Principal Office Hours

Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Jim interviews Rachel Kleban, VP of People at OpenPhone, about best practices for getting people ready to lead. Rachel emphasizes the importance of intentionality and curiosity in leadership development. She suggests creating a culture that values curiosity and asking good questions at every level of the organization. Rachel also shares a powerful activity she implemented called "Tell Me Anything" to foster listening and build trust within the leadership team. Tune in to learn more about cultivating curiosity and active listening skills in aspiring leaders.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace intentionality in workspace culture, whether it's remote, in-office, or hybrid, to enhance collaboration and maximize effectiveness.
• Develop leadership readiness by embedding the practice of curiosity and active listening within every tier of the organization.
• Leaders need to model the behavior they wish to see, demonstrating empathy and a willingness to deeply engage with their teams.
• Facilitated sessions like "Tell Me Anything" encourage leaders to practice active listening without immediate solutioning, which can shift trust dynamics and foster a more inclusive environment.
• Success as a leader often hinges on the ability to not just hear but understand the perspectives of team members, thereby ensuring everyone feels heard and valued.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to HR Transform Live from Las Vegas

00:17 Introducing Rachel Kleban: VP of People at OpenPhone

00:46 Exploring OpenPhone's Mission and Remote Work Culture

01:13 Debunking Myths Around Remote Work and Emphasizing Intentionality

03:40 The Power of Curiosity in Leadership Development

05:25 Implementing Curiosity and Listening in Leadership Practices

08:00 Tackling Leadership Ego and Embracing Listening

09:37 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect Further

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Rachel Kleban: linkedin.com/in/rachelkleban

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Jim interviews Thomas Kunjappu, CEO and founder of Cleary, about getting your people ready to lead. Thomas shares his experience as a startup founder and offers valuable insights on building a well-balanced team. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your weaknesses and intentionally hiring to fill those gaps. Thomas also discusses the misconception that top performers must move into people leadership roles and highlights the value of technical paths for growth. Tune in to learn how to set your team up for success and develop future leaders.

Key Takeaways:

• recognize and actively plan to address the skill gap within the founding team of a startup.
• Intentional talent strategy is key—hire to shore up weaknesses and consider the broader team dynamic.
• There's a distinction between climbing the management ladder and developing technical expertise; not all growth needs to be managerial.
• Transparency about the differences between individual contributor and management tracks is crucial for technical teams.
• Early-stage startups might face the tough decision of letting go of talent that limits the team's functionality; a strong recruiting strategy is essential.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome - A Talent Strategy Talk

00:24 Meet Thomas: The Startup Founder's Journey

01:56 From Immigrant Roots to Startup Success

02:37 The Leap from Big Tech to Startup Life

03:55 Building a Team: Recognizing Strengths and Weaknesses

04:49 Mastering the Go-to-Market Motion as a Founder

05:16 Empowering Your Team to Lead

07:20 Navigating Talent Development in a Startup

09:51 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Thomas Kunjappu: linkedin.com/in/thomaskunjappu

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Jim and Katya Laviolette, Chief People Officer of 1Password, discuss leadership readiness and building a leadership pipeline. They emphasize the importance of asking individuals why they want to be leaders and debunk the myth that career progression must follow a vertical ladder. Instead, they advocate for a lattice-like career path that allows for lateral moves and skill development. They also address the challenge of aligning talent priorities across the organization and the role of the executive team in owning and calibrating top talent. Tune in for valuable insights on leadership development and organizational growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Establishing leadership readiness requires organizations to inquire about personal motivations for pursuing leadership roles.
• Career progression within a company should be viewed as a lattice with lateral and vertical opportunities.
• A company's culture and values need to be deliberately coded and communicated as it scales.
• The executive team should collectively own the talent pool to prevent hoarding by individual managers.
• Building talent competency levels is crucial as organizations scale, ensuring the right talent is in the right role.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Leadership Readiness

