TalkStory Media: Business Edition Podcast

Leadership Alchemy: Dr. Chit Pasong Vasquez on Cultivating Excellence and Global Retreat Experiences

Austin Behic & William Peetoom Season 2 Episode 111

Dr. Chit Pasong Vasquez
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LEG Expeditions  

Explore Leadership Around the World | Cultivating Elements of Leadership

Get a leg up on everything you need to explore leadership with your next adventure.

Unlock the transformative power of leadership with insights from Dr. Chit Pasong Vasquez, President of California Miramar University, who graces our podcast with her expertise on nurturing leaders within higher education. Prepare to immerse yourself in an invigorating discussion about an exclusive leadership retreat to infuse business leaders with renewed vitality and purpose. The serene environs of Lakeview Escape offer a sanctuary where experienced speakers, ranging from battle-hardened military commanders to visionary entrepreneurs, impart the wisdom that transcends the boardroom. Engage in conversations that promise to challenge your perception of leadership while embracing the rare opportunity to disconnect and reflect in our hyper-connected age.

Embark on a global odyssey of professional growth as we shed light on the potential that membership with the Council for Supplier Diversity holds for businesses of all backgrounds, including minority-owned and LGBTQ+ enterprises. Hear how this partnership paves the way for invaluable connections with corporate buyers and a treasure trove of resources to accelerate business performance. Furthermore, join us as we preview an upcoming Dubai retreat that is an exotic escape and an intensive leadership workshop enveloped in adventure and high-caliber mentorship. From team synergy to strategic foresight, this episode is a wellspring of inspiration, ready to equip leaders with a revitalized outlook they can bring back to their organizations.

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TalkStory Media Presents our Business Edition Podcast is an intimate interview setting with leaders of our shared global business communities, offering best practices and hacks to achieve success. Inspire, Empower & Impact is our mission with a Vision to uptick the world we contribute to.

Together, share and simplify the latest research and best practices from award-winning business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals to educate and empower you on how to make money, save money, and compound the interest of earned revenue to thrive happier, healthier, and improve your business practices for greater efficient impact. The end result is that you understand alternative pathways to roads less traveled to success that the daring duo share on the show.

Together with
ignite San Diego, sparked by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), we resolve the challenges and obstacles of growing a successful business to be victorious in a new era of innovat...

Speaker 1:

Transcripts provided by Transcription Outsourcing LLC. Share and simplify the latest research and best practices from award-winning business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals to educate and empower you on how to make money, save money and compound the interest of earned revenue to thrive, happier, healthier and improve your business practices for greater efficient impact. The end result is that you understand alternative pathways to roads less traveled, to success that the daring duo share on the show. Together with Ignite San Diego, sparked by the BBB, we resolve the challenges and obstacles of growing a successful business to be victorious in a new era of innovation. This production is supported by the Better Business Bureau, national Referral Network, countywide Mortgage Lending, business Group Resources and Kaizen Group International.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to Talk Story Media Business Edition. We are a podcast that educates and empowers our business community, and today we are going to be talking about an event that is a game changer for those leaders in our business community. Today we have a special guest. Her name is Dr Chit Pasong Vasquez. She is a California Miramar University president and she has a wealth of information and knowledge in the higher education industry.

Speaker 3:

So, without further ado, dr Chip, yes, hello, hello, hello, Glad to be here.

Speaker 2:

Welcome, welcome. Yes, you know, we like to have our guests introduce themselves, so if you would share your 30-second elevator pitch, Absolutely so.

Speaker 3:

Again, my name is Dr Chipasong Vasquez. I've been in higher education space here now for more than a decade, currently serving as an executive role for the higher education institution. Really, with my current role, it's really to assist students in succeeding in education, really leading to gainful employment, and the other half of my responsibilities is to ensure the rigor of our institution and conforming to the standards of accreditation. A little bit about my background and my studies. You know I really have a passion for authentic leadership and my desire is to really to help others and thrive through motivation and inspiration. A little bit on my personal value proposition is really to help individuals, you know, one at a time, build on self-efficacy, whether it be a student, a colleague, a family or friend or even another leader. I just enjoy seeing people succeed and if I can contribute in any way, it's absolutely rewarding.

Speaker 2:

Well, it sounds like it's pretty rewarding to attend your up and coming event on October 10th. Yes, it'll be in Sanger, california. Could you share a little bit more about this Lakeview escape that has our business community buzzing about?

Speaker 3:

Absolutely. So a little bit more on the event, share a little bit of the story behind. You know our event here. So as I was visiting family out there in Northern California, I came across this scenic location and it came to my mind how would it be to have a retreat with other leaders out here? And you know it helped me as a leader, really decompress and rejuvenate in the serene location. So just the thought came to me and said you know what if I was to put together a leadership retreat where other like-minded individuals would come out and enjoy the serene location but, while we're out there, really make it into a networking event, really helping each other, lifting each other and really go through this holistic mindfulness session while learning other leadership skills. And so that's kind of how the event came about and we're excited to share this and explore this with other leaders out there in the industry.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and this is for all types of leaders. Who's coming out?

Speaker 3:

Yes, absolutely so. All types of leaders, anybody in the executive management suite or even just managers in general who have a passion to grow themselves professionally or even through their organization, to help manage their business. This is definitely for any type of leaders that are willing to grow.

Speaker 2:

Awesome and you are a hybrid. It seems you're tapping into military leadership. Can you share some of your top caliber speakers that will be participating as facilitators and speakers?

Speaker 3:

Absolutely so. We have several wide range, all the way from lieutenants to commanders. We have folks that have actually worked for the man in the White House coming as a guest speaker. You know their wealth of experience. One of our guest speakers has actually managed. You know over 800 employees and now is you know a commanding officer in the Navy and he's going to come out and share some of his experience on. You know how to manage and how to lead. You know the masses. Some great speakers again, you know all the way from military all the way to. You know very successful business owners, military all the way to. You know very successful business owners, and not only just here domestically, but also globally as well.

Speaker 2:

Awesome, and this is the first of many expedition locations, correct?

Speaker 3:

Yes, absolutely, absolutely. We're on an expedition, for sure.

Speaker 2:

That's so fun. Now this is interesting You're going to be balancing educational skillset talks with holistic modalities. How does that work?

Speaker 3:

Yes, I think it kind of goes hand in hand. You know you have the approach of learning. You know education is always going to be there. You're learning through different facets, through others, through collaboration, through guest speakers. You know your education is always going to be there. But the approach of bringing in the holistic and wellness piece to the event as well is it's really to help you kind of relax and rejuvenate while you're learning. You know it's not often where you see leaders that really get to get out of their normal space or their office and this provides a platform for them to really go out there and really relax and really enjoy what they're learning. And so it's a kind of combination of both approach to really making it a more successful retreat.

Speaker 2:

It sounds more like a digital detox getting off the grid.

Speaker 3:

Yes, yes, something similar to that. But I know you know everybody is very adapted to their phones so that might be hard to get you know, phones away from folks. But I think you know having the sessions where we are going to have a wellness session after our guest speakers, the opportunity to go out and get a massage or an acupuncture massage or an acupuncture, better yet, if you want to take a hike or go boating, there are going to be activities as such for our leaders to really partake and really rejuvenate and then come back and enjoy our campfire reflection at the end of the evening.

Speaker 2:

Wonderful, and could you share some of the topics that are going to be discussed?

Speaker 3:

Absolutely so. We have a few topics that are already in the works. So one is actually the quality life balance of an executive leader. Really, you know, we know, that there is no work life balance when it comes to an executive manager, and so we are. We have a guest speaker who will be talking about. You know the quality of life and how you can still enjoy your life, still managing and leading the masses.

