Gut + Science

In this episode, Rich Gassen passionately discusses transforming potential roadblocks into significant innovation opportunities, especially in workspace design and workflow efficiency. This is a behind-the-scenes look at the logistics and leadership strategies of moving his team to a brand-new facility. Host Nikki Lewallen Gregory helps unpack the wealth of insights Rich brings, from maintaining transparency to ensuring every team member is on board and feeling valued during transitions.

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Learn more about the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Book: Switch

In the specialized Gut + Science Podcast series called "Communicating for Maximum Leadership Impact,"Katherine Coble delves into the art of effective writing for leaders. Operating within various leadership positions, from small teams to large corporations, necessitates an adeptness in written expression, where emails, proposals, and digital posts are crafted daily. In this episode, Katherine explores the pivotal role of empathy in communication, the challenges of asynchronous messaging, and the importance of aligning content with team expectations, equipping leaders with strategies for impactful leadership through precise, thoughtful written communication.

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Learn more about Borshoff
Axios HQ - The 2023 state of essential workplace communications
Writing for Busy Readers
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Rob Catalanois tapping into the opportunity to help us sharpen our listening skills so that we can truly make an impact via feedback. He has navigated a dynamic career path focused on enhancing employee experiences across organizations. He is deeply invested in transforming workplace cultures through effective listening and structured feedback. In this episode, Rob discusses replacing blame with curiosity to foster psychological safety and enhance employee feedback mechanisms. He emphasizes the importance of frequent, structured listening and actionable responses to foster a culture of continuous improvement and genuine engagement with host Nikki Lewallen Gregory.

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Dr.Josh Plaskoff, named one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in Tacit Knowledge Management, has carved a niche in the field of employee experience, deeply impacting organizations' approaches to leadership. As principal and founder of interhuman group, he brings a holistic viewpoint to enhancing workplace dynamics. In this episode, Josh discusses the essential shifts from managing to leading, emphasizing the need for organizations to embrace uncertainty and focus on relational rather than structural views. Together, host Nikki Lewallen Gregory and Josh explore the deep connections, the importance of co-created environments, and the role of technology in fostering meaningful employee relationships. Josh’s insights offer a powerful framework for leaders looking to navigate the complexities of modern workspaces more effectively.

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From human resources to championing innovative leadership practices, Mindy Honcoop offers a wealth of experience as a fractional Chief People Officer driven by transformative concepts like Human Care Design. In this episode of Gut+Science, Mindy underscores the importance of a finely tuned people-centric approach to organizational success, emphasizing bespoke care in employee interactions and the strategic integration of a personal touch into corporate frameworks. She unpacks her philosophy with hostNikki Lewallen Gregory, sharing actionable insights on elevating employee satisfaction and workplace functionality through intentionality in leadership and thoughtful design.

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From the front lines of organizational health to the strategic planning of well-being cultures, Dr. Richard Safeer has woven a tapestry of expertise throughout his illustrious career. Now, as the Chief Medical Director of Employee Health and Wellbeing at Johns Hopkins Medicine, he heralds the significance of an internal well-being strategy as vital to a thriving workplace. In this episode of Gut+Science, Rich delves into the necessity of cultivating a well-being culture that resonates with the very essence of water and air for organizations alongside host Nikki Lewallen Gregory. Rich espouses the importance of leadership engagement, shared values, and the innovative concept of well-being as a team sport - illustrating that it's about more than just individual health; it's about creating a positive social climate and robust community participation within a company.

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A Cure for the Common Company

Dr. Paul Zak believes grounding leadership in emotional fitness is crucial to both professional success and personal well-being. In this episode, Paul joins Nikki Lewallen Gregory to explore the critical role of emotional fitness within leadership and workplace culture. A renowned expert on human connection, Paul advocates for leaders to craft emotionally fit environments that serve employees and promote a harmonious work-life balance.

Emphasizing the link between engaged workers and positive energy in both professional spaces and at home, Paul spotlights impactful strategies such as the emotional fitness appTuesday. This episode underlines leaders’ need to embrace emotional health as a foundation for a dynamic and fulfilling organizational culture.

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Learn more about Immersion
Check out BestTuesdayEver.com

In this episode, Katherine Coble highlights a disconnect with executive transparency and stresses the overlooked but crucial role of managers as communicators. She unravels the challenges that managers face when striving to be effective communicators and how this disconnect can hinder a company's success. Katherine explores the reasons why managers might need to realize the critical nature of their role as communicators and provides actionable tips to elevate their skills in this area. Katherine is a communication expert and partner at Borshoff, a prominent integrated marketing communications agency. Recognizing the power of effective dialogue in organizational success, she spearheads this monthly series on Gut+Science, "In the Loop: Communicating for Maximum Leadership Impact.”

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Learn more about Borshoff
’Mushroom Management’ Research Report
The Future of the Office Has Arrived: It’s Hybrid
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Steven Van Cohen believes social disconnection is a silent epidemic in the workplace. Steven, best-selling author and connection expert, joins hostNikki Lewallen Gregory to dive into the importance of fostering authentic connections in the workplace. This conversation traverses the landscape of employee engagement, revealing how a focus on intentionality in relationships boosts performance and well-being. Steven brings to the table personal stories, strategies for enhancing team cohesion through impactful engagement initiatives such as impact lunches, and insights on the importance of recognizing individual behavior and love languages. He cites clients like Netflix and Core Mining as exemplars in creating culture-rich onboarding and check-in processes.

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Check out LessLonely.com

Renée Smith believes that when leaders embrace love, they can create meaningful and transformative work experiences. In this episode, she takes us on a journey, sharing her expertise on creating more loving and human workplaces through clarity. She discusses the significance of organizational, individual, and team clarity in fostering environments where people thrive. She emphasizes the role of clear purpose and goals, role clarity, and setting up working agreements within teams.

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Thrive Assessment
Lack of Clarity Drives Work Stress Article
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