Tara Paulson, Rembolt Ludtke Law Firm LLP: The Interview
How would strong Influencing themes play out for the CEO of a law firm? Meet Tara Paulson, CEO of the Rembolt Ludtke Law Firm of Nebraska. How would 50% of her top ten themes in the Influencing domain bring her to being a lawyer or become the managing partner? Listen to find that answer, along with why her group chose her to structure a law firm more like a traditional business, hence the CEO title.
How does Tara keep her employees engaged and involved in the mission of the firm when promotions are not an everyday occurrence? Learn how Sarah's coaching has helped them with retention and engagement for all of their associates. You can also hear what happens when a lawyer finds one of your hosts gives a "non-responsive" answer to a question and calls her out on it. Lastly, is calling our listeners arsonists legally sketchy? Enjoy!
To contact Tara:
https://www.remboltlawfirm.com/
Main Takeaways:
1. CliftonStrengths Can Shape Leadership Success
Tara Poulsen’s journey to becoming CEO highlights how leveraging her top strengths—Achiever, Strategic, Relator, Focus, Activator, Self-Assurance, Competition, Futuristic, Command, and Significance—helped her lead effectively. She emphasizes that understanding one’s strengths provides a roadmap for personal and professional growth.
2. Strategic Thinking and Influence Drive Business Success
Tara’s leadership approach blends strategic planning with strong influencing themes, allowing her to lead decisively while inspiring her team. She explains how futuristic and strategic strengths help her set a vision, while activator and command ensure swift action.
3. The Importance of Strengths Awareness in Leadership
A key learning moment for Tara was recognizing how her natural confidence (command and self-assurance) might unintentionally signal certainty when she is actually still exploring options. This insight helped her adjust her communication to encourage more collaboration and input from her team.
4. Growth and Development Matter More Than Titles
In organizations with limited hierarchical promotions (like law firms), employees still seek growth. Tara explains how CliftonStrengths provided a framework for professional development within her firm, helping employees see value in continual learning rather than just promotions.
5. Balancing Drive with Emotional Intelligence
With Achiever, Focus, and Competition, Tara admits she can sometimes push forward too quickly, potentially overwhelming her team. She actively works on slowing down, listening, and ensuring alignment, demonstrating the importance of balancing execution with empathy.
6. Strengths-Based Cultures Improve Team Performance
Implementing CliftonStrengths at her law firm created a shared language for employees to understand each other better. Tara notes that this led to improved teamwork, clearer communication, and stronger engagement across roles, including lawyers and support staff.
7. The Power of Self-Reflection in Leadership
Tara’s leadership growth has been fueled by self-awareness and feedback. By embracing constructive criticism and adjusting how she communicates, she ensures that her influence empowers others rather than unintentionally shutting them down.
Tara's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Achiever
2) Strategic
3) Relator
4) Focus
5) Activator
6) Self-Assurance
7) Competition
8) Futuristic
9) Command
10) Significance
Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Individualization
2) Developer
3) Activator
4) Woo
5) Restorative
6) Empathy
7) Harmony
8) Connectedness
9) Relator
10) Learner
Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Positivity
2) Woo
3) Communication
4) Harmony
5) Activator
6) Developer
7) Input
8) Individualization
9) Responsibility
10) Arranger
Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm
GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
Bill's info:
https://billdippel.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/
Sarah's info:
https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
Bill Dippel (00:00.418)
Hey everyone, it's Sarah, the elder millennial. And this is Bill, the infant boomer. Welcome to Strengths on Fire, the podcast for strengths enthusiasts who want to have fun while leveling up. Get ready for a mix of powerful insights, unexpected stories, and millennial laughs along the way. Hey Bill, you want to light these strengths on fire? Sarah, let's light it up!
Bill Dippel (00:29.918)
there she is. Sarah, Sarah Collins jumping right in looking great as always. Well, you know, I did have to change my outfit right before this. So thank you for noticing. Yes, I'm aware. She's all that's different when you have to see yourself on screen. I can walk around the world and feel fine. And then I sit and look at myself all day on Fridays and I'm like, wow, this color really washes me out. So switched out the shirt. Completely true. And
Your tan from Mexico still looks absolutely fantastic. Can I know, with that spray tan that I got before the trip, I actually went to Mexico more tan than I came home.
so good. I would still say whatever it is you're glowing. You got a good glow on you. It's the holiday bliss. Ring a-ling a-ling. If you're listening to this, we're recording before Christmas. We are. We've got that holiday glow. That is it. I wish I could say I had some more exciting Christmas in the cup things happening here, but it's just tea. It's a morning recording. Both of our cups are probably on
light duty today. get that. We've talked about doing a night one with some wine glasses. I know. Things could get crazy. I think it's all in. That ties into a quick question I have for you. So, what is the most unusual or random talent you have that most people don't know about? Like, I've known you for a while. I don't know what that talent might be. Any ideas? Okay.
So this, what I'm about to tell you is not really answering your question, but it's the first thing that popped into my mind. It is not a talent, but my maiden name, I'm probably going to regret telling everyone. I think I know where you're going with this. maiden name is Sarah Barge. And the way we spelled our last name was B-A-R-G, no E. It should have an E, yes, but it doesn't, know, names, they make no sense.
Bill Dippel (02:33.688)
One time I discovered that if you write my name backwards, it spells grab her ass.
Bill Dippel (02:48.105)
I lied. I had no idea where we're going with that. knew the barge part, but now, well, I got to write it out. can't. Wow. It was funny because we figured this out when I was in junior high and I said it in front of my parents. We all discovered it and my dad was like, my gosh, we should put that on a shirt. And then he was like, no, we shouldn't. Nevermind. I take it back. We're not putting that on a shirt. That is so good.
