ESOPs, Ted Talks and The Inner Marble Impact of Employee Development

ESOPs, Ted Talks and The Inner Marble Impact of Employee Development

Embracing Employee Ownership and Building Authentic Connections: A Conversation with Tom Daniels In this episode, Tom Daniels shares insights on employee engagement, the unique world of ESOPs, and the power of authentic networking. Learn how fostering a sense of ownership transforms organizational culture and how genuine connections fuel professional growth. * The impact of employee ownership on organizational engagement and culture * The role of trust and authenticity in networking and mentorship * Lessons from Michelangelo's sculptures applied to coaching and leadership * The significance of supporting neurodivergent individuals and community involvement * Strategies to measure and elevate employee engagement beyond traditional metrics * How ESOPs foster long-term commitment and shared success * The importance of managers asking genuine questions about employees' personal well-being * Michelangelo's releasing technique as a metaphor for coaching and developing potential * Personal stories about community involvement and giving back through nonprofits like Avenues for Autism * The value of being intentional in checking in on others and building a culture of care 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Tom Daniels  01:20 - The origins of Tom's network and the power of authentic connections  03:40 - Exploring employee ownership and ESOPs in Ohio and beyond  06:15 - How ESOPs create a sense of shared purpose and engagement  08:45 - Trust and genuine caregiving as drivers of employee motivation  11:30 - Michelangelo's sculptures as a metaphor for coaching potential  14:00 - The importance of intentionality in leadership and community involvement  16:10 - The experience of delivering a TEDx talk on engagement  18:25 - How remote work increased authentic manager-employee interactions  20:00 - Supporting neurodivergent individuals and fostering inclusive workplaces  22:30 - The significance of community service and giving back  24:10 - Closing thoughts on building meaningful relationships and leadership Our Guest:  Tom Daniels is a lifelong student of leadership development, change management, and organizational culture. After spending 20 years in the advertising and marketing research industries, Tom followed his passion into education, working at Bowling Green State University for more than a decade. He has since returned to corporate America, this time within a 100% employee-owned company as Director of Talent Management at Knight Insurance Group. Tom has had the opportunity to share his insights at conferences across the Midwest. He survived speaking at DisruptHR Ann Arbor event and he has even spoken at the HR Cruise Conference in the Caribbean - officially earning the title of “international speaker.” Deeply committed to his community, Tom devotes his volunteer time to education-focused organizations. When he’s not in a board meeting or talking about leadership and culture, you can find Tom running around town with his dog, Mira, or spending time with his wife and two young adult sons. LINKS to info referenced in our episode: Tom LI https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrdaniels419/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrdaniels419/]  Knight Insurance: https://www.linkedin.com/company/knight-insurance-group/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/knight-insurance-group/]  TEDx session https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYuVGlTkiSI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYuVGlTkiSI]  Avenues for Autism https://avenuesforautism.org/ [https://avenuesforautism.org/]  Glass City Marathon https://glasscitymarathon.org/ [https://glasscitymarathon.org/]  Neuro-Osity www.neuro-osity.com [https://www.neuro-osity.com/] Name Drops of awesome people mentioned: Claire Stroh https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairestroh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairestroh/]  Stina Borth https://www.linkedin.com/in/stinaborth/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stinaborth/]  Laura Anthony https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraganthony/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraganthony/]   Nancy Disbrow https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancydisbrow/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancydisbrow/]  Book Reference (amazon links below):  Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari - https://amzn.to/4aGhZFS [https://amzn.to/4aGhZFS]  HR on Purpose: Developing Deliberate People Passion, by Steve Browne - https://amzn.to/4vTG8kk [https://amzn.to/4vTG8kk]  Music provided courtesy of our friends from The Break Signals [https://breaksignals.com/home]. Listen or download on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=s0dwq9XNQ1CXOk1oGy1pRA [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=s0dwq9XNQ1CXOk1oGy1pRA]  Main Topics:In this episode:Timestamps:

Unmuted with Kat Kibben: The Hidden Power of High-Quality Job Data in AI Recruiting

Summary From Meeting to Podcast: Insights on Recruitment, AI, and Personal Growth with Kat Kibben. Explore an engaging conversation with Kat Kibben, where they share their expertise on recruitment, the evolution of the industry, and personal resilience. This episode offers valuable lessons for HR professionals, hiring managers, and anyone navigating the modern workplace. Main Topics Covered: * The importance of quality data in AI-driven recruitment * Common pitfalls in job descriptions and misunderstandings about roles * How to shift from order taker to trusted consultant * Strategies for avoiding burnout: setting work boundaries * The power of small, intentional "quits" to prevent burnout * The role of authenticity and humor in leadership and crisis management * The significance of high-quality job data and its impact on AI tools (00:04) * Why many talent acquisition professionals misunderstand what makes a good job posting (01:06) * The illusion of job titles and the importance of understanding the real role (03:03) * Challenges of accurately capturing role requirements from hiring managers (04:17) * Building trust and credibility with leadership through deep strategic conversations (05:24) * How Kat’s book promotes emotional endurance and resilience in professional life (06:17) * Practical tips for setting boundaries to avoid burnout (07:39) * The benefit of using humor, like ukuleles, to break tension in stressful situations (10:02) Keywords recruiting, AI, job data, talent acquisition, HR, hiring, job descriptions, recruiter tips, ukulele Key  topics High-quality job data and AI The pitfalls of unstructured data in recruiting The importance of understanding roles deeply Shifting from order taker to trusted advisor Strategies to prevent burnout in HR Takeaways All AI aspirations in recruiting are built on high-quality job data. Most TA professionals don't know what a good job posting is. Deep conversations with stakeholders are crucial for effective hiring. All job titles are made up and often inconsistent. Setting boundaries and 'quit parameters' helps avoid burnout.  Sound bites "All job titles are made up." "Set boundaries to avoid burnout." "Drop the bar to succeed long term." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unmuted and Meeting Frustrations 02:03 The Importance of High-Quality Job Data 03:57 Understanding Job Titles and Roles 05:45 The Shift from Order Taker to Consultant 08:05 Emotional Endurance and Avoiding Burnout 09:58 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts Our Guest: Katrina Kibben (KAT) is a leadership speaker, author, and the founder of Three Ears Media. They are known for transforming how companies attract great talent and build a healthy team culture. With 15+ years of experience at globally recognized brands like Monster.com and Randstad Worldwide, Katrina shares weekly reflections on leadership, work, and well-being in their newsletter each week at katrinakibben.com. A LinkedIn Top Voice on Hiring featured in The New York Times and Forbes, Katrina is also the author of This Was All An Accident and The Bounce Back Factor, The Leader's Guide To Liking Yourself While Leading Your People. Resources Kat Kibben's new book - The Bounce Back Factor - https://amzn.to/4b3XfrJ [https://amzn.to/4b3XfrJ]  Tri-State Shrm - https://tristateshrm.com/ [https://tristateshrm.com/]  Guest links https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/] https://threeearsmedia.com/ [https://threeearsmedia.com/]

Recruiting Best Practices & The Power of Personal Brand with Claire Stroh

In this engaging interview, Claire Stroh shares insights on recruiting best practices, the impact of AI in HR, and navigating the evolving world of remote work and return-to-office policies. We dive into her many worlds as she’s the ultimate multi-tasker - with many interests, and ways to give back. We’ll talk about her practical tips for candidates and recruiters alike, and learn how authenticity and strategic communication can enhance your career and employer brand. Keywords recruiting, HR, AI, remote work, return to office, LinkedIn, job search, employer branding, talent acquisition, career coaching Key Topics Recruiting best practices and long-term strategies The role of AI and technology in HR and recruiting Impact of remote work and return-to-office policies Building a strong employer and personal brand Career coaching and candidate support Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 03:15 Weather and Workationing 06:10 Mile High SHRM and Recruiting Best Practices 09:05 AI in Recruiting 11:58 Behavioral Interviewing and Candidate Experience 15:13 Job Market Trends and Candidate Strategies 18:15 Claire's Coaching and Building Personal Brands 25:16 Overcoming Fear in Professional Networking 28:21 Navigating Personal Content on LinkedIn 29:07 Fact-Checking in Job Searching 32:15 Understanding Soft Layoffs and RTO 41:39 The Drive Behind Career Coaching Our Guest:  Claire Stroh, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, is currently a Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner at ATI Materials and CEO of Claire is Coaching LLC. She has used social media and networking to build her personal brand and uncover new opportunities for herself and the companies she’s worked for. She’s passionate about helping others do the same! Claire has more than 12 years of successively diverse human resources management experience with privately-owned and publicly-traded global leaders. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in HR from the University at Buffalo and an MBA from Niagara University. She is certified as a Professional in HR through SHRM and HRCI, and is an Adjunct Professor for HR at Niagara University. Claire is an active volunteer with her local HR Association and UB School of Management Alumni Association. She was named a HR Impact Award Winner by Buffalo Business First and Talent Acquisition Trailblazer/Community Catalyst Award Winner by HRUnite!. Planning and managing time: https://claireiscoaching.com/2023/11/23/planning-and-managing-time/ [https://claireiscoaching.com/2023/11/23/planning-and-managing-time/] HR emerging professional toolkit: https://claireiscoaching.com/hr-emerging-professional-toolkit/ [https://claireiscoaching.com/hr-emerging-professional-toolkit/]  Resources Our Article Reference on RTO and Soft Layoffs: https://byteiota.com/rto-mandates-are-soft-layoffs-everyone-knows-it/ [https://byteiota.com/rto-mandates-are-soft-layoffs-everyone-knows-it/] Indeed Smart Screening - https://www.indeed.com/enterprise/smart-screening MetaView AI Note-taking Tool - https://metaview.ai Name Drops of awesome people mentioned: Tom Daniels [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrdaniels419/] And Tim Sackett [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsackett/] Music provided courtesy of our friends from The Break Signals [https://breaksignals.com/home]. Listen or download on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=s0dwq9XNQ1CXOk1oGy1pRA [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=s0dwq9XNQ1CXOk1oGy1pRA]

