Dear Workplace

Dr. April Willis and Lola Han discuss the changing job market and how to build a fulfilling career. They explore factors contributing to job hopping and career changes, resume writing tips, trends in the job market, the importance of compensation, and gaining insights to find a better job.

Hello friends. We are thrilled to return with new stories and research to untangle your workplace questions. We hope you have been well. Subscribe today to Dear Workplace by InnovatorsBox®, hosted by the Founder & CEO of InnovatorsBox®, Monica H. Kang. Send us your questions and stories you'd like us to investigate at info@innovatorsbox.com. Learn more at dearworkplace.com.

After interviewing innovators from across the world in countless industries and in countless roles, one thing stuck out - we all have the power to design the life we want. It takes courage, intentionality, and trial and error but it’s so key to have that protagonist mindset. And again, thank you so much again for joining us on this journey together. So are you ready for it? Here let’s dive into the key insights from our guests from Season 2!  Subscribe today. Dear Workplace is hosted by Monica H. Kang and InnovatorsBox. Learn more at dearworkplace.com. Find summary notes here.

In these past years, while some of us were furloughed or let go, many others have also transitioned, got promoted, or resigned to start their dream jobs. In this episode, I want to dive deeper into the stories of people who have created their own jobs and opportunities both in organizations, and outside on their own, to see what we can learn as we continue to build our own careers and growth opportunities. I sat down with two friends - Ellie Kim and Youngmoo Kim - who carved their own path professionally and explored what challenges and “aha” moments they encountered, as well as what made them do what they did. Their stories and insights are valuable whether you’re looking to start a new career, build a new opportunity where you are, or even want to build something of your own on the side! Subscribe today. Dear Workplace is hosted by Monica H. Kang and InnovatorsBox. Learn more at dearworkplace.com. Find summary notes here.

Designing for inclusion - whether it’s technology, a workflow, a product - is incredibly important as we move into the new normal of working. Creating a workplace for all is not an overnight journey, which is why constant care and development is there, but so is our workflow. In this episode, I dive deeper into the aspects of inclusive design with inclusivity experts Richard Reiman and Margaret Park. How do we design a workplace for all in what we create, how we serve, and what we do each day? Well, it doesn’t happen overnight, but doing so will help you attract incredible customers, team members, and more that could’ve been overlooked.  Subscribe today. Dear Workplace is hosted by Monica H. Kang and InnovatorsBox. Learn more at dearworkplace.com. Find summary notes here. Below are some helpful resources in your journey of inclusive design: Inclusive Design Toolkit  Video: RSA Short: Empathy  Rethinking Inclusive Design Beyond Technology  Disability Inclusion In the Digital Workspace, An Actionable Guide Imagination Video Books

Did you get a full night’s rest last night? Are you eating well? When was the last time you took a true break away from your work? As we reach the end of the year and two years of working in the pandemic, these questions on wellbeing at the workplace are becoming even more important and timely. But it’s one thing to know about how we take care of ourselves, it’s another to think about our team. Our team has multiple people with different feelings, interests, communication styles, and needs. Where do you start with how you support them? How do we know what will work well? In this episode, I asked key leaders, Jacqueline Leeker and Bonnie Kim, how they take care of themselves and their team. And they reminded me how important the intention is, and gave some incredible, actionable tips on how to do better for ourselves and our team.  Subscribe today. Dear Workplace is hosted by Monica H. Kang and InnovatorsBox. Learn more at dearworkplace.com. Find summary notes here. Some Resources: https://blog.innovatorsbox.com/rethink-series/ https://blog.innovatorsbox.com/how-to-get-deep-sleep-and-recharge-as-an-innovator/

No matter where you work, learning how to manage your time, projects, and workflows is such a key skill. I often attributed my early success in my business, InnovatorsBox, to having strong project management skills. And no, I’m not just talking about the PMP - project management professional certifications - as a way to manage projects. And yes, organization and project management skills are crucial even as an executive - probably even more so as an executive. In today’s episode, I am not speaking with all certified project managers, but rather with a group of friends who have developed their own strategies around learning how to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities effectively - Meet Saleema Vellani, Dr. Bob Nelson, and Jerry Won.  Subscribe today. Dear Workplace is hosted by Monica H. Kang and InnovatorsBox. Learn more at dearworkplace.com. Find summary notes here.

Imagine a good leader. What do you think of? Has that changed over time? For me growing up, it was the person who was the loudest, tallest, boldest, and oftentimes the most “masculine.” But this view of leadership is changing, and it’s changing for the better. What does good leadership look like now? What is working and what isn’t working in leadership culture? And how can anyone work towards being a better leader? In this episode I chat with Zina B. Sutch Ph.D and Patrick Malone Ph.D together about their research into leadership development and how it is changing for the better of ourselves and our employees. I also got a chance to talk with Phil Jung, who manages hundreds of employees, about how being a leader can take on several forms. Subscribe today. Dear Workplace is hosted by Monica H. Kang and InnovatorsBox. Learn more at dearworkplace.com. Find summary notes here.

Are you happy? How often are you genuinely happy at work? What makes us really happy at work and why is understanding the science of happiness at work important for us as individuals and for organizations? Turns out not a lot of people can't quite put their finger on what happiness is, but it’s because it’s different for everyone. And research shows that happiness is not only great for team wellbeing, but leads to higher company success. In this episode I talk to Dr. Kathryn Owler and Amani Roberts about their journey to workplace happiness, but how you can harness happiness for yourself. Subscribe today. Dear Workplace is hosted by Monica H. Kang and InnovatorsBox. Learn more at dearworkplace.com. Find summary notes here.

Hybrid connection is the name of the game lately. As I start to attend my first in-person friends’ gathering and speaking events in two years, I’m having butterflies. While I love the ease that remote experiences have to offer, I do miss in-person connection. Hybrid and remote are here to stay so how do we use this time to really rethink about how we connect and share experiences together in a more meaningful way? In this episode, I speak with Amanda Ma and Mo Hamizan who are experts in connection to discuss how we can rethink hybrid events.  Subscribe today. Dear Workplace is hosted by Monica H. Kang and InnovatorsBox. Learn more at dearworkplace.com. Find summary notes here.