Jazzed About Work

Today’s returning guest is Laura Hamill, an organizational psychologist who has helped many companies create environments where both employees and the business can thrive. Laura will tell us about her thought-provoking new book, The Power of Culture – Bringing values to life at work. It describes “culture” as the collective set of reasons why employees behave the way they do. Laura suggests that effective leaders support a culture that treats workers with compassion. She says improving a culture starts with spotting patterns in the way people actually behave. And she emphasizes that while culture needs to be aligned with the organization’s strategy, it is also important that cultural attributes reflect “human values,” like integrity and kindness. For more see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahamill/recent-activity/all/ And: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Power-of-Culture/Laura-Hamill/The-Economist-Edge-Series/9781639367283

Have you ever wondered about the difference between dog training and dog handling? Our guest today is Kelly Lyn Marquis, a top, all-breed dog handler. She explains that “handling” involves connecting with a dog’s energy and emotions, perhaps helping the canine to feel calm or energetic. Kelly tells us about her recent book, Behind the Scenes of Best in Show: Intimate Moments with Masters, Handlers and Their Show Dogs. She describes what it takes to build a career as a handler in the competitive sport of dog shows. And she shares some of the ways dogs have taught her lessons, helping her to create her second career, as a “Canine Connection Life Coach.” Kelly says she uses canine wisdom to help dogs and people reach their highest potential. For more see: https://www.winall.us/

Today we welcome one of our favorite guests: internationally known leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry. He addresses issues related to managing remote and hybrid teams, then focuses on his intriguing new book, “FLEXIBLE LEADERSHIP: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence.” Kevin says that in today’s complicated work environment, leaders should -- and can -- learn how to adapt to constant change. He says becoming a more flexible leader requires 3 steps: change your mindset, learn new skills, and build different habits. And he describes one way to become more adaptable starting today. For more about Kevin’s book see: https://kevineikenberry.com/flexible-leadership/ KevinEikenberry.com/gift

Today’s guest, leadership expert Siobhan McHale, says it may look like bees are just buzzing around, but actually a honeybee colony gets things done by creating a sophisticated eco-structure. Each bee has a specific job, and each remains tightly connected with the rest of the hive, for the good of all. Inspired by the bees’ shared wisdom, Siobhan has written a fascinating book, The Hive Mind at Work, about how leaders can harness the power of group intelligence to create meaningful and lasting change. She explains how leaders are more likely to succeed if they understand that every person is connected and interacting with all their colleagues. She says group dynamics are a powerful element of human organizations, and understanding how they shape routine processes is a key to creating change. And she described her instructive framework, the Nine Laws of Group Dynamics

At work, and maybe at home, it can feel like we’re juggling far too many projects. And some of them aren’t as successful as we’d like. Today’s guest is Kory Kogon, vice president of content at FranklinCovey, a top international leadership and productivity company. Kory is an expert on matters like creating organizational cultures that build confidence and promote success. And she is a bestselling author. Here she tells us about her recent book, an updated, easy-to-read edition of Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager. Kory explains the 5 phases of an effective project, and she shares practical tips for designing and implementing projects that will help you manage challenges and move forward

Today’s guest is Craig Butler, a respected leader in the effort to care for the nation’s natural resources and environment. Craig’s work as a public servant includes 6 years has head of the Ohio EPA. While there, he developed initiatives that have become national models for protecting drinking water standards and watersheds. He is now CEO of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, a large and unusual entity that for 90 years has been conserving water, preventing floods and supporting recreation resources for millions of people in Ohio. Craig describes why he chose public service and how he found opportunities. He talks about the power of collaboration and how getting things done may require working in partnership with other organizations. And he suggests how you might start a career focused on the environment, whether you are just now joining the work force, or are seeking a professional transition path.

