The Work Besties Culture Podcast

We’ve reached the finale of Season 1—and we’re wrapping things up with a topic that sits at the heart of retention: recognition.

In this episode, we dig into why employees really leave when they don’t feel valued, and how the success of any recognition effort—big or small—comes down to clear communication and mutual expectations.

We explore creative, meaningful ways to build a culture of appreciation that doesn’t always require a bigger budget—just a better approach.

If you’re ready to rethink rewards and recognition with intention and impact, this episode is your roadmap.

Show notes::

Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/

Send us your feedback: [email protected]

Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon

Follow Tessa Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr

Follow Kirkpatrick Brands: https://kirkpatrickbrands.com

Episode 9 – More Training Isn’t Always the Answer
 “Let’s just do a training…” It sounds like a quick fix—but is it actually solving anything? In this episode, we break down the all-too-common trap of using training as a checkbox or a one-size-fits-all solution. We’re talking about why training won’t fix behavioral issues (that’s a management convo, friend), and how misusing it can waste time and energy.
But don’t worry—we’re not anti-training! We’ll also share how to recognize when training is the right move and how to make it meaningful, engaging, and actually effective. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at yet another generic training invite, this episode is for you.

Show notes::

Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/

Send us your feedback: [email protected]

Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon

Follow Tessa Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr

Follow Kirkpatrick Brands: https://kirkpatrickbrands.com

Internal mobility—promoting or transferring talent within the organization—can be a powerful

tool for retention, engagement, and growth. But when companies say they support internal

transfers, are they truly prepared to follow through?

In this episode, we unpack what internal mobility really means and explore the

behind-the-scenes decisions that leave companies unprepared to support the very moves they

claim to champion. From policy to practice, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it takes to

make internal transfers work—for the business and for the employee.

Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/

Send us your feedback: [email protected]

Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthonFollow Tessa Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr

From First Day To First Year - Essentials for Orientation and Onboarding 

While orientation is often a well-oiled machine, onboarding can be a different story. Some organizations overwhelm new hires with too much information, while others leave them feeling lost with too little guidance. The right onboarding strategy protects your investment in new talent and sets them up for long-term success. In this episode, Mechelle and Tessa explore how to design a structured, engaging onboarding experience that strikes the perfect balance.

SHOW NOTES

Michael Watkins - The First 90 Days

https://www.genesisadvisers.com/the-first-90-days

Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/

Send us your feedback: [email protected]

Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon

Follow Tessa Brown on LinkIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr/

Follow Kirkpatrick Brands: https://kirkpatrickbrands.com

A fancy tumbler won’t fix disengagement! True employee engagement goes beyond perks—it’s about creating a meaningful employee experience. In this episode, we break down what engagement surveys should really measure, why leaders must close the loop with thoughtful action, and how to craft a solution story that builds trust. Plus, we clarify the difference between engagement programs and employee activities—because while both matter, they’re not the same.

Show Notes:

Steve Browne blog;

https://www.sbrownehr.com/

Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/

Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon/

Follow Tessa Brown on LinkIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr/

Follow Kirkpatrick Brands: https://kirkpatrickbrands.com

Performance reviews should be straightforward, honest conversations about how employees are doing—not just a once-a-year formality. Employees deserve ongoing feedback, not a surprise at the end of the year. And if you’re using self-evaluations, are they actually shaping the conversation, or just a checkbox exercise? In this episode, we break down how to use job descriptions as a foundation for performance reviews and make sure these conversations are productive, meaningful, and fair. Think of this as your go-to guide for handling performance conversations the right way.

Show notes:

• Why “yea and” is better than “yea but”: https://www.connectionscounseling.net/blog-and-resources/2021/6/1/using-and-instead-of-but 

What did you do and how did you do it? These are 2 leading questions Tessa and Mechelle ask in performance conversations with leaders and employees. You know what accountability, performance, and productivity all have in common? They all require your intentionality and direct conversations. You can hold employees accountable and get top performance from them, but they (And other members of your team) are depending on you to lead the dialogue on this, tactfully and directly. You simply need the tools to do so and we give you actual scripts on how to do that in this episode! 

Show Notes:

• Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/ 
• Follow Dr. Mechelle Roberthon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon/ 
• Follow Tessa Brown on LinkIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr/ 
• Follow Kirkpatrick Brands: https://kirkpatrickbrands.com/ 

Because “I’m the supervisor” isn’t enough to lead well. Leadership is more nuanced than a title. It requires holding hard conversations well, proactiveness, organization, empathy, clarity, and so much more! Leaders need the people promoting and hiring them into leadership roles to actually prepare them for success through proper onboarding and orientation, coaching, and continuing education. 

Resources:

• Lars Schmidt podcast- Redefining Work: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1hww99J1iduDFfoGXHmuIS?si=eKgK8up6TISO1TU61YVbyw 
• The Attributes Company: https://theattributes.com/
• The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance: https://www.amazon.com/Attributes-Hidden-Drivers-Optimal-Performance/dp/0593133943 
• This Is Us (TV Show): https://www.netflix.com/title/80113702
• This Was Us Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-was-us/id1744401551
• Why good leaders make you feel safe - Simon Sinek: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-good-leaders-make-you-feel-safe-simon-sinek

We are hooked on employees being and feeling psychologically safe in the workplace. Psychological safety at work isn’t optional—it’s essential. When employees feel unsafe, it hits their satisfaction, engagement, and likelihood of sticking around. In this episode, we break down the warning signs, what unsafe environments do to your team, and the ripple effects on your company’s success. 

Resources:

• Simon Sinek’s TED Talk: Why good leaders make you feel safe
  • https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_why_good_leaders_make_you_feel_safe?subtitle=en 
• WHEEL OF PRIVILEGE AND POWER
  • https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/documents/pdf/english/corporate/anti-racism/wheel-privilege-power.pdf 
• Power, Privilege, and Psychological Safety
  • https://www.td.org/content/atd-blog/power-privilege-and-psychological-safety 

  Jean Marie DiGiovanna https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeanmariedigiovanna_trust-psychological-leadership-activity-7229835872982986752-TnbB?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

This is the origin story of how Tessa and Mechelle met as workplace colleagues over a decade ago, and how they formed a friendship amidst Tessa’s Black Sweater Energy. You’re sure to laugh listening to our stories about co-worker lunches, being clear, and ultimately how this podcast finally made it out the group chat. 

Resources:

Follow the co-hosts on LinkedIn

Tessa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr/ 

Mechelle:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon/