The People Strategy Podcast

Episode 214: Gratitude-Driven Leadership: Closing the Chapter with Traci Austin

What if gratitude could transform how you lead through endings and unlock your next breakthrough? Here's what most leaders get wrong: You think finishing strong means immediately jumping to the next big thing. But what if I told you that the leaders who create lasting impact know a secret about endings that changes everything? After four transformative years and 213 episodes, I'm sharing the most counterintuitive leadership lesson I've learned, and it might surprise you. This isn't just about saying goodbye to my podcast. It's about why the way you close chapters determines whether your next season will be extraordinary or just... more of the same. You've been caught in the "nexting" trap, haven't you? That relentless sprint from task to task, project to project, quarter to quarter. You think you're being productive, but here's what's really happening: You're losing energy, losing clarity, and missing the very thing that separates good leaders from transformational ones. I want to show you something different. Through stories that will make you rethink everything from your kitchen sink to your biggest career transitions, I'm revealing how gratitude-infused completions create the psychological space where your best ideas emerge and burnout becomes impossible. And here's the exciting part: I'm not just closing this chapter, I'm opening the door to something I've never offered before. The People Strategy Club [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/calendar/] isn't another program. It's where the real conversations happen, where leaders like you tackle the challenges that keep you up at night, together. But first, let me ask you this: When was the last time you truly finished something? Not just moved on from it, but honored what it gave you, celebrated what you built, and used that gratitude to fuel what comes next? If you can't remember, this episode will change how you think about leadership forever. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: * Join the People Strategy Club [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/calendar/] * Team Retention Program [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/team-retention-program/] * Leadership Development Program [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/leadership-development/] * Episode 159: Turning Complaints into Requests with Traci Austin [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/2024/02/29/episode-159-turning-complaints-into-requests-with-traci-austin/] * Connect with Traci Austin on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-austin/] * Elevated Talent Consulting [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/]

Episode 213: Meeting People Where They Are: Lessons from Rolling Tides

At Rolling Tides Construction [https://www.rollingtidesconstruction.ca], people aren't just employees—they're the heart of the company. CEO Matt Rasmussen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-rasmussen-34734917] has built a culture that truly cares about its team, fostering an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. This people-first approach is more than a philosophy—it's a business strategy that drives loyalty, engagement, and success. Matt shares how Rolling Tides demonstrates care through authentic storytelling, meaningful connections, and intentional support. From spotlighting team members on social media to creating mentorship programs and wellness initiatives, the company prioritizes its people's well-being and professional development. Matt emphasizes listening closely to employees' needs and aligning their passions with the company's goals, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin and Matt explore how genuine care for people transforms culture and retention, even in industries known for high turnover. If you want to build a workplace where your team feels truly cared for and motivated to give their best, this conversation offers practical inspiration and actionable ideas. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: * Connect with Matt Rasmussen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-rasmussen-34734917] * Find out more about Rolling Tides Construction [https://www.rollingtidesconstruction.ca/] * Episode 102: Bridging the Gap in Leadership with Jamie Taets [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/2022/12/15/ep-102-bridging-the-gap-in-leadership-with-jaime-taets/] * Team Retention Program [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/team-retention-program/] * Connect with Traci Austin on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-austin/] * Elevated Talent Consulting [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/]

Episode 212: Engineering Spaces for Belonging: The Power of Intentional Culture-Building

What if the most successful companies aren't the ones with the best perks or highest salaries, but the ones that have cracked the code on engineering authentic human connection? Nick Lombardino [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlombardino/], Co-Founder of CultureCon [https://www.cultureconusa.org/], stumbled upon this truth during focus groups that were supposed to validate a technology solution. Instead, he uncovered a startling revelation: people weren't craving another digital tool; they were desperately seeking genuine connection in their workplaces. This unexpected discovery sparked a seven-year experiment that's been quietly revolutionizing how forward-thinking leaders approach culture. The secret? What Nick calls "engineered synchronicities"—strategic moments that feel spontaneous but are carefully designed to create the kind of authentic connections that transform entire organizations. In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-austin/] speaks with Nick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlombardino/]Lombardino [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlombardino/]about the counterintuitive insights that emerge when you stop treating culture as a nice-to-have and start engineering it as your competitive advantage. Nick reveals why the companies thriving today have abandoned traditional culture-building in favor of something far more powerful and surprisingly simple. You'll discover the hidden psychology behind why some teams feel like families while others remain collections of strangers, even after years of working together. Traci and Nick explore the specific behaviors that separate leaders who inspire fierce loyalty from those who struggle with constant turnover, and why the answer might surprise you. But here's what makes this conversation different: Nick shares the exact framework he's used to help organizations create what he calls "magnetic cultures"—workplaces so compelling that people actively recruit their friends to join. If you've ever wondered why some companies have waiting lists of candidates while others can't retain talent, this episode holds the answers you've been searching for. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: * Connect with Nick Lombardino on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlombardino/] * Find out more about CultureCon [https://www.cultureconusa.org/] * Episode 117: How Culture Can Impact Retention AND Turnover with Zech Dahms [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/2023/03/16/ep-115-how-culture-can-impact-retention-and-turnover-with-zech-dahms/] * Team Retention Program [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/team-retention-program/] * Connect with Traci Austin on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-austin/] * Elevated Talent Consulting [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/]

Episode 211: Elevating Our Tradespeople: Building Culture, Clarity, and Passion on the Jobsite

The trades have often been seen as a fallback rather than a first-choice career. But what if we challenged that narrative and recognized the skilled trades as a vital, dignified profession with immense opportunity? James Faulkner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-faulkner-9a53085/?originalSubdomain=ca], President and Founder of Site Max Systems [https://sitemaxsystems.com/], brings decades of experience bridging technology and the trades to shed light on how we can elevate the workforce from within. His passion for creating environments where every worker feels respected and empowered makes him a leading voice in the industry's transformation. James understands the unique challenges faced by tradespeople—many enter the field as a Plan B or C, influenced by family history and societal perceptions. Yet, he believes that with the right leadership and support, these workers can find meaning, growth, and pride in their careers. His work at Site Max Systems focuses on empowering field crews with tools and programs that help them dream bigger and achieve more. In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin and James dive into the realities and opportunities of today's trades workforce. They discuss how parental perceptions shape career choices, why rebranding the trades is critical, and how leaders can connect with what truly motivates their teams. Listeners will gain pointers on fostering pride, supporting personal growth, and redefining success beyond passion alone. Whether you're a leader in construction or any trades-based business, this conversation offers fresh perspectives and practical strategies to build stronger, more engaged teams and better projects. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: * Connect with James Faulkner on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-faulkner-9a53085/] * Find out more about SiteMax Systems [https://sitemaxsystems.com/] * Episode 197: Smart Tech for Team Retention and Talent Growth with Tim Sackett [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/2025/01/09/episode-197-smart-tech-for-team-retention-and-talent-growth/] * Team Retention Program [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/team-retention-program/] * Connect with Traci Austin on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-austin/] * Elevated Talent Consulting [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/]

Episode 210: From High Turnover to High Commitment: How a Janitorial Company Became a People-First Powerhouse

What if the issue isn't who you're hiring, but what they're walking into? That was the pivotal question Greg Brouwer asked himself when he took the reins of West Michigan Janitorial [https://wmjanitorial.com/], overseeing a team of more than 200 employees and facing turnover rates nearing 200%. Instead of defaulting to reactive hiring or higher pay, Greg chose a different path... one centred on building belonging, not just bandwidth. "What if we focused less on finding more people," Greg asked, "and more on becoming a place worth staying in?" Greg's approach reframed leadership from task oversight to culture stewardship. He didn't just aim to run a more efficient cleaning company; he set out to create a values-driven workplace where dignity is the default, and retention is the byproduct of trust, structure, and care. Under his leadership, turnover has steadily declined below 85%, driven not by easier work but by a stronger culture. In this powerful episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-austin/] sits down with Greg Brouwer, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-brouwer-42b00711/] owner of West Michigan Janitorial, to unpack what it means to run a high-turnover business without a high-turnover mindset. They discuss the systems Greg's team implemented to create stability, predictability, and trust, including an employee assistance fund, value-aligned hiring practices, and a structured onboarding experience that centers care and clarity. They also explore Greg's long-term vision: a workplace where employees can connect their daily work to long-term dreams. Whether you're grappling with retention or looking to future-proof your team, this conversation offers more than quick fixes. It's a blueprint for building a company people don't just work for; it's about building a workplace people believe in. Resources mentioned in this episode: * Connect with Gregory Brouwer on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-brouwer-42b00711/] * Find out more about C12 Leadership [https://www.joinc12.com/] * West Michigan Janitorial [https://wmjanitorial.com/] * Episode 172: Impact of Appreciation at Work with Dr. Paul White [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/2024/06/13/episode-172-impact-of-appreciation-at-work-with-dr-paul-white/] * Team Retention Program [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/team-retention-program/] * Connect with Traci Austin on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-austin/] * Elevated Talent Consulting [https://elevatedtalentconsulting.com/]