In this Hard at Work episode, host Ellen Whitlock Baker sits down with business coach Melissa Fackler of One Team Partners for a conversation about what it really takes to create a thriving, people-centric workplace. Melissa explains why most organizations don’t have a “work problem” so much as a “how we work” problem—and why band-aid solutions (like free yoga at lunch) won’t fix burnout, turnover, or disengagement.

Instead, she offers a simple but powerful cycle leaders can use immediately: Awareness → Structure → Habit.

First, awareness: surface the real issues, name tradeoffs honestly, and acknowledge that doing nothing is still a choice.

Next, structure: design lightweight, value-add systems (think: calendar blocking, simple hiring and onboarding flows, role clarity, performance rhythms) that make the right work easier to do.

Finally, habit: repeat the fundamentals until they’re automatic, then revisit awareness when something stops serving the team.

Throughout, Melissa and Ellen emphasize values as the filter for decisions and culture, not a poster on a wall. Melissa shares how One Team’s values—practice self-care, bring your whole self, be present, invest in relationships, commit to learning—keep the focus on people so the business can perform. She argues that leaders must “slow down to speed up,” accepting that metrics may dip while foundations are rebuilt, and she illustrates success with stories: a CEO who finally took a real vacation because decision rights and processes were clear; teams getting more done with fewer people after aligning roles to strengths.

The conversation also tackles AI with nuance: treat it like an assistant for drafts, notes, and summaries, not a replacement for human judgment or authentic communication.

For listeners stuck in difficult workplaces, Melissa suggests assessing value alignment, having earlier, calmer conversations, and auditing how often joy-giving work actually appears on your calendar. If you’re a leader wrestling with retention, employee experience, or scaling sustainably, you’ll leave with a practical blueprint to replace quick fixes with systems that reduce burnout, rebuild trust, and let your best work lead.

Keywords: healthy workplace culture, burnout at work, employee retention, leadership habits, values-driven management, simple systems, calendar blocking, people-first operations, organizational change, One Team Partners, Melissa Fackler, Hard at Work podcast.