In the season finale of Introvert Ally, Jennifer Kahnweiler welcomes back her favorite recurring guest—and husband—Dr. Bill Kahnweiler, to reflect on the standout themes from an especially rich and extended third season. With 14 insightful episodes featuring a wide array of introverted leaders and allies, Jennifer and Bill deeply dive into the key takeaways and personal reflections that emerged.

Bill, the self-proclaimed “resident introvert,” listened to each episode and distilled five thoughtful themes that surfaced across conversations:

🔹 Push Outside Your Comfort Zone – Many guests shared how growth often required introverts to intentionally step out of their preferred solitude to be seen, heard, and valued at work.

🔹 Extroverts Have Needs Too – A call for mutual understanding: just as introverts need space and quiet, extroverts thrive on interaction and energy. Valuing differences means recognizing and respecting both.

🔹 Communicate Needs Clearly – Introverts can’t assume their extroverted bosses or colleagues know what they need. Whether it’s more time to process or space to reflect, saying it aloud matters.

🔹 Beware Negative Self-Talk – Many introverts internalize messages that something’s “wrong” with them. Guests like Jennifer FitzPatrick and Carrie Wheeler reminded us to embrace introversion as a strength, not a flaw.

🔹 Break the Stereotypes – From introverts excelling in sales and networking (thanks, Andy Lopata!) to scientists being just as likely to be extroverted as not (Dr. Gwen Acton), guests consistently shattered outdated myths.

The episode is filled with warmth, candid stories, humor, and thoughtful moments—plus a few laughs about life and partnership in a household of one introvert and one extrovert.

Tune in for an engaging wrap-up to an inspiring season. And stay tuned—this may be the finale, but it’s certainly not the end of the conversation.

Resource:

Shaping Your HR Role by William M. Kahnweiler, Ph.D. and Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D. Routledge,Taylor and Francis 2005

Dr. Bill Kahnweiler has accumulated more career pivots than the number of coffee mugs serious

collectors possess. From high school peer counseling director to teaching in prisons, Fortune 10

HR exec to global consultant, and finally professor of human resource development at Georgia

State University.

His research focused on participative leadership, innovative career development, and helping

organizations and people thrive at work. He taught everyone from undergrads to

Ph.D. students about "the human aspects of work organizations"—aka why people are weird,

annoying, and baffling at work and what we can do about it. His body of work includes over 90

articles and the book, “Shaping Your HR Role,” co-authored with Jennifer B. Kahnweiler.

Bill figured out early that the best teachers are curious students. He admits he probably

learned more than his students did. His proudest achievement? Being crowned "Funniest

Professor Ever" by the hundreds who "endured" his classes. He also discovered higher

education's rarely acknowledged truth: it exists primarily to employ the otherwise

unemployable—a category in which he cheerfully includes himself.

This week's episode features Jennifer’s dear friend and colleague, Tricia Molloy. With over 2,000 testimonials written, Tricia has developed a proven framework for creating resonant messages. She breaks down her signature approach—focusing on problem-solving, specific examples, and emotional connection—and offers listeners practical tips for both asking for and writing effective recommendations. Her advice applies to LinkedIn and preparing for your next career move.

Often challenged with self-promotion, introverts will significantly benefit from listening to Tricia’s advice.

She also examines the importance of maintaining workplace relationships throughout one's career, not just when one needs something, and how the diversity of voices in one's recommendations can tell a richer story about one's impact.

Tricia emphasizes asking for testimonials from people of different backgrounds, generations, and industries, aligning with the evolving needs of your career journey. Tricia also shares how testimonials can be repurposed to support transitions, such as career changes or promotions.

