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: https://exe-coach.com/about/

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 wide-ranging podcast, Spectrum: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spectrum/id112453909

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