You've heard me talk about Both/And leadership and about Both/And business models. The ability to balance mission-driven, social impact work with sustainable profit and growth AT THE SAME TIME. It is possible, and it's not just a theory. Today, we talk with Jonathan Beck, someone who knows this firsthand. Today, Jonathan and I discuss the tension between purpose and profit and how to recognize if you are in a growth vs. survival mindset. He chats about how to integrate compassionate and impact-driven business practices while building a business and making a profit, how nonprofits can scale personalization to drive more impact, and how to leverage innovation to make a difference. Jonathan peels back the curtain on the surprising con being run by many leading CRM players on nonprofits and how we can create a marketplace of meaning. Finally, he shares how WeGive successfully models values such as transparency, honesty, and accountability to gain trust and build relationships that benefit the company and the customer at the same time. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:In a non-profit organization, your donors are your customers. You should have an ideal donor in the same way that for-profit organizations have ideal clients. It’s not enough to just say “We need your help.”Non-profits are often so busy taking care of their mission and purpose that they forget to take care of their internal team. You must steward your own culture while trying to save the world.No matter the size of your organization, as a leader, you must model accountability and vulnerability with your team. This allows others to take responsibility for what they bring to the table.How to increase engagement is not a mystery. It all comes back to creating an environment where people know their contribution and perspective matters."Giving is going digital. Consumer expectations are that they have an incredible digital experience. It’s about trust and communication. It’s about a purchase of identity, ultimately." —  Jonathan BeckFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Jonathan Beck, Founder/CEO, WeGiveJonathan Beck is a seasoned software and financial technology entrepreneur with a strong foundation in faith-based initiatives. After successful ventures in Silicon Valley, including as a founding team member for the global digital payments solution PayStand, Jonathan returned to his roots to make a meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector. He founded WeGive, a SaaS platform that empowers nonprofits and faith-based organizations with cutting-edge fundraising and donor engagement tools. With a passion for supporting mission-driven causes, Jonathan leverages his expertise to help organizations grow, engage supporters, and maximize their impact.Connect with Jonathan:  WeGive: wegive.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathanbeck1  Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge

Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge. Tune in here every 3rd Thursday, or visit CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.Kim Bohr and anthropologist Aaron Delgaty, PhD dive deep into the "arrival fallacy" - the pervasive belief that happiness and fulfillment lie just beyond the next project deadline, quarter, or milestone. Drawing from extensive research on workplace dynamics, they explore how four essential elements - continuity, reciprocity, purpose, and hope - shape our working relationships and overall job satisfaction. Through the lens of anthropology and organizational behavior, they examine why we fall into patterns of perpetually postponing contentment and how this impacts everything from team dynamics to bottom-line business outcomes.The conversation weaves together insights from Gallup's research on employee engagement, real-world examples of boundary setting, and practical strategies for breaking free from the "things will get better" cycle. You will be challenged to have honest conversations about work relationships and learn why misalignment isn't always about bad management. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Having honest conversations with yourself and others is crucial for maintaining healthy working relationshipsThe four essential elements of working relationships are: continuity, reciprocity, purpose, and hopeSetting clear boundaries is vital for sustainable work practices and personal wellbeingMisalignment in work relationships isn't always about bad management - sometimes it's about fitEven introverts need to talk about workplace challenges to create positive change"The arrival fallacy is like balancing on a one-legged stool of hope. You might maintain it temporarily, but you're operating on an unsustainable promise of 'someday.'" - Aaron Delgaty, PhDAbout Aaron Delgaty, PhDAaron Delgaty, PhD, is a cultural anthropologist and ethnographer. He received his doctorate in cultural anthropology from the Univeristy of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2020. His research explores what shapes worker and workplace resilience and how resilience resists, crumbles, or reforms in the aftermath of personal and collective disaster. In addition to teaching research methods and anthropological theory, Aaron leads research for brand strategy agency TSC.About SparkEffectSparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.Connect with Aaron Delgaty, PhDThe anthropology of work: aarondelgaty.comTSC:  tsc.chatAaron’s Book: Working Relationships: Crisis and resilience at the heart of employee experienceLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adelgatyConnect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffectSparkEffect: sparkeffect.comCourage to Advance recording and resources:sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffectLinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr Connect with Maria:Get Maria's new book: TheEmpathyDilemma.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge

Can genius and empathy coexist or are we doomed to put up with tortured, erratic leaders to find breakthroughs? People cite examples of temperamental, even bullying, genius leaders who create toxic workplaces and use their ability to unlock innovation as an excuse for their damaging behavior. My guest today, Taryn Voget, debunks this myth, shows us what genius is all about, and how empathy serves as a catalyst for genius.Today we discuss what genius is and why it's not simply about being born with it. Taryn shares the link between genius, spirituality, and empathy - and some unique ways leaders have leveraged empathy to achieve innovative insights. She shares how genius actually works and offers you tips on how to enhance your and your team's genius in the workplace. You will leave today's episode inspired to embrace and cultivate your own genius. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Genius is a verb, it is not something you can measure on a test.Effective engagement and genius happen when you try to see things from the other person's point of view and address those goals, fears, needs, expectations, and aspirations.Are you excited as a leader? The energy you bring will be the energy that the team feels. If you’re not operating from excitement, how can you expect your team to be?"Genius is activated through excitement, because that is the driving engine that creates continuous improvement, getting better over time." —  Taryn Voget Episode References:Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth GilbertThe Empathy Edge podcast: Denise Roberson: Mistakes Leaders and Boards Make When Thinking About PurposeFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Taryn Voget: Founder, EveryDay GeniusTaryn Voget is a leading expert on genius and the founder of Everyday Genius, a media and education company that unpacks the strategies of genius from the world’s top minds. Through her engaging and relatable videos and podcast, Taryn shares these strategies with actionable insights that help people fast-track their growth and unleash their genius.Known for her dynamic talks on genius, innovation, passion, purpose, and business, Taryn inspires audiences to think bigger and aim higher. She’s the author of six books on the strategies of genius (plus a memoir!) and works with individuals and organizations to uncover and amplify their unique genius.Taryn's clients include industry giants such as SpaceX, Disney, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gap Inc., Genentech, and many more.Connect with Taryn:Everyday Genius: everydaygenius.tvTaryn Voget Consulting: tarynvoget.comX: x.com/tarynvogetLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tarynvogetFacebook: facebook.com/tarynvogetInstagram: instagram.com/tarynvogetYouTube: youtube.com/@tarynvoget Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge

When did soft skills like empathy become deprioritized in the tech industry? My guest today shares a little history lesson on how that happened and why initially those soft, human skills were always a vital part of successful innovation and technology before they got separated. Only now are they finding their way back to each other in software development and programming to solve the 21st century's most complex challenges. Today, I talk with Andrea Goulet. We talk about how soft skills like empathy lost favor in technology curricula,  and how she built her business centered around empathy before it successfully merged with another company. She talks about the research she uncovered on programming models that parallel human communication. And we discussed why the current AI landscape is moving so fast but that her models can be used to ensure we intentionally apply empathy to deal with long-term consequences while still gaining short-term benefits. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Investing in empathetic communication will positively impact any team you’re on. Having a good understanding of empathy drives any industry.80 to 90% of our miscommunications happen at the concept level because you can say something and someone can understand the word but might think of it as a different thing.The four dimensions of human communication and our ability to pivot and understand one another are: catch, collect, connect, and communicate. "Whether we're talking about software,  building pyramids, or finding new ways to hunt and take down the mammoth, empathy is the mechanism that enables us to communicate, collaborate, and solve complex problems together." —  Andrea Goulet Episode References:Ilana Ben-Ari: How The Empathy Toy is Changing the WorldFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Andrea Goulet: Co-Founder, CorgiBytes, Founder, Empathy in TechAndrea Goulet is on a mission to integrate empathy into the software industry. She is a sought-after international keynote speaker, experienced software executive, and award-winning industry leader. Her expertise centers on using empathy and effective communication to modernize legacy and mission-critical software systems.Through her online courses, Andrea has taught over 50,000 students how to level up their empathy and communication skills to create better software. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Empathy-Driven Software Development, and the founder of Empathy in Tech, an online community where code and compassion connect.Connect with Andrea:Website: andreagoulet.comEmpathy in Tech: empathyintech.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andreamgouletHer coming book: Empathy-Driven Software Development Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge

Your culture is shaped by models, expectations, and accountability. It's not enough to have pretty values statements up on the wall if they are not a part of everyday interactions internally and externally. But simply telling your people to "be nice" can be its own risk. What does nice actually mean? How is it different from the skill of empathy or the impact of kindness? You may be surprised to learn why simply being nice can be risky and why empathy and kindness are more practical values to model and reward.My guest today is Mikaela Kiner, founder, CEO, and executive coach. We discuss the risk of being nice and how it can hamper connection and results. Why and how to expect kindness from everyone you work with - from colleagues to partners to clients. How clarity is kind - and leads to better results. Mikaela shares tips on making more space to practice listening and empathy and the tradeoff you make when you claim you "don't have time" to build those connections with your employees. And Mikaela shares why two big-empathy, high EQ execs from two of the largest tech giants in the world are her all-time favorite clients. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Helping people figure out if they’re in the right role is empathetic. Forcing someone to stay in a role because it’s “nice” isn’t empathetic. People tend to think short-term, but we need to consider long-term investment. Putting time into your team will help with retention, which will save time in recruiting and training later. Schedule less in your day. Then, when a team member reaches out or an emergency happens, things will feel less frantic and frustrating, which leads to greater empathy.Think of tactics as a team that will help your organization feel less busy and less frantic by scheduling in buffer time.  "Something that so many people forget is that you can have really healthy, non-adversarial conflict. We can disagree, we can speak our minds, we can hash things out in a way that isn't nasty or argumentative." —  Mikaela Kiner Episode References:The Empathy Edge Podcast: Justin Jones-Fosu: How to Respectfully Disagree - and Not in a Passive-Aggressive WayI Respectfully Disagree by Justin Jones FosuFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Mikaela Kiner, Founder & CEO, ReverbMikaela Kiner  is a founder, CEO, and executive coach. Her company Reverb helps organizations create healthy, inclusive cultures. Prior to Reverb, Mikaela held HR leadership roles at Northwest companies including Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon. She enjoys coaching leaders at all levels and working with mission-driven organizations. Mikaela is the author of Female Firebrands: Stories and Techniques to Ignite Change, Take Control, and Succeed in the Workplace. Her young adult children are good at challenging the status quo and are a constant source of learning and laughter.Connect with Mikaela:Reverb: reverbpeople.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikaelakinerInstagram: instagram.com/mikaela_firebrandBook: Female FirebrandsOnline Training: Practical Skills for Great People Leaders: reverbpeople.com/services/leadership-development/on-demand-management-training Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge

Imagine a world where compassion is the norm. This is the world I'm trying to build with my work. In this final Hot Take episode of 2024, I talk about the importance of humanity, compassion, and empathy in all aspects of our lives and businesses and remembering those things that matter most as we go into 2025. With clear statistics from the 2024 Businesssolver State of Workplace Empathy report showing increased loneliness, toxic workplaces, and higher mental health challenges, it’s key that we fight against these negative trends by embracing our values, modeling them, celebrating them, and rewarding them in whatever sphere of influence we have. We fight by disproving the false belief that you can't be empathetic and successful or impactful at the same time. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Business is just another way we humans interact with one another. We should be able to be whole people wherever we are in the world. However, we move about it, and with whomever we choose to interact. We cannot “go gentle into that goodnight,” as poet Dylan Thomas once wrote. Human connection, empathy, and compassion are worth fighting for. Embracing empathy is how we will change the cultures of toxic workplaces and improve mental health."I invite you to be part of turning the tide - speak out, and model empathy and compassion whether you're with your kids, on social media, stuck in traffic, or, yes, at a budget meeting at work." —  Maria Ross Episode References: Get a volume discount on multiple copies of The Empathy Dilemma for employees, Colleagues, partners, clients, or customers: Check out both Book Passage and Porchlight Books at www.TheEmpathyDilemma.com. For brand customization or a custom landing page for fulfillment, please contact me directly and I'll take care of you with Porchlight: https://red-slice.com/contact/A Force for Good: The Dalai Lama's Vision for Our World  by Daniel Goleman2024 Businessolver State of Workplace EmpathyApple TV series SeveranceRelated Articles:3 Observations About Compassion from the Dalai LamaHow Purpose Leads to Company SuccessEmpathy for Others Starts with Empathy for Yourself From Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today. Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge

In today's episode of Courage to Advance, brought to you by SparkEffect, Kim Bohr and Tracy Wik, VP of Business Strategy at Harrison Assessments, challenge traditional approaches to workplace stress. Drawing from decades of behavioral data and leadership experience, they expose how burnout often stems from unconscious behavioral patterns rather than workload alone.With 83% of U.S. workers suffering from workplace stress and 76% saying it affects their personal relationships, organizations continue investing in wellness programs and workload reduction—yet engagement and productivity still suffer. Why? They're treating symptoms, not causes.Kim and Tracy demonstrate how our greatest strengths—whether being extraordinarily helpful, highly empathetic, or achievement-driven—can become our biggest derailers when overused. Drawing from Dr. Dan Harrison's research on leadership paradoxes, they reveal how balancing seemingly contradictory behaviors is essential for sustainable leadership success.You'll discover:Why high performers unknowingly sabotage their effectivenessThe critical difference between personality traits and behavioral tendenciesPractical strategies for breaking the burnout cycleHow to develop a more expansive leadership repertoireDon't miss the special offer for listeners to access the Harrison Assessment tool, complete with a professional debrief. Additional resources, including a self-reflection guide, are available at CourageToAdvancePodcast.com. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com"People don't work in aggregate. They work in moments, they work in conversations, they work in individual connections." - Tracy Wik, VP of Business StrategyEpisode References:Self-Defeating Behaviors that Kill Good Work: The Leadership Triangle by Dan Harrison, Pd.D.The Benefits of Employee Engagement: Gallop 10th-meta-analysis researchLeadership Bermuda Triangle Assessment: 15 Warning Signs of Team Misalignment & Performance About Tracey Wik, VP of Business Strategy, Harrison Assessments: A disruptive talent management strategist, Tracy Wik transforms how executives view their workplaces and careers. With over two decades of experience, she sees beyond spreadsheets to unlock human potential, helping leaders reimagine what's possible. A recognized speaker on strategy, culture and women's entrepreneurship, Tracy developed innovative executive coaching programs to advance women into senior leadership roles and serves as a Founding Forty Board member of DePaul University's Women's Entrepreneurship Institute, the only research-based women's accelerator globally. Her mission: make executives love Monday mornings by turning workplaces from soul-crushing machines into engines of human possibility.About SparkEffectSparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.Connect with Tracey Wik and Harrison Assessments:Harrison Assessments: harrisonassessments.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/traceywikConnect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect:SparkEffect: sparkeffect.comCourage to Advance: sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffectLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr Connect with Maria: Get the podcast: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge

Today, sports fans and high achievers, you're in for a treat! Empathy is not soft. It's not weak. Nothing thrills me more than when I can share examples of empathetic leadership that help win national championships or create winning sports dynasties. You may recall my example of Golden State Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, in my book, The Empathy Dilemma.Emmy award-winning producer and sports broadcaster Jen Mueller shares how she's seen coaching and leadership styles evolve in the last few decades, how she conducts sideline interviews with athletes who may have either had the worst or best day of their careers, why empathy is not just showing up on a bad day, but encouraging and celebrating your team's best days, and why top athletes and performers crave clarity and feedback in order to get better. You'll get so many tips on how to deliver feedback, ask the right questions, and infuse joy and levity into your team for championship-level performance.  To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:We don’t need or want to be cruel in the name of candor. Candor and clarity are empathetic and can help everyone understand where they are at. Prepare ahead so that you can be with your team in the moment. Consider: how do you give somebody permission to talk about their win and an easy way to share in that celebration with everybody else?You can lead a high-performance team, while still leaving room for emotion, feelings, and disappointment when things don’t go well.  "We assume that everybody understands what winning and losing look like and they don't. When you are clear, now people can do their job to the highest level." —  Jen MuellerReferences Mentioned: Welcome to Wrexham: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0D77Y5BMG From Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.Jen Mueller: Producer, Broadcaster,  Founder, Talk Sporty to MeJen Mueller is an Emmy award-winning producer and sports broadcaster based in Seattle. A 24-year sports broadcasting veteran, she currently serves as the Seattle Seahawks radio sideline reporter and is a member of the Seattle Mariners television broadcast team on ROOT SPORTS. She was honored for her work in the industry in 2022 as the recipient of the Keith Jackson Media Excellence Award presented by the Seattle Sports Commission.In addition to her work on the sidelines, Jen is an established business communication expert and the founder of Talk Sporty to Me.  She’s published three books that outline her approach to conversations and effective communication. She is also the executive producer, host and creator of “I Cook, You Measure” a cooking show on YouTube.Connect with Jen:Talk Sporty to Me: TalkSportytoMe.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenmuellertalksportyInstagram: instagram.com/talksportytomeThreads: threads.net/@talksportytomeConnect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge

No matter what side of the aisle you fall on - employee or leader - you may have uttered these words, "Why can't I just fix them?!" Building strong relationships either way is both an employee AND a leader responsibility because empathy must flow both ways. Today, I talk with Molly McGrath. She reveals some biases that leaders can break free from to be more effective, how to merge the perspectives of boss and employees to better understand each other, and you'll love her actionable tips and examples on how you can initiate healthy communication, build trust, and create a more positive and high-performing environment with less drama and more impact. We also talk about the importance of re-dating and re-committing with your employees on a regular basis!  To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:If we’re only hiring to the résumé, we are going to be missing out on a lot of the people skills that aren’t written down.Self-awareness and self-care are two of the key pillars of empathetic leadership. We have to get our own house in order to understand our blind spots, triggers, and strengths, and know what we're bringing into the conversation.The work of leading is spending time with your people. You need to understand how each of your team are hardwired. "You have to re-date your employees and re-enroll (your employees) every single day." —  Molly McGrath Episode References: Empathy Edge Podcast: Daina Middleton: How to do Layoffs with HUmanity, Inclusion, and CompassionFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Molly McGrath:Molly McGrath is the Founder and CEO of Hiring & Empowering Solutions and the author of Amazon's top #1 Best Seller: Fix My Boss: The Simple Plan to Cultivate Respect, Risk Courageous Conversations, and Increase the Bottom Line. She is also host of the Hire and Empower podcast.Molly is a thought leader with 27 years of experience in the CEO space. Since the late nineties, She has coached, consulted, and directed presidents and founders of national organizations and over 4,500 law firms in executive-level leadership, continuous improvement, and team empowerment initiatives to infiltrate new markets, leverage partner ecosystems, and produce profitability.Molly has 27 years of specific skill set experience in legal marketing, fractional CEO roles, conversation intelligence coaching, team development & empowerment, intrapreneur talent acquisition, Kaizen leadership, root cause analysis, revenue mapping, and action-based project management.Connect with Molly:Hiring & Empowering Solutions: hiringandempowering.comX: x.com/HireAndEmpowerInstagram: instagram.com/hiringandempoweringFix My Boss: The Simple Plan to Cultivate Respect, Risk Courageous Conversations, and Increase the Bottom Line:  amazon.com/dp/1636801765Hire and Empower With Molly McGrath podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1460184599 Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge

Transparency is a cornerstone of empathetic culture. And when it comes to the labor market, pay scales, and required skills, the more information you can get, the more confident you feel in making decisions- whether you're a hiring manager or a job seeker.What do workers today want? What kind of benefits are the most appealing in competitive markets? How are others at this level getting compensated? Where is the best talent for our organization and what skills do they need?Turns out data-based decision-making can actually be a very empathetic approach to being a more human-centered organization. My guest is Cary Sparrow and we discuss what the data show workers today want (and it's not all about pay!), the barriers to connecting the right talent with career opportunities, and the mindset getting in the way of organizations competing effectively for top talent. Cary shares his own empathetic leadership model in how he set up his team to support employees with broader life needs and how that resulted in finding great talent, keeping them, and making the company successful. Cary also offers practical next steps to help leaders navigate change and embrace what the data show they need to do to succeed in today's labor market. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:What employees want has shifted significantly over the last few years, largely stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.Transparency around pay is now an expectation from job seekers, even if your state does not require it.You have to have data on the workers in your market. What workers need in NYC or LA, is likely going to be different than those in much smaller towns. People in untapped talent markets were able to participate in the workforce more during the pandemic when things were fully remote than ever before. "Employees are much more interested in understanding what is available to them for benefits and working conditions, more than they have been in the past, compared to salaries." —  Cary Sparrow Episode References: The Empathy Edge Podcast Episodes:Rhonda George-Denniston: Why Betting on Your People Leads to Market DominationJessica Swank: How Box Navigates the New World of WorkAnna Litotta: Understanding Generational CODESFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Cary Sparrow, Founder & CEO, WagescapeCary Sparrow helps HR professionals and consulting firms to predict the future of pay. He is also a former US Navy officer who served on several nuclear submarines. 35+ years (combined) of engineering, military, consulting, technology, and operations leadership in achieving organizational growth makes him a guest of value to HR leaders and other decision-makers wanting to navigate the labor market, in today's rapidly growing access to remote work and digital promptness. Here's his one-sheet: https://legendarypodcasts.com/cary-sparrow/ Connect with Cary:WageScape: wagescape.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carysparrow  Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge