WorkMatters

Even the best athletes in the world have coaches.Not because they lack skill, but because high performance requires continuous feedback and refinement. Leadership is similar.

Executive coaching matters because the higher someone rises in an organization, the fewer honest mirrors they have. Authority creates distance. Distance reduces feedback. Coaching helps close that gap.

Jeremy Robinson has not only coached hundreds of executives himself, he has also founded two executive coach training programs - the executive Coaching Program at UPenn’s Wharton Business School and iCoachGlobal, a virtual executive coach training program which is accredited by the ICF as a Level One Coach Training Program. Jeremy is also the co-author of the book, “Becoming an Exceptional Executive Coach”.

In this episode, Jeremy and I discuss how coaching shifted from fixing problems to developing high performers and what the ingredients of a good coaching program are: clear eligibility, a panel of vetted coaches, time, 360-degree feedback with stakeholder input and public goals, and confidentiality.

Jeremy explains the role of coaching as providing the follow-up “tail” missing from leadership training and argues AI cannot replace human attachment.

Whether you are an exec who wants work on your leadership skills or an HR executives looking to establish a coaching program, this episode offers lots of practical insights.

Visit https://www.icoachglobal.com to learn more about Jeremy and his unique coaching program.

Check out his blog post about the ten Commandments of executive coaching here: https://www.icoachglobal.com/post/jeremy-robinsons-ten-commandments-of-executive-coaching

We also recommend his: “Becoming an Exceptional Executive Coach” (https://a.co/d/07Gs8wow)

00:00 From Poetry to Therapy

03:47 The Emotional Intelligence Breakthrough

06:01 Coaching Design That Works

08:11 Why 360 Feedback Matters

10:24 The Coaching Engagement Arc

14:09 A Robot Learns EQ

20:00 Chemistry and Its Limits

22:38 HR Coaching Risk Gap

23:39 Onboarding Coaching ROI

28:14 Why Training Needs Coaching

29:45 Habits and 90 Days

30:32 Positive Psychology

32:38 AI Versus Human Attachment

34:27 Psychological Safety and Silence

39:30 Confidentiality and Pushback

40:48 Resources and Farewell

In this episode, Thomas Bertels and Bruce Bolger, founder of the Enterprise Engagement Alliance, discuss what lessons we can learn from Total Quality Management (TQM) about creating a creating a movement.

Bruce argues TQM succeeded because competition made the economic impact of poor quality undeniable, while engagement lags because most companies don’t measure its costs within their own operations.

He advocates for a CEO-led, stakeholder-based, systematic approach based on clarifying purpose, goals, and values, establishing metrics, and aligning operating systems.

Bruce explains how silos, poor job design, and toxic leadership undermine engagement and why companies that embrace a stakeholder-centric approach are keeping a low profile.

Bruce Bolger is one of the founders of the practice of enterprise engagement, or stakeholder vapitalism, who since 1988 has combined a career in business publishing and content marketing with stakeholder management across the enterprise, human capital reporting, marketing and investor relationships in all the people aspects of business.

He founded the Enterprise Engagement Alliance in 2009, assembling academic and business experts in all aspects of engagement to create a formal framework for the practical implementation of stakeholder engagement practices.

Today, Bolger works with boards, CEOs, CHROs, CMOs, and investor relations at organizations seeking to profit from a formal stakeholder management plans, metrics, and reporting strategies that enhance performance as well as engagement and experiences.

He also works with investors seeking to make sense of the human capital management reporting and with brands and advisory firms seeking to profit from the $500 billion engagement field.

He created the first professional education program for Stakeholder Engagement and human capital measurement, served as an advisor to the first ISO (International Organization for Standardization) conforming human capital report, proposed the original standard for employee engagement that has recently been published by ISO, and created the Forum for People Performance and Management at Northwestern University Medill School.

He is also the author of two books on Stakeholder Engagement—Enterprise Engagement for CEOs: The Little Bluebook for Stakeholder Capitalists, and Enterprise Engagement: The Roadmap, a practical guide to implementation, and the producer of dozens of high-level video interviews with leaders in all areas of ESG investment and human capital.

For More Information, visit www.TheEEA.org.

00:00 TQM Lessons for Engagement

01:16 Economics and People Factor

02:39 Why Engagement Hasn't Taken Off

06:16 Competition and Quiet Winners

08:21 Tech Tools Need a System

10:50 Turnover Costs and Blind Spots

13:23 ISO Standards and Stakeholders

15:55 Need a Visible Champion

17:01 Engagement Needs Proof

18:00 Selling CEOs on Metrics

19:29 Why Stakeholder Capitalism Wins

19:48 Three Forces Changing Business

22:04 Waste and Broken Workplaces

24:19 TQM and System Thinking

25:28 CEO Playbook for Change

29:42 Quality Circles and DEI

31:54 Job Design Drives Engagement

32:32 Building an Engagement Industry

34:03 Hopeful Wrap Up

When it comes to leadership, context makes a big difference. Leaders that do well in large, established organizations are masters of securing resources, building consensus, and navigating the politics. But if you take those successful executives and put them into a leadership role in a start-up, many of them struggle - because leadership in a start-up requires a different set of skills.

