I help leaders and organizations struggling with leadership challenges, disengaged employees and burnout achieve higher retention, improve productivity and performance and create an inclusive workplace culture by speaking about exceptional leadership, burnout prevention and setting impactful results-driven goals

I help organizations whose

leaders are struggling with disengaged employee, low productivity and turnover

implement and embody a

proven leadership framework

that foster high performing teams, increase productivity and maximize profits, even if they operate in rapidly

changing industries, face complex challenges, or are navigating the nuances of a remote work environment

Exceptional LEADERSHIP Solutions

Did you know that recent studies highlighting that when employees perceive their leaders don't care about their wellbeing beyond KPIs and metrics, organizations see a 30% decrease in productivity and a 25% higher rate of employee turnover?

Beyond financial implications, these issues lead to disengaged teams and a devastating sense of burnout, compromising both the financial and cultural aspects of an organization's long-term sustainability.

I firmly believe that the remedy for these issues lies in transforming the dynamics of teams in the organization, and it all start when leaders become exceptional.

Explore Our

Leadership Solutions

Discover the transformative power of expert-led coaching and training. Whether you're looking to enhance your leadership skills, increase team productivity, or drive organizational growth, our tailored programs are designed to meet your specific needs.

Hire Carmen to Speak at your next event!

Carmen is a transformational speaker that understands the challenges and opportunities of the Corporate World. With her unique approach to leadership she promise to light the fire on your leaders, and employees alike.

Best Selling Author

Carmen has 4 published books including the best selling book: Beyond Certainty

Leading Intentionally

The Podcast where we dive deep into Leadership Transformation

Expertise

Hi there! I'm Carmen Paredes as the visionary behind Exceptional Leadership Solutions, my mission is to elevate individuals lives and aid organizations in maximizing return on investment. My intuitive and intentional leadership techniques are designed to transcend the existing inefficient dynamics in interactions between leaders and employees.

I'm passionate about sharing the leadership principles and actionable skills that I've refined in over two decades as an executive and leadership expert. These very skills have enabled me to achieve remarkable results, high performing and engaged teams in even the most demanding and challenging environments.

As a Latina leader, 2X TEDx speaker, Keynote Speaker and Best Selling Author, I seamlessly integrate a diverse background, including an Engineering degree, an MBA from a prestigious institution, and a coaching certification accredited through the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Testimonials

Loree Phillip

Having Carmen Benton on our show was a true delight. Her expertise and engaging storytelling added immense value to our podcast, leaving our listeners eager for more and ready to take action! - Loree Philip, Daring to Leap

Jane Wareham

Carmen is a true ray of light and has immense experience and knowledge. Her energy is infectious and her voice needs to be heard! She brought so much value to my audience. Her ability to explain using real life examples made it simple and easy to understand. If you're looking for a speaker that is going to captivate your audience and keep it real - Carmen is it!

Theodora Vosse

Having Carmen as a podcast guest is an absolute delight. Her contribution to the episode is brimming with value and infectious energy, making it a truly enjoyable experience. I wholeheartedly cherished having her on the show and wholeheartedly endorse her as a guest. Her genuine vulnerability and unfiltered honesty are remarkably refreshing

Procrastination

Discover The 5 Surprising Reasons Why Even High Achievers Fall From Time to Time into the Trap of Procrastination

June 30, 20243 min read

Have you ever procrastinated at work?

I’m embarrassed to admit I was a procrastinator. Yes, even with all my success, I procrastinated a lot.

I found I procrastinated to feel the accelerating emotions that came to me when I had no time to get something important done. It was as if I was subconsciously trying to create a situation similar to the hunger games.

Not everyone procrastinates for the same reason. My oldest, for example, procrastinates because he perceives it as incredibly painful to actually do something that he doesn’t prefer to do.

With over 20 years of leadership experience, I have realized that the different reasons people procrastinate are directly related to their core childhood wounds.

procrastination reasons

Let me explain!

As I started to look into myself and seek to understand my soul, I realized that my childhood wounds made a person that challenges and protects to feel safe, aka Enneagram type 8.

Even though my teams and I always had the utmost productivity of all teams around, I found that sometimes I would push myself into procrastination to challenge the world and prove that I can do it at the last minute… and as a leader, sometimes I procrastinated to protect my team from tasks that were controversial.

I learned this language with the Enneagram System, and applying this framework with my teams gave me an unfair perspective.

All of a sudden, I could see through my team. I could tell what projects, what asks, what situations would trigger them into procrastination too… and that changed everything!!!

Procrastination is a complex behavioral pattern where an individual delays starting or completing tasks, often resulting in stress, anxiety, and potentially underperformance. It affects most people in one way or another.

"Procrastination isn't just about being lazy; it's a silent rebellion against our aspirations, a choice to delay our own success."

- Carmen Paredes

procrastination

This insight has transformed how I address procrastination within myself and my teams, shifting from frustration to understanding and strategic action.

When I work with companies and leaders, hidden procrastination is one of the things that come up, and I help them address it as it’s the number one killer of productivity and motivation.

Surprising Signs of Procrastination in High Achievers

Today, I want to share 5 surprising signs that you might be a procrastinator:

  1. Prioritizing low-value tasks: Often filling your day with low-priority tasks instead of tackling significant, impactful ones.

  2. Persistent avoidance: Leaving an item on your to-do list for a long time, even though it’s important.

  3. Waiting for the perfect moment: Consistently waiting to be in the "right mood," or waiting for the "right time" to tackle a task.

  4. Misjudging time: Regularly underestimating or overestimating the time it takes to complete tasks.

  5. End-of-day dissatisfaction: Frequently ending your day feeling like you didn’t accomplish anything meaningful.

Understanding Procrastination Types and Reasons:

There are various types of procrastination, each associated with different triggers and motivations. For example, some procrastinate due to fear of failure, while others might procrastinate due to fear of success. Understanding your specific procrastination type can provide insights into the underlying reasons.

Procrastination Examples:

  • Emotional avoidance: Avoiding tasks that cause emotional discomfort, like calling a disgruntled client.

  • Perfectionism: Not starting a task until you can do it perfectly.

  • Overwhelm: Feeling so overwhelmed by the scope of a project that you can’t find a starting point.

I invite you to look deep and reflect if you see any of these signs within you or your team.

Do any of these signs resonate with you or someone you know? How do you plan to overcome these challenges? Share your thoughts below!

procrastinationprocrastination quotesprocrastination typeprocrastination reasonsprocrastination examples
blog author image

Carmen Paredes

Carmen is an International TEDx speaker, award-winning keynote speaker, Latina leader with over 20 years of experience executive positions including fortune 100 companies. She’s holds two engineering degrees, and MBA and a coaching certification accredited by the the national board of certified counselors. A best selling author and founder of Exceptional Leadership Solutions, she helps leaders and organizations implement exceptional leadership strategies to improve employee engagement, increase productivity and retention, and grow their profits. Connect with Carmen Paredes at https://exceptionalleadershipsolutions.com/keynote-speaker and follow @iamcarmenparedes.

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