Podcast

Better Leaders, Better Workplaces

Leaders…

Are you struggling with how to grow and thrive in this new, never normal work environment?
Are you challenged with how to lead your businesses forward?
Is it difficult to communicate a clear business strategy amongst many priorities?
Do you find it hard to build a culture of motivated, high-achieving teams?

Resilience and Leadership Expert Vivian Blade draws from years of experience to provide leaders with invaluable insights and proven strategies to address the most pressing workplace challenges of today. Through her podcast, Better Leaders, Better Workplaces, she equips leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to overcome issues such as high turnover, burnout, and toxic workplace culture. With a focus on building resilient and high-performing teams, her charge is to educate and prepare leaders to create stronger, healthier workplaces that deliver winning outcomes for both employees and the organization as a whole.

Unleashing Better Leaders and Workplaces Insights from Former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge

April 2024

Show notes

Unleashing Better Leaders and Workplaces Insights from Former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge

Episode Description: In this episode, Vivian Blade talks with guest Garry Ridge, chairman emeritus of WD-40 Company and founder of The Learning Moment, about the importance of company culture in today’s workplace. They discuss the impact of culture on employee engagement and retention, the essential role of purpose and values, and the ongoing evolution of work in the wake of future workplace trends. They also address the critical need for human connection in the age of technology and the importance of focusing on people alongside business strategy. Join Vivian and Gary for an engaging and insightful conversation about building better leaders and better workplaces.

Key Takeaways:

1. Purpose and Values: Clearly defined purpose and values are vital in creating a positive work environment. Employees want to be part of something bigger than themselves.

2. Culture Ownership: Culture is not just the responsibility of HR; it’s everyone’s responsibility. Each individual in the organization either contributes positively or negatively to the culture.

3. The Human Connection: In the wake of the future of work, one of the most concerning trends is isolation. Even with technological advancements, the need for human connection remains imperative for engagement and productivity.

Connect with Garry Ridge:

Website: https://thelearningmoment.net

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

Virtual Fireside Chat with Garry Ridge, Wednesday, April 24, 12:00 p.m. ET. Register for live event or recording

Connect with Vivian:

Email: vivian@vivianblade.com

Vivian’s website

Connect with Vivian on LinkedIn

Future Proof Your People Strategy With Srikant Chellappa

March 2024

Show Notes

Future Proof Your People Strategy With Srikant Chellappa

Episode Description: Whether you’re a business or HR leader looking to solve pressing turnover, burnout, and workplace culture challenges, this episode of “Better Leaders, Better Workplaces” is a must-listen. Srikant Chellappa, cofounder and CEO of Engagedly, and host Vivian Blade share the latest trends and strategies for creating resilient workplaces. Tune in to discover the key takeaways of treating employees as humans, the importance of transparency and recognition, and the impact of the generational talent shortage.

Key Takeaways:

1. Today’s talent game is changing faster than ever, and the old rulebook just won’t cut it. If you want to thrive in the workforce of the future, you’d better start rethinking how you attract, retain, and support your people.

2. Talent management isn’t just about managing talent anymore. It’s about creating an environment where both the organization and its people can truly thrive. It’s about fulfilling the promise of benefiting each other in meaningful ways.

3. Organizations need to prepare for honest conversations with their employees. People want to be recognized as individuals with their own work and life aspirations, not just another row in the spreadsheet.

4. The future of work is all about acknowledging people as, well, people. It’s about treating them with respect, recognizing their goals, and keeping their aspirations in mind when setting organizational objectives.

5. Employees want transparency, timely feedback, and a real sense of respect. Leaders need to be prepared for some straight talk.

Connect with Sri:
Email: schellappa@engagedly.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srikantchellappa/
Website: https://engagedly.com

Virtual Fireside Chat with Sri Chellappa, Wednesday, April 3, 12:00 p.m. ET:
Register for live event or recording

Connect with Vivian:

Email: vivian@vivianblade.com
Vivian’s website
Connect with Vivian on LinkedIn

The Impact of Mental Health on Workplace Productivity and Employee Well-being with Michael Davis

January 16, 2024

Episode Description:

In this insightful discussion, host Vivian Blade welcomes Michael Davis, a principal at Mindshare Partners, to explore the evolving state of employee well-being post-pandemic. Gain valuable insights and actionable strategies to enhance mental health in your organization!

Connect with Michael:
mdavis@mindsharepartners.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davispmichael/
Website: https://www.mindsharepartners.org

Resources:
Mind Share Partners 2023 Mental Health at Work Report
https://www.mindsharepartners.org/mentalhealthatworkreport-2023

Virtual Fireside Chat with Michael Davis, Tuesday, January 30, 12:00 p.m. ET: Register for live event or recording

Key Takeaways:

Unveiling the Contradictory Nature of Workplace Mental Health
Shifting the Focus from Individual to Collective Approach
Elevating Mental Health as a Strategic Imperative
Impactful Solutions for Employee Well-Being

Embracing Vulnerability: Unlocking Resilience in the Business World with Colonel Charlie Davis, Part 2

December 19, 2023

Episode Description:

In this episode, retired Colonel Charlie Davis and host Vivian Blade delve into the world of leadership, resilience, and the surprising impact of vulnerability in the workplace. Join us to discover proven strategies to revolutionize your leadership approach and create a more compassionate, human-centered culture.

Who should listen: Business and HR leaders looking to solve turnover, burnout, and workplace culture challenges.

Connect with Col. Davis: email – charliedavis@davisscc.com | LinkedIn

Resources: Embracing Vulnerability: Unlocking Resilience in the Business World with Colonel Charlie Davis, Part 1

Key Takeaways:

Engaged Leadership
Vulnerability
Acknowledging and Validating Challenges
Programmatic Approach

Embracing Vulnerability: Unlocking Resilience in the Business World with Colonel Charlie Davis, Part 1

November 22, 2023

Episode Description:

In another enlightening episode of Better Leaders, Better Workplaces, host Vivian Blade invites Colonel Charlie Davis, a retired military intelligence expert, to delve into the untapped potential of vulnerability in leadership. Together, they uncover the transformative impact of embracing personal resilience, fostering authentic connections, and reshaping organizational culture. From combat zones to boardrooms, this thought-provoking discussion will empower listeners like you to navigate challenges with grace and lead their teams to extraordinary heights.

Vivian and Charlie discuss the importance of role modeling vulnerability in the business world and uncover the key to developing resilient teams and organizations. Charlie is particularly surprised by just how much people crave engagement with their leaders and how even one person can make a significant impact on an organization, regardless of their position.

Key Takeaways:

The Power of Vulnerability
Personal Resilience as a Foundation
Engagement is Essential
Programmatic Approach
Influence Change at Any Level

The Power of HR Strategy in an Evolving Future of Work

October 17, 2023

Reengineering Talent Retention with Vivian Blade

Episode Description: In this episode of GGG Unleashed: Better Leaders Better Workplaces, I am joined by guest Lisa Johnson, HR Officer for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and CEO of HR Know How, LLC. We discuss the importance of HR strategy in the evolving future of the work environment. Lisa explains that an HR strategy is like a roadmap that guides the HR department in achieving its vision and aligning with the organization's goals. She emphasizes the benefits of having a clear HR strategy, such as creating a sense of purpose for the HR department and ensuring alignment with the organization. Lisa also shares her framework for developing an effective HR strategy and provides an example of its implementation in the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Key Takeaways:
The importance of an effective HR strategy.
HR as a strategic business expert and consultant.
Components of an HR strategy: Vision, mission, and goals.

Reengineering Talent Retention with Vivian Blade

September 19, 2023

Reengineering Talent Retention with Vivian Blade

Episode Description: In this episode of GGG Unleashed: Better Leaders Better Workplaces, host Vivian Blade discusses the importance of reengineering talent retention strategies in the ever-evolving world of work. She highlights how the traditional employee model is shifting, with more off-campus and remote workers becoming the norm. Blade introduces a new model for talent life cycle experience, focusing on six stages: cultivate, connect, care, contribute, close, and champion. By creating a human-centric approach to talent retention, organizations can enhance employee engagement, foster a sense of belonging, and ultimately cultivate loyal advocates for their brand. This episode provides valuable insights and strategies for HR and business leaders looking to address turnover, burnout, and workplace culture challenges.


Key Takeaways:
Talent is evolving.
Experience matters.
Human-centric talent life cycle experience.

HR’s Silent Struggle: Michele Fantt Harris on Gaining Ground and Influence

August 15, 2023

HR's Silent Struggle: Michele Fantt Harris on Gaining Ground and Influence

Episode Description: In this episode of Better Leaders, Better Workplaces, Vivian Blade is joined by Michele Fantt Harris , founder and CEO of MFH Associates - a leadership development firm. Together, they share valuable insights on how non-HR business leaders can effectively include HR in making business decisions. They emphasize the importance of knowing the individuals in your organization, understanding what motivates them, and why they choose to stay or join. With a focus on leading from the heart and creating a human-centric organization, they offer valuable strategies to enhance employee engagement, retention, and overall success in today's rapidly evolving work environment.