Michele Fite has made that difficult transition. She is a foodtech executive, Board Director, and advisor. Who currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of Elo Life Systems. Prior to that, Michele was the chief commercial officer at Motif FoodWorks, where As one of its first employees she led Motif’s efforts to introduce and commercialize the company’s game-changing ingredients and where I had the pleasure of working with her. But before Motif, Michele held executive roles at giant companies like Nestle and DuPont, where she was in charge of a $3.5B Nutrition & Health portfolio.

In our conversation, we explore how leadership in a large, established company is different from leadership in a start-up, how her big-company experience has helped her, what she had to unlearn, and what’s really key to succeed with that transition.

Whether you are an exec toying with taking the leap into the startup world or a founder looking to bring in some big company experience to help you scale, this episode offers lots of practical insights.

00:00 Why Startups Now

02:23 Startup Leadership Reality

06:37 Big Company Skills That Help

11:51 What To Unlearn Fast

18:13 Hiring Builders Not Roles

24:59 Variable Teams And Networks

29:59 Scaling Without Losing Soul

35:03 Should You Make The Leap

41:52 Closing Reflections

In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas Bertels is joined by Jesse Jacoby, founder of Emergent Consultants, to discuss best practices for managing layoffs and how to minimize negative impact on morale and productivity. Jesse delve into the roles of senior leaders and middle managers, the hidden costs of mishandling layoffs, the critical importance of clear communication, and the impact of AI.

Jesse Jacoby has led enterprise transformation efforts for leading companies. His work spans complex initiatives such as corporate restructuring, organizational redesign, mergers and acquisitions, technology implementation, process reengineering, and enterprise-wide cost reduction. Known for his ability to align people, processes, and strategy, Jesse helps clients accelerate progress and sustain meaningful change.

Use the following links to learn more about Jesse and to connect with him: Website: https://emergentconsultants.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjacoby/

Episode Flow:

00:00 Introduction

02:00 The Hidden Costs of Layoffs

03:01 Alternatives to Layoffs

04:36 Role of Senior Leaders in Layoffs

06:07 Role of Middle Managers in Layoffs

16:25 Effective Communication Strategies

18:55 Impact of AI on Layoffs

23:22 Successful Layoff Strategies

31:20 Conclusion and Contact Information

Steve Degnan is the former CHRO for Nestle Purina North America, a role he held for nearly two decades under three different CEOs. In conversation with host Thomas Bertels, Steve offers his views on what good HR looks like, where the biggest opportunities are for HR to add real value , why seizing these opportunities is often challenging, and what the future holds for the HR function. He shares his take on the impact of AI and the need for HR to maintain human elements in an increasingly automated world.

About Steve Degnan:

Steve Steve’s professional journey began at Nestle as a Production Supervisor in a coffee factory. He later transitioned into logistics and industrial performance roles before finding his calling in the HR organization. Steve’s career culminated in his role as CHRO of the newly acquired St. Louis-based Purina Petcare business, where he served until his retirement in 2023. Throughout his tenure, Steve managed the succession of several CEOs and leadership teams, and designed and led the succession/people practices that produced them. He spearheaded multiple restructuring efforts and transformations, assessed M&A targets, and integrated businesses. These days in addition to finishing a book project, Steve serves on several non-profit boards and provides coaching and advisory services. In his spare time, Steve enjoys staying fit, following college basketball (especially his La Salle Explorers), spending time with family and friends, and spoiling his 9-year-old Labrador Retriever, Angel.

To learn more about Steve and his work, visit https://www.stevedegnan.com.

To follow Steve on social media, visit https://linktr.ee/skd7777.

In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas Bertels and Patrick Farran talk about the power of co-creation. The conversation highlights the importance of involving team members in decision-making processes for significant change initiatives, because people value what they help create. Patrick explains the benefits and challenges of a co-creation approach and provides scenarios where co-creation is effective, such as strategic planning and job crafting, and cautions against performative co-creation. The discussion also touches on appreciative inquiry, the necessity for psychological safety, and the mindset shifts required for leaders to successfully implement co-creation. Patrick shares practical tips for leaders to start small with everyday interactions, ensuring clarity of processes and fostering an environment of constructive conflict and collaboration.

00:00 Introduction to Co-Creation

00:59 Defining Co-Creation

01:49 Pros and Cons of Co-Creation

04:39 Examples and Applications of Co-Creation

06:18 Challenges and Leadership Mindset

10:09 Appreciative Inquiry and Co-Creation

11:35 Getting Started with Co-Creation

14:52 Prerequisites for Successful Co-Creation

25:13 Final Thoughts

Use these links to connect and learn more about Patrick and his upcoming book, 'The Intentional Executive,' which aims to guide leaders in being more intentional and effective in their roles.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickfarran/

Website: http://www.adlucemgroup.com

Book: https://adlucemgroup.com/the-intentional-executive-prelaunch/

In this episode of Work Matters, host Thomas Bertels talks with independent analyst Dave Friedman about the nuances of AI adoption in large enterprises. They discuss common misconceptions about AI, and the potential risks of integrating AI into business operations. Dave predicts a slower-than-expected adoption in large corporations due to legal, operational, and compliance challenges.

He also highlights the potential job losses in entry-level positions and why gutting these roles is a strategic mistake. The episode provides a deep dive into how companies might strategically integrate AI.

00:00 Understanding AI Output: A Statistical Guess

01:47 Misconceptions About AI

03:52 Risks and Challenges of AI in Enterprises

05:11 Impact of AI on Jobs and Training

07:48 Slow Adoption of AI in Large Companies

12:51 AI Integration Challenges in Enterprises

20:39 Industry-Specific AI Adoption

28:38 AI Winners and Losers

34:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Here is where you can learn more about Dave and his work:

Substack: https://davefriedman.substack.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frieddave/

In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas delves into change leadership with Elizabeth Moran, the founder of Elizabeth Moran Transformation and author of 'Forward: A Playbook Grounded in Neuroscience to Support Leaders Through Change’.

The conversation explores why change is challenging for leaders, practical tips grounded in neuroscience for effective change leadership, dealing with resistance, and the importance of authenticity and empathy in the change process.

Elizabeth emphasizes the need for leaders to manage their own discomfort, view resistance as valuable feedback, and engage teams in constructive dialogues. She also offers a special LinkedIn promotion for her book's audio version!

00:00 Introduction: The Bottomless Pit of Organizational Needs

02:11 Elizabeth's Journey into Change Leadership

05:15 Understanding Resistance and Neuroscience in Change

06:54 Practical Approaches to Leading Through Change

11:53 Handling Tough Conversations and Authentic Leadership

16:20 Balancing Analytic and Empathetic Networks

20:29 Mistakes Leaders Make in Change Management

37:19 The Importance of Self-Care and Resilience

38:07 Conclusion and Resources

Here is where you can learn more about Elizabeth and her work:

Homepage: https://www.elizabethmorantransformation.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Forward-Leading-Your-Through-Change/dp/1782792899

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elizabeth-moran/

Special gift for our listeners: If you buy a hardcopy of her book and connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn, you get the audio version of the book for free!

In this episode of the Work Matters podcast, host Thomas Bertels and HR thought leader Stela Lupushor explore how AI is reshaping workforce dynamics. Stela highlights the evolving role of HR in equipping line managers with necessary skills for AI-enabled work environments and discusses the implications of AI on workforce metrics and employee development. With a focus on the foundational changes AI brings, Stella also addresses the importance of protecting employees and maintaining human values in the workplace. The episode concludes with insights on how to prepare the HR function for the adoption of AI and the importance of intentional design.

00:00 AI’s Impact on Entry-Level roles

02:57 How AI will reshape workforce planning

04:30 Redesigning Workflows for AI

05:17 Preparing for an Uncertain Future

05:58 The Concept of Work in the AI Era

08:07 Moderna's HR and Technology Merger

10:43 Duolingo's AI-First Approach

13:19 HR's Role in AI Adoption

20:01 AI’s Impact on Entry-Level Jobs

28:30 Rethinking Talent Metrics

36:37 Future of HR Teams

43:59 Conclusion and Contact Information

Here is where you can learn more about Stela and her work:

Homepage: https://www.reframe.work

Book: https://www.humanizinghumancapital.com

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slupushor

In this episode, Thomas Bertels talks to Andrew Patricio, head of data and AI for UNIDOS US, the largest Hispanic advocacy and civil rights organization in the United States. In this conversation, Andrew describes how UNIDOS got started on its AI journey, explains the limitations and risks involved with AI, and explores the implications for the workforce, including potential job displacement and the necessity for skill evolution. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges ushered in by AI, providing listeners with valuable insights into the future landscape of work.

To learn more about Andrew's work, visit his blog: https://www.dataeffectiveness.com/blog