Vibecast

What's the vibe where you work—and how do you shift it for the better?

Culture expert Tim McCleary joins Kristi to unpack how trust, involvement, and a little bit of neuroscience can totally transform your team. From his days at NBC and GE to launching his movement Be Human, Tim brings stories, insights, and simple actions that help people-first leaders create workplaces that feel good and perform.

Let's build better vibes—one human moment at a time. ✨

Additional Resources:

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn

Learn more about The Involvement Practice

Be Human - Today!!

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Learn more about workvibes

Check Your Vibe

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Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Culture forms with or without intention—leaders must be proactive in shaping the environment they want.
• Trust is the foundation of high-performing teams and is deeply tied to psychological safety and openness.
• Involving employees in change fosters ownership, localization, and long-term success.
• Small, human gestures like smiling, listening, and being candid create ripple effects in team culture.

What do Marvel, Remington, and Black & Decker all have in common? ✨ One legendary leader—Peter Cuneo.

In this episode, Kristi sits down with the mastermind of some of the most iconic business turnarounds to talk real-deal leadership, fixing broken cultures, and why values matter way more than flashy mission statements.

From firing fast to hosting pizza parties to building billion-dollar brands, Peter's stories will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about company culture.

This one's packed with gold—don't miss it! 🎙️🔥

Additional Resources:

Connect with Peter on LinkedIn

Listen to the Superhero Leadership podcast!

Read Peter's 32 Essential's for Superhero Leadership!

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Check Your Vibe

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• Turnarounds succeed when leaders embody the values they promote.
• Face-to-face communication and visible leadership build trust.
• Emotional courage is essential—leaders must risk unpopularity.
• True leadership is learned through diverse, in-person experiences.

What happens when you mix AI, virtual reality, and HR? You get Matt Burns. 🤖💼

In this episode, Matt shares how atlas copilot is transforming the workplace—making it more human, more efficient, and way more fun. From hosting a global VR summit to helping HR pros create better vibes at work, he's all about using tech to level up the employee experience.

Curious about what the future of work really looks like? Tune in and get inspired. 🚀

Additional Resources:

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Check Your Vibe

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• AI and immersive technologies like VR are tools to enhance, not replace, human connection at work.
• Personalized employee experiences are now possible at scale through AI, improving both engagement and efficiency.
• HR's role is evolving from policy enforcers to strategic architects of meaningful work experiences.
• The key to leveraging AI effectively is co-creation with employees and intentional integration, not top-down enforcement.

What if ditching your tie could unlock better leadership?

In this episode, Kristi is joined by Mark McFatridge, shares how being unapologetically authentic turned struggling teams into powerhouses—and inspired the launch of Quade, a bold CEO community.

They dive into creating vibes that drive results, empowering teams to lead, and why listening to understand is a game-changer. 🚀

Get ready for real talk, simple strategies, and big inspiration.

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Check Your Vibe

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Culture starts with clarity. Before building a strong vibe, leaders must define who they are and who they serve.
• Simplicity is powerful. Overcomplicating business strategies leads to confusion. Get great at one thing first, then expand.
• Empowerment fuels engagement. Mark's team-led culture initiatives led to a 97% participation rate—because people were given real ownership.
• Authenticity attracts success. When leaders stop trying to be someone they're not, they build trust, confidence, and high-performing teams.
• Listen to understand, not to respond. It's a simple shift, but it changes the way teams interact and solve problems.

In this conversation, Debra Squyres shares her insights on the concept of 'vibes' in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of alignment between personal values and company mission. She reflects on her journey of self-discovery in her career, the impact of leadership on team dynamics, and the significance of creating a culture of openness and understanding within organizations. Debra also discusses the challenges of hiring and team fit, highlighting the need for candid conversations during the recruitment process to ensure a positive experience for new employees.

Additional Resources:

Debra Squyres, Chief Customer Officer @ Bonusly https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrasquyres/

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

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• Vibe in the workplace is about alignment and flow.
• Work should be seen as a calling, not just a job.
• Self-awareness is crucial for leaders and professionals.
• Team dynamics improve when strengths are recognized and utilized.
• Hiring for cultural fit is as important as skills.

What if your workplace actually helped you chase your biggest dreams? 🚀

In this episode, Kristi sits down with Kate Volman, CEO of Floyd Consulting and certified dream manager, to talk about building a workplace culture where people thrive. Kate shares how one book changed her life (and career!), why The Dream Manager program is a game-changer, and how asking just one question can transform your team.

