Closing the Gap

This episode takes a critical look at the role of Human Resources (HR) in the evolving landscape of the modern workplace. Denise Cooper and Deborah Walsh explore whether HR practices have kept pace with the rapid changes in work culture, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, technological advancements, and shifting employee expectations.

Deborah and Denise talk about the skills, wisdom, and abilities of HR professionals to successfully connect and enable the business to grow and endure the changes ahead.

• Honest and insightful, acknowledging the current challenges HR faces but offering clear solutions and a path towards regaining trust and relevance.
• Engaging and conversational, featuring practical insights and real-world anecdotes from experienced professionals.
• The five skills HR professionals need to remain relevant.
• The questions executives secretly ask about HR the function and why HR is progressing.
• Forward-looking, emphasizing the need for HR to adapt and innovate to meet the demands of a changing workforce and economy.

Currently at Brown and Brown Insurance Company, Deborah Walsh leads Talent Management, bringing her extensive experience to serve the needs of insurance companies. Known for her engaging presentations, Debbie continues to be a sought-after speaker, sharing her wealth of knowledge with business communities. You can follow her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-walsh-875b932

In this thought-provoking episode, Denise Cooper and Pamela Brooks delve into the often-overlooked topic of trauma in the workplace. They discuss how the changing dynamics of the modern work environment, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to increased feelings of loneliness, depression, and isolation among employees. We talk about why executives don't handle conflict and in not doing so, increase the number of unhealthy practices that become part of the organization's culture.

Key Topics:

1. Statistics on Loneliness and Mental Health: Discussion on the alarming statistics of loneliness, with around 33% of Americans experiencing regular loneliness, and the correlation with rising rates of depression and addiction.
2. Impact of COVID-19: Exploration of how isolation during the pandemic has exacerbated workplace conflicts and mental health issues.
3. Trauma in the Workplace: Pamela Brooks discusses various forms of trauma, comparing it to physical injuries. Examples range from the stress of organizing a big event to experiencing personal loss.
4. Leadership and Emotional Intelligence: Importance of leaders having the tools to address conflicts and promote psychological safety. Denise Cooper shares a real-life example from her team coaching experience.
5. Communication and Conflict Resolution: Emphasis on the necessity of direct communication in resolving conflicts and reducing reliance on digital communication methods.
6. Hybrid Work Challenges: Discussion on the intricacies of hybrid work, including the importance of face-to-face interaction and the negative impacts of anxiety and workaholism.
7. Workplace Culture and Support Structures: Strategies for leaders and HR to foster a culture that supports well-being, including redesigning new hire orientations and regular check-ins with team members.
8. Emotional Well-Being and Boundaries: Focus on creating an environment that supports the emotional health of employees, with strategies for managing emotions, setting boundaries, and involving team members in decision-making.

Ready to unleash the power of relationships and well-being in your organization? Join Jamie Shapiro and Denise Cooper as they dive deep into the critical connection between human connection, self-care, and leadership excellence. This episode is your roadmap to building thriving teams, overcoming burnout, and creating a sustainable culture of inspiration.

Discover:

The secret sauce of high-performing teams: Learn how trust, psychological safety, and personalized well-being strategies ignite team performance and organizational success.

Recharging your leadership battery: Uncover actionable steps for maintaining vitality, setting boundaries, and nourishing your own well-being as a leader.

Breaking free from the email trap: Explore practical solutions for limiting after-hours communication and fostering a balanced work environment for everyone.

Aligning priorities for lasting impact: Understand the critical connection between organizational values, reward structures, and achieving sustainable success.

Leading from your fullest potential: Learn how self-care is not just self-indulgence, but the foundation for powerful, authentic leadership.

This episode is packed with real-world insights, practical tools, and actionable strategies to transform your leadership, your team, and your organization. Don't miss your chance to unleash the power of well-being and build a future of thriving human systems.

Jamie Shapiro is a CEO coach, positive organizational psychologist, and the bestselling author of Brilliant, Be the Leader Who Shines Brightly Without Burning Out. She is a Master Certified Executive Leadership Coach, professional speaker, researcher, facilitator, and nutritionist. Having experienced burnout in the corporate world, she understands the incredible pressure we face in our lives and the difficulty in staying connected to professional and personal goals in demanding environments. Through her corporate career, she realized the toll that high-pressure, stressful, and demanding roles can take. She left the corporate world with a mission to make changes for people and organizations. 

You can reach Jamie at https://www.connectedec.com/coaches/2023/2/16/jamie-shapiro

Or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-shapiro/

Is your workplace silently sinking in a swamp of disrespect and dysfunction. This episode, Denise and her guest Kimberly Benoit dive deep into the hidden world of toxic workplaces, exposing the subtle be workplace behaviorss environment. We'll bust the myth that only "bullies" and the "mean girl" are to blame. You'll discover how casual observers, silent witnesses, and even well-meaning leaders can unknowingly perpetuate the problem.

Get ready to:

• Unmask the "crazy": Learn how to recognize the early warning signs of a toxic workplace before it consumes you.
• Own your role: Discover how your own reactions and inaction can fuel the fire.
• Become a changemaker: Uncover actionable steps everyone can take to break the toxic cycle.
• Stand your ground: Find out why staying and fighting for a better workplace is often the braver (and more effective) choice than running away.
• Lead the transformation: As a manager, learn how to tackle disrespectful behavior head-on and set new standards for your team.

Join us on this critical conversation and reclaim your right to a healthy, thriving workplace.

Kimberly J Benoit is an award-winning leadership and workplace toxicity expert with over 20 years of corporate experience across various industries and companies, from small nonprofits to Fortune 50 giants such as Target. She is renowned for the We’ve All Done It™ Framework, in which she coaches, consults, a speaks to organizations seeking innovative strategies to retain exceptional leaders, build cohesive teams, and tackle toxicity. Kimberly is the bestselling author of the book “We’ve All Done It,” and also hosts a podcast with the same title. She is on a mission, often with a touch of humor, to encourage us to be honest about each individual's role in contributing to toxic workplaces. She believes we can evolve into more confident leaders and build stronger teams and organizations through this understanding. You can reach Kimberly by going to her website: https://kimberlyjbenoit.com/services/coaching/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-j-benoit/

Positivity Poison: The Toxic Reality of Forced Optimism in the Workplace. In this episode, you could explore how an excessive focus on positivity can lead to a culture where genuine concerns are brushed aside, difficult conversations are avoided, and real issues go unaddressed. This kind of "fake it 'til you make it" mentality can breed resentment and undermine employee morale, productivity, and well-being. Let's dive into the dark side of positivity! For many of us, we were taught always to have a smile on our face. As a leader, you may have said, "Don't bring me problems. Only bring me solutions." The idea was to get your team to step up, get in action, and solve the problem. However, we now know there are negative consequences when you don't deal with problems, especially emotional burnout.

Denise Cooper and Pamela Brooks discuss

• What is toxic positivity?
• What does toxic positivity do to people, teams, and business results?
• Toxic positivity can lead to increased impostor syndrome and denial of our weaknesses, limiting our growth.
• Learn three questions and actions leaders can use to balance the need for solutions with helping people express their frustration constructively.

Pamela Richards is a recurring guest and a change-maker. As an executive coach and facilitator, she is passionate about helping people unlock their potential and make lasting life transformations. With a background in running leadership programs at ASU, Pam is a master at designing and implementing effective team-building and executive staffing initiatives. Her expertise as a Certified Dare to Lead™ and Conversational Intelligence™ facilitator allows her to foster powerful conversations that drive meaningful change. Pam's infectious enthusiasm and genuine care for people make her the ultimate coach and champion of personal growth and transformation!

You can continue the conversation with Pam by Cornerstone Success [email protected]

In 2024, leaders may grapple with uncertainty and a sense of urgency as they navigate the complex and emotionally charged process of transformation. While the drive for change is crucial, balancing it with empathy and attention to the human element is equally important. Leading transformation is no easy feat - it requires a delicate balance of strategy, execution, and people management. As a hiring executive, it's crucial to identify internal talent who possess not only the necessary skills but also the adaptability, resilience, and emotional intelligence to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

In this episode, Deborah Walsh and I delve into the three key considerations for hiring and evaluating internal talent in a transforming organization: defining the right skill set, creating a culture of adaptability, and fostering emotional intelligence.

