As America’s workforce continues to evolve and shift, it is increasingly important for leaders to recruit the right talent at the right time to ensure organizational success. During this 30-minute podcast, Essence Learning’s Kanetra Hights sits with organizational leaders to discuss strategies that look beyond the polished resumes, pre-screened references, and scripted interview answers. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, go to: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:5a257eca-b1bd-492b-be7e-6252fef42ba0

In recent years, DE&I has become a familiar global phrase within the workplace. This 30-minute episode will take a closer look at the “I” in DE+I and highlight strategies for a more inclusive workplace culture. O.C.Tanner states, “Workplace culture took some major hits over the past two years. New challenges forced organizations and human resources leaders worldwide to play defense in ways they could not have predicted. The global pandemic, the rise of remote work and its accompanying disconnection, the Great Resignation, and a global cry for more diversity and inclusion—all contributed to reshaping company cultures.” Join Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson and organizational leaders, as they discuss the effects of an effective and inclusive culture within today’s workplace. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:dff1ec41-bf2a-40c9-b7e1-fe7de2ffad32

Poorly handling conversations that involve different opinions, strong emotions, or high stakes can cause stressful work environments that result in little progress, poor performance, and withdrawn employees. However, when you learn to handle crucial conversations effectively, the quality of your relationships and your workplace effectiveness tends to improve drastically. In this 30-minute episode, Essence Learning’s, Phyllis Williams sits with organizational leaders to discuss how to navigate through crucial conversations successfully.   To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:08dbd424-bf74-4fb4-af06-e334a4a67e7e

The leader is typically a defining factor in what separates a strong team from a weak one. The saying “do as I say, not as I do” may have worked in the past, but it typically doesn’t get too far in today’s workplace. This episode of “Perspectives” will explore how the workplace is affected when the leader goes first and leads by example.  To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:aecd352d-02fc-49a7-b934-d5ee6cf3c7a1

Nearly a year ago, “Perspectives” began a conversation on “Equitable Education” and today we want to continue the conversation. For this podcast, let’s use the working definition for “Equitable Education” as ‘the pursuit of creating an educational system that caters to students of all kinds and develops their educational experience accordingly.’ This means that no matter what a student’s background, language, race, economic profile, gender, learning capability, disability or family history, each student has the opportunity to get the support and resources they need to achieve their educational goals. With that in mind, are all school systems treated equally? Join Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson, as she sits with DE+I leaders and professional educators to gain their perspective of America as an equitable classroom.   To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:1a6a4171-f303-4df7-8898-8f27ffc05325

As the advancement of women is highlighted during Women’s History Month, the gender bias in today’s workplace remains a part of the equality struggle. In 2023, women earned just $0.82 to the man’s one dollar. Women have a well-proven track record of leadership success within the workplace, yet still face cultural and systemic challenges attempting to climb America’s corporate ladder. In this 30-minute episode, Kanetra Hights will welcome other women who lead in America’s workforce to discuss strategies to bridge the gender gap, while celebrating the accomplishments women have made throughout history. Click the below link to download this episode's Key Learning Guide: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:2a0cc166-e715-4b7d-9513-19262e8dd4fe

Written by James L. Jacobs, “Leadership Matrix 3.0” is a comprehensive manual and inspiring framework for leadership training and personal development. Join Essence Learning’s Phyllis Williams as she has a 20-minute one-on-one conversation with the author to discuss his book and perspectives on leadership. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:886b447d-0524-4b0c-b402-79c1f0023adf

Senior leaders oversee the work of other managers, their direct reports, and their teams – impacting America’s workforce in immeasurable ways. In this 30-minute podcast, Essence Learning’s Kanetra Hights will sit with senior executives, Crystal Kohanke and Valerie Wilson to gain insight into how they successfully manage their role of a senior leaders. To download this episodes Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:us:582f3e6e-fbff-4388-b2a2-d6be1e7ef85b

There is one factor that nearly all business owners can control that may directly determine long term business success: hiring the right people and building them into a successful and powerful team that makes the organization better. According to a February 2023 Zippa article, 86% of leaders blame lack of teamwork as the top reason for workplace failure. However, when a team is effective it can foster better strategies, execute more consistently, and build the confidence of stakeholders. Join Essence Learning’s Kanetra Hights as she gains insights from leadership executives on how to build teams that make organizations better.

The pandemic caused countless businesses to reinvent themselves at a speed once thought impossible. Retailers launched curbside delivery in two days instead of the planned 18 months, and engineering companies designed and manufactured ventilators at a record pace. These shifts happened because managers and their teams successfully pivoted.  To pivot is to turn or rotate from one spot. When businesses ‘pivot’, it means it has fundamentally changed the direction of the organization. During this podcast Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson sits with organizational leaders to discuss the art of the pivot.  To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, simply click the link below: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:29cf23c9-26fa-4def-83ee-6e24a2c03175

Diversity is the mixture of individuals with differences and similarities in their appearance, abilities, experiences, beliefs, thoughts, and perspectives. As America continues to move towards a more diverse workforce, this thought-provoking episode will explore whether respect is given or earned and challenge leaders to take a deeper look inside their workplace culture.

Like most things, the buzz phrase ‘Operating at Your Max’ can be perceived from various perspectives. During this discussion Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson will gain the insights of executive leaders, John Davidson, Katrina Freeman and Marci Anavitarte-Jordan as they share what it means to operate at your max! To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:1929fa12-07e1-3e57-8e8f-8c1f3b9e70de

A successful organization is driven by results; and in order to generate results, a leader must commit to a strategy. A result-driven strategy establishes employee benchmarks, prioritizing goals which ultimately leads to organization profitability. Join Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson as she sits with leadership executives to discuss some best practices to keep leaders committed to their overall goal.   

Join Essence Learning’s Kanetra Hights in a candid conversation with senior leaders, Valerie Wilson, James Jacobs, and Phyllis Williams as they share the many lessons they have learned throughout their professional careers. To download this week's Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:fb8ca4b6-1b30-3b8d-b305-493f05999789

As the workforce continues to transition, younger generations are increasingly moving into senior executive leadership roles that Baby Boomers once occupied for decades. These newly opened senior positions have made for a more aggressive hiring pool as younger employees go after the roles they want. In this episode, join panelists Bryan McWhorter, Katrina Freeman, and Kanetra Hights as they share their career perspectives with Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson and give listeners insight on not only how to go after the role they want, but why they are pursuing it.

As the workforce continues to transition, younger generations are increasingly moving into leadership roles that older generations once occupied for decades. With this shift comes a “new way of doing business” for some organizations. Join Essence Learning’s Phyllis Williams as she sits with a panel of executives to discuss this current move and its effect on the workplace. To download this week's Key Learning Guide, click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:18117adc-91c6-32e7-a43a-45f4288fbbc9

At some point in the journey of leadership, fear, worry, and anxiety are a reality. Whether a result of workplace tension, layoffs, turn-overs, personal trauma, professional insecurities, or profit loss, successful leaders learn how to manage these challenges while effectively managing their teams. Essence Learning’s Phyllis Williams invites Mindy G. Spigel, author of “There’s A Snake On My Head” to share effective strategies to minimize these distresses in leadership. To download this week's Key Learning Guide, go to: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:ceaab6a6-c596-34ed-9de9-f1dfeded1609

During this 30-minute podcast, Essence Learning CEO, Valerie J. Wilson sits with Executive Coach and Leadership Expert, Drew T. Jackson to discuss the keys to successful executive leadership.   Click here to download Drew’s book, “The Executive Leaders Handbook”: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:39dfe2f6-f9e1-3bce-b392-8bd7412a7fe4   To download this Episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:b972102b-8c3a-3a27-8206-280

During this 20-minute episode, Essence Learning’s Kanetra Hights welcomes Drew T. Jackson to “Perspectives” to share his professional journey and new book “The Executive Leaders Handbook – A Guide for the Daily Challenges of Leadership”. As an Executive Coach and Leadership Expert, Drew has serviced companies such as Chick-fil-A, Lennox, Pinnacle Bank, and Habitat for Humanity, offering his keys to successful leadership. Click here to download Drew’s book, “The Executive Leaders Handbook”: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:39dfe2f6-f9e1-3bce-b392-8bd7412a7fe4 To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:3752e083-5da1-3b65-92e9-336221113ea4

Are all school systems treated equal? For this podcast, let’s use the working definition of “Equitable Education” as ‘the pursuit of creating an educational system that caters to students of all kinds and develops their educational experience accordingly.’ This means that no matter what a student’s background, language, race, economic profile, gender, learning capability, disability or family history, each student has the opportunity to get the support and resources they need to achieve their educational goals. Join Essence Learning, CEO Valerie J. Wilson as she sits with Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Mary Duhart-Toppen, Director of K-12 & Justice, John Jacobs, and Assistant Director of DEI, Tait D. Brooks to discuss ‘Equity in Education’. We will also gain perspectives on staff diversity, federal policies, and funding within the education system. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:747985bd-a7eb-36c6-a73b-70d0937c38db