If you haven’t been part of the conversation about Human Resources and its impacts on workplace cultures and society at large, then you need to check out Hacking HR, a global community of 350k+ members invested in transforming the way we live. Founder Enrique Rubio joins Host Chris Schembra on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times for a blunt exploration of what it means to demonstrate human-centered core values and how that translates into critical business ROI in the form of retention, productivity and positivity that uplifts not only enterprises but the lives of everyone we touch. Enrique challenges us to look in the mirror and ask: Are you practicing kindness, compassion and empathy in your daily transactions and – if not – why not? Is your ego or a sense of entitlement keeping you from meaningful connection in the workplace or on the elevator, at the grocery store or over the course of transacting business? A vocal advocate for giving remote work a chance, Enrique shares thoughts on leveraging our roles – whether as leaders or individual contributors – for social change in the workplace and beyond. You’ll also learn about why mental health is a critical component of overall corporate health and how we can find in gratitude the baseline for starting important conversations. “There are so many things we can do in HR to leave an incredible legacy of transforming work for good,” says our guest. “We know that it’s not fluffy and doesn’t make you weak.” Join us for a fascinating no-holds-barred discussion that will challenge you to bring your best self to work and every other area of your life. And don’t forget those words of affirmation, an investment in positivity you’ll never regret!

To hear more of Enrique’s groundbreaking insights, tune in to his Hacking HR Podcast, featuring a range of leading innovators in the human relations space. You can also join his huge and growing Hacking HR community by clicking this link.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a fellow trailblazer! Click here to hear all the fascinating conversations Chris has had with Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes and entertainerswho have shared their human stories on Gratitude Through Hard Times.

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KEY TOPICS:

• Meeting of the Minds: Why Enrique is energized by the vision he and Chris share of workplaces (and a world) informed by values like empathy, gratitude and authenticity. 
• If you could give credit or thanks to one person in your life that you don’t give enough credit or thanks to – that you’ve never thought to thank – who would that be? Mom and Dad – whose radically different (but complementary) views of the world shaped Enrique’s approach to life. He can never offer enough thanks!
• The Power of Modeling: About the positive energy Enrique very consciously puts out into the world in all his everyday interactions, even when it’s not reciprocal.
• Hacking HR: How Enrique has built a community by offering an umbrella to 350k+ members interested in the full spectrum of human resources issues – from mental health to technology to making cultural change in the workplace.
• Trailblazing Ambitions: About closing gaps by using HR as a leader in creating community and connections with transformational impacts on workplace cultures.
• Understanding the Gap: Chris and Enrique take a closer look at the new technologies and social mandates that HR must learn to balance against the traditional admin. and other corporate services they provide.
• The Role of Gratitude: Why it’s important to acknowledge that progress – especially of the proactive variety – doesn’t magically happen.
• Enrique’s Two-Pronged Gratitude and Appreciation:
• For the journey and lessons learned along the way.
• For the community – including those who challenge or push back on assumptions.
• Operationalizing Empathy: Why it’s so important to provide the framework for a variety of points of view, building bridges among competing interests and blending core values.
• Two Sides of the Same Coin: How business success hinges on “people” success and vice versa. They are mutually reinforcing and transformational.
• Regarding Retention: About appreciation as a valuable source of engagement that bonds employees to their jobs and each other – far more than any product or mission.
• Epidemic of Entitlement:  How ego-based demands for recognition and empathy erode gratitude, which requires an atmosphere of mutuality. It’s a ‘give in order to get’ thing!
• The Language of Gratitude: Enrique reflects on the words of affirmation that his parents deserve in recognition of the example they set – and he never wants to take for granted!
• Parting Thoughts:
• Whatever your role, you can make things happen. You can create a better workplace and world just by being compassionate and kind.
• Don’t let ego divert or block your best intentions. You can transcend!

QUOTABLE

• “There are so many people in the world working on all things empathy, kindness, compassion, gratitude. We know that it’s not fluffy and doesn’t make you weak.” (Enrique)
• “With all my imperfections, limitations and shortcomings, I am the way I am because of the way (my parents) raised me and for that I’m forever thankful.” (Enrique)
• “All of these conversations need to happen for HR to close the gap … between where we are and our potential to become that (cultural) leader.” (Enrique)
• “There are so many things we can do in HR to leave an incredible legacy of transforming work for good.” (Enrique)
• “Hacking HR hasn’t gotten too far from its original vision. It’s still a vehicle for connection, learning and coming up with innovative ideas.” (Chris)
• “People are more engaged, more satisfied, happier, finding more joy, are more creative and even have higher financial returns … when they are treated with kindness and respect, dignity and compassion at work.” (Enrique)
• “When you practice gratitude, it broadens the thought-action repertoire within your brain needed to seek innovation, creativity, curiosity, joy and pride.” (Chris)
• “The greatest cultures are not built because of something a leader says. Great cultures happen because of everyday interactions. You see it and feel it in the way people talk to each other and work.” (Enrique)
• “Whether you are in a leadership position or you are just an individual contributor, don’t let your ego get in the way. Just get it done. Begin the conversation!” (Enrique)
• “If you know that gratitude, compassion, empathy and kindness are the right thing to do and you’re not doing them, you’ve got to look at yourself in the mirror because your ego is blocking you from doing the right thing.” (Enrique)

LINKS/FURTHER RESOURCES:

• About Jim Harter’s Harvard Business Review article about worker satisfaction, "What Great Managers Do to Engage Employees."
• Read the “Broaden and Build” chapter in Chris’s bestseller, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Dark Hours."

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Enrique Rubio is passionate about Human Resources, People Operations, Technology and Innovation. He is an Electronic Engineer, Fulbright Scholar and Executive Master in Public Administration with a focus on HR. Also certified in Design Thinking, Scrum Master and PMP, Enrique has over the past 20 years worked in the HR and tech worlds. He is very interested in the digitization of the workplace, Human Resources and the intersection of the future of work, technology and HR. 
 

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ABOUT OUR HOST:

Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours,"he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.

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