As Season 2 wraps up, Jess looks back on the moments that stuck — the insights, laughs, and leadership lessons that made this season one to remember. From kindness at work to navigating change, clarity in relationships, and what it really means to connect with people, these are her Top Five Takeaways to make the tough people stuff easier. ️ Featuring highlights from conversations with Chelsea Colwell-Posh, Tom Hickey, Jeff McAloon, Anna Cook, Pierre Battah, and Susan Englehutt. ️ Watch the full episode now — packed with real-world advice on hiring, leadership, and the people side of growth. YouTube: https://youtu.be/IhRn3i4pD3U?si=rIN5V1FkBPFc5gmr

What really happens when your business starts to grow — and your people have to grow with it? In this roundtable episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess is joined by Atlantic Canada entrepreneurs Mike Randall (Portfolio) and Stephanie Hovey (Allied Therapy) for a candid chat about leading through change, managing emotion at work, and finding the right cultural fit when hiring. From the hidden costs of moving too fast to why the “people part” matters as much as the business plan, this panel gets real about what it takes to build healthy, thriving teams. ✉️ Get in touch at: contact@ethree.ca   Follow us:   Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca  

Contracts, corporations, and co-founders — oh my! In this episode, Jess sits down with Anna Cook, Partner at Cox & Palmer, for a practical, plain-language look at the legal side of running a business. From when to incorporate, to why every partnership needs a “business prenup,” Anna breaks down what small business owners really need to know — including how to avoid common legal pitfalls as you grow. Plus, Jess tackles a viral workplace scandal in the Just Ask Jess segment: when the CEO and HR lead make headlines for all the wrong reasons, what can small organizations learn about managing relationships at work? ✉️ Get in touch at: contact@ethree.ca Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/  

Giving feedback doesn’t have to spark defensiveness — if you know how to do it right. Jess walks through her NICER framework: Notice the behavior, validate intent, and explain consequences in a way that matters. It’s a simple, powerful way to turn tough conversations into growth conversations — minus the friction.

When we talk about safety at work, we usually think hard hats and handrails — but what about the safety to speak up, struggle, or be honest about your mental health? In this episode, Jess sits down with Sean Kennedy to unpack what psychological safety really means. Sean shares his own mental health journey and how stigma shaped his leadership perspective, while Jess explores how organizations can move beyond surface-level wellness to build cultures where people actually feel safe — not just physically, but emotionally too.

In this Just Ask Jess episode, Jess tackles real questions from listeners — from how to manage performance in small teams to what to do when your leadership group isn’t aligned. She shares straight-up advice on giving better feedback, getting your people involved, and creating a culture that actually works (not just looks good on paper). ✉️ Get in touch at: contact@ethree.ca   Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/

When leaders speak, their words carry weight — whether they’re grounded in fact or not. In this Just Ask Jess episode, Jess reflects on Trump’s presidency through a leadership lens, unpacking what it reveals about power, responsibility, and influence. From the impact of a leader’s words, to the role of trusted advisors and diverse perspectives, to the dangers of “yes men” and top-down cultures, Jess explores how leaders can either build trust or erode it — and what that means for anyone guiding a team, an organization, or a nation.   ✉️ Get in touch at: contact@ethree.ca   Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/

The world of work is shifting fast — and leaders are being challenged to keep up. In this Hot Topics episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess welcomes back Tom Hickey to unpack the themes showing up everywhere right now: diversity, equity, and inclusion (or DIB, as we call it), the rise of AI and its impact on jobs, the complexity of employee expectations, and the uncertainty that comes with constant change. With two voices, different perspectives, and candid conversation, Jess and Tom break down what’s really happening inside organizations today — and what leaders can do to navigate it.

In this bonus Q&A segment, Jess unpacks three real-world scenarios—an RFP gone sideways, a hiring process with hidden ties, and a client relationship kept quiet—all pointing to one root issue: undisclosed conflicts of interest. She explains why most conflicts aren’t intentional, the reputational risks they pose, and how leaders can build awareness, motivation, and clear processes to prevent them.

In this episode, Jess talks with Chelsea Colwell-Pasch about leading with empathy, kindness, and clarity — even when the conversations get hard. From navigating tough moments with heart to holding space without losing accountability, they explore how real leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room — it’s about being the most human.

Onboarding doesn’t have to mean endless PowerPoints or a “sink or swim” experience. In this bonus Q&A edit, Jess breaks down how to streamline the process—using checklists, templates, e-learning, and structured check-ins—to set new hires up for success without draining your time. Whether you’re scaling fast or just trying to bring more structure to your team, Jess shares practical tips for building an efficient, people-first onboarding system.

Great sales isn't about driving the deal—it's about riding shotgun. In this episode, Jess sits down with Susan Englehutt to unpack why successful salespeople let their buyers take the wheel. From emotional intelligence and genuine empathy to navigating buyer dynamics with authenticity, Susan shares how rethinking the sales process as a journey you're taking together—not a race you're trying to win—leads to better conversations, stronger relationships, and growth that sticks.

In this first-ever Just Ask Jess mailbag episode, Jess answers listener questions on merging company cultures, making 360 feedback actually useful, and dealing with confusing leadership. It’s all about clarity, communication, and what really gets in the way of teams working well together.

In this bonus mini-episode, Jess answers a tough leadership question: what do you do when a team member is deflated after missing out on a promotion? She walks through how to open the door to a compassionate follow-up conversation, and shares how the SCARF model (from the NeuroLeadership Institute) can help leaders understand and respond to emotional triggers like uncertainty, status, and fairness. #podcast #humanresources #hr #management #entrepreneurship

Running a business with family isn’t for the faint of heart. In this episode, Jess talks with Jeff McAloon, co-CEO of The Smart Energy Company, about what it takes to lead alongside his brother. From trust and tough conversations to knowing when to lean in (and when to back off), they explore how strong relationships can power strong leadership — especially when family is part of the equation.

In this bonus Q&A edit, Jess tackles a big question many leaders face today: How do you build culture when no one’s physically together? From creating intentional “triggers” that replace watercooler chats, to using recognition, leadership presence, and virtual touchpoints to keep teams connected, Jess shares practical strategies for sustaining culture and engagement in remote-first organizations.

In this episode, Jess talks with Tom Hickey, CEO of Wedgewood Insurance, about the messy, meaningful work of leadership. From scaling a team without a playbook to building trust that sticks, Tom shares what he’s learned his decades-long career. Leading with heart, staying curious, and figuring it out one honest conversation at a time

In this mini-episode, Jess answers the question of how to set clear expectations and accountability across teams. She shares insights on the importance of documenting goals, defining ownership, and maintaining open communication to prevent misunderstandings. Jess also highlights the role of organizational values in shaping behavior and performance management, and introduces a self-serve program designed to help individuals strengthen their skills in managing team dynamics and accountability.

In this episode, Jess talks with Pierre Battah about what it really means to lead with presence. From the myth of employee engagement to the quiet power of one-on-one conversations, they unpack why people check out at work — and how to bring them back in, one real connection at a time.

In this episode, Jess talks with Pierre Battah about what it really means to lead with presence. From the myth of employee engagement to the quiet power of one-on-one conversations, they unpack why people check out at work — and how to bring them back in, one real connection at a time.