People Strategy Leaders Podcast

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the President of Stefanie Krievins & Co, Stefanie Krievins. Stefanie tackled a topic that resonates with many of us: the challenges and inefficiencies of meetings. Stefanie pointed out a critical issue—meetings have become the go-to for decision-making, information gathering, and connecting, yet they often lack a clear purpose.

Stefanie brilliantly addressed the shift in communication dynamics, noting how the simple, spontaneous interactions we once had in person are now scheduled meetings. She didn't shy away from discussing the limitations of virtual meetings, especially when it comes to brainstorming and innovation, underscoring the irreplaceable value of human connection.

To combat the overuse of meetings for information gathering, Stefanie advocated for a structured management cadence that aligns with organizational goals and priorities. She suggested breaking down goals into manageable timelines and leveraging asynchronous communication for status updates, thereby reducing the frequency of meetings.

To learn more about Stefanie's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Remote and Hybrid Work Consultant and Keynote Speaker, Chris Dyer. During the economic downturn of 2008-2009, Chris faced a pivotal moment in his career. With a significant portion of his business evaporating, he was on the brink of giving up. Instead, he chose to persevere and, through this challenge, identified seven key pillars that are essential for a thriving company culture: transparency, positivity, listening, uniqueness, recognition, measurement, and mistakes.

Two pillars that stand out immediately are transparency and positivity. The interplay between maintaining a positive outlook and being transparent, especially during crises, is a delicate balance that can make or break a company's morale and performance.

Chris shared that positive leadership isn't about ignoring problems or painting an unrealistically rosy picture. It's about focusing on what works and saying "yes" to new ideas. By studying successful team members and sharing their strategies, leaders can foster a culture of growth and innovation. This approach encourages employees to bring forward their best ideas, knowing they will be met with openness rather than resistance.

To learn more about Chris' work, click HERE and HERE.

Check out Chris' book, The Power of Company Culture, HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Director of Business Development and Marketing of Holzer Health System, Melissa Davis. With over 17 years of experience under her belt, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge from various healthcare settings, including acute hospital care, outpatient clinics, long-term care, and pharmaceutical marketing. At Holzer Health System, she's not just the marketing maestro; she's also the architect behind their employee communications programs.

Melissa shed light on the monumental task of reaching a workforce of over 2300 employees across seven counties in southeastern Ohio and West Virginia. The diversity of this workforce presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to ensuring that every single employee receives critical information promptly, from the front desk to the frontlines.

To learn more about Melissa's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Corporate Communications Professional at Nashville-based Ryman Hospitality Properties, Hannah Vincent. Ryman Hospitality Properties, a titan in the lodging and hospitality realm, is where Hannah has honed her expertise. Starting at the Grand Ole Opry, she climbed the ranks to the human resources department, where she discovered her zeal for fostering an exceptional employee experience. Now, as a corporate communications professional, Hannah champions employee engagement through a meticulously designed four-pronged internal communication strategy, with a spotlight on employee recognition.

Hannah underscored the growing necessity for transparent and candid employer-employee dialogue. "In a burgeoning business like ours," she explained, "keeping our team informed and aligned with our vision and strategy is crucial for engagement and retention." Hannah's role was born out of the need to evolve beyond the existing PR-focused communication approach, allowing her to craft a more comprehensive strategy alongside her VP of brand communications.

To learn more about Hannah's work, click HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Founder, Coach, Facilitator, Consultant, and Speaker of WorkJoy, Tina Robinson. Tina has a stellar background in corporate operations, technology consulting, and people leadership, Tina has carved out a niche in creating innovative coaching solutions tailored for organizations. Her partnerships with leading-edge companies like Fabletics, Fox Sports, National Wildlife Foundation, SAP, and Spotify speak volumes about her expertise. As a leadership coach for the UCLA Anderson Executive MBA program and a national speaker, Tina's credentials are further solidified by her academic achievements as an honors graduate from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

To learn more about Tina's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Founder and CEO of Strategic Thinking Institute, Rich Horwath. One of the key takeaways from the conversation with Rich Horwath was the importance of focusing on expertise rather than solely on experience during succession planning. Rich, a strategic strategy facilitator, coach to executive leadership teams, bestselling author, and expert commentator on business strategy, emphasized the need to identify the 2 or 3 key skills and behaviors that drive expertise in a particular role. This approach ensures that the right competencies are being developed and recognized, setting the stage for a more effective succession process.

