Transform Your Workplace

In the latest episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, guest Adam Weber offers insights into the evolving role of HR in response to changing workforce dynamics. The discussion covers how HR leaders can navigate evolving expectations, leverage data to substantiate initiatives, increase engagement, and foster psychological safety in the workplace. Tune in for fresh takes on navigating contemporary HR challenges and leading with authenticity.

TAKEAWAYS

• The COVID pandemic, social unrest, and generational values have dramatically reshaped HR.

• Today’s workplace places a growing emphasis on authentic leadership and company purpose.

• HR leaders face escalating challenges, with expectations outpacing budgets and resources, prompting the need for a reimagination of HR's role within organizations.

• Metrics for collective employee performance, quantifiable engagement aligned with company goals, and vigilance against regrettable turnover are essential components of HR's wheelhouse.

• In navigating HR challenges, our guest advocates for backing initiatives with data and fostering psychological safety to create an atmosphere where real and challenging conversations can thrive.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST🔊Podcast:Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR🎙️Host: Brandon Laws📋In his own words:“TheTransform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

A recent Wall Street Journal article discussed how employees are no longer quitting at high rates. Guest Nicole Blevins unpacks this trend. A survey found 73% of workers now plan to stay at their jobs, up 12% from last year. Blevins notes some attrition brings new ideas and enables internal promotion. However, stagnation can occur if no one leaves. She advises that with low attrition, organizations should focus on performance management and career development to hold people accountable and continue growing top talent.

TAKEAWAYS

• Recent survey shows 73% of employees now plan to stay at their jobs, up 12% from last year
• Some attrition is healthy for bringing in new ideas and enabling internal promotion
• With low attrition, organizations should focus on performance management and career development to hold people accountable and continue growing top talent

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST🔊Podcast:Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR🎙️Host:Brandon Laws

📋In his own words:“TheTransform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

Tune in as host Brandon Laws and guest CEO Coach Brad Zimmerman discuss the transformative power of purpose. Our guest explores ideas from his recently published book, The Great Engagement, including vulnerability, effective leadership coaching, and the role of emotions in the workplace. Overall, the episode provides insights into fostering an exceptional workplace culture by aligning individual aspirations with collective purpose.

TAKEAWAYS

• This episode highlights the transformative impact of aligning individual aspirations and organizational purpose.

• Leaders should be connecting daily activities, meetings, and initiatives to the broader organizational purpose, ensuring that each employee’s aspirations contribute to the company’s collective goals.

• Fostering a sense of purpose among employees counteracts disengagement.

• A purpose-oriented culture helps employees stay focused on fulfilling others rather than protecting themselves.

• Workplace vulnerability includes the constructive sharing of concerns and fears, not the unproductive and destructive expression of emotions.

• Leaders should prioritize growing their people's effectiveness, coaching them, and empowering them to accomplish tasks, ultimately contributing to a thriving workplace culture.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST🔊Podcast:Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR🎙️Host:Brandon Laws

📋In his own words:“TheTransform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

In this episode, Brandon Laws and Nicole Blevins discuss workplace trends to watch in 2024 according to a Gallup article. They talk about the ongoing high levels of employee stress, the erosion of organizational mission and purpose, declining leadership trust, manager burnout, the need for long-term hybrid work strategies, and the importance of fostering connection to combat isolation.

TAKEAWAYS

• Employee stress is at record highs and engagement is slowly recovering.
• Organizations need long-term hybrid work strategies to bridge the gap between employer and employee preferences.
• Fostering human connection is important to combat isolation in an increasingly remote/hybrid work environment.

In the most recent installment of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws talks with Sarah Adler, the CEO and Founder of Wave. The discussion revolves around the recent decline in mental well-being, heightened by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sarah shares valuable perspectives on how leaders can navigate and respond to the changing needs of employees in today's work environment. The episode provides a deep dive into key workplace issues such as screen time, communication strategies, generational differences, and effective leadership practices, all within the context of mental health. Tune in to gain insights into the pressing matters shaping modern business.

TAKEAWAYS

• The recent decline in mental well-being can be attributed to both pre-existing personal and workplace trends and challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Leaders must adapt to evolving employee needs in the modern workplace, especially within the context of mental health.

• Digital Natives are accustomed to a new type of workplace communication, often putting them at odds with those from older generations.

• Employers must recognize and address the higher incidence rates of mental health issues among Digital Natives.

• Proactive management approaches, such as setting clear expectations and understanding communication styles, foster a positive and supportive workplace environment.

Learn more about Xenium’s Learning & Development Program

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST🔊Podcast:Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR🎙️Host:Brandon Laws

📋In his own words:“TheTransform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, our host sits down with corporate wellness expert and speaker Kristel Bauer. The two discuss Kristel’s 2021 TED Talk on work-life balance amidst COVID-19 and the profound impact of the pandemic on the modern workplace. From finding flexibility to being present both on the job and at home, tune in for valuable tips for navigating the challenges of the modern workplace.

