On Episode 5 of The Intentional Workplace, Maria Williams and Jacob Stone will dive into “Why Pay Isn’t the Reason People Leave (Most of the Time).” They will break down what’s really behind resignations, the leadership blind spots that push good people out, and what organizations should fix before adjusting salaries. Compensation matters, but it's rarely the root cause of turnover.

Fifteen minutes. Two experts. Intentional work.

On this week’s episode of The Intentional Workplace, we’re unpacking “Why Your Best Employee Might Be Your Worst Manager.”

Too many organizations promote based on output, not leadership readiness. Being exceptional at doing the work is very different from being responsible for other people doing the work.

In this 15-minute conversation, we discuss: • Why promotions without preparation backfire• How to evaluate leadership potential before handing over a team If you’re scaling a team, building bench strength, or thinking about internal promotions, this one will challenge you—in the best way.

Fifteen minutes.

Two experts.

Intentional work.

Hiring for potential works—when you do it on purpose.

In this episode of The Intentional Workplace, Jacob Stone and Maria Williams unpack the real difference between betting on potential and hoping it works out. We explore when hiring for potential fuels growth, how to spot the soft skills that actually predict success, and why performance benchmarks still matter—especially for scaling teams.

Founders and business leaders will learn how to evaluate capability, coachability, and trajectory without sacrificing accountability or speed, and how to avoid the common trap of confusing optimism with strategy.

If you’re building for the long term and want to hire people who can grow and deliver, this 15-minute conversation will help you make smarter, more intentional talent decisions.

This week on The Intentional Workplace, Maria and Jacob take on a popular myth: “Fast hiring equals smart hiring.” (Spoiler: it usually doesn’t.)

We unpack why moving too quickly often leads to mis-hires instead of momentum, how rushed timelines quietly create bigger people problems, and when speed in hiring actually makes sense—and when it backfires.

If you’re scaling a team, feeling pressure to “fill the role yesterday,” or trying to balance urgency with quality, this conversation will help you slow down just enough to hire better.