That's going, we're putting that on shirts for the podcast. know, that's, you know, debate. If you know, you know, the debate goes on arsonist or hot shot, right? And under it is going to be in quotes, grab her ass with, with one ass missing, of course, because at the end, so, my God, I had no, wow. I yeah. Now I knew the bar. knew that I knew the old party barge nomenclature.
the party barge name in your, when you were in college, there was a, you know, the party barge is coming. Let's have some fun. It's the big woo. I have picked on that. I had no idea. Anyways, what about you, Bill? What's a talent that you have? I didn't, I would tell you that one thing I would say a lot of people don't know about me. I have hand-eye coordination, like, ungodly. I just don't know why.
and I have no reason to do it. Like I play cornhole and and it's uh I should be on the tour. It's you know, my cornhole game is so good. well, I'm just and I and I'm a little competitive about it sometimes so I you know, I don't really give in easily. I did competitive shooting sports uh sporting clays for years and um uh did I did really I was uh very low but nationally ranked at one point because I'd signed up and come through. Uh so I would
would just tell you that I think, you know, most people probably think, you know, IT guy, little older, all that. And for some reason, I pitched softball for a lot of years and I think that helped my cornhole game because that helped me put a weight right on a spot, you know, and I've gotten used to that. for me, and darts, I'm so good at darts. Again, it's putting a known weight onto a specific spot and I just don't.
Bill Dippel (05:09.386)
I don't know what that talent is called. Maybe it isn't hand-eye coordination. Maybe it's just feeling it and knowing it. But for some reason, that has just been something that I'm really good. Now, I'll play my son in cornhole and I'll get smoked. Not by a ton, but his consistency is phenomenal. yeah. Very interesting. Now, here's the thing. You live in Reno, Nevada. You call it cornhole. I do know what you're talking about, but I...
know it as bags, which because I'm from Northeast Nebraska, I often say bigs. I have this little Dakota draw sometimes. I'm curious, Tara, or guess I'm going to have you sneak in here. Which do you know it as? know, I've heard it both ways. So I'm going to slice right down the middle. But if you would have asked me what my hidden talent is, Bill, I, I would have gone in something close to you. I am really good at minute to win at games.
like anything that is like for That just requires I suppose coordination, but maybe it's just my competitiveness Minute to win at games. I am all over and I didn't want to interject this but as a lawyer Sarah I would have I would have responded if bill hadn't chimed in and said objection non-responsive to his question about talents because I'm not so sure that the
The backwards spelling of your name rises to the level of a hidden talent. hey, at least as it relates to cornhole or bags, I'm going to shoot right down the middle of the two of you and say, I've heard it both ways. as my new lawyer, I need you to call Sarah out on being non-responsive. Your pitch to her being non-responsive, perfect. Right on point. I really don't have a hidden talent, you guys. Everything that I can do, you've seen.
Okay. All the talents, they're just out there. There's nothing hidden or special about me. Just, uh, I can make funny things out of non funny things, I guess. don't know. might, I would say, Tara, I don't know if you know this, Sarah sings. Not well, do not put me on the spot. I'm not going to ask you to sit up. I am not going to ask you to sing, but, uh, a lot of our pre shows I'll come in and she is.
Bill Dippel (07:28.595)
She is not humming a tune. She is singing a tune and she's better than she thinks she is. I'm not, don't do it today, sir. I'm not going to ask, but I would say as a hidden talent, your ability to belt out and know it and, have it is, is really good. my guess is she is hardcore jamming out when she is singing as well. There is no, you're not, there's no mystery. I come in every now and then and my headphones are still hanging on the top of this. And while I'm sitting here, I can hear.
Or as I'm coming in, I'll hear it just go in and I'm like, Sarah's on. I would say that I am actually a terrible singer. People are literally going to be like, you need a karaoke and then they're going to say, wow, that was terrible. The thing that I can maybe do is I know a ton of songs and I can remember a lot of lyrics. My husband is always frustrated because I can't get to the grocery store without using my GPS.
But you pull up like a Spice Girls song from 1999 and I've got that on lockdown. It's got a nice little rap in there. We can go. So those little things have just earwormed. I'm always playing random songs for my kids from even like 80 songs. So I'm just like, oh yeah, this is a song you need to be introduced to. This is a good one. So I do, I do like a little bit of music, I would say you're also extremely committed when you sing.
And that's a that is a that's a gift by the way, we've offered to we're doing karaoke in Denver for an event. We're both going to we've we've promised our coaching group to do that. So, you know, I think we got it. We have to introduce our minute to win at grand prize winner today. We are so lucky. I know, Sarah, go, go.
We have Tara Poulsen with us. Tara is the CEO, managing partner of Rumble Lucky, a law firm here in Lincoln, Nebraska. I've had the privilege to work with her and her entire firm. They have gone all in on CliftonStrengths. Everyone at the firm takes the assessment. They have internal people that help lead the mission for CliftonStrengths. And so we get to hear from Tara and beyond all of her.
Bill Dippel (09:38.963)
very impressive professional achievement. She is just a rock star of a person. She balances motherhood. She's involved in the community. She's just a delight to be around. So knowledgeable, really, honestly, could be one of the most intimidating women, but isn't still friendly and personable. And I think that is a feat and an achievement. So Tara, welcome to the show.
Well, thank you. What an honor to be here and what a wonderful introduction. I don't think I have ever been introduced quite like that. I've got a bright pink shirt on, so I'm not sure if you can see my cheeks getting a little bit rosy, but on the inside, that's what's happening. well, I mean, at all. Would she be would she be good introducing you heading into a court of law? You think that would be the and Tara as my new lawyer, because you're willing to call Sarah out on her.
When she's you know, not totally being honest about her her hidden skills Do you think that hype woman right there coming into a court of law? How would that work? Would that would that be all right? You know, I'd probably say let's go ahead and keep you outside the courtroom. I Don't know media. Yeah, maybe the hype is necessary inside the courtroom But if I if I need a little bit of you know, extra courage right before walking in I want Sarah by my side
There we go, there we go. In the headphones. The hype woman in the headphones. Hopefully singing to me, maybe even Spice Tell me what you want, what you really, want. I'll tell you what I want, what I really, want. Wow. Oh, we're duetting now. This got into it. We went from Taylor to the Spice Girls. We're it.
I, this is really good. this is good. This is good. I love we will, we are, will we not bring up the fact that I was once, um, uh, in trouble with the R IAA for illegally downloading music now that we have the lawyer here, let's just bring all the skeletons out. Don't worry. We settled out of court. gave them their $3,000. I mentioned, I think I mentioned to somebody the other day that you were, you were in trouble with the R IAA.
Bill Dippel (11:50.835)
Yeah, am a true pirate, a pirate of music. So congratulations. let's Tara, let's let's jump in here. Let's not talk about how Sarah and I have broken the law many, many, many times and how it's probably helped us. Yes. Let's let's talk about you for a moment. So can you highlight your top 10 for us? Just give us what those top 10 are. And then on the backside of that, talk about how you became a lawyer, maybe what that path looked like and how
those strengths came to came to maybe lead you to that. Sure, happy to. So I actually have them written down because I've got my top five nailed down, but it was really important to me that I had all ten in order for you. So my strengths in order go achiever, strategic, relator, focus, activator, self-assurance, competition, futuristic, command, followed by significance. So there is my top ten. Wow.
I love that. That is, if you're listening, 50 % influencing themes right there in the top 10. That's rare. It's rare and I think it's pretty rare for lawyers in particular because at least in our work with Sarah, we did have all of our team members here do the strengths assessment and of lawyers, some of the primary ones that you're going to get are much more
of the strategic thinking, I suppose even some of the executing, but things like, learner and analytical and consistency, discipline, input, intellectual. And those are pretty low on mine actually compared to high. So yeah, it's funny you say that. I would tell you my local law firm, the law firm that I actually do use the
The number one lawyer, my lawyer that I deal with, has high influencing as well. She's amazing in that. And I also quite often talk to bigger groups about, and I use the lawyer component because I do assess all of their lawyers as well. I would point out that very frequently we see lawyers that have high influencing that are great in court because they can influence the judge and they're moving in that way. But we also see high strategy.
Bill Dippel (14:17.963)
lawyers that are amazing because they've outworked on the back end everybody that comes in. And we also see high relationship lawyers that are so good at what they do because they build the relationships with not only their clients, but the people in the court and they're moving. So all of the domains, I would say, can make you a really powerful lawyer. And I actually use that example in large groups.
when people are asking me, well, who should we be hiring for that? Who should we be hiring for the media job? Should it be an influencer? And the answer is no, not necessarily, right? We might, let's bring some other skills to that. So as far as in your law group, and I know you've assessed everyone, what is the breakdown? Do you know kind of how the, it a lot of influencing skills or do you find that that strategic is really common?
There's a lot of strategic, you know, one of the things that I found really fascinating when we did this throughout our organization is some of the team members that are not lawyers, but are there are in key support positions. We call those the position titles are either paralegal or a legal executive assistant. Those are really the folks that are just making all of this stuff happen. And one of the breakdowns that I saw is there's a lot of relationship building.
Those and in the team members that have those positions and again just a little bit more of the strategic Thinking in in the lawyers is at least again at least at our organization I don't know that that'd be a hundred percent across the board But just those were some of the things that I recall Specifically when we looked at some of those breakdowns. Yeah, and I think one of the things we talked about is there
can be an assumption or there was an assumption that we would have more influencing themes. Because like what Bill is saying, oftentimes we get in our head as a society, as a people, that certain jobs do certain things, right? And so it's easy to think like, oh yeah, if you're a lawyer, you quote unquote should have these influencing themes because you're stressing that. And like Bill mentioned, you can be any job and have any mix of themes.
Bill Dippel (16:36.395)
Right? Because we know lawyers that do need to have that influencing theme and use that, but some that are more strategic and can use that. Just like you know, a nurse who has a ton of influencing themes and is really successful, and another nurse who maybe is way more executing themes and is really successful. So we see people flex these strengths in different ways for different careers. But I do think that it was interesting when we worked with your firm to see that
the strategic thinking themes really dominated most of the attorneys on staff. But then you who really have, I would love for you to share your story about becoming a lawyer and then about becoming, you know, the C I think you call it CEO at your firm. A lot of firms call it the managing partner. How you came to be that, because I think your themes made that role really something that you could attain because you were able to
kind of do both because you were really equipped to be a great leader. So do you want to just talk about your story a little bit? Sure, happy to. So actually went to college in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and played two sports there. So played volleyball and tennis. And I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do after college, but had a wonderful advisor. And he encouraged me to take some of his pre-law courses and
If I'm honest with you, I just loved him as an instructor, as a teacher. I thought he was amazing. So I took a number of his classes. They were all in that law area. He encouraged me to take the LSAT. I did. And I wound up in law school. So I'm not one of those lawyers who say I knew from day one or when I was really young that I wanted to be a lawyer. That really wasn't on my radar. No one in my family was a lawyer.
I just took some courses, really enjoyed them, really enjoyed that professor and found myself in law school. came back to Lincoln for law school, went to the College of Law here in Lincoln, had an opportunity to work for the firm that I'm at now. I actually got asked the question this week, how many careers or professions have you had? How many jobs have you had in your kind of professional career? And
Bill Dippel (19:00.297)
I hadn't really ever thought about it before, but my entire professional career has been here at this firm, Rembolt Ludkey. So, clerked here as a law student, then had an opportunity to work here after law school. We called that position an associate, worked as an associate for a couple years, had an opportunity to become a partner. After I was a partner for a couple years, we had made the decision as a firm that we wanted to start thinking and acting a little bit more like a business.
A lot of times law firms are run by a managing partner and the running of a law firm is a little bit more passive or reactive because that person who's serving in that role of managing partner is also practicing law. So sometimes then the focus on the business and growth of the business does take a back seat to the client needs that you have. And so I'm not saying that it's across the board this way, but
generally law firms are not run as proactively as other private businesses. So we had some discussions at the partner level about what would it take for us to operate more like a business? How can we be more proactive, forward-facing? How can we maybe be, maybe a better word even would be to say how can we be more nimble and take advantage of changes in the legal landscape? We had an outside group come in and
facilitate some discussion around that. We identified some of the key traits that we would need for a leadership group to be able to carry us in a more proactive way. So we identified those strengths, kind of some lanes of responsibilities. One of those lanes is a CEO or Chief Executive Officer lane. And as a part of that facilitation, partners had interviews, each had interviews with this external group and
It still is humbling to think about the aftermath of that where I was asked to serve as the CEO. And it still actually kind of gives me goosebumps just because it wasn't something that I had ever anticipated or really sought at, certainly never sought after as a part of my career, never anticipated.
Bill Dippel (21:20.91)
as a part of my career, but my partners actually asked me to serve in this capacity as CEO. So it's a really interesting dynamic because as CEO, I'm not only one of the partners, I'm also kind of CEO and I'm gonna use the term over the partners, even though I'm not sure that's accurate in this particular structure dynamic, but yeah, I had that opportunity and that ask of me was three years ago.
You'll hear about it from your partners when they listen to this podcast. They're going to. mean, I feel like I was really soft about it, right? I mean, I don't think it was offensive. I am both one of them and then also help steer the vision and the operations as well. Totally. Also, you're all assuming they're going to get past the grab her ass part. They're all going to shut the podcast off at that point.
So who's ever left? Hello, welcome to the show. But what I love about this is you do have those influencing themes that activate our self-assurance, competition, command and significance. self-assurance, command and significance are the least likely to show up in People Stop. And here you have all three of them. And I always say they beg for leadership, even if the person with them
isn't looking for that, right? Because sometimes you're just working, you're doing your best, you're out there being yourself. And it's like in this story, what I think is so cool is to me, those strengths were out there saying like, yes, I can. And maybe you didn't see it. You weren't the one saying like, yes, pick me, choose me. But the people around you said, you know what? That's the one.
And I think that's because even before maybe you knew the words of CliftonStrengths, you were living into those themes that are really great leadership traits because they kind of are out there out front saying like, yeah, let's do this, right? And so I just think it's really cool how you came about to be the CEO and it really is a supportive environment from all the attorneys and partners around you.
Bill Dippel (23:39.046)
But know, it almost even took, it's my best friend from high school. It actually took her almost sticking a mirror in front of my face because I had said, gosh, this is uncomfortable for me. I don't know that I vision myself up in front and leading. I do like to be a little bit more understated and behind the scenes and...
I do have a hard time talking about myself. So now all of a sudden I find myself in this other role and she looked at me and she just started laughing so hard. And she goes, Tara, you have been the team captain of every team you've ever been a part of. When we were in school, people wanted to be in your group when it was group projects, because they knew that you would take the lead and you got everyone involved in a way that made them feel like their contributions were meaningful. She's like, what are you talking about that this is?
surprise to you. And you know, I was speechless because that was a major dose of reality for me that perhaps maybe like you just said, Sarah, I don't know that I go around shouting at the top of the rooftops, know, here I am as the leader and follow me. But it has been a really big component of my life. And so I suppose then
in that moment when I was asked to serve, I didn't have that perspective, but now I do in a way that helps me warm up to the fact that I am in this position and I get this opportunity to lead this wonderful group of people. and I just have to speculate. I think your mix of strengths is so interesting because you have those five influencing, but you don't have woo and communication in your top 10.
And I feel like a lot of times those two strengths we see with a mix of those other two. And so it can be a little bit like, look at me, everyone. I have things to say and things to do. You come in with relator, you come in with achiever and focus. So it's such a dynamic mix of strengths. When you look at your other five, right? Futuristic, focus, relator, strategic, achiever. So steady, such hard work there, such just focus.
Bill Dippel (25:54.552)
and that relator being such a more intimate relationship building theme. But then you have that really solid base, that competitive drive, that push, that confidence, that confidence to say, yes, this is the way and let's go now. And I just think what a cool dynamic to see in somebody.
I think one of my favorite things that you had us do, Sarah, was looking at that CliftonStrengths Top 34 report and that dynamic of the first five where they actually kind of develop what your first five mean in unison with each other because I remember hearing you talk about Achiever and that's my number one and it's not an uncommon number one. And what you told me...
I think, and just correct me now if I'm remembering wrong, but what you told me is that I like to stay busy and I've got a lot of stamina. That's completely true, but then I remember you dissecting that with me about how those work with my other themes. And some of the biggest components of her is I'm a really active listener. I actively listen, which I'm not sure always comes out in people that have Achiever and maybe don't have that Relator theme as well.
I'm constantly looking for ways to impart knowledge by telling stories or by taking things that don't seem like they're similar, but putting them together and showing you how these can relate to each other, which, again, it was you that kind of opened my eyes, Sarah, to how those top five of mine work together in a way that...
perhaps does make me uniquely qualified to serve in this particular position here at this firm. Well, and listening to you say it, you just mentioned I'm not an active listener per se, or I don't always listen that way, but you're recalling a discussion you had at least a year ago about coaching and accurately defining the theme, talking about how you're using it, listening to that again, how we see our strengths.
Bill Dippel (28:04.141)
the lens we look at them through is always a little different than how other people see it. Sarah, I think you hit on that so well about they picked a leader in you, right? So I know again, my lawyer locally, she like you has activator command competition in her top. She is also the managing partner of the local group. So again, I'm making that comparison of I think when
Other people are seeing that those themes play out in you and how they, how, Hey, I really, as an influencing person, I really value what you bring not only to us, but maybe if, if there's something from the outside that needs to be addressed, your achiever is there, but also you can influence the outside forces and help and be, be, be the rock for us with the other 50 % of your themes as Sarah pointed out again.
You're working with a fantastic coach. So I don't ever wonder or doubt that you've been led very accurately on how this works. So again, I just want to give you full kudos on becoming aware of what those themes mean for you and how they work together. That can be a difficult spot from a coaching point of view. Is there a theme outside of influencing one of those others in the 50 %?
that you think really shines on those other influencing themes, one that you think you pivot into a lot? I think it'd probably be strategic. Because when I think about pathways forward in terms of whatever the decision may be, I can come up with five different ways to get there. And yes, there might be an easier route to get there. But if there's a route that's
may be going to take a little bit longer, but I can get more people on board. I can still see what the end goal is. And so I think that that strategic theme really plays in pretty heavily with those influencing themes because I can think about multiple ways to attack a problem or to...
Bill Dippel (30:18.019)
push us forward and I'm thinking about, how can I influence folks along the way? And sometimes, what's the path of least resistance, even though it might not be my preferred choice, if it's one that I can get more people on board with? Let's go ahead and do that one instead. Yeah. Nice. What I'm interested in, because you're so strategic,
I had the opportunity to come and meet with your practice group before we did the full firm, before you were CEO. I met with just your small practice group to do CliftonStrengths. It was from that experience that you said, hey, I'm going to be launching into the CEO role and I want to roll this out to the whole firm. What was it about CliftonStrengths that made you want to dedicate so much time and resources to it for the firm as you stepped into the leadership role?
Yeah, probably two components when I think back on that, Sarah, two components. One, we were still kind of coming out of the pandemic. was a, maybe a, I think it was around end of 2021, Sarah, that you had come in and done that. I was going to step into this new role in 2022. So we were still kind of coming out of the pandemic. We had grown a lot, actually.
In spite of the pandemic, our team had grown. We had gained some new team members. And so one thing that was important to me was showing everyone here, what is it like to be a member of Rembolt-Ledke? What is the culture? Some of those team members didn't know what the firm looked like, felt like, could be prior to the pandemic. And so wanting to establish some common language or some norms.
that all of us could utilize and that we're all new for all of us, not just one group. That was important to me. Two, the second thing that was really important is in some ways our organization is a fairly flat organization, meaning we're not so big as to be able to have mid-level managers and senior level managers or, you know, director positions where someone can really promote up.
Bill Dippel (32:35.713)
within the organization. It's a little bit flatter than that. There is some room for advancement, but not like you see at big organizations. And we've got some incredible people here. So what I saw as a component of the work that you did with that small practice group of mine, Sarah, is team members saying, gosh, I can continue to invest in me and I can learn more about me. And I may not need that promotion to...
you know, that title of her promotion because I'm still growing. And what really reigned true in that session, at least that what I observed was the feeling of being able to continually grow almost displaced a need for promotions up a ladder. Cause I can't give promotions up a ladder really, but I can give opportunities for continued growth. And what I saw is that's really what
team members here were looking for. And so I wanted to use those, those two components and roll it out to our firm at large to get an even greater benefit for everyone. Absolutely. And I have seen not only with your law firm, but I've even started working with some healthcare companies and it's the same reason, right? In some of these organizations, there is limited promotion opportunities just because of the nature of the business and how things work.
And so how can we still pour into our people? How can we show them, here's what you're good at. We care about you. We care about your professional development. We care about your growth. And this is gonna help us work better as a team. Let's like all get level set on the same type of language. Let's really think about how we get the best of ourselves and each other. So I just think that it was so cool to have you see all of that and make that investment.
And I have to think that it really, as you stepped into that CEO role, you came in really quick with this plan. And I have to think that that also showed people like, wow, this new leader is coming in people first. She's thinking about us. She's thinking about our growth and development. Like on day one, she walked in with a plan. I would back that up. What I was thinking when I was listening to, Hey,
Bill Dippel (34:59.837)
One of the things that helped was how do we indoctrinate the new people coming in to know our culture? How do we handle that? The other people seeing you and saying, man, I want to pick you to kind of lead because you understand where we come from. And when I keep hearing that, it's number 10 for you, but I want to touch on it for a second because it's really important. It's number one for me. you know, I.
I call it one of the best themes, but it's individualization and it is that ability to really understand and know the unique traits of people and being able to put them into the right spots. And in your case, seems to me it is supercharging your influencing themes because you're allowing it to also look at and dictate and experience the people where they're at because that
makes that influencing very personal for them. Have you ever experienced something in that individualization? you worked in that or thought about the individualization side of it in that way? Gosh, Bill, I don't know that I have. it's technically at number 11. I'm sorry. So see, it basically doesn't exist. It basically doesn't exist for me.
Just kidding. think I think in terms of my thought process on Individualization, I think where I see it come out more for me is probably that relator And I know that those are two different things, but when I think about personal connections with team members here and what they need and and how can they be successful and maybe more importantly, how can they how can we ensure that?
their contributions are valuable and that they feel that their contributions are valuable. You know, I do a lot of that in one-on-one dialogue. And so I don't know how that necessarily relates to individualization, but that feels like how I would approach it given that related theme of mine. Yeah, it seems to me, you know exactly how it relates to it. And that's a exact perfect component of that is
Bill Dippel (37:13.202)
understanding and being able to dive in uniquely with the people that you deal with and being able to put them in the right spots. And then also being tasked with, need to show you the culture because I really can very quickly bond to what you're asking and what you bring to our environment. And I can aim that in a way that is really powerful for the other people here in this environment. And that comes from that relator.
building it and that individualization having the superpower to be able to see it. I use it as a coaching super tool. I hear it in your voice as a lawyer slash influencing super tool. Yeah. I also hear a lot of that futuristic, you know, you have that futuristic sets the present based on where what could be, what will be there looking out. And I think so much of your strategy that strategic in there.
