Transform Your Workplace

Latest Episodes:

Leadership, Inclusion, and Belonging with Perrine Farque Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

Want to create a culture of belonging? As a leader, do you find yourself falling short when it comes to making your employees feel heard? If so, give this episode a listen. Perrine Farque, author of Inclusion: The Ultimate Secret for an Organization's Success, offers practical tips and inspiring anecdotes for effective, inclusive leadership.

TAKEAWAYS

"Belonging" is the ultimate inclusion because an employee's team members have become their family.
The sense of belonging is crucial to an authentic inclusive culture, but leaders must be intentional about it.
Business leaders should think of themselves as diversity and inclusion champions.
Toxic leadership is contagious, but so is inclusive leadership.
Inclusive leaders must create that basic layer of trust so that people feel safe to speak.
Be crystal clear on how diversity and inclusion tie into your mission statement and communicate that to all of your employees frequently.

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Perrine Farque is a best-selling author, speaker, and expert on inclusion in the workplace. With over a decade of corporate leadership experience, she is passionate about helping business leaders create an authentic sense of belonging among their employees.

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🔊 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:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Conquering Workplace Anxiety with Adrian Gostick Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

Chances are, you're no stranger to anxiety, but have you been willing to talk about it? Either way, it's time to break the stigma that surrounds mental health. In today's episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws interviews Adrian Gostick, co-author of Anxiety at Work: Eight Strategies to Help Teams Build Resilience, Handle Uncertainty, and Get Stuff Done. Together, they discuss the issues burdening employees and how to remove the weight of anxiety in the workplace.

TAKEAWAYS

Managers and employees alike are not alone in dealing with the burden of anxiety.
Anxiety, even when we remove a stressor, is still present and can interfere with our work and, ultimately, our lives.
Leaders can attract top talent by letting them know they care about developing their careers.
Those who suffer from anxiety need to determine what they can control and what is out of their control.

Participate in Xenium's 2021 What People Want from Work Survey: https://xeniumhr.com/wpwfw

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Adrian Gostick is a best-selling author and thought leader on workplace leadership and strategy. With a Master's Degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall and years of experience in leadership, employee engagement and retention, and workplace culture, Adrian has a unique perspective into what drives business success.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

A Glimpse Into the Employee Perspective With Anthony Vaughan Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Fulfilled and engaged employees drive results, but today's executives are making decisions without leaning into the invaluable employee perspective. In this episode, Brandon Laws interviews Anthony Vaughan: business podcast host, co-founder of the E1B2 Collective, HR aficionado, and expert talent retention. Hear what he has to say about maximizing employee perspective and learn how his victories and defeats have shaped his approach.

TAKEAWAYS

The employee perspective is vital to executive decision-making and goal-setting.
To lead well, one must be willing to listen and learn from leaders who are experiencing measured success.
Utilizing employee data, perspectives, nuances, and needs is essential to the long-term success of any business.

Participate in Xenium's 2021 What People Want from Work Survey: https://xeniumhr.com/wpwfw

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Business podcast host, co-founder of the E1B2 Collective, HR aficionado, and expert at talent retention, Anthony Vaughan has a lot to say about what it means to maximize the employee's perspective. Through years of research and experience, Anthony knows how to drive leadership transformation and engender employee loyalty.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

The Gap: Perspectives on Employee Retention with Clint Pulver Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES

What are your employees really thinking when it comes to their workplace? Are they ready to jump ship or are they bought in? Clint Pulver, also known as The Undercover Millennial, is all about exposing the gap in perception between executives and their employees. His five years of undercover experience in 181 organizations resulted in his new book, I Love It Here: How Great Leaders Create Organizations That People Never Want to Leave. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Clint offers practical advice for managers who want to create a work environment that no employee will want to leave.

