Empowering Workplaces (Sanja Licina, QuestionPro)

We are joined by Mine Dedekoca, Chief Happiness Officer at Happy Work Studio to talk about how organizations can better navigate the transition between remote, hybrid, and in-office models. 

Mine sheds light on crucial considerations, recognizing that the shift is not merely about where we work but fundamentally about how we work.Whether your organization is currently embracing remote work or in the process of contemplating a return to the office, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, healthcare executive leadership coach and bestselling author Dr. Lizette Warner joins us to discuss the importance of authenticity and energy in leadership. Dr. Warner shares her background in healthcare and leadership development, and how she came to write her book Power, Poise, and Presence: A New Approach to Authentic Leadership.

She explains the concept of biomarkers and how they can be used to identify the things that indicate a problem in leadership, and emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself and filling one’s own energy cup to show up authentically in the workplace. We also share an interesting data point: According to a recent QuestionPro Instant Answers Survey, 64% of people feel like they can be their authentic selves at work as a leader. However, 28% of people responded with “somewhat”, 5% said “not really”, and 4% said “not at all.”  Tune in to hear Dr. Warner’s insights on how to cultivate authenticity and energy in your leadership style.

Join us in today’s episode as we venture into the intriguing world of the Future of Work, together with our special guest Al Adamsen, CEO of My Future of Work and author of the Future of Work Study. This time, we explore the profound implications of technological advancements, AI, automation, and globalization on both organizations and individuals.

Throughout our conversation, we emphasize the importance of evidence-based decision-making, effective governance, and integrated approaches within organizations. Moreover, we delve into the advocacy for a purpose-driven workplace experience that aligns individual, team, and organizational goals, all while addressing the crucial aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcomeIan OKeefe, Founder and CEO of ikona Analytics. With a stellar career leading people analytics teams at some of the world’s most iconic companies, such as Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and Google, Ian brings unparalleled insights into advancing people analytics strategies.

Whether you’re new to people analytics or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and actionable insights. We discuss the four pillars of Productizing the People Analytics Function (governance, infrastructure, methods, products), the balance between building and buying capabilities, and much more. Throughout our conversationIan Ian shares both his expert advice as well as practical examples to help you navigate and enhance your organization’s data strategies.

If you are resilient, then when life knocks you down, you bounce back and you keep going. That’s the core of today’s episode, in which we’re joined by Annie Leib, LLC, who shares some insights about her coaching and framework, as well as great advice on how to build resilience.

While many organizations strive to have a unified culture, employee experience can be anything but uniform.

In today’s episode, hosts Sanja Licina, PhD and Maddie Grant, highlight relevant datapoints from a survey study of over 3,000 workers across the globe, and why it’s important to understand the differences between how managers and individual contributors may experience a company culture to make well-informed decisions about your strategy.

One of the first things we learn as workers is that in many organizations talking about how much we earn is not something that happens — and, unfortunately, this old taboo only hides the fact that some companies have a huge pay gap, as well as other economic and gender-based inequities. That is why, for a long time, organizations and thought leaders have asked themselves: “Should we have full transparency about pay? Is purpose and the greater good more important than pay? Or is pay simply king?”

In today’s episode, Sanja Licina, PhD, and Maddie Grant, tackled the concept of pay from the increasingly important angles of recruiting, attracting, and retaining talent — and, of course, building a sense of community at work.

What does your company stand for? As your business grows and experiences significant change, it is important to start rethinking your values, and being more explicit about defining what behaviors drive your organization. This will help you and your teams better understand what makes your company’s culture unique and what will fuel future success.

Joining us in this episode is Michelle Armer, Chief People Officer at C.A. Fortune, who shares her journey about redefining their values, aligning them with business outcomes, and driving behaviors through them.

We set out to create a podcast to help organizations have their people feel seen and heard; like they are making a difference in all parts of their life. We also shared strategies with workers directly about ways they can grow their careers, feel fulfilled and happy inside and outside of the workplace. As we shared important conversations with our guests, one word kept coming up to reflect the feeling that the discussions provoked: empowerment.

From today Work@Life podcast will be called Empowering Workplaces. We are stepping into the new year with a clear mission, and a name that we felt best reflects that mission. We want to help empower organizations to be the best places for their people, and help empower workers to be the best version of themselves.

Thank you so much to those who have been on this journey with us, we can't wait to show you what we have planned for 2023!

Depending on who you ask, you are likely to get very different responses to the question “what is happiness”? Some believe that it’s about the journey, while others are focused on the destination.

Regardless of how you define happiness, most of us are often looking for more of it. So, how do we go about feeling happier? Join Sanja Licina, PhD and Maddie Grant as they discuss the meaning of happiness, fulfillment and purpose and how it all intertwines with work and our personal lives.

Have you asked yourself: Did I choose the right career? Am I progressing fast enough, quicker than my peers? Is what's happening to me… normal? We've all had the same nagging thoughts regarding our career, so hearing what others have gone through during their career path gives us such a phenomenal perspective and ideas on what we could do –and don’t—differently.

Joining us for this episode is Ashley Menzies Babatunde, Attorney, Storyteller and host of the podcast “No Straight Path”, who talks to us about the story behind her success and how when she realized that her path wasn't linear anymore, it sent shockwaves to the system.

Whether it's in our personal lives or at work, practicing empathy and compassion is not as simple as it initially seems; that's because every single human is different in subtle ways, and what works for a person might not for someone else. Indeed, in the workplace, effectively connecting with others can take different forms and it's crucial to learn the most effective one for your business—one that is finely tuned to your culture.

Join Sanja Licina, PhD and Maddie Grant in this episode, where they discuss how compassion will become an increasingly important skill and how leaders can effectively develop it to lead teams and grow businesses.

