The Empathy Edge

Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge.Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.As AI revolutionizes how we work, what makes human executive coaching irreplaceable? Kim Bohr sits down with Rod Bacon, SparkEffect's Chief Coaching Officer, to explore why transformative leadership breakthroughs happen through human connection, not algorithms.Rod reveals what he calls "sacred pressure" in coaching relationships – the ability to create breakthrough moments through presence and challenge blind spots in ways AI cannot replicate. This conversation explores the neuroscience of trust-building, why discomfort drives growth, and how mirror neurons enable coaches to move executives from stress to creative insight.Whether you're defending coaching investments or seeking authentic development, discover why trust acts as a "force multiplier" in organizations and how vulnerability-based leadership creates the psychological safety teams need. To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.Key Takeaways:Biological synchronization between the coach and the executive creates conditions for transformationAI can ask questions, but cannot synchronize nervous systems or create a calming presenceGrowth requires "sacred pressure" – productive tension that human coaches apply with precise timingTrust acts as a "force multiplier," enabling innovation, agility, and resilienceWithout trust, teams make false commitments in meetings but have real conversations elsewhereMirror neurons enable coaches to regulate nervous systems, moving executives from stress to creativityThe future is leveraging both AI efficiency and irreplaceable human wisdom "Trust is the new strategic capital...it's the interstitial connections which holds everything together." —  Rod BaconAbout Rod Bacon: Rod Bacon serves as Chief Coaching Officer at SparkEffect, developing world-class executive coaches and working with C-suite leaders across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and technology industries. His philosophy that "personal growth is professional growth" has guided transformative leadership development worldwide.About SparkEffect: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 Rod Bacon:  Website: sparkeffect.com/about/rod-bacon/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rodbacon/Connect 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/kimbohrConnect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Years ago, I was introduced to a former Marine and FBI counterintelligence officer whose job was to recruit spies to help protect our country. His secret weapon? Empathy. Finding out what is important to someone so that they can then build trust and find shared goals.Robin Dreek joins us again today to talk about his latest book, Unbreakable Alliances: A Spy Recruiter's Authoritative Guide to Cultivating Powerful and Lasting Connections. He shares the four keys to communication and the difference between inspiration, influence, and manipulation. He shares the behaviors of trust required to inspire people to feel safe. We talk about how to engage empathy to inspire people to open up, share their context, and forge those unbreakable alliances. Finally, Robin shares a great definition of active curiosity and what it can do for both your relationships and success. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Every little word and emotion matters.You have to balance the dichotomy of vulnerability and confidence.Four keys of communication: seeking the thoughts and opinions of others; talking in terms of challenges and priorities that other people are dealing with; non-judgmental active curiosity; and empowering people with choice.We need to be asking better questions - focus on what they want to share, not what you want to ask."Active curiosity is taking it to the next level - don’t just be curious about what it is you want to know, but be curious about what it is they want to share." —  Robin Dreeke Episode References: The Empathy Edge podcast: Robin Dreeke: Spycraft and the Leadership Code of TrustFrom 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 Robin Dreeke, Executive Coach, Speaker, Former FBI, and Author, Unbreakable AlliancesRobin Dreeke is an accomplished Executive Coach, Best-Selling Author, and Professional Speaker with an impressive background. As a Marine Corps Officer and retired FBI Special Agent, he served as Chief of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, where he honed his skills in Recruiting Spies and Behavioral Assessment. Today, Robin has translated his expertise into his unique Interpersonal Communication Strategies that focus on Recruiting Allies in business. Since 2010, he has been working with Executives, Corporations, Entrepreneurs, the Military, and Law Enforcement to help them Forge Trust, Solve Challenges, and Lead. Robin's People Formula has helped countless individuals and teams achieve quick, measurable results and maximum success. Whether you're a newly promoted leader, executive, sales team member, or customer relations specialist, Robin's proven strategies will help you excel.Connect with Robin:Website: robindreeke.comX: x.com/rdreekeLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rdreekeFacebook: facebook.com/ForgedbyTrustInstagram: instagram.com/rdreekeBook: Unbreakable Alliances: A Spy Recruiter's Authoritative Guide to Cultivating Powerful and Lasting ConnectionsConnect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Today’s episode is a little more personal. A reflection. A struggle.Because lately, I’ve been wondering: Is empathy under attack? And if so, how do we as leaders, parents, citizens—and humans—continue to lead with empathy in a world that sometimes seems to mock, punish, or politicize it?So today, I want to pull back the curtain and talk about what it’s like to do this work, and why—despite it all—I continue to fight for empathy at work, in leadership, and our culture at large.Let’s dive in. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:In a chaotic world, cruelty often gets mistaken for strength. Empathy is not about coddling and indulgence but about the courage to pause and listen, not to react.Three small but powerful steps to resist the tide of cruelty and amplify empathy instead: model it, name it, protect it."Empathy is not weak, naive, or political. It is what allows us to build trust, resolve conflict, and create workplaces where people—and performance—can thrive." - Maria RossEpisode References: FREE upcoming 2-day virtual leadership event with me! Let's have a chat first and see if this aligns with your goals and where you are right now. Visit www.TheEmpathyEdge.com/event to sign up for a time.VAST InstituteRobert Reich's Substack article, ”Trump, Musk, and The Empathy Bug”: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/trump-musk-and-the-empathy-bugListener Feedback! Please fill out the short survey here at https://bit.ly/edge-feedbackFrom 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 Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

In today’s climate, where DEIB efforts are under attack, smart organizations know that embracing diverse perspectives leads to better decisions, stronger innovation, and thriving teams. Today, I’m thrilled to talk with Asheli Mann-Lofthouse about how to build and sustain impactful DEIB efforts—whether you’re just starting or already well along the journey.We dive into how DEIB differs between nonprofits and for-profits, why the ultimate goal is to make DEIB programs obsolete, and what’s needed at every stage—budget, buy-in, ROI, and more. Asheli also breaks down the difference between sponsors and allies, how cis white individuals can spark change in spaces where representation is low, and why your team’s culture matters more than their job responsibilities.To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:DEIB isn’t going anywhere, no matter what the politics say. People are just getting creative in how they describe it, talk about it, and structure it.While allyship is important, sponsorship is equally important. The more diverse voices you have, the better business decisions you’re going to make. "We shouldn't need these elaborate structures and all these different ways to make sure we're being inclusive, because we should already be doing it. It should be holistically built into our system." —  Asheli Mann-LofthouseFrom 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 Asheli Mann-Lofthouse, President & CEO, Cultural Outreach and Racial Equity CollectiveAsheli Mann-Lofthouse is an Organizational Anthropologist who draws collectively from her afro-indigenous background and 15 years of DEI, human resources, and organizational development experience to lead the design and implementation of strategies that foster a culture of belonging and inclusion aligned with entity imperatives. With expertise in the development and execution of structured initiatives, Asheli empowers communities and organizations to break down systemic barriers, heal divisions, align value-driven priorities, and support diverse populations, allowing each individual to thrive. Her unique anthropological approach promotes awareness, allyship, and social justice by understanding holistic and diverse human experiences.Asheli is actively committed to contributing to social and organizational impact efforts in partnership with local, state, and federal organizations, educational institutions, non-profits, communities, and businesses from all sectors in need and has a proven track record of delivering results in equitable [and efficient] process and program management, research, evaluation, and organizational improvement through learning and leadership development. Asheli is a servant leader and lifelong learner, committed to understanding individuals from all perspectives, using anthropological and ethnographic methodologies to overcome barriers for those facing adversity.Connect with Asheli:Cultural Outreach and Racial Equity Collective NFP: core-collective.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/asheli-mann-lofthouseInstagram: instagram.com/core_collectivenfp Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Self-awareness is the first pillar of effective empathetic leadership in The Empathy Dilemma. If you don't know what's going on for you, you will never be able to make room for empathetic leadership.I highly recommend working with a leadership or executive coach to guide you in this self-discovery process. But the world of coaching is like the Wild West, with so many people promising the moon, engaging in unethical tactics, and giving the industry a bad name.Today, my guest, Bridgette Boudreau, talks about effective coaching relationships and how to embrace empathy to get the results you want. We had a meandering and meaningful conversation about false confidence, tips to find and work effectively with a coach, red flags to avoid, and how to recognize certain behavior patterns that are stopping you from getting the results you want. We also talk about the coaching industry and how ethical, genuine coaches can lean