Fire Your Hiring Habits

John is joined by Marcus Collins, a leading expert on cultural contagion and meaning making. Dr. Collins, the best-selling author of "For the Culture" and a Clinical Marketing Professor at the University of Michigan, shares his profound insights on how culture shapes our workplaces and organizations. The conversation delves into the invisible forces that guide human behavior, both in society at large and within companies. Dr. Collins explains the concept of cultural meaning-making and its significant impact on employee engagement. He also discusses how leaders can leverage cultural insights to address workforce challenges and foster a more inclusive environment. Through engaging examples and personal anecdotes, Dr. Collins illustrates the power of empathy and cultural competence in leadership, especially in global organizations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding different perspectives and seeing the world through others' lenses to build stronger, more cohesive teams.  The episode also touches on strategies for building a culture of continuous learning and development, highlighting the crucial role of curiosity in driving innovation and growth within organizations. Listeners will gain valuable insights into reimagining workplace dynamics and creating a culture that attracts and retains top talent. This thought-provoking discussion offers practical advice for leaders looking to harness the power of culture to transform their organizations and navigate the complex landscape of today's workforce.

In the second half of this insightful episode, Elaine Lin Hering dives deeper into the powerful concepts explored in her book "Unlearning Silence," sharing practical tips and exercises on how to rediscover and use our authentic voices more effectively in both personal and professional settings. She also discusses the profound mental and physical impacts of speaking authentically, drawing from her extensive research and work with clients across diverse backgrounds. Through thought-provoking anecdotes and actionable advice, Elaine empowers listeners to gain a deeper understanding of how giving voice to our truths can not only transform our relationships and work environments but also enhance our overall well-being and sense of self, embracing vulnerability, shedding self-limiting beliefs, and courageously expressing themselves in ways that foster connection, creativity, and personal growth—an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to cultivate a more fulfilling and authentic life.

In this thought-provoking episode, John Mitchell is joined by Elaine Lin Hering, author of the groundbreaking book "Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully." As a renowned facilitator who has worked across six continents with leaders from prominent organizations like American Express, Google, and the Red Cross, Elaine has developed transformative strategies to help individuals find their authentic voices. Her paradigm-shifting approach compassionately acknowledges how we have all been both silenced and silencers throughout our lives. Elaine shares powerful insights from her extensive experience, challenging listeners to confront how they may have inadvertently contributed to perpetuating cultures of silence within their organizations and personal lives. Through candid discussion and practical exercises, Elaine guides the audience on a journey of self-discovery, empowering them to unleash their full potential by breaking free from self-imposed limitations and giving voice to their deepest truths. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to cultivate a more inclusive, collaborative, and authentic environment in their personal and professional spheres.

In the second half of their conversation, Ashley Goodall dives deeper into the central message of his new book, "The Problem with Change." He discusses what he hopes readers will take away from his contrarian view that constant workplace disruption often undermines productivity and employee well-being over the long run. Goodall also has specific advice for new managers entering cultures where change has become the unrelenting norm. Tune in to hear Ashley's insightful and practical guidance for organizational leaders seeking to implement impactful changes without deteriorating workplace culture.

About Ashley Goodall: Ashley is a leadership expert who has spent his career exploring large organizations from the inside, most recently as an executive at Cisco. He is the co-author of Nine Lies About Work, which was selected as the best management book of 2019 by Strategy + Business and as one of Amazon’s best business and leadership books of 2019. Prior to Cisco, he spent fourteen years at Deloitte as a consultant and as the Chief Learning Officer for Leadership and Professional development.

John's guest this week is Ashley Goodall, author of the provocative new book "The Problem with Change." In his book, Goodall challenges the conventional wisdom that constant workplace transformation and disruption lead to better employee performance and well-being. Drawing on decades of experience managing human resources initiatives at organizations like Cisco and Deloitte, he argues that non-stop change often does more harm than good.

About Ashley Goodall: Ashley is a leadership expert who has spent his career exploring large organizations from the inside, most recently as an executive at Cisco. He is the co-author of Nine Lies About Work, which was selected as the best management book of 2019 by Strategy + Business and as one of Amazon’s best business and leadership books of 2019. Prior to Cisco, he spent fourteen years at Deloitte as a consultant and as the Chief Learning Officer for Leadership and Professional Development.

In Part 2, Todd Davis digs deeper into the vital role that organizational culture plays in driving success. Drawing from his decades of experience, he shares his expert opinion on why cultivating a strong, positive culture is so critical. Davis emphasizes how an empowering environment that aligns employees towards a greater purpose can be a powerful competitive advantage. He provides real-world examples and advice for shaping workplace cultures that inspire peak performance, innovation, and genuine engagement. The conversation also pivots to exploring the importance of modesty in leadership. Davis explains why demonstrating humility, vulnerability, and an eagerness to learn from others are invaluable qualities for inspiring trust, loyalty, and cohesion among teams. He offers a refreshing counterpoint to traditional conceptions of what leadership should look like. Through thought-provoking insights, Davis challenges listeners to reevaluate what truly defines effective organizational and personal leadership in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. This is a can't-miss segment for anyone striving to create thriving cultures and become more impactful leaders.

In this insightful episode, John is joined by Todd Davis, a senior consultant, thought leader, and author whose pioneering work has transformed how organizations develop talent and build effective teams globally. With over 30 years of experience in HR and talent development, including 18 years as Chief People Officer at FranklinCovey, Davis brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. He is the author of best-selling books like "Get Better: 15 Proven Practices to Build Effective Relationships at Work" and "Everyone Deserves a Great Manager." During the episode, he shares his invaluable insights and practical strategies for cultivating a high-performing workforce and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within organizations. Through thought-provoking discussions and real-world examples, Davis delves into the importance of effective talent management, relationship-building skills, and the pivotal role that great managers play in driving employee engagement and success. Whether you're an HR professional, a business leader, or simply someone passionate about personal and professional growth, this episode promises to be a must-listen, packed with actionable advice and inspiring ideas that will help you fire your hiring habits and unlock the full potential of your organization's most valuable asset—its people.

In part two, John and Wendy's conversation shifts to changing hiring practices to build a talented and engaged workforce. Wendy shares her perspective on why it's crucial for organizations to regularly reevaluate their hiring approaches in today's rapidly evolving marketplace. She dives into the pitfalls of relying too heavily on traditional hiring metrics and credential filters that can overlook outstanding candidates. Wendy also provides best practices for effectively interviewing prospective hires, including insightful questioning techniques to truly gauge skills, culture fit, and growth potential beyond just a resume. Dr. Mitchell and Wendy engage in a lively discussion around innovative hiring strategies to close skills gaps and increase workplace diversity. Listeners will walk away with a fresh mindset for rethinking their approach to recruitment and selection.

About Wendy Sellers: Wendy's expertise stems from personal experience, as she entered the field of HR without a clear plan and faced numerous challenges along the way. This has made her authentic, transparent, results-oriented, and committed to providing practical solutions without hidden agendas. She is The HR Lady®: Realistic, Honest, and Reliable.With over 25 years of experience, Wendy has worked in many HR areas, such as operations, downsizing, change management, corporate culture, remote and in-person workplaces, coaching, training, HR education, and leadership development. She has served businesses of all sizes, ranging from local startups to global enterprises, across diverse industries, including healthcare, dental, professional services, technology, manufacturing, construction, engineering, higher education, federal contractors, public safety, non-profit, and government agencies.Wendy's straightforward style means she doesn't sugar-coat things. She believes that people are a company's greatest asset and should be treated as such. That means training and empowering managers, supervisors, and employees to be successful in their roles is not an option; it is mandatory. Wendy Sellers, The HR Lady, trains administrators on HR compliance and managers on the rest: the people part, from hiring to termination.

John welcomes renowned HR expert Wendy Sellers, aka "The HR Lady." Wendy is a sought-after speaker and consultant admired for her authentic, no-nonsense approach to cultivating thriving workplace cultures. Recognized as one of the most inclusive HR influencers, she brings invaluable insights on attracting top talent, effective leadership practices, and boosting employee engagement. In this candid conversation, Wendy shares personal stories and proven strategies for solving workforce challenges and closing the skills gap. Listeners can expect practical tips and thought-provoking perspectives as these two experts explore reimagining the workplace. Tune in for an inspiring masterclass in people-first leadership.


About Wendy Sellers: Wendy's expertise stems from personal experience, as she entered the field of HR without a clear plan and faced numerous challenges along the way. This has made her authentic, transparent, results-oriented, and committed to providing practical solutions without hidden agendas. She is The HR Lady®: Realistic, Honest, and Reliable.With over 25 years of experience, Wendy has worked in many HR areas, such as operations, downsizing, change management, corporate culture, remote and in-person workplaces, coaching, training, HR education, and leadership development. She has served businesses of all sizes, ranging from local startups to global enterprises, across diverse industries, including healthcare, dental, professional services, technology, manufacturing, construction, engineering, higher education, federal contractors, public safety, non-profit, and government agencies.Wendy's straightforward style means she doesn't sugar-coat things. She believes that people are a company's greatest asset and should be treated as such. That means training and empowering managers, supervisors, and employees to be successful in their roles is not an option; it is mandatory. Wendy Sellers, The HR Lady, trains administrators on HR compliance and managers on the rest: the people part, from hiring to termination.

Continuing their conversation on Fire Your Hiring Habits, John Mitchell and renowned DEI expert Risha Grant delve into the intricacies of understanding and aligning with the Gen Z mindset. Risha emphasizes the importance of creating a workplace that resonates with Gen Z's values and aspirations, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. She highlights key characteristics of Gen Z, including their digital fluency, pragmatic idealism, and deep-rooted commitment to diversity and inclusion. To become an effective ally to Gen Z in the workplace, Risha provides actionable steps for John, such as actively educating himself about their perspectives, fostering open communication, promoting mentorship opportunities, and championing diversity and inclusion initiatives. By embracing Gen Z's unique perspectives and values, John can create a workplace that attracts, retains, and empowers this influential generation.

About Risha Grant: Risha is diversity personified: CEO. Entrepreneur. Black. Female. Small-town born and raised. Bisexual. Spiritual. Ex-preacher’s wife. Cusser. Left-handed. Former Division 1 athlete. But these traits alone aren’t what make her one of the most powerful and effective diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) experts in the US. Hailed as a “cultural competency genius” and renowned for her storytelling chops, humor, and frank delivery, she has made a career of leading her audiences as well as executives and their teams, politicians, civic leaders, and academic directors around the world to Radical Acceptance (RA) through a unique bias-busting process of self-examination and concrete advice on how to behave, lead, and manage businesses more inclusively.In her role as a speaker and CEO of a multi-million dollar business, Grant has shifted the hearts and minds of her audiences and clients from around the world, including Google, Levi Strauss, Nestle Purina, Xerox, YouTube, Procter & Gamble, Discover Card Financial Services, Samsung Electronics America, Cox Communications, U.S. Airforce, U.S. Navy, Intuit, NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, and Harvard University.She’s been featured in various national and international media including Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, Harvard Business Review, HR News, The Financial Times, Glamour Magazine UK, Bloomberg Media, and Black Enterprise, among others. She is also the author of two books: That’s BS! How Bias Synapse Disrupts Inclusive Cultures and the Power to Attract Diverse Markets and Be Better Than Your BS: How Radical Acceptance Empowers Authenticity and Creates a Culture of Inclusion.Grant has received numerous honors such as being named one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women Leaders in HR, one of the 40 Top Women Keynote Speakers, and made the list of Top 100 HR Experts. She was named as 1 in 9 Speakers Turning Crisis into Opportunity by Entrepreneur magazine, and for three consecutive years been an Engagedly Top 100 HR Influencer and Entrepreneur of the Year.Grant will freely admit that she is a work in progress. She occasionally misuses pronouns. She prejudges others. Sometimes she walks in fear. Yet she has consistently striven to focus on love, and made it her mission to use her passion, persistence, knowledge, and experience to dismantle racism, sexism, classism, and plain old stupidism—including her own. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her partner, where when not teaching people how to challenge bias she is busy being the world’s best auntie.