's interesting too, I, I know I've experienced this, that specifically when you're working in a particular industry or an area of expertise, it's actually a really small world and you never know when you're going to work with those people at another organization. So that being in a collaborative mindset, I think, really establishes relationships long-term.

That's right. You might end up working for them. They might end up working for you. The other thing that I found in our circle here in Seattle of other HR consulting firms is that we truly help each other, whether it's referrals, you know, if someone isn't an exact match for us. I even have a competitor who was kind enough when I was shorthanded, and I said, do you have a consultant that I could maybe borrow for an engagement? And she said, absolutely, if she works out for you. You know, take her and we'll figure out the rest later. So very, very generous.

Wow, that's a great example. I love it. Question number 5: What other business leader like yourself would you like to acknowledge and invite to be on my podcast?

So I want to acknowledge another Michaela, which is half the fun of it because I grew up without ever knowing another Michaela. There is a wonderful woman named Michaela Ayers who runs a diversity, equity, and inclusion business called Nourish, and she is absolutely fabulous.

Wonderful. I'll reach out to her. Thank you for that referral. And our final question, question number 6: Please tell me about your first job.

So I'm gonna pick a really fun one. This was a college summer job, and I went to school in New York City. I worked at a freak show called Sideshows by the Seashore out in Coney Island, and I was not a freak. I sold concessions. They did weekend concerts and things like that. The bearded lady used to drive me home. I was friends with the illustrated man who was tattooed from head to toe. And as you might imagine, I met a group of wonderful, eclectic, interesting, and very quirky individuals in that job. And I don't regret it. It was a fascinating summer.

What a fun story. That's got to be one of my favorites so far. Thank you for sharing that. Well, thank you so much for being on the show. How can people find you?

Yep, I'm easy to find on social media, so LinkedIn and Twitter, and then I'm on Instagram as Michaela Firebrand, named after the book.

Wonderful. This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast. For more insights and ideas, please go to LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, or iTunes and search for the Winning at Business and Life podcast. Thanks for listening.