into marketing and selling with integrity so the right clients can find them.To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Try doing some changes internally and seeing what changes about the situation - everybody at work that we're disagreeing with is not the enemy. Don’t write off coaching forever if you have had a negative coaching experience.Vibes are important - if you are feeling in the flow, an openness, and like you're energetically on the same page, that's what you want in a coach.Take what you want and leave the rest. Be curious, try new things, and see what works for you. "Never give up your discernment. If something doesn't feel right, bring it up in the session. And if that doesn't feel safe, then that's not the right coaching relationship for you." —  Bridgette Boudreau Episode References: Three OG Coaches PodcastFrom 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 Bridgette Boudreau, Master Certified CoachBridgette Boudreau is a Master-Certified Coach and Business Consultant with a passion for helping people at midlife+ figure out what's next, small-scale entrepreneurship, and mentoring other coaches. Bridgette's coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and finding one's intrinsic motivation versus pushing or hustling. She acts as a strategic thought partner, providing a safe and supportive environment for her clients to grow. With over 16 years of coaching experience, she has developed the Mosaic Framework to help people create a fulfilling next act on their terms. Bridgette’s coaching style is like the love child of Bob Ross and Mary Poppins: She's going to love and encourage the hell out of you to do it your way, and you're going to get it done. Bridgette lives in Seattle with her partner Stephanie and their dog-son, Mr. Beverly Wiggins.Connect with Bridgette:Bridgette Boudreau Coaching: bridgetteboudreau.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bboudreauFacebook: facebook.com/bridgette.boudreauInstagram: instagram.com/bridgetteboudreau Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge.Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.In today's always-on business culture, how can leaders cut through digital noise to regain mental clarity? Kim Bohr sits down with Timothy Swords, a mindfulness-focused executive coach who blends Harvard MBA-level acumen with over 2,000 hours of mindfulness practice. Timothy reveals how simple grounding techniques transformed executives from being the "scary person in the room" to creating harmonious relationships.This conversation explores why self-awareness might be more valuable than an MBA, how stress contagion undermines organizational performance, and why working beyond 50 hours delivers diminishing returns. Timothy shares practical "mindfulness hacks," including a grounding technique for meetings, plus how 10 minutes of practice increases self-awareness by 35%.Whether you're struggling with digital overwhelm, managing stressed teams, or seeking authentic leadership approaches, discover how mindfulness becomes a competitive advantage. Learn why emotions last 30 seconds unless we feed them with thoughts. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Mindfulness is "lucid awareness from paying attention on purpose in the present moment"A leader's emotional state directly impacts team performance through stress contagionWorking beyond 50 hours shows diminishing returns; 70-hour weeks produce no more than 55-hour weeksSimple grounding technique: Feel your feet on the floor during meetings to interrupt anxiety cyclesJust 10 minutes of daily mindfulness practice increases self-awareness by 35% in 6-8 weeksAuthentic leadership starts with clarity on personal values aligned with organizational valuesTwo types of self-compassion: tender (being kind) and fierce (setting healthy boundaries) "An emotion on its own lasts like 30 seconds. But if you're feeding it with thoughts, it goes on and on—it gets worse and worse. If you want to do anger management, you've got to stop that cycle, because you're actually creating your own anger." — Timothy SwordsAbout Timothy Swords: Timothy Swords blends corporate acumen with mindfulness training to guide senior leaders in integrating mindfulness into decision-making and leadership effectiveness. His experience includes CFO and strategic transformation roles at Fidelity Investments, MUFG Union Bank, and PwC. Timothy holds an MBA from Harvard University and is a certified mindfulness instructor with over 2,000 hours of practice, including training with renowned teachers Jack Kornfield, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Sharon Salzberg.About SparkEffect: 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 Timothy: Website: MindfulLeadership-Coaching.com   Email: Timothy@MindfulLeadership-Coaching.com  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothyswordsFree Resources: mindfulleadership-coaching.com/free-videos Connect with Kim Bohr & SparkEffect:SparkEffect: sparkeffect.comCourage to Advance recording and resources:sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffectLinkedIn for Kim: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr Connect with Maria:Learn more about Maria's work and books: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Unhappiness at work causes poor performance, disengagement, mistakes, absenteeism, mental health issues, and ultimately poor customer experience and anemic sales.But defining happiness at work seems so squishy. Is the leader's job to make people happy? Garrett Delph looks at happiness the way I look at empathy - as an intentional business strategy that can be operationalized and scaled.Today, we talk about the causes of unhappiness in a business culture, why increasing happiness and decreasing stress are good for the bottom line, how clarity plays a huge role in engaging your people, and what it looks like from a process and operations point of view. He shares why culture is operational and that people need a structure that enables them to understand expectations, communicate easily and safely, and collaborate -  or they will just leave.  