Future-Proofing Leadership with Dr. Rosie Ward

Whether we want to admit it or not, life will challenge us, throw us curve balls, and many times will leave us face down. The question is what we do when this happens. I had such a delightful conversation with the incredible Kari Warberg Block - CEO and Founder of EarthKind® and an incredible change-maker and force for good in the world. Her insights on anchoring on purpose, letting ourselves surrender to challenges and find the important lessons and growth, and showing up authentically - even when the world seems against us - are inspiring. Kari's wisdom and stories have broad-reaching application. I know you'll leave our conversation full of hope, encouragement, and perhaps giving yourself permission to stand more firmly in your purpose and values. Guest Info Kari Warberg Block, CEO & Founder - EarthKind®

Kari Warberg Block, an unlikely disruptor, challenged an industry that by its very nature is toxic. As the Founder & CEO of EarthKind®, Kari discovered that 98% of pest control solutions sold were poison & kill methods – so she set out to invent a better solution: plant-based pest control powered by nature. Kari was the first to develop, manufacture, and commercialize poison-free rodent and insect repellents for farm and home use, with a mission to build a purpose led company to create change through business. Her efforts have helped decrease consumer reliance on poison & kill based methods from 98% to 88% nationwide. Once a mom on food stamps, Kari started EarthKind® with nothing more than a package of garden seeds and a vision, and has built it into the 7-figure company it is today.

With her first book, Gathering Around the Table: A Story of Purpose-Driven Change through Business, published in March 2021, Kari has achieved a lot, including nationwide product distribution, carbon neutrality, ingredient and supply-chain transparency, the invention of the first CPG bioplastic, and has helped lower consumer reliance on toxic pest-control methods by 10%. Selected as an Ernst & Young "Entrepreneurial Winning Women," Kari has advised the SBA, Congress and the White House on policy that impacts women in business, receiving the 2019 GMDC Retail Champions of Change award for her role as an inspirational industry leader. She has been featured in CNBC, the New York Times, Huffington Post and Forbes.

Show Notes

Gathering Around the Table: A Story of Purpose-Driven Change through Business by Kari Warberg Block

Through authentic storytelling, Kari shows how tackling and overcoming challenges helped her find clarity around her purpose, her integrity, and how far she was willing to go to make a difference in the world that didn't easily want to be changed. This book shows the importance of value-based decision-making as the foundation of conscious leadership, and demonstrates how navigating obstacles from a place of personal beliefs and strong morals can lead to businesses-and lives-filled with prosperous financial growth, greater social impact, and deep personal fulfillment.

EarthKind - this is the company Kari founded where you can learn about their Earth and pest-friendly products, find a retailer, and more.

Behind the Scenes

Follow Kari Warberg Block on Social Media

The post Episode 17 – Kari Warberg Block on Grounding Ourselves in Purpose and Authenticity appeared first on Dr Rosie Ward.

Episode 17 – Kari Warberg Block on Grounding Ourselves in Purpose and Authenticity

Whether we want to admit it or not, life will challenge us, throw us curve balls, and many times will leave us face down. The question is what we do when this happens. I had such a delightful conversation with the incredible Kari Warberg Block - CEO and Founder of EarthKind® and an incredible change-maker and force for good in the world. Her insights on anchoring on purpose, letting ourselves surrender to challenges and find the important lessons and growth, and showing up authentically - even when the world seems against us - are inspiring. Kari’s wisdom and stories have broad-reaching application. I know you’ll leave our conversation full of hope, encouragement, and perhaps giving yourself permission to stand more firmly in your purpose and values.

Guest Info

Kari Warberg Block, CEO & Founder - EarthKind®

Kari Warberg Block, an unlikely disruptor, challenged an industry that by its very nature is toxic. As the Founder & CEO of EarthKind®, Kari discovered that 98% of pest control solutions sold were poison & kill methods – so she set out to invent a better solution: plant-based pest control powered by nature. Kari was the first to develop, manufacture, and commercialize poison-free rodent and insect repellents for farm and home use, with a mission to build a purpose led company to create change through business. Her efforts have helped decrease consumer reliance on poison & kill based methods from 98% to 88% nationwide. Once a mom on food stamps, Kari started EarthKind® with nothing more than a package of garden seeds and a vision, and has built it into the 7-figure company it is today. 

