Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization Show

In this game-changing episode, we dive deep into the world of resilient leadership and the transformative power of a solid business operating system. We sat down with the remarkable Scott Abbott, an expert in future business operating systems and an exceptional resilient leader in his own right. Together, we explore his secrets behind building prosperous, high-growth businesses that withstand challenges and emerge stronger than ever. Imagine a world where leaders embrace their role as custodians, nurturing their organizations into resilient powerhouses. Scott unveils the key principles of this revolutionary approach, empowering you to become an exceptional custodian and resilient leader. We delve into the four cornerstones of trust: authenticity, empathy, logic, and perseverance, as well as the key roles of grace and grit, vital qualities for weathering storms and thriving in an ever-changing business landscape. Discover the importance of resilience and how it differs from antifragility, and gain insights on how to adapt to change and harness the full potential of a solid business operating system. Moreover, we tackle the elusive concept of work-life balance, exploring its paradoxes in a world of virtual and hybrid work environments. Scott shares strategies to find the right equilibrium, enabling you to lead with confidence and clarity. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and empowered as we unravel the incredible journey of being a custodian and resilient leader, and how integral they are in a forward-thinking business operating system. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to unlock their full potential and create lasting success. A few highlights: [00:01:40] Resilience not enough, aim to be antifragile. [00:08:47] Remote work shifts, coaching replaces managers. [00:15:25] Summary: Business operating system organizes everything effectively. [00:18:39] Leadership is about being a steward. [00:21:55] Grace, grit, and four cornerstones of trust. [00:26:16] A good business system equals freedom. [00:33:27] "Four cornerstones: trust, empathy, logic, perseverance." [00:37:05] New vocab needed for work-life balance. [00:41:41] Teach both hard and soft skills better. [00:44:50] Half-life in politics, business, religion, healthcare. Coaching caution. [00:48:19] Positive pragmatist worried about unoptimized companies. [00:54:19] Passion for operating systems can change everything. [00:58:06] Discipline equals freedom in business success. Who is Scott Abbott? Scott Abbott is an architect, builder, and custodian of prosperous (and resilient) companies, leadership, and growth. He has 30+ years of credentialed experience and expertise in launching, operating, buying, and selling successful businesses. Along the way, he’s raised over $35M+ in venture capital, and led teams that generate billions in sales, service thousands of clients, and hired hundreds of employees. He is a finalist for the Ernst & Young  Entrepreneur of the Year Award, an Entrepreneur in Residence at Indiana University, Inc. 5000 Winner, and the author of 3 books, including The Co+Factor, and the best-selling and award-winning, Level-UP to Professional. For the record, Scott likes to emphasize that he’s also learned a lot through many failures, and setbacks, and by making a truckload of mistakes. As for his professions, and passions: he has the joy and privilege of being a Founder & CEO, Business + Executive Coach, Angel Investor, and Board Member. Most of all, Scott loves helping good and caring people - along with team-centric organizations - effectively learn, implement, and leverage the best strategies, mechanics, and principles for exceptional leadership, management, teamwork and accountability: in business, work & life.  

Are you tired of feeling like just another cog in the corporate machine? Yearning for a deeper sense of purpose than just picking up a paycheck?  In this episode, we're throwing out the rulebook and challenging the status quo. Listen as one of our favorite mental health experts Zach Mercurio exposes the trap surrounding Maslow's Pyramid and shakes up our understanding of what it means to be self-actualized.   Together with the groundbreaking insights of Martin Seligman, a trailblazing positive psychologist, Mercurio dives headfirst into the distinction between the meaning of work and meaning in work. Get ready to redefine success on new terms. But that's not all. We're turning the spotlight on mattering—the secret sauce that can transform your entire workplace experience. Join us as we uncover the strategies and mindset shifts needed to unlock a workplace where employees thrive, not just show up. Say goodbye to the daily grind and hello to careers that truly matter. Whether you're a seasoned manager, an ambitious graduate, or someone on a quest for greater fulfillment, this episode is your ticket to an extraordinary work life. We'll challenge your preconceptions, ignite your passion, and provide actionable insights to help you shape a meaningful career path. Zach Mercurio is an author, researcher, speaker, and consultant specializing in purposeful leadership, meaningful work, and positive organizational psychology. He’s the author of the book "The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose," praised by Arianna Huffington as "a compelling book filled with powerful stories, cutting-edge research, and practical tools that show us how to lead with purpose."   

In this episode, Sarah Marshall, The Experience Architect at humanworks8, shares the foundational components to successful internal communications that make up the 365 Communication Model. Whether you’re communicating to 1 or 1,000, these foundational practices support your organization’s culture of communication, of contribution, and of conversation. Additional Resources  humanworks8 website Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn humanworks8 on LinkedIn (Tool) You Matter Here Conversation Planner (Blog) How to Make Your Company Intranet More Effective (Blog) Creating a Culture Where Everyone Contributes Communication Statistics Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Have you ever wondered how to encourage resistant old-school managers to lead change? To shift their way of thinking about recruiting, retaining, and engaging workers in this Never Normal world? Then this episode is for you. According to Susan Lindner, the world’s leading expert on innovation storytelling, you need to encourage them to become the hero of the transformation. Susan shares how managers can create an emotional and engaging narrative to lead their teams through VUCA - the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity of today’s world. From brothels in Thailand to the World Bank, our conversation covers a wide range of topics and experiences that have shaped the speaker's perspective on the art and power of storytelling in promoting change. Whether you are fascinated or terrified by change, this episode is for you.  

In this episode, Bill Keller is joined by Aaron Nair, Director of Talent Acquisition at Staffing Global to dive into the intricacies of overseas staffing operations in India and America. They discuss the importance of building good relationships and ensuring all parties benefit in the staffing process. Tune in as they share their advice on how to successfully work with Indian call center reps and why it's crucial to understand the local culture when hiring overseas. Additional Resources  Connect with Bill on LinkedIn Staffing Global Website Free Consultation Connect with Aaron Nair on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In this episode, Amy Warren talks with FAMA's Head of Data Science, Amber McKenzie to tackle different perceptions of AI, and how we should consider using AI as a tool instead of a solution. Listen in to understand how AI can speed up tasks in recruitment, as well as the importance of diversity in reducing biases in the workplace. Additionally, Amy shares her background and her work with AI technology at @Fama, a company that searches over 10,000 online sources as a big part of their product or solution. Additional Resources Fama Website Fama Technologies on LI Amy Warren on LinkedIn Contact Fama  Connect with Amber on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network 

Organizations are making efforts towards a fair and candidate-friendly interview process that involves consistent structured interviews across job types to reduce bias. The highest-rated CandE Winners in Talent Board's benchmark research conducted structured interviews more frequently and achieved higher positive candidate ratings and perceived fairness. Providing candidates with information on their job fit and candidacy status at the end of the interview day resulted in a 71% increase in their willingness to refer others. CandE-winning companies establish follow-up dates with finalists and provide feedback to candidates, usually finalists in the interview stage, more often than all other companies combined. Giving feedback to candidates pays off significantly for employers, as explored in this episode.   Additional Resources Learn More About Talent Board Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn Download research reports Participate in their benchmark research Learn more about Talent Board programs Order our Candidate Experience book (20% discount code is KOGANPAGE20) Schedule time with Kevin   Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In Part 2 of this conversation, Paul McCarthy provides guidance to disruptive leaders who are challenging existing norms, practices of thinking, behaviors, and ways of conducting business. Disruptive leaders are known for their inclination to take risks and push boundaries to create innovative and groundbreaking solutions. Research indicates the demand for disruptive leaders is anticipated to rise, thereby necessitating the evolution of our identification, recruitment, onboarding, and development systems and processes for leadership, and the promotion of disruptive leadership qualities as a norm. Join Paul as he breaks down the Enterprise Level Disruptive Leader Maturity Model and how it can help organizations measure the level of disruptiveness in their leaders and assess their readiness to embrace such individuals.   Additional Resources Connect with Paul on LinkedIn KF report: The Self Disruptive Leader Heidrick & Struggles: Disruptive Leaders DDI 2023 Global Leadership Forecast

In this episode, Vivian Blade reflects on the fine-tuning or overhauling of company culture to meet the expectations of employees to be seen as human beings first. She is joined by Michele Koch, SVP and Chief Culture and People Development Officer at Republic Bank, who will discuss future work trends and provide some strategies for growing positive leaders, enhancing culture and employee experience. Additional Resources Top 100 HR Influencer 2021 - Leadership & Development #1 Best Selling Author Email Vivian: vivian@vivianblade.com Vivian's website Connect with Vivian on LinkedIn Vivian's full bio Get on Vivian's Calendar Connect with Michele Koch Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Do you know what happens when four HR podcaster giants walk into a bar? They join forces to produce this first-time event that is sure to knock your socks off. Buckle up, folks, and get ready to explore the wild, wacky world of never-normal work.  Together, the hosts of Geek Geezers Googlization and Chad and Cheese, dive into a few of the most disruptive and controversial trends that are turning the world of work on its head. From the struggle to implement pay-on-demand to the likely backfire of back-to-work mandates, these four intrepid hosts unleash the unvarnished truth about the chaos management often perpetuates.  And speaking of chaos, they also take on the beast known as HR and its desperate need to shape up and get with the times. Because, let's face it, if HR doesn't evolve, it's like watching a T-Rex try to use an iPhone. Not pretty. But wait, there's more! They also touch on the impact of diversity, because who doesn't love a little bit of variety in their workplace? (Hint:‌ The C-Suite!)  And just when you thought it couldn't get any juicier, they even tackle the hot-button issues of Chat GPT, NFTs, and Web 3, and their potential impact on the HR Tech industry and work. Who needs a crystal ball when you've got this powerhouse panel mixing it up? So what are you waiting for? Grab your headphones, buckle up, and get ready for a wild ride through the world of work. This episode is guaranteed to make you laugh, think, and hopefully reimagine your tomorrow.