The Team Check-in

The Neuroscience of Dance and Leadership feat. Carol Fraser

What can swing dancing teach us about leadership? More than you'd think. In this episode, Carol Fraser, an HR veteran with 30+ years of experience and 28 years of teaching swing dance, reveals the surprising parallels between the dance floor and the boardroom. Carol breaks down how partner dancing builds trust faster than any corporate team-building exercise, why leaders need to understand "leading vs. bulldozing," and what neuroscience research tells us about movement and brain health.  Say "Hi" to Carol [https://www.linkedin.com/in/awesomehrexec/] Learn more about Teamflect [https://teamflect.com/?utm_source=team-check-in&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=carol-fraser] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Why Your Employees Can’t Remember Your Company Values and How to Fix It feat. Ann Melinger

Most organizations have company values — yet very few use them. They sit on a website, printed on a wall, or buried in an onboarding deck… but they rarely guide decisions, shape culture, or influence performance. In this episode of The Team Check-In, Emre sits down with Ann Melinger, Founder & CEO of Bink, who brings 25+ years of expertise in employee communications, culture transformation, and values-driven leadership. Together, they unpack: * Why company values become “wallpaper” in most organizations * The biggest misconceptions leaders have about defining values * How to translate a value into clear, observable behaviors * What values look like in action — especially under pressure * How to integrate values into hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, competencies, and recognition * What to do if you realize your values are outdated, ignored, or misaligned * How fast-growing companies can prevent cultural drift * A simple storytelling exercise that helps leaders identify their real values * When (and how often) to refresh your values as your business evolves Ann breaks it all down with clarity, practicality, and zero jargon — offering a framework that any HR or People leader can start using immediately. If you're realizing your company values aren’t doing the job they should, this episode is your starting point. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Why We Freeze at Work: Fear, Shame, and other Hidden Blockers feat. Mindy Honcoop

In this deeply human episode of The Team Check-In, Emre sits down with veteran Chief People Officer and founder of Agile in HR, Mindy Honcoop, for a candid conversation about the emotions we rarely acknowledge in the workplace: fear, shame, and the hidden stories we bring with us into our jobs. Mindy opens up about how fear shapes behavior, why shame disconnects us from ourselves and others, and how these forces quietly sabotage performance, collaboration, and confidence. She shares real examples from her career, breaks down the difference between scarcity and abundance cultures, and introduces practical tools like the Fear Audit to help leaders uncover unspoken blockers before they derail projects or people. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Untold HR Lessons from Tesla’s Fastest Growth Phase feat. Felicia Heward

In this episode of The Team Check-In, Emre sits down with Felicia Heward — a seasoned HR leader who’s worked with industry giants like GE Aerospace and Tesla before launching her own fractional HR practice. Felicia shares her remarkable journey from managing labor relations in male-dominated industries to supporting growing startups that need structure and culture. She discusses what “employee relations” really means, how to handle workplace conflict constructively, and the story of Charles — the 80-year-old employee who became a symbol of loyalty and leadership. Felicia also offers an insider look into Tesla’s rapid growth, explaining how HR played a pivotal role in scaling under charismatic leadership and fast-paced innovation. Whether you’re an HR professional, a startup founder, or simply fascinated by workplace dynamics, this episode is filled with wisdom, humor, and heart. Say "Hi!" to Felicia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicia-heward-lakeeffecthr/] Learn more about Teamflect [https://teamflect.com/?utm_source=team-check-in&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=feliciaheward] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Why HR Can’t Be an Afterthought in Startups feat. Natalie Ledbetter

In the third installment of our HR Expert Series, we sit down with Natalie Ledbetter, fractional Chief People Officer, startup advisor, and consultant, to explore the role of HR in early-stage companies. Natalie shares why bringing HR in too late can create “people debt,” how hiring strategically early on can change the trajectory of a Series A or B startup, and why DEI is far more than a compliance exercise but actually a core business strategy. Along the way, she offers a candid perspective on why most people don’t scale with companies, how to celebrate exits when they happen, and the patterns that distinguish early-stage builders from late-stage operators. Learn more about Teamflect [https://teamflect.com/?utm_source=team-check-in&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=natalie-ledbetter] Say "Hi!" to Natalie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-ledbetter/]! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.