Workplace Straight Talk™

In this episode of Workplace Straight Talk®, we have an honest conversation among three Hicks-Carter-Hicks consultants about what it takes to make working from home (remote & hybrid) truly work. We explore productivity, flexibility, trust, accountability, communication, and the challenges employees and employers may not always discuss openly. The real question may not be whether working from home works—but whether organizations have created the trust, clear expectations, and accountability needed to make it successful.

Innovation isn't always about technology or new products. Sometimes, its greatest impact comes through building stronger relationships, creating meaningful partnerships, and investing in the communities we serve. This video is an introduction to our upcoming, July 27, 2026, podcast featuring executives from Ameren Corporation, an energy utility.

If you have ever wondered what innovation looks like in an industry most people only notice when they have a need, this episode will surprise you. Louisville and Jefferson County MSD is proving that public utilities can be bold, creative, and forward-thinking—operating three utilities under one agency while protecting waterways, advancing sustainability, and delivering reliable service that directly impacts employees, ratepayers, and the broader community.

In this episode, we break down a critical question every professional should be able to answer: What value do you bring to the organization?We explore how to clearly define your value proposition, how it impacts your career growth, and why it’s essential for both getting hired and advancing within a company.If you are serious about standing out, earning promotions, and positioning yourself as providing value to your company, this conversation is for you.

Take a closer look at one of the most successful library systems in the country. In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Sorth, Director & CEO of the St. Louis County Library to explore how the organization continues to deliver exceptional services, programming, and results for its community. From nationally recognized innovation to award-winning programs, services, and workplace culture, the St. Louis County Library stands out as a model of excellence. Tune in to hear what’s driving their success—and what other organizations can learn from it.

This episode is part of the Series, "It's All About You, The Employee." Episode #2 is recognizing the signs in the workplace that indicate you have been fired quietly (figuratively) or you are going to be fired officially (literally), and how you recover after being fired using the F.I.R.E. Framework to help you rebound.

This is episode #1 of the podcast series "It is All About You, The Employee.” It is meant to provide information that will help you become more employableand marketable in your search for a better career opportunity, including finding a job.
Watch the video to find out the five things people must consider when answering the question "Would You Hire Yourself? Also, if you watch the video, youwill learn about a self-assessment we are providing to anyone who requests it. The assessment will help you evaluate your employability and marketability inthe job market.

This is an introduction video about our new series, "It's All About You, The Employee." Episode #1: Would You Hire Yourself? Episode #:2: Have You Ever Been Fired? Episode #3: What is Your Value Proposition? You will not want to miss this series. The first episode will launch on 1/27/2026.

Welcome to Workplace Straight Talk™ (WST) with host Gloria Carter-Hicks. In Episode #3: “When Politics and Work Collide”, part of our Deception, Disruption, and Direction in the Workplace series, Gloria tackles the uncomfortable truth that political opinions don’t stay at the door — they walk into meetings, impact relationships, and shape workplace culture. She breaks down how to talk about political issues at work without crossing the line, how leaders can set boundaries (not bans), and how employees can stay respectful and focused on the organization’s mission and values. This episode offers tools for maintaining civility, protecting psychological safety, and keeping professionalism non-negotiable — even when opinions clash.

Welcome to Workplace Straight Talk™, hosted by Gloria Carter-Hicks. In Episode #2, “Civility & Respect Reboot,” Carter-Hicks exposes the billion-dollar business cost of workplace incivility and reveals why civility and respect aren't “soft skills”—they are performance drivers. Tune in for straight talk on how organizations can reboot civility and respect as strategic business drivers for a healthy, high-performing workplace. This podcast is Episode #2 of the series Deception, Disruption, and Direction in the Workplace.