00:31 Spotlight on 1Password: Evolution and Growth

01:55 Cultural Transformation and Scaling Challenges

04:57 Leadership Pipeline and Readiness: Best Practices

07:04 Navigating Career Paths: Lattice vs. Ladder

08:43 Talent Management and Organizational Growth

11:13 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Katya Laviolette: linkedin.com/in/katya-laviolette-6907b726

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

Janine Yancey, CEO of Emtrain, joins Dr. Jim to discuss getting your people ready to lead. Janine shares her experience as an employment lawyer and how it shaped her approach to building a successful organization. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the why behind each team member's goals and needs, and how leaders can cultivate a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. Janine also addresses the challenges of peer-to-peer coaching and offers strategies for overcoming resistance. Tune in to gain valuable insights on developing leaders within your organization.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership doesn't only mean managing people; it comes in many forms and fostering an early understanding of this within a company's culture is crucial.
• New managers should allocate dedicated time for learning essential leadership skills and practicing peer-to-peer communication.
• Organizational values play a significant role in guiding behavior and resolving conflicts within teams.
• Building leaders involves

Chapters:

00:00 A Conversation with Janine Yancy

00:57 Janine Yancy's Journey: From Employment Lawyer to CEO

01:42 Building M Train: Legal Foundations and Team Development

02:39 Emphasizing DEIB and Continuous Learning in Talent Strategy

03:33 Cultivating Leadership and Nurturing Talent

04:56 Addressing Challenges in Leadership Development

06:09 Practical Advice for Emerging Leaders

09:03 Navigating Generational Dynamics in Leadership

11:11 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Janine Yancey: linkedin.com/in/janineyancey

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Jim interviews Tony Jamous, CEO of Oyster, about building high-performance teams and developing the next generation of leaders. Tony shares his experience as an immigrant and the importance of creating a hyper-diverse and fully distributed organization. He emphasizes the need for leaders to be empathetic and connected to their teams, as well as the importance of aligning individual actions with the company's mission. Listeners will gain valuable insights on talent strategy and leadership development in a global context. Tune in to learn more!

Key Takeaways:

• Global talent acquisition can create a truly diverse and inclusive work environment, negating the dominance of any single culture.
• Emotional sensitivity and empathy are crucial leadership skills that are often overlooked but can be developed for better team dynamics.
• Flexibility in leadership—adapting to situations by either making decisions or empowering teams—is a key factor in successful organizational management.
• Clear communication and consistent storytelling from leadership help align individual employee actions with the broader company mission and strategy.
• Organizational missions play a vital role in nurturing a sense of belonging and purpose amongst employees, connecting granular work to the big picture.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome: Setting the Stage

00:18 Meet Tony Jamous: From Lebanon to Leading Oyster

01:24 A Global Perspective: Talent Strategy and Diversity

04:51 Building Empathy in Leadership

07:14 Connecting Strategy with Day-to-Day Work

08:41 Key Pitfalls for Aspiring Leaders

10:26 Wrapping Up: The Importance of Mission and Leadership

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Tony Jamous: linkedin.com/in/teljamou

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

In this insightful episode of the Engaging Leadership podcast, CT Leong engages with the esteemed Dr. Jamie Nutter to unravel the intricacies of educational leadership and its impact on community development. Dr. Nutter, with his wealth of experience, elucidates the profound relationship between school districts and the communities they serve, particularly in rural settings, emphasizing the essentiality of education leaders being at the forefront of community involvement and progression.

The conversation delves into the essence of crafting a suburban educational experience in rural school districts, the role of superintendents within the community, professional learning communities (PLCs), and the dynamics of school culture. The episode strikes a chord with education professionals endeavoring to elevate their leadership skills and illustrates how proficient leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape to heighten student achievement.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership in education extends beyond school boundaries, necessitating superintendents to actively engage with and influence their wider community for enhanced educational experiences.
• Dr. Nutter underscores the importance of school districts in rural areas offering robust student opportunities, akin to those available in suburban districts, to bolster college readiness and academic success.
• Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) should be utilized intentionally to drive collective teacher efficacy, rather than merely existing as a procedural element.
• School culture's impact on learning outcomes is profound and multifaceted, with trust, professional collaboration, and self-efficacy being key components.
• Successful educational leadership relies on preparation, intentionality, and the ability to foster a sense of collective accomplishment among educators and students alike.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Introduction and background of Dr. Jamie Nutter