Today’s guest is a widely respected government attorney, and my friend, Arlean Leland. She recently retired from an impressive Federal career, including more than two decades as Associate General Counsel for Civil Rights, Labor and Employment, at the powerful Department of Agriculture. Over the years her accomplishments brought many accolades, including multiple honor awards from both the USDA Secretary and the President of the United States. Arlean tells us about her life and career, starting with her modest beginning as the child of a teen mom. She describes how hard work, strong values and connecting with other people helped build her career. She says she knows what it’s like to be the only person of color in the room, and that experience has strengthened her belief in never treating people as invisible. We discuss the crisis surrounding some DEI and EEO programs, and Arlean shares tips for creating inclusion and diversity policies that will make your team stronger. For more see:…

Our returning guest today is Erin Lewellen, CEO of Tilting Futures, a nonprofit that creates immersive programs to prepare young people for careers that might impact global issues. The organization -- which was once known as Global Citizen Year -- has found ways to thrive, despite major challenges, like COVID. Recently, Tilting Futures expanded its efforts to help Gen Z students develop skills, build optimism and get ready to change the world. Erin will talk about how her team evolved, including by gathering great data and building new partnerships. And she will describe some of the lessons they’ve learned through their 2000+ alumni. Finally, we’ll talk about how new experiences, and curiosity about other people, can change your life, wherever you are in your career. For more see: https://tiltingfutures.org

Our guest today, Kim Scott, is a popular expert on creating a more positive and respectful workplace. Kim helps leaders to create cultures where everyone does their best work and enjoys working together. Earlier, she was an executive coach at tech firms like Dropbox and Twitter, as well as a faculty member at Apple University. Here, Kim will tell us about her new book, Radical Respect – How to Work Together Better. It’s about creating organizations that support both belonging and individuality. Kim also will share practical tips about how to deal with bias, prejudice and bullying. For more see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimm4/

This episode features two retired judges are committed to decoding legal jargon and taking some of the mystery out of the legal system. Judge Tom Hodson and Judge Gayle Williams Byers – sometimes known as around WOUB at “The Judicial Twins” – are both teachers of judges. And now they have launched a podcast that explains prominent cases and everyday judicial procedures in language that the rest of us can understand. In their Next Witness…Please podcast, they don’t indulge in stodgy lectures. Instead they offer insightful comments and explain courtroom developments in plain English, and even with a dash of humor. For more see: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1248539126/next-witness-please https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-hodson-797365284 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayle-williams-byers-a596216

Today, Judge David S. Tatel describes his remarkable new book, Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice. The book, co-written with his wife, Edie Tatel, beautifully weaves together several themes: his career as a civil rights attorney, his happy family life, the challenges of becoming blind, and the freedom made possible by his guide dog, Vixen. At the same time, it describes his growing concern about courts that disregard the principles of judicial restraint. In this episode, Judge Tatel shares his inspiring story, and gives us a sense of the joy he has found throughout his busy life. He also describes some of his worries about the state of our judiciary, and urges listeners to become involved citizens, including by voting. For more see: https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Blindness-David-S-Tatel/dp/0316542024 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_S._Tatel

Today’s guest, Giselle Ugarte, is an entrepreneur, an advertising whiz and a social media coach. And she has almost 300 thousand followers on the fast-growing platform, TikTok. Giselle believes in the power of video messages to tell your story, including in a job search. She says whatever platforms you prefer, your goal in social media should be to connect with other people, build real relationships and serve your audience, in addition to promoting your products or services. She describes why it’s more important to be authentic than to look your best. And she offers tips to help you up your social presence, wherever you are in your career.

In this episode, we explore careers in the travel field, and describe new kinds of opportunities for agencies that specialize in luxury travel. Our guest is Sandy Saburn, a leader at Gifted Travel Network, a fast-growing, female-led company in the high-end travel industry. Sandy has always loved taking trips. And after being a career coach, a marketing expert, and a business consultant, she switched gears and became a travel expert. Here she explains how the industry is evolving, and why there’s a new wave of opportunities for people who want to work in it. She shares tips about how you could get started in the travel biz, perhaps as an advisor, and she explains what it takes to be an entrepreneur in the field. Also, she reminds us that life is short, and now is a good time to plan those trips you were saving for the future. For more see: www.giftedtravelnetwork.com And this link from Sandy shares info on the entrepreneurial mindset: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/meredith-podcast

Today’s theme is the importance of creating a good fit between the way we prefer to work and the organization that employs us. Our expert guest, Dr. André Martin, is an organizational psychologist who spent 20 years as a leader in major companies like Mars, Nike, Disney and Google. He tells us about his new book, “Wrong Fit, Right Fit - Why How We Work Matters More Than Ever.” André says the way our job fits our work style is so important because our identities get all tangled up with what we do, and if we are dissed in the context of work, we feel bad throughout our life. André offers tips about finding the right job, and how to create change if your current job doesn’t suit the way you like to work. He suggests that you regularly take stock of your career and the stress it causes in your whole life. He explains the value of managing up. And he describes how some smart employers are helping their talent to find the right fit. For more, see: https://www.wrongfitrightfit.com

For some people, launching a job search seems more challenging than ever. Our repeat guest, Mark Anthony Dyson, says “think about it like the weather.” Job market conditions vary a good deal, depending on many factors, including your location, profession and skill set. But there are some broad trends worth watching. Mark warns that in some countries scammers are using fake job opportunities as way to collect private info, and we might see similar frauds in the U.S. He points to the dramatic change AI is having in the hiring process, and discusses the value of understanding at least AI basics. And Mark shares classic advice, like stay prepared for whatever happens by “thinking of job search as a lifestyle,” and keep learning and seeking opportunities to upskill. For more advice from Mark see: https://thevoiceofjobseekers.com

This is the second of two episodes about how stress reduces your job performance and satisfaction, and what you can do about it. Our guest, Gayle Williams-Byers, a retired judge, now teaches judges in her role as Senior Fellow with the National Judicial College. She has developed a course on mindfulness to help judges reduce stress, allowing them to make better decisions and keep things moving smoothly in their courtrooms. Here she explains a wide variety of mindfulness techniques that might work for you. Many are simple, like taking some deep breaths, thanking other people, journaling, and taking a brief walk.

This is the first of two episodes about how stress impacts your career. When you’re stressed out, you’re not creative or good at solving problems. or making decisions. But our guest, Gayle Williams-Byers, a retired judge, says there are many was to manage stress. In her role as Senior Fellow with the National Judicial College, Judge Gayle not only teaches judges about matters of law, but she also explores ways to address some of their challenges. She says being a sitting judge is intensely stressful, and stressed-out judges don’t make their best decisions. So she has developed a course on mindfulness and how it can calm stress, help you put aside distractions and refocus, and enhance your decision-making. Here she explains mindfulness and suggests how and why you might get started, and in the next episode she provides more detail about specific mindfulness techniques.

Our guest, Joan Lynch, is head of video and other content at WorkingNation, an innovative media company that creates well-researched and inspiring stories about everything related to jobs. Today, she discusses the state of employment in rural areas, which for years have struggled with aging populations and a lack of job opportunities. She says that now the situation starting to change, as more communities get broadband access. Joan also describes work trends for sectors that face special challenges, including neurodivergent and disabled communities, veterans, and single moms. And she shares insights about which industries are likely to be hiring in 2024. Finally, we discuss how workers increasingly want jobs where they can keep on learning, and how some employers are getting that message. For more see, see this robust website: https://workingnation.com

Today’s guest is our good friend – and WOUB colleague – Tom Hodson. His career has involved many types of expertise, and it seems like Tom never did just one job at a time. He spent years sitting as a judge, and also teaching other judges. He’s played many roles as a media expert. And he has enjoyed positions as an academic leader. In 2019, Tom and host Bev began a series of episodes where he openly described his thoughts and anxieties about the prospect of retiring. As we recorded, Bev coached him to explore the possibilities. Then when COVID hit, Tom did retire, but he wasn’t really ready. He felt isolated, and struggled with depression. Now, however, Tom has put together a portfolio of meaningful activities, and he enjoys this phase of life. In this show, Tom talks frankly about his retirement path, and offers tips about how you can prepare for an un-retirement portfolio that gives you what you need. For more about Tom, see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-hodson-797365284/ And check out Tom’s…