Join hosts Sanja Licina, PhD, and Maddie Grant in this enlightening episode of Empowering Workplaces as they dive deep into the world of imposter syndrome with their esteemed guest, Aoife O'Brien, founder of Happier at Work. Discover how organizations can support job seekers in overcoming imposter syndrome and unleash their true potential. 

Aoife shares her personal journey from the fast-moving consumer goods industry to becoming an expert on workplace culture, imposter syndrome, and podcasting. Learn how imposter syndrome affects visibility, novelty, and representation, and gain insights into recognizing and managing these challenges.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, hosts Maddie Grant and Sanja Licina engage in an insightful conversation with Zoe Peterson-Ward, Chief Customer Officer at Workhuman. They talk about the significance of the season of giving and discuss strategies to support employees during the holiday season.

Zoe shares her background, experiences, and insights on fostering recognition, rewards, and a culture of appreciation within organizations. The discussion explores the impact of recognition programs on employee engagement, the importance of tying rewards to company values, and strategies to design effective recognition initiatives. 

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we welcome Dr. Alison Fragale, renowned psychologist, professor, and author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get to the Success They Deserve. Dr. Fragale shares advice on ways women in particular can achieve professional success. In particular she talks about building confidence, overcoming biases, and embracing your inner “likeable badass.”Some particular topics we discussed were:

• Practical tips on asking for raises and promotions.
• Advice for navigating complex office politics and advice for women who feel they must choose between being liked and being respected?
• What allies—both men and women—can do to support women in their quest for success in the workplace.
• And much more!

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to feel more empowered and is passionate about empowering women and transforming organizational culture as well.

In today’s episode we discuss the very hot topic of burnout, with Hamza Khan, the best-selling author of Leadership, Reinvented and a global keynote speaker whose TEDx talk “Stop Managing, Start Leading” has been viewed nearly two million times.

Burnout is something that can affect anyone and has resulted in whole industries of self-help and related solutions… but what if the responsibility for fixing burnout doesn’t actually lie within the individual worker? What if the antidote to burnout is actually community, as well as a different kind of leadership?

Leadership is something that seems easy and natural, from the outside, but it takes a huge amount of work to become a better leader. There’s always been this phenomenal opportunity to develop leaders, but now probably even more so.

In this episode we’re joined by Mihaela Berciu, Leadership Breakthrough Specialist, who focuses on exploring personal and professional values, understanding aspirations, removing barriers and visualizing the path to success.

In today’s episode or Empowering Workplaces, our special guest Enrique Rubio, top 100 HR influencer and founder and head of global community, talks about the evolving landscape of company cultures and some of the positive changes that we have seen in recent years.While the pandemic had a positive impact on some employee experience programs, we’re seeing some initiatives and positive changes being rolled back.

 How can organizations effectively continue to support programs, ones focused on wellbeing for example, even in the face of adversity? Join us to learn more about how organizations can continue to drive positive change, even in a post-pandemic world, to continue to create more empowered workplace cultures.

Join us on Empowering Workplaces as we explore a fresh perspective on the art of prioritization with Deena Kara Shaffer, PhD, owner of Awakened Learning and author of the book Feel Good Learning. In today’s episode, we talk about innovative approaches to managing urgency, value, and meaningful choices in the workplace and beyond.

Dr. Shaffer’s insights will challenge your preconceptions and provide you with the tools needed to navigate life’s complexities. Whether you’re a professional striving to optimize your time or a parent committed to supporting your child’s growth, we’re sure this episode will be a source of invaluable wisdom for you.

When you watch the news these days, it’s hard not to feel discouraged about the world… but that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to join ranks with the pessimists! In fact, when facing negativity, it’s extra important to be optimistic to help offset any bad vibes that might be surrounding you.

In this episode, we talk about both the simple and the complex things that keep us going, and what can we do to start walking on the sunnier side of the street.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we’re talking with Eric Stone, speaker and author of “Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture,” to explore the critical elements of employee engagement and high performance. Eric shares insights from his career journey and his book, offering practical strategies for leaders to foster a positive and productive workplace environment.We discuss the importance of strong relationships, clear communication, personal and professional growth, and the role of flexibility in maintaining employee engagement.

Eric also addresses the pressing issue of burnout and provides actionable advice on how organizations can support their employees’ well-being while ensuring accountability. Join us for an enlightening conversation that aims to help you create a thriving workplace culture.

How do you get to the many things you want to achieve, especially as a working parent? As we start to reflect on this past year and plan for the one ahead, many of us are still searching for best ways to feel fulfilled in various aspects of our lives without burning ourselves out.

While there may not be a magic answer, there are things that both employees and employers can do to make this feeling of fulfillment and flexibility a reality. In today’s episode, Jennie Dede, Director of Sales, Search and People at LinkedIn, a wife and a mom of two amazing boys, joins us to discuss how to prioritize the things that matter most in work, and life.

The truth is crystal clear: workplace conflict is inevitable, given that we’re humans, first and foremost— and it’s certainly nothing new for managers and leaders.

Whether it’s a product of miscommunication, a result from working in silos, unresolved tension, or lack of direction… conflict shows up when you least expect it — and, for that reason, it’s important for HR Departments to address new factors of workplace discord and prevent additional issues from arising among employees.

Join our discussion with Jamie Notter, Co-Founder and Culture Strategist at PROPEL, to learn more about how can companies manage conflict in today’s changing work environment.

Workers today are increasingly seeking full transparency from their employers. That means that a company’s values are an even more critical part of a successful recruiting strategy. In fact, 88% of workers said that it's important for them to have a sense of a company's culture when they are applying for a job.

For this episode, our guest Yaagneshwaran Ganesh —also known as Yaag— host of the podcast ABM conversations, joins us to talk about how effectively marketing your company culture can significantly help you employment brand.

Have you ever felt like time literally moves faster at work? Or perhaps felt “in the zone” while working? This is called “Flow”, and it happens when you feel a high degree of challenge and skill at a good balance, it requires being fully present and observing your work with a sense of calm and enjoyment.

In this episode, Jared Weintraub, PhD and founder of The Flow Group, LLC joined us to have a conversation on how to create the best conditions (individually and organizationally) for being in flow.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we talk with Richard Rosenow, VP of People Analytics Strategy at One Model, who talks about the The Three Channels of Workforce Information: conversations (“what people say”), surveys (“what people say they do”) and systems (“what people do”) as a way to build a comprehensive understanding of your workforce.

During our conversation, Richard shares practical examples and strategies for harnessing the power of these channels to make informed decisions that positively impact your organization. This episode is a must listen for anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of workforce dynamics and drive success in the ever-evolving landscape of People Analytics.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we have a special guest, Lou Adler, who is a renowned expert in recruitment and a top LinkedIn influencer. He will be sharing his insights on the most crucial question in hiring - “How do I hire the right people?”

Join us as Lou, who is known as the “Sherlock Holmes of recruitment,” explores the importance of hiring and the impact it has on management and success. We will also be discussing ways to avoid the common mistake of hiring too quickly, instead of taking the time to find the right fit for your organization. Don’t miss out on this valuable conversation!

We are honored to have Andrea Driessen, a renowned message strategist and TED speaker, join us. Andrea, known for her impactful TEDx talk, “The Profound Power of Gratitude and Living Eulogies,” shares her insights on grace notes—living tributes that show appreciation and love in our daily lives.

In the episode we explore how these simple yet profound acts can enhance our personal and professional relationships, fostering a culture of mattering and belonging. Tune in to discover practical tips for crafting your own grace notes and learn how such gestures can create lasting, positive ripple effects in our lives and workplaces.

In this episode we’re joined by Melis Abacıoğlu, the visionary founder and CEO of Wellbees, to explore the pivotal role of employee wellbeing in shaping organizational culture. While investing in employee wellbeing feels like the right thing to do morally, sometimes it’s not as easy to get sufficient manpower or budget to make a real difference.  In our conversation with Melis, we discuss innovative approaches to showcase ROI on wellbeing initiatives, wellbeing initiative options for different budgets, and strategies to expand participation once the initiative is launched.

Melis has an incredible wealth of knowledge on the topic of wellbeing, and shares numerous research, as well as her vast experience, which provide a solid support for her recommendations.

If you’re interested in learning more about how employee wellbeing can drive engagement, productivity, and fulfillment in the workplace, as well as how to even better advocate for, and drive, wellbeing initiatives inside your organization, you have to tune into this episode.

In today's episode, we are joined by Meisha-ann Martin, Ph.D, Senior Director of People Analytics and Research at Workhuman, to discuss a specific way leaders can demonstrate their commitment to creating an inclusive and empowering work environment. Discover the hidden patterns and biases that affect diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and learn how people analytics can help bridge the gap between organizational intent and employee experience. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that will empower you to make a real difference in your workplace.

Join hosts Sanja Licina, PhD, and Maddie Grant in an eye-opening conversation with Jordana Confino, a certified professional coach and positive psychology professor, on the risks of perfectionism. Jordana, founder of JC Coaching & Consulting, shares her personal journey of breaking free from the shackles of perfectionism, revealing insights and actionable strategies.

In this episode, Jordana examines into the misconceptions surrounding perfectionism. She distinguishes between healthy drive and the relentless pursuit of unrealistic standards driven by fear. Drawing from her own experiences as a lawyer, she identifies the negative impact of perfectionism on mental health, wellbeing, and overall success.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic episode!

Dr. Candace Steele Flippin is a communications executive, best-selling author, and multigenerational workplace scholar. Her mission is to help women accelerate their career growth so that they can achieve the careers they need, want and deserve.

She joins us as she launches her newest book: Get Your Career in SHAPE: A Five-Step Guide to Achieve the Success You Need, Want, and Deserve.

Today on Empowering Workplaces we are joined by Stephen (Shed) Shedletzky, founder of Shed Inspires and the celebrated author of “Speak Up Culture.” 

Shed is an igniter, speaker, and master facilitator who as a part of his career trajectory had also worked on Simon Sinek's team for over a decade.In this episode, we talk about the importance of psychological safety in the workplace and its role as the foundation of high-performing teams. 

Shed shares his insights on creating environments where employees feel safe to voice their ideas, concerns, and feedback, emphasizing the transformative impact this can have on organizational culture and success.If you want to get ideas and practical tips for how to create an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and encouraged to contribute their best, while also feeling inspired along the way, this is a great episode to tune into.

It is possible for great CEOs to be both competent and kind. Maybe it doesn’t sound like an easy balance, but this is certainly true for Popmenu’s leadership, and one of the key reasons the company has been able to build and sustain an exceptional culture.

We are joined in this episode by Anna Bruns, Head of Talent and Culture at Popmenu, who talks about how the head of talent can work hand in hand with the CEO in building a culture where both the people and the business thrives.

Join host Sanja Licina, PhD, along with special guests Jasenka Šabanović Facilitator & Executive Coach Facilitator & Executive Coach at The Fast Forward Group and Guille Santana, Marketing Manager at QuestionPro for an insightful exploration of the “Wheel of Life.”In this episode, we delve into the art of achieving work-life harmony and well-being. 

Discover the transformative power of assessing and nurturing the diverse facets of your life – from career and relationships to health and personal growth. As we hear stories of self-discovery and growth, you’ll gain insights into aligning your values and priorities to lead a purpose-driven life.