0:02:48

Providing a suburban educational experience in a rural school district

0:06:09

Engaging stakeholders and building community partnerships

0:08:22

The motivation to pursue leadership in education

0:09:58

Supporting new superintendents in their role

0:11:00

Preparing for the role of a superintendent

0:12:38

Personal epiphany and mindset shift in leadership

0:13:33

The importance of professional learning communities

0:14:24

Professional collaboration is key in professional learning communities, but it alone does not guarantee results

0:15:00

The definition of efficacy in education and the belief in being the biggest difference makers in students' lives

0:16:35

Engaging in professional learning communities with the intention of improving culture and efficacy leads to results

0:17:06

Implementing PLCs with the mindset of driving efficacy and intentionally applying it as a superintendent

0:18:45

Building and molding the culture of teams as a leader and understanding its purpose in solving external problems

0:19:54

The different components of culture according to Edgar Shine and the importance of aligning beliefs with practices

0:21:20

Using the School Culture Triage Survey to measure professional collaboration, affinity of clarity, and self-efficacy

0:23:26

Being intentional about all practices and focusing on accomplishment and success in developing culture

0:24:41

The critical insights in coaching leaders to think objectively, not take things personally, and foster open communication

0:27:04

The importance of leaders taking their ego out of the situation and thinking for the best interest of the organization

0:27:28

Leaders in school districts investing in building future leaders

0:27:58

Importance of building trust one person at a time

0:28:37

Relationships are key in creating effective schools

0:29:23

Foundational layer of trust is crucial for organizational success

0:29:55

Preparation and intentional planning are essential for success

0:30:35

Timely reminder to not take everything personally as leaders

0:30:45

Conclusion and thanks for joining the conversation

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Jamie Nutter: www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-nutter-52580460

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

Dr. Jim interviews Bryan Power, Head of People at Nextdoor, about getting people ready to lead. They discuss the importance of feedback and how leaders can create a culture of kind and candid feedback. Bryan shares Nextdoor's feedback loop program, which allows team members to give and receive feedback in a structured and facilitated way. This program has been successful in helping teams reset and improve their working relationships. Tune in to learn more about building high-performing teams and developing effective leaders.

Key Takeaways:

• Effective and fast-track leadership development heavily relies on giving and receiving feedback.
• Constructive feedback should always be kind and candid, avoiding both outright harshness and vagueness.
• Leadership preparedness expands beyond discussions – it requires systems and processes for practical application.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Introduction to the topic of getting people ready to lead

0:00:40

Dr. Jim welcomes Brian Power, Head of People at Nextdoor

0:01:03

Brian Power shares his background and experience in the tech industry

0:02:15

Brian Power discusses how his recruiting experience informs his team-building approach

0:03:51

The importance of feedback in preparing individuals for leadership roles

0:04:40

Elements of good feedback and how it should be delivered

0:06:06

Nextdoor's "feedback loop" program for team-based feedback

0:07:21

Importance of building systems and processes for practicing leadership skills

0:07:26

Dr. Jim and Brian Power discuss how to continue the conversation

0:07:59

Final thoughts on the importance of intentional practice for bridging the strategy-execution gap

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Bryan Power: linkedin.com/in/bryanpower

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

Dr. Jim is joined by Lesjune Simone, Chief Human Resources Officer at Valle del Sol to discuss getting people ready to lead. Lesjune shares her journey from being a Vegas cocktail waitress to rising up to the C-suite, emphasizing the importance of being a coach as a leader. They explore the role of coaching in developing new managers and leaders, and the need for leaders to take a step back and listen before rushing into problem-solving mode. Tune in to gain valuable insights on building a coaching culture and modeling what good leadership looks like.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership development must involve coaching – being a coach and receiving coaching.
• Good coaching manifests through asking critical questions and actively listening to the answers.
• Leaders should avoid rushing to solutions, instead it's best to reflect and consider feedback.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Introduction to the conversation and guest introduction

