This episode of "Evolving Your Workplace After Hours" features host Carol Schultz and her cohost Rob Swymer discussing workplace etiquette as employees return to the office post-COVID. The conversation focuses on the importance of understanding office behavior, from maintaining professional interactions to dressing appropriately and managing personal calls. 

Throughout the podcast, Rob and Carol emphasize the role of leadership in facilitating a smooth transition back to the office. Both hosts encourage leaders to engage in conversations about expectations and office etiquette and work on additional guidance and training. The two believe that empathy and understanding are vital in navigating these changes considering mental health issues and other problems faced by modern employees. 

The episode also addresses the need for grace and professionalism in all workplace interactions. Carol shares insights on maintaining professional relationships and advises caution about personal disclosures at work considering the risk of gossip. The episode concludes with a reminder to build trust and create a supportive, inclusive workplace culture.  

Connect With Us

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube.  

Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.  

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought! 

Who is the most important person in your company? The CEO, CFO, CTO...? That’s what we are discussing today. Whether you're a new founder or seasoned executive, this episode is packed with insights to help you lead effectively. 

Host Carol Schultz dives into a conversation with leadership expert and CEO, Matt DeWolf, exploring the crucial question: “Who is the most important person in a company?” Matt shares his philosophy on market focus and customer-centricity. 

Together, they tackle shifting workplace dynamics, balancing leadership and management cultures, and why aligning your organization from top to bottom is the key to unlocking growth and success. They also reflect on lessons learned through adversity and how commitment and persistence shape lasting impact in both leadership and business.  

Connect with us

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information.

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

Hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer take a look at a new Gallup study in this episode of Evolving Your Workplace: After Hours. The two look at some troubling statistics, such as the approximately 51% of Americans currently looking for new jobs. Challenges with hybrid and remote work, ineffective management strategies, and changing expectations from customers are just a few of the issues brought up.  

The discussion features some perspective from Rob’s time leading a remote team during the pandemic. He believes that simple strategies such as virtual coffee meetings and consistent gratitude exercises can make all the difference. Carol also highlights some kind words from her chief of staff and emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in a management position.  

One of the main highlights of the episode is the overall emphasis on creating an engaged culture, communicating with employees, and improving leadership plans. The hosts emphasize that companies need to be more personable with employees in order to succeed.  

Connect with us

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Is your company considering cutting your DEI programs? If so, this one is for you.

In this powerful episode, DEI expert Stacey Gordon breaks down what's really driving the current attacks on diversity initiatives and why it matters for the future of business...and how politics skew the conversation.

Tune in to hear host Carol Schultz and Stacey discuss common myths about DEI, why not to abandon

these programs, and practical advice for leaders who want to build truly inclusive workplaces.

This timely conversation tackles hard truths while offering hope and guidance for moving forward.

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information.

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

In this after hours episode, hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer  discuss Meta's plans to cut 5% of its workforce. In addition to pointing out parallels to Jack Welch's strategy at GE, the two analyze the broader implications of this approach. 

The hosts debate the root of the issue behind these cuts. Is it insufficient training, poor hiring practices, or inadequate leadership? It’s important to get your hiring strategy right the first time around. This way you avoid cost-inefficient methods of hiring, firing, and rehiring. Both hosts give their unique perspectives throughout, with Rob questioning if a perfect hiring system is possible and Carol breaking down different strategies for companies.  

The episode has one main focus: human connection. Arbitrary cuts and annual reviews can hold a company back in the long run. Without building vital workplace relationships, it’s impossible to create a productive workplace culture.  

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram. 

If you lead a company and notice a lack of engagement or productivity in workers, this one is for you.

One in every four adults reported feeling lonely in the world, yet very few are talking about it. In and out of the workplace, it is something greatly affecting businesses.

In this eye-opening episode, Chief Scientist at the Academy to Innovate HR Dr. Dieter Veldsman joins Carol to give insight and tips for leaders.

They dive deep into why simply returning to the office isn't the solution, debunk common myths about workplace loneliness, and discuss practical strategies for both leaders and employees to build meaningful connections in today's evolving workplace environment.

Don't miss this important conversation about one of the most pressing yet overlooked challenges facing modern organizations.

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information.

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

If you’re a part of the RTO trend, this one’s for you.  

In this episode of "Evolving Your Workplace," hosts Rob Swymer and Carol Schultz explore a recent employee exodus around return-to-office (RTO) policies. Rob expresses strong concerns about the use of terms like "revenge quitting" and "resentment" as both speakers point to fundamental problems with company culture and leadership for employees leaving. 

Plus, the experts discuss how technology has shifted modern workplace dynamics significantly since their early careers. While in-person interaction can be important for building culture, the two advocate for a balanced approach and communication over mandatory full-time office attendance.  

The episode also touches on the struggle of maintaining an expensive office space for hybrid work schedules. Could quarterly in-person meetings with more engagement and flexible scheduling be the answer? 

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube.   

Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.   

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!  

If you’re receiving what seems to be AI applications from prospects, this one is for you.

Why should someone want to work for your company? — This is the question you should answer before you start your search for talent.

Experts Carol Schultz and Steve Cadigan discuss the underlying factor to pay attention to as a leader when recruiting. Forget the magic of AI, no tool will help if companies don’t do this first.

They also walk through areas AI can improve the recruiting process rather than the applications currently in place. Carol expresses skepticism about AI tools that distance recruiters from candidates and cautions against biases.

The episode concludes with examples of recruiting solutions that will fortify human connections.

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information.

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

In this episode, Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer dissect the public feud over employee compensation between tech billionaires Sam Altman of OpenAI and Elon Musk of xAI, with Musk suing OpenAI while accusing Altman of compensating employees with “lavish” salaries in an attempt to starve out the competition. 

Carol and Rob unpack the deeper issues behind the feud. Does it come down to dollars and cents or leadership styles? As two longtime corporate leaders themselves, Carol and Rob draw upon their decades of experience to share insights on motivating and engaging employees. We’ll give you a hint: it's not only about the money.  

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube.  

Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.  

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!  

If you’re struggling to retain your employees or you want to understand the job-hopping issue more in depth—this one is for you. 

Job hopping is on the rise in younger generations as we enter a shift from staying at one company for 30 years to focusing on personal growth and the benefits in diverse roles. Once looked down upon, job hopping has now become something to be proud of (or some believe). 

Host Carol Schultz brings on expert recruiter Rich Deakmann to explore what leaders can do to keep these workers. The two dive into the causes of job hopping, especially in the tech industry.  

Rich walks through how to provide the space for employees to be more likely to stay long-term. Certain key factors must be intentionally implemented on the part of companies if they expect employees to enjoy working for them. 

They also discuss common mistakes they see leaders make when it comes to picking an ideal candidate. 

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information.

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!