HR analytics holds exciting potential to drive success for both organizations and employees. But as technological advancements reshape the workplace, the rise of HR analytics has sparked concerns about privacy, ethics, and the risks of a quantified employee agenda.
In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, Dr. Salvatore Falletta, a renowned thought leader in HR analytics and strategy, shares his insights on the transformative trends shaping the future of HR. Drawing from his book Creepy Analytics: Avoid Crossing the Line and Establish Ethical HR Analytics for Smarter Workforce Decisions, Dr. Falletta reveals:

• The “gray areas” of analytics that threaten workplace ethics.
• A seven-step HR Analytics Cycle to build and scale evidence-based practices.
• How to create smarter, more ethical workforce decisions without crossing the line.

Tune in to learn how to balance data innovation with ethical responsibility for a better workplace.

 In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, hosts Maddie Grant and Sanja Licina, PhD, sit down with Jim Frawley, bestselling author of "Adapting in Motion" and TEDx Speaker, to discuss the exciting world of AI and how individuals and organizations can adapt to the changes it brings. They delve into Jim's insights on executive development, the impact of AI on different industries, and the need for continuous adaptation. Discover how to navigate the evolving landscape of AI and harness its potential to transform work and unleash creativity. Join the conversation and learn how to embrace change in an AI-driven world.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we are joined by Andrea Hollingsworth, PhD, a Psychotherapist and former university Professor who works with organizational leaders to help build cultures of compassion in the workplace.

With only 30% of workers responding with self-kindness versus self-criticism when they make a mistake a work, and just a half saying their manager supports them when they are at distress, we have a ways to go to create more compassionate workplaces.  During this episode we discuss the importance of compassion in the workplace and how to better instill it and cultivate it inside the workplace.

In today’s episode, our guest Kris Boesch, Founder and CEO of Choose People and Spirited Leadership, keynote speaker, and advocate for transforming workplace culture leads us on a captivating journey as we navigate into the realm of spirituality in the workplace. 

Join us as we uncover the impact of integrating spirituality into our professional lives, fostering inclusivity, and redefining how we connect with our work and colleagues. Don’t miss this conversation with a true enthusiast for creating empowered and harmonious workplaces.

When things change in your life, it can impact your mental health and wellbeing. You may even feel out of control in situations that you didn’t expect. However, learning to navigate the way you deal with these different situations and reframe how you think about them will benefit you in ways you might have never thought.

Join us in this conversation to Dr. Deborah Gilboa, author of the book From Stressed to Resilient: The Guide to Handle More and Feel It Less to talk about how to deal with stress better and practice resilience.

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, organizational culture and innovation are more important than ever. As the economy struggles and companies are faced with challenges, it’s crucial that we keep our focus on how the culture can remain a competitive advantage.

In this episode, we are joined by special guest Daniel Strode, Group Director of Culture & Strategy at Banco Santander and author of the book The Culture Advantage: Empowering your People to Drive Innovation. With Dan we delve into the principles that shape organizational culture and discuss how managers play a crucial role in creating a strong and positive work environment.

These are the data points that we discussed during the conversation with Dan, that we collected from 600 workers through QuestionPro surveys.

How open do you think your employer organization is to change?

Extremely open, we are frequently going through change 43%

Somewhat open, we are not always changing but it's does happen 30%

Not very open, there is some change but it's very rare 20%

Not at all open, I feel like we have barely changed at all 7%

How important do you think company culture is to your manager?

Extremely important 39%

Somewhat important 44%

Not very important 10%

Not at all important 8%

In today’s episode, we talk about the pivotal role that data and people analytics plays in considering whether to, or the best way how to have your workforce retun to the office. This topic has been top of mind for most employers for months now, with many still looking for a better way to make decisions on the best way forward.

Join us for an insightful and data driven conversation with Serena Huang, PhD, Founder and CEO of Data with Serena and Chief Data Officer at Abe, that sheds light on the importance of tailoring strategies to meet the unique needs of employees while fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion and creating a culture of wellbeing.

The word “change” can hardly encapsulate everything that is different since March 2020, given the collective awakening to the great variability in how differently people's advance due to their backgrounds, and the quantity of outdated policies that need to evolve to keep this from happening.

Managers can play a monumental role in helping their teams thrive on their own terms. This starts by giving them choice and flexibility, so that they can work in the best way that suits them, and not necessarily adhering to the usual four walls, 9-to-5 gigs. Because work is not defined as something that you come to the office for nonetheless, it is something that you do. So, why are some managers still so hesitant to provide this flexibility?Joining us in this episode is Meighan Newhouse, CEO & Co-Founder of Inspirant Group, who shares some actionable ideas for challenging the norm.

As employees, we always want to be "in the know." And as employers, we want our workforce to have all the most important information. But, even with the best intentions, workers feel like they are either overwhelmed with information and can't keep up, or simply are not getting the information that's most important to them. We have so many more channels available than ever before, so what gives?

Join us with our special guest Andy Nester, Chief Marketing Officer at Firstup, for a conversation about how to effectively manage getting the right information, at the right time.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces Marcus Sawyerr, CEO of EQ Community and HR tech expert joins us as we dive into the results of a joint study between QuestionPro and EQ Community where we surveyed 1,000 knowledge workers across the US to get a better understanding of their experiences with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace.

With a focus our discussion on action and impact, and among other findings discuss the general lack of satisfaction among workers with current efforts to foster a diverse culture across organizations. Tune in as we explore the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture and the impact it can have on employee satisfaction and retention.