TAKEAWAYS

Employee needs are always changing, so managers must be willing to evolve if they want to keep top talent.
There is a direct correlation between management and employee attrition rate.
All mentor managers possess these five characteristics: Confidence, Credibility, Competence, Candor, and Caring.
Many employers feel like they know what their employees think and feel, but they've never taken the time to individually ask people and create an environment where people could be heard.
Passion, purpose, and the ability to provide are critical contributors to whether an employee loves his or her job.

Participate in Xenium's 2021 What People Want from Work Survey: https://xeniumhr.com/wpwfw

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Clint Pulver, also known as The Undercover Millennial, is all about exposing the gap in perception between executives and their employees. His five years of undercover experience in 181 organizations resulted in his new book, I Love It Here: How Great Leaders Create Organizations That People Never Want to Leave.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

The Science of Dream Teams with Mike Zani Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

In the ever-growing War on Talent, there's never been more urgency to get it right. To acquire, maintain, and optimize the best talent, leaders have no choice but to dig deep or lose. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws sits down with Mike Zani, CEO of The Predictive Index and expert on talent optimization. The two discuss the effects of COVID on the current workforce, the War on Talent, and team-building strategies that really work.

TAKEAWAYS

Leaders must emphasize the data and analytics if they want a full understanding of what helps and hinders their teams.
Leaders must take employee experience or engagement surveys seriously and act upon them, or their top talent will not hesitate to walk out the door.
It is up to leaders to create transparency and vulnerability by modeling these attributes themselves.

Participate in Xenium's 2021 What People Want from Work Survey: https://xeniumhr.com/wpwfw

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Mike Zani is a bestselling author and expert on optimizing talent and building successful culture. His latest book, The Science of Dream Teams, is a product of his years of experience in building stellar workplace teams. Mike holds a BS from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Pause, Breathe, and Choose with Naz Beheshti Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

With vast experience at well-known companies such as Apple, Yahoo!, and AstraZeneca, Naz Beheshti is no stranger to workplace intensity and stress. But even though stress seems to be an unavoidable part of our daily lives, we can't let it control our thoughts and decisions. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws interviews Naz Beheshti, Founder and CEO of Prananaz and author of Pause, Breathe, Choose: Become the CEO of Your Wellbeing. The two discuss mindfulness techniques to deal with stress in the workplace in a healthy way. Of course, these practices aren't just helpful for the workplace but should be incorporated into every area of our lives.

TAKEAWAYS

We can never increase the number of hours in the day, but we can optimize our energy and wellbeing so that we can work more efficiently.
Senior leadership must lead by example because when communication is coming directly from the CEO or C-level, it helps engage the employees in health and wellness initiatives.
When we take that mindful breath, we are instantly re-engaged into the present moment, and when we are present, we are better equipped to make better choices.
To avoid unnecessary stress, use the ACE method: become aware of the source of your stress, change your mindset, and take empowered and effective action.

GUEST AT A GLANCE

With vast experience at well-known companies such as Apple, Yahoo!, and AstraZeneca, Naz Beheshti is no stranger to workplace intensity and stress. In 2012, Naz Beheshti founded Prananaz, a corporate wellness company. A certified health and transformational coach, she is passionate about helping teams navigate the inevitable stressors that come with high-demand jobs.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Adjusting to the Post-Pandemic Pace with Dave McKeown Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

As a leader, do you find that you're putting out fires instead of taking intentional steps toward the growth of your organization? If so, this is the podcast for you. While there's no doubt that the post-pandemic business world has placed increasing demands on the business leader's time and energy, this episode's guest says that it's possible to adapt and rise above the chaos. Listen in and learn from Dave McKeown, author of The Self-Evolved Leader, all about how to approach the faster pace, prioritize what matters, and elevate your focus above what doesn't.

TAKEAWAYS

Even after we return to the workplace, the world will continue its rigorous pace, so our leaders need to learn to adapt to this "new normal."
When leaders see new information come in, they feel obligated to respond urgently, a demand placed on them from our clients, the industry as a whole, and the leaders above them.
Many leaders end up leading through active heroism which, over time, builds learned helplessness in our people.
A self-evolved leader desires rigorous debate and discussion to arrive at a solution rather than implementing a top-down approach to problem-solving.
Sometimes the greatest leaders have no answers — all they do is ask really good questions and help people come to their own conclusions.

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Dave McKeown is the Founder and CEO of Outfield Leadership, the author of The Self-Evolved Leader, and a leadership strategy coach, speaker, and trainer. With experience in helping organizations achieve scalable growth, Dave is passionate about seeing business teams reach not only their leadership but also their company-wide goals.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Our 300th Episode: Looking to the Future with Xenium President Anne Donovan Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

It's the 300th episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast! Celebrate with us as we hear from Anne Donovan, President of Xenium HR. Host Brandon Laws gets the candid truth about the challenges that Anne faces as a business leader during such unprecedented times, including what keeps her up at night, how she is approaching a hybrid return-to-work plan, and what she foresees over the next few months for her employees and Xenium as a whole.

WHAT WE COVERED:

Planning for and making nuanced decisions regarding the "return to work"
Navigating employee dissatisfaction with the post-pandemic workplace
Making changes to outdated performance evaluation and measurement methods
Inventing a new playbook for inclusivity among at-home and at-work employees
Dealing with employee compensation needs and expectations in a changing marketplace

A NOTE FROM THE HOST

When I started this podcast back in 2012, I never would have imagined that we'd reach 300 episodes. Over the years, our focus has moved from solely HR topics to more of a general focus on leaders and culture development, all with the goal of creating great workplaces. Every podcast episode is centered on providing education to leaders who want to be a part of transformation at work. I'm very proud of the work we've done, and I hope you all enjoy our 300th episode with our very own President of Xenium: Anne Donovan.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

The Four Factors of Engagement with Jay Schaufeld Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

This episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast features Jay Schaufeld, Head of HR and People Operations at HqO, and his thoughts on the looming Great Resignation, the staggering attrition rate anticipated from tomorrow's workforce. Host Brandon Laws and his guest discuss valuable retention strategies to combat this unprecedented shift and ways companies can engage employees by targeting what matters most.

TAKEAWAYS

Employees are engaged when they feel that their work is meaningful and purposeful, when they possess significant relationships in the workplace, when they believe in their organization's mission, and when their values align with company culture.
Post-pandemic talent can no longer be valued by how many hours they stay in the office, but instead on contribution and performance.
The pandemic has shed a light on what's really important to people — wellbeing and balance, having connection to the purpose of the organization, and loving their work.
To retain top talent, organizations must recognize that what really matters is that their people feel heard and supported.

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Jay Schaufeld, Head of HR and People Operations at HqO, has over two decades of leadership experience within the tech and professional services industries. Jay is passionate about implementing sound talent initiatives to help scale growth within tech organizations.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Taking Charge of Your Career with Mark Herschberg Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

Mark Herschberg, author of The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You and recent guest on the Transform Your Workplace podcast, has a lot to say about the skills necessary for a successful and dynamic career. In today's episode, Mark provides practical career-building tips to business leaders and rising talent alike. Give this episode a listen if you're ready to hone your goal-setting (and attaining) skills for the future of your career.

TAKEAWAYS

Knowledge and experience are important, but hiring managers should also look for, define, and zero in on other critical attributes, such as communication, negotiation, and team-building, in a candidate.
A career plan typically begins by asking yourself what you want in a job and what you want in life. It's about thinking ahead, not having perfect answers.
Your career plan isn't etched in stone; expect to make improvements as you implement it.
Assess your progress in your career plan at least once a year.
Any time a new job or role change is on the table, take a moment to assess whether this new opportunity will help you towards the goals laid out in your career plan.

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Mark Herschberg is an author, thought leader, and expert in career building, speaker, and professor at MIT. An MIT and Harvard Business School grad, Mark has vast experience in the tech world and facilitating career success.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

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

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.