Closing the Gap

Are you searching for ways to get your teams to adopt new tech stacks, tackle old problems in new ways, and break down silos? Then this episode is just for you!

Today, our host Denise Cooper sits down with Stefanie Krievins, the brains behind Stefanie Krievins & Co. Stefanie's company specializes in helping businesses that are innovating, scaling, and digitally transforming, but find themselves grappling with the complexities and challenges of mid-stage growth. With a diverse team of experienced coaches from a wide array of industries and roles, Stefanie Krievins & Co. offers an insightful intersection of self-leadership, team leadership, individual change readiness, and organizational change.

In this engaging conversation, Denise and Stefanie explore the changing landscape of work-life balance, the evolution of business models, and the urgent need for a redefinition of leadership in our modern world. They dive deep into the nuances of remote work, the necessity for adaptive change, and the reimagining of organizational models that are more aligned with our current realities. Stefanie also shares some invaluable tools and techniques her team uses to facilitate growth and change in organizations.

If you've been wanting to get a fresh perspective on how to tackle growth challenges and successfully guide your mid-sized company into its next stage of development, this is the episode for you.

1. People often expect instant gratification when bringing in a consultant to help their business. What is your take on this? [07:28]
2. Why aren't we talking about leadership innovation the way we do technological innovation? [14:23]
3. What do you mean when you say that an organizational chart is not enough to drive the results we need to see to thrive in business today? [25:05]

https://stefaniekrievins.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefkrievins/

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Stefanie Krievins & Co. works with companies who are growing, innovating, scaling, and digitally transforming; but are stuck in the messy middle of growth. They need solutions to get their people and teams to tackle old problems in new ways, adopt new tech stacks, and break down silos.

The company has a team of diverse, experienced coaches from a wide variety of industries and roles: IT, supply chain management, nonprofits, consulting, startups, and the executive boardroom.

Their development programs focus on the intersection of 4 disciplines: self leadership, team leadership, individual change readiness, and organizational change. Among other powerful programs, they are certified in Enneagram; multiple other tools; and a certified Wiley partner, offering both DISC and Patrick Lencioni’s Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team.

Stefanie Krievins is a trained coach and facilitator with experience in HR consulting, executive and business coaching, nonprofit management, and process and systems design. She is the host of the Hot Mess Hotline, a podcast for ambitious leaders who want to be in the C-suite.

Stefanie has collaborated with organizations from 5 to 1,500 employees in all sectors to create and implement business plans, strategic plans and execution, training and development, and CRM design, training, and deployment. 

Her coach training is in solution-focused methodology from Erickson International and she’s a member of the International Coach Federation. She also holds a Master’s degree and has worked in small business and regional and national nonprofits before starting her business in 2014.

If so, you're not alone. In today's episode, we delve deep into an issue that's unfortunately widespread yet often swept under the rug – mobbing or workplace bullying.

Host Denise Cooper is joined by the highly esteemed Organisational Psychologist, Zoe Fragou. Zoe brings a wealth of knowledge to this important topic, backed by her qualifications which include an MSc in Human Resources Management, a diploma in Business Coaching & Mentorship, and a Certificate in Agile Leadership.

In this enlightening conversation, Zoe takes us through a deep dive on the topic of mobbing. Mobbing refers to the targetted act of trying to push someone out of an organization. Most often, this happens because a person thinks differently, they represent a change in the status quo, or they're being targetted for being part of a historically marginalized community.

Fragou highlights that mobbing is not a random act but an intentional, damaging strategy often targeted towards individuals bringing changes or diversity to the workplace. She stresses on the need to focus on the harmful actions rather than the underlying motivations. Moreover, Zoe imparts practical strategies to spot and counteract mobbing, emphasizing the significance of respecting personal boundaries and tackling toxic behaviors head-on. Be sure to listen to our first interview with Zoe Fragou, available to listen to here. If you've been wanting to understand the complexities of workplace bullying better and equip yourself with effective strategies to counteract it, this episode with Zoe Fragou is just what you need.

1. Are people intentional when they're targeting others with mobbing behaviors? [05:34]
2. What role does insecurity play in people's decision to mob others in the workplace? [12:57]
3. What is the difference between conflict management and conflict resolution? [20:13]
4. What might you say to someone who has been victimized by this behavior in the past? How might one begin to empower themselves after experiencing hurt? [24:41]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fragouzoe/

https://www.fragouzoe.com/

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oe Fragou is an Organisational Psychologist with an MSc in Human Resources Management, a diploma in Business Coaching & Mentorship and a Certificate in Agile Leadership.

She is operating professionally in the full spectrum of her science, taking over projects of culture transformation, employee training and development, business coaching, personal branding, public speaking, and writing, for both private and corporate clients globally.

She is a mentor for Women on Top, a feministic organization trying to bring equality in the workspace, a senior member of the Hellenic Institute of Coaching, and was voted best career coach in the Global Coaching Conference of 2021.

Intrigued by how diversifying our understanding of entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for social change? Then this conversation is for you.

Our host Denise Cooper converses with Dani Bicknell, the Senior Manager of Programs at SecondMuse. Dani introduces herself as a woman, mother, lifelong learner, and a fervent advocate for inclusive economies. Her guiding mantra, "sharing is caring", transcends from a life lesson taught by her mother into her professional ethos, believing that sharing resources, time, and most importantly, power, is fundamental to effective leadership. Dani's unique approach contradicts traditional hierarchical leadership models, emphasizing a more collaborative and inclusive model.

The conversation also unravels the often-overlooked aspects of entrepreneurship, a concept Dani believes has been unfairly "whitewashed" over the past few decades. She sheds light on the power and potential of marginalized entrepreneurs, arguing that they embody the true spirit of entrepreneurship through their ability to innovate and create valuable assets despite systemic hurdles. Denise and Dani challenge the notion of individual success stories, reminding us that no leader, company, or individual truly succeeds without the help of others.

If you've been wanting to explore a fresh perspective on leadership, or understand how entrepreneurship can become a more inclusive and diverse space, this episode is an eye-opening encounter with Dani's vision of a more equitable future.

1. Why do you say that entrepreneurship has become whitewashed? [06:24]
2. How is leadership influenced by values of individualism in the United States? [11:33]
3. What would you say to a white cisgender leader who feels like they're not doing anything to oppress others? [20:10]
4. What is SecondMuse? [30:49]

Personal Site

Linkedin

GETCities

SecondMuse

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Dani (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Programs at SecondMuse, a global social innovation company that runs programs that benefit the planet and people. Her primary focus these days is on Gender Equity in Tech (GET Cities) Chicago project.

Dani works with cohorts of female, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in the digital health, edtech, and social tech sectors to scale their impact.

Dani is passionate about using education as a force for social good and she has a background in financial technology, education, startups, and gender equality. During her career, she has been on the founding team of several fintech startups, worked as a program specialist for the Gender Equality division at UNESCO’s headquarters, and has advised international organizations and companies through her own social impact consulting studio. Her experiences living and working in North America, South America, and Europe have equipped and provided her with opportunities to work with diverse populations and learn from stakeholders of all backgrounds. Dani believes in education without borders and using cross-cultural learning to create a world that works for all and not just the privileged few.

 In today's engaging episode, Denise Cooper, our host, has a thought-provoking conversation lined up with the guest, Lee Wind. A critically acclaimed author and fervent advocate of queer narratives, Lee has dedicated nearly two decades to penning stories that empower children and teenagers to be their authentic selves. His debut picture book, "RED AND GREEN AND BLUE AND WHITE," illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Zelinsky, garnered five-starred trade reviews and was praised by The New York Times as "Beautiful… It’s a message the world can use, throughout the year."

 During the course of the conversation, Lee shares his valuable insights on the topic of queer allyship and intersectionality. He highlights how understanding and acknowledging sexual diversity can cause a significant shift in societal norms.

Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and inclusive space in various settings, including corporate environments.

According to Lee, being an ally transcends beyond the queer community; it's about standing up for every underrepresented, under-resourced, and under-appreciated group, including women, people of color, disabled individuals, and Indigenous people. So, if you've been wanting to comprehend the intersection of various identities and learn how to leverage your personal privilege to become a true ally, this episode is definitely for you.

1. What inspired you to write a book about gay histories? [04:54]
2. Can you speak to the distinction between belonging and inclusion? [16:02]
3. Why is it important to lift up beautiful stories from history, not just ones involving trauma and shame? [32:24]

leewind.org

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Lee Wind (he/him) writes stories to empower kids and teens to be their authentic selves and change the world – the same books that would have changed his life as a young gay, Jewish kid. His debut picture book, RED AND GREEN AND BLUE AND WHITE was illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Zelinsky and received five starred trade reviews, and The New York Times praised it as “Beautiful… It’s a message the world can use, throughout the year.” He is the author of the nonfiction Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection NO WAY, THEY WERE GAY? HIDDEN LIVES AND SECRET LOVES and the novel Publisher’s Weekly named a Top Five Independently Published Young Adult Book of 2018, QUEER AS A FIVE-DOLLAR BILL. He also runs the popular blog I’m Here. I’m Queer. What the Hell Do I Read? – words his teenage self only dreamed of saying. He’s the official blogger for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the organizer of the Queer Kid Lit Creators community. Lee lives in Los Angeles with his husband of more than 25 years, and they have a grown daughter. Visit Lee online at leewind.org.

In this episode of Remarkable Leadership Lessons, our host, Denise Cooper, discusses the critical issue of the consequences of hiring the wrong talent with Deborah Snow Walsh, an authority on talent acquisition and management with an emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Deborah Snow Walsh, who currently serves as the Head of Talent for Brown and Brown Insurance Company, shares insights drawn from her vast experience in talent acquisition, development, management, and more.

As Denise Cooper introduces in the podcast, hiring the wrong person can lead to an array of problems such as a decrease in productivity, damaged relationships with customers, and potentially losing millions in revenue. For instance, Deborah highlights a scenario where the company hired a Vice President of Sales who turned out to be wrong for the role, causing significant harm to the business, to the extent of almost losing a $60 million account.

In this epsiode, Denise and Deborah explore practical strategies for ensuring that organizations make the right hiring decisions. Deborah also elaborates on how putting the right person in the right position can have a tremendous positive impact on the organization’s culture, productivity, and bottom line. If you've been wanting to understand and mitigate the impact of hiring the wrong talent on your business, this is the episode for you.

1. Why is it important to be strategic in the hiring practice? What happens when we get it wrong? [3:00]
2. What should you do when you have a senior level vacancy in a company that needs to hire more individual contributors?[08:52]
3. How to you support a leader in bringing in talent that may even surpass their capabilities? [15:25]
4. Now that may of us are in a hybrid work environment, does it change the rules for bringing in great talent?[25:20]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-snow-a0823b37

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Debbie is a builder of organizations and a talent executive, focused on DEI in thought and view.  Those are her passions.  She has a unique background in sales, having successfully started her career selling large benefits packages to the Fortune 200, working for AXA Equitable.  She knew nothing about benefits, or the Fortune 200.   She was recruited to Lee Hecht Harrison, where she excelled in selling outplacement and coaching services to large, multi national organizations.  When she was recruited again into the search business, she was already focused on female and minority talent and made the decision to become an entrepreneur and open her own firm.  Ultimately, her organization included ten professionals and served companies including IBM, JPMorgan Chase, the GAP, Pfizer, AXA Equitable, and Prudential among others.  In 2011 she was recruited to Zurich Insurance to run Talent Acquisition, University Relations and Diversity.  She enjoyed the opportunity to see talent in action and build an organization.  She returned to outside search and ultimately her own firm.  Her clients include those from her previous firm as well as CDW, Icahn Enterprises, Citizens Bank, Pet Supplies Plus, Bloomberg and AIG.

