Reflecting on a transformative year, the hosts dive into essential leadership themes like goal setting, feedback, and engagement. They discuss how to foster psychological safety and the significance of recognizing neurodiversity in teams. Trust-building and the use of strategic intelligence are emphasized as crucial for success. Listeners are encouraged to engage in constructive communication, focusing on private dialogues over public confrontations. As the year wraps up, there's a heartfelt gratitude for audience participation and a look ahead to 2025's leadership challenges.

This session will provide tools for leaders who want to enhance their skills in handling difficult performance conversations and complex employee dynamics, for example:   Turning Feedback Conversations into Constructive Outcomes: Learn how to redirect conversations about your own performance when your leader is unable to provide effective feedback, ensuring that the dialogue leads to growth and improvement.   When to Escalate Toxic Leadership: Understand the right time and approach for skip-level conversations to address underperformance or toxic behaviors from leaders, especially when poor management is hindering team success.   Managing High Performers with a Negative Cultural Impact: Explore strategies to address the paradox of employees who excel in their roles but negatively affect team morale and culture.   This session will empower leaders to confidently address poor performance in various forms. Whether it’s a result of anxiety, absenteeism, or ineffective leadership, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to improve individual and team performance, while building a healthier, high-performing work environment. https://www.linkedin.com/smart-links/AQGuZr2t8C8uAg  Follow SAIT Corporate Training on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/saitcorporatetraining/?viewAsMember=true Connect directly with Jennie and Craig on LinkedIn: Jennie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniengilbert/ Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craighess/ Have burning questions about leadership that you'd like us to address? Email them to leadership.questions@sait.ca and let your voice be heard.

Curtis Braun, an experienced SAIT facilitator with 20 years in HR, dives into leading and supporting neurodiverse teams. He emphasizes creating environments that celebrate unique strengths rather than merely providing accommodations. The conversation covers strategies to facilitate open communication and emotional regulation for neurodiverse team members. Curtis shares personal insights on the power of empathy in leadership and highlights the importance of fostering a culture where diverse working styles are recognized and embraced.

Discover the wild world of workplace personalities likened to zoo animals. From the outdated DODO to the arrogant ZEBRA, each character presents unique challenges. Learn practical strategies for managing these individuals effectively. Emphasizing self-awareness and authentic leadership, this discussion highlights the importance of upholding personal values. Effective communication techniques are introduced to foster collaboration, making it easier to navigate a diverse workforce and enhance overall team performance.

 In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, leaders are often charged with the critical task of fostering a high-performance culture capable of driving innovation and adaptation. Whether it's sparking creativity, enhancing collaboration, or pioneering new ideas, these goals are deeply rooted in social processes that can't be achieved overnight. Leaders must cultivate an environment that encourages open dialogue, experimentation, and even the occasional unconventional idea, all while maintaining a focus on the performance that leads to results.  While psychological safety is frequently touted as the key to this challenge—where everyone feels secure enough to voice their thoughts—it's important to recognize that true psychological safety isn't created by simply declaring it or attending a single webinar. Instead, it requires a sustained, thoughtful approach from leadership.  In this conversation, Craig and Jennie will delve into the leader’s role in building this critical climate. You'll gain insights into the subtle cues and self-awareness markers that indicate progress and learn practical strategies for consistently fostering a culture where every team member feels empowered to contribute. https://www.linkedin.com/smart-links/AQGJugVLgQvBjw  Follow SAIT Corporate Training on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/saitcorporatetraining/?viewAsMember=true Connect directly with Jennie and Craig on LinkedIn: Jennie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniengilbert/ Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craighess/ Have burning questions about leadership that you'd like us to address? Email them to leadership.questions@sait.ca and let your voice be heard.

One of the most detrimental actions a leader can take is to overlook or support poor performance. Doing so not only undermines the organization but also reflects poorly on the leader’s own performance. Poor performance drags down every aspect of the business and fails to benefit the individual as well.  In this episode, Jennie and Craig shift their usual focus from high performance to addressing poor performance. What defines poor performance? How can it be managed effectively? And what happens when it spreads across all levels of the organization?  Join us for an engaging conversation where you’ll explore actionable strategies to prevent and combat underperformance in your team. Expect to leave with one big idea, two practical strategies, and three essential questions to kickstart your Friday. Don’t miss this critical discussion—an opportunity to strengthen your leadership approach and safeguard your organization from the pitfalls of underperformance.https://www.linkedin.com/smart-links/AQHnXMZyiwwQ9A  Follow SAIT Corporate Training on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/saitcorporatetraining/?viewAsMember=true Connect directly with Jennie and Craig on LinkedIn: Jennie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniengilbert/ Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craighess/ Have burning questions about leadership that you'd like us to address? Email them to leadership.questions@sait.ca and let your voice be heard.

In today’s fast-paced work environment, expecting people to simply work harder isn’t prioritizing—it’s counterproductive. The “more is more” mindset can erode organizational effectiveness, diminish work quality, and negatively impact employee well-being. In a world where busyness is often celebrated, it's time to challenge the norm of juggling multiple "priorities." True prioritization means focusing on one thing at a time, with purpose and clarity.  Join Jennie and Craig in this conversation where you’ll learn how to use prioritization as a tool for mastery. Discover practical ways to ensure your team's working methods align with your strategic goals and gain the confidence to say no when necessary. Packed with actionable strategies, this session is perfect for current and aspiring leaders alike. Episode Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/smart-links/AQFx1--1Nva38A  Register in:  Time Management and Organizational Skills  https://coned.sait.ca/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=1027112  Strategic Planning  https://coned.sait.ca/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=1026950 Follow SAIT Corporate Training on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/saitcorporatetraining/?viewAsMember=true Connect directly with Jennie and Craig on LinkedIn: Jennie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniengilbert/ Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craighess/ Have burning questions about leadership that you'd like us to address? Email them to leadership.questions@sait.ca and let your voice be heard.

Craig, an expert in translating feedback, and Jennie, a leader in engagement strategies, dive deep into the power of employee engagement surveys. They emphasize the importance of effectively discussing survey results with teams and translating that feedback into meaningful actions. Insightful conversations are key; it's not just about the data but engaging the team in constructive dialogue. They also highlight how to maintain momentum and foster a culture of accountability to turn insights into lasting improvements.

Burnout is a growing concern in leadership, particularly during demanding seasons. The discussion highlights the difference between stress and burnout, urging leaders to recognize vulnerabilities within themselves and their teams. They delve into managing remote teams post-pandemic, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building and regular check-ins. Balancing team performance and well-being is vital, as is fostering an environment of open communication. Strategies for nurturing both self and team resilience are explored, ensuring leaders can support their teams effectively.

Leadership can be especially tricky during tough times. Self-care is crucial for leaders to stay effective when the pressure is on. Understanding the difference between reacting impulsively and responding thoughtfully can enhance decision-making. Building trust and engaging the team in evaluations fosters a collaborative spirit. Emotional intelligence plays a key role in maintaining morale and composure, while recognizing small wins is vital for progress. These insights guide leaders through challenges and promote a supportive environment.