In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce put the spotlight on OD/HR practitioners and their role helping organizations navigate these exhilarating but terrifying times. Institutions, governments, and people worldwide are being challenged in ways not seen before.

What can organizational development and HR people do help their companies thrive in these times?

And what can we do on this podcast to support you?

Today, we attempt to answer these questions. Our goal is to be an island of sanity you can visit each week to get inspired and recharged. That why we have showed up every week for over three years. And in doing so, we get ourselves inspired and recharged.

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In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce talk about the emotional highs and lows that surround the holidays. At a time when people feel compelled to be joyful, the holidays can also be a profoundly sad time. Today, we explore the power of expressing both the negative and positive emotions on any given situation or topic. We use the context of the holidays but it applies to most life circumstances and especially to the workplace.

Today’s episode was intended to express the positivity and joy of the season. Instead, Bob ‘n Joyce expose both the magic and hurt of the holidays. It was a cathartic conversation that was just what we both needed. We think you will too, so:

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In today’s episode, Bob’nJoyce discuss the impact OD/HR practitioners have shaping culture and transforming organizations. The spotlight, much to her chagrin, is on Joyce and her impact first at Central Maine Power, and later at Hannaford and Delhaize. It underscores the importance of what great leaders do – drive positive change while focusing on the business and its people, and not on themselves.

We are ending 2024 with episodes that inspire thought and positivity. Last week it was about the power of connection and community. This week it is about the work that makes it so. Kudos to my co-host and friend, Joyce Wilson-Sanford – who was and still is a force to be reckoned with.

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In this episode, Bob’nJoyce discuss why building community and connection in the workplace should be every leader’s responsibility. Research shows that the loneliness crisis is worsening as people are feel more isolated and marginalized. When this is prevalent in the workplace, overall morale, productivity, and safety suffer.

The opportunity for HR, OD, and Leadership is that a healthy workplace can be just what is needed for people to feel connected and seen. Bob’nJoyce put forward practical steps that leaders can take to promote true connection and camaraderie between employees. These actions, when done well are a win – win – win:

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In this episode, Bob’nJoyce rift on the recent trend of abandoning DEI programs in organizations and institutions. Companies that once were the champions of making all voices heard and valued, are tiptoeing, and in some instances, running away from their diversity initiatives. Spoiler alert – we think this is ill-advised and harmful.

There are many reasons for DEI’s demise - a prevailing scarcity mentality (I got mine, go get yours), and the far-right political tsunami to name a few. We believe smart organizations are bucking this trend and are continuing DEI work for the very reason they began them - the business case demands a high performing organization. Call it by another name if you must, but leaders, HR, and OD must carry this work forward.

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In this episode, Bob’nJoyce discussed the power of guided dialogue for jumpstarting a team. This is a non-linear approach where new or struggling teams get together and use the power of dialogue to open up new possibilities and build trust. In HR/OD, some of our most important work involves getting teams and organizations unstuck. This inquiry methodology, in our experience, works better than most other interventions.

We resisted calling this a retreat (Breaking from day-to-day) as the work is a high intensity development experience for participants. The outcome is an accelerated getting clear about the who (we are), the where (we are going), and the why (it matters).

Here are a couple of rules that makes this approach work :

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In this episode, Bob’nJoyce muse about the paradox of being 'all in.' With the world in disarray, many consider withdrawing and checking out but more often than not end up choosing engagement and purpose.

So what is going on here? Being all in requires discipline and commitment to weather the tough patches. There is an expression that most of us start with the best of intentions and then life gets in the way. Well Joyce and I have been thrown a lot of life’s curveballs and we are still ‘all in’ on doing this work together. Join us to find out why we think this is so.

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In this episode, Bob’nJoyce muse on the X factor in why some leaders excel and thrive. The context is today’s podcast was recorded on November 5th, America’s election day and a new leader will be chosen. By the time you read this, we all will know the results and hopefully, what we shared will make sense of why either Trump or Harris won. My bet is that the winner possessed many of the attributes of this X Factor.

The bottom line is that while literally tens of thousands of leadership models have been written (We’ve created some of our own), what it often comes down to are a couple of the attributes you will hear today.

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In this Episode, exactly one week before the U.S. elections, Bob’nJoyce take on the timely topic of getting unstuck when uncertainty and anxiety run rampant.

As a country, we are trying to figure out how to move forward post-election despite half of the country being disappointed and angry. The same is true when a business is suddenly disrupted and what worked before no longer does. Bob’nJoyce lean into their experience and share lessons about ways to get organizations and its people unstuck and moving forward.

Come joins us in this doozy (Joyce’s word) of a topic and join us in taking a much-needed respite from political ads.

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In this episode, Joyce shares the characteristics and unique qualities of high performing CEOs she has worked with over her career. Again, Joyce reaches into her treasure chest of written reflections and makes them available to you, our valued listeners. Her observations are anything but your typical list of traits or rigid leadership models. What she shares may surprise you.

In Episode #165, Joyce shared a list of CEO flaws and flubs so it is only fair that we balance that with this episode. It is important to remember that all CEOs have flaws and signature strengths. This “perfect imperfection” is what makes a CEO both fully human and a leader worth following.

There is a lot of really good ‘stuff’ packed in today’s conversation.

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