Tune in for an inspiring convo on leadership, creativity, and why dreaming big at work isn't just nice—it's necessary. 🎧✨

Additional Resources:

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn

Learn more about The Dream Manager

Listen to Kate's podcast: Create for No Reason

Listen to Kate's podcast: Lead with Culture Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Check Your Vibe Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• The best workplaces recognize that their employees have dreams—and support them in pursuing them.
• A thriving culture isn't just about company goals; it's about individual growth.
• The top three dreams employees have: achieving financial freedom, improving their physical health, and deepening personal relationships.
• Leaders who empower employees to pursue personal fulfillment create organizations that are more engaged, innovative, and successful.

💭What's the vibe at your workplace? Is it energizing—or just… meh? 😬

In this episode, Kristi is joined by Zach Blumenfeld & Nick Lombardino, co-founders of CultureCon, to break down why workplace vibes matter and how they impact culture, leadership, and engagement.

They talk about how to create a culture people actually love, the real reason return-to-office mandates feel so bad, and why workplace energy can make or break your day.

Zach and Nick have built a community of culture champions, and their insights (plus some laughs) will have you rethinking how you show up at work.🚀

Additional Resources:

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn

Follow CultureCon on LinkedIn

Learn more about CultureCon

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Check Your Vibe Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Culture is energy. A "vibe" is workplace culture elevated. It's what makes people feel excited or drained at work.
• Leadership matters. A great leader can create an incredible work environment, while a bad one can tank morale and engagement.
• People crave autonomy. The biggest issue with return-to-office mandates isn't just location—it's a perceived loss of trust.
• Connection fuels culture. Whether remote or in-person, people need community and human interaction to thrive.
• Culture is co-created. The best workplaces don't just talk about values—they build them with their employees.

Today, Kristi is joined by Alyssa Rogers — VP at Rogers Heating & Cooling — as she talks about her journey from climbing the corporate ladder to spearheading a thriving family business. From celebrating wins with a "gold boot" to laughing off mistakes with a "pink boot," Alyssa shares how creating the right vibe transforms teams.

Tune in to hear about the power of subcultures, setting goals that stick, and why celebrating people is the secret sauce to thriving leadership.🥾⭐️

Additional Resources:

Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn

Listen to the Hello Hello podcast

Learn more about Rogers Heating & Cooling

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Check Your Vibe Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Celebrate the Wins and the Lessons: Recognizing both successes and mistakes creates a culture where teams feel valued and empowered to grow.
• Alignment Matters: Ensuring personal, professional, and financial goals are in sync helps create clarity and focus for everyone involved.
• Embrace Unique Team Vibes: Each department or group thrives with its own energy and culture—let those differences shine to boost engagement.
• Leaders Learn Too: Leadership is a journey of self-awareness, trust-building, and learning from early missteps to better support the team.

In this episode, Kristi flips the script with her colleague Natalie Duke to explore vibes—but from the employee's perspective!

What makes people excited (or not) to go to work? From lessons on culture to insights on appreciation and intentionality, Natalie shares simple ways leaders can create workplaces where people want to show up.

It's fun, fresh, and full of takeaways to elevate your vibe game!

Additional Resources:

Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Check Your Vibe Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Leaders set the tone, but employees feel the vibe every day.
• Transparent and consistent feedback builds trust and alignment.
• Recognition doesn't have to be extravagant—specific and genuine affirmations are powerful.
• Workplace vibe evolves with leadership, but core values keep the culture steady.

Start the new year with fresh vibes! 🎉

In this episode, Kristi sits down with Dr. Richard Safeer, Chief Medical Director of Employee Health and Wellbeing at Johns Hopkins Medicine, to explore the concept of "vibe" in the workplace and discuss actionable strategies for creating healthier organizational cultures. Learn how simple steps, such as intentional breathing and promoting peer support, can drive create a healthier, happier team.

Let's kick off 2025 with vibes that thrive!

Additional Resources:

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn

Check out Richard's Book

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Check Your Vibe Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Defining Workplace Vibe: It's the collective emotional energy of a group, influenced by team dynamics and leadership.
• Wellbeing as Strategy: Health initiatives should be integrated like any organizational change effort.
• Peer Support Matters: Building a culture of mutual support drives health and wellbeing across teams.