Humans Optimized: People + Technology

In the field of coaching, the concept of the "3rd Entity" helps people gain greater insight to the system and relationships around them. It's the unique and additional entity that is created when two people come together. In this episode, Laurie Close, Transformational Coach, and I explore the possibilities that the Coronavirus is an entity with a perspective worth considering as we look to make sense of this unprecedented time. Contact [email protected] to share your story from COVID-19.

When we were first confronted with the immediate need to combat the spread of the Coronavirus by staying at home, it was disorienting, concerning, and disruptive. It was an understandable roller coaster of emotions. Now that we’ve lived this way for more than 6 weeks, coming out of this time will bring with it another transition. Kathi Toll, Organizational Change Management Lead at the Parker Avery Group from Chicago, Illinois, shares her perspective about the impacts of COVID-19 on the consulting industry, retail sector, and how her personal experience with grief and loss has actually helped her navigate this time of uncertainty and transition. Reach out to [email protected] to share your stories from this unprecedented times.  

From Fortune 500 to mid-size companies, small businesses and solopreneurs, everyone has needed to adjust their focus, ways of working and perspective during COVID-19. In this episode, Sarah Scala, founder and principal consultant at Sarah Scala Consulting, shares how she has been working with her clients to refocus their initiatives and to more effectively navigate this time of uncertainty. We discuss helpful concepts from the field of Positive Psychology and offer concrete tools to navigate this time. Learn more about Sarah at www.sarahscala.com. Let's keep the conversation going - reach out to [email protected] and help us identify the stories worth sharing. 

With the ripple effects of COVID-19 bringing unemployment numbers to more than 22 million, it would be easy to feel discouraged or concerned about our future careers. In this episode, Lauren Celano, co-founder and CEO of Propel Careers, (and fellow Gettysburg College alum!) shares her view of the trends and opportunities within the Life Sciences industry as well as practical advice for anyone to use this time to prepare for potential career shifts. Learn more about Lauren and her organization at https://www.propelcareers.com/#/

Inspiring employees comes much easier during times of prosperity and growth. The true mark of a leader is determined by how they show up during times of uncertainty and fear. In this episode, Mike Zani, CEO of the Predictive Index shares about how he and his leadership team navigated difficult decisions that have come with the pandemic, including the need to restructure and layoff part of their valued and valuable workforce. Reach out to [email protected] to identify other stories worth sharing so that together, we can come back stronger than before.   

When we look back on our lives, there are certain moments that stand out among the rest. For the class of 2020, COVID-19 means missing out on creating the traditional memories that come with final sport seasons, proms, and graduation. High school senior, Brenna Kennedy, shares with us what this pandemic has been like and how this experience will influence the next chapter of her life. Her optimism demonstrates how this generation will come back stronger through their creativity and resilience. Let's uncover the stories worth sharing so that together, we can learn more about how we will come back stronger - contact me at [email protected]

COVID-19 created the seemingly impossible task for many companies and institutions to transform immediately without disruption. Schools, in particular, needed to move quickly from in-person instruction to online learning while supporting its students and faculty during a difficult time. In this episode, I’m joined by high school principal Josh Romano from Douglas High School in Massachusetts to give us a view into what it has been like to quickly lead teachers, students, and families into the digital learning era on a moment’s notice. Let's keep the conversation going and uncover the stories worth sharing from this time - contact me at [email protected]. 

Joel Hubbard and Jim Zartman from the Art of Growth join me in a discussion about human responses to the pandemic through the lens of the Enneagram, a psychometric tool that deepens our awareness of ourselves and each other. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities that are surfacing as we navigate the unchartered territory of COVID-19. Contact Suzanne York at Humans Optimized to share your stories of this unprecedented time: [email protected]

Dolores Hirschmann, founder of Masters In Clarity, works with small business owners to clarify their message and grow their business. In the midst of COVID-19, she is helping her own company and clients make the necessary pivots to address the needs of our new reality while also preparing for the future. She reflects on her own leadership style during this time and what she plans to carry forward after the pandemic is over. Keep the conversation going and share your story. Reach out to [email protected].

In this episode, the mic gets turned on the host of Humans Optimized! Jim Zartman from the Art of Growth interviews Suzanne York to learn more about the inspiration behind Humans Optimized, her background in organizational change management, and her passion for team performance coaching. She discusses how teams can approach working together differently during the unprecedented times of COVID-19. Keep the conversation going with Suzanne and reach out at [email protected]