You can find the full study here: https://www.questionpro.com/diversity-equity-inclusion-study.html 

In this episode, we chat with Brian Mohr, co-founder of Anthym, about what it really means to "bring your whole self to work".  The pandemic has brought a new impetus towards more empathy in the workplace, meaning that we need better systems for helping employees to connect better and build better relationships with each other, within teams, and also between managers and direct reports. Why? Because this is the foundation for trust, as well and a key component of diversity and inclusion. We dig into some great ideas for how to make it happen!

In this episode, we talk to Kent Frazier, CEO of fullyhumanatwork.com and inspirational transformational coach. We delve into what it really means to bring your whole self to work - how do we create space for that, how do we show up, how do we practice listening for that.

In this episode, we sit down with Kori Gorman, director of catering and events for Entertainment, as we dive into the value of face-to-face meetings and the significance of building strong relationships in the corporate world.

Discover how remote work has provided a unique opportunity to glimpse into the personal lives of employees, bringing a newfound sense of authenticity and human connection to professional interactions. Kori explores the impact of creating comfortable, relaxed environments that foster organic collaboration and meaningful conversations.

Employee experience today encompasses everything, almost from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep; whether you’re working or not, there’s some way that your work is impacting you. For this episode, our guest Anna Matuszewska, Ph.D, an expert on Talent Management, joins us to talk about how learning development has changed and how the way employers approach career development is an even greater strategic imperative that impacts each person throughout the organization.

Welcome to Empowering Workplaces! If you care about making work better, as a leader or an employee - and helping yourself and others navigate the evolving nature of the business world, you are in the right place!  Empowering Workplaces is hosted by Maddie Grant, a culture designer and co-founder of a firm called PROPEL, that helps organizations design evolutionary and disruption-proof cultures that are truly loved by their employees, and Sanja Licina, Ph.D., an organizational psychologist and President of QuestionPro Workforce, where we help companies better connect with, and understand their employees, to create the absolute best culture and experience for all those who are a part of their organization.

We are two friends who created this podcast to talk to all kinds of fascinating people about how to empower BOTH employees and companies to create the kinds of human, empathetic, happy workplaces we all aspire to have.

We talk to people doing big things inside a variety of companies, as well as authors, consultants, coaches and other individuals who have a story to share or really inspirational research. We really love data so we always share new and interesting data and insights related to the topic at hand!

If you have ideas about people we should have a conversation with, or maybe that’s you! Let us know! You can find us at empoweringworkplacespodcast.com.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we talk about the importance of trust in the workplace with one of our favorite thought leaders, Dan Riley, co-founder of RADICL. We believe trust is the foundation to good relationships at work, do you agree?If you do, this episode has found you for a reason, because we are in a bit of a crisis. 

Based on recent research, only about 30% of people reporting high trust work relationships, and 35% are experiencing neutral to toxic workplace dynamics. Why is this happening? 

We discuss research and our take about the underlying factors driving these trends.Tune in to get some ideas for both how you can measure, and strengthen, trust across your organization.

In this episode we chat with Meico Whitlock, mindfulness consultant and founder of Mindful Techie about the impact of technology and information overload on wellbeing. We're so tethered to our devices these days, in good ways (like being able to work remotely during the pandemic) and bad ways (like spending too much time doom-scrolling on social media. Meico shares some useful tips for maintaining balance in a tech-heavy world.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, hosts Sanja Licina, PhD, and Maddie Grant welcome Cassie Holmes, a professor at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and author of the best-selling book “Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most.”This episode might just transform the way you think about time and happiness in your professional and personal life. 

Discover the surprising findings from Cassie’s research, including the relationship between discretionary time and happiness, the power of turning routines into rituals, and the importance of savoring everyday moments. You’ll leave this episode with practical insights to invest your time more wisely and find joy in the ordinary.

How often do you wonder what is holding you back?  In today’s episode, we talk about Positive Intelligence and Self Sabotage. The negative voices you may hear in your head can cause stress, and unhappiness, and get in the way of your performance and wellbeing. This is why it's so important to understand what they are and the best way to deal with them so you can more effectively handle life’s challenges and thrive.

Join us and our special guest Darya Belsner, Business and Leadership Coach, as we talk about how she uses the saboteur assessment in her work to help people grow personally and professionally .You can discover your saboteurs and what may be holding you back by taking this assessment: https://www.positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs/

In today’s episode, Eric Ortega, Employee Experience Manager and Culture Coach at World Market, takes us on a journey through the company’s remarkable transformation, driven by the redefinition of their values, and how they use them to guide their culture transformation. Discover how they truly leaned into their employee feedback, navigated organizational change, and empowered their workforce to create a workplace where everyone thrives.

Eric shares both strategic and practical advice from the first moment that World Market decided to evaluate their values, all the way to how they are bringing them to life during every step of their employee journey. This episode is a must listen for all culture champions who are looking for better ways to use employee surveys as a part of their organizational strategy, especially when it comes to redefining their organizational values and using them to ignite their culture.

The pandemic has given us a reason to redefine the value of collaborating. What is the purpose of a meeting? Should a meeting actually be an email? Are in-person meetings even necessary any more? In this conversation with Lindsey Caplan, Organizational Psychologist and founder of The Gathering Effect, we dig into this topic with a specific focus on company gatherings for creating change.

What comes to mind when you hear the words “employee wellness”? Did you know that there are actually three pillars to it? Physical, mental and emotional wellness. While the variety of benefits that employers can offer to their workforce has grown greatly, only 60% of workers say their employer actually offers any kind of wellness benefit at all.

