Lead the People

In this episode, futurist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker Jacob Morgan joins the show to challenge today’s assumptions about employee experience. Drawing from his new book, “The 8 Laws of Employee Experience”, Jacob argues that work has drifted into entitlement culture, where accountability is low, standards are blurred, and perks have replaced purpose. He makes the case for a reset: employee experience is not about yoga rooms or snack bars, but about the mutual exchange of value between people and organizations. From the dangers of abandoning accountability to the need for cultural clarity and resilience, Jacob shares the principles leaders must return to if they want to build future-ready companies. Key Takeaways: Employee experience is about mutual value exchange, not perks . Standards, accountability, and responsibility must return to the workplace. Perks like wellness programs can’t replace strong leadership and growth opportunities. Culture succeeds when it has clarity and consistency, not when it tries to please everyone. The future of work demands resilience, maturity, and purpose at the center. From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. Additional Resources: Jacob's book The 8 Laws of Employee Experience: https://www.amazon.com/Employee-Experience-Advantage-Jacob-Morgan/dp/1394273991/ Jacob's website: https://thefutureorganization.com/ Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/ Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/ 

Andrew Hartman, founder of Time Boss, dives into effective time management strategies after experiencing burnout. He emphasizes treating time like cash, advocating for prioritization, and creating commitment plans to foster emotional margin. Andrew discusses the pitfalls of cognitive overload and the importance of delegation. He introduces the concept of chaos buffering to handle unpredictability, and encourages leaders to focus on outcomes rather than performative tasks. His practical approach helps reclaim control over personal and professional time.

In this episode, Matt Ley, Co-Founder of IPN Advisors and author of Manage Your Gaps, joins the show to explore how fulfillment, energy, and effective management intersect to drive purpose and performance. He shares how his concept of Fulfillment ROI helps leaders and teams track the energy they invest and the value they receive, revealing simple shifts that can lead to more meaningful, energized work. From his EPIC management model to redefining the difference between rock stars and rising stars, Matt offers a fresh take on what it means to lead well, stay grounded, and thrive in your role. Key Takeaways: Fulfillment happens when the value you get from work outweighs the energy you put in. Tracking daily energy and value reveals patterns that affect motivation and burnout. The EPIC model helps managers create clarity, alignment, and momentum. Leaders should support both rising stars chasing growth and rock stars who thrive in their current role. Management isn’t about doing more. It’s about enabling others to create more value. From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. Additional Resources: Matt Ley | Co-Founder, IPN Advisors & Author, “Manage Your Gaps”: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattley/ https://www.ipnadvisors.com/ Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

After years of hosting this podcast and interviewing incredible leaders, I've identified the tools that solve the most common manager challenges: lack of time, uncertainty about doing things right, and feeling constantly behind. #6: BetterUp - Develop People Proactively A scalable coaching platform that helps managers develop both themselves and their direct reports through professional coaching technology, creating accountability and boosting follow-through. https://betterup.com #7: Ramp - Streamline Financial Management An expense management platform that automates financial tasks, saving precious leadership time by making expense tracking painless and preserving time for people-focused activities. https://ramp.com #8: Miro - Communicate Visually An unlimited canvas collaboration tool that transforms meetings through visual brainstorming, levels the playing field for all team members, and works seamlessly across remote, hybrid, and in-person settings. https://miro.com #9: Zapier - Automate Routine Tasks An integration platform that connects hundreds of tools, automating repetitive tasks and enabling leaders to focus on personal branding and strategic relationship building. https://zapier.com #10: Reclaim.ai - Master Your Calendar A time management tool that syncs multiple calendars, provides productivity analytics, and transforms your calendar from foe to friend through intelligent scheduling and automated time blocking. https://reclaim.ai Be sure to check out tools 1-5 in my last episode! From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. Additional Resources: Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/ 

Discover essential tools for effective leadership! From mastering tasks with Todoist to continuous learning via MasterClass, these resources tackle common managerial challenges. Learn how to prioritize mental health at work with Spring Health, and create a culture of recognition using Prezzee's flexible gift cards. Enhance your storytelling skills with Canva, allowing anyone to craft stunning visuals. Tune in to uncover strategies that help leaders stay organized, engaged, and supportive!

Mike Zani, CEO of The Predictive Index and author of The Science of Dream Teams, dives into the intersection of behavioral science and team dynamics. He reveals that most hiring failures stem from poor fit rather than lack of skills. Leaders can leverage data to enhance trust, engagement, and communication. Zani emphasizes the importance of personalized leadership development and cultivating a culture of feedback. Ultimately, talent optimization is a leadership responsibility, crucial for any organization aimed at growth.

In this episode, Matt Rieck, Chief Human Resources Officer at End Zone Insurance and author of The Employee Retention Bible, joins the show to share proven strategies for keeping your best people. From rethinking turnover as a natural business function to designing better company meetings and succession plans, Matt unpacks practical frameworks to reduce attrition and boost engagement. He also introduces his ABC player model and 3X concept, offering listeners a clear blueprint for cultivating high-performing, future-ready teams. Whether you’re leading a startup or a legacy enterprise, this conversation delivers actionable insights to elevate your retention game. From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. Key Takeaways: Retention starts with clarity about purpose, path, and expectations. Turnover can be healthy if leaders are honest about performance and potential. Culture is a leadership responsibility, not an HR initiative. The ABC Player model helps leaders invest time where it matters most. Succession planning is a powerful tool for engagement and long-term growth. Additional Resources: Matt Rieck CHRO, Inszone Insurance & Author, The Employee Retention Bible Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com

Adam Weber has helped grow organizations, lead people-first teams, and navigate the tension between humanity and performance. In this episode of Lead The People, Adam Weber and Matt Poepsel talks about why real leadership starts with presence. They unpack the dangers of over-indexing on metrics, how burnout is often hidden in high-performers, and why leading with vulnerability isn’t a weakness — it’s the work. From building connected cultures to redefining success beyond KPIs, Adam shares what it means to create space for both results and rest. If you’ve ever felt torn between driving outcomes and staying human, this conversation is the permission slip you didn’t know you needed. Key Takeaways: Real leadership starts with being present, not just being productive. Burnout often hides in your top performers — don’t mistake output for wellbeing. Vulnerability is a strength that builds trust and psychological safety. Culture is created in the daily interactions, not just the big moments. The best leaders balance being people-first and performance-driven. From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. Additional Resources: Adam Weber Executive Coach & Author of Lead Like a Human: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetadam Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com 

Leigh Elena Henderson spent years in corporate HR — until the system she upheld broke her down. In this episode, Leigh shares her powerful story of leaving the corporate world behind and using her voice to expose the realities so many employees face in silence. From toxic culture to broken policies, she unpacks the tension between doing what’s “by the book” and doing what’s right. Her viral presence on TikTok isn’t about trends — it’s about truth, transparency, and reclaiming humanity at work. If you’ve ever felt like the system wasn’t built for you — or watched it fail someone you care about — this episode is for you. It’s raw, real, and a wake-up call for anyone who believes people come first. From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. Additional Resources: Leigh Elena Henderson (aka HRManifesto) Founder and CEO of HRManifesto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighelena/ Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways: HR isn’t broken because of bad policies — it’s broken because people are afraid to speak up. Doing what’s right at work often means going against what’s written in the handbook. Culture isn’t defined by perks — it’s revealed in how people are treated when things get hard. Telling the truth at work can cost you your job, but staying silent can cost you your health. Real change starts when we stop protecting systems and start protecting people.

What happens when people don’t feel seen, needed, or valued at work? In this episode, author and researcher Zach Mercurio joins Matt Poepsel for a powerful conversation on mattering — the often-missing ingredient in modern leadership. They explore why recognition isn’t enough, how to build cultures where people feel irreplaceable, and what happens when leaders prioritize purpose over pressure. From simple check-ins to intentional affirmation, Zach shares research-backed habits that help people feel noticed, affirmed, and essential — every single day. From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. Additional Resources: Zach Mercurio Author, The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio/  Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways: People don’t just want to succeed — they want to matter. Mattering isn’t a feeling, it’s a result of being noticed, affirmed, and needed. High-performing cultures are built on trust, not just metrics. You don’t need a title to lead — you just need to make someone feel seen. Small, intentional acts of care can change how people see themselves — and their work.