Workplace Innovator Podcast | Enhancing Your Employee Experience | Facility Management | CRE | Digital Workplace Technology

Porschia Parker-Griffin, MS, PCC is Founder and CEO at Fly High Coaching where she is an organizational consultant, career services and strategy leader, and Host of the "Career 101 Podcast". Mike Petrusky asks Porschia about how the physical workspace impacts company culture and employee engagement, while leading to collaboration, innovation and better business outcomes. They explore the marketplace today where organizational change, including reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions are all significant challenges for companies. Employee engagement is at its lowest point globally since the start of the pandemic, so leaders must bridge generational differences to deliver results while recognizing people want to feel valued and make a difference. Porschia believes that being innovative today involves continuous learning and adapting to new ideas, technologies, and insights to improve processes, so she and Mike encourage listeners to make incremental changes over time that can lead to better outcomes, as they inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Porschia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/porschiaparker/ Learn more about Fly High Coaching: https://www.fly-highcoaching.com/ Listen to Mike on the Career 101 Podcast: https://www.fly-highcoaching.com/innovation-in-the-workplace/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Jess Baker is a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and Author of the book, "The Super-Helper Syndrome: A Survival Guide for Compassionate People" which is for anyone who wants to understand how helping works and to be better at it. Mike Petrusky asks Jess why she believes that empathy in the workplace is often misunderstood, and she shares the difference between cognitive empathy and emotional empathy. She explains that compassionate leadership involves both empathy and taking action to relieve the suffering of others, which leads to better team performance and a more inclusive environment. Jess says that change management in the workplace should involve asking employees about their needs and how they would design their workspaces to optimize their well-being and productivity, but advises we ask more questions since the first answer may not always reveal the true needs or feelings of individuals. Mike and Jess share inspiration and encouragement as you seek to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbakerpsych/ Buy the book "The Super-Helper Syndrome": https://www.amazon.com/Super-Helper-Syndrome-Survival-Compassionate-People/dp/0750998865 Explore Empathy-Powered Leaders - a unique development journey: https://jessbaker.co.uk/empathy-powered-leadership/ Take a Free Quiz about Dynamic Helper Archetypes: https://jess-baker.involve.me/helper-quiz Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Adam Stoltz is a corporate real estate and workplace leader with a focus on strategy, operations, and workplace experience and he is Cofounder at The Idea Kitchen, a shared workspace in the heart of Larchmont, NY. Mike Petrusky asks Adam about his career journey and his current focus on understanding the evolving workplace and how leaders can meet the needs of professionals today. They discuss how businesses must foster a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation while providing flexibility in their operations as they explore the challenges of delivering dynamic workspaces. Adam believes that empowering a diverse talent pool with different skill sets will be essential for the future of the built environment, so he suggests looking beyond traditional industry boundaries to find people that can drive innovation. Mike and Adam share stories from their community of FM and CRE leaders and offer some practical advice as they seek to inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abstoltz/ Learn more about The Idea Kitchen: https://ideakitchenlarchmont.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Silvija Martincevic is CEO of Deputy, a global workforce management platform, where she is passionate about creating a culture that expects high performance, but also one where high care and the importance of open and respectful communication is prioritized. Mike Petrusky asks Silvija about her years of experience building, growing and scaling global businesses, including Affirm and Groupon, and her current views of Gen Z and the expectations of frontline workers today. They explore flexibility as a strategy for long-term business success, improving employee sentiment, engagement, and retention. Silvija sees a significant generational shift in work preferences and believes that Gen Z workers prefer micro shifts (4 to 6 hours) for better work-life balance, making traditional 9-to-5 shifts less appealing. Technology and tools that promote recognition and communication can enhance the dignity and satisfaction of frontline workers. Mike and Silvija agree that the future of work requires innovative approaches to care for our people and the built environment, so they share practical advice and encouragement to inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Silvija on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvija-martincevic/ Learn more about Deputy: https://www.deputy.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Kelly Duff is Employee Experience Manager at Sentinel Technologies where she is passionate about creating meaningful and engaging workplace experiences that foster growth, community, and purpose. Mike Petrusky asks Kelly for an update on her career journey and they explore how her role has expanded to include a variety of responsibilities such as building community, recognizing employees, and planning social events. Mike and Kelly agree that the pandemic dramatically changed the concept of workplace experience, shifting the focus from physical office amenities to remote and hybrid work models, while simultaneously making human connection and physical spaces essential. So Kelly shares strategies for identifying opportunities, addressing pain points and team-building activities that focus on employee well-being. The future of work is about adapting to change, staying curious, and being human-centered, so Mike and Kelly offer inspiration to help you be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyjourdanduff/ Learn more about Sentinel Technologies: https://www.sentinel.com/ Explore Kelly's personal website: http://kellyduffwrites.