Transform Your Workplace

Catherine Thorpe, CEO of Nurse Next Door and author of "Bold Kindness," discusses her revolutionary leadership approach that eliminates traditional hierarchies and empowers employees to be self-led. She defines bold kindness as caring deeply about people's development while understanding them as individuals to provide feedback they can hear and act upon. Thorpe eliminated performance reviews and managers eight years ago, instead focusing on real-time feedback and quarterly self-led check-ins. Her philosophy centers on treating employees as adults who know their jobs and can make decisions autonomously, creating a workplace where people can bring their whole selves to work and find genuine connection and purpose. TAKEAWAYS Self-Led Model: Organizations can eliminate traditional management layers by treating employees as self-directed adults who understand their responsibilities, know when to ask for help, and can make autonomous decisions without constant oversight. Bold Kindness Definition: Effective leadership combines caring deeply about someone's development with understanding them personally, enabling leaders to give feedback in ways people can hear, accept, and act upon for their growth. Vulnerability Creates Connection: Leaders who show vulnerability and allow employees to bring their whole selves to work create deeper organizational connections and higher engagement than traditional professional boundaries. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🎙️ Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws “The Transform 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.” — Brandon Laws About Xenium HR Xenium HR transforms workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium empowers growth by simplifying HR and creating environments where employees thrive. Learn more → Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About Brandon Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

This HR "Mythbusters" episode features Nicole Blevins quizzing Brandon Laws on common HR misconceptions. They explore myths about HR's role, documentation requirements, overtime exemptions, layoff procedures, performance management, and employee rights. Key takeaways include: HR serves both company and employee interests, culture is everyone's responsibility, and regular feedback beats annual reviews alone. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🎙️ Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws “The Transform 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.” — Brandon Laws About Xenium HR Xenium HR transforms workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium empowers growth by simplifying HR and creating environments where employees thrive. Learn more → Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About Brandon Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

John R. Miles, former Fortune 50 executive and military officer, discusses his transformation from corporate success to purposeful living. After experiencing burnout and personal trauma, he developed the "Passion Struck" framework to help people move from lives they "should" be living to lives they "could" be living. He emphasizes that workplace disengagement stems from a "mattering crisis" rather than just workload issues, advocating for intentional leadership focused on helping employees feel valued and significant. TAKEAWAYS The Real Problem: Workplace burnout is less about workload and more about "worth load" - people feeling invisible and that their work doesn't matter to others. Mosquito Audit: Identify and address the three types of "mosquitoes" in your life - invisible suffocators (negative people), bloodsuckers (boundary destroyers), and energy drains that prevent intentional living. Gardener Leadership: Leaders should be "eyes on, hands off" - providing clear vision and goals while empowering employees to find creative solutions without micromanagement. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🎙️ Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws “The Transform 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.” — Brandon Laws About Xenium HR Xenium HR transforms workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium empowers growth by simplifying HR and creating environments where employees thrive. Learn more → Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About Brandon Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