With her first book, Gathering Around the Table: A Story of Purpose-Driven Change through Business, published in March 2021, Kari has achieved a lot, including nationwide product distribution, carbon neutrality, ingredient and supply-chain transparency, the invention of the first CPG bioplastic, and has helped lower consumer reliance on toxic pest-control methods by 10%. Selected as an Ernst & Young “Entrepreneurial Winning Women,” Kari has advised the SBA, Congress and the White House on policy that impacts women in business, receiving the 2019 GMDC Retail Champions of Change award for her role as an inspirational industry leader. She has been featured in CNBC, the New York Times, Huffington Post and Forbes.

 

 Show Notes

Gathering Around the Table: A Story of Purpose-Driven Change through Business by Kari Warberg Block

Through authentic storytelling, Kari shows how tackling and overcoming challenges helped her find clarity around her purpose, her integrity, and how far she was willing to go to make a difference in the world that didn't easily want to be changed. This book shows the importance of value-based decision-making as the foundation of conscious leadership, and demonstrates how navigating obstacles from a place of personal beliefs and strong morals can lead to businesses-and lives-filled with prosperous financial growth, greater social impact, and deep personal fulfillment.

 

EarthKind - this is the company Kari founded where you can learn about their Earth and pest-friendly products, find a retailer, and more.

 

Behind the Scenes

Follow Kari Warberg Block on Social Media

Scarcity is a universal experience; we've all faced different types of it at different times. And during the pandemic, we all faced the scarcity of certainty - and how much extra effort and focus it takes for things. In this insightful conversation I had with Linda Riddell, she uses wonderful examples to help us understand what it's actually like for people living in poverty and the challenges of chronic scarcity and overload. And she gives tangible things we all can do to be more aware, empathetic, inclusive, and helpful for the millions of people struggling financially. If you're like me, you'll leave this conversation awakened and hopefully looking for opportunities where you can show up as a leader and make a positive difference for others. Guest Info Linda K. Riddell, MS, Vice President Strategic Initiatives - Validation Institute

Linda Riddell is a population health scientist, poverty educator and independent validator with 30 years' experience in health care, public and private health insurance, and health policy. She specializes in measuring outcomes for health and wellness programs, such as coaching, behavior incentives, and novel interventions.

Linda is the founder of Health Economy, LLC, focusing on health policy and health data analysis. Her clients range from state governments to private insurers to start-up technology companies. She also serves as Vice President Strategic Initiatives for the Validation Institute, which peer reviews outcome measures for member companies.

After studying the effects of scarcity on our brains, Linda created a unique, experiential game in 2018 where players experience for themselves the brain changes that occur in poverty. Gettin' By is meant for people whose work affects those in poverty -- such as teachers, legislators, and medical care providers. After playing the game, participants learn about how poverty changes the brain and how they can take this into account in their work.

Linda has a master's degree in health policy and management from the Edmund Muskie School of Public Service.

Show Notes

Gettin' By - this is the game Linda created that leverages research-based and real-life situations to simulate what it's like to experience scarcity and what it's like for people living in poverty.

The Validation Institute - this organization is dedicated to providing unbiased, data-driven insights on healthcare solutions and services to help foster transparency in the marketplace, showcase true cost savings, and empower purchasers.

Scarcity: The New Science of Having Less and How it Defines Our Lives by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir

This is the book Linda referenced that digs into the research of scarcity on our brains and helped form the foundation for Gettin' By.

Behind the Scenes

Follow Linda Riddell on Social Media

The post Episode 16 – Linda Riddell on Understanding and Addressing Scarcity and Poverty appeared first on Dr Rosie Ward.

Episode 16 – Linda Riddell on Understanding and Addressing Scarcity and Poverty

Scarcity is a universal experience; we’ve all faced different types of it at different times. And during the pandemic, we all faced the scarcity of certainty - and how much extra effort and focus it takes for things. In this insightful conversation I had with Linda Riddell, she uses wonderful examples to help us understand what it’s actually like for people living in poverty and the challenges of chronic scarcity and overload. And she gives tangible things we all can do to be more aware, empathetic, inclusive, and helpful for the millions of people struggling financially. If you’re like me, you’ll leave this conversation awakened and hopefully looking for opportunities where you can show up as a leader and make a positive difference for others.

Guest Info

Linda K. Riddell, MS, Vice President Strategic Initiatives - Validation Institute

Linda Riddell is a population health scientist, poverty educator and independent validator with 30 years’ experience in health care, public and private health insurance, and health policy. She specializes in measuring outcomes for health and wellness programs, such as coaching, behavior incentives, and novel interventions. 

Linda is the founder of Health Economy, LLC, focusing on health policy and health data analysis. Her clients range from state governments to private insurers to start-up technology companies. She also serves as Vice President Strategic Initiatives for the Validation Institute, which peer reviews outcome measures for member companies. 

After studying the effects of scarcity on our brains, Linda created a unique, experiential game in 2018 where players experience for themselves the brain changes that occur in poverty. Gettin' By is meant for people whose work affects those in poverty -- such as teachers, legislators, and medical care providers. After playing the game, participants learn about how poverty changes the brain and how they can take this into account in their work.

Linda has a master’s degree in health policy and management from the Edmund Muskie School of Public Service. 

 

 Show Notes

Gettin’ By - this is the game Linda created that leverages research-based and real-life situations to simulate what it's like to experience scarcity and what it's like for people living in poverty.

The Validation Institute - this organization is dedicated to providing unbiased, data-driven insights on healthcare solutions and services to help foster transparency in the marketplace, showcase true cost savings, and empower purchasers.

Scarcity: The New Science of Having Less and How it Defines Our Lives by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir

This is the book Linda referenced that digs into the research of scarcity on our brains and helped form the foundation for Gettin’ By.

 

 

Behind the Scenes

Follow Linda Riddell on Social Media

The foundation of the work I do is geared towards improving workplace culture. So I enjoyed this conversation with Kevin Oakes, the head of the world's leading HR research firm, the Institute for Corporate Productivity. There's such alignment in our work. We discuss key aspects of his new book, Culture Renovation: 18 Leadership Actions to Build an Unshakeable Company. I love how Kevin describes approaching culture change as a renovation (like a home remodeling project) rather than a full transformation (i.e., leveling the house and starting over). There are tangible items in our conversation that anyone can use to lead and influence change to create a more effective, human workplace culture.

The post Episode 15 – Kevin Oakes on What it Really Takes to Renovate Workplace Culture appeared first on Dr Rosie Ward.

Episode 15 – Kevin Oakes on What it Really Takes to Renovate Workplace Culture

The foundation of the work I do is geared towards improving workplace culture. So I enjoyed this conversation with Kevin Oakes, the head of the world’s leading HR research firm, the Institute for Corporate Productivity. There’s such alignment in our work. We discuss key aspects of his new book, Culture Renovation: 18 Leadership Actions to Build an Unshakeable Company. I love how Kevin describes approaching culture change as a renovation (like a home remodeling project) rather than a full transformation (i.e., leveling the house and starting over). There are tangible items in our conversation that anyone can use to lead and influence change to create a more effective, human workplace culture.

Guest Info

Kevin Oakes, Ph.D., CEO & Co-founder - i4cp

As CEO and co-founder of the world’s leading HR research firm, i4cp (the Institute for Corporate Productivity, Kevin provides strategic direction and vision, and is responsible for the overall operations of the organization. Kevin is a frequent author and international keynote speaker on next practices in human capital and works with business and HR executives on people practices that drive high performance.

Kevin is the author of Culture Renovation™, published in January, 2021. The book acts as a blueprint for senior leaders to positively change organizational culture and details 18 action steps which companies such as Microsoft, 3M and T-Mobile have followed to successfully renovate their cultures.

Kevin is currently on the board of Performitiv, a performance improvement technology company. Kevin is also on the advisory boards of EdCast, a knowledge network firm and Sanctuary, a health and wellness startup. Kevin was previously on the board of directors of KnowledgeAdvisors, a provider of human capital analytics software, which was purchased by Corporate Executive Board in March of 2014. Kevin was also the Chairman of Jambok, a social learning start-up company which was founded at Sun Microsystems and was purchased by SuccessFactors in March 2011. He also served on the boards of Workforce Insight and Koru prior to their sales.

Kevin is on the board of Best Buddies Washington and helped establish the first office for Best Buddies in the state in 2019. Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Kevin was previously the Founder and the President of SumTotal Systems (NASDAQ: SUMT) which he helped create in 2003 by merging Click2learn (NASDAQ: CLKS) with Docent (NASDAQ: DCNT). The merger won Frost & Sullivan's Competitive Strategy Award in 2004.

Prior to the formation of SumTotal, Kevin was the Chairman & CEO of Click2learn, which was founded in 1985 by Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft. Prior to joining Click2learn, Kevin was president and founder of Oakes Interactive in Needham, MA. Oakes Interactive was purchased by Click2learn (then called Asymetrix) in 1997, which Kevin helped take public a year later.

 

 Show Notes

Culture Renovation: 18 Leadership Actions to Build an Unshakeable Company by Kevin Oakes

This book identifies 18 proven leadership actions for turning any culture into an agile, resilient, and innovative high-performance organization. Learn how to best understand the culture in place today a...

As human beings, we are neurobiologically hardwired for connection. In this insightful conversation I have with Eric Williamson, we talk about how success is dependent upon our ability to form and maintain great relationships with others. He shares his lessons learned from letting his Ego take over and becoming a work jerk (i.e., someone who does not use social skills as a necessary job skill and fails to manage their emotions), how we can avoid the same fate, and how we can still get stuff done when we are faced with jerks. We also talk about the importance and value of being willing to take in feedback, look in the mirror and wade in the messy middle to work on ourselves. I hope you'll leave our conversation with a newfound appreciation of continuing to work on ourselves, questions to ask to effectively move forward (vs. raise defensiveness), and ways to be effective - even if you find yourself surrounded by jerks.

The post Episode 14 – Eric L. Williamson on How to Make an Impact When You Work with Jerks (and How to Not Be a Jerk Yourself) appeared first on Dr Rosie Ward.

Episode 14 – Eric Williamson on How to Make an Impact When You Work with Jerks (and How to Not Be a Jerk Yourself)

As human beings, we are neurobiologically hardwired for connection. In this insightful conversation I have with Eric Williamson, we talk about how success is dependent upon our ability to form and maintain great relationships with others. He shares his lessons learned from letting his Ego take over and becoming a work jerk (i.e., someone who does not use social skills as a necessary job skill and fails to manage their emotions), how we can avoid the same fate, and how we can still get stuff done when we are faced with jerks. We also talk about the importance and value of being willing to take in feedback, look in the mirror and wade in the messy middle to work on ourselves. I hope you’ll leave our conversation with a newfound appreciation of continuing to work on ourselves, questions to ask to effectively move forward (vs. raise defensiveness), and ways to be effective - even if you find yourself surrounded by jerks.

Guest Info

Eric L. Williamson, President & CEO - Tailored Training Solutions

Eric is the president and CEO of Tailored Training Solutions, a small business that works with organizations that want to create an environment where employees are engaged, appreciated, and developed into leaders. Eric is a keynote speaker who is often referred to as the “Connector” for his ability to make his message resonate with groups, or as the “Change maker” for his ability to inspire change and improve morale by coaching people to bring out their very best. He is known for his empathic, engaging, down-to-earth style. Eric’s fusion of real-life stories and his conversational techniques connect with his audience at an intimate, intense and individual level.

Eric’s desire to see others improve, survive and thrive in the workplace is what drives him to help others succeed. He has delivered motivational speeches and programs to businesses and organizations throughout the country. He helps professionals at all levels to take steps to improve their workplace relationships with all types of people in the work environment ... especially the ones who are, let’s face it, jerks.

Eric received national attention in NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS news for his expertise in leadership development stating, “Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the key component of being a successful leader; and is the most important skill that will help you thrive in today’s ever-changing business environment.” He was recently featured in Training Industry, the most trusted source of information on the business of learning, for his insight in helping business leaders leverage EQ by employing a three step process that has helped improve human interaction, workplace relationships, employee engagement and customer satisfaction. 

Eric earned his bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College in 2002, and his MBA at the University of New Haven in 2008. He lives in Maryland with his wife and daughter, and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a second child at the time of publishing this book. Eric loves to grill food outdoors no matter the weather. He enjoys salsa music and loves to go salsa dancing. When he’s not working, he’s often vacationing at the beach with his family.

 

 Show Notes

How to Work with Jerks: Getting Stuff Done with People You Can’t Stand by Eric L. Williamson

No matter how talented, gifted or experienced, and no matter what role we serve or title we carry, our level of success isn't measured based on the work we produce; it's measured based on the relationships we build. Whatever we do and wherever we work -- jerks are all around us. In this book, Eric offers a clear strategy via a training guide for ...

Every conversation and interaction I have with Wendy Lynch is like a calming, warm hug! She is such an incredible leader who is so humble (as you'll hear, she doesn't even consider herself a leader). We talk about her work for getting to what matters and key tools we can all use to transform conversations in our lives. We use her tools as core content in our workshops on improved communication to help people have a common foundation for how to listen and create safe spaces for people to feel valued and heard. I think her work matters now more than ever (no pun intended) given how divisive our world has become. I hope you'll leave our conversation uplifted, hopeful, and with tools to show up more intentionally and effectively in your conversations with others.

The post Episode 13 – Wendy Lynch on the Power of Listening, Asking Thoughtful Questions, and Getting to What Really Matters appeared first on Dr Rosie Ward.

Episode 13 – Wendy Lynch on the Power of Listening, Asking Thoughtful Questions, and Getting to What Really Matters

Every conversation and interaction I have with Wendy Lynch is like a calming, warm hug! She is such an incredible leader who is so humble (as you’ll hear, she doesn’t even consider herself a leader). We talk about her work for getting to what matters and key tools we can all use to transform conversations in our lives. We use her tools as core content in our workshops on improved communication to help people have a common foundation for how to listen and create safe spaces for people to feel valued and heard. I think her work matters now more than ever (no pun intended) given how divisive our world has become. I hope you’ll leave our conversation uplifted, hopeful, and with tools to show up more intentionally and effectively in your conversations with others.

Guest Info

Wendy Lynch, Ph.D., Founder - Lynch Consulting and Co-founder - Get to What Matters, LLC

For 35 years, Dr. Wendy Lynch has been making the connection between human and business performance.  At heart, she is a sense-maker and translator: nerd-to-corporate and corporate-to-nerd.

A consultant to numerous Fortune 100 companies, her career includes positions of faculty at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Vice President of Strategic Development at HCMS Group, Principal at Mercer Human Resource Consulting and Board of Directors for two publicly-traded firms. Now Dr. Lynch runs her own consulting firm and holds an adjunct position of Associate Professor at IUPUI. Her current research efforts focus on the application of Big Data solutions in Human Capital Management. 

As a research scientist working in the business world, Dr. Lynch has learned to straddle commercial and academic goals, converting analytic results into market success. Through her experience in diverse work settings—including digital start-ups, century-old insurers, academic medical centers, consulting firms, health care providers and the board room—she became familiar (and fascinated) with the unique language of each.  

That experience led to her true passion of promoting clear and meaningful conversation that promotes mutual understanding and success. A frequent speaker, and author of over 100 articles and reports, Dr. Lynch has also published three books: Who Survives, Aligning incentives, information and choice and, most recently, Get to What Matters.

 

 

Show Notes

Get to What Matters  by Wendy Lynch and Clydette deGroot

This is Wendy's latest book which offers a toolbox to help defuse tension, overcome challenges, and create trust to take your conversations to a gratifying level.

Lynch Consulting - this is Wendy’s company where you can learn more about her consulting and speaking services. 

Get to What Matters, LLC - provides tools to navigate your conversations toward a desired destination. Instead of anxiety and uncertainly in a difficult interaction, you can feel in control—with a toolbox of options to dig deeper into what people mean and want.

Get to What Matters “Rap” - this is the spoken poetry/rap Wendy does that she mentioned in our conversation.

Heart of Human Capital - this is a blog for leaders dedicated to finding a win-win, where companies and their people thrive together.

Behind the Scenes

Follow Wendy Lynch on Social Media