We had a great conversation about how empathy is linked to happiness and why it needs to be modeled and discussed from the top. Lastly, Garrett leaves you with two paths to take if you suspect your business could be more effective, so you can take the next right steps to improve results. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Clarity is a form of empathy at work - when we are clear, we help people avoid anxiety, stress, and confusion, which leads to greater happiness.You have to balance the load with your managers - if you don’t know what they are doing or who they are managing, you cannot understand where the workflow bottlenecks are.We are all needed for the business to function. And people need direction and instruction to ensure we’re all on the same page."As leaders, often we hire great people and we buy the lie ‘hire great people and set them free’ not realizing you can't do that, or you fail the people." —  Garrett DelphThe Empathy Edge Episode References: Dr. Tracy Brower: The Secret to Happiness at WorkBrent Lowe and Susan Basterfield: How Innovative Organizations Lead and Scale - No Managers RequiredSetting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny MeyerFrom 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 Garrett Delph, Founder & CEO, Clarity OpsGarrett Delph stands at the forefront of business transformational solutions for the new generation of leaders. He is the Founder and Chief Clarity Officer of Clarity Ops, LLC. A serial entrepreneur, he has established a track record of founding three successful international businesses that have collectively generated over $50 million in revenue. Garrett's new-generation business solutions are created for leaders who need faster, easier, and more profitable step-by-step ways for scaling businesses.Connect with Garrett:Clarity Ops: clarityops.coX: x.com/garrettdelphLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/garrettdelph Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

As I love to say, empathy isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a powerful tool for strategic and creative excellence.Joining me today is Vanya du Toit, the Associate Director for Wiedemann Lampe, a brand and business consultancy, who leads with empathy to drive brand transformation, team growth, and meaningful client partnerships.In this episode, Vanya shares how listening—truly listening is the foundation of successful brand strategy and how embedding empathy into both client work and internal culture unlocks innovation, better output, and stronger relationships. We discuss cultureful brands, regenerative economics, and a host of other important new concepts. We also dive into how their own agency is empathically designing their new studio space to support diverse working styles, rejecting the one-size-fits-all open office in favor of an environment where everyone can thrive.To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:A brand is more than just the logo. A brand is how a customer interacts with every aspect of your company, which begins with listening and understanding.Listening is a key component of human respect. Listening builds trust and respect, which makes for a better relationship and better work. Honesty and directness are also empathy. You can have boundaries and give constructive feedback and still be empathetic. Lying is not empathetic. "Without that internal change, you cannot manifest external change. You can't get a team of unwilling employees to live and breathe your values and your vision and your mission." —  Vanya du ToitEpisode References: The Empathy Edge: Rebecca Friese: How to Build a “Good” CultureFrom 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 Vanya du Toit, Associate Director, Wiedemann Lampe:Vanya is the Associate Director for Wiedemann Lampe, a brand and business consultancy, and she has over 15 years’ experience leading client relationships and project management teams in brand strategy, brand development, and brand delivery projects. Their firm creates brands that shape, unite, and inspire the world – harnessing the unifying force of brand to bring people together and inspire change from the inside out, and clients include the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, New York State Parks, Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, and more. She’s responsible for all commercial and operational aspects of the business, new business strategy and conversion, and the integration of new clients into project teams, ensuring that the right focus and resources are allocated for every client.Connect with Vanya:Wiedemann Lampe: https://wiedemannlampe.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanya-du-toit-1068b992/ Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Where do empathy and compassion impact corporate profits, employee experience, and customer satisfaction? In healthcare, and yes, in your industry, no matter what it is, it starts at the local level, as my guest today shares.  