TAKEAWAYS

• The COVID-19 pandemic prompted businesses to reassess their priorities, challenges, and values.

• In a hybrid workplace model, optimizing communication is crucial to fostering trust.

• The pandemic has led to a heightened awareness of mental health in which companies are urged to reassess their approaches and actively support employees facing challenges.

• Rituals or practices such as walks or clothing changes can help people smooth out the transition between work and home life.

• Leaders who offer workplace flexibility allow employees to fine-tune their practices for self-support.

• Leaders must create a safe space for employees to share concerns and address challenges.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST🔊Podcast:Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR🎙️Host:Brandon Laws

📋In his own words:“TheTransform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.”

In this bonus episode, Nicole Blevins discusses the concept of "catfishing" employers who misrepresent jobs and company culture to candidates during the hiring process. This leads to disappointment and distrust when the reality doesn't match up. She shares a personal anecdote of friends calling her about mismatching expectations and work conditions. The key takeaways are: employers should accurately portray roles and culture to align candidate expectations, provide transparent communication, and focus on improving internal culture and employer branding consistency.

TAKEAWAYS

• Employers sometimes "catfish" candidates by misrepresenting jobs and culture during hiring. This leads to disappointment when reality doesn't match up.
• Transparent communication and accurately portraying roles and culture is key to setting proper candidate expectations.
• Employers should focus first on improving internal culture consistency before external employer branding and recruitment marketing efforts.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST🔊Podcast:Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR🎙️Host:Brandon Laws

📋In his own words:“TheTransform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.”

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws talks with Josh Merrill, the CEO and Founder of Confirm, an innovative people platform utilizing Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) for performance reviews. Josh shares the transformative journey of integrating this new methodology into performance evaluations. Tune in to learn the truth about your distribution of talent, the importance of eliminating bias in performance reviews, and how to use ONA to get a pulse on your company’s top talent.

TAKEAWAYS

• Talent distribution follows a power law rather than the commonly assumed bell curve which means that a few employees are creating a disproportionate impact.

• Since 60% of manager ratings are influenced by biases, businesses should adopt ONA to provide a more objective evaluation that focuses on network dynamics.

• ONA, like the wisdom of the crowd, provides accurate insights by considering collective perspectives.

• Business leaders should implement periodic evaluations to identify impactful employees and address concerns promptly.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST🔊Podcast:Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR🎙️Host:Brandon Laws

📋In his own words:“TheTransform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.”

In the latest episode of Transform Your Workplace, bestselling author Daniel Strode provides valuable insights into fostering corporate culture and navigating the pace of change in the modern workplace. He shares practical tips from his book, The Culture Advantage, highlighting the role of culture in driving innovation, the significance of a growth mindset in leadership, and the importance of putting your people first.

TAKEAWAYS

• Culture is "the way we do things around here, especially when no one is looking or listening."

• The rapid change in the modern workplace is driven by societal and technological shifts, making adaptation crucial for any business’s survival.

• It's not just about the amount of money, time, or resources a company has, but rather the culture of innovation that sets successful companies apart.

• Building a culture that encourages and supports innovation is key to staying competitive.

• Changing a company's culture is a process that requires both immediate action and patience.

• Effective leaders listen and guide employees to find their own answers, which fosters psychological safety and contributes to a growth mindset within the company.

• Leading by example is a key driver for cultural change within a company.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST🔊Podcast:Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR🎙️Host:Brandon Laws

📋In his own words:“TheTransform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.”

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with Dr. Steven Rogelberg, the Chancellor's Professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Rogelberg shares insights from his book, Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings, exploring topics such as the managerial role in effective 1:1s, the wide-ranging benefits, and practical implementation strategies for this foundational aspect of effective leadership.

TAKEAWAYS

• In his book, Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings, Dr. Rogelberg emphasizes the transformative potential of one-on-one meetings in organizations and for leaders.

• While the agenda should be driven by the employee, managers play a vital role in creating an infrastructure to ensure the effectiveness of 1:1s.

• 1:1 meetings improve employee engagement, retention, team performance, and contribution to inclusion efforts.

• The blueprint for effective 1:1s focuses on building agendas, involving the direct report, and maintaining continuity across meetings to tell the story of the employee's progress.

• For managers handling a large number of employees, the episode suggests practical strategies to focus on quality not quantity — adjusting meeting frequency, reducing time per meeting, and leveraging asynchronous documents for follow-through.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST🔊Podcast:Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR🎙️Host:Brandon Laws

📋In his own words:“TheTransform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.”