World at Work

"The same time that you're the captain of the ship, you also have to be a good Lieutenant. And that is listening to the command of others that may or may not be on the ship."

Leadership journeys are a mix of leading and following. It is incredibly important to be adaptable. Donald Forgione pushed pause on his podcast, Tailgate Talks, to join for a conversation about the true essence of leadership. Early in my leadership career, I thought it was all about being the one to direct and make every decision. As Donald highlights, effective leadership often means knowing when to let others lead. 

Read our blog about how to navigate the delicate balance of leading and following.

Notable Moments

01:06 Donald Forgione's career journey

04:10 Balance authority with active listening

08:01 Effective leaders rely on frontline communication and trust

10:45 Two-way accountability crucial for effective leadership

13:43 Following orders: Ethical dilemmas versus personal preferences.

18:03 Stand for ethics, not emotional partisan disputes.

Connect with Donald Forgione

About Donald Forgione

Tailgate Talks Podcast

[email protected]

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

“Psychological safety is paramount to creating a high performing team and getting the most out of your experiences with that team."

Notable Moments

01:02 Surveys can reveal blind spots, improve processes, bolster safety.

04:04 Psychological safety builds high-performing, trusting teams.

09:47 Leader's mindset key; feedback aggregated confidentially.

11:22 Gather actionable feedback, ensure transparency, build trust.

15:08 Assess company culture and leadership alignment effectively.

When done with intention, leadership surveys can transform your workplace culture. Surveys that are well-developed are rolled out with meaning help organizations gauge their work culture and leadership. Unfortunately, many people have had experiences with surveys that leave them skeptical or fearful there would be retaliation if they were too candid. That doesn’t have to be the case for your company though. Read the blog on our website for how we've found success building culture with leadership surveys. 

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

"When you set up a performance management system and set up those goals, do it collaboratively. Otherwise, it's going to be very hard to get buy-in from the employees and team members involved if they weren't part of it to begin with."

Organizations that are defining their culture need to be careful with the ways they operationalize it. One of the slippery slopes leaders run into is integrating culture with performance evaluations without falling into the trap of subjectivity. Making something subjective like culture become measurable is no small feat. Read the blog for more on how I recommend organizations approch it.

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

"Onboarding is your biggest best opportunity to make a first impression and set people on the right path as far as what your shared beliefs, values, and behaviors are.

Notable Moments

01:03 Leader discovers differing views on company culture.

04:54 Onboarding is crucial for setting shared values.

08:41 Clarify values for effective leadership and hiring.

12:02 Align customer service with principles, involve team.

13:49 Set boundaries, follow-through; improves relationships significantly.

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

What would happen if you were to ask various members of your team to define your company culture? After Lee Cockrell’s recent Mastermind in Orlando, a corporate leader followed up with Jody to report back something that happened when he returned to work. He asked 8 of his organizational leaders to define their company's culture and all 8 had different answers. While it may seem surprising, that lack of alignment is not at all unique.  Read our blog about how to define your culture and align your teams.

"It's a big mistake for any employer to think that they could cut corners by hiring someone with experience."

Building the perfect team takes time. You can save some time though by making sure to avoid a common hiring pitfall.  When I first started coaching hiring managers through Best Culture Solutions, the goal was to transform traditional hiring practices and cultivate winning cultures. But there were times it felt like we'd never get there. Read the blog to learn about the shift we helped leaders make.

Notable Moments

00:57 Reconsider traditional hiring practices to attract  the right talent.

04:54 Skill alone doesn't guarantee success; passion and mindset matter.

08:18 Employers mistakenly assume experienced hires need no training.

11:47 Experience aids development, but requires adaptability.

14:15 Transferable skills matter more than industry experience.

18:06 Shared values cultivate successful organizational cultures.

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Katie 

Website: https://katiecurrens.com/

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

Notable Moments

01:32 Creating clarity in the interview process

03:31 Identify who is going to be in the room

04:13 Know their objectives 

05:27 Understand your objectives

07:52 Desired next steps

11:11 Managing risk in new situations

Effective communication can set you apart in any interview process. Best Culture Solutions was started with a vision of helping leaders create winning cultures and helping job seekers land roles they love. Along the way, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with a number of industry experts including Mike Simmons of Catalyst Sales. Mike's insights on using communication tools during interviews have been game-changing for so many clients.

Mike has a fantastic tool for interview prep that he shared on our recent podcast episode. Read more about it here in our blog. 

Connect with Mike

https://findmycatalyst.com

Twitter - https://twitter.com/simmons_m

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesimmons/

Catalyst Sale - Link Tree - https://linktr.ee/catalystsale

GAME Plan - https://catalystsale.com/game

Catalyst Sale - https://catalystsale.com/ 

Catalyst Sale Courses - https://catalystsale.mykajabi.com/store

Catalyst Sale Podcast - https://catalystsale.libsyn.com/

Initial Clarity Call - https://calendly.com/simmons_catalystsale/25min-initial

Twitter - https://twitter.com/simmons_m

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesimmons/

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

"Go out and do the work on your own to figure your stuff out. Don't expect somebody else to figure your stuff out for you."

If you're feeling stuck in your job search, don't give up. Get clarity. Navigating your career path can sometimes feel like an endless maze with no exit in sight. It's that overwhelming moment when you think, "I need a change, but where do I even start?"

That's where clarity comes in. Read more on our blog here.

Connect with Mike

https://findmycatalyst.com

Twitter - https://twitter.com/simmons_m

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesimmons/

Catalyst Sale - Link Tree - https://linktr.ee/catalystsale

GAME Plan - https://catalystsale.com/game

Catalyst Sale - https://catalystsale.com/ 

Catalyst Sale Courses - https://catalystsale.mykajabi.com/store

Catalyst Sale Podcast - https://catalystsale.libsyn.com/

Initial Clarity Call - https://calendly.com/simmons_catalystsale/25min-initial

Twitter - https://twitter.com/simmons_m

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesimmons/

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

"Hiring people right is probably the most important thing that you do. The next most important thing that you do is training people right."

Key Moments

00:57 Hiring and training are crucial for success.

05:28 Effective organizations have purpose beyond rules.

07:56 Employees need context and understanding for engagement.

11:20 Sell peace of mind beyond the product.

17:36 Online learning needs heart and personal engagement.

18:41 Suggest reaching out to Best Culture Solutions.

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

An onboarding process plays a vital role in creating a winning organizational culture. In this episode Katie and I discuss strategies to ensure a new hire's success right from day one.

Here are three key takeaways from our discussion:

First Impressions Matter: Your onboarding process is the best opportunity to make a lasting impression. It's not just about the rules; it's about conveying your company’s mission, values, and why you do what you do. This sets the tone for how new employees perceive their role and the organization.

Engage Hearts and Minds: Onboarding isn't just about ticking boxes. It should involve storytelling and personal connections to engage new hires emotionally and intellectually. Avoid the temptation to make everything an online click-through process. Human connection matters.

Ongoing Training: Onboarding shouldn't be a one-and-done event. Build in regular refreshers for all employees, old and new. This ensures everyone stays aligned with the company's evolving mission and practices, fostering a cohesive and engaged team.

Make sure to take a listen to the full episode for more insights and actionable advice for onboarding. If you’re looking to enhance your onboarding process, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Best Culture Solutions. We're here to help!

"While I know that the experience will be different, I also know a little bit about what I can expect from the company and what their values are and what they're striving towards, and those are things that I am interested in."

Key Moments

01:17 Changes between organizations are not uncommon.

05:50 Familiarity with industry, connections, and leadership changes can help transition.

09:27 Be cautious about idolizing the past experience.

12:59 Consistent pay, aligning work with passion. Podcast.

15:25 Consider moves to a job that align with personal interests and use desired skills.

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

It is not uncommon for professionals to consider returning to a previous employer. It is also not always the same experience we try to convince ourselves it once was. During this conversation Katie and I share our own experineces with this, including the complexities, benefits, and strategies for making a comeback at a former workplace.

Here are three key takeaways from our discussion:

• Avoid Assumptions: Things might have changed since you left. Avoid assuming that everything is the same and approach the situation as a fresh experience. Some aspects may have improved, while others might be different from how you remember.
• Know Your Why: Reflect deeply on why you are considering a return. Ensure your motivations align with your career goals and personal values, not just past fond memories. Treat this as a new chapter rather than a continuation of the old one.
• Leave the Past Behind: Whether your previous experience was positive or negative, don’t let it cloud your new journey. Embrace this opportunity as a distinct experience and stay focused on doing your best work.

Returning to a former employer can indeed be a powerful career move if navigated thoughtfully. If you need help making that transition, feel free to reach out to our team at Best Culture Solutions. Contact me at [email protected] or visit our website bestculturesolutions.ca. 

Make sure this listen to episode 87,  to learn how to successfully reintegrate into a familiar job environment and reignite your career!

"Highlight transferable skills on your resume instead of just focusing on titles. Sometimes, the right fit comes from skills, not a matching job title."

Key Moments

00:37 Importance of Job Titles

01:27 Creative Job Titles in Modern Businesses

04:18 The Challenge of Matching Job Roles

07:41 Acknowledging Scarcity Mindset

12:14 Advocating for your Professional Identity

Connect with Tim and his team:

Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/

LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions  

Email: [email protected]

The responsibilities that come with the title 'Director' at one company may not be the same responsibilities at another. In fact, the same title can mean vastly different roles depending on the company's size, scope, and structure. This can cause people to overlook potentially good roles based on their preconceived understanding of a title.  For job seekers, understanding the true scope of a job post is crucial. There are ways to read between the lines and discern if a role is genuinely a good fit for your experience and aspirations.

Some of the ways to navigate the hierarchy of job titles are:

• Understand Your Scope: Titles like "Director" or "Manager" can mean vastly different things across different organizations. Always dig deeper into the specific responsibilities and scope of work associated with a title, rather than taking it at face value.
• Experience Over Titles: Don’t get too hung up on exact titles when considering candidates or applying for roles. Focus on the skills and experiences that align with the responsibilities of the position. Sometimes a lateral move in title can offer just the challenge an individual might need to grow.
• Advocate Rightly: If you find yourself in a role that doesn't reflect your responsibilities or the perception you need to project, don’t hesitate to have an open conversation with your leaders. Make sure the reasons behind your request are genuine and are in the best interest of both your career growth and the company’s branding.

Make sure to listen to the entire discussion about how to decode job titles in episode 86. Reach out to the team at Best Culture Solutions if you would like help creating winning cultures and fulfilling careers together.