In this episode, Kasey Chas, Culture Cultivator and Mental Health Educator at Dopple XR joins us to share how a holistic approach to employee wellness can better encompass all of the aspects that contribute to individual physical, mental and emotional health.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we sit down with Claudia Miller, a sought-after career coach for women in tech, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in the industry. Claudia shares her personal journey of navigating the corporate world as a first-generation college graduate and how she became a successful career coach. We delve into the importance of networking, developing business skills, and leveraging them to advance your career. We also explore the data that shows women graduate with many STEM degrees but often face barriers to entering and advancing in the tech industry. Join us for an insightful conversation on how women can navigate career growth in tech and break down the barriers to success.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we sit down with Urs Koenig, a military peacekeeping commander, ultra-endurance champion, keynote speaker, and bestselling author of Radical Humility: Be a Badass Leader and a Good Human. Urs shares his unique journey from academia and athletics to military peacekeeping and leadership coaching. He explains how his diverse experiences shaped his views on leadership, emphasizing the importance of humility, self-awareness, and building strong relationships.

Join us as Urs discusses the critical need for a human-centered leadership approach in today’s fast-paced world. He talks about the balance between being a firm, results-driven leader and maintaining genuine human connections with your team. He also provides actionable insights on the power of feedback, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and how to challenge traditional top-down management styles.

You can also learn more about the hosts Sanja and Guille, and the sponsor of Empowering Workplaces, QuestionPro Workforce here.

In this episode, Maddie Grant reports from on-site in San Diego at the WorkHuman conference ("the world's most transformative HR conference"), where she interviews Tom Libretto, President at Workhuman, Khalil Smith,  Vice President, Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement at Akamai Technologies, and Peter Church, Chief People Officer at Point32Health,  about how to empower humans in the workplace and what's top of mind for these industry experts.

Stephanie Murphy, PhD, has built an outstanding reputation in the field of Employee Listening by always pushing the boundaries in the ways she connects with, and listens to employees. With over a decade of experience working with large organizations, Stephanie shares her journey from analyzing employee listening data at Dell Technologies to a more recent listening project, where her approach and methodology we bet will surprise you.

Throughout the episode, Stephanie highlights the crucial realization that behind every data point of every survey lies a unique story, an individual narrative, and shares practical advice and best practices for creating employee listening programs. No matter the size of your organization, or where you are on the employee listening journey, we are certain you’ll walk away with some great learnings from our conversation with Stephanie.

In this episode we chat with Jamie Notter, workplace culture expert and one of the brains behind the WorkXO Culture Assessment, which is part of QuestionPro Workforce Employee Experience Platform. Jamie shares some fascinating data about "culture patterns" that have emerged from collecting over 2m data points from hundreds of organizations. 

Does your company suffer from "awkward collaboration", "heavy agility" or "incomplete innovation"? Find out in this fascinating conversation.

In today’s episode, we are talking about ESG – environmental, social, governance – and corporate social responsibility with Keesa Schreane, author of Gambling On Green. ESG is a set of standards measuring a business’s impact on its local community, global society, and the environment. 

These issues of sustainability and ethical corporate responsibility have been important for decades, but never more than now as climate change, the environment and also underserved communities are becoming more and more top of mind for workers. Do you know if your company does anything in these areas? Find out what our data says, and listen to Keesa describe how this issue is more important than ever.

There is a lot to talk about when it comes to career development and the best things that companies can do today to help their people grow, especially when development is such an essential part of retention. How are employee-led approaches working when it comes to internal mobility and finding the right opportunities? And how does a company build a succession plan that doesn’t become outdated as soon as it’s created?

The answer may be in creating succession chains based on skill and merit, and making them fit into the organization’s plans for the near future, while preparing leaders and direct reports for a vast array of possibilities.

Joining us for this episode is a very special guest, Julie Rodda, PhD, Talent Management Leader, to talk about the future of succession planning and career development and how to best prepare for it.

Join host Maddie Grant on Empowering Workplaces as she engages in an insightful discussion with Gallup's Global Practice Leader, Ed O'Boyle. Together, they explore the profound linkages between workplace culture and the art of recognition. 

Discover the transformative power of authentic acknowledgment, its impact on employee engagement, and how fostering a culture of recognition resonates at every organizational level. Tune in to unravel the fabric of recognition's influence on workplace dynamics and organizational success.

Join Sanja Licina, PhD, and Maddie Grant as they engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Janet Pogue McLaurin, Gensler’s Global Director of Workplace Research, in this episode of Empowering Workplaces. Explore the transformative insights from Gensler’s 2023 Workplace Survey Report, uncovering the evolving needs and desires of employees in the post-pandemic era.
Discover the balance between remote work and in-person collaboration, as well as the crucial role of thoughtful office design in boosting productivity and enriching experiences.

Today, there are more leaders that care than ever before, but the data shows they can still be a lot better in many ways they support their teams. Our task at hand is clear: we need to bring more humanity to our interactions, and to make communication more effective. The good news is that there is one key role in this equation, the frontline manager, so helping them learn to me more authentic in the way they lead will make a world of difference.

Join us and our very special guest Cecil Puvathingal, Vice President of Sales at On The Stage, for this conversation about authenticity and empathy in the workplace.

In today’s episode, host Sanja Licina, PhD, engages in an enlightening conversation with Shelmina Abji, a passionate advocate for empowering women and leadership growth. As the bestselling author of “Show Your Worth” and former vice president at IBM, Shelmina shares personal experiences and learnings from her own journey, highlighting intentional manager and mentor relationships as key strategies to career growth.

The episode also explores the transformative power of feedback in improving one’s leadership capabilities. Shelmina shares her experience with 360-degree assessment and the crucial lesson it taught her in delivering constructive feedback for professional growth.

Don’t miss out on the invaluable insights and career advancement advice shared in this episode.