Our theme is why and how to keep pursuing greater happiness -- as well as success – at work. Our guest is merger and acquisition expert Greg Martin. He’s a managing director at Origin Merchant Partners, a top-ranking investment bank working with industrial sectors across North America. But Greg is not just an M&A guy and an entrepreneur. He also is passionate about helping people look closely at their work habits and mindsets, so they can better create meaning and joy. Greg hosts a podcast, Lifetime at Work, that promotes reflection on what you want from your career. He talks with his guests about how our jobs dominate a huge part of our lives, and why it’s important to make all that time and energy really count. Today Greg share stories from his own journey toward a balanced life, and offers tips for you to do the same. For more, see: https://www.lifetimeatwork.com

Today’s returning guest is our good friend, Kerry Hannon. She’s a leading expert and futurist on careers, jobs, entrepreneurship, personal finance and retirement. Kerry is the author of more than a dozen books, including her most recent, In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in The New World of Work. She is a dynamic and popular speaker, and her Yahoo column attracts millions of followers as part of the largest personal finance platform in the world. Here Kerry talks about major workplace trends and career opportunities. She shares advice on how and why to prepare for retirement, no matter what your age is now. And she offers tips about preparing for your next career phase. For more see: https://www.yahoo.com/author/kerry-hannon and https://kerryhannon.com

In this episode we discuss the changing world of higher education. Our guest is Dave Goldberg, an AI pioneer, engineer, executive coach and respected computer scientist. He is also an educator, and until 2010 was a professor emeritus and prolific researcher. Then he switched paths and began to call for radically changing engineering education. Now he’s known as an academic innovator and international thought leader in the movement to reboot higher ed. Dave talks about his new book, A Field Manual for a Whole New Education, and says transforming the college experience should start with unleashing students from the traditional classroom experience. He shares his vision of a more effective academic culture and describes skills that shape important changes. For more, see: https://threejoy.com

A skill set that promotes success on almost any career path is the ability to sell. Whether you’re promoting a product, an idea, or yourself, sales savvy can make a huge difference. Today’s guest, Connie Whitman, is a high energy, enthusiastic teacher, coach, podcaster and consultant about sales. Her company – Changing the Sales Game – helps businesses and individuals improve sales by refining their processes and enhancing their communication skills. In this episode, Connie shares tips from her book, ESP – Easy Sales Process. She offers advice about how to overcome buyer resistance. She says you can be a better communicator by talking with people instead of at them. She encourages you to network. And she says you may want to adapt your communication style when you speak to different audiences. For more, check out Connie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniewhitman Or look at her communications assessment: https://whitmanassoc.com/csa/

The Fifth National Climate Assessment summarizes the best available information on the risks, impacts and responses to climate change in the U.S. Our expert guest, Geoff Dabelko, is one of the 500 distinguished authors of the massive Assessment. He is a Professor at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, and he’s an international thought leader on environmental matters. In this episode, Geoff shares an overview of the report, touching upon both conclusions and recommendations. He mentions several trends, like the convergence of climate issues with concerns related to aging. He describes the $6 billion in new federal investments intended to make communities more resilient, partly by strengthening the electric grid. And we discuss the NCA5’s implications for the job market. For info on NCA5 see: https://nca2023.globalchange.gov For more on Geoff see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffdabelko/

Our guest, Karen Eber, says stories build connection and trust, inspire new thinking, and are more memorable than other forms of information. Karen is a global leadership consultant who works with corporate leaders and universities to build teams and transform cultures. And she understands the science of why storytelling is such an effective way to communicate and connect with people. Her interesting new book, The Perfect Story, explains why storytelling is so powerful, and how you can learn to tell stories that are engaging. Today Karen shares tips from her book, including specific suggestions for becoming a stronger communicator. She explains what science has revealed about the power of stories. And, of course, she shares tales about how storytelling has shaped her life and fueled her career

Today’s returning guest is William Vanderbloemen, a pioneer in executive searches for faith-based organizations. Since he started the Vanderbloemen firm 15 years ago, he and his team have done in-depth interviews with about 30,000 of their top candidates. And they have studied the information from the best of their best candidates, working to understand why some leaders so clearly stand out from the crowd. William says their research helped them identify 12 habits that separate the strongest leaders from everyone else. Here William talks about his new book, Be the Unicorn, which describes those 12 strengths, all of which involve soft skills. William says all these important skills can be developed or improved, and Be the Unicorn is a workbook to help you along that path. He shares tips to help you nurture positive habits and outshine the competition. He also models how to describe yourself during an interview, and he urges job seekers to get feedback on their strengths and weaknesses. For more see:…

Not only is today’s return guest, Gerald J. Leonard, an accomplished professional musician, but he is also an expert on workplace culture, strategy and productivity. On top of that, he is an author. The full title of his interesting new book is long and descriptive: A Symphony of Choices – How Mentorship Taught a Manager Decision-Making, Project Management and Workplace Engagement – and Saved a Concert Season. The book is a primer on how to make decisions amidst complex and multifaceted challenges. While it is full of excellent advice, it reads like a novel, because Gerald uses an engaging story to make his lessons clear. The tale’s hero, Jerry, is a symphony orchestra musician who suddenly has the job of orchestra manager. A college professor mentors Jerry, helping him to quickly get a handle on the orchestra’s big challenges. As Jerry works his way through difficult personal and professional decisions, readers learn about project management. In today’s episode, Gerald, an engaging story-teller, shares…

When it was launched about 20 years ago, LinkedIn felt like a fancy Rolodex -- a robust digital address book for professionals. But today this platform (now owned by Microsoft) is the place to build and nurture your career network, forge a strong brand, and research many kinds of professional opportunities. Our guest today, Donna Serdula, wrote a book about how to make LI work for you: LinkedIn Profile Optimization for Dummies (2nd Edition). Donna is an expert in branding and social media marketing, she has 44,000 LI followers, and her company, Vision Board Media, does LI makeovers. In this episode, Donna explains why every professional should have an LI profile, whether or not they expect to pursue a job search. And she shares specific tips from her book, about how you can make your LI profile more effective. For more, check out Donna’s website: https://donnaserdula.com And see her on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todonna/

The value of good decision-making is a theme in this episode. Our guest is Aaron Mitchell Finegold, the chief marketing officer at Kingsley Gate, a global executive search firm. As far back as college, Aaron wanted a career involving creative expression, a focus on human behavior, a business environment and a global setting, and those elements do shape his current role. Aaron describes a Kingsley Gate study into how and why successful organizations are good at deciding things. The report suggests that the skill of making effective, timely decisions is often overlooked in the process of hiring leaders. And yet dissatisfaction with an organization’s decision-making processes is a major reason why executives resign. Research suggests that the capabilities to decide, and focus on people-centric factors, can transform an organization. Aaron says a good way to get better at deciding may be to map out the key decisions to be made over the next six months. Simply becoming aware of which decisions are important can…

Today we explore ways to help young people prepare for careers that are meaningful. Our guest, Erin Lewellen, had an opportunity as a college student to live in Cape Town, interning at a center for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. There, Erin says, she learned in a new way, and transformed how she viewed the world. Now Erin is CEO of Global Citizen Year, a nonprofit that creates experiences to help college students develop the emotional and intellectual toolkit to impact global issues. In this show, Erin shares thoughts about how Generation Z is focused on overcoming huge societal challenges. We discuss what Gen Z looks like as it enters the workforce, and talk about ways this young crowd is unlike other generations. Erin offers suggestions about what employers might consider as they bring Gen Z-ers on board. And she shares thoughts about how you – or your kids – might structure an enriching international learning experience. For more, see: https://www.globalcitizenyear.org and…

In this episode we talk about personal branding, and about how your brand impacts your career, whether or not you choose to manage it. Our lively guest, Tyler Mount, is a business consultant and international branding expert. And he is the CEO of Henry Street Creative, a New York agency with expertise in social media, video production, and digital marketing strategies. Tyler is a man of many skills, including those that helped him become a Tony award-winning producer. He talks about his journey from living in a small Texas town, to becoming a presence on Broadway and an influencer in the world of theater. He describes how he built his brand, and discusses things to consider as you shape yours. He emphasizes that your brand should be based on the real you. For more see: https://henrystreetcreative.com/

Our guest, Alex Atwood, has been interested in creating and managing businesses since childhood. And in the last 20 years this serial entrepreneur has created and led 4 startups in the hospitality and staffing space. Today he tells us about how, at the start of COVID-19, he and his staff quickly reinvented their organization and kept workers busy serving as disinfection professionals. He describes his current company, GravyWork, whose app helps people find side gigs or full-time jobs with flexible shifts. Alex is deeply interested in purpose-driven, participative leadership, and he describes his approach to running a company. He cares about transformational growth of the mind, body and spirit, and talks about one of his own side-gigs: coaching. And he touches upon microdosing, a tool he sometimes suggests to coaching clients, to cultivate presence, regulate emotions and promote awareness. For more, see: https://alexatwood.co

According to Dr. Amy Serin, many in our society suffer from stress, anxiety and all sorts of trauma. Our nervous systems are over-active; we lie awake at night, consumed by worries; and our bodies and minds become chronically unwell. In this episode, Amy describes her own struggles with excess stress, as well as her journey to “democratize” various therapies by making them more accessible. And she shares information from her book, The Stress Switch, including how stress works, and how it can hijack the calm, wise part of our brain, and throw us into a frantic state of fight or flight. She says that with techniques like bilateral stimulation, you can reset your “stress switch,” recalibrate your mental filter, and make better decisions. Amy also describes TouchPoints, her patented small, wearable devices for reducing stress symptoms through the use of gentle vibrations. For more, visit her website: https://serincenter.com/specialists/dr-amy-serin/ And if you purchase her book or TouchPoints there, use this…

Heidi Gardner is a Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School, a former professor at Harvard Business School, and the leader of multiple executive education programs. She and her team have compiled vast research on why collaboration matters, and how we can be better at it. And today she shares tips from her book (written with Ivan Matviak), Smarter Collaboration – A New Approach to Breaking Down Barriers… and Transforming Work. Heidi will explain why collaboration is more important than ever, for both individuals and organizations. She’ll describe common hurdles blocking collaborative activity, and mention tools to help you diagnose roadblocks in your workplace. And she’ll share more tips about how you can develop key skills for working with others, and why it will be good for you. For more see: https://smartcollaborationaccelerator.com

The term “work/life balance” can feel simplistic because the relationship between your career and the rest of your life can be complicated and intense. Our guest today, Christina Wallace, a senior lecturer at the Harvard Business School, says we need a broader relationship with work. She describes how diversification can help you navigate change and mitigate uncertainty. She talks about how her own work life encompasses a variety of activities. And she shares tips from her book, “The Portfolio Life,” about how to forge a path that not only brings more joy, but also reduces the risks of career-building in today’s frantic world. For more, see: https://www.portfoliolife.com/

Today we talk about the work force implications of climate change. Our guest, Linda Kinney, is a global legal advisor on environmental, social and governance matters. She understands how big changes happen because she played active roles in the internet and telecom revolutions. Linda says the crisis is huge, but the good news includes considerable progress in clean energy and climate-related technology, as well as the flow of new cash. More than that, she says, we’re entering an entirely new economic era, sometimes called “the age of decarbonization.” And, of course, the sweeping change in our economy is transforming the work force. Linda describes how we might leverage past lessons to accelerate the fight against climate change. And she shares tips on how you can get smart about sustainability, explore new jobs, and add value to any organization. For more see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindakinney/

Today’s guest is Dr. Joey Faucette, an executive coach, a culture architect, and the host of the Work Positive podcast. In this episode Joey talks about how he realized that an upbeat, caring work culture can enhance a team’s satisfaction and productivity. And he shares tips from his latest book, Work Positive in a Negative World: Team Edition. He says a starting point for feeling less pessimistic can be to perceive the positive elements that do exist at work. He suggests ways you can focus more intensely on the good things in your situation. He describes how familiar thought patterns can keep you bogged down in negativity. And he suggests rituals to help you get your day off to a good start. For more see: https://www.workpositive.today/book

This episode is about your opportunity to help shape the future of higher education. Our guests are Kate Colbert and Joe Sallustio, EdD, the authors of Commencement, a massive and important new book about the future of academia. The book is an outgrowth of a popular podcast, The EdUp Experience, hosted by Sallustio and Elvin Freytes. The authors draw on insights from podcast guests, including about 100 college and university presidents. They describe trends, challenges and possibilities that are disrupting the old world where higher ed felt like an island. And they say working inside or with the new “higher education industry” requires a mindset reset, and a willingness to do things in very different ways. For more see: https://commencementthebook.com

Our return guest, Kevin Eikenberry, is widely known as one the world’s top leadership experts. And his comments are always fun, interesting, timely and helpful. In this episode, Kevin shares insights and tips from his latest book (with co-author Wayne Turmel): The Long-Distance Team – Designing Your Team for Everyone’s Success. He shares his model for shaping both teams and cultures, and says the keys are communication, collaboration, and cohesion. He talks about how to build – or rebuild – teams so every team member can thrive, including in remote or hybrid environments. And he says leaders should cultivate and model a healthy team culture, but they can’t do it all. Every person can have an impact. For more, see: https://longdistanceteambook.com

Today’s extraordinary guests, Dr. Mishkat Al Moumin and Judge Gayle Williams-Byers, create curriculum for the nation’s judges. Dr. Mishkat is Academic Director, and Judge Gayle is the Judicial Fellow, at the National Judicial College. Together they create not only programs focused on legal issues, but ways to support judges’ leaderships skills -- so important in the challenging courtroom environment. Dr. Mishkat’s career as a leader includes her role as the first Secretary of Environment in war-torn Iraq, and later years as an international leader in the fields of environmental and human rights law. Judge Gayle was an assistant county prosecutor in Cleveland, and then presided over the bench and jury trials in the City of South Euclid for more than a decade. In this candid conversation, the two describe the need for judges to manage stress in difficult situations, and share ways they have learned to manage their own emotions and at the same time support team members. For more see:…

Our satisfaction and success at work – and our character -- are shaped by small choices we make all day long. But often our choices aren’t so good, so today we talk about how to make better decisions. And our expert guest, Dr. Jim Loehr, has all the latest research on exactly how to do that. Jim is a world-renowned performance psychologist who has helped thousands of leaders and athletes to be at the top of their game. He is also a prolific author, and he shares insights from his new book, WISE DECISIONS: A Science-Based Approach to Making Better Choices. Jim describes how to focus your energy so you’re healthier, happier, and better at navigating your endless process of decision-making. He says humans have the capacity for reflective consciousness, which means your brain can actually observe and modify how it’s doing. And, he says, as you take better care of yourself, you can connect more deeply with your wise inner voice. For more, see: https://www.jim-loehr.com/about

Our return guest is Joan Lynch, a prize-winning producer and Chief Content Officer of WorkingNation. That’s a non-profit journalism and media company that brings attention to issues impacting the workforce, and shines light on solutions that can make a difference. Joan explains how implementing the Infrastructure Act requires more trained workers, which means employers and government officials are creating a mix of programs to move people quickly into new careers. She says if recruitment of talent is done well, it will provide millions of opportunities at every level, from construction to management, and many new jobs won’t require a degree. Joan also predicts that new possibilities will open for people who have been marginalized in the past, like older workers and those with disabilities, as well as the neurodiverse community. For more see: https://workingnation.com

Today we discuss ways to overcome the polarization that’s everywhere in our society, and sometimes is a destructive, wasteful element in the workplace. Our guest, David Livermore, is an expert on how people from different cultures can bridge the gap and find ways to talk and work together. He shares insights from his interesting and instructive book: Digital, Diverse & Divided: How to Talk to Racists, Compete with Robots, and Overcome Polarization. David describes “culturally intelligent problem-solving,” a process to help working teams get past their differences and work together to find solutions. He shares tips for moving beyond some of the big differences between us, like origin, race, gender, faith and politics. And he talks about how people are really more alike than you may think.

Our guest, Mark Miller, writes about financial matters for publications like the New York Times, Reuters, and Wealth Management. And Mark is widely recognized as an expert on retirement and aging. His latest book -- Retirement Reboot: Commonsense Financial Strategies for Getting Back on Track – is a terrific guide to planning for a secure and rewarding lifestyle in the years after your primary career. Today we discuss why it’s never too early to lay groundwork for your later life. And Mark explains keys to planning, like considering your timing, becoming familiar with Social Security options, smart ways to save money, and strategies for turning home equity into cash. For more see: https://retirementrevised.com

Many agree that listening is a career superpower. But just because it’s important, doesn’t mean we’re all good listeners. Today’s guest, Oscar Trimboli, is a coach, consultant and podcaster who helps leaders, and lots of other people, become better, deeper listeners. His most recent book, how to listen, offers practical tips for improving the way we communicate. The book describes what listening involves, and suggests how we can be better at it. In this show, Oscar shares insights from the book, like the importance of preparing to listen, and the fact that silent pauses can help unlock a message. He also describes habits that undercut our listening skills, and suggests how to move beyond the barriers to deep listening. For more see: www.listeningquiz.com and https://www.oscartrimboli.com/

Our guest, William Vanderbloemen, was a senior pastor and then a corporate HR specialist. From there, he created a thriving search firm, which he called Vanderbloemen. At the beginning, the firm focused on finding candidates for churches seeking pastors. Today, Vanderbloemen also consults about succession planning, diversity, organizational culture and other leadership issues. Their broad client base includes nonprofits, family offices and values-based businesses. William says the firm’s rapid growth was helped by his diverse network. Also supporting success is his intense commitment to gathering and learning from data. His most recent book is Culture Wins: The Roadmap to an Irresistible Workplace. In this episode he shares insights about the attributes of successful job seekers and professionals, as well as the keys to employee retention. For more see: https://www.vanderbloemen.com

Today’s return guest, Mark Anthony Dyson, is a respected career consultant, writer and podcaster. And he describes himself as “a job seeker advocate.” His robust website, thevoiceofjobseekers.com, is packed with free advice, and this key message: “Job search is a lifestyle!” In this episode, we talk about 2023 trends in the world of work, and why a strong resume isn’t enough if you’re considering a career shift. Mark says employers are now interested in candidates’ “soft skills,” which should be called “essential skills.” He says the starting point for a search is an honest assessment of your skills and strengths. And he offers more tips for a thriving career in a year that’s bringing rapid change. For more see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonydyson/

Today we discuss new trends in the complex effort to address climate change, as well as career opportunities related to building a more sustainable world. Our guest, Geoff Dabelko, is a professor at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service. He’s also associated with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program, and other leading research organizations. Geoff says older people are particularly hard hit by climate change, and describes efforts to bring together leaders in climate adaptation and resilience with proponents of age-friendly communities. He also discusses other environmental trends and ways they may lead to career opportunities. For more on Geoff, see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffdabelko/ For info on a new online grad program on sustainability, security & resilience see: https://www.ohio.edu/voinovich-school/sustainability-security-resilience

Our guest today, Jon Snyder, has spent 30 years in biomedical and healthcare companies, including as a founder and CEO. Jon held a variety of marketing and other jobs on his way to the top, and throughout his career he’s been a mentor, a guest teacher, and a board member for many nonprofits. Jon now manages investor relations at Ohio Life Sciences, an association committed to growing a thriving life science ecosystem. Today he tells us about the growing industry that includes pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices, among other fields. He talks about some of the job opportunities it offers. And he shares career advice, as both a successful entrepreneur and a leader in community education. For more, see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-snyder-0360b44

Today we talk about the life-changing power of asking meaningful questions. Our guest is Marc Champagne, a consultant who has studied the self-management practices and reflective questions shaping the lives of brilliant and successful thinkers around the world. And in his book, Personal Socrates, Marc uses profiles of fascinating people to illustrate the magic of asking yourself questions, and being honest with the answers. Today Marc describes how journaling around questions helped him to work past what felt like a career catastrophe. And he talks about how to manage your mental fitness, and create the clarity to help you find job success and a fulfilling life. For more, see: https://cherry-dosa-0e5.notion.site/Marc-Champagne-Media-Kit-25bafb466bc34fb08ca397e4bc2b0568