of what is it, what does the firm look like? What is the culture? How are we going to grow? What is my leadership tenure going to be representative of? It's so future-based. You're thinking, what can we do now for then? And I just think in the way you talk about the people, the way you want to invest in the people. And I know from what you've done with the firm since you've been CEO, you're looking ahead, you're driving forward, you're going to that
place. Sometimes futuristic is can be rooted in truth and sometimes it can be daydreamy, right? Of like big things. How do you feel about your futuristic art? Do you feel like it's very practical or do you feel like it can get, you know, sort of that mystic like big dreams? You know, I don't know. I don't see it as big dreams. I see it as I know, I know the goal or the vision that I have and
maybe at some of my other strengths, but then I'm focused on what are the action-based activities that we can do day to day, week to week, month to month, so that we can get to that result. Because you never get to the result if you're not engaging in those action steps to get there. So I do think probably my futuristic is a little bit more grounded in reality as opposed to daydreaming, at least.
Bill Dippel (39:37.864)
I think that that's how my team members would say I would show up because again, I'm coming up with what are all of the different, again, activity-based, task-based activities that we can do to get us there. That's at least how I would think about it, how it shows up for me. Yeah. And I think that makes sense. I mean, you've got that achiever strategic focus. So I think it makes sense that the futuristic is grounded in reality.
But it's always fun to explore that. also think two themes that you have that are, I actually am envious of is you have activator, which is the influencing theme of let's go, let's get things done. I have that. Love it. But you have focus, which is the executing theme that can really zone in and finish. And I think what a power duo to be an activator and a focus. So not only can you start all this stuff, but you can end it.
which is not, I don't have focus. So I'm good starter, but not always a good finisher. I feel like sometimes it's like an accidental diminisher though, because I feel like there are times where I am poised to move. Like one of my team members said, you know, you're a great communicator, but if you ask me the first words that come to mind, if you are in battle with me, it'd be that you move and then you shoot and then you communicate. And so,
sometimes I feel like it's a little bit of an accidental diminisher because I can go hard and I can go fast and because of that inclination I have to move and be proactive and take a step and that focus sometimes means that I can exhaust team members in a way that I don't want or two, I might leave them behind unintentionally but I'm going so fast
and if they're not able to keep that pace, I'm still going ahead. I'm usually not gonna wait for them to catch up. I'll just keep going. Sometimes that means that I take over more and more because I know where we wanna get and I wanna get there as quick as we can. So that's where I'd say you can be envious, but I think that there's a little bit of a dynamic there that is a little bit of an accidental diminisher if you're not aware of how it can show up.
Bill Dippel (41:59.39)
Well, now I just feel proud because your strengths awareness and that whole thing was fabulous. So as, as the new coach, Tara, a new certified coach, congratulations. Very well done. I absolutely adore and appreciate your ability to break that down and think about how that comes in. Uh, it is kind of a hallmark of high relator people and Sarah and I, uh, have that activator. do.
Absolutely. It's number three on my end. And so I tend to jump right in with both feet and I want to go like you and I want to move and I want to push. But sometimes the people in the room are like, well, we need to, especially the high strategic people, they, they want to talk about it. They want to know where we're going to get there. What is the, how are we going to pull it together? What are the resources? How can we pull that together? So I hear that in your voice and I hear how you do that. I'm curious, how do you balance that?
Another hallmark for relator people frequently, not necessarily in this case, I haven't coached with you, but another hallmark of relator people is that they tend to have very deep relationships. They really, but you don't want to burn a bridge with a relator because then you're dead to me, right? I don't want to, I can't, I can't, it's hard to come back from that. So, how do you balance that? How does that, would you say that's fair from a relator point of view in the way that you see your strengths? it?
Is it a tough burn the bridge component or are you more forgiving than that? And how does that play out for the other lawyers in your firm or maybe even in your personal life? Well, I think just being self aware of it has helped me not get into too much trouble doesn't suggest I don't get into trouble sometimes I think just we're going there. We're to go there a minute. Being aware of those personal relationships and how important they are to me and knowing knowing
my colleagues to know, this person I think would really like to be plugged in on something like this. How can I involve them from the get-go? Or what input can I seek from them that could help, maybe they even help shape the direction because of their input. So I just, think self-awareness about it is key for me. And that's how my relator comes in is, gosh, how would this feel?
Bill Dippel (44:19.962)
If I was this team member and I left them in the dust on this particular project, how can I make sure I don't do that? So some of it is just some reflection to say, gosh, how can I take a breath? What would that look like if I wait until tomorrow instead of diving in today? Have I really lost anything? Usually the answer is no. So I think that's how my relator plays into it is just thinking about
the different team members in here here and how can I also help them shine in these moments too? Yeah. And what I love about this is your 34th theme is empathy. And sometimes people write like everyone gets a little self-conscious about their 34th theme. And I hear a lot of people when they've got the lower empathy, they get like, okay, what does this mean? But I always say we can get the same outcome in the world from different strengths.
And the way you describe your relator using your other strengths to influence it, it almost comes out as empathy, right? So yes, you're not the same like chest cavity cracked open, absorbing the thoughts and feelings of those around you as those high empathy people are. But you're strategically relating to people, you're putting yourself in their shoes, you're thinking about how do we get this done? And so you still can come to your people
with a level of empathy, it's just coming through like a concoction of other strengths. And I think that's so powerful because when people say, well, how do we manage these, these things at the bottom of the list? It's think about what is the outcome you want in the world, then look at your 10 or your 12, 13, and think, how can I create a reality where these come together to create that same outcome or a similar outcome in the world?