0:00:36

Lesjune's background and career trajectory

0:01:46

Key intentional actions that accelerated Lesjune's career

0:02:56

The impact of early exposure to business operations on Lesjune's HR philosophy

0:04:11

Importance of going the extra mile as a leader

0:05:52

Challenges and stress of transitioning into leadership roles

0:06:47

The importance of coaching in leadership development

0:07:59

Defining good coaching as asking questions and listening

0:08:48

Avoiding rushing into problem-solving mode as a leader

0:09:41

How to get in touch with Lesjune for further conversation

0:10:28

Recap and closing remarks from Dr. Jim

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Lesjune Simone: linkedin.com/in/coachlsimone

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

Join Dr. Jim as he chats with Jenny do Forno, Chief People Officer at Touch Bistro, about getting your people ready to lead. They discuss the challenges of connecting the dots between strategy and execution as organizations grow, and share best practices for building leaders within your organization. Jenny emphasizes the importance of role clarity and setting expectations, even in resource-constrained environments. She also highlights the value of early conversations, job shadowing, and mentoring to prepare future leaders. Tune in for valuable insights on developing a strong leadership pipeline.

Key Takeaways:

• Key insights on transitioning leadership approaches as organizations scale from small teams to larger entities.
• Strategies for promoting clarity and instilling leadership competencies at various organizational levels.
• The crucial role of investing in front-line managers as the most significant influencers on staff morale and performance.
• The need for over-communication and using technology to keep teams aligned with organizational strategies.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Dr. Jim introduces the topic of getting people ready to lead.

0:00:52

Jenny shares her background and story.

0:02:06

Jenny discusses the challenges of connecting the dots in a growing organization.

0:03:39

Jenny shares best practices for connecting strategy and execution.

0:05:30

Dr. Jim asks Jenny about building leaders in the organization.

0:06:54

Jenny emphasizes the importance of role clarity and expectations.

0:08:03

Dr. Jim raises the issue of resource constraints for development and coaching.

0:09:07

Jenny suggests starting conversations earlier and utilizing job shadowing and mentoring.

0:10:42

Jenny emphasizes the importance of investing in frontline managers.

0:11:41

Giving candidates a taste of the job to self-select

0:12:10

Join the HR impact community for more insights

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Jenny do Forno: linkedin.com/in/jennydoforno

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

Dr. Jim interviews Regina Ross, Chief People and Culture Officer at Khan Academy, about getting people ready to lead. Regina shares her non-traditional HR background and how it shaped her people strategy. She emphasizes the importance of investing time in developing and coaching new leaders, even in a fast-paced business environment. Practical tips include establishing ground rules, having regular one-on-ones, and creating individual development plans. Regina also encourages individual contributors to drive their own development by setting the agenda and discussing their aspirations with their managers. Tune in for valuable insights on leadership readiness.

Key Takeaways:

• New leaders should invest time upfront in developing their teams to avoid setbacks later.
• Understanding and being upfront about personal strengths and weaknesses is key to authentic leadership.
• Regular one-on-ones with direct reports should emphasize both business outcomes and personal development.
• Individual contributors should proactively manage their development by setting agendas for one-on-ones and seeking competency assessments.
• Leaders should create a company culture that encourages vulnerability and openness about areas requiring support.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Introduction to the topic of getting people ready to lead

0:00:28

Regina Ross shares her background and experience in HR

0:01:31

How Regina's experience at Target shaped her people strategy

0:02:32

Overcoming the obstacle of limited time for people development

0:03:41

Best practices for leaders to prepare individuals for leadership

0:05:02

Practical ways senior leaders can create space for development

0:06:46

Encouraging transparency and addressing weaknesses as a leader

0:07:53

How individual contributors can bring up their development aspirations

0:08:49

Tactical approaches for individual contributor development

0:09:58

Importance of driving your own development as an individual contributor

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Regina Ross: linkedin.com/in/reginaross

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact