Gut + Science

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**Gut + Science**

Gut + Science is a leadership podcast for executives, people leaders, and high achievers who want to build stronger teams, healthier workplace cultures, and higher employee engagement.

Hosted by Nikki Lewallen Gregory, each episode blends people-first leadership, practical leadership development, and real-world insight from executives and thought leaders.

Through candid conversations and powerful stories, Gut + Science explores culture, coaching, communication, performance, employee engagement, and the human side of leadership, giving listeners practical ideas and perspectives they can put into action.

Latest Episodes:

020: David Swider | Avoiding Legal Pitfalls of Your Culture Initiatives Aug 23, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Utilize Expert Advice: Keep an employment law advisor nearby. Use this individual routinely as a sounding board to make sure you have timely and trusted feedback to guide your HR practices.
Create HR Superstars: Think about your training practices regarding harassment, discrimination, and diversity. Are they up-to-date? Are trainings happening with enough frequency? Review your current cadence to ensure that everyone remains compliant and empowered to build your culture.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/david-swider/

Sponsors:

Titus - in their conversations with CEOs and hiring managers, they hear frustration with traditional recruiting. From outrageous fees to focusing on candidates before clients, the process was broken and needed to be fixed. Enter Titus Talent. Titus Talent Strategies serves its clients using passionate people, a proven process, and unparalleled performance.
Emplify – Are you still using pulse surveys? How about annual questionnaires? If your organization relies on either of these, it's time to discover Emplify. Emplify has created a new way to measure employee engagement. It's where CEOs who want to know what's really happening within a workforce go… to get honest feedback… and to understand what needs to change for people to love their work using simple and trustworthy data.

019: Gary Brackett | Crafting an Engagement Strategy to the Individual Aug 16, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Foster Organizational "Beta" Mode: Far too often, employees fall into the trap of saying, "that's how it's always been done." Each individual brings unique insights and dynamics to your business - inspire them to think outside the box in the name of improving and advancing your organization.
It's Not All About Money: Rewarding great work with additional compensation and bonuses never hurts, but don't get caught up in thinking that more money equals a more engaged workforce. Find out what incentives hit home with each employee - flexible schedule, time-off, career advancement - to help foster their work/life balance.
Get Everyone on The Same Page: Yes, it's expensive to continuously train employees. It's even more costly to hire new ones. Foster emotional ownership from your staff to your business by investing in their success. Don't simply make employees aware of best practices - encourage dialogue and feedback as a catalyst to develop better systems.
Mind The Generational Gap: In our fast-paced world, Millennials are often spending shorter amounts of time with a single employer. Use this understanding of generational turnover to retain talent by connecting your work to the long-term goals and ambitions of these employees.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/gary-brackett/

Sponsors:

Emplify – Are you still using pulse surveys? How about annual questionnaires? If your organization relies on either of these, it's time to discover Emplify. Emplify has created a new way to measure employee engagement. It's where CEOs who want to know what's really happening within a workforce go… to get honest feedback… and to understand what needs to change for people to love their work using simple and trustworthy data.
Custom Concrete - Custom Concrete has been creating foundations for the finest homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities throughout Central Indiana since 1969. Builders, contractors, and homeowners rely on their expertise because so much depends on getting it right. Their knowledge and control of all aspects of the job, from excavation to waterproofing to backfill, means that extra value is built into every project. Codes don't drive their business, excellence does.

018: Amy Woodall | Debunking Common Training Myths Aug 09, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Leaders Must Be Involved: It's not as simple as developing employees by only asking your team how they are doing. As leaders, you need to engage in development alongside your people.
Trust Is Huge: In order to have a team that is going to gel, absorb, and take on the training and development that you're bringing to them, trust has to be established. If trust isn't there, it won't stick. The key to developing trust: bring your own vulnerability to the team.
Dealing With Difficult People: You have to understand and be aware of what personally pushes your buttons in addition to what actions act as triggers. It could often be our own doing for fostering a troublesome people dynamic. Don't take others' comments personally - investigate why these situations are so challenging for you.
Don't Pigeonhole Your Employees: Don't get into the habit of assuming that past performance will always perfectly predict the future. There is always the opportunity for individuals to change and grow and perform at new levels.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/amy-woodall

Book Recommendation:

The Untethered Soul, The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

Sponsors:

Purple Ink - Purple Ink's customized HR services will help you make your workspace JoyPowered. Whether you're looking for help with recruiting, compliance, or leadership training, they listen to what you need and tailor their solutions to you. And look for The JoyPowered Workspace Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!
Titus - in their conversations with CEOs and hiring managers, they hear frustration with traditional recruiting. From outrageous fees to focusing on candidates before clients, the process was broken and needed to be fixed. Enter Titus Talent. Titus Talent Strategies serves its clients using passionate people, a proven process, and unparalleled performance.

