Transform Your Workplace

In a captivating episode of Transform Your Workplace, award-winning children's authors and entrepreneurs Alysson Foti Bourque and Lori Orlinsky share their inspiring journeys from corporate careers to the world of publishing, both of whom found new purpose through writing books that resonate deeply with children and families. Together, they've built Expound Publicity, a thriving PR firm, all while balancing the demands of business with their passion for storytelling and family life. Join us for this heartfelt exploration of the courage it takes to pursue one's true calling and the lasting impact of a powerful story.   TAKEAWAYS Entrepreneurs can pursue their callings, but they must also balance the demands of business with the responsibilities of family life. Expound Publicity focuses on tailoring marketing strategies to fit the unique needs of each client rather than the one-size-fits-all methods common in the corporate world. Our podcast guests’ books aim to empower children, tackling important topics like bullying and self-acceptance. If you want to pursue your passion, you must push past fear and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.   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.

In the latest episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws dives deep into corporate wellness with Dr. Monica Vermani, a clinical psychologist and author of A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety and Traumas. Dr. Vermani sheds light on the vital role of self-awareness in understanding our symptoms and seeking the right help. With the rise in workplace stress and anxiety, made worse by the pandemic, Dr. Vermani's insights advocate for a holistic approach to mental health, both at home and at work. Tune in for practical advice on overcoming burnout and finding peace, no matter where you are in your professional or personal life journey.   TAKEAWAYS Self-awareness helps us comprehend how our symptoms impact our own lives and the lives of those around us. Many individuals struggle with articulating their mental health issues, which can hinder proper care. Employees are often confused about which mental health professionals to consult for various issues, so understanding the roles of different specialists can help in seeking the right support. The pandemic has exacerbated stress and anxiety in the workplace, so comprehensive wellness programs are critical to supporting employees during these challenging times. According to Dr. Vermani, suffering has a purpose and can act as a catalyst for personal growth and change.  To find true wellness, we must reevaluate unhealthy lifestyle habits and integrate holistic strategies for well-being.   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.

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, seasoned executive coach and leadership strategist Sarah Schneider explores how societal, cultural, and family influences shape leadership. Sarah highlights the human side of leadership, stressing that in an increasingly impersonal world, embracing vulnerability and authenticity is crucial for success. Listen in to learn how leaders can not only craft their unique styles but also bring their true selves to the workplace.   TAKEAWAYS Societal, cultural, and familial influences significantly shape how leaders show up in their professional lives. Recognizing and embracing the human side of leadership is crucial in today's increasingly impersonal world. Leaders must be open and genuine to foster a more effective and relatable leadership style. By acknowledging and incorporating human elements into their leadership, leaders can create more compassionate and productive workplaces. Self-reflection is an uncomfortable but critical aspect of learning how to lead effectively.   Sign up for the Annual What People Want from Work Survey by August 16th   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.

Kathi Enderes, Senior VP of Research and Global Industry Analyst at the Josh Bersin Company, shares her insights on the evolving landscape of HR. She discusses the shift from compliance-focused HR to a strategic partner in business, essential for navigating challenges like hybrid work and AI. Kathi highlights the importance of adopting a Systemic HR approach, emphasizing its role in cultural transformation and leadership development. She also explores how AI integration can boost HR efficiency, making it the cornerstone of organizational success.

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws sits down with Josh Durham, Founder of Gamut Project Solutions and a seasoned expert in the construction industry. With over seventeen years of experience managing billion-dollar projects, Josh dives into the principle of agency in leadership and its critical role in professional success. Durham offers valuable insights that can help elevate your leadership skills and workplace dynamics. Don’t miss this essential discussion on empowering yourself and others through agency.   TAKEAWAYS Understanding and embodying the principle of agency is crucial for effective leadership and team cohesion. Focusing on what you can control helps to reduce anxiety and improve your personal and professional life. Leaders who promote agency within their teams create a high-performing and engaged workforce. Believing in your own agency and taking ownership of your actions is vital for professional success and overcoming challenges. Feeling a sense of control helps us to manage conflicts more calmly and constructively. Having well-defined processes in place enhances a sense of control and agency, contributing to better leadership and organizational performance. Understanding internal versus external locus of control helps leaders and their team members focus on areas where they can make an impact.    Sign up for the Annual What People Want from Work Survey by August 16th   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.