Yeah, I totally agree. You're doing it. Yeah, it's all about, you know, what's it like to be on the other side of the desk than me? And I want that to feel positive, even if I'm having to deliver difficult information or tough, some tough love sometimes. How does that person feel when they're not only when I'm, when they're across the room from me, but how do they feel when they leave? That's just really important to me. And I think that's how I think
Bill Dippel (46:44.219)
That's how my empathy does come out is through those other themes. Yeah, totally completely. Well, you touched on it and I promised you it was about to come up. let's and understanding other people and not running them over has come up. The ability to understand how maybe some of these get me in trouble. Well, let's talk about our dumpster fire segment for a second. Let's discuss when do you think some a combination of or one of maybe particularly
of your themes get you into a little bit of that trouble? When does that dumpster fire happen? Gosh, probably every week, Bill. Sarah's got you coached so well. yeah, it's it comes out. But, know, I think one of the one of the times where it just really hit me in the face is I was leading a meeting of our partners and we were discussing a potential opportunity. And I was like,
shaking in my boots about this opportunity and how would we do it? And I was really unsure about it and and was it the right call? mean, I was having all of these internal thoughts. And we left the meeting and one of my partners who I have so much respect for asked for a private meeting with me after the meeting and she said to me, Hey, I felt like
you had already made your decision on this and it really impacts me and helped me understand why you were so confident. I started laughing and I didn't mean to be critical, but I said, what do you mean confident? Like I, that was probably a moment where I walked in the most unsteady and I left probably unsteadier, but I think the themes
that I have of command and self-assurance, I think I portray sometimes more confidence than I really have. So that was absolutely a dumpster fire moment. And now in those moments, I almost over-explained myself like, hey, I really don't know about the pathway here. What I'm looking for is some input or some suggestions. I want to be very clear.
Bill Dippel (49:08.601)
no decision has been made and sometimes I probably now overkill it but because of that huge dumpster fire moment where apparently my my self-awareness was negative because what I was feeling and then what it felt like to be in that room with me were two very different things and so that'd be kind of one of my one of my major dumpster fire moments but again we can talk about one each week if you want to bill
I don't I don't need to talk about one each week, but I'm going to give you kudos in another way, too. It is quite often difficult for peers, coworkers, friends to give honest feedback back to high influential people. It can be difficult because you bring so much to the table. How you must be keeping that in check, using it maturely or or being so willing to accept, hey, I might not know.
with high self-assurance and competition in command the absolute right way. I'm second guessing it, but I can at least purport it correctly and move through it and then be willing to take that feedback to adjust where we're going to go. That is an incredibly mature usage of influencing themes that I know I work with many of my high influencers to get to because for many of them,
Here's the direction done. This is what we're doing right or wrong if it goes down in flames but that's what we're going to do and the ability to have a peer that'll be able to say that it's from a respect point of view is is really powerful and it says a lot about the peer but it also says a lot about you and I I don't want to let that get away. Yeah, I get more about the peer that always makes me a whole heck of a more comfortable than about me.
But I mean, I just want to mimic what Bill said. He's right. The fact that you have created a culture where people can come to you and, and, say, Hey, what was that? And the fact that you were able to receive that and then. Inform future ways that you're acting and talking based on it, because that is what you're talking about is some of the most common,
Bill Dippel (51:30.673)
things that I work on with people with high command, high self-assurance is a lot of times they are thinking, well, yeah, this could be the way, but they don't realize that they say it of like, this is the way. And it does not open the door. In fact, it closes the door to those around them to say, but what about this idea? And so sometimes they'll say, well, I want other people's ideas or I want their feedback or I didn't know what to do, but no one will say anything.
because they have created an environment that sort of shut that down. And so it's like, okay, well, we have to work on phrasing. Here is an idea. What are other ideas? And so the way that you are forming it, I mean, that's what we would want to see with those influencing themes and to know you've created a culture where people can say, okay, well, what about this? And I just think that that shows just such great strength awareness that you have.
And I also would jump in. keep hearing it from you because you brought up earlier, I need to know what that person is thinking when I'm blowing them out of the water. I need to step back and think about what is, what is that person feeling when I do that? And again, that is taking those, those very few relationship, understanding how relator individualization, maybe even strategy come into play for that and tamping down that high, self-assurance, high, high command.
maybe if you're not so sure, being able to relate to that and being able to relate it to the people around you. So again, it's a superpower. I've worked with people that don't possess it. So I love the fact that you can come on this show and talk about how successful it is when it works and how to do it correctly. Yeah. Okay. Now I have our fun question for you. Are you ready? We're going to get our...
We're gonna get silly now. We're gonna. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm ready. Okay, you wake up one morning to find you've switched bodies with your favorite superhero. How do your strengths help you save the day? Okay, so first thing I did to prepare for this question is I wanted to come up with my superhero name and so I googled, you know,
Bill Dippel (53:48.869)
superhero names and they had you know one of those superhero generators where it's like you take your first initial of your first name and then the first initial your last name and then that combo is your name so my superhero name is the dynamic dazzler which i kind of liked you know short dd how could you not like that yeah mean great you know dynamic dazzler dd the traits that you will see from the dynamic dazzler show up to save the day
are as an exceptional amount of courage. So that would be trait number one. And I think that the strength themes that I have that lend itself to that exceptional courage are some of them that we talked about, that self-assurance, command, achiever. Other things that I think that this superhero, Dee Dee, would possess is an unwavering resilience or stamina. And that's where you're gonna see my achiever come in.
This particular superhero is also going to be real strategic and have the ability to inspire others around them. And so that's where I think you'd see some of those influencing things or activator come into play as well. So superhero name, Dynamic Dazzler or Dee Dee? Well, I think it's spot on. And I have to say, this is a little bit of a side note, but I just couldn't get away from this episode without bringing it up.