017: Bernie McGuinness | A Culture Philosophy in 5 S's Aug 02, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Shine: First impressions make incredible impacts. Continued impressions create expectations. What does your physical work environment say about your culture? Set a high priority on fostering a clean and inspiring environment to demonstrate the value of your employees.
Smile: Turnover is high in many industries, including healthcare. Don't overlook or undervalue the basic need of all employees: to feel welcomed and appreciated. A warm greeting manifests a winning culture of people-first.
Start Strong: Start each and every day out strongly. Promote the importance of employees arriving and starting their tasks on time. Start every meeting exactly when scheduled. These daily acknowledgments of respect fuel a culture of success.
Swagger: A confident employee shouldn't be a random anomaly. Confidence stems from a deep understanding of not only internal products but also dynamics within your industry. Strive for swagger by providing your employees with tools to be informed and engaged.
Show Off: It's easier for management to take pride in what they do, as they tend to see the bigger picture of how all of the moving parts come together. Foster this sense of pride and ownership within your workforce by promoting employees at all levels to share their success stories.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/bernie-mcguinness/

Sponsors:

Custom Concrete - Custom Concrete has been creating foundations for the finest homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities throughout Central Indiana since 1969. Builders, contractors, and homeowners rely on their expertise because so much depends on getting it right. Their knowledge and control of all aspects of the job, from excavation to waterproofing to backfill, means that extra value is built into every project. Codes don't drive their business, excellence does.
Emplify – Are you still using pulse surveys? How about annual questionnaires? If your organization relies on either of these, it's time to discover Emplify. Emplify has created a new way to measure employee engagement. It's where CEOs who want to know what's really happening within a workforce go… to get honest feedback… and to understand what needs to change for people to love their work using simple and trustworthy data.

016: Jason Ells | How to Be A Destination Employer Jul 26, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Showcase Your Company As A Career: If you treat your employees as expendable commodities, they will treat your business in a similar fashion. Consider hiring a dedicated onboarding coordinator to set the tone early for employees: they are valuable to your business, so much that you will invest in their career long-term.
Play The Numbers Game: Experience breeds a trust in "going with your gut," but don't make all crucial decisions based on feel. Modern technology is capable of producing a plethora of data and analytics. Embrace these tools to make more informed decisions that will benefit your sustained growth and mitigate risk.
Don't Overlook Onboarding: You've succeeded in hiring a new employee, but the real work hasn't even begun. A stale, uninteresting, and disengaged onboarding process will turn away even the best hires. Strive to empower a culture of positive vulnerability, allowing new hires to express their feelings quickly and accurately.
Integrate Creative Communication: It's true: it's now quicker and easier to communicate in the modern world than ever. This idea of quantity, however, doesn't necessarily dictate quality or honesty. Access pain points in your communication channels and be creative when identifying the best solutions.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/jason-ells/

Book Recommendation:

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Dan Pink

Sponsors:

LHD Benefits - LHD is a full-service employee benefits firm, that empowers their clients to make the best possible decisions for their employees -- to define optimal objectives, monitor outcomes, improve health, and engage and advocate for employees and their loved ones.
Titus - in their conversations with CEOs and hiring managers, they hear frustration with traditional recruiting. From outrageous fees to focusing on candidates before clients, the process was broken and needed to be fixed. Enter Titus Talent. Titus Talent Strategies serves its clients using passionate people, a proven process, and unparalleled performance.

015: Scott Miller | Building an Authentic Culture Jul 19, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Invest Individuals in Team Results: If your employees don't understand why their individual contributions matter, they won't buy into the overall goals of your business. By educating your staff on your business' dollars and cents, you'll increase accountability and personal ownership.
Factor in Likability: It's a simple truth in personal circles: most people associate with people they like. This also bodes true in the sales world - most people prefer to buy from people they like. Don't get overly caught up in developing the hard skills of your employees. Empowering their likability will reap great dividends.
Instigate Proactive Conversations: Don't wait to call meetings together until there is a cultural crisis. Find out what your employees need help with - today, tomorrow, this week, this month, etc. By knowing what pain points are holding back your employees, you can find the best solutions for fostering success.
Connect with Stories: All employees are human beings. Establish a culture that cares about employees outside the walls of your business. Learn about their families, hopes, and dreams. By enhancing the emotional DNA of your organization, you will attract incredible employees and clients.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/scott-miller/

Book Recommendation:

Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion by Paul Bloom

Sponsors:

Emplify - Are you still using pulse surveys? How about annual questionnaires? If your organization relies on either of these, it's time to discover Emplify. Emplify has created a new way to measure employee engagement. It's where CEOs who want to know what's really happening within a workforce go… to get honest feedback… and to understand what needs to change for people to love their work using simple and trustworthy data.
Purple Ink - Purple Ink's customized HR services will help you make your workspace JoyPowered. Whether you're looking for help with recruiting, compliance, or leadership training, they listen to what you need and tailor their solutions to you. And look for The JoyPowered Workspace Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

014: Tim Beatty | Creating Sustainable Systems for Longterm Success Jul 12, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Drive Engagement By Connecting: When sending out surveys, talk to your employees first to get their input on what questions regarding engagement matter the most. Set aside time each week and commit to organic conversations with staff - innovation cannot exist without an engaged workforce.
Establish Core Values: If your employees all aren't on the same page, consistent results will become impossible. Engagement stems from being aware of expectations and having the tools to deliver upon those goals.
Let Transparency Be Your Friend: It's challenging to convince workers to invest in short-term goals when the big picture of what success looks like hasn't been conveyed. Be as transparent as possible during meetings and trainings to foster a smarter workforce and increase buy-in from employees.
Mind the Accountability Gap: A disengaged manager can be just as destructive to your company culture as a micro-manager. Consistently assess the proper balance between employee accountability and freedom. Schedule conversations to keep managers on track in keeping employees connected.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/tim-beatty/

Book Recommendation:

Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by General Stanley McChrystal

Sponsors:

Custom Concrete - Custom Concrete has been creating foundations for the finest homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities throughout Central Indiana since 1969. Builders, contractors, and homeowners rely on our expertise because so much depends on getting it right. Our knowledge and control of all aspects of the job, from excavation to waterproofing to backfill, means that extra value is built into every project. Codes don't drive our business, excellence does.
PurpleInk - Purple Ink's customized HR services will help you make your workspace JoyPowered. Whether you're looking for help with recruiting, compliance, or leadership training, they listen to what you need and tailor their solutions to you.

013: Michael Crafton | Employees First, Customers Second Jul 05, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Happy Employees Create Happy Customers: It's crucial to maintain emotional ownership from employees regarding what your company is trying to accomplish. Providing the freedom for staff to make decisions empowers their happiness and fuels sustainable growth and success.
Rely on Employee Referrals When Hiring: Your employees are your best gauge as to whether or not new potential hires will properly fit the culture of your business. It's incredibly expensive to lose new hires quickly - save time and money by relying on your strongest brand advocates to guide the process of adding staff.
Dynamic Company Culture Must Adapt: The needs and wants of staff are ever-changing. Develop a diverse array of creative benefits, providing constant opportunities for enhancing communication, fostering mentorship, and developing professional skills. Above all, actively listen to your employees and stay connected.
Set Your Priorities: Don't do yourself a disservice by searching for new employees purely based on hard skills. Rethink this idea: assess their culture fit first, talent second, and skills third. Focus on individuals who will bring energy, charisma, and will buy into the goals of the company. This passion will drive the will to learn the craft.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/michael-crafton/

Book Recommendation:

The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, by Joseph Michelli

Sponsors:

LHD Benefits - LHD is a full-service employee benefits firm, that empowers their clients to make the best possible decisions for their employees -- to define optimal objectives, monitor outcomes, improve health, and engage and advocate for employees and their loved ones.
Emplify - Are you still using pulse surveys? How about annual questionnaires? If your organization relies on either of these, it's time to discover Emplify. Emplify has created a new way to measure employee engagement. It's where CEOs who want to know what's really happening within a workforce go… to get honest feedback… and to understand what needs to change for people to love their work using simple and trustworthy data.

012: Rebecca Fleetwood Hession | The Importance of Contextual Training Jun 28, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Do Less, Better: Find the right training programs for the right people, and don't focus on a mass quantity of programs. Are managers and leaders reinforcing the trained behaviors once everyone gets back to the job? Emphasize better work, not more work.
Contextualize to Foster Engagement: Engagement is critical for a business to thrive - more specifically, employees need to know the context of how their learning ties into their day-to-day roles. You don't have to provide entertainment or "bells and whistles" to foster emotional ownership within your business.
Leaders Need Regular Interaction: The best leaders are the ones creating opportunities to learn from employees regarding their daily routines and pain points. These "in between the meetings" conversations are the basis for creating better top-level coaches and a more engaged workforce.
Provide Opportunities for Deep-Thinking: Don't just take employees off site to entertain them. It's all about creating an environment for employees to think deeply about the 'why' and 'how' of their work. Treat emotional bandwidth as a precious resource.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/rebecca-fleetwood-hession/

Book Recommendation:

No Ego: How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results by Cy Wakeman

Sponsors:

PurpleInk - Purple Ink's customized HR services will help you make your workspace JoyPowered. Whether you're looking for help with recruiting, compliance, or leadership training, they listen to what you need and tailor their solutions to you.
Custom Concrete - Custom Concrete has been creating foundations for the finest homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities throughout Central Indiana since 1969. Builders, contractors, and homeowners rely on our expertise because so much depends on getting it right. Our knowledge and control of all aspects of the job, from excavation to waterproofing to backfill, means that extra value is built into every project. Codes don't drive our business, excellence does.

011: Alison Martin-Books | The Keys to Developing Effective Mentorship Programs Jun 21, 2018

Show notes

Truth You Can Act On:

Feedback: The ability to give useful feedback is a skill all leaders need to learn and master. Sometimes those critical conversations aren't the easiest to have, but with practice, you'll be able to have them more comfortably. It's not always fun, but it's what ultimately leads to growth.
Personal Board of Directors: Mentoring is not about one relationship; it's multifaceted. It's all based on the many different leadership skills you're looking to develop. The key is having multiple mentors who serve as your board of directors for all areas you desire to grow in.
Leader Participation: If we want to see engagement being driven throughout the organization by mentoring, we as leaders need to be mentors as well as mentees. We need to be sharing our experiences. If we're looking for our employees to become more savvy in personal and professional development then we need to share with them the resources we used. It's the same thing with mentoring. We need to share our participation, share our key takeaways, and walk the walk.
Measuring Impact Through Intentionality: It's essential to focus on why you're mentoring in the first place. For example, if you want to improve diversity, you must first understand where your baseline is, where your numbers are, and where you want to go. Understanding this allows you to monitor specific trends, measure the impact your mentorship program is having on diversity, and make any necessary adjustments.

Full Shownotes:

https://gutplusscience.com/alison-martin-books

Book Recommendation:

Own the Day, Own Your Life: Optimized Practices for Waking, Working, Learning, Eating, Training, Playing, Sleeping, and Sex by Aubrey Marcus

Sponsors:

Emplify - Are you still using pulse surveys? How about annual questionnaires? If your organization relies on either of these, it's time to discover Emplify. • Emplify has created a new way to measure employee engagement. It's where CEOs who want to know what's really happening within a workforce go… to get honest feedback… and to understand what needs to change for people to love their work using simple and trustworthy data.
Titus - In our conversations with CEOs and hiring managers, we hear they are frustrated with traditional recruiting... From outrageous fees to focusing on candidates before clients, the process was broken and needed to be fixed. Enter Titus Talent. Titus Talent Strategies serves its clients using passionate people, a proven process, and unparalleled performance. Oh, did we mention they guarantee the PERFORMANCE of their candidates for 12 months?

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