In the latest episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, host Brandon Laws sits down with guest Rob Bier to dive into the challenges businesses face as they scale. Rob introduces common pitfalls that arise as companies expand and best practices for supporting growth, sharing insights from his book, Smooth Scaling: 20 Rituals to Build a Friction-Free Organization. The discussion covers crucial aspects like the need for productive dialogue, the impact of remote work on communication, and innovative strategies to ensure alignment and efficiency as organizations scale. This episode is a must-listen if you want to grow without all the growing pains.   TAKEAWAYS Proper scaling maintains the core qualities of a small, efficient organization as it expands. Businesses often encounter similar issues at specific stages of growth, particularly as they transition from small to larger teams.  Effective communication forms the foundation for strategic decisions, technology implementation, and hiring practices. Remote work tools can hinder relationship-building conversations that require trust and are often best conducted in person. Leaders should encourage early, open, and trust-building conversations among team members, helping to prevent and smoothly address conflicts.   Sign up for the Annual What People from Work Survey by August 16, 2024   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.

In the latest episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with Lacey Partipilo, Director of HR and Client Success at Xenium HR, to discuss the recent decline in US employee engagement, now at its lowest in 11 years. Partipilo draws insights from a recent Gallup report and highlights some innovative strategies to re-engage employees. With a focus on building a positive workplace culture, this episode provides valuable guidance for employers striving to navigate the new normal and boost employee engagement.   TAKEAWAYS By early 2024, employee engagement in the US had reached its lowest level in 11 years, with only 30% of workers feeling highly engaged. The lingering impacts of the pandemic continue to disrupt employee sentiment and stability in the workplace. Economic uncertainty significantly affects employee engagement, causing increased anxiety and lower commitment levels. Many organizations struggle to effectively manage a hybrid or fully remote workforce, leading to decreased engagement. Employees, particularly younger ones, desire to see the impact of their work on the organization and broader community. High-engagement organizations prioritize regular surveys and actionable feedback.   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.

Join us for a never-before-discussed topic on our podcast: safety at work. Our two guests, Deb Bridges, a health and safety consultant at Safety Northwest, and Xenium’s own Emily Etherington, an HR business partner, share insights on how to combat safety concerns while fostering a culture of safety. Deb explains the importance of regular risk assessments and proper training, while Emily emphasizes the role of clear communication and supportive policies. Together, they provide practical strategies for creating a safer workplace and discuss the critical partnership between HR and safety professionals in achieving this goal.   TAKEAWAYS The significance of going beyond compliance in safety programs. Understanding the financial and personal implications of safety incidents. The importance of top-down buy-in and team effort in prioritizing safety. Effective communication about safety laws and regulations with employees. The necessity of having a well-developed, practiced emergency response plan. Making safety work meaningful and rewarding to ensure effective execution.   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.

If you want to see lasting culture change, you’ve got to fall in love with the process, not the goal. In the latest episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, leadership and culture expert James Ferguson discusses his new role as Director of Culture for the Wurzak Hotel Group. He shares his insights on shaping organizational culture with increased engagement, focus on mission, and employee recognition. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance workplace culture and foster a sense of belonging among team members.   TAKEAWAYS Lasting cultural change requires embracing the improvement process rather than just aiming for the end goal. Effective internal communication helps team members understand the company’s mission, which is crucial for cultural cohesion. Orientation “done right” creates context, connection, and culture, which can significantly reduce turnover and unify the team. Wurzak’s recognition initiative celebrates employees daily and weekly for living out the company's brand pillars, reinforcing the value of their contributions. “Culture Committees” give employees a voice, building trust and encouraging participation in the company’s cultural development efforts.   Sign up for Xenium’s annual What People Want from Work survey before August 16th - https://xeniumhr.com/what-people-want-from-work/    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.

Listen in on a thought-provoking episode of Transform Your Workplace, where host Brandon Laws sits down with linguistic anthropologist Dr. Suzanne Wertheim to discuss insights from her book, The Inclusive Language Field Guide. To foster respectful communication, she teaches us that context is key and offers guiding principles rather than rigid lists. Dr. Wertheim's insights give listeners practical tools to avoid painful mistakes and engage in meaningful conversations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to communicate more effectively in our ever-changing world.    TAKEAWAYS Language is constantly changing, and it's important to stay updated to communicate effectively and respectfully. Instead of relying on fixed lists of acceptable and unacceptable words, it's crucial to understand the context in which language is used, as meanings and appropriateness can change. Dr. Wertheim offers six principles of inclusive language that act as guardrails to help ensure respectful and meaningful communication. By following the principles of inclusive language, we can all avoid unintentional harm and engage in conversations that are safe and respectful. Those who want to change should commit to continuous learning and adaptability because making small, consistent efforts can lead to significant improvements in communication.   Sign up for Xenium’s annual What People Want from Work survey before August 31st - https://xeniumhr.com/what-people-want-from-work/    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.