Let’s face it. We’re all busy. We pack our calendars, pour ourselves into work, volunteering, and family affairs, and then crawl into bed drained at the end of a jam-packed day. This is our norm. But is busyness something we just have to accept? Is it even possible to become (un)busy and still be successful? These questions and more are answered in this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast. Dive into a discussion about busyness and get some tips about how to create some space in your calendar (and your mind) with Garland Vance. TAKEAWAYS The problem: we not only think that being busy is a good thing, but we believe that when we're not busy, that something is intrinsically wrong with us. When we compare our true selves to our ideal selves, we conclude that we’re not good enough, so we need to do more which drives us into this non-stop culture of being busy, a feeling like we have to be productive all the time. Getting (un)busy starts with taking inventory of our commitments and deciding which of them can be removed from our calendar or delegated to someone else. If you’re leading a team, make “busy” a bad word in the workplace, and treat it as such. ABOUT THE GUEST Garland Vance is the author of Gettin' (un)Busy: 5 Steps to Kill Busyness and Live with Purpose, Productivity, and Peace. After years of destroying his body and mind with constant overcommitment and little self-care, Garland got a wake-up call and began to study the effects that busyness was having on his body and mind. A leadership consultant and coach, Garland Vance is passionate about helping others find peace and purpose in the workplace and every area of their lives. 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.  

Having worked with over 100,000 leaders in 35 countries, Carolyn Taylor knows what it means to affect change in the workplace. She brings her experience as a culture and accountability advisor, author, speaker, and podcast host. Here to discuss her latest book, Accountability at Work: How to Make and Keep Promises and Have Others Do the Same, Carolyn is a dependable source of inspiration and practical advice for any leader hoping to transform their workplace.  TAKEAWAYS The relationship and communication between two roles, the asker and the giver, is critical to establishing accountability. The asker wants something and the giver is in a position to deliver it. To establish and reach a goal, communication between the asker and the giver must be clear and open. Research has shown that there is a strong link between accountability and psychological safety.  An ideal scenario is one in which the asker gets what they're looking for, and the giver feels that the promise was built on their word. ABOUT THE GUEST Having worked with over 100,000 leaders in 35 countries, Carolyn Taylor knows what it means to affect change in the workplace. She is the author of Accountability at Work: How to Make and Keep Promises and Have Others Do the Same and Walking the Talk: Building a Culture for Success, both of which have been a source of inspiration and practical advice for other leaders across the globe. SHOW SPONSOR The Escape Game: Book your virtual or in-person escape room game for 10% off. 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.

Brandon Laws interviews Patty Beach about the art of getting employees aligned behind a good idea and leading them effectively toward a vision or goal. The two discuss leadership best practices for setting direction, creating “clockwork,” and empowering employees. Learn how to give your employees a voice and use the “wisdom of the group” to correct misalignments and move forward as a united front. TAKEAWAYS Unlike traditional top-down leadership, alignment in the workplace is analogous to interlocking gears turning together. If leaders create a psychologically safe environment, employees will be empowered to voice their thoughts, concerns, and questions. Tapping into “the wisdom of the crowd” not only allows leaders to make more informed decisions but also keeps employees engaged in the plan to move forward. After “setting direction,” leaders should have regular conversations with employees to increase buy-in, alignment, and ultimately, forward progress. ABOUT THE GUEST Patty Beach is a leadership development consultant and author of the book, The Art of Alignment: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Leadership. With over thirty years of experience coaching and training leaders, Patty’s expertise is helping emerging leaders align their teams toward a common goal. 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.

Get ready for an incredible story of what it really means to “seize the day.” In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Caroline Boudreaux recounts an evening in May of 2000 where she visited an orphanage in India. Caroline was struck not only by the poverty but also by the untapped potential that she witnessed in the over 100 orphaned children. That very evening, Caroline decided to found the Miracle Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing access to education, nutrition, health, and protective services to children in need. This is Caroline’s compelling story of sacrifice, heartbreak, and fulfillment — a story that is still being written. Sign up for the Xenium Beyond Compensation Survey - Deadline May 15, 2021 ABOUT THE GUEST After leaving a career in advertising, Caroline decided to take a trip around the world. What she found there led to her decision to found the Miracle Foundation, a non-profit that, since its inception, has improved the lives of over 15,000 children in need. Caroline is passionate about measuring real success at each orphanage and streamlining the processes to make sure every child has access to the services they so desperately need. 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.

