The thing about leadership is it's hard to explain, but when you're in the midst of good leadership, everyone in the room can see it and feel it. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, guest Chance Stewart defines effective servant leadership and gives real and raw advice about how to know whether you’re actually leading or you’re simply “in charge.” The goal of this podcast: to do away with our preconceived notions and learn how to lead with love. Takeaways: Just because one holds a position of authority, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she is an effective leader. Authoritarian leaders may be missing the point by trying to manipulate teams into doing what they want instead of focusing on what the team needs. A genuine leader needs to be someone worth following. Leading with love means valuing relationships with those who follow you. Some of the best leaders don’t hold an “official” position of authority. GUEST AT A GLANCE Chance Stewart’s leading-with-love approach is informed by his grandfather, an ironworker who lived to love people. Chance’s grandfather taught him that if we're not taking care of people, then the rest of our efforts to “do something” in this world really don’t matter. As a servant leader and speaker on leadership development, Chance now carries on his grandfather’s legacy in both his personal and professional life. When it comes to the workplace, he’s passionate about helping organizations turn a culture of dysfunction into a culture of success.  Find out more about Chance Stewart and leading with love by going to his website, chancedstewart.com. You can also find him on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. He invites all of you to have a chat with him or send him a good meme. 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.

When it comes to workplace obstacles, awareness is the first step to overcoming them. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws talks with leadership author, expert and consultant, Errol Doebler, who provides thoughtful leadership anecdotes and guidance for listeners. From his time as a Navy SEAL and FBI Special Agent to his current work as a leadership consultant, Errol shares commonalities in the path toward effective leadership, including recognition of challenges and changes to team behavior. Takeaways: Awareness is the first step toward cultivating effective leadership. Behavior, not ideas, drives performance. If we want to see a change in culture, we must first address the behaviors that hinder. Leaders must establish clear expectations before they can hold a team accountable for undesired behavior. A detailed process is critical for true transformation. GUEST AT A GLANCE This episode’s guest, Errol Doebler, is a man of many skills and much experience. From his time as a Navy SEAL and FBI agent to his work in leadership consulting, Errol knows what it is to face immense challenges and build processes to overcome them. He’s the founder of his own leadership firm, Leader 193, and the author of The Process, Art, and Science of Leadership: How Leaders Inspire Confidence and Clarity in Combat, in the Boardroom, and at the Kitchen Table.  LEARN MORE If you want to learn more about Errol Doebler’s process for cultivating effective leadership, check out his website at leader193.com or find him on Instagram or Facebook: @Leader_193. You can also find his book on his website or Amazon.com. 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 Brett Cooper and Evans Kerrigan, authors of Solving the People Problem, about how to build positive and effective workplace relationships. Co-founders of Integris Performance Advisors, a firm specializing in employee engagement and efficiency, Brett and Evan tackle the topics that all organizations grapple with daily. They also provide valuable insight and resources that help teams boost morale and increase productivity. Takeaways: The “people problem” is our struggle to work effectively with others in the workplace. We must first become self-aware, and then we can seek to understand our colleagues’ perspectives, approaches, strengths, and habits. Soft skills like empathy, resilience, and the ability to work with a team are critical in today’s changing workforce. Specific language is needed to effectively talk about emotional intelligence --- with common terminology, we can understand each other. When feedback becomes an expectation, real growth can begin. GUESTS AT A GLANCE  Brett Cooper and Evans Kerrigan are the best-selling authors of Solving the People Problem and co-founders of Integris Performance Advisors, a firm specializing in employee engagement and efficiency. They are passionate about facilitating genuine workplace relationships — relationships “that really work” — among the teams they help each and every day.  If you’re interested in hearing more from Brett Cooper and Evans Kerrigan, go to their website and download their field guide (free for a limited time) or take their free survey here.  Also, be sure to check out their book, Solving the People Problem: Essential Skills You Need to Lead and Succeed in Today’s Workplace. 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, Charlotte Wiseman recounts her experience with workplace burnout and her eventual path to mental fitness. After years of work and study on the topic of healthy work-life balance, Charlotte decided to make a career of helping others with their own similar struggles, eventually founding a consulting firm of her own. Through her discussion with Brandon Laws, Charlotte redefines self-care and provides insight for the “Transform Your Workplace” audience so that they can experience genuine, long-lasting fulfillment in their careers. Takeaways: Workplace burnout is classified by a sense of exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy. The switch to remote work can increase your odds of burnout. Work can be a problem, but a healthy approach to work can be a part of the solution. Prioritizing self-care is critical to a healthy work-life balance.   GUEST AT A GLANCE  Charlotte Wiseman knows what it means to be exhausted by the intensity and expectations of her career. About 10 years ago, she found herself on the brink of mental collapse, so she enlisted help to wade through the questions about what went wrong and where she needed to make changes with regards to her career and personal life. Years of work and study on these critical topics led Charlotte to make a career of helping others on their paths to mental fitness and wellbeing. So, how can you find this work-life balance that Charlotte talks about in this podcast? Go to charlottewiseman.com. There you’ll find a wellness blog and some resources that can help you avoid or overcome burnout. 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.

Want to bridge the communication gap between your team members? If so, join Brandon Laws as he and his guest dive into the critical topic of workplace communication, a key component to the success of any team. In this episode, Alissa Carpenter, multigenerational workplace expert and author, discusses tips and methods for open communication that will ultimately build a culture of inclusivity and the freedom to share ideas. A few takeaways: Identifying employee strengths can be the key to helping your team feel heard and valued. Diversity and inclusion are just words unless leaders make room for each voice at the table. Employees must feel safe in sharing their ideas.  Be cognizant of your go-to, knee-jerk responses, and be open to innovation even if it’s uncomfortable. 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.” GUEST AT A GLANCE  Alissa Carpenter is the owner of Everything's Not OK and That's OK, a leadership training company, and the author of How to Listen and How to Be Heard: Inclusive Conversations at Work. Alissa is passionate about helping teams implement effective communication techniques, stay connected, and celebrate diversity. LEARN MORE There’s so much more to this important conversation about inclusivity at work. If you want to get a copy of Alissa Carpenter’s book, How to Listen and How to be Heard: Inclusive Conversations at Work, you can find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and wherever books are sold. You can also check out her website at www.notokthatsokcoach.com. 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.

We all just want to have fun… but is the workplace really the right setting? In this unique episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws gets the lowdown on the benefits of a playful workplace. His guest, Paul Lopushinsky, is a workplace play advocate and the founder of Playficient, a consulting company dedicated to helping companies invest in their employees. Even though it may have a bad wrap, Paul insists that when workplace play is implemented correctly, it can have a significant impact on productivity, morale, and the overall employee experience.  4 Takeaways: A bottom-up approach is ideal when it comes to creating a playful workplace environment. Play in the workplace leads to a boost in employee morale, productivity, and retention. Companies should be wary of implementing “forced fun” or “mandated play.” A buddy system can be an effective tool in facilitating playfulness at work. LEARN MORE If you want to learn more about Paul Lopushinsky’s ideas about play or learn about your play personality, check out his blog at www.playficient.com. If you want to hear the full conversation, check out the Transform Your Workplace blog. 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.

Have you ever felt that you, as an individual, your team, or the entire organization are working incredibly hard, but there's not much progress to show for it? Craig Lemasters calls this the "circle of stuck." In this episode with Craig Lemasters, author of Unstuck: How to Unlock and Activate the Wisdom of Others, you'll learn how to recognize when you're stuck and how to get out of the cycle of being stuck.  What we cover: What is the circle of stuck Examples of companies getting stuck Stuck vs. unstuck How meetings and email play a role in being stuck How to ask for what you need How to break the cycle of stuck About Craig Lemasters After leaving public company CEO life, Craig chose to dedicate his time to helping senior leaders get unstuck on tough challenges. He's passionate about sharing this process with other leaders because he has seen the success it can produce first hand. At GXG, they are committed to solving traditional consulting’s execution problem by curating intentional, focused conversations with expert operators who share the advantage of their knowledge and experience. These insights empower their clients to activate the best-fit solution and demonstrate measurable success. He's also convinced that this learning model has broader applications because we all get stuck sometimes. His first book, Unstuck: How to Unlock and Activate the Wisdom of Others, was released in October 2020 and offers practical tips for anyone facing the unknown on their path to a goal. Learn more and get the book   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.

Luis Gonzáles has been working remotely for many years, and he knows what it takes to bring teams together virtually. Tune in for an engaging discussion about breaking down silos in functional teams, how to create engaging discussions in virtual meetings, and how to make sure introverted contributors get their voice heard and feel included. More about Luis Gonzales Luis Gonzáles is a communications consultant, coach, and trainer, with more than 25 years’ experience in helping improve business outcomes for organizations. He has successfully driven learning initiatives incorporating effective communication, cross-cultural communication, customer satisfaction and soft-skills training. Currently, he works closely with CEOs, leaders, and individuals, positively impacting business outcomes through effective communication in global, multicultural, and remote work team settings. Learn more and connect with Luis Gonzáles   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.

With good quality data, organizations can create effective strategies and make informed decisions. To better understand the data we have and the process of data analysis, econometrician, author, and speaker John Johnson joins us in this episode to talk about how to use data to make sound decisions regarding our employees. John H. Johnson is President and CEO of Edgeworth Economics and Edgeworth Analytics, and has his Ph.D. in economics from MIT. He is known internationally for his ability to explain highly sophisticated concepts in a simple, straightforward manner, and brings this skill to his consulting, writing, and speaking. In this episode, you will learn about: What data within organizations should HR professionals need to be paying attention to right now? The broader definition of data The first key to good data analysis The issue of bias with data analysis Correlation versus causation Data vs. people John’s thoughts on gut feeling and decision making Advice to people who are distracted by misinformation Basic skills you can employ to make sure you’re not taken advantage of Connect with John LinkedIn Twitter Edgeworth Analytics Resources mentioned in this episode: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything Everydata: The Misinformation Hidden in the Little Data You Consume Every Day by John H. Johnson 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 a bureaucratic organization, people are just hired to produce and produce… and produce more profits. When people are treated as instruments, they seldom give their best. How can people show up and bring their whole self to work if they don’t feel significant and aren’t given room to unleash their own genius? Bureaucracy is old-fashioned, and thus the age for organizations to be fully human is now!  To help organizations adapt to this change, I’m joined today by one of the world’s most influential iconoclastic business thinkers! In this episode, we’re bringing back humanity into the workplace with Gary Hamel! Gary Hamel is a world-renowned influential business thinker, consultant, and sought-after management speaker who has worked with leading companies worldwide and is dynamic. He is also the Director and co-founder of Management Lab and a visiting Professor at the London Business School.  Gary talks about his new book Humanocracy, which he co-wrote with Michele Zanini. He shares the principle of humanocracy and its differences with bureaucracy. Gary also shares how organizations can dismantle their bureaucratic ways and replace them with a much more human-centered system! Purchase your copy of Humanocracy at humanocracy.com and get FREE access to four hours of instructional content as well as exclusive surveys, tools, and templates for building your own hack! In this episode, you will learn about: What the data tells about people bringing their whole self to work Gary explains the meaning of “bureaucracy is a product of its time.” An illustration about how specialization within bureaucracies do and yield economies of scale The “Humanocracy” model Humankind’s most important technology Why bureaucracy is out of date Lessons from successful startups that apply to Gary’s book The toxic politicking Tools and methods to make sure information flows rapidly and make quick changes happen How organizations can demolish bureaucracy Connect with Gary LinkedIn Twitter Gary Hammel website Resources mentioned in this episode: A History of the Radical Thinkers Who Reinvented Corporate Management by Art Kleiner  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.