Season 2 Kickoff: Embracing AI, Trends, Tools, and Talent Insights

In this engaging episode, Tom and Tom explore the latest trends in remote work, AI in recruitment, workplace culture, and upcoming industry insights. They share personal stories, discuss innovative tools like Ro.am, and preview exciting guests for season two. Keywords: remote work, AI recruitment, workplace culture, hybrid work, industry trends, talent acquisition, digital office, work from anywhere, season two, workplace technology Topics Hybrid work evolution and tools like RoamAI in recruitment and resume screening biasesWorkplace culture and employee engagementUpcoming guests and industry insights Upcoming guest list: Jeffrey Shapiro https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyshapir0/ Claire Stroh https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairestroh/ Kevin Schaff https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinschaff/ Sound bites: "Top performers often have big egos" "Gen Z leads coffee badging" "Swag is about execution and impact" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Season Kickoff 01:17 Holiday Highlights and New Year Reflections 02:37 Early 2026 Work Achievements and Goals 04:20 Current Client Trends and Workplace Fears 05:49 Handling Top Performers and Workplace Behavior 08:31 Addressing Past Leadership Oversights 09:31 The Rise of Hybrid Work and Digital Office Tools 12:16 The Phenomenon of Coffee Badging and Generational Trends 15:32 Innovations in Digital Workspaces and Employee Engagement 20:22 The Future of Workplace Technology and AI Integration 24:41 Using AI to Screen Resumes and Candidate Bias 29:05 The Impact of AI on Resume Classification and Bias 32:36 Upcoming Guests and Industry Insights 34:59 Dealing with AI and Robotics Fears in Business 36:42 Swag and Promotional Strategies in Business 39:49 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes Links: Speakpipe - https://www.speakpipe.com/ThisMeetingShouldHaveBeen The Break Signals - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=WdxdLqorT3KgFd9Ues66cwRo.am

Holiday Episode: Christine Mikhail & Change Resilience

In this engaging conversation, Christine Mikhail shares her journey as an entrepreneur who launched her consulting business during the pandemic. She discusses the importance of change resilience in organizations, especially in the context of the rapid changes brought about by COVID-19. Christine emphasizes the need for a psychological approach to change management, highlighting the emotional aspects that often go unaddressed. The discussion also covers various methodologies for managing change, the role of AI in enhancing productivity, and the importance of future-proofing organizational culture. The conversation concludes with reflections on accountability within organizations, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding SHRM. Takeaways Christine Mikhail launched her consulting business during the pandemic. Change resilience focuses on the human aspect of change management. Organizations often overlook the emotional impact of change. AI can help alleviate mundane tasks, allowing for more creativity. Future-proofing culture involves aligning AI adoption with organizational values. Compounded change affects both personal and professional lives. Effective change management requires addressing psychological readiness. The stages of grief can be applied to understanding change. Organizations need to communicate effectively to avoid misunderstandings. Debate and healthy dialogue are essential in organizational settings. Guest Bio Christine Mikhail is an accomplished entrepreneur, organizational strategist, and certified change practitioner with a distinguished career transforming workplaces across industries. As the founder of Mikhail Consulting Group, established in 2020, Mikhail has spent the past five years partnering with leading organizations to design agile structures, cultivate adaptive cultures, and drive sustainable transformation. A trusted advisor to C-suite executives and HR leaders, Mikhail brings deep expertise in organizational design, structure, and change management, helping companies navigate complex transformations with clarity and measurable impact. Leveraging her PROSCI certification and years of hands-on experience, Mikhail developed a proprietary six-week change course—a high-impact group coaching program that equips leaders and teams with the mindset, skills, and tools to confidently lead through change. Mikhail’s thought leadership extends beyond the boardroom. As an adjunct professor, Mikhail has taught graduate-level courses in talent development focusing on performance management & employee life cycle, shaping the next generation of organizational leaders. Mikhail is also a recognized national conference speaker, having delivered keynotes and sessions at Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychology conferences across the United States. Her speaking engagements focus on the evolving workplace, leadership through transformation, and the strategic role of AI in shaping organizational culture and performance. Links 1. Mikhail Consulting Group  [https://mikhailconsultinggroup.com/] 2. Personal LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-mikhail-odconsultant/] 3. Business LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/mikhail-consulting-group/?viewAsMember=true] 4. YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@yourorganizationalpsychologist] Keywords change management, resilience, organizational development, AI, consulting, pandemic, transformation, culture, leadership, emotional intelligence Chapter list: 00:00 Introduction to Change Resilience 05:04 Christine's Journey: Launching a Business During COVID 06:09 Understanding Change Resilience vs. Change Management 16:46 The Intersection of Organizational Psychology and Change Management 25:38 Future-Proofing Work Culture with AI 30:13 The Constant of Change 33:27 Compounded Change and Its Effects 37:05 Generational Perspectives on Change 38:20 Navigating Workplace Politics 41:29 Lessons from SHRM's Controversy 45:01 The Future of Meetings and AI 51:06 END