Speaker 3:

We also have someone actually talking about.

Speaker 3:

You know leading the masses, as I mentioned earlier, really how to facilitate and how to navigate, and you know being effective as a leader with such a big pool of employees. Better yet, even on the on the flip side, you know how do you actually lead and what are some of the best practice, even at a smaller organization. We also have a guest speaker who will be talking about you know how do you leverage yourself as an executive manager in terms of your bio, your resume. You know again in times when you're already at a C-level or you know C-level suite or higher. You know sometimes you feel like you're stuck in a certain position. In this case, you know how do you leverage yourself and how do you become more of an asset. And you know, developing your bio so that it is looked upon for a promotion, et cetera. And again we have, you know, some other various topics that will be coming down as well. And really, on mindfulness, really looking at very different facets of how a leader can explore best practices to better themselves personally and professionally.

Speaker 2:

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Speaker 2:

When you register for the council, you get the chance to meet corporate buyers and decision makers who are interested in working with qualified minority women, lgbtq+ and disabled veteran suppliers. They offer formal and informal opportunities to connect, respond to sourcing requests and learn about potential new businesses. And it doesn't stop there. The Council believes in the power of supplier diversity and is committed to helping you grow your business through partners with major corporations. They provide programs, tools, knowledge and connections to ensure your success in the marketplace. Plus, they understand the challenges you may face and that's why they offer resources like meeting spaces, office facilities and virtual reception services to help you operate effectively and efficiently. So what are you waiting for? Register with the Council for Supplier Diversity today and unlock a world of possibilities. Get more information and get registered at at counselforsupplierdiversityorg. It's your ticket to verification, referrals, networking and so much more. Don't miss out on this golden opportunity. Take action now and watch your business soar Now. It sounds as though you're going to take this global. There's other destinations on the calendar.

Speaker 3:

Absolutely so. We have already been asked by a team out in Dubai, so we are looking to do what we call digital detox out in Dubai, and so we have a group of cohort that is already interested for us to you know our presence out in Dubai, and so we will be exploring, doing a session out in spring, and this also includes a safari out in the desert, as well as learning different leadership skills and best practices with another great quality and caliber of guest speakers as well. So more to come on that.

Speaker 2:

I'm looking forward to learning more, a concept that differentiates yourself from other leadership trainings that tend to be in a boardroom or the urban jungle. Yes, what inspired you to go this route?

Speaker 3:

You know, I think you know being in the industry and just working and working and working, you know you really don't get the opportunity to really explore what's out there because you're so you know, involved with your day-to-day operations and just making sure you're putting out fires. And so I thought it'd be kind of neat to kind of really take leaders to a different area or to it's almost like home away from home and being able to still learn valuable insights and valuable best practices to bring back to the workplace. I feel like once you, you know, get a little bit of rejuvenation, you always come back a little more relaxed and you have better brain cells to think about. You know what's the next step or what's the next strategy to bring into your company to bring into your company and what is the big picture?

Speaker 2:

Where do you want?

Speaker 3:

to take your leg expeditions group, yes, yes. So really let me just share briefly, you know, seven key facets of what we're doing, just briefly here. You know, during these retreats and you know around the world, you know our core component of what we want leaders to take out of this is really to develop leadership skills. During this retreat they get the elements of the outdoor. It takes them to a space that can allow them to focus and learn on different leadership skills and again from different talented guest speakers and really providing their experiences on best practices and so really learning from one another. And then the facet of team building really providing an opportunity for like-minded leaders to really build a cohort. You know, as I always say, sometimes it's very lonely being on top. You know, when you create this team of cohort, it allows you to broaden your reach, meet new friends, you know, that have similar challenges or even share success stories. So team building is always a great one and just having the right people to you know to talk to. And, as I mentioned earlier, the reflection. You know reflection and planning is always another great facet of, you know, the retreat really taking time away from your daily grind, you know, allowing us to really reflect on some of the past achievements, some of our challenges, and then, really, how do you plan for the future? So, during these retreats we're going to include some strategic planning sessions for leaders to really put together some of their goals and objectives for their teams and their organizations and really have a reflection section at the end of the evening under a campfire, so that they can take this away, you know, as they leave. So, again, something they learned at the retreat that they can apply the next day when they go back to work. And then just a few other areas here. Really, you know I've highlighted the power of networking. So, networking, networking, networking, you know, bringing various leaders together from various industries and organizations, and really just the exchange of ideas can really lead to great collaborations, to partnerships and really opportunities for growth all across the board.

Speaker 3:

Really renewing and focus on motivation. You know again I can't stress that enough about stepping away from the office. You know, going into an environment that can help you gain, you know, fresh perspectives on renewed motivation. Again, it leads to productivity and innovation. You know, fresh perspectives on renewed motivation Again, it leads to productivity and innovation. You know when they're returning to work. So I think that's always a very important factor there.

Speaker 3:

And then two last things. Here is the wellness and relaxation. You know we talked a little bit about the holistic approach. You know, during our retreats you'll have an option to do yoga, meditation, acupuncture. So all these are all things that you can do to help yourself. And again, you know, help yourself, get relaxed and really get into the mindset of, you know, taking care of yourself before you go back and take care of others in your organization. And then the last thing is very the inspiration and learning. Again, we talk about bringing keynote speakers in the industry and having them share their insights and inspiration and really just learning from one another. So really, at the end of the day, you know, we're really looking at a multitude of different areas and facets of what you can gain from coming to these retreats and really taking it back and really applying it to your organization or to yourself.

Speaker 2:

That sounds so fun and amazing and what an experience that'll make on someone you know the impact that can make? You're just pulling them out of that digital jungle and hitting reset, if you will right.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, absolutely you know activities and we forget about self-care, and this is a great opportunity. So I want to thank you for coming on to the show. We look forward to learning more as uh more developments, uh destinations, uh hit the calendar. Uh, today this is we're talking with uh Dr Chit Pasong Vasquez. She is the president and CAO at California Miramar University and co-founder of Leg Expeditions, which is Leadership Expeditions Group. More information can be found at it looks like legexpeditionscom. Legexpeditionscom, dr Chip. Any last words of wisdom for business owners out there that are kicking around the idea of coming out?

Speaker 3:

You know what? I welcome everybody to join us. It's going to be a great experience and really getting to meet other like-minded individuals. I encourage everybody to come join us Again. The retreat's on October 10th through the 13th. We're going to be offering a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth. As I mentioned, and we can our leadership expedition group can't wait to meet you and, you know, join us on this amazing journey. So come campfire with us and share your journey, excited to see everyone.

Speaker 2:

So good, dr Chip Patong Vasquez. Thank you so very much for creating this expedition event that we all look forward to attending.

Speaker 3:

Thanks for having me.

Speaker 2:

Thank you, have a great day everyone. I'm William P, helping small business owners and nonprofits, as well as municipalities, achieve their growth and scalability. Our show focuses on empowering credentialed minority business owners and entrepreneurs and aims to foster a thriving business community, proudly sponsored by Kaizen Group International, who shares a vision of success through their programs that provide invaluable support to businesses looking to optimize their tax incentives. To explore the benefits of opportunities, visit taxincentiverecoverycom. Don't miss out on unlocking untapped potential and maximizing savings for a stronger and more prosperous future. Join us on Talk Story Media Business Edition as we work together to accelerate your business's success. You can catch us on all your favorite streaming services. Don't miss a single episode. Tune in today and supercharge your business journey with Talk Story Business Edition. This is a Talk Story Media production. Talk Story Business Edition is hosted by Austin Behic and William P Toon, supported by the Better Business Bureau, national Referral Network, countywide Mortgage Lending and Kaizen Group International.

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