In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, host Brandon Laws interviews David Dodson, an accomplished author and successful entrepreneur. David shares insights from his book, The Manager's Handbook, which provides a comprehensive blueprint for effective management, offering practical and data-driven strategies for hiring, onboarding, and day-to-day leadership. The episode provides valuable insights for managers seeking to optimize team performance and achieve business success.   TAKEAWAYS Managers must move away from hiring based on gut feelings and move toward hiring based on outcomes. In the first one hundred days, the connective tissue is built between the employee and the company, so proper leadership during this initial time is critical to retention. Instant performance management with radical candor is essential in developing your people and building trust. The exit interview is a secret weapon for greater understanding and development of the manager’s strengths and weaknesses, and it must be conducted effectively by someone who is not the direct report. Often, we can confuse busyness with progress — we must ask ourselves whether we’re moving the company forward or just “being busy.” Sign up for the annual What People Want from Work Survey by Aug 31: 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.”

Sit down with the Chief Inspirational Officer of Pacific Perks, Natalie Fairchild, in this fun and fresh episode of Transform Your Workplace. Natalie’s unique business, Pacific Perks, is an espresso bar catering business with an emphasis on workplace flexibility, allowing employees to have autonomy over their roles and schedules. Natalie shares stories of employees with diverse backgrounds who have found success and fulfillment at Pacific Perks and talks about the challenges and victories of making the business work despite such unorthodox methods. Listen in and get inspired by this unique and thriving business.   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, guest host Lacey Partipilo is joined by Emily Etherington, the recipient of the Xenium Volunteer Award, to delve into the importance of volunteer programs in the workplace. Emily, who spearheaded the development of the volunteer program at Xenium, shares her insights and experiences in coordinating community service and volunteer events for the organization and its clients. Discover the significant impact volunteering can have on employee engagement, mental well-being, and overall workplace satisfaction.    Interested in learning more? Connect with Emily on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-etherington-31013328/   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.”  

Struggling to keep top talent in today’s modern workplace? It’s not as complicated as you might think. According to recent guest Joe Mull, author of Employalty, employers must make a commitment to three essential aspects of a “destination” workplace: providing the ideal job, prioritizing meaningful work, and being a great boss. Simple yet powerful, these focus areas are the key to lasting retention. Listen in and learn how you can take real steps to ignite commitment and loyalty among your people.   TAKEAWAYS Employalty is a portmanteau of the words “employer,” “loyalty,” and “humanity.” Social science research shows that organizations can attract and retain dedicated employees by focusing on three key areas: “ideal job,” “meaningful work,” and “great boss.” Today’s employees are recalibrating the type of work they want to do and how that work fits into their lives. Business owners and leaders need to embrace a mindset shift — that there is no staffing shortage, but rather that there is a “great jobs” shortage. People generally do a great job when they believe they have a great job. The ideal job is made up of compensation, workload, and flexibility. People believe that their work is meaningful if they find purpose, use their strengths, and experience belonging. This “great boss” factor is made up of three dimensions: trust, coaching, and advocacy.    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.”

This podcast episode discusses "radical candor," a framework for giving direct and empathetic feedback to build trust and foster a positive work environment. It emphasizes giving feedback frequently, rather than waiting for annual reviews and promotes personal and professional growth in feedback-giving. The hosts share personal experiences and stress the importance of context, questions, and co-creating solutions in feedback conversations.   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.”

Sit down with Malorie Nicole, a transformational executive coach, as she discusses the challenges that today’s leaders face in achieving personal business alignment. Malorie highlights the importance of scaling a company by keeping the development and well-being of your people at the forefront. And when it comes to boosting team performance, she talks about how CEOs must start with themselves. If you’re a leader of people, you don’t want to miss this conversation on how to create real and lasting change for your team.   TAKEAWAYS A significant challenge facing today’s leaders is achieving personal business alignment, or the harmony between an individual's personal values, passions, and goals and the goals and direction of their business.  Scaling a business is largely dependent on the development of people. Post-pandemic, people don't just want a place to work but rather a place where they feel connection and autonomy. When you’re feeling “stuck,” it usually means you forgot to give yourself permission to do something — to change, to let go, or to pivot. Top-performing CEOs make strategic decisions instead of micromanaging daily tasks.  Emotional intelligence is critical if CEOs want to experience mental freedom, better performance, and stronger team culture.   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.”

Sit down with recent guest Phil Simon, technology and collaboration expert and author of The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Shaping the Workplace, for a discussion relevant to virtually every business leader in today’s changing workplace. Get insight into worker engagement and productivity, burnout, the labor market imbalance, the power of AI, and the role of blockchain in creating boundaries amidst chaos. This is one eye-opening conversation that you don’t want to miss.   TAKEAWAYS The workplace is undergoing significant transformation and won't revert to its pre-pandemic state. Nine transformative forces are shaping the modern workplace. One hypothesis about a drop in workplace productivity is its correlation with a forced return to work. A leading cause of burnout is technology and collaboration overload. Management shouldn’t dismiss new tools, like Generative AI, just because of their disadvantages, but they should also be wary of leaning too heavily upon them. Blockchain seems to be the best safeguard against complete chaos when it comes to the dangers of Generative AI.    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.”  

Our latest bonus episode of Transform Your Workplace with Nicole Blevins, where we discuss mentorships. Nicole shares her experience with formal and informal mentor relationships and how to make the most of them. Listen in as we discuss the importance of being prepared as a mentee and how to drive the relationship forward. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation!   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.”  

SHOW NOTES In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Eli Blackman, the Co-Founder and CEO of Field Day, discusses his career journey and the importance of community engagement in the workplace. He shares how his experience at Elemental, a small startup later acquired by Amazon, inspired him to start Field Day, a program that connects employees with volunteering opportunities at local nonprofits. Give this episode a listen, and learn how volunteering can have a positive impact on your team’s morale, job satisfaction, and company culture.   TAKEAWAYS Creating a culture of giving back to local nonprofits boosts employee morale, job satisfaction, and retention. Recognizing the value of this outlet for employees, Eli Blackman co-founded Field Day, aiming to fill the gap in the market for tools that empower companies and employees to participate in volunteer activities together. Volunteering shouldn’t be forced; instead, once employees participate of their own accord, they make connections that inspire and spur them to continue. Leaders must address the challenge of relationship-building among their hybrid workforce, and one way to do so is through volunteering initiatives. 80% of employees who participate in volunteer events see a decrease in stress and report an improvement in mental health. Companies that integrate corporate social responsibility into their culture see a 50% decrease in turnover.   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.” Quick LinksGet Embed PlayerShare on SocialDownload Audio File

In this episode, we talk to Michelle about career pathing and how employees can own their career growth. Michelle shares her journey from customer service to HR and how she landed her current role as an HR business partner. We also discuss the benefits of career pathing programs for employers and metrics to measure success. Tune in to learn more about career pathing and how to empower your employees to take control of their career 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.”