Transform Your Workplace

In this special 500th episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, host Brandon Laws reconnects with longtime friend and colleague, Lacey Partipilo—the very first guest from episode one. Together, they reminisce about the podcast's humble beginnings back in 2012, discussing the challenges and triumphs that shaped its evolution. Dive into their personal growth stories, insights on how HR and leadership have transformed over the past decade, and what the future holds for workplaces everywhere. Plus, enjoy some fun rapid-fire questions as Brandon and Lacey share personal anecdotes and celebrate this incredible milestone. Join us for a heartfelt look back and an inspiring look forward! 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, Brandon Laws sits down with Sean Grace, author of The Art of the Question, to explore the transformative power of curiosity and the skill of asking meaningful questions. Grace emphasizes that curiosity isn’t just for kids — it’s a tool for leaders to foster connection, growth, and innovative thinking. He shares how letting go of the need to "know" and asking the right questions opens leaders up to new perspectives and unlocks team creativity. If you’re a leader looking to deepen your influence and inspire genuine engagement, tune in to learn how to master the art of the question.   TAKEAWAYS Curiosity helps leaders grow personally and professionally by fostering open-minded exploration. Leaders can create stronger connections and drive innovation by embracing questions over answers. Open-ended questions like "How might we...?" stimulate creative thinking and teamwork. Leaders focused on inquiry can unlock their team's wisdom and unique perspectives. Self-questioning increases leaders' self-awareness, helping them recognize biases. Cultivating curiosity prevents the "atrophy" of questioning skills over time. The Socratic Method empowers teams by guiding them to discover their own answers. Asking "So what? Who cares?" ensures relevant and impactful communication.   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. 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 episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws interviews Matt Beane, author of The Skill Code, to explore how skill development is being disrupted by modern productivity demands and technology. Beane highlights the timeless power of mentorship and hands-on learning, tracing its roots from ancient craftsmanship to today’s robotic surgeries. However, he also warns that prioritizing productivity over skill-building risks “de-skilling” the workforce. Leaders, if you’re serious about preserving expertise and fostering growth in your organization, this episode is a must-listen.   TAKEAWAYS Mentorship and hands-on learning have always been essential for skill development, from ancient craftsmanship to modern robotic surgery.  Effective learning happens when people are challenged to grow, explore broader systems, and build trust with others.  Many workers, called "shadow learners," find informal ways to learn, like using technology or online resources, but this can lead to both innovation and risks. Systems focused too much on productivity can unintentionally prevent skill-building, leaving workers underprepared.  Organizations need simple ways to identify and address skill gaps early. Leaders should continually refine their strategies to ensure their teams stay skilled and adaptable.   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.

In this podcast episode, Sarah Touzani discusses Waggle, an AI-powered leadership coaching platform that provides real-time, personalized feedback for managers. Drawing from her background in finance and startups, she explains how the technology observes meeting interactions to help leaders improve their skills continuously. The platform aims to address traditional leadership training limitations by offering immediate, context-specific coaching insights while prioritizing individual data privacy.   TAKEAWAYS Sarah Touzani transitioned from banking to creating an AI-based leadership coaching tool that provides real-time, personalized feedback for managers. Waggle uses meeting transcripts and AI to analyze leadership behaviors, offering immediate insights on communication, empathy, and management skills. The platform emphasizes data privacy, allowing individual users to own their data while potentially providing aggregated, anonymized organizational insights.   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.

In the latest episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws interviews economist Mallory Vachon, who shares her expertise on the current state of the labor market and what lies ahead. Vachon, a senior economist with LaborIQ, sheds light on key trends like the evolving expectations of Gen Z, the challenges with compensation amidst labor shortages, and the reality of hybrid work becoming a long-term staple. HR leaders, this episode is a must-listen to stay ahead in a changing workforce — tune in to better understand how you can adapt to these trends and meet the evolving demands of today's labor market.   TAKEAWAYS The labor market is stabilizing post-pandemic, with job additions slowing to meet steady workforce needs. Gen Z values purpose, quality of life, and mission-driven work over traditional motivators like pay and promotions. Wage growth will likely stay above pre-pandemic levels due to talent shortages and inflation pressures. Remote and hybrid work are likely here to stay as flexibility becomes essential to attracting talent. Competition for local talent has intensified, with remote work expanding hiring possibilities. The gig economy is growing as workers seek greater control, flexibility, and work-life balance. Despite concerns, the labor market is largely stable, with gradual rehiring in many industries.   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.

