Love In Action is celebrating 100 episodes!In this 100th edition of Love In Action, four specially invited mystery guests join Marcel Schwantes. They share stories of their career development and give insights about workplace rituals, anxiety and happiness at work, and COVID-19’s impact on workplace culture.Marcel welcomes Erica Keswin, who was the very first guest in the pilot episode of Love In Action. She is a speaker and strategist and has recently written a new book, Rituals Roadmap: The Human Way to Transform Everyday Routines into Workplace Magic. She shares what prompted her to write the book and why she believes it needed to be written. [2:04]Workplace rituals give us a sense of psychological safety, an opportunity to connect to purpose and values, and a performance boost. Erica distinguishes the difference between a ritual and a routine and shares the three components of a ritual. [5:09]The second mystery guest is Chester Elton, who is an advisor, executive coach, mentor, and third-time guest on Love In Action. He is the co-author of Anxiety at Work: Eight Strategies to Help Teams Build Resilience, Handle Uncertainty, and Get Stuff Done. Chester talks about anxiety and its effects in the workplace. [13:48]“Until you, as the leader, give your people permission to be vulnerable, they won’t be,” Chester claims. “The way you do that is to be vulnerable yourself. [When you say] ‘Hey, we’ve all been through a lot, and I am burnt out, I’m going to take a mental health day, and I encourage you all to do the same if you need to,’ you give your employees permission.” [19:19]Mystery guest number three is Richard Sheridan, who featured on the fifth episode of Love In Action. Richard is the CEO and Chief Storyteller at Menlo Innovations, and the author of Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear. Rich and Marcel discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. [24:54]The workplace rituals at Menlo have mostly remained the same since the pandemic, with modifications to accommodate remote work, Rich says. [27:53]Annie McKee is an advisor, executive coach, speaker, and author of How to Be Happy at Work: The Power of Purpose, Hope, and Friendship. Annie was the featured speaker on the 14th episode of Love In Action. She describes why happiness at work, especially currently, is so elusive. [31:40]According to Annie, the three key elements that must be present in order for there to be happiness at work are a sense of purpose in our work; a sense of hope and optimism about our lives and careers; and friends at work. [32:52]Marcel hosts a mini Q&A session with the four guests. Annie asks Chester how we can combat the lesser-known pandemic of stress and burnout. “I believe one of the cures [we need] is to bring civility back to the workplace and to our communities… we need to be kinder to each other,” Chester responds. [40:26]“I honestly believe this movement for a kinder, gentler, more meaningful, purpose-driven workplace is not just a better way to work; it’s a better way to live,” Chester remarks. “This isn’t something you leave at work, it's something you carry with you in every phase of your life.” [49:33]ResourcesErica Keswin on LinkedIn | TwitterEricaKeswin.com Rituals Roadmap: The Human Way to Transform Everyday Routines into Workplace MagicChester Elton on LinkedIn | TwitterChesterElton.comAnxiety at Work: Eight Strategies to Help Teams Build Resilience, Handle Uncertainty, and Get Stuff DoneRichard Sheridan on LinkedIn | TwitterMenloInnovations.comChief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate FearAnnie McKee on LinkedIn | TwitterAnnieMcKee.comHow to Be Happy at Work: The Power of Purpose, Hope, and Friendship

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