Maybe a month ago you spoke to the local chamber of commerce has a group called rise and the Rambo Ludke hosted us and you spoke to the group and you just, mean, it was maybe 10 minutes. It was short, but you brought up your strengths and you talked about not only the work you do at the firm and in the community, but with your family, cause your mother. And I just think you told such incredible stories to get
you pack so much into that. And I think it was so inspiring. I mean, I have the privilege of knowing you already. And I was so impressed. And I heard from so many women in that room. It was a packed house. How cool it was the way you know yourself and the way you're able to sort of, what did you call it? Was it balance? What are we doing with the- We've got rhythm.
Bill Dippel (56:02.717)
Rhythm, the rhythm. We're not, we're not balancing, we've got some rhythm. was honestly phenomenal. And I just think we can't get out of here without recognizing you wear a lot of hats. You not only have a super important job, but you are an active and involved mother. You are involved in the community and you're just like a cool, fun person. And I think that is hard for people. That is. And I just,
I'm so happy that you're out there doing it and talking about it because we need to hear examples of what does the rhythm look like. And so I just think the dynamic dazzler, she is inspiring all of us in every different facet. So. I sometimes tell myself if I wasn't a lawyer, I'd like to be an interior designer and I have no interest in designing either of your homes unless you like my style.
because I'm really good at that. so, you when I saw Dazzler, I thought, yeah, I could do something with that. We should have asked her, how would you design the interior of my home? That should have been her special question. I'll you exactly how my home is designed, I'm not interested in your style, but I can do my style pretty good. It would make me think. a terrible interior designer.
The superhero thing is making me think of the multiverse because know Marvel has put us in this. So in one of the multiverse versions of your life you were probably a designer. think you could be right. Totally true and Sarah and I are trying to figure out how do we get rhythm on this podcast. You brought up rhythm so I'd like that you know I would say Sarah and I have a great rhythm honestly. don't want to that down. Did you say you both have activator? We do.
Right. So like that's where your rhythm comes out. Balance is static. because we're super excited to have our guests and want to jump in and talk. And as a as our now official legal representation for the podcast, I think I have to ask you this. I'm not signing my name. You haven't paid me a thing. I am nothing to you as our as our non official legal representation.
Bill Dippel (58:27.099)
Is there a problem using the term arsonist for our listeners? mean, is there anything that, mean- Are you trying to get free legal advice right now? I just want to make sure we're not in trouble because some of us love arsonists, some of us love hotshots. So we're trying to, what do you think of the arsonist? I like arsonist. mean, like I was thinking for you like other things that you could, and I didn't like them. You know, I thought like sparkler, that's too small.
Like when I think of the two of you, it's gotta be big and grand and maybe a little mischievous.
like the like the arsonist. I am such an arsonist. So the lawyer says it's okay. I think we're running. We're running with arsonists. can't put it back in the I think you do a disclaimer at the end of this for you and I'll just say I am not providing any legal advice in connection with this particular podcast. There we go. And we'll also put a disclaimer to say we do not endorse setting things on fire unless it's figuratively. Right. Figuratively go start all the fires you want. Unless it is. Literally
do not start fires unless it is your strengths based people around you start that fire but other than that do not put it in quotes you know arsonist maybe that saves you arsonist our legal team speaking out i'm sorry our non-legal team speaking out unofficial advice yeah and it's perfect advice too so tara thank you for the legal advice thank you for prompting us to get some rhythm we're gonna definitely happen
Thank you for having the state capital behind you in your video. That is all props to my colleague who set this up just for us. think Sarah and I can fully qualify. We have not had another guest that had prepped their background to the point of having the state capital or something that grand behind Your setup really is just 100%. Yeah. Okay, before we go, Tara.
Bill Dippel (01:00:23.491)
If people want to find you, if they want to find the firm, where can we find Rembolt? Where can we find Tara? Well, Rembolt's got all sorts of social media outlets. So we've got a website, remboltlawfirm.com. We've got a Facebook. We've got a LinkedIn account. We've got a
Instagram account, I don't think we have Twitter, but we do have all of those channels so you can find our law firm there. I'm a little bit on the reverse side of all things social media, so I do have a LinkedIn account, but I'm not particularly active. This is probably me trying to stay a little bit more hidden. So harder to find me, but I would love for you to find our firm and all of the wonderful things that our firm is doing for clients, but for our community as well.
Perfect. And we will have those links, obviously, in the show notes. We'll also have them connected to your people profile on our website as well. So Tara, thank you so much for coming in and giving us some free legal advice today. We appreciate that. Objective, non-responsive. Right, Sarah. Non-responsive again. And being so incredibly strengths aware, which you absolutely
You're
I'm leaning into my superhero. love it. Is the dynamic dazzler an arsonist or a hotshot for that? Okay. The dynamic dazzler is absolutely an arsonist. Perfect. All right. I love it. So legal's in the arsonist is there. We will talk to our arsonists and our hotshots on the next episode. So thank you very much, Tara. And thank you all for listening. We will talk soon. Thank you for joining us.
Bill Dippel (01:02:30.713)
on strengths on fire. If today's conversation sparked something in you, be sure to subscribe, share and leave a review. We're here bringing you fresh insights to fuel your growth and ignite your potential. Remember, your strengths are powerful. So let's keep the fire burning. And if you're looking to transform your organization through strengths based strategies and coaching, reach out to Sarah Collins, founder of Collins Collective or Bill Dipple, founder of Bill Dipple Strengths Coaching.
Connect with Sarah at wearecollinsco.com, follow her on Instagram at Sarah Coach Collins, or email her at Sarah at wearecollinsco.com, S-A-R-A-H. You can reach Bill at BillDippel.com, Bill D-I-P-P-E-L.com, or on Instagram at BillDippelCoach, or email him at Bill at BillDippel.com.
Please note the opinions, views and interpretations of CliftonStrengths expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and the guests. They have not been approved, sanctioned or endorsed by Gallup in any way. Until next time, keep your strengths on fire and let's light up what's possible together. Bye Bill. Bye Sarah.