Self-care has been even more top of mind for many of us lately. How do we effectively take care of ourselves while we take care of the many other responsibilities we have? There are as many approaches to self-care as there are people, there is no one-size-fits-all. When it comes to engaging in activities that can help our wellbeing we often feel guilty: but why?

How do we combat that nagging feeling that we should be spending all of our time being productive, and on others? Join Maddie Grant and Sanja Licina, PhD, in this conversation about self-care and how to build the best journey for yourself.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, hosts Sanja Licina, PhD and Maddie Grant discuss the impact of managers on employee mental health with Dr. Richard Safeer, Chief Medical Director of Employee Health and Wellbeing at Johns Hopkins Medicine and author of A Cure for the Common Company. The conversation centers around the surprising data point that 69% of employees say their manager has a big impact on their mental health, which is equal to the percentage of respondents who said their spouse has a big impact.

The discussion touches on the responsibility of managers to show up for their people with empathy and compassion, and the role of organizations in equipping managers to support employee wellbeing. Dr. Safeer provides insights and tips for creating a healthy workplace culture that empowers employees and leaders to prioritize mental health and wellbeing.

In this thought-provoking episode of "Empowering Workplaces," hosts Sanja Licina, PhD, and Maddie Grant engage in a fascinating conversation with the esteemed guest, Juana Bordas. As a leadership and diversity expert, author of "The Power of Latino Leadership," and the founder of Mestiza Leadership International, Juana brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences to the discussion.

The conversation delves into the impact of multiculturalism in today's workplace and its evolution over time. Juana emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and intersectionality, as well as the value of young generations in revitalizing the workforce. With millennials and Gen Zs shaping a new electorate and identifying as multicultural, the hosts explore how these emerging leaders can bring hope and positive change to society.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we dive into the crucial topic of psychological safety with renowned experts Dr. Karolin Helbig and Minette Norman, authors of the book “The Psychological Safety Playbook.”

With years of experience and research, our guests shed light on the importance of psychological safety and how it enables high-performing teams, fosters innovation, and cultivates a sense of inclusion and belonging. Discover practical strategies for individuals and organizations to enhance psychological safety and create safer, more empowering workplaces.

Join us as we explore what psychological safety means, how it impacts workers, and why it is gaining significant attention in today’s workplaces.

In this episode, we talk about embracing your true self in the workplace, featuring our special guest, Erin Coupe, founder of Authentically EC, and whose personal journey from the corporate world to self-discovery serves as a powerful testimonial to the significance of staying authentic.

Join us as we unveil Erin’s inspiring story, her strategies for self-exploration through journaling and meditation, and the profound impact that embracing your genuine self can have on your overall life satisfaction. If you’ve ever felt confined by the pressures of conforming to external expectations, this episode is a must listen.

In this episode of the Culture Chat podcast, we're excited to dig into the topic of culture as it relates to the customer experience.  Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, once famously said that "brand is a lagging indicator of culture" - in this conversation we talk to Aimee Lucas, customer experience transformist at the Temkin Group, about her thoughts on how exactly culture impacts how customers relate to the companies they interact with.

In this episode, we talk to David Neff, VP of Consulting for Clearhead, working for Fortune 500 brands and large nonprofits on digital transformation. He is also the founder of Lights. Camera. Help., a nonprofit that helps other causes tell their mission through video, and co-author of the book IGNITE : Setting your Organization’s Culture on Fire with Innovation.  Our big question was "what does it mean for culture to be a living and breathing thing?"

In this episode of the Culture Chat, Charlie and Jamie chat with Jeff Morgan, CEO of the Club Managers Association of America, and go deep on how he managed the culture change that comes with coming into an organization as a new CEO charged with turning things around. Listen to this great conversation!

Today's episode features Jovan Hackley, Director of Marketing and PR for Student Loan Genius, an employee benefits company that believes in benefits as a way to build a relationship with employees--related to culture, that can give organizations the edge, particularly in recruiting the younger generation in the workforce.  

In this episode, we chat with Marc Lamik, Head of Innovation and Partnerships at Zalando, a European retailer making a big splash with their culture practice of Radical Agility, comprised of Purpose, Mastery and Autonomy. In this fascinating conversation, we dig into the specifics of Mastery and what that means for fostering innovation.

In this episode, we bring acclaimed author of Getting Grit: The Evidence Based Approach to Cultivating Passion, Perseverance and Purpose, Caroline Miller, BACK a second time to the Culture Chat podcast to talk about her newest book and to proclaim the start of the Grit Revolution!  Listen to the first conversation with Caroline here http://workxo.podbean.com/e/culture-chat-on-grit/.

In this episode, we talked to Erin Diehl, founder of Improve It, (www.improveitchicago.com) a corporate team-building workshop company that helps organizations use improvisation to build better, "yes, and" cultures.

Millennials are now the largest segment of the workforce--a spot they will hold for decades. Are you aligning your culture with the direction this generation will be leading us? This month’s Culture Chat podcast digs into this topic with IQ Solutions, a company adapting quickly to the needs of their heavily Millennial workforce.

In this episode, we talk to Amy Sample Ward, CEO of The Nonprofit Technology Network, a nonprofit that serves nonprofits. NTEN grew out of the community that birthed it and community feeds and is integral to the maintenance, protection and evolution of their culture. 

This episode features a fascinating conversation with Jonathan Raymond, CEO of Refound and author of Good Authority, a book about how to align personal and professional growth.  How do you hold people accountable without acting like a jerk?  How do you create a culture where accountability is welcomed and desired and aligned with doing your best work?

In this episode, we welcomed Caroline Miller, author of many books including the forthcoming Getting Grit: The Evidence-Based Approach to Cultivating Passion, Perseverance and Purpose. Her ground-breaking work in the areas of goal setting/accomplishment, grit, happiness and success provides a fascinating topic for discussion around how Grit connects with workplace culture.

In this episode we chat with Jonathan Herrick, CSO/CMO, Co-Founder and Chief High-Fiver of Hatchbuck. Jonathan is passionate about building a Culture of Engagement, helping individual employees develop personal and professional strengths. He says that "in this environment, innovation blossoms, and customer expectations are exceeded, resulting in unprecedented company growth." We asked him, "How do you balance a focus on culture with the priorities of startup life?"

In this episode, we chat with Benjamin Warsinske of Branded World, about the concept of the "unshakable brand" and how culture plays a part in not just being unshakable, but also flexible and evolving.

"As companies look to recruit the best and brightest from college campuses, they are overlooking one major factor in the attraction and retention of recent graduates— incorporating campus design elements into work environments to attract young professionals. Global infrastructure and design firm, AECOM, along with contract furniture company, KI, conducted new research on collegiate design as a driver of workplace design, and set out to examine how college students like to work and how companies can apply this style within." This is the first of a new series of Culture Chat conversations, in which we talk with people doing interesting work that has an unexpected connection to workplace culture. In this episode, we chat with Jonathan Webb and Brett Shwery, the authors of this fascinating study about the lessons companies can learn from how the next generation of workers interact in a college environment.

The big question we posed Dick Burke, CEO of VisaNow:  “You’re a startup that has grown rapidly.  As you continue to grow and evolve, what got you here, from a culture standpoint, might not get you there.  What are the risks of changing so quickly? How do you hold on to the best parts of your culture and the things that made you successful, while growing and becoming who you need to be in the future?” Join WorkXO in our at-least-monthly podcast!

How should employers get intentional about making sure their brand - consumer, employer, internal, external - authentically reflects their culture?  That's our big question for this episode's conversation with Tim Padgett, CEO of the Chicago-based marketing agency the Pepper Group. 

Join WorkXO in episode 8 of the Culture Chat, where we talk to Kirsten Davidson, Head of Employer Brand at Glassdoor, about the impact of transparency on the business world of today.

This episode is all about creating a Winning Team Culture, as CARFAX's VP of Human Resources, Adrienne Webster, shared with us.  And their formula's super interesting - combining being goal oriented, encouraging independent thinkers, wisdom of the crowds, and the 3 C's (collaborative, creative, and competitive) - listen to the conversation for the details!

We collectively in the business world (and here at WorkXO for sure), think and write and observe and opine about generations a lot, but always with a particular focus on Millennials (as you know we wrote a book about their impact on the workplace). So in this episode of the Culture Chat, we wanted to talk to someone who could address the other side of the equation - baby boomers - but specifically around the idea of baby boomers working much longer, how they want to transfer their deep and historical knowledge inside the workplace, and how corporate culture could build in different kinds of structures for sharing experiences in both directions between older and younger generations.

Listen to this conversation with Alex Assaley, CEO of AFS 401(k) Retirement Services. Our big question for today's conversation was, "In what ways will Baby Boomers working longer have an impact on today's workplace?"

In this episode, we chat with Stephanie Waite, Director of Leadership and Organizational Development at Lurie Childrens Hospital about her philosophy of a culture of customization. She explains what that is--essentially appealing to the unique and distinct needs of the individual as opposed to the organization—and how she applies these principles in her workplace. Stephanie is a true “graduate level” culture pracitioner discussing for example how this applies to designing leadership development programs and shifting large scale culture is through individual behaviors.

Remote teams are a hot topic these days, which will only become more and more important as organizations allow remote working. But how do you preserve your organizational culture when your people are in many locations? Rebecca Achurch of Achurch Consulting and Tim Sarrantonio from Neon One talk to us about their experiences. 

In this month's Culture Chat Podcast, we talked to Kristy Nittskoff, CEO of Talent Savvy, about how to make an intentional connection between culture and your employer brand.  

Excerpt 2 of 3 from a webinar series hosted by QuestionPro. "For years, both managers and employees have dreaded the annual performance review, and some large companies have recently ditched them in a high-profile way. But when all is said and done, we still want a system for making sure that top performers get rewarded, that people are growing and developing, and performance is getting better over time. " See full recording with slides here - https://youtu.be/OJONRhrgalE

Excerpt 3 of 3 from a webinar series hosted by QuestionPro. "This webinar features two leading thinkers in the HR space who will challenge and encourage you with a frank conversation about the state of the HR crucial function and what needs to change." See full recording with slides here - https://youtu.be/sdwRCU5o814

Excerpt 1 of 3 from a webinar series hosted by QuestionPro. "Learn to create authentic branding and engage top talent. Join WorkXO founders and employee engagement experts Jamie Notter and Charlie Judy as they explore why brand authenticity matters, how to use data to create an authentic employer brand, the importance of building a strong work culture, and how to start designing the culture you want." See full recording with slides here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKFk7hQIUyw

More than 2/3 of US workers say that the pandemic has changed their perspective on what’s important to them in life. This revelation, coupled with the sentiment that over half of workers say they feel like they have a greater ability to craft their own working circumstances now than before the pandemic starts to explain the major shifts we are seeing in the labor market, not only in the US but across the globe. 

Our special guest Arti Pullins, CEO of Pundit Consultantz, joins us for this very special episode of Work@Life to share her perspective on what people, and organizations, can do to make this stage we're going through a long-term win-win for both parties.

Kicking off 2021 with a fresh take on work, life, culture, and the employee experience. Sanja Licina, Ph.D., President, Workforce at QuestionPro and Maddie Grant, author, co-founder and culture designer at PROPEL are ready to share one of a kind insights with you every week! This episode's topic is pay satisfaction and the feeling of self worth.