Emily Etherington, an HR business partner at Xenium, discusses managing substance abuse in the workplace. She explains that with substance abuse affecting one in ten people nationally, workplaces need structured approaches to support affected employees. The discussion covers two main support frameworks: company assistance programs for employees who self-disclose, and last chance agreements for cases involving policy violations or performance issues.   TAKEAWAYS Organizations should balance zero-tolerance policies with supportive resources and structures for employee recovery Success requires both employer willingness to support and employee commitment to engage in treatment Using third-party management for cases helps maintain professionalism and protect sensitive health information   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.

Sit down for a timely conversation between host Brandon Laws and guest Mitch Warner, co-author of Leadership and Self-Deception. Warner reveals how self-deception is often the hidden root of workplace challenges, and leaders who help their teams shift from blame to accountability unleash creativity and collaboration. Sharing insights from the fourth edition of his book, Warner emphasizes that true transformation isn’t about implementing more tactics but about changing the way people see one another and themselves.   TAKEAWAYS Most team challenges come from people dynamics, not technical problems, and resolving these is crucial for progress. Team members often struggle to recognize their role in problems, which keeps conflicts unresolved. Lasting transformation happens when people change how they view themselves and others. Understanding others’ perspectives strengthens relationships and promotes growth within teams. The need to be “right” often leads people to ignore their own contributions to problems, which can hurt relationships and team goals. Recognizing how each of our actions impacts colleagues leads to better work quality and a more connected, supportive workplace.   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.

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Chris Deaver, a people leader at Roblox and co-author of Brave Together, shares his experiences working with some of the most creative teams at Apple, Disney, and beyond. He dives into how co-creation and collaboration are key to overcoming the impossible. Chris also touches on the importance of humility, creativity, and empathy in leadership, offering insights on how to shape the future by co-creating with others. Tune in to hear about turning pain into power, reimagining the mundane, and building a culture that sparks creativity and connection.   TAKEAWAYS Collaboration and co-creation are crucial for achieving challenging goals, especially within innovative teams. Traditional, siloed work structures can lead to friction and burnout. Humility and empathy in leadership help to build stronger, more connected teams. By transforming meetings into collaborative, question-led experiences, leaders can increase engagement and creativity within their teams. Great companies see themselves as builders and prioritize creativity as a key driver of innovation. Personal challenges can be reframed into opportunities for growth and leadership. Success in the modern world isn't about being self-made, but about co-creating a future with others, emphasizing teamwork and shared goals.   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.  

Shastina Young has been heavily envolved with Xenium HR's equity team since its inception in 2018, starting with external consultants and evolving into an internal volunteer-based equity team structure. The organization operates through three main pillars: "Invest in Our People," "Look Beyond Our Four Walls," and "Cultural Belonging and Career Support."   TAKEAWAYS Xenium HR created a volunteer-based equity team with three focused subcommittees, each with specific missions and action items. Success comes from leadership buy-in combined with employee passion and ownership over initiatives. Regular, accessible programs like Zen Connects help maintain ongoing engagement with EDIB topics through voluntary participation and educational resources.   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.

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws interviews Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, diving into the idea of "intelligent failure" and the importance of fostering psychological safety within teams. Edmondson, author of The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well, shares insights on how stepping into unfamiliar territory often brings failure but also opens the door to critical learning experiences. Tune in to discover how leaders can cultivate an environment where employees feel empowered to take risks, address mistakes openly, and drive ongoing growth and innovation.   TAKEAWAYS Failure can lead to valuable insights if approached thoughtfully. Creating an environment where employees feel safe to voice concerns and admit mistakes is essential for fostering innovation and improvement. Teams that embrace failure as a learning opportunity are more likely to develop new ideas, improve processes, and grow from their experiences. Encouraging employees to take calculated risks without fear of judgment is critical to driving creativity and progress in the workplace. While fear can sometimes be helpful in dangerous situations, interpersonal fear in the workplace can stifle communication, prevent learning, and create unnecessary barriers. It’s important to take the time to reflect on failures holistically, gathering insights from all team members to understand what went wrong and how to improve.   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.