NorthStar Solutions and Services LLC

Unpacking Leadership™ at the "Messy Middle" by helping Mid-level, Women, and similarly underrated Leaders, lead Self + Teams + Change with Intention + Influence + Impact - is at the heart of everything we do!

Recently, our Founder Meenakshi Iyer, had the opportunity to share her insights on why CxOs and organizations must focus on their 'Messy Middle', on The Leader Within Podcast hosted by the amazing Angela Nguyen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIVLJeXR-VA

Take a listen and let us know what resonated with you the most and why.

Here's to co-creating a world of work that works for everyone!

Empowering Mid-Level Tech Leaders: Navigating the Messy Middle with Meenakshi Iyer In this episode of "The Leader Within," we interview Meenakshi Iyer, the visionary founder of North Star Solutions and Services LLC, who shares her perspecti...

**ANNOUCEMENT**

As of Leap Day 2024, our Founder, Meenakshi Iyer is a Gallup®-certified Strengths Coach! 🎉

That means, we are now able to formally integrate Strengths Coaching into our repertoire of services at NorthStar, particularly our Unpacking Leadership™ Program Series!

➡ What does this mean for YOU, our Clients?

✨ For our organizational Clients:
You get to work with a partner trained and equipped to help you and your teams find ways to maximize your individual and collective strengths for greater collaboration, improved team engagement, ultimately resulting in sustainable business outcomes.

✨ For our Individual Coaching Clients:
You get to work with a professional Coach trained and equipped to help you uncover your inherent talents and strengths and help you learn how to use them consistently and effortlessly so that you can build your own career success and well-being.

🎯 IF you and your teams are ready to embark on a journey of 'leading with your strengths', let us be your impact partner!

🎯Schedule a free 'Next Steps' call TODAY! [link in comments]

Here's to doing more of what we already do well!

"Complete musicians practice rests as well as notes." - Lawrence de Martin, Meta Sound Designer at SpectrumNYC

🌠 When I first read this, I was immediately reminded of the power of silence!

🌠 As a practicing Coach, I see first-hand the positive impact of silence on my Clients!

🌠 Silence activates slowing down. Which then creates space for keen observation and realization. Which ultimately leads to the clarity that the Clients were looking for!

Impactful leaders, like complete musicians, know and practice the power of slience and rest.

🌠 A new day, a new month - how about we practice a bit of silence/rest?
How about we ?

🌠 Pause with Purpose is a personal reflective practice I created a few years ago, and have shared with the world ever since.

💜 My coaching clients find it impactful and have happily included it in their leadership toolkit.

💜Today, as we begin a new month, how about taking a pause to reflect on what's been, and what lies ahead.

💜 Regardless of whether you are new to this practice or a regular, here's my invitation:

➡ Make a date with yourself!
Block 30-45 minutes on your calendar for today or later this weekend.

➡ Find a quiet spot, to sit, stand, or walk.
Leave behind all your devices :) No pings or dings!

➡ Start with reflecting on the past weeks have been.
- Think about how you have been and felt, what's energized/drained you
- Name the predominant emotions you've experienced
- Things you've done that you're most proud of
- What surprised you, what you've learned
- How you have helped others

➡ Use these prompts to further your reflection:
🌟 How aligned are you with your core values as you work towards your intentions for 2024?
🌟 What might you need to do more of / less of to remain aligned with your core values?
🌟 How else might you need to course-correct?
🌟 What’s the ONE impactful thing that you can do for others?
🌟 What’s the ONE thing you are committing to doing differently in March?

💜 I'd love to hear about your experience - please share in comments. Till then, take care and be well, and Happy March!

💡 YOU are your best spokesperson!
The days of your work 'speaking for you' are long gone!

💡 In today's world of work defined by remote/hybrid work, relentless pace of change, and endless context switching, it's unrealistic to expect your leaders and peers to remember all your accomplishments and contributions.

💡 That's why, in addition to doing good work, you should also be able to speak about the impact and value your work creates.

💡 This is especially vital for women, and other historically under-rated groups such as mid-career leaders, those on work visas, and those who speak English as an additional language (speaking from personal experience here!)

🎯If you are looking for practical, tangible next steps on getting confident and comfortable with speaking about your accomplishments and achievements openly, I'm here to help!

🎯Welcome to our virtual, hands-on IAmRemarkable workshop happening NEXT Wednesday - March 6 at 8am New York time! Join from where you are, and bring a friend or two :)

✨WHAT IS ?
IAmRemarkable is a global movement that empowers everyone, including underrepresented groups, to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond, while challenging the social perception around self-promotion.

✨ WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT IN THE WORKSHOP?
In this interactive session, you will participate in group discussions and exercises to increase your comfort and confidence in self-promotion.

✨ During this 90-minute workshop we will:
● reflect on our own limiting beliefs on self-promotion.
● share data and research regarding self-promotion and bias.
● go through the main exercise to help you identify and share your achievements.
● wrap up with discussion and take-home exercises.

🚀You owe it to yourself to use your voice to amplify your value and impact - let's do this!! 🚀

p.s. If you want to bring this impactful workshop to your teams or organizations, we'd love to host! Send us a DM!

✨ THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! ✨

✨Massive thanks to our attendees for co-creating insightful conversations at the "Reframing Leadership for an ever-evolving World of Work" virtual conference on Friday!!

✨ CEPHR, LLC and we are chuffed that we got to share our MasterClasses on Organizational Culture and Change, and Leading with our Head, Heart, and Hands, with such an engaged and enthusiastic group of attendees, who were committed to self-development, and who cared immensely about being better leaders and humans in service of their teams and organizations! THANK YOU!!!

🤩 We are ever so grateful for the remarkable energy that the community co-created and are still taking in your heartfelt messages of feedback, that we've received since Friday:

✨ "Wanted to talk to you both how utterly incredible today was. You are both masters in your field and it was a true honor to learn from you both today. There was so much to take in I can't wait to watch the replay to digest and process further. I have pages of notes!"

✨"Thank you for all the work that you do. You and Tiffany are super inspiring!"

✨"I really enjoyed my time at the conference. Great energy and topics!"

✨"WOW! Just WOW! Amazing work! Thank you for inspiring us to be better leaders and humans!"

✨"I have been thinking about the amazing space for learning and inspiration you and Tiffany have created. Kudos to you both!"

✨"You inspired me to nudge our leaders to build their personal leadership map."

✨"Such a wonderful conference to attend! So many insightful nuggets to reflect on, things to implement, and topics to dig deeper into."

🎯 Here's to coming together to be the leaders the world needs more of!

p.s. ICYMI and would like to bring these MasterClasses to your teams and organizations, send us a DM today!

***GOING LIVE IN UNDER 2 HOURS***

Ready to start REFRAMING LEADERSHIP to support your teams and organizations do their best work?

🚀 Join us and our collaborators and co-host CEPHR, LLC - TODAY at 11am EST to get started!! 🚀

💫 It's going to be an impactful day of learning, growth, and community with TWO LIVE Masterclasses on Organizational Culture Building AND Values-based Leadership. Earn 4 PDCs towards your SHRM credential renewal!

🎯 Let's learn together how to be the leaders the world needs more of! See you soon!

p.s. There's a few spots still available, scan the QR Code below to get your ticket if you haven't already done so! 🎫

TOMORROW makes 8 weeks into 2024!

Leaders, a quick pulse check:
❓How have your managers and teams grown in these 8 weeks?
❓How do you help them balance well-being and performance?
❓How well do you support their learning and development?

You'll find that today's workforce is the most diverse, the most multi-generational, the most socially conscious, which is just a few of their unique characteristics. The world we live in today, is the most connected, most tumultuous, and the most technologically advanced it's been.

Leading people and organizations in this new landscape requires objective thinking, fresh perspectives, and a new leadership toolkit.

🌠 IF you want to help your managers and teams to start building this toolkit, THEN, us and our collaborator and co-host CEPHR, LLC, TOMORROW, for a conversation on 'REFRAMING LEADERSHIP FOR AN EVER-EVOLVING WORLD OF WORK"!

➡ Happening TOMORROW Fri, Feb 23 from 11-4 EST
➡Join us from where you are for this Virtual event!

✨ TWO Live MasterClasses delivered by Tiffany and me
✨Fireside chat on Reframing Leadership
✨ebook giveaways and more....

➡Get your ticket TODAY! [scan QR code below OR follow link in comments]
🌟Earn up to 4 PDCs towards your SHRM credential! 🌟

Let us help you be the leaders the world needs more of!

See you in a few hours!!

In line with our commitment to supporting mid-level, women, and other under-rated leaders do their best work, since 2020, we've been hosting our annual virtual conference on current topics in the world of work!

WHAT PAST ATTENDEES HAVE SAID:

“The discussion was insightful and inspirational. The partnership between yourself and Tiffany was an organic example of true allies. What a powerful way to start my day!“

"I am SUPER excited to see so much energy around re-humanizing the workforce."

"Feeling JOY in knowing there are so many like-minded people out there, and that I feel I have more confidence in helping other people at work."

"Feeling inspired and hopeful."

Inviting you to join us and our co-hosts, CEPHR, LLC, this Friday, February 23, for a generative conversation on 'Reframing Leadership for an ever-evolving World of Work'!

Join us to learn how to:

➡ Evaluate the impact of change at individual & organizational levels
➡ Lead Organizational Change to build and nurture a strong Culture
➡ Build a sustainable Culture through a unique Leadership Framework

PLUS earn 4 SHRM PDCs too!

➡ Bring a colleague, a friend, your team!

✨ Leading people and organizations in today's ever-evolving world requires a whole new leadership toolkit - join us this Friday to get started!

❗ Do you know what we find most ironic about Leadership?

❗ It's the amongst the most overused YET most misunderstood concepts in the world of work!

❗ Everybody talks about it, very few truly understand it.

❗ Tons of jargon and corporate-speak on Leadership, yet few know how to articulate and practice the associated actions and behaviors in a way that's tangible/visible.

❗ Leadership is made to look like it comes with certain prerequisites such as title, positional power, tenure etc.

❗Leadership role models can often feel larger-than-life, and from backgrounds and experiences much different from ours, which can feel intimidating and aspirational all at once.

🌟 It's high time we start 'REFRAMING LEADERSHIP' in a way that it is:
➡ ACCESSIBLE
➡ ATTAINABLE
➡ ADAPTABLE

➡ Want to learn more about how to get started with 'Reframing Leadership' for yourself and your teams?

Join us and our co-host CEPHR, LLC on February 23 - for insightful learning on all things Leadership and Organizational Culture building.

🌟This virtual conference is about focusing on what's truly important, setting aside jargon and corporate speak, and making leadership accessible to everyone.

🌟For us, Reframing Leadership is all about leveraging core human skills and translating them into tangible actions and behaviors to co-create work environments where everyone can thrive.

🌟Together, we are going to explore a systems approach to developing ALL 3 layers of your organizational ecosystems:
➡ INDIVIDUAL - leading self
➡ INTERPERSONAL - leading teams and change
➡ INSTITUTIONAL - leading the business and building culture

🎯 Get your ticket TODAY! [link in comments]

Let's start Reframing Leadership in a way that works for all of us!
See you in TWO WEEKS!!

Join us on Feb 23!! Reframing Leadership for an ever-evolving World of Work - LIVE on ZOOM Let's start 'REFRAMING LEADERSHIP' in a way that it is:➡ ACCESSIBLE➡ ATTAINABLE➡ ADAPTABLEJoin us and our co-host CEPHR, LLC on February 23 - for insightful ...

Leaders at all levels - how are you doing? How are you preparing for Reframing Leadership in 2024 and beyond?

Inviting you and your teams to join us for a conversation on 'Reframing Leadership for an ever-evolving World of Work' - LIVE on ZOOM on Fri, Feb 23!

It's going to be an impactful day of learning, growth, and community with TWO LIVE Masterclasses on Organizational Culture Building AND Values-based Leadership!!

These Masterclasses will be delivered by our Founder, Meenakshi Iyer and Tiffany Castagno, Founder and CEO of CEPHR, LLC

KEY TAKEAWAYS

✔️Understand key Leadership Competencies for the changing world of work

✔️Gain an understanding of Organizational Culture Building and Values-based Leadership

✔️Define Organizational Culture and its relationship to Change Management

✔️Develop a focused understanding of Organizational Change Management Principles and navigating and leading Organizational Change to build and nurture a strong Culture

✔️Learn methods for evaluating the impact of change at the individual and organizational levels

✔️Explore strategies for creating a sustainable Culture through a unique Leadership Framework

PLUS - earn up to 4 PDCs towards your SHRM credential!

GET YOUR TICKET TODAY - EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS TODAY!
Scan QR Code below OR follow links in comments.
Use Code EARLYBIRD20 to save 20% Valid till TODAY!

Here's to co-creating a world of work that works for everyone! Join us, won't you?!

Thrilled to re-introduce our Founder, Meenakshi Iyer in her own words!

Hello everyone - as I continue to expand my network, I'd like to (re)introduce myself and my work.

Happy to share my video message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW-jeIkitUc

WHO AM I?
I like to describe myself as a T-shaped leader and community builder. I am multi-lingual and multi-cultural, an expat from India, for whom the US is now home:)

WHERE I'VE BEEN
My 25-year portfolio career spans technology, healthcare, Agile/Business Process Transformation, People Ops, and Training, in India and the USA. Cross-functional leadership roles in companies of all sizes have shaped my professional life to be what it is today, where I thrive at the intersection of People, Business, and Technology.

WHERE I'M NOW
As the Founder and Principal of NorthStar Solutions and Services LLC, I'm dedicated to Unpacking Leadership™ at the 'Messy Middle' - be it in terms of organizational hierarchy, or individual intersectional identity, or the messy middle of cross-cultural leadership.

I serve as a Personal Agility, Self-Leadership, and Change Leadership Coach supporting Mid-level technology leaders and their teams, women in technology, and those who speak English as an additional language.

THE IMPACT I CO-CREATE
I partner with leaders, teams, and their organizations in unpacking the power of "slowing down to speed up” and support them in strengthening their core human skills such as agility, collaboration, curiosity, empathy.

With my support, my clients learn how to translate Agile principles and practices FROM technology TO people and change leadership. They become comfortable with their own unique leadership stance that’s most authentic to them.

In line with the “clear is kind” philosophy, I've helped leaders and teams globally, learn how to:
- engage with care and candor
- prioritize amidst uncertainty and ambiguity
- balance focus between people and projects

MY COACHING PHILOSOPHY
Coaching is the process of incremental progress from good to great, one forward-looking conversation at a time, conversations directed by you - my client(s), facilitated by me as your Coach.
Coaching is an investment for individual and team development that does require significant time AND financial commitment.

WHAT DO I DO AS A COACH?
As your Coach, I have the privilege of serving as your facilitator, cheerleader, and accountability partner, holding up mirrors all around you, to help you see as many perspectives as possible, as you make decisions about what to take on, and what to let go on your way towards the future.

WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE
- Cross-functional leadership in business and technology in India and the US
- Firsthand experience with implementing Agile principles and practices
- Change leadership experience at Startups to Fortune 500 companies
- Adept at both with People development AND Technology adoption
- Multi-cultural and multi-lingual dexterity

Ready to reframe leadership for your leaders and teams? Let's talk!

Introduction: Meenakshi Iyer and her Coaching Philosophy

Week 4 of 2024 is here!

Leaders at all levels, we have a question for you:
➡ What's the ONE leadership behavior you are strengthening in Q1 2024?

Please chime in in the comments below.

In the meantime, we'd like to offer THREE leadership behaviors for you to consider:

1. SELF-AWARENESS

YOU are the most important person you'll ever lead.
Knowing who you are, what you stand for, what drives you, why you do what you do, and what your non-negotiables are, is a pre-requisite for leading others. Taking the time to learn, understand, and trust yourself is the best investment you can make in your leadership development journey.

2. PRESENCE

Contrary to what the corporate world will have you believe, MONO-TASKING is the true superpower!
Being fully present - with your head, heart, and hands - to what and to who you've committed your time, is the key to gaining trust, making progress, and getting things done. Trusting that where and with whom you are, and what you are doing in the moment, and remaining curious and open to what emerges, is how you make the best use of your time and energy.

3. LISTENING

"See with your ears, and hear with your eyes."
In a world where speed and action are overestimated, take the time to slow down, and pay attention to those around you - and listen for what they are NOT saying. Listening to understand, without judgement or defensiveness, with curiosity and empathy, is a key differentiator for a leader.

