Modern Mentor

Ira Bedzow, Executive Director of the Emory Purpose Project and a professor at Emory University, challenges the conventional notion of purpose as a destination. He argues that purpose is an active verb, essential in all industries. Ira offers insights on cultivating skills like resilience and reflection to foster a purpose-driven culture. He emphasizes the importance of listening in leadership and making ethical decisions based on people's true desires. Lastly, he encourages creativity in generating options instead of settling for the first choice.

724. Being strategic at work is about focusing less on quantity—how much you can get done—and leaning instead on doing the right stuff in the wisest and most impactful ways. Here are three strategies to unlock that superpower. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As 2025 wraps up, the conversation tackles the unpredictable nature of the year and how to reframe uncertainty into proactive preparation. The host emphasizes the importance of experimenting with AI to enhance human skills. Loneliness at work is identified as a significant issue, highlighting the need for meaningful connections. Listeners are advised to protect their careers as workplace loyalty evolves, ensuring resumes are always up to date. Lastly, a message of self-compassion is shared, encouraging listeners to balance pressure with kindness to themselves.

Facing uncertainty can be a challenge, but there are effective strategies to thrive. Focus on what you can control while assessing your true ambitions before climbing the career ladder. Build meaningful connections at work to combat loneliness and infuse purpose into daily tasks for a more fulfilling experience. Be discerning with your time, valuing impact over mere availability. Finally, stay agile and prepared for whatever comes next without succumbing to panic. It's all about taking proactive steps for a better 2026!

Rachel explores the power of observation as a tool for reflection. By identifying your bright spots from the past year, you can repeat what works. She shares insights on analyzing standout feedback and highlights how small efforts can lead to significant wins. Listeners are encouraged to recognize when they feel most engaged and to reflect on moments of courage. Discovering personal patterns allows for the replication of success in the coming year, transforming observation into actionable practice.

JP Elliott, founder of Future of HR Consulting and host of the Future of HR podcast, dives into the enduring human needs in the workplace: belonging, mastery, and meaning. He discusses how these elements remain critical despite technological changes like AI. JP emphasizes the leader's role in fostering an engaging environment through strategic connections to mission and encouraging employee-driven career growth. Additionally, he offers insight on combating burnout by aligning work with purpose, showcasing that understanding these fundamentals can create high-performing teams.

Is the relentless pursuit of productivity really helping us? The host challenges us to shift our focus from merely increasing output to achieving quality and impact. Introducing the 4S framework, we learn the importance of knowing our 'why' to prioritize meaningful work. Protecting our time, making work engaging, and collaborating effectively can enhance both enjoyment and results. Rethinking productivity might just be the key to finding fulfillment in our professional lives.

Leaders are overwhelmed trying to fix everything, while employees feel stuck waiting for change. The podcast explores why the traditional top-down leadership model is ineffective today. It emphasizes the power of small, grassroots solutions, like shared documents for employee engagement. Listeners are encouraged to experiment with manageable changes without seeking permission. By inviting distributed ownership, leaders can reduce their burnout and enhance team collaboration. The episode challenges everyone to take one small step toward innovation this week.

Work has lost its sense of community, and it's impacting connection and engagement. Discover why the traditional workplace feels broken and how to rebuild it. Explore practical strategies like establishing buddy systems to enhance onboarding, ensuring equal access to information for remote teams, and varying meeting formats to maintain engagement. Learn the importance of co-creating team charters and intentional leadership to foster a culture of belonging. These insights could transform how you connect with your colleagues.

When faced with tough decisions, how do leaders move forward? Insights from philosopher Ruth Chang highlight that hard choices often lack clear answers. Rachel shares her own experiences with indecision, illustrating the pitfalls of analysis paralysis. She emphasizes the importance of aligning choices with a clear priority, or 'North Star.' Engaging prompts like 'would you rather' help teams practice making trade-offs. Ultimately, leaders must commit to their chosen path, understanding that indecision can harm trust and momentum.