The Robyn Engelson Podcast

Ever wish you had a mentor with over decades of experience whispering million dollar life tips in your ear? That’s exactly what you will get each week when you tune into The Robyn Engelson Podcast, ranked top 10% globally. I’m your host–a sought after best selling author, keynote speaker, and burnout recovery coach for women leaders bringing you stress renewal, energy reset, and inner confidence. Each week, I  bring you inspiring guests, insights, and mindset tools to empower you to thrive in life. 

 

Episode Title: Leadership Energy: How Your Vibe Shapes Your Team’s Success

Host: Robyn Engelson

Guest: Andrew Stout

Episode Summary: In this engaging episode, host Robyn Engelson, sits down with HR expert and Let’s Be Diverse Podcast host, Andrew Stout, to unpack how leadership energy shapes workplace culture. Andrew shares powerful insights on why leaders who cultivate trust, empathy, and open communication create environments where employees thrive, free from the "Sunday scaries." He and Robyn discuss practical tools like "listening with pause" (prioritizing understanding overreacting) and why investing in meaningful team experiences (like retreats) outperforms empty perks (like pizza parties).

The conversation explores how great leaders spark loyalty, with Andrew noting that engaged teams often turn down recruiter offers because they feel valued. Robyn and Andrew also tackle common pitfalls, like silence breeding resentment, and emphasize the courage of speaking up to drive change. 

 

You’ll learn:

• How leadership energy directly impacts team morale, engagement, and productivity

• Why "Sunday blues" happen—and how great leaders create workplaces employees want to join on Mondays

• The power of listening with pause: Why understanding > immediate problem-solving

• Workplace harmony vs. work-life balance: Why blending work/passion beats strict separation

• Retention secrets: How engaged teams reject recruiter calls (and why they stay loyal)

• Why pizza parties fail—and what to do instead (e.g., meaningful retreats & connection)

• How silence breeds resentment—and why speaking up transforms culture

• The ripple effect of joy: How passion reduces burnout and fuels productivity

• HR truths: Core values (trust, empathy, communication) that actually retain top talent

 

Memorable Quotes:

• How you show up as a leader sets the weather for your entire team." (Andrew Stout)

• "Employees don’t leave companies, they leave leaders who drain their energy." (Andrew Stout)

• "If your team dreads Mondays, that’s not a ‘them’ problem, it’s a you problem." (Robyn Engelson)

• Pizza parties are the Band-Aids of bad culture. Real connection? That takes intention." (Andrew Stout)

• "A ‘safe workplace’ isn’t about beanbags and free snacks, it’s about people feeling heard." (Robyn Engelson)

• "Harmony isn’t balanced. It’s loving where you work and where you live." (Andrew Stout)

 

Resources & Mentions:

• Andrew Stout’s insights on empathetic leadership and eradicating "Sunday blues"

• Research on psychological safety’s impact on team performance (Harvard Business Review)

• Innovative HR approaches for diagnosing workplace culture beyond employee surveys

• Organizations focusing on human-centric leadership and team retreat design

 

Actionable Steps for Listeners:

Audit Your Leadership Energy

If your team dreads Mondays or avoids speaking up, your vibe may be the issue. Start noticing how people respond when you enter a room.

 

Replace Empty Perks with Real Connection

Cancel the pizza party. Instead, invest in meaningful offsites or skill-building workshops that align with your team’s values.

 

Practice "Listening with Pause"

In your next 1:1, focus only on understanding (no solutions!). Say: “Tell me more about that” and let silence do the work.

 

Kill Assumptions with Transparency

When you sense tension, name it: “I’m noticing ___. What’s your take?” Miscommunication thrives in the unsaid.

 

Final Thought: A leader’s energy sets the tone for the entire team. By fostering trust, open communication, and genuine engagement, workplaces can transform from stressful environments into spaces where people thrive.

 

What listeners have to say:

Andrew Stout delivers transformative wisdom with rare authenticity. His insights on leadership energy didn't just explain my workplace struggles - they gave me the language to finally change them. That moment about 'silence being culture's slow killer' shook me to action. For the first time in years, I feel equipped to transform my team's dynamic rather than just survive it.

 

Loved this episode? If you found value in this conversation, don’t forget to leave a review! Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Your feedback helps us create content that supports your journey to thriving, not just surviving.

 

Connect with Andrew Stout:

• LinkedIn

 

About Andrew Stout: Andrew Stoute is the host of Let’s Be Diverse, an human resources podcast where he shares motivational posts, insights on human resources and leadership topics and personal anecdotes. As an empathetic and innovative human resources  professional, his goal is to inspire like-minded individuals who believe that the workplace should be a safe place to succeed and grow. He invites us together to explore different perspectives and create meaningful conversations.

 

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