DID YOU KNOW.....that Coaching is an impactful way to learn and/or strengthen these leadership behaviors for teams and individuals?!
➡ Please see the infographic below to learn more.

AND......if you are an Executive/Senior leader looking to build/strengthen these leadership behaviors for your leaders and teams, let's talk!

Here's to reframing leadership to help create workplaces where everyone thrives!

"To bring anything into your life, imagine that it’s already there." - Richard Bach, American Author & Pilot

This is our inspiration for our Annual Vision-setting Workshop that we host in December.

With 2024 just a few weeks away, we think it's a good time to .

Take the time to look back with understanding, look inward with compassion, and look ahead with hope.

💥Welcome to "2024: My Story. Own it. Write it. Live it." on Sat, Dec 9, 9-1 EST💥

🎆WHAT PAST ATTENDEES ARE SAYING🎆
"It was truly inspiring. I have been so complacent about working on my aspirations. I have forgotten what truly makes me happy. Just been living like a robot taking care of everyone else. This workshop has put the focus on ME back on. Thank you so much."

"I want to share that some of the goals, visions, celebrations have become my reality in 2023. Thank you for showing me the way and for kicking off my 2023 to a successful start at the 2022 workshop !"

Join us in an intimate small group setting on Sat, Dec 9 - reserve your spot today!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8M4YdxOznM

This year, we're super excited to collaborate with Sameera Maruvada, Visual Storyteller and Founder of Saltandsambar Design Studio- who's going to help us build a physical vision board 🥳🥳

WHAT

✨ Guided Vision-setting workshop on ZOOM

✨ Post-workshop support: 1, 60-min 1x1 virtual Coaching Session INCLUDED

✨ Small cohort of 10-12 attendees

KEY TAKEAWAYS

🎯 Personalized Vision Board for 2024

🎯 Clarity and confidence to take action

🎯 Opportunity for ongoing support with cohort

INVESTMENT

💎 US$195 per attendee

REGISTRATION
See comments

Remember, you are the most important and impactful person you'll ever lead. May 2024 be your best year yet!

See you soon!

2024: My Story - Guided Vision-setting workshop - Sat, Dec 9 - Sign up TODAY! #2024Vision #goals Small cohort of 10-12 - RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! https://buy.stripe.com/cN2cOFcl61XffmM7su 2024: My Story - Guided Vision-setting workshopPost-workshop suppo...

So excited to attend Richmond SHRM's Strategic Leadership Conference on Thursday!
What an amazing speaker line-up and topics ranging from 'Navigating Conflict' to 'The power of curiosity' to unpacking 'Leadership fatigue', are timely and extremely informative.

RVA, here we come :)

Here's to co-creating a that works for everyone!

Mid-level leaders hold the key to organizational success!

This report from McKinsey provides valuable insights into the need and importance of investing in mid-level leaders across the organization.

Here are our 3 key takeaways - would love to hear yours - please share in comments.

1. Strong middle managers are a business imperative. Organizations with top-performing managers yield multiple times the total shareholder returns (TSR) of those with average or below-average managers over a period of five years.

2. When managers march to the beat of the same drum, everyone wins.

3. Once managers are set up for success structurally, capability building, improvements in experience, and accountability mechanisms can follow.

Investing in middle managers pays off—literally New research shows that having more top-performing middle managers leads to much better financial outcomes. Here are five actions that can set managers and their organizations up for success.

As you go into planning mode for 2024 planning, here's a video message from our Founder, Meenakshi Iyer (re)introducing herself, our work, and how we can support organizational leaders in Unpacking Leadership™ at the "Messy Middle" to help their Mid-level Leaders lead Self + People + Change with Intention, Influence AND Impact.

Help us help you unlock the true potential of your mid-level leaders so that they can contribute impactfully towards your business outcomes.

Book a ‘Next Steps’ call to get the conversation started!
[link in comments]

Here's to Unpacking Leadership™ at the Messy Middle!

Reintroducing myself + my work - Meenakshi Iyer, NorthStar Solutions and Services LLC #FutureOfWork Book your "Next Steps" Call with Meenakshi: https://go.oncehub.com/NorthStarAtWorkConnect with Meenakshi on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenakshi-iy...