Beyond the professional, Jennifer and Tricia explore the deeply personal. Tricia shares her intentional approach to work-life balance, choosing to design her business around her life as a grandmother. She stresses the importance of self-care, delight, and asking for what you need—whether it’s help from a colleague or recognition for your contributions. Their conversation is a reminder that wisdom in work isn’t just about productivity—it’s about joy, connection, and purpose.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• Tricia’s career journey and evolution from media to entrepreneurship
  
  

• The power of testimonials in building credibility and career momentum
  
  

• How to craft and request recommendations that resonate
  
  

• Relationship-building in and beyond the workplace
  
  

• Aligning testimonials with future goals and job opportunities
  
  

• Work-life balance and designing your work around your life
  
  

• Emotional resilience and the value of support systems
  
  

📘 Featured Resource:

• Working with Wisdom by Tricia Molloy

• Tricia’s website

Testimonial website

💬 Memorable Quote:

“A great testimonial tells a story—it solves a problem, gives an example, and makes you feel something.” — Tricia Molloy

✨ Stay Connected:

• Follow Tricia Molloy on LinkedIn

Tricia Molloy is a storyteller at heart. She refined her interview skills as a freelance journalist by writing business profiles and articles for newspapers and magazines. In 1988, Tricia started her full-service marketing agency for small businesses. When she realized that her clients needed help crafting their reviews, she eventually chose to exclusively write compelling client testimonials that open doors and close deals. She’s since written more than two thousand testimonials.

Tricia’s clients include executives, job seekers, interior designers, business coaches and consultants, website developers, lawyers, and real estate professionals—anyone who wants to set themselves apart through the words of those they’ve helped.

In this thoughtful and energizing episode of Introvert Ally, Jennifer Kahnweiler sits down with longtime friend and leadership consultant Gayle Lantz, founder of WorkMatters, Inc. Gayle has spent decades working with leaders from organizations of all sizes—from startups to giants like NASA and Microsoft—helping them navigate change, lead with intention, and cultivate clarity.

While Gayle has long avoided labels, she now embraces her introverted qualities and shares how they’ve become foundational to her consulting and coaching approach. Listening deeply, taking time to reflect, and staying present with her clients have become her superpowers—especially in a fast-paced world that often prioritizes quick answers over meaningful insight.

Jennifer and Gayle explore how introversion can be a powerful force in leadership, especially when paired with thoughtful facilitation and a willingness to keep evolving. They also delve into how Gayle balances the roles of coach and consultant, offering not just space for clients to think—but also the benefit of her own hard-earned wisdom and experience.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Gayle’s introverted strengths—like reflection, presence, and deep listening—help her clients find clarity and confidence
  
  

• The subtle but powerful difference between coaching and consulting—and how Gayle blends the best of both
  
  

• Practical strategies for creating inclusive group dynamics that engage quieter voices
  
  

• Why Gayle believes sharing your own struggles and stories can make you a more effective ally and advisor
  
  

• How experimentation and reinvention keep her work meaningful and fresh
  
  

• Why her award-winning podcast CEO on the Go has remained such a vital part of her business—and personal development
  
  

Gayle also shares smart techniques she uses in group settings to make space for introverted participants, including pre-seeding questions, allowing time to write before sharing, and normalizing the idea that not everything has to be perfectly polished before it’s voiced. These small shifts, she says, create environments where everyone feels seen and valued.

On the power of presence:

“Listening isn’t just waiting to talk. It’s reflecting, clarifying, and showing someone that you’re truly with them in the moment. That’s where trust and insight begin.”

On the value of reinvention:

“You have to let go of some things to make room for what’s next. When something no longer energizes you, it’s okay to close the loop and try something new.”

Fun fact: When she’s not helping leaders reimagine their organizations, Gayle is lifting barbells, walking on her hands, and even reconnecting with her love for piano. Her commitment to staying curious, active, and joyful is all part of her personal and professional philosophy.

Connect with Gayle Lantz:
🌐 WorkMatters.com
🔗 LinkedIn
🎧 CEO on the Go Podcast

About Gayle Lantz:
Gayle Lantz is the Founder and CEO of WorkMatters, Inc., a leadership consultant, author, and host of the CEO on the Go podcast—ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally. She works with CEOs and senior executives to drive meaningful change through strategic planning, visioning, and leadership development. Her clients range from major organizations like NASA, Microsoft, and Protective Life to small and mid-sized firms.

With over two decades of experience, Gayle is known for helping leaders think differently, challenge the status quo, and create lasting impact. She is the author of Take the Bull by the Horns and creator of The Leadership Journal. Gayle is also a Certified Reinvention Practitioner and long-time facilitator of CEO peer groups.