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Jeff Frick is a podcast host and a media entrepreneur who is passionate about the future of work, leadership, and innovation. He is the host of two podcasts, Work 20XX and Turn the Lens, and he joins Mike Petrusky on this collaboration episode to share his current views on the workplace and the role of the built environment in the future of work. They explore how the physical office can serve as a place for meaningful interactions and experiences and discuss the role that technology can play in understanding space utilization and enhancing the experience of employees who come into the office. Jeff believes that leaders must shift their mindset from the workplace being where we are housing employees to creating an environment where they can deliver their best work and the office of the future will likely be more flexible, with a focus on hospitality and services. Collaboration and sharing of content across different platforms and communities can help in building a stronger, more engaged audience, so Mike and Jeff team up to offer the practical advice and encouragement you will need to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefrick/ Subscribe to the Work 20XX Podcast: https://www.work20xx.com/ Learn more about Menlo Creek Media: https://www.menlocreek.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Lorri Rowlandson is Senior Vice President for Strategy & Innovation at BGIS in Toronto and Alana Dunoff, ProFM, FMP, IFMA Fellow is a Consultant and Adjunct Professor at Temple University in Philadelphia. They joined Mike Petrusky on stage in front of an audience of FM professionals at IFMA's Facility Fusion in Austin, TX to record a live podcast called "Leading through Change and the Future of FM Innovation" where they discussed change management and the role of technology in the built environment. Mike asked his guests to share practical use cases as they focused on sharing specific ways that facility managers can have a significant impact on the health of human beings in the workplace. Innovation in FM should start with small, incremental changes, and the panel emphasized that technology, especially AI, should be used to enhance human potential rather than replace it. Lorri and Alana agreed that continuous learning and upskilling are essential for staying relevant in this rapidly changing industry, so they offered change management strategies and practical advice to help you be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Lorri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorri-rowlandson/ Connect with Alana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanadunoff/ Learn more about IFMA: https://www.ifma.org/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Kay Sargent is Senior Principal and Director of Thought Leadership for Interiors at HOK where she is a recognized expert on workplace design and strategy and author of the new book, "Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing Sensory Processing and Cognitive Well-Being in the Built Environment". Mike Petrusky invites Kay back to the show for a milestone episode and an inspiring conversation about the importance of neuro-inclusive design in the workplace and the impact of the built environment on individuals. Kay believes that designing with intention and evidence-based methods is essential, so her book includes case studies and quotes from experts, providing a rich resource for those interested in neuro-inclusive design. Mike asks how technology can impact this topic and wonders about the role of facility management professionals as they collaborate with their partners to ensure that design decisions are not undermined by practical considerations. Kay shares that neuro-inclusive design is not just about accommodating specific needs but about optimizing human potential for everyone, so she and Mike offer the practical advice and encouragement you will need to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Kay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-sargent-53b2431/ Buy the book: https://www.inclusiveworkplace.design/ Learn more about the Interiors at HOK: https://www.hok.com/projects/discipline/interiors/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Amanda Schneider, LEED AP, MBA is Founder & President at ThinkLab, a TedX Speaker, and Host of "Design Nerds Anonymous" podcast where she is passionate about sharing research and insights for the built environment. Mike Petrusky asks Amanda about the evolving role of the workplace, the importance of process innovation over product innovation, and the impact of generational changes in the world of work today. They explore the integration of human resources, workplace design, and technology, and the need for professionals to connect space to strategy, people to purpose, and data to decisions. Amanda believes that the built environment is no longer just a backdrop to work, but "it is the workplace experience" and she is excited about the possibilities for workplace leaders as research reveals that Gen Z thinks digital first and analog second, which impacts how they build relationships and engage with the workplace. Tune in as Mike and Amanda share stories from their podcasting experiences while they encourage and inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandajeanschneider/ Learn more about ThinkLab: https://thinklab.design/ Watch Amanda's TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_schneider_work_is_broken_gen_z_can_help_fix_it_mar_2025 Listen to "Design Nerds Anonymous" podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-nerds-anonymous/id1534887549 Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Pendrick Brown is Managing Director for EMEA and Principal at HLW where he is passionate about delivering architecture and design for commercial clients helping them create the spaces they need. Mike Petrusky asks Pendrick about the evolving workplace, design practices, and the role of technology in creating innovative and effective spaces. They discuss the top priorities for workplace leaders today and explore hybrid models and the importance of agile and flexible spaces. Pendrick believes that understanding the unique culture and ethos of each company is essential for creating a design that meets their specific needs and future goals. Human experience and behavior is crucial in workplace design, aiming to enhance collaboration, well-being, and serendipitous engagements, while technology, such as AI-infused booking systems and biometric data, can help optimize space usage and improve the employee experience. Tune in as Mike and Pendrick share practical insights and advice that will encourage and inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Pendrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pendrickbrown/ Learn more about HLW: https://hlw.com/ Find workplace research at ARK: https://www.workwithark.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/