HR consultant Daniel Strode discusses AI's impact on human resources, highlighting recruitment and data analytics as prime areas for adoption. He introduces his "5P model" emphasizing policy/governance and people/culture transformation as critical success factors. While AI adoption remains slow—only 25% of adults regularly use tools like ChatGPT—organizations are unknowingly integrating AI through software updates. Strode advocates for proper governance policies ahead of regulations like the EU AI Act, positioning AI as a collaborative tool enhancing rather than replacing human capabilities. TAKEAWAYS 5P Framework: Success requires addressing process enhancement, personalization, predictive insights, policy/governance, and people/culture transformation Governance First: Establish AI ethics policies, bias auditing, and compliance training before implementation, especially with upcoming EU AI Act regulations Human-AI Partnership: Use AI for manual processes while focusing HR professionals on strategic work like employee experience and change management A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🎙️ Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws “The Transform 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.” — Brandon Laws About Xenium HR Xenium HR transforms workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium empowers growth by simplifying HR and creating environments where employees thrive. Learn more → Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About Brandon Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Is it possible to make work actually fun without losing sight of business goals? Steve Carse thinks so—and he has the story to prove it. In this energizing episode, Brandon Laws sits down with the CEO of King of Pops to talk about how one humble ice pop cart evolved into a culture-first brand and what fun truly means in the workplace. They discuss how storytelling, ownership, gamification, and pride all contribute to a work culture that people love being part of. Whether you're a leader looking to revitalize your team or an employee wondering if fun has a place at work, this episode will shift your perspective and spark ideas. 🕒 Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: The power of combining HR + payroll with Xenium HR 01:00 – Meet Steve Carse and the origin of King of Pops 03:00 – Getting laid off and finding a new career path 06:00 – Starting a business with $7,000 and a dream 08:00 – Why fun at work starts with storytelling and vision 11:00 – The value of writing a personal or business narrative 13:00 – How to find joy even in the difficult, early stages of a business 15:00 – On career FOMO and staying present in the “good old days” 17:00 – Work-life blend, parenting, and evolving productivity 20:00 – Fostering a culture of ownership and trust 23:00 – Why pride at work creates loyalty (even when it’s illogical) 25:00 – Making monotonous work fun: The Frosty Creek Olympics 28:00 – Using gamification and play to motivate teams 30:00 – Shared struggle vs. traditional team building 32:00 – Actionable tips for creating a joyful workplace culture 34:00 – Revisiting King of Pops’ 2030 Vision 36:00 – Where to find the book and connect with Steve A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🎙️ Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws “The Transform 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.” — Brandon Laws About Xenium HR Xenium HR transforms workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium empowers growth by simplifying HR and creating environments where employees thrive. Learn more → Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About Brandon Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Dr. Angela Jackson discusses her book "The Win-Win Workplace," advocating for moving beyond traditional zero-sum work environments to create workplaces where both employees and businesses thrive. She emphasizes listening to employee feedback, embracing whole-person identities, reimagining benefits, and fostering ownership mindsets to drive productivity, retention, and bottom-line success.   TAKEAWAYS Listen to employees regularly and act on their feedback to build trust and engagement Support the whole person by acknowledging employees' full identities and life circumstances Create personalized benefits that address real needs rather than generic one-size-fits-all packages   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST  🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️  Host: Brandon Laws 📋  his own words: “The Transform 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. About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

This podcast episode explores how "radical listening" transforms leadership by focusing on intentional connection rather than performative techniques. Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener explain that radical listening requires internal quieting, purposeful attention, and genuine curiosity to overcome modern workplace distractions.   TAKEAWAYS Radical listening is an intentional act of connection that goes beyond traditional "active listening" techniques to build trust and influence. The Radical Listening Framework centers on positive intention, combining internal skills (quieting, noticing) with external skills (inquiring, acknowledging). Creating a listening culture requires self-awareness about when you feel heard and practicing appreciation-based listening without the intent to fix or solve.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST  🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️  Host: Brandon Laws 📋  his own words: “The Transform 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. About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Rob Shallenberger, a former fighter pilot turned leadership coach and author, shares his insights on maximizing productivity without sacrificing well-being. He emphasizes the power of crafting personal visions and setting specific goals. With just 20-30 minutes of pre-week planning, you can boost your annual productivity by up to 1,000 tasks while staying less stressed. Shallenberger's 'Do What Matters Most' matrix helps prioritize fulfilling activities, steering you away from chaos and towards a more intentional and meaningful life.

In this bonus podcast episode, Brandon Laws catches up with Nicole Blevins, who recently returned from maternity leave and stepped into a new role as Director of HR Services at Xenium HR. Nicole candidly shares her experience transitioning to parenthood, the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities, and the significance of paid family leave. Despite the challenges of returning to work in a new leadership position while adjusting to parenthood, Nicole emphasizes how the flexibility of remote work, supportive leadership, and her passion for her career have helped her navigate this major life transition!   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST  🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️  Host: Brandon Laws 📋  his own words: “The Transform 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. About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube    

In this Transform Your Workplace episode, host Brandon Laws interviews Dr. Rosalind Chow about her book "The Doors You Can Open." They discuss the critical difference between mentorship and sponsorship, with Chow explaining that sponsors talk about you to others while mentors talk to you directly. Using Kim Ng's MLB breakthrough as an example, Chow emphasizes how sponsorship requires trust and can take different forms. She explores how "good gossip" celebrates others' achievements, the importance of diversifying social networks, and challenges with meritocracy. Chow concludes that everyone can be a sponsor by connecting people they admire.   TAKEAWAYS Sponsorship differs from mentorship in that sponsors promote others through trusted networks, while mentors focus on personal improvement Social capital comes in "small town" (close-knit, values-aligned) and "big city" (diverse, innovation-focused) forms, with both being valuable in different contexts Everyone can be a sponsor by connecting admired individuals with others in their network, regardless of status or position   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST  🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️  Host: Brandon Laws 📋  his own words: “The Transform 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. About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube