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.

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.

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.

Copyright 2023 Vivian Blade