Rich delved into the significance of taking a strategic look at succession planning and the use of talent scorecards. Rich explained that these scorecards are instrumental in evaluating an employee's technical capabilities, people leadership, and executive skills. By providing real-time feedback, talent scorecards serve as a valuable tool for both quantitative and qualitative evaluation, allowing organizations to make informed decisions about their future leaders.

To learn more about Rich's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Speaker and Adviser to Business, and  Future of Workforce and Leadership, Niki Avraam. Nikki is not just a legal entrepreneur; she is a trailblazer in leadership and workplace evolution. Her background in employment and discrimination law has seen her litigate high-profile cases and establish her law firm, Harvard Avraam Solicitors. Nikki's philosophy is rooted in challenging established norms across industries and instilling a sense of ownership in roles. She believes that by doing so, individuals can become architects of their careers and steer their organizations toward unprecedented success.

Nikki delved into the concept of an ownership culture and its significance in organizations. Nikki explained that this culture is not confined to her organization but is a product of her journey and experiences working with different businesses. She advocates for individuals to have control, agency, and autonomy over their work, as well as the ability to shape their job roles in collaboration with the organization. This integration is crucial for individuals to feel significant and engaged, while also benefiting the organization.

Nikki also discussed the importance of talent mobility and internal gigs in organizations. She stressed the need for employees to have the opportunity to explore different roles and functions within the company, as it diversifies their experience and makes work more enjoyable and challenging. She argues against the traditional mindset of staying in one role and instead advocates for a skill-based approach where employees can learn and grow in various ways.

To learn more about Niki's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Executive Coach of Corporate Punk, Claire Croft. Clare Croft, the dynamic founder of Corporate Punk, is on a mission to revolutionize business performance through strategic conversations. With over two decades of experience, Claire empowers leaders to build high-performing teams and eliminate barriers that hinder organizational potential.

During the discussion, Clare emphasized the importance of conversation in unlocking human potential for business success. She believes that leaders often overlook their own experiences and feelings when leading change, which can hinder their ability to effectively lead their teams. By starting with understanding the leaders' perspectives and emotions, they can develop empathy for their teams and approach change in a more humanized way.

Claire highlighted three key factors that organizations that have successfully navigated change possess. Firstly, a belief in the capability of their people is crucial. Successful organizations recognize and tap into the potential already present within their workforce, rather than focusing on what they lack. Secondly, the relationship with time is important. Many organizations prioritize action over thinking, but Claire emphasizes the need for thoughtful planning and considering the impact of change before rushing into action. Lastly, starting small and building belief in the possibility of change is essential. Successful organizations begin with manageable changes and gradually expand from there.

To learn more about Claire's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

In this episode of the People Strategy Leaders Podcast, host Sri Chellappa interviews Morag Barrett, CEO of Skye Team and author of "You, Me, We! Why We All Need Friends at Work".

They discuss the importance of professional relationships for success in the workplace. Barrett emphasizes the need for trust, support, and understanding in these relationships, and the potential pitfalls of bias and political silos. She also highlights the need for strong relationships at all levels of an organization, including top executives. The discussion also covers the four key aspects of every relationship: reliability, dependability, caring, and trust.

To learn more about Morag's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with Laura Begg. Laura is a senior-level HR talent leader and coach who discusses the importance of having a talent philosophy and strategy in organizations.

Talent strategy is the practical implementation of the talent philosophy. Laura explained that the strategy encompasses various aspects of talent management, such as hiring, onboarding, training, development, and compensation. The strategy should address gaps in workforce performance, behaviors, and communication, as well as prioritize specific talent needs based on the organization's business imperatives.

Laura outlined the steps to creating a talent strategy. First, she suggests defining the organization's core values and culture. Next, assessing the current state of talent management practices and identifying talent priorities. Then, establishing guiding principles that reflect the organization's values and priorities. Involving stakeholders, including executives, professionals, and key employees, is crucial for ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Laura emphasized the importance of building a strong culture to attract and retain top talent. Leaders play a crucial role in promoting culture and engagement, and should be held accountable for being culture leads and creating innovation moments. A good onboarding process that focuses on engagement and helps new employees ramp up quickly is also significant.

To learn more about Laura's work, click HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.