Today, Geoffrey Smith and I talk about his journey as an employee experience professional in healthcare, but how he didn't really understand his work or purpose until he saw it through the patient's eyes during his wife's cancer battle, and how the power of human connection relates to patient and customer outcomes. Geoffrey shares why annual employee pulse surveys are not the most actionable, and instead create more continual feedback loops to identify high-performing leaders and teams at the local level so you can replicate their actions and achieve company-wide engagement. He offers practical examples of how busy leaders can check in with employees and achieve measurable results. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Innovation happens in big and small ways. You can change someone’s life with low-tech solutions that only require being present in the moment.Employee engagement is a local phenomenon. It's not an organizational metric, it's a team metric - where the work happens.Checking in with your employees weekly doubles the engagement of checking in monthly. Measuring team by team in real time will allow you to know where your teams are shining and where they are struggling. "Keep your eyes open and stay authentically present, because you never know when those small moments are going to change everything." —  Geoffrey SmithFrom 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 Geoffrey Smith, Chief Mo-ment OfficerGeoffrey leverages a diverse 25+ year career in Human Capital Management, specializing in employee engagement, leadership development, and culture change initiatives in the workplace.  His journey has ranged from working for the corporate industry leader to building his entrepreneurial start-up from the ground up. Currently, he supports innovative employee/patient/caregiver/human experience leaders, nurse and clinician entrepreneurs, and hospital administration, consulting them on modernized people and talent activation strategies to make a true impact on those who both provide and receive care.Geoffrey also hosts the Mo-ments of Experience podcast on the People Forward Network.  Inspired by his faithful 14-year-old beagle Mo, whose unwavering spirit and love lifted his family during challenging times, the Mo-ments of Experience podcast highlights the meaningful Mo-ments that shape us, move, and inspire us to pursue our purpose.Connect with Geoffrey:Mo-ments of Experience, LLC: mo-mentsofexperience.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/geoffreypsmith Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

We have talked a lot on this show about the benefits of a diverse and inclusive culture and how it leads to outstanding business results. But did you also know how DEI helps your company manage risk and future-proof against churn, productivity loss, and potentially falling behind in the market?Today, you will hear one of the best definitions of DEI and how it enhances your organization. And the definition will leave you hungry for dessert!Vivian Acquah shares a very clear - and delicious - definition of DEI, how the strategies and mindsets ensure your organization manages risk effectively,  the financial costs you pay when you actively shy away from DEI, and an amazing look at how she uses virtual reality to help leaders truly understand what many in their organizations experience daily. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:While the term DEI has been vilified recently, DEI is just like the best carrot cake - every aspect of the ingredients, the cooking temperature, and all of the elements make it great.Company loyalty is no longer guaranteed just because you pay your employees. Partnering with, not overpowering, your employees gives you better, stronger, and longer-term results. What motivates you may not be what motivates your employees. We all have different motivators. "What I see happening now with the companies that are walking away, they are making a lot of short-term decisions that are going to impact them in the long run." —  Vivian AcquahEpisode References: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel PinkHelp Them Grow or Watch Them Go by Julie Winkel Giulioni and Beverly KayeTEDx: I've Lived as a Man and as a Woman: Here's What I Learned - Paula Stone WilliamsFrom 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 Vivian Acquah, Certified DEI TrainerVivian Acquah CDE® is a respected DEI executive known for creating inclusive workplace environments. Her strategic approach blends analysis and practical tools to address systemic barriers to equity and equality. Passionate about DEI education, she uses innovative methods like virtual reality for immersive and transformational learning. With engaging training, she drives cultural transformation and boosts employee engagement.Her name, which translates to 'water,' symbolizes her role as an extinguisher of DEI-related fires. Vivian provides tangible strategies for embracing inclusive changes, benefiting high-profile clients such as Heineken, LinkedIn, Google, Indeed, Deloitte, TIBCO, Cargill, Swift, Acrolinx, KLM, and Zalando.Connect with Vivian: Amplify DEI: amplifydei.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vivianacquah Instagram: instagram.com/vivalavivenl Threads: threads.net/@vivalavivenl Enjoy this deal!Amplify DEI Cards Conversation starters for your team or other group to start down the DEI journey:  https://cards.amplifydei.com/amplify-dei-cards-bundle/ Get 10% off when you use code EMPATHY at checkoutConnect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!