We'll also talk about:

• Leaders may experience feelings of uncertainty, fear of the unknown, and a sense of urgency to drive change while also balancing the human element of transformation.
• The 4 skills HR professionals must develop skills such as change management, leadership development, and data analysis to support transformation initiatives.
• Transformation stress can trigger a "fight or flight" response in employees, leading to shorter tempers, more reactivity, and decreased productivity.

Deborah Walsh is a recurring guest on the show. She focuses on talent, acquisition, development, management, assimilation, experience, and retention. Debbie’s expertise is in consulting with corporations on their internal policies and practices to make them efficient, executive search, and executive coaching. She is a frequent and popular speaker before business groups.

Currently, she is the Head of Talent for Brown and Brown Insurance Company, which serves other insurance companies.

You can connect with Deborah Walsh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-walsh-875b932

Denise Cooper is an executive leadership development and performance expert who works with leadership teams to understand the purpose, power, and value of each type of team. There are four kinds of teams in organizations, and each has a place and is a tool to create organizational value. The four teams are Work groups, teams, high-performing teams, and high-value teams. Connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisecooper

Tired of the same old HR-executive drama? As an executive, do you question whether you're getting enough value from your HR department? Do you feel HR isn't preparing your company for the future? CHROs are worried that your team is myriad in the past and not staying relevant or preparing for the future. Can your HR Business Partners convince managers to change and develop their leadership skills? Well, it's time to reinvent the relationship and unlock your team's true potential. In this episode, we dive into

1. The common pitfalls of hiring and scaling,
2. How to change mindsets and get others to embrace change.
3. Results your HR function needs to achieve to demonstrate relevance to the business.

Karan is an organizational strategist who is obsessed with up-leveling leadership capability and optimizing workforces to do their best work. After 18+ years of witnessing the chaos and trauma caused by bad HR and leadership actions within organizations, she ditched her comfy job as a corporate HR exec at Microsoft to found Shockingly Different Leadership. This global human capital professional services firm helps corporations execute business-critical People, Learning, Culture, and Organizational Effectiveness initiatives. Karan and the team of over 250 SDL consultants have worked with executive teams at companies such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, British Petroleum, Major League Baseball, and the NFL. Listen in as Karan gives us an insider’s look into how the world's most progressive companies scale their talent capabilities, source the perfect external consultants, lead organizational change initiatives, flex their business functions on demand, reduce costs, and better manage their human capital project spend.

Connect with Karen Rhodes at https://www.shockinglydifferent.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shockinglydifferent/

Have you ever wanted to ask for a raise, find out why something happened, or frame a question to encourage collaboration? We've all heard there is a "right way to ask a question." Chances are, if you were faced with any of these three questions, you've struggled to get the answers you want or need.

Brian Gibkowski, our guest today, has a new book called Answer Intelligence: Raise Your AQ (IQ). The most interesting thing I learned was how often we ask lazy questions that aren't aimed at getting the right answer. His work helps you develop the skills to get the answers you need to make the best decisions.

We talk about:

• How to answer questions during a job interview.
• How to ask questions and increase the chances of getting the "true" facts rather than the safe answers.
• Using story, procedure, and action to improve communication and reduce rework.
• How to provide discipline and intentionality in your meeting so you get the best answers.

Brian Glibkowski, Ph.D. Dr. Brian Glibkowski is an author, researcher, and futurist passionate about the role of questions and answers in business and society. His journey started with his research on questions. He authored an article on questions recognized by the Association of Human Resource Development as one of ten articles that will shape the 21st century. His new book is Answer Intelligence: Raise Your AQ.

 The book introduces a new science of answers that is nominated for a 2022 Prose award for professional and scholarly excellence. The book rights have been purchased for translation into multiple languages. The AQ framework has been adopted by universities, including the Imperial College of London Business School (global top 20). Certified AQ Partners from the USA, UK, and UAE. Connect with Brian Gibkowski at https://www.raiseyouraq.com/glibkowski.html

When Robert Sutton wrote the book, The No "A**hole" Rule, he received over 8,000 emails from people who were or are managed by a toxic boss. Research shows about 65% of bosses are toxic.

• How can anyone be successful if you work for a toxic boss?
• Does the toxic boss know they are an "A**hole"?
• Why do executives and HR tolerate the horrendous impact of toxic bosses on employees, productivity, and the bottom line?
• Do organizations breed toxic bosses?

In this episode, we'll delve into the detrimental impact of toxic bosses on their employees and the organization as a whole. We'll explore six distinct types of toxic bosses, their prevalence, and the harmful effects they exert on their teams.

My guess Rob Kalwarowski, says he knows why and what you can do about it. How does he know? Rob was at the top of his game as an MIT graduate Mechanical Engineer, and then he had to work with a toxic boss. What he learned and how he learned to heal and help others heal is something to hear.

Listen as we

• Define 6 types of toxic bosses.
• Why Executives and Organizations tolerate bad bosses and may be breeding them.
• 3 things you can do if you work for a toxic boss.

You can learn more about Rob Kalwarowski at https://www.howtodealboss.com/. Get $50.00 off if you use the code REMARKABLE on his program How to Deal With A**hole Bosses by going to his website. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kalwarowsky/.

Toxic positivity has become a prevalent issue in the workplace, with several studies highlighting its widespread impact.

• 67.8% of respondents in a Science of People survey reported experiencing toxic positivity from someone in the past week. More than 75% of respondents in the same survey admitted that they "sometimes, often, or very often ignore their own emotions in favor of being happy." Source: Science of People survey, 2023

But why should an executive or even a manager care?

What’s wrong with pumping up people by focusing on what’s working?

 In a recent Forbes article entitled The Negative Impact of Toxic Positivity In the Workplace, Senior Contributor Jack Kelly defined “toxic positivity as the belief that employees must focus on positive emotions and disavow negative feelings in the workplace. A toxic positivity agenda calls for being enthusiastic and upbeat despite the dire situation. No matter what goes wrong, you are not allowed to show or say anything resembling negativity. No matter how bad the problem is, you must grin and bear it. When management promotes a culture of toxic positivity, it can adversely affect workers. The unrelenting pressure and stress to discount their own experiences and be someone they aren’t can lead to feelings of burnout and letting the team and company down.”

Denise Cooper and Pamela Brooks discuss toxic positivity when someone denies or dismisses another person's negative emotions or struggles with an upbeat, “you’ll get over it, or pull yourself together” attitude. During this episode, we’ll explain that toxic positivity can lead to increased impostor syndrome, perfectionism, and overcritical internal judgment about yourself. When it’s widespread in your organization, decisiveness, speed, and critical thinking go down.

Listen as Denise and her returning guest discuss:

• What are the challenges leaders face in managing overwhelmed employees and prioritizing tasks?
• Three things you can do as a manager to help employees handle burnout, change fatigue, and improve communications.
• The importance of leaders being vulnerable, providing the right support, and recognizing that individuals are doing their best given their circumstances actually improves business results.

Pamela Richards is a returning featured guest on our show. Pam's expertise lies in designing and facilitating workshops and experiences that unlock transformational performance. She's a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator and Conversational Intelligence™ practitioner, empowering individuals to embrace vulnerability and lead with empathy. Her passion for neuroscience fuels her exploration of the factors contributing to exceptional performance and enhancing our enjoyment of life.

Pam's impact extends beyond the corporate world, as she's presented at large-scale conferences such as the Philip 66 International Conference and Baxter Asia Pacific's International Strategic Thinking Workshop in Shanghai. She's also facilitated Dare to Lead™ workshops for smaller groups and has been an integral part of conferences like BADD, the 101 Black Women's Coalition, and ASU's Commission on the Status of Women.

When not immersed in the world of leadership development, Pam finds her balance in outdoor pursuits like cycling, hiking, and sailing. She's even picked up a new hobby – golf – alongside her husband.