Transform Your Workplace – Details, episodes & analysis

In a captivating episode of Transform Your Workplace, award-winning children's authors and entrepreneurs Alysson Foti Bourque and Lori Orlinsky share their inspiring journeys from corporate careers to the world of publishing, both of whom found new purpose through writing books that resonate deeply with children and families. Together, they've built Expound Publicity, a thriving PR firm, all while balancing the demands of business with their passion for storytelling and family life. Join us for this heartfelt exploration of the courage it takes to pursue one's true calling and the lasting impact of a powerful story.

TAKEAWAYS

• Entrepreneurs can pursue their callings, but they must also balance the demands of business with the responsibilities of family life.

• Expound Publicity focuses on tailoring marketing strategies to fit the unique needs of each client rather than the one-size-fits-all methods common in the corporate world.

• Our podcast guests' books aim to empower children, tackling important topics like bullying and self-acceptance.

• If you want to pursue your passion, you must push past fear and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

Listen in on a thought-provoking episode of Transform Your Workplace, where host Brandon Laws sits down with linguistic anthropologist Dr. Suzanne Wertheim to discuss insights from her book, The Inclusive Language Field Guide. To foster respectful communication, she teaches us that context is key and offers guiding principles rather than rigid lists. Dr. Wertheim's insights give listeners practical tools to avoid painful mistakes and engage in meaningful conversations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to communicate more effectively in our ever-changing world. 

TAKEAWAYS

• Language is constantly changing, and it's important to stay updated to communicate effectively and respectfully.

• Instead of relying on fixed lists of acceptable and unacceptable words, it's crucial to understand the context in which language is used, as meanings and appropriateness can change.

• Dr. Wertheim offers six principles of inclusive language that act as guardrails to help ensure respectful and meaningful communication.

• By following the principles of inclusive language, we can all avoid unintentional harm and engage in conversations that are safe and respectful.

• Those who want to change should commit to continuous learning and adaptability because making small, consistent efforts can lead to significant improvements in communication.

Sign up for Xenium's annual What People Want from Work survey before August 31st - https://xeniumhr.com/what-people-want-from-work/ 

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

Get a fresh take on developing and retaining talent in this eye-opening conversation with Natalie Miller, Regional Director of Apprenti. She and host Brandon Laws discuss a new perspective on the age-old concept of apprenticeships but with an unexpected twist. Listen in to learn how your business could take advantage of this innovative employee development initiative.

TAKEAWAYS

• When we think of apprenticeships, we often think of those for trade jobs, but apprenticeships can also be used for what we call "non-trades," essentially career paths that we don't commonly associate with apprenticeships.
• Among the current talent coming into the workplace, only 30% have four-year degrees.
• Apprentices allow employees to get on-the-job training — working with managers and a mentor, understanding what works and what doesn't, and eventually being hired into an entry-level role.
• Organizations that focus on career mobility tend to show increased employee retention.
• Think about the purpose and functionality of the four-year degree requirement and consider other pathways for those who might not have been included in your talent acquisition process.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Contact Brandon and Xenium HR: 

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

In this bonus episode, guest host Al Nodarse chats with Drake Snodgrass, the CEO of Drake's Seven Dees, a family-owned business that has been around for over 60 years and has been passed down through three generations of the family. During the pandemic, the company was affected like many others, but Drake made a commitment to keep all of his employees on staff. Since then, the company has actually been growing! Listen in on this intimate conversation with CEO Drake Snodgrass. 

Sponsor: Gresham Chamber of Commerce WorkReady

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Contact Brandon and Xenium HR: 

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

It's time to bust the myth about what makes a strong leader. Can leaders really show their emotions without appearing weak in the workplace? According to guest Carolyn Stern, author of The Emotionally Strong Leader, when leaders learn to make friends with their emotions and communicate their feelings clearly, they set the stage for real transformation, not only in themselves but in their teams and workplace culture.  

TAKEAWAYS

• The expression of emotion and strength of leadership aren't mutually exclusive.
• Our emotions impact our decisions, communication, and stress level, so we need to be mindful that our emotions matter. 
• Emotional intelligence is being intelligent about our emotions, using mental skills and cognitive strategies to think smarter about why we are feeling what we're feeling.
• Many organizations would rather deal with unproductive behaviors or disrespectful communication than get to the heart of the issue. 
• Businesses can have more innovation, more productivity, and more workplace happiness if they start talking about what's going on instead of sweeping conflicting emotions under the rug.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Contact Brandon and Xenium HR: 

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

In this bonus episode of Transform Your Workplace, Suzi Wear takes over hosting duties and interviews Gina Riley about what's important to understand about the younger generation of employees, specifically those in Gen Z (born after 1990) and Gen Y (ages 26-41). The discussion touches on the concept of a "latchkey workforce" and the importance of understanding the needs and expectations of younger employees in the workplace.

Watch the full episode on YouTube

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Contact Brandon and Xenium HR: 

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Listen in on a timely discussion with Marcus Sawyerr, a veteran in the recruiting industry and Founder and CEO of EQ Community. We'll discuss recent changes in recruiting, address blind spots, and get a glimpse into how technology affects diversity and inclusion during this evolving process. 

TAKEAWAYS

• The recruiting process is evolving, taking the lead from consumer products.
• Employers need to review job descriptions to make sure that they are accurate in reflecting the true end goal.
• Sometimes, we can complicate things as time goes on, and we forget the essence of finding the right talent.
• Diversity has been seen as a box-ticking exercise — "the right thing to do" — rather than the superpower that it is.
• Magic takes place when people, who otherwise wouldn't, are placed in a room together to connect with one another.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Contact Brandon and Xenium HR: 

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Growth can be painful, but it's necessary when it comes to becoming an effective leader. In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with Dr. Richard Winters, ER physician and author of You're the Leader: Now What?: Leadership Lessons from Mayo Clinic. The two discuss Dr. Winters' approach to leadership collaboration, decision-making, and growth.

TAKEAWAYS

• The best leaders know when to make a decision based on their experience and when to do so by bringing together people with varied perspectives. 
• Effective leaders approach complex issues as a facilitator, with a clear mind focused on finding the best way forward.
• If we move forward based on a single perspective, we risk making serious errors.
• Burnout is an organizational vital sign, and leaders must address it in strategic decision-making.
• Doing nothing — not innovating or not moving forward — is actually more risky than taking action.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Contact Brandon and Xenium HR: 

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

On this bonus episode of Transform Your Workplace, guest host Al Nodarse interviews Alicia Chapman, CEO of Willamette Technical Fabricators. Chapman discusses the unique culture at her company, which includes benefits such as unlimited sick days and a commitment to supporting and promoting women in the trades. Despite being a newer company, Willamette Technical Fabricators has experienced rapid growth, reaching over $10 million in revenue within three years. Chapman also shares her experience as a woman and minority-owned business in the manufacturing industry, competing against larger companies for contracts. The conversation aims to provide inspiration and practical insights for business leaders looking to build and improve their workplace culture.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Contact Brandon and Xenium HR: 

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com