If your team is disengaged, trust is low, or people are walking on eggshells, free lunch isn't the answer. The real issue is almost always the conversations that aren't happening.

In this episode, I sit down with organizational leadership expert Dr. Julia Wiener to unpack why so many leaders get culture wrong…and what actually creates a workplace where people feel valued, accountable, and excited to show up.

We talk about:

• Why perks don't create culture
• The warning signs your culture is quietly breaking down
• The hidden cost of avoiding hard conversations
• The four pillars every leader needs to build trust, ownership, and lasting engagement

If you've ever thought, "Our culture used to be great...what happened?" this episode is for you.

Culture is built in the everyday moments…how you lead, how you communicate, and the conversations you're willing to have.

This episode will challenge your thinking and give you practical tools you can start using today to build a team people don't want to leave.

Connect with Dr. Julia Wiener on LinkedIn or Instagram.

If your team is disengaged, trust is low, or people are walking on eggshells, free lunch isn't the answer. The real issue is almost always the conversations that aren't happening.

In this episode, I sit down with organizational leadership expert Dr. Julia Wiener to unpack why so many leaders get culture wrong…and what actually creates a workplace where people feel valued, accountable, and excited to show up.

We talk about:

• Why perks don't create culture
• The warning signs your culture is quietly breaking down
• The hidden cost of avoiding hard conversations
• The four pillars every leader needs to build trust, ownership, and lasting engagement

If you've ever thought, "Our culture used to be great...what happened?" this episode is for you.

Culture is built in the everyday moments…how you lead, how you communicate, and the conversations you're willing to have.

This episode will challenge your thinking and give you practical tools you can start using today to build a team people don't want to leave.

Are you avoiding important conversations that could transform your team, client relationships, or personal life? In this episode, Heather Lisle shares practical insights on why addressing tough talks is crucial, how silence can be costly, and strategies to approach even the hardest conversations with confidence.

Tired of tolerating bad behavior? In today’s episode, Heather Lisle reveals how to stop enabling patterns without being the “bad guy.” Discover the difference between tolerating and enabling, and learn practical strategies to break the cycle. Heather shares how to stop making excuses, let natural consequences take their course, and have direct conversations early. 

This episode empowers you to lead with clarity and confidence, transforming your relationships at work and home. Perfect for anyone ready to set healthier boundaries and create a more respectful environment.

Most hiring mistakes don’t happen in the interview. They happen in the first 90 days because of conversations that never happened. 

In this episode, Troy Ashby / President of Benchmark Search, breaks down what actually makes a new hire stick…or quietly start checking out. We’re talking about the real stuff leaders often miss:

• The expectations you think you communicated (but didn’t).
• The early warning signs of disengagement you’re overlooking.
• And why unmet expectations (not bad hires) are behind most turnover.

Troy shares simple, practical strategies you can use immediately to create early wins, build trust faster, and strengthen the relationship between leaders and their teams from day one.

Because here’s the truth… Retention isn’t about perks. It’s about clarity, communication, and connection.

If you’re leading a team, hiring right now, or wondering why great people don’t stay…this conversation will hit home.

You can find Troy on LinkedIn here - -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyashby/ 

Be sure to check out Troy's ultimate 90-day checklist too...it's a great resource. -- -> https://www.linkedin.com/smart-links/AQG5GrUcJ_IsGQ/3ff85a74-b0e3-4463-823b-9dd1117e712a

Employee turnover is rarely about compensation; it’s about communication. In this episode, Heather and her guest, Michele Haugh Co-Founder of EarlyHR and EarlyEngage, explore why top talent leaves organizations, and how leaders unknowingly contribute to it. Learn how to improve employee engagement, retention strategies, and communication that keeps your best people.

EarlyHR & EarlyEngage provides HR solutions catered to early-stage to growth-stage organizations and provides creative solutions to people-related issues that keep early-stage leaders and founders up at night through a high-touch, consultative approach. To learn more about Michele, check out her LinkedIn profile here - -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-haugh-shrm-scp/ 

Most people either avoid hard conversations or handle them poorly. In this episode, Heather shares a practical framework for having difficult conversations at work with clarity and confidence. Learn what to say, how to say it, and how to tailor your message based on communication styles.

Avoiding difficult conversations doesn’t protect your team. It costs you credibility, performance, and results. In this episode, Heather breaks down how conflict avoidance in leadership leads to confusion, frustration, and disengagement. Learn how to address issues directly while maintaining trust and respect.

If you want to improve your influence and results, you have to learn how to read a room quickly. In this episode, Heather shares how to identify communication styles, pick up on nonverbal cues, and adjust your message in real time.

This is a must-listen for leaders who want stronger executive presence, better meetings, and more effective conversations.

Most deals don’t fall apart because of pricing…they fall apart because of poor communication in sales conversations. In this episode, Heather and her guest, Neil Barrow, unpack where deals break down, how misalignment happens, and what top performers do differently.

Learn how to improve client communication, build trust faster, and close more business.