Brandon Laws interviews Xenium’s own Sara Bradley, an HR Account Representative and solid resource for learning how to pursue a life of wellness. The two cover topics such as self-care, work-life balance, and workplace initiatives to promote wellness in the lives of employees. Your busy schedule doesn’t have to dictate your wellness. Listen in to learn how to balance it all with no burnout. TAKEAWAYS Wellness isn’t just related to our physical well-being. We must be willing to take stock of all areas of our lives if we want to experience holistic wellness. Employers do have a critical role in promoting employee wellness, but employees must hold themselves accountable for it as well. Finding work-life balance starts with identifying priorities and setting boundaries. If employers want to promote wellness among their teams, they must be willing to give employees space and time to take advantage of wellness services. Sign up for the Xenium Beyond Compensation Survey - Deadline May 15, 2021 ABOUT THE GUEST The guest of this podcast episode is one of Xenium’s own, Sara Bradley. Sara is an HR Account Representative and is passionate about delivering the best service to her clients. She is a coveted member of the Xenium team and an expert in all things HR. 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 unconventional episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, we take on a topic frequently requested by our audience: best practices for onboarding new employees. Brandon Laws interviews our latest new hire, Gabrielle Cohen, to get her take on her onboarding experience with Xenium. We cover the good, the bad, the tried, and the true so that you can take what worked (and avoid what didn’t) as you hone your new-hire onboarding experience. Sign up for the Xenium Beyond Compensation Survey - Deadline May 15, 2021 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.

It’s all in the name of growth, and sometimes the only way to grow is to challenge the status quo. This episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast features guest Lilith Christiansen, Chief Strategy and Product Officer of SilkRoad Technology, and her reflections on the transformative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on unsuspecting businesses. There’s no doubt that the pandemic exposed workplace weaknesses, but what better response than to learn from the challenge? Listen to learn how you can make the right changes for the future of your business, no matter what obstacle arises next. TAKEAWAYS: If we want to be the best business leaders we can be, we must reflect on the weaknesses that the pandemic exposed and learn how to remedy them. Employees across the board reported that the pandemic resulted in a significant increase in job responsibilities. Employees stated that role confusion and unanswered questions were also common in the weeks and months following the onset of the pandemic.  Despite the many challenges that the pandemic presented, many businesses saw increased productivity, resulting in a willingness to continue a work-from-home or hybrid home/workplace model for the future. ABOUT THE GUEST: Lilith Christiansen is the Chief Strategy and Product Officer of SilkRoad Technology and an industry expert, author, and speaker. With an extensive background in talent strategy and business management, Lilith is passionate about helping her clients realize their potential, implement relevant strategies, and grow their 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.

In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws talks with Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan Communications and the Workplace Wellness Insider. They dig deep into COVID-19’s effects on important issues like mental health, workplace connection, and the employee-employer alignment of values. Wondering what changes are coming? Tune in to learn what new workplace developments are right around the corner. TAKEAWAYS: COVID-19 has a silver lining: it has effectively destigmatized open discussion of mental health. In the post-COVID era, employees will expect employers to allow them to cultivate a healthy work-life balance. Employees want to work for an organization that has values that align with their own.  The future of the workplace includes a hybrid model that incorporates in-person collaboration and at-home individual projects. ABOUT THE GUEST: Diane Schwartz is the Chief Executive Officer of Ragan Communications, a media event company, and Ragan's Workplace Wellness Insider, “an online publication dedicated to giving leaders in HR, wellness, and communications the insights, ideas, and strategies that align employee health and engagement with organizational goals.” In addition to her 25 years of media communications experience, Diane is also a former journalist and a wish-granter with the Make a Wish Foundation. 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 if there were time-tested methods that could help us truly maximize our time? According to Karen Leland, President of Sterling Consulting and Marketing Group, it’s possible to get the most out of the day as long as we’re willing to make some simple changes. Author of her new book, No Nonsense: Time Management: 50 Tips to Hack Your Time and Get Everything Done, Karen gives podcast listeners the scoop on time management techniques that will truly make a difference. Takeaways: Most of us aren’t conscious of the many ways in which we waste our time, and we don’t see the consequences either. One way to realize better time-management is to take stock of where your time is spent; keeping track and labeling your activities will show you where your priorities are. Working toward a goal isn’t always “sexy” work; sometimes it means committing to completing mundane tasks until you see progress. Narrow your to-do list down to two achievable priority items so that you don’t end up overwhelmed by a list of unattainable tasks. GUEST AT A GLANCE Karen Leland, President of Sterling Consulting and Marketing Group, is a branding and marketing expert passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals. When it comes to the topic of time-management, Karen has written two books and has years of experience leading workshops that help people stay focused on what matters and scrap what doesn’t. Sign up for Xenium's Beyond Compensation Survey   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.

Xenium’s own Nicole Blevins gives listeners a glimpse into workplace mediation. Among her varied HR-oriented skills and extensive experience, Nicole recently added a mediation certification to her repertoire. From an outline of the process itself to the challenges that come with workplace conflict, Nicole is excited to share her new knowledge and experience with the Transform Your Workplace audience. Takeaways: An effective mediator asks open-ended questions that facilitate conversation. Listening skills and empathy are critical to resolving conflict, even when it seems like the situation is “too far gone.” Ideally, mediation should be implemented in the early stages of a conflict before it blows up. GUEST AT A GLANCE Today’s guest is Nicole Blevins, an avid Transform Your Workplace podcast listener who ended up moving from Florida to Oregon to pursue her career at Xenium HR. Among her varied HR-oriented skills and extensive experience, Nicole recently added a workplace mediation certification to her repertoire. A growth-oriented learner, Nicole is excited to share her love of all things HR with the Transform Your Workplace audience. 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.