Key Takeaways:
Partner with your Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for strategic projects involving people. 

Lead from the heart and create a human-centric organization.

Build influence by focusing on big-picture human capital issues.

From Good to Great: Driving Organizational Transformation with Better Leaders with Vivian Blade

July 20, 2023

From Good to Great: Driving Organizational Transformation with Better Leaders with Vivian Blade

Episode Summary:

In another insightful episode of Better Leaders, Better Workplaces, Vivian Blade shines the spotlight on HR’s pivotal role in driving organizational transformation. Drawing from IBM and the Josh Bersin Company’s HR 3.0 study, she unpacks how companies with world-class HR outperform others in revenue, profitability, and innovation. Vivian then offers practical tips to become a trusted HR advisor. Don’t miss out on tools and knowledge to become a better leader and create and create resilient workplaces!

Key Takeaways:

– HR professionals play a vital role in leading organizational transformation. Companies with strong HR departments outperform their competitors in revenue, profitability, and innovation.

– Vivian highlights the importance of what Johnny C. Taylor, CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reveals as three essential skills for the future: being a human expert, a business expert, and a culture expert.

– Assess your level of influence by completing an Influence Audit. Vivian invites listeners to a summit on becoming a trusted adviser with an influential seat at the table.

Revolutionizing Workplace Well-being: An Inside Look with Annetta Hunter

February 2024

Revolutionizing Workplace Well-being: An Inside Look with Annetta Hunter

After listening in on the eye-opening conversation between GGG Unleashed host Vivian Blade and her guest Annetta Hunter, you’ll hear about strategies to revolutionize employee well-being in the workplace, uncover the truth behind employer responsibility, the shared role in well-being, and the must-know tips for boosting employee mental resilience.

Here are 4 of the many key takeaways about employee well-being, workplace resilience, and the impact on organizations.

1. It’s not just about having wellness services in your benefits package; employers also need to actively prioritize and support employee well-being to drive a resilient and productive workforce.

2. Many employees don’t fully utilize existing well-being resources due to barriers like time constraints, confusion, and stigma, signaling the need to make wellness programs more accessible and engaging.

3. Addressing mental well-being issues in the workplace is essential to prevent the domino effect of stress-related absenteeism, workload escalations, and decreased employee engagement.

4. The impact of employee well-being on organizational success goes beyond just productivity and engagement, emphasizing the need for employers to view it as a valuable investment rather than just another budget item.

Annetta Hunter is CEO, founder, and Chief Wellness Officer of WellNow Connect.

Connect with Annetta: Annetta.hunter@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetta-l-hunter-president-worksite-wellness-council-7763693/
Website: https://www.wellnowconnect.com

Resources:
WellNOW Connect: https://www.wellnowconnect.com

Virtual Fireside Chat with Annetta Hunter, Tuesday, February 27, 12:00 p.m. ET: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DSo4uyx2RfGpz_oBR03pfA
Register for live event or recording

Fine-Tuning Company Culture for Employee Experience + Retention, Part 2

June 20, 2023

Fine-Tuning Company Culture for Employee Experience + Retention, Part I

Episode Description: In Part 2 of Fine-Tuning Company Culture for Employee Experience + Retention, Vivian Blade reflects on the fine-tuning or overhauling of company culture to meet the expectations of employees to be seen as human beings first. She is joined by Michele Koch, SVP and Chief Culture and People Development Officer at Republic Bank, who shares future work trends and provides strategies for growing positive leaders, enhancing culture and employee experience.

Key Takeaways:

Developing positive leadership is crucial for enhancing employee experience and

Vulnerability and humility play a critical role in building trust and making employees feel heard and valued

Listening and acting on employee feedback is essential for creating a positive work culture

Fine-Tuning Company Culture for Employee Experience + Retention, Part I

May 16, 2023

Fine-Tuning Company Culture for Employee Experience + Retention, Part I

Episode Description: In this episode, Vivian Blade reflects on the fine-tuning or overhauling of company culture to meet the expectations of employees to be seen as human beings first. She is joined by Michelle Koch, SVP and Chief Culture and People Development Officer at Republic Bank, who will discuss future work trends and provide some strategies for growing positive leaders, enhancing culture and employee experience.

Key Takeaways:

Get employee feedback on your current employee experience, and benchmark other companies to get a feel for what’s possible.

Partner with employees in defining your organization’s culture and in generating and implementing ideas for enhancing the employee life cycle experience.

Corporate citizenship, workplace flexibility, and intentionally building connections and trust are essential non-negotiables that businesses need to embrace to attract and retain top-tier talent.

Positive Leadership Part II: Your 5-Step Roadmap

April 18, 2023

GGG Unleashed with Vivian Blade: Positive Leadership Part II: Your 5-Step Roadmap

Episode Description: Are leaders born or made? Tune in to Part II of Vivian Blade’s powerful interview with Dr. Ryan Quinn, Associate Professor and Academic Director for the Project on Positive Leadership at the University of Louisville College of Business answers. He’ll reveal some good news on this long-standing argument and provide a 5-Step roadmap for how to accomplish the practice of Positive Leadership. The result? Better workplace culture, better employee wellbeing, lower turnover, and more positive business outcomes.

Along the way you’ll learn:

Practical examples of positive leadership in action
Your 5-Step Roadmap for how to practice positive leadership
Tips for HR leaders to inspire positive leadership in your organization’s culture

Key to a Positive Workplace Culture with Dr. Ryan Quinn

March 21, 2023

GGG Unleashed with Vivian Blade: Positive Leadership: Key to a Positive Workplace Culture, Part I

Among the biggest reasons why people are quitting, quiet quitting, or adopting ‘bare minimum Monday’s’ is because of a bad boss and toxic culture. We see it in Gallup’s Engagement research – only one-third of employees are engaged at work. Gartner suggests that to turn things around, leaders and organizations need to be human-centric. We need to build positive leaders and positive workplaces.

Join me for Part 1 of my incredibly enlightening conversation with Dr. Ryan Quinn, Associate Professor and Academic Director for the Project on Positive Leadership at the University of Louisville College of Business. He will challenge your thinking about what positive leadership is and what the practice of positive leadership looks like.

Along the way you’ll learn: – Why positive leadership is especially important in the current climate

Clarity on what positive leadership is
The role virtues play in positive leadership

Influence Essentials for HR: Elevate Your Value

February 21, 2023

GGG Unleashed with Vivian Blade: Influence Essentials for HR: Elevate Your Value

Is there always a seat at the table for HR In your organization? Do business leaders rarely move forward with decisions without HR’s voice? If you answered ‘No’, don’t miss this episode. HR’s value creation is a top priority on not only HR’s agenda, but also your overall business agenda in this never-normal environment.

In this episode, Vivian Blade reveals the key to HR’s value creation through greater influence. Find out how HR can leverage their influence to play a bigger role in the important decisions around the direction of the organization and its capacity for growth.

Along the way you’ll learn:

HR’s value in your organization’s overall agenda
5-Point framework to SCALE HR’s influence
Leverage your influence to elevate HR’s brand

Seat at the Table: HR Then, Now, and in the Future

January 17, 2023

GGG Unleashed with Vivian Blade: Seat at the Table: HR Then, Now, and in the Future

Episode Description:

As companies struggle to successfully navigate the Future of Work in 2023 and beyond, HR is in one of the best positions to lead through the changes in the business and workplace environment. Yet, HR is often not invited to the table where significant strategic decisions are made, often due to a lack of credibility required to influence the direction of the organization. In this episode, Vivian Blade shares how HR begins to close the gap, to be seen and invited in as an essential strategic partner.

Along the way you’ll learn:

Key drivers keeping HR outside of the inner circle.
Best practices successful HR leaders use to gain a strategic Seat at the Table.

Workplace Trends to Watch in 2023

December 20, 2022

GGG Unleashed with Vivian Blade: Workplace Trends to Watch in 2023

Episode Description:

It’s inevitable. We continue to be in an environment of disruption – and 2023 will be no exception. As the work environment continues to evolve, business and HR leaders need to stay ahead of what’s coming. Vivian Blade brings your attention to the workplace trends to watch in 2023, the implications for your company, and reveals five strategic areas you’ll have to be hyper-vigilant around.

Along the way you’ll learn:

Get ahead of the trends so your organization can proactively adapt, not react
HR must position itself as a Champion of change
Organizations must develop a more positive employee life cycle experience

Introducing Better Leaders, Better Workplaces

November 15, 2022

GGG Unleashed is a series featuring expert advice from industry thought leaders on how to adapt, grow, and thrive in the never-normal world we live in. Vivian Blade, resilience and inclusive leadership expert, bestselling author, and top 100 HR influencer, is our first thought partner on GGG Unleashed. Tune in to her monthly episodes as Vivian reveals workforce and workplace trends and shares valuable tips to help leaders like you build better workplaces. Whether you’re a first-time manager or a seasoned CEO, Vivian Blade has something to offer everyone who wants to develop as a leader. Follow wherever you get your audio.