It’s the 300th episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast! Celebrate with us as we hear from Anne Donovan, President of Xenium HR. Host Brandon Laws gets the candid truth about the challenges that Anne faces as a business leader during such unprecedented times, including what keeps her up at night, how she is approaching a hybrid return-to-work plan, and what she foresees over the next few months for her employees and Xenium as a whole. WHAT WE COVERED: Planning for and making nuanced decisions regarding the “return to work” Navigating employee dissatisfaction with the post-pandemic workplace Making changes to outdated performance evaluation and measurement methods Inventing a new playbook for inclusivity among at-home and at-work employees Dealing with employee compensation needs and expectations in a changing marketplace A NOTE FROM THE HOST When I started this podcast back in 2012, I never would have imagined that we’d reach 300 episodes. Over the years, our focus has moved from solely HR topics to more of a general focus on leaders and culture development, all with the goal of creating great workplaces. Every podcast episode is centered on providing education to leaders who want to be a part of transformation at work. I’m very proud of the work we’ve done, and I hope you all enjoy our 300th episode with our very own President of Xenium: Anne Donovan. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

This episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast features Jay Schaufeld, Head of HR and People Operations at HqO, and his thoughts on the looming Great Resignation, the staggering attrition rate anticipated from tomorrow’s workforce. Host Brandon Laws and his guest discuss valuable retention strategies to combat this unprecedented shift and ways companies can engage employees by targeting what matters most. TAKEAWAYS Employees are engaged when they feel that their work is meaningful and purposeful, when they possess significant relationships in the workplace, when they believe in their organization's mission, and when their values align with company culture. Post-pandemic talent can no longer be valued by how many hours they stay in the office, but instead on contribution and performance. The pandemic has shed a light on what's really important to people — wellbeing and balance, having connection to the purpose of the organization, and loving their work.  To retain top talent, organizations must recognize that what really matters is that their people feel heard and supported. GUEST AT A GLANCE Jay Schaufeld, Head of HR and People Operations at HqO, has over two decades of leadership experience within the tech and professional services industries. Jay is passionate about implementing sound talent initiatives to help scale growth within tech organizations. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Mark Herschberg, author of The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You and recent guest on the Transform Your Workplace podcast, has a lot to say about the skills necessary for a successful and dynamic career. In today’s episode, Mark provides practical career-building tips to business leaders and rising talent alike. Give this episode a listen if you’re ready to hone your goal-setting (and attaining) skills for the future of your career. TAKEAWAYS   Knowledge and experience are important, but hiring managers should also look for, define, and zero in on other critical attributes, such as communication, negotiation, and team-building, in a candidate. A career plan typically begins by asking yourself what you want in a job and what you want in life. It’s about thinking ahead, not having perfect answers.  Your career plan isn’t etched in stone; expect to make improvements as you implement it. Assess your progress in your career plan at least once a year.  Any time a new job or role change is on the table, take a moment to assess whether this new opportunity will help you towards the goals laid out in your career plan. GUEST AT A GLANCE Mark Herschberg is an author, thought leader, and expert in career building, speaker, and professor at MIT.  An MIT and Harvard Business School grad, Mark has vast experience in the tech world and facilitating career success. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.  

At this point, it’s impossible to avoid the convergence of technology, business, and human connection, but would we really want to if we could? According to Deborah Westphal — author, consultant, and futurist — there is a bright future ahead, and businesses should embrace the changes that technology will continue to bring. In this eye-opening episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon sits down with Deb Westphal to learn all about the role of technology in human connection, especially concerning its effect on the future of business. TAKEAWAYS Technology is allowing people to connect and communicate in ways that they never have before, so business would be wise to embrace this change. The purpose of business is to serve a broader spectrum of stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, communities, and customers. The network effect that technology allows will create even more innovation and more solutions. Future thinking resides in all of us, but it’s all about how much risk we’re willing to take to shake up the status quo. ABOUT THE GUEST Deborah Westphal — author, consultant, and futurist — has over 30 years of experience guiding businesses to future success and security. She is the recent author of Convergence: Technology, Business, and the Human-Centric Future, a challenging read about reevaluating the focus on technology and human connection within our businesses. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Has remote work got you feeling stagnant? Are you tired and unmotivated? If so, this is the episode for you. Whereas we’re already prone to a sedentary lifestyle, COVID only made things worse. So, how do we get our groove back? According to guest Lizzy Williamson, founder, and author of Two Minute Moves, it’s all about getting up and getting moving. Incorporating movement into our workday is critical to not only our physical health but to our mental health as well. To learn more about how you can get that blood (and productivity) flowing, give this episode a listen. TAKEAWAYS Our brains don't respond best to sedentary work, but it has become our “new normal.” One-third of people have reported that, since COVID, their mental health has suffered which inevitably leads to lower productivity in the workplace. The brain is built to detect and respond to change, not to engage with a task that goes on for hours and hours, so one of the best things you can do is to take a brief mental break, get up, and get moving. Businesses should give employees permission to take a couple of minutes out of their day to look after themselves.  Movement is a critical piece of the productivity pie; when we care for our physical health, it cascades into other areas of our lives, including the workplace. ABOUT THE GUEST Coming to us all the way from Sydney, Australia, Lizzy Williamson is passionate about helping people incorporate “bite-sized wellbeing breaks” into their daily lives. She is the founder and author of Two Minute Moves and a fitness expert with over fifteen years of experience in getting people up and moving. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Can introverts lead well? If so, what makes an introvert a good leader? According to our guest, Berry Kruijning, approximately 30% of workplace leaders in North America are introverts, and their unique approach to leadership is something to be recognized and maximized. Instead of adjusting to a one-size-fits-all standard of expectations, Berry believes that introverted leaders should embrace their introversion and tap into the unique qualities that set them apart as effective leaders. Give this episode a listen, and learn more about introversion in the workplace from Berry Kruijning, leadership development and communications coach, teacher, and founder of Crowning Communications. TAKEAWAYS Introverts like to become prepared, so you can make virtual meetings more introvert-friendly by sending out an agenda in advance.  Introverts can stay in control during “tough conversations” by coming prepared, listening, and asking probing questions. Quality, excellence, and productivity are motivating factors for introverts. Successful introvert leaders embrace being an introvert, acknowledge that, and build a team around them with people that compliment them in their abilities. Culture change starts with recognizing that, in a team, you need both introverted and extroverted people. ABOUT THE GUEST Berry Kruijning helps organizations recognize the different approach of the introverted leader. With a background in leadership coaching, communications coaching, and teaching, Berry is passionate about helping introverts “embrace their introversion” and find strength in their unique perspectives. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

In this eye-opening episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws talks with guest Cris Grossmann. He’s the CEO and Co-Founder of Beekeeper, a company committed to connecting non-desk or “frontline” employees through technology. Cris believes that a digital transformation of frontline workers, who make up 80% of the global workforce, can give companies a significant competitive advantage. In this episode, you’ll learn how to invest in your frontline workers through relevant, usable, all-in-one technology. TAKEAWAYS Only 1% of all the venture capital goes into desk-less or frontline worker solutions, yet 80% of the global workforce is made up of these types of workers. Digitizing the frontline is no walk in the park, but rather a necessary process that requires careful planning.  Frontline workers need one companion app: one single point of contact for the frontline worker to get everything they need to be well-informed, engaged, and productive at work. A companion app for frontline workers must be simple, quick, and tailored to their needs. If a company is investing in technology for frontline workers and deploys the tools that make their lives easier, that's one of the biggest criteria for an employee’s decision to stay with or choose an employer. ABOUT THE GUEST Cris Grossmann is passionate about providing tech solutions for companies. His goal, and the goal of Beekeeper, is to foster connection and communication among all employees, especially those with non-desk jobs. He founded Beekeeper in 2012 to meet the demand for high-quality internal engagement tools for businesses. His latest book, The Rise of the Frontline Worker: How to Turn Your Frontline Workforce into Your Biggest Competitive Advantage, helps businesses recognize and implement solutions that reach all employees, whether behind a desk or out in the field. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, we talk with guest Vince Molinaro about his latest book, Accountable Leaders: Inspire a Culture Where Everyone Steps Up, Takes Ownership, and Delivers Results. When it comes to best practices for effective leadership, Vince has the experience and track record for results. If you’re ready to learn more about leadership accountability methodology that won’t get lost in translation, give this episode a listen. TAKEAWAYS Most organizations never set clear and measurable expectations for their leaders only to be frustrated when those leaders don’t perform. To maximize leadership accountability, companies should create explicit contracts for leaders so that they can read, understand, and sign their names to their roles and responsibilities.  Just because a leader has signed the contract, that doesn’t mean they've got the capabilities they need to be successful; support for these leaders is essential to success. Companies must demonstrate zero tolerance for leaders who behave in a toxic way.  When we avoid tough conversations or negative feedback, we weaken not only the person in the position of leadership but their team and the business as well. ABOUT THE GUEST Vince Molinaro, Ph.D. is the New York Times best-selling author of The Leadership Contract and Accountable Leaders: Inspire a Culture Where Everyone Steps Up, Takes Ownership, and Delivers Results, among several others. He is also the Founder and CEO of Leadership Contract, Inc. and has consulted with leaders from all over the world. He is passionate about inspiring leaders to be accountable to themselves, their businesses, and their teams. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

What does a good leader do when the team is overwhelmed with anxiety, burned out, or depressed? Responsible leaders must recognize the signs of declining mental health in their employees and empower them to take hold of help. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, guest Lacey Partipilo addresses the timely and relevant topic of mental wellness with practice tips for business leaders. Lacey is a veteran when it comes to providing solid wisdom and insight to the Transform Your Workplace podcast audience. TAKEAWAYS Instead of trying to take on the burden of their team’s mental health, leaders should work to understand the benefits that the organization offers for mental wellness and encourage employees to take advantage of them. Leaders need to take care of themselves before they can care for their team.  Leaders must recognize the challenges that employees face and strategize how the business will play an active part in addressing them. Leaders should help break the stigma by not only talking about mental wellness in an open format but also emphasizing that seeking help is a healthy first step. ABOUT THE GUEST Director of HR and Client Success at Xenium HR, Lacey Partipilo is our go-to source when it comes to business advice and HR expertise. She is all about relationships, building connections with not only her team at Xenium but also her many business clients.  A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws interviews Meghan Gerhardt, author of Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce and expert in how to effectively implement age diversity in the workplace. You’ll learn how to connect with, teach, and learn from those both older and younger than you. The result? Instead of working against each other, employees can finally bring their varied skills and experience to the table, all for the betterment of the team. It’s all about building a team poised for whatever the next generation has to offer. TAKEAWAYS Employees of all ages have insight to offer, so those of different age ranges should have a seat and a voice at the table. Age bias has been called one of the last socially acceptable biases, but bias of any kind in the workplace is a hindrance to a team’s success. Studies show that, despite differences in approach, Boomers, Gen Z, and Millennials share the same core values. If leaders want to foster trust between employees of different generations, they must create opportunities for intergenerational connection and collaboration. ABOUT THE GUEST Meghan Gerhardt holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Iowa. Years of research and time in the field have taught her that intergenerational cooperation is a necessary yet overlooked aspect of an effective team. She is passionate about providing team-building strategies and workshops to help leaders maximize the potential of a multi-generational team. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In 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.” Contact Brandon:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.