Transform Your Workplace

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.

Do you have any blind spots when it comes to your work and career? If your response is none, now you have one. Everyone has blindspots. As a leader, you need to be aware of your weaknesses as much as you are familiar with your strengths. Leadership blindspots can be a leaders’ Achilles heel. However, like any other weaknesses, when brought to attention, can turn into your greatest strength! Turn your leadership blindspots into fulfillment and growth today as Entrepreneurial and Executive Coach Malorie joins us to talk about growth mindset and leadership blindspots! Malorie Nicole is the host of the podcast, Abundantly Clear, where she talks to entrepreneurs about mindset and how leaders can achieve mental clarity, decrease stress, and achieve personal and business growth. Her podcast was listed on Forbes as the number one podcast for people that want to get unstuck that are feeling stuck in their career business.  Her work focuses on helping entrepreneurs and executives redesign their thought patterns for better performance and decreased stress. If you’re feeling stuck or wanting some change, then I encourage you to listen to this episode! Tune in as we uncover some of the common blind spots that leaders have and how to make them be aware of it. We also discuss the importance of having a growth mindset in stressful times and how you can turn difficult situations into opportunities for growth and fulfillment, for yourself, team, and business! In this episode, you will learn about: How Malorie got into coaching leaders? Malorie explains what the Abundantly Clear podcast is all about Common challenges leaders are going through right now How business owners are responding to stressful times and how their response is deciphering how next year pans out Blind spots that leaders have and how to make them aware of it The importance of having the right mindset during stressful and uncertain times How leaders can turn their blindspots into opportunities How to deal with burnout How leaders define success How good leaders are balancing work and life? The Blindspot Assessment Malorie’s advice to leaders Connect with Malorie Nicole LinkedIn Facebook Malorie Nicole website Abundantly Clear Entrepreneurial & Executive Coaching Resources mentioned in this episode: Abundantly Clear Podcast Feeling Stuck In Your Career? Add These 15 Podcasts To Your List (Forbes article) Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute 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.

Technology has completely taken over our lives. It’s everywhere, and we need it more than ever, especially right now that we’re in the midst of a pandemic.  You can immediately access any information you need in just a matter of seconds through click or voice command. It certainly makes our personal and business activities easier and more efficient. And I’m certain that you’re probably reading this and listening to this podcast right now through your smartphone or computer!  But we’re too dependent on it to the point that it has disrupted our flow, productivity, behavior, relationships, and health. Technology is not bad, but how we handle it is a problem. Technology is great, and all but being overly connected also has its adverse effects. Lack of sleep, stiff shoulders, eye strain, fatigue, social comparison... these are some of the causes of overusing/ misuse of tech devices and social media.  How can we avoid these pitfalls programmed into modern technology use? Join me in this episode as we learn how technology is hijacking our lives with Erik Peper and Richard Harvey! They’ll also provide practical tools to avoid falling into traps and prevent and lessen technological stress! Erik Peper, Ph.D., is an internationally known expert on holistic health, stress management, biofeedback, and workplace health. He is also a Professor at San Francisco State University. While Richard Harvey, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Health Education at San Francisco State University and has published in biofeedback, stress and computer-related disorders, tobacco cessation, and the psychology of hardiness and courage. They will discuss their book, Tech Stress: How Technology is Hijacking Our Lives, Strategies for Coping, and Pragmatic Ergonomics, and will share their thoughts on how modern technology is impacting our physical and emotional well-being and what we can do about it. For people who’re working from home, or individuals who spend most of their time in front of a screen, I highly encourage you to listen to this episode and learn how to manage your technological stress, take control over your time and gain more productivity! Grab yourself a copy of Erik and Richard’s Tech Stress: How Technology is Hijacking Our Lives, Strategies for Coping, and Pragmatic Ergonomics 👉 here! In this episode, you will learn about: How technology is hijacking our lives Strategies for coping and pragmatic ergonomics Computer-related disorders What led to Erik and Richard to write the book, Tech Stress Are you hardwired to sit in front of a computer all day? Helpful tools  Time pressure Immobility and hypermobility: how much is too much when resting and moving How to feel slightly less depressed and have more energy The evolution of smartphones The scuba diving analogy about how smartphones impacted our productivity and behavior What is D O S E? What is it about smartphones that capture our attention every single time? How can we regulate smartphone access and focus on the task at hand? How can we adjust our lifestyles so that we’re not connected 24/7 to the virtual world? Why choosing when you do things matters The importance of giving yourself permission to make mistakes and have fun Connect with Erik Peper: Biofeedback Health Twitter @erikpeper LinkedIn Connect with Richard Harvey LinkedIn Resources mentioned in this episode: Stretch Break (FREE Software) 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.

Introverts and extroverts work differently. Their environment plays an important role in how they show up at work.  Most companies don’t really think about whether their workplace and culture are fit to cater to both extroverts and introverts. Mainstream company work culture tends to value extroversion over introversion. And this undermines the strengths of the quiet ones.  What if they have more to offer, but it doesn’t get into the table because leaders and employees don’t really understand how their introvert people operate? Join me in this episode, as we learn and understand the introverts' traits and how companies can bring out their true strength and talents! Jennifer Kahnweiler is an author and speaker hailed as a pioneer of the past decades' introvert revolution. Her books are focused on how introverts can lead and inspire others at work by tapping into their natural quiet strengths. She will talk about her book, Creating Introvert-Friendly Workplaces: How to Unleash Everyone’s Talent and Performance, and explain how your organization can create an introvert-friendly workplace where everyone thrives! We also touch on the myths related to introverts that’ll make you cringe and why introverts are not what you think they are. Create a welcoming culture that maximizes the introverts' skills and talents by listening to this episode as Jennifer offers the guides to introvert inclusion! Grab yourself a copy of Jennifer’s Creating Introvert-Friendly Workplaces: How to Unleash Everyone’s Talent and Performance  👉 here and unleash the introverts' natural skills and talents!  In this episode, you will learn about: How to assess whether a workplace is set up for introverted employees What is the introvert revolution? Extrovert focused systems Jennifer talks about the common hiring process in several high performing companies  Hiring an introvert vs. an extrovert person Questioning our own biases and perspective when hiring people Jennifer’s thoughts on hiring people for the future of the business The best way to deliver training, learning, and development systems to power introverts How companies and organizations are serving their introvert employees The LOUDership leadership Whether extroverted skills are more valued inside of a workplace Educating people about what introverts are Preparation, the real differentiators for introverts Understanding and nurturing relationships with your introvert people The good meeting hygiene Myths about introversion that’ll make you cringe The modes of communication that introverts tend to rely on Silence and the power of the ‘pause.’ The relevance of creating an introvert-friendly workplace Connect with Jennifer: Website LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Facebook Resources mentioned in this episode: The Introverted Leader by Jennifer Kahnweiler Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility by Patty McCord   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.