Transform Your Workplace

In this bonus podcast episode, Brandon Laws catches up with Nicole Blevins, who recently returned from maternity leave and stepped into a new role as Director of HR Services at Xenium HR. Nicole candidly shares her experience transitioning to parenthood, the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities, and the significance of paid family leave. Despite the challenges of returning to work in a new leadership position while adjusting to parenthood, Nicole emphasizes how the flexibility of remote work, supportive leadership, and her passion for her career have helped her navigate this major life transition!

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

In this Transform Your Workplace episode, host Brandon Laws interviews Dr. Rosalind Chow about her book "The Doors You Can Open." They discuss the critical difference between mentorship and sponsorship, with Chow explaining that sponsors talk about you to others while mentors talk to you directly. Using Kim Ng's MLB breakthrough as an example, Chow emphasizes how sponsorship requires trust and can take different forms. She explores how "good gossip" celebrates others' achievements, the importance of diversifying social networks, and challenges with meritocracy. Chow concludes that everyone can be a sponsor by connecting people they admire.

TAKEAWAYS

• Sponsorship differs from mentorship in that sponsors promote others through trusted networks, while mentors focus on personal improvement
• Social capital comes in "small town" (close-knit, values-aligned) and "big city" (diverse, innovation-focused) forms, with both being valuable in different contexts
• Everyone can be a sponsor by connecting admired individuals with others in their network, regardless of status or position

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Jennifer Moss discusses her book "Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants," exploring how the pandemic triggered a collective existential crisis about work. She emphasizes that meaningful workplace cultures can be built through small, intentional practices rather than major overhauls, focusing on hope, purpose, and community to combat burnout and disengagement in today's rapidly changing work environment.

TAKEAWAYS

• Building hope through regular goal-setting and celebrating small wins helps combat workplace anxiety and burnout
• Flexibility should be treated as a right rather than a perk, with organizations using "pull" strategies rather than mandates
• Creating community requires authentic connection through simple practices like 20-minute check-ins and positive colleague recognition

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

In this episode of "Transform Your Workplace," host Brandon Laws interviews Loren Sanders about her book "Empathy is Not a Weakness and Other Stories from the Edge." Sanders shares her journey from being a toxic leader to understanding the power of empathy in the workplace. She discusses how empathy strengthens trust, reduces turnover, and increases engagement, while offering practical strategies for leaders to develop their empathy muscle through self-awareness and intentional practice.

TAKEAWAYS

• Empathy isn't weakness or coddling – it's about listening, understanding, and aligning actions with both people and business outcomes
• Leaders should practice self-reflection daily and create psychologically safe environments where vulnerability is normalized
• Developing empathy requires recognizing blind spots, practicing mindful presence, and taking small, consistent steps toward greater awareness

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Melody Wilding discusses her book "Managing Up," explaining how employees can effectively navigate relationships with those in power. She covers critical conversations about alignment, understanding workplace communication styles, setting boundaries, giving upward feedback, and leaving jobs gracefully. Wilding emphasizes these skills are essential in today's workplace where manager relationships significantly impact mental health and career advancement.

TAKEAWAYS

• Alignment is fundamental for success - Having clear conversations about priorities and expectations with managers helps ensure you're focusing on work that matters to both your boss and the organization.
• Understanding communication styles improves effectiveness - Recognizing the four workplace styles (Commander, Cheerleader, Caretaker, and Controller) allows you to frame messages in ways that resonate with different personality types.
• Setting boundaries requires strategic approaches - Learning to say no respectfully involves understanding your "pushback power" and using techniques like the "trade-off approach" and the "conditional yes" to maintain work-life balance.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Matty Berryessa, Executive Director of Serendipity Center, shares his journey from a difficult upbringing to leading a therapeutic school for students with complex needs. Drawing parallels between supporting students and staff, he implements trauma-informed practices focused on emotional safety, trust, and predictability. Despite resource constraints, Matty maintains boundaries between work and home life while advocating for sustainable mission-driven work that prevents vulnerable students from falling through the cracks.

TAKEAWAYS

• Leaders should apply trauma-informed principles to workplace management, recognizing that adults are "better rehearsed kids" who perform best in environments with safety, predictability, and trust.
• Setting personal boundaries is essential for sustainable leadership in emotionally demanding work, as exemplified by Matty's practice of mentally transitioning before arriving home.
• Mission-driven organizations like Serendipity face unique challenges in resource acquisition while maintaining ethical boundaries around sharing the vulnerable populations they serve.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

What makes people stay—and thrive—at work? Career & Culture Strategist Aoife O'Brien joins Brandon Laws of Xenium HR to explore how leaders can build environments where people feel valued, safe, and energized. From toxic cultures to values-driven leadership, Aoife shares practical strategies from her Happier at Work framework and offers a glimpse into her upcoming book, Thriving Talent. If you're all about retaining top talent and creating meaningful workplace experiences, this episode is a must-listen.

TAKEAWAYS

• Thriving workplace cultures are possible, and leaders are responsible for creating them.

• A company's culture reflects its values, whether intentional or not.

• Effective leadership balances autonomy with clear guidance.

• People perform best when they can use their unique strengths regularly.

• Psychological safety is essential for honest feedback and team growth.

• Breaks and "unproductive" time are necessary for long-term wellbeing.

• Our guest's upcoming book, Thriving Talent, offers a practical framework for building better workplace cultures.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

In this energizing episode of Transform Your Workplace, keynote speaker and author Peggy Sullivan delivers a much-needed wake-up call for today's overwhelmed professionals. Sharing insights from her book Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less, Peggy explores the hidden costs of glorifying busyness. Through heartfelt stories, she challenges leaders to rethink their priorities and model healthier, more intentional work habits. If you're a leader who feels stretched too thin, this episode is your invitation to lead differently — listen in and discover how doing less can help you and your team achieve more.

TAKEAWAYS

• Busyness is often mistaken for productivity but usually leads to poor quality, low energy, and burnout.

• Time poverty—lacking time for what matters—is a widespread challenge among professionals.

• Overstuffed schedules and constant multitasking reduce effectiveness and increase mistakes.

• Email and communication overload are major distractions that hinder meaningful work.

• Chronic busyness contributes to loneliness, disengagement, and health issues.

• Leaders who model intentional time management set a healthier tone for their teams.

• Eliminating low-value tasks is essential to creating space for high-impact work.

• Happiness is found in everyday micro-moments, not in achieving big milestones.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry shares powerful insights on navigating change with confidence. He emphasizes that flexibility is the key to effective leadership in uncertain times, challenging leaders to break strong habits, balance outcomes with people, and make smarter decisions. If you want to sharpen your leadership approach and learn how to lead with confidence through change, don't miss this episode.

TAKEAWAYS

• During change, leaders should refocus teams on what stays the same to help them feel more grounded.

• Flexibility is the key to navigating uncertainty and making effective leadership decisions.

• Balancing outcomes with people is essential—strong leaders don't have to choose one over the other.

• Breaking habits requires intentionality, as leadership routines can limit adaptability.

• Context matters—leaders must assess situations carefully rather than relying solely on best practices.

• People naturally seek certainty, even if it's uncomfortable, making clear communication critical during change.

• Strong leadership begins with self-awareness and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Leading effectively means embracing both stability and change while guiding teams with confidence.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with Nikki Innocent, a leadership coach and DEI consultant, to explore the human side of workplace culture. Nikki shares a pivotal moment from her corporate career that ultimately led her to question workplace norms and advocate for more transparent, human-centered leadership. From addressing workplace toxicity to embracing multigenerational collaboration, Nikki challenges leaders to rethink how they create spaces where employees feel seen, valued, and heard. Listen in and discover how to break outdated workplace molds and foster a culture where authenticity and collaboration thrive.

TAKEAWAYS

• When employees leave without acknowledgment, it creates confusion, mistrust, and a lack of psychological safety in the workplace.

• Toxic workplaces are often the result of outdated systems, not just individual bad leaders.

• Viewing workplace dynamics as heroes vs. villains oversimplifies human behavior and limits opportunities for growth and collaboration.

• Encouraging open conversations about challenges and discomfort leads to stronger teams and a healthier work environment.

• Modern leadership is shifting toward transparency, inclusion, and belonging—values that professionals across all generations seek.

• Acknowledging difficulties and emotions at work isn't a weakness; it's a sign of strength that fosters problem-solving and resilience.

• Since learning happens in every aspect of life, not just through formal education, workplaces should embrace continuous growth and adaptation.

• Multigenerational workplaces thrive when collaboration is prioritized over competition, creating space for diverse perspectives and innovation.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About

Connect with Xenium HR: Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube