Work Revolution

In many Western economies, workers of all stripes and sorts are punching out, seeking meaning and purpose outside the confines of employment, or leaving to pursue jobs that are more flexible, bosses who are more supportive, and organizations that are more aligned with their values. In this episode, Debra and lisa analyze the reasons behind “The Great Resignation," drawing on their experiences in organizational change, leadership development, and career transition, adding what they are learning from positive psychology and neuroscience along the way. Tune in to discover what is causing these mass resignations and what companies need to do if they want to retain their talent.

Steve is starting a new consulting gig as he kicks off the next chapter in his career, having just left a large financial institution. As he prepares to lead a critical project for his client, he is facing a challenging people-related issue that has the potential to impact his success. If this opportunity works out well, it may be the start of his new consulting business. Debra and lisa set the scene, and offer strategies and insights to help Steve navigate this delicate situation and set himself, and those around him, up for success.

Most of us have tripped over workplace politics at some point in our career. Many think they can take the high road and avoid playing the political game altogether. Perhaps, though, a better approach is to take the high road AND engage with workplace politics, since really, it can't be avoided. 

In this episode, executive coach and psychologist Mira Brancu shares her definition of workplace politics, and gives her sage counsel on how to navigate political systems while remaining authentically ourselves. In doing this we can all help build a workplace culture that elevates everyone—and creates positive impact.

Guest Website

In spite of plenty of evidence that employees come to work with both their brains AND their hearts, emotions and empathy aren't something we see or talk a lot about in the workplace. In today’s episode, Debra and lisa speculate on what role an Empath like Deanna Troi from Star Trek TNG would play in today’s business space. Join Debra and lisa as they analyze the character, the strengths and skill set—and consider how this character's role could enhance organizational culture and performance.

Pyramid of Emotional Needs (mentioned in this episode)

Imagine a workplace where employees are committed, engaged, productive—and safe to express their talents and full humanity—day after day after day. This could be where you work, though it won't happen without understanding what is getting in the way.

In Season 2 of the Work Revolution Podcast, Debra joins forces with her new co-host lisa Schmidt to challenge the status quo of obsolete workplace practices and ideas about leadership that contribute to inequality and disengagement, and slow the pace of much-needed change and innovation. Get to know Debra and lisa, and hear how they will use their extensive experience, critical insights, humour and smart-ass attitudes to show there is a better way to work and live. 

Join the Work Revolution!

In part 2 of my conversation with Jane Scholes we discuss gender inequality in compensation for lawyers and how changes in leadership practices are urgently needed to avoid losing talent.  Highlighting the importance of great mentorship, Jane outlines the concrete strategies she’s learned from her Principal on how legal leaders can support young parents, and especially young women. As an added bonus, we talk strategies for young working parents to help facilitate the broader culture shift that’s needed so that women can contribute fully to the labour market (AKA Deb's unsolicited parenting advice).

Prompted by a recent Twitter storm of activity about whether parental leave should be effectively mandated for male lawyers who have children, Jane Scholes and I discuss how family unfriendly policies and practices hurt women’s careers, and men’s ability to participate fully as supportive partners and parents. Jane is a senior associate lawyer at Lerners LLP in London, Ontario where she practices primarily health, labour and employment, and human rights law. From the viewpoints of being an employment lawyer, an employee in a law firm and being a new parent herself, Jane provides a unique perspective on what law firms and other organizations need to do to retain and advance talented women.

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Email your feedback, questions and topic ideas to [email protected]

Website: https://workrevolution.ca/

Editing by Rodney Lock

Music: This World is Yours by Gyom

Jake Stika of Next Gen Men talks about how patriarchy and the masculine script of competition and domination perpetuates gender inequality and is harmful to both women AND men. Jake describes how he approaches these topics with leaders and other men, and about how his own experiences in semi-professional sport brought him to pivot his career to focus on the health and well-being of boys and men.

Follow on Instagram @work_revolution

Email your feedback, questions and topic ideas to [email protected]

Website: https://workrevolution.ca/

Editing by Rodney Lock

Music: This World is Yours by Gyom

How can we reduce bias and workplace conflict while increasing focus, productivity, authentic communication, and decision making? Mark Krasnohorsky believes the practice of meditation will have a profound impact on all of these. Hear how this science-minded, tech-savvy consultant applies meditation in the workplace and how it’s changed his personal life.

Follow on Instagram @work_revolution

Email your feedback, questions and topic ideas to [email protected]

Website: https://workrevolution.ca/

Editing by Rodney Lock

Music: This World is Yours by Gyom

Kristine Beese, founder of Untangle Money speaks with me about the wage gap, the wealth gap and the power gap. Kristine also shares her career journey from engineering to capital markets to entrepreneurship, including some harrowing tales of being a nice woman in a bro culture.

Follow on Instagram @work_revolution

Email your feedback, questions and topic ideas to [email protected]

Website: https://workrevolution.ca/

Editing by Rodney Lock

Music: This World is Yours by Gyom