She focuses on everything 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 has been involved with HRPS, was co-chair of its annual conference and various planning committees.  She is part of the original CHREATE team, understanding and addressing the HR leadership of 2025.  She is frequent and popular speaker before business groups.

In this week's episode, our dynamic host, Denise Cooper, sits down with the remarkable Vivek Kumar, CEO and Co-founder of Teamforce AI. Teamforce AI is breaking barriers by helping organizations connect with and positively influence their deskless workforce.

In this riveting episode, Denise and Vivek delve into how Teamforce AI uses gamified and multilingual strategies to gather data to better understand employee engagement. If you're a team leader, entrepreneur, or HR professional keen on maximizing your team’s potential in a hybrid work environment, you can’t afford to miss this conversation!

1. What did you learn from your pilot study? [05:52]
2. As you collected more and more data on employee engagement, what are the trends that started emerging?[10:16]
3. How does anonymizing data impact workers and their ability to be heard?[25:16]
4. Given that the use of data, machine learning, and AI is currently a hot topic in Congress, what are your thoughts around the ethics of data management? [31:46]

Vivek Kumar is the CEO and Co-Founder of Teamforce AI, a company that helps companies hear from and positively influence their deskless workforce. He has a background in business development, client relations, and strategy. Vivek has experience in advanced manufacturing technology strategy, as well as entrepreneurship and venture capital. He is a graduate of The Wharton School and has worked at companies like Qlicket and The Blackstone Group. Vivek is passionate about topics such as HR tech, the future of work, enterprise SaaS, deskless workforce, and employee engagement. 

https://teamforce.ai/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekrkumar/

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In this enlightening episode, host Denise Cooper engages in a rich conversation with Hana Kabele Gala, PhD, Director of Corporate Coaching for North America at Leadership Associates.

Delving into the fascinating world of neuroscience, they discuss its pivotal role in self-discovery and personal growth, offering guidance for individuals and teams navigating their paths of self-discovery.

Cooper and Gala discuss a variety of important topics, such as the significance of looking inward for validation, the importance of feelings and experiences in personal transformation, and the value of understanding both personal strengths and weaknesses.

Dr. Gala brings a unique perspective on complexity modeling, highlighting the importance for today's leaders to understand and embrace this paradigm. She emphasizes the changing leadership landscape, advocating for leaders who are open to safe-to-fail testing, experimentation, and empathy over the traditional action-biased, solution-oriented approach.

If you've been seeking to understand the intricate dance between neuroscience, self-discovery, and personal growth, this is the episode for you.

We've been talking about how people react, this whole thing of fight, flight, freeze, appease. Talk to us about this [06:32]

How do we stay true to who we are in the face of comparison? [12:33]

How does understanding complexity models aid in designing interactive work systems? [13:16]

How do we approach building trust after you've agreed to let conflict become water under the bridge? [16:52]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hana-kabele-gala-phd-xyz123

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Hana Kabele Gala, PhD., is the Director of Corporate Coaching for North America at Leadership Associates based in Vienna. She specializes in self-discovery, aligning personal storytelling and sense-making, and integrating core values into business propositions. Her expertise lies in complexity modeling, a crucial skill for today's leaders to understand and embrace. Dr. Gala believes that non-traditional ways of 'knowing the world', such as art, martial arts, meditation, and connecting with nature, and more.

In this insightful episode, host Denise Cooper interviews Deborah Snow Walsh, an experienced executive search professional. Snow Walsh offers a profound exploration of the executive search industry, providing guidance for both search firms and businesses in search of talent. Deborah emphasizes the significance of a 'white page mentality' for search firms, suggesting a receptive approach that prioritizes understanding the client's needs. Her experiences illuminate the value of identifying and advocating for talented individuals who may have been overlooked in traditional recruitment processes.

For businesses seeking talent, she recommends a thoughtful approach to choosing a search firm, much like interviewing potential employees. Our guest highlights the importance of finding a firm that listens more than it talks, one that provides insightful feedback, and can identify candidates who will suit not just the current state of the company, but its future direction.

Denise Cooper's conversation with Snow Walsh is a masterclass on talent acquisition and the intricacies of the executive search process, providing both search firms and companies with valuable insights into finding and placing the right talent. If you've been looking to better understand the subtleties of hiring for executive positions, this is the episode for you.

1. What questions should you ask yourself when determining is this the right search firm for me? [08:42]
2. How do search quality consultants help you determine which candidate to hire when you're presented with multiple qualified applicants? [13:16]
3. How do you verify that the search consultant is a reputable extension of your company's brand and culture? [23:13]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-snow-a0823b37

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Debbie is a builder of organizations and a talent executive, focused on DEI in thought and view.  Those are her passions.  She has a unique background in sales, having successfully started her career selling large benefits packages to the Fortune 200, working for AXA Equitable.  She knew nothing about benefits, or the Fortune 200.   She was recruited to Lee Hecht Harrison, where she excelled in selling outplacement and coaching services to large, multi national organizations.  When she was recruited again into the search business, she was already focused on female and minority talent and made the decision to become an entrepreneur and open her own firm.  Ultimately, her organization included ten professionals and served companies including IBM, JPMorgan Chase, the GAP, Pfizer, AXA Equitable, and Prudential among others.  In 2011 she was recruited to Zurich Insurance to run Talent Acquisition, University Relations and Diversity.  She enjoyed the opportunity to see talent in action and build an organization.  She returned to outside search and ultimately her own firm.  Her clients include those from her previous firm as well as CDW, Icahn Enterprises, Citizens Bank, Pet Supplies Plus, Bloomberg and AIG.

She focuses on everything 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 has been involved with HRPS, was co-chair of its annual conference and various planning committees.  She is part of the original CHREATE team, understanding and addressing the HR leadership of 2025.  She is frequent and popular speaker before business groups.

Brown and Brown Insurance Company which serves other insurance company. Head of Talent for them.

If you feel like you are constantly navigating a maze of disagreements, misunderstandings, and hard feelings, know that you are not alone. Conflict is a significant part of human interaction, and it's particularly present in our professional lives.

After all, we spend more than a third of our lives in the workplace, a space that brings together different personalities, perspectives, and values. When conflicts arise, as they inevitably do, they can be buried, mishandled or left unresolved, marring our experience and performance.

In this episode, we delve into an in-depth exploration of the nature of conflict and its role in both our professional and personal lives.

We attempt to unpack the complexities and dimensions of conflict, looking at its root causes, its evolution, and its potential to catalyze change and growth.

Rather than viewing conflict as an undesirable aspect of our lives that needs to be eradicated, we aim to understand it as an integral part of human relationships that, when handled properly, can lead to innovation, empathy, and collaboration.

With Kimberly's expert guidance, this episode will equip you with a fresh perspective and effective tools to transform how you perceive and handle conflict in your personal and professional life.

1. What is involved in mediation? [06:38]
2. As HR professionals, how do we employ mediation in a balanced way? [15:10]
3. If you've just mediated a conflict for colleagues who see each other daily, how do you ensure that they are applying the lessons learned? [21:35]
4. What role do we have as individuals to learn to work with our own emotional triggers? How do we learn to work with the triggers of others?[27:05]

Website: bestconflictsolutions.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybestmediator/

Read her book “How to Live Forever, A Guide to Writing the Final Chapter of Your Life Story

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Kimberly Best, RN, MA, is a Tennessee Rule 31 Listed Civil Mediator and Tennessee Rule 31 Trained Family Mediator.  Kim’s practice focuses on Family Mediation, Health, and Elder Care Mediation, Civil and Business Mediation, and Conflict Coaching. She is serving her second term on the board of the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators.  Kim is also a volunteer Senior Mediator with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office Dispute Resolution Program and Community/Police Unification Program.  In addition, she is a facilitator for challenging business and social conversations. Kim is passionate about helping others resolve conflicts in a productive, non-litigious way using mediation, facilitation and collaborative problem solving, in order to find optimal solutions for all parties.  She believes that having challenging conversations in a safe, non-blame space can promote better problem solving and increase emotional connection.  She is the author of “How to Live Forever, A Guide to Writing the Final Chapter of Your Life Story” and is a speaker and trainer on the topics of conflict management, dispute resolution processes, life transitions, and how to make difficult decisions - including end of life issues.    She is the proud mother of 5 grown children and the grandmother of 4 lively little ones. 

Embracing this diversity isn't about ticking boxes or meeting quotas; it's about recognizing and valuing the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions that every individual brings to the table. It not only strengthens an organization's cultural fabric but also significantly improves employee retention. In this enriching episode, host Denise Cooper interviews the illustrious Geronda Wollack-Spiller, a DEI expert known for helping leaders build self-awareness and create psychologically safe spaces for historically marginalized employees.

Geronda brings to the table her wealth of experiences, both personal and professional, as a queer black woman who has surmounted myriad obstacles to find joy, connection, and success. She discusses the importance of authentic expression, community, reflection, and finding spaces that align with your values. Her stories are not only enlightening but also inspiring, reflecting her journey of standing in her power and embracing her authentic self.

As we navigate this conversation, we'll explore questions that challenge existing norms and offer new perspectives. From discussing common mistakes businesses make in their quest for psychological safety, to Geronda's unique life lessons, to her inspiring contribution to the book “Her Badass Story,” and her vision of success, each segment of this episode promises to be a revelation.

1. What is a life lesson that resonates with you? [04:00]
2. What do you to keep yourself feeling renewed and clear? [05:29]
3. Can you speak to your journey with recovering from people-pleasing, particularly in the office? [09:56]
4. Tell us about your journey with cultivating psychological safety. [17:52]
5. Tell us about your own knee-jerk "no" and "yes" responses. How can a person begin to assess their own levels of comfort in the workplace? [33:40]

Book: Her Badass Story.

Website: www.gerondaws.com

LinkedIn Live Series: Leading in the Moment with Geronda, every other Wednesday at 12pm PST

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My name is Geronda Wollack-Spiller. I help leaders build awareness so that they can foster psychologically safe spaces to retain historically marginalized employees. I support my clients with reflecting and bringing awareness to their leadership style and how it influences and impacts their teams and larger groups. Being a queer black woman, I have experienced and traveled the lonely road of shame, fear, rejection, doubt, and frustration first-hand under poor leadership. I know what it means to lead with empathy, compassion and passion for growth and belonging, along with the impacts that come with feeling misunderstood and isolated.​

I was two days old when my parents adopted me. A black baby girl, born in Harlem, NYC, and grew up in Long Island, NY. My father, a retired NYC firefighter of 33 years, has been a huge influence on who I am today. He exposed me to the real world and many of life’s challenges. He also taught me satisfaction and the power of helping others.​

I am a black lesbian who came out to my family when I was 25-years old. You could say that I've been the only black person on a team, been belittled for not being "professional" enough, or even teased for my socioeconomic status. to name a few. I also know what it feels like to have leadership that really cares, makes me and others feel welcome, reflects regularly on their bias and even ensures employees experiences are first.​

My childhood and workplace trauma in ways has gave me a gift. It was understanding the importance of authentic expression, community, reflection and finding spaces that align with your values. It was also exploring what it means to be a leader in various contexts while providing me with a great sense of humor. I have learned how to stand in my power which allows me to be my authentic self 100% of the time. Hell YEAH! I want to provide that power and freedom for others because we all can be effective leaders while being your true self and it's nothing to be ashamed about!