Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast

How to Build an Inclusive Mindset at Work & Home with Justin Jones-Fosu

Want to build a stronger work culture where everyone feels welcome, heard, and valued? In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with speaker, author, and inclusion strategist Justin Jones-Fosu to explore how leaders can develop an inclusive mindset and why it matters more than ever for business culture and team performance. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ The difference between an inclusive mindset and an exclusion mindset  ✔️ Why most people mis-define diversity,  and how to reframe it for your team  ✔️ The growth mindset principles that make inclusion actually stick  ✔️ Practical strategies like the 1MC/W formula and the Circles of Grace Challenge  ✔️ How to create a work culture where people feel they truly belong This episode is for leaders, managers, business owners, and professionals who want to improve organizational culture, strengthen team communication, and build workplaces where people thrive. Topics covered include: inclusive mindset, work culture, organizational culture, business culture, diversity and inclusion, leadership development, team communication, leadership and business, belonging at work, growth mindset, and career growth. Connect with Justin Jones-Fosu: 📘 The Inclusive Mindset,  available wherever books are sold 📘 I Respectfully Disagree,  available wherever books are sold The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast helps leaders improve work culture, communication, and business performance through real-world leadership strategies and practical insights. Click here to view the episode transcript. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/a8eb3ef6/transcript] Learn more about training, coaching, and courses at https://vibrantculture.com [https://vibrantculture.com/] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/] For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/] Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/] Want to be a guest? Send your request to podcast@vibrantculture.com [podcast@vibrantculture.com]

How to Build Bravery and Lead with Courage with Jill Schulman

Want to build a work culture where people speak up, take initiative, and lead with confidence? This episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast dives into the science of bravery and what it actually takes to build courageous teams. In this episode, Nicole Greer sits down with Jill Schulman, US Marine Corps veteran, keynote speaker, and author of The Bravery Effect, to explore how bravery isn't reserved for Navy SEALs and firefighters. It's the everyday courage to speak up in a meeting, have a hard conversation, or raise your hand for a leadership opportunity. This conversation also dives into positive psychology, growth mindset, stress, confidence, self-efficacy, and why waiting until you feel ready may be the very thing keeping you stuck. If you want to create a workplace culture where people speak up, take ownership, grow through discomfort, and support one another in doing hard things, this episode is packed with practical insight. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why bravery is a skill you can build (not a personality trait you're born with) * How to stop waiting to feel confident before taking action * The neuroscience behind building your "bravery muscle" * Why surrounding yourself with the right people accelerates your growth * How to use fear as a signal rather than a stop sign This episode is for leaders, managers, business owners, and emerging professionals who want to improve team communication, strengthen organizational culture, and create workplaces where people are brave enough to perform at their best. Connect with Jill: Jill's book, The Bravery Effect: https://a.co/d/6f8NymU [https://a.co/d/6f8NymU] Website: https://www.jillschulman.com/ [https://www.jillschulman.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillaschulman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillaschulman/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillschulman/ [https://www.instagram.com/jillschulman/] YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jillschulman?si=OLp_zRLNANAiidSy [https://youtube.com/@jillschulman?si=OLp_zRLNANAiidSy]  The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast helps leaders improve work culture, communication, and business performance through real-world leadership strategies and practical insights. Click here to view the episode transcript. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/1281d574/transcript] Learn more about training, coaching, and courses at https://vibrantculture.com [https://vibrantculture.com/] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/] For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/] Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/] Want to be a guest? Send your request to podcast@vibrantculture.com [podcast@vibrantculture.com]

Hardcore Soft Skills: How To Master The Hardest Leadership Skills

Want to improve team communication, build a stronger work culture, and lead with more confidence? In this episode, Nicole Greer sits down with organizational psychologist and author Yadi Caro to unpack why soft skills are actually the hardest and most important skills in business today.  Yadi Caro is the author of Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work with Humans.  In it, she explores the communication, collaboration, conflict management, and leadership skills that make organizations truly effective. Yadi shares practical strategies for building high-performing teams, improving workplace communication, handling conflict productively, giving effective feedback, leading through change, and creating meetings that “suck less.” The conversation also dives into emotional intelligence, empathy, networking, problem-solving, and why AI will never replace genuine human connection. If you want to improve your leadership skills, strengthen your organizational culture, and become better at working with humans, this episode is packed with actionable insights. In this episode: * Why “soft skills” are actually hardcore skills * The role of self-awareness in leadership * How empathy improves team performance * Why listening is a competitive advantage * How to prevent workplace misunderstandings * Better ways to give and receive feedback * Conflict management strategies that build stronger teams * Why productive meetings matter * Leadership skills AI can’t replace * How to create a more vibrant workplace culture Get Yadi’s book: Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work with Humans Yadi Caro is an organizational psychology practitioner, certified Agile coach, and Harvard-trained expert who has worked with developer teams, engineers, and US military organizations for over 15 years. Her book, Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Working with Humans, is a hands-on workbook packed with frameworks, assessments, and exercises you can use immediately.  Learn more about Yadi:  Yadi Caro Official Website: https://www.yadicaro.com/ The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast helps leaders improve work culture, communication, and business performance through real-world leadership strategies and practical insights. Click here to view the episode transcript. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/a29fdc5d/transcript] Learn more about training, coaching, and courses at https://vibrantculture.com [https://vibrantculture.com/] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/] For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/] Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/] Want to be a guest? Send your request to podcast@vibrantculture.com [podcast@vibrantculture.com]

The Real Secret to Compensation Strategy: Start With Philosophy

If your compensation strategy starts with pay bands, you’re already behind. In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with compensation expert Scott Trumpolt to unpack what leaders get wrong about pay, and how to fix it. With over 30 years of experience in HR leadership and compensation design, Scott shares why compensation isn’t just about salaries. It's about philosophy, strategy, and aligning pay with business goals. You’ll learn: * Why compensation strategy must start with company philosophy * The biggest mistake companies make when promoting top performers * How to balance pay transparency with business realities * Why giving everyone the same raise destroys engagement * How compensation can drive (or destroy) employee performance * The link between career development and pay growth If you want to attract top talent, retain your best people, and build a truly vibrant culture, this conversation is a must-listen.  The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast helps leaders improve work culture, communication, and business performance through real-world leadership strategies and practical insights. Click here to view the episode transcript. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/b5bb63f9/transcript] Learn more about training, coaching, and courses at https://vibrantculture.com [https://vibrantculture.com/] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/] For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/] Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/] Want to be a guest? Send your request to podcast@vibrantculture.com [podcast@vibrantculture.com]

Cybersecurity Is a Leadership Problem (Not an IT Problem) How to Protect Your Business Before It’s Too Late

What if cybersecurity isn’t an IT issue but a leadership failure? In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with global cybersecurity expert JC Gaillard, founder of Corix Partners, to unpack why most organizations are approaching cybersecurity all wrong and what leaders must do differently. This conversation dives into work culture, organizational culture, leadership and business strategy, and the critical role of executive ownership in protecting your company. You’ll learn why cybersecurity is no longer about prevention. It’s about resilience, trust, and execution across the entire organization. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, not just IT * The dangerous “spiral of failure” most companies are stuck in * The real reason throwing money at cybersecurity doesn’t work * How short-term thinking is putting businesses at risk * Why trust—not technology—is the foundation of real security * What leaders must do to embed business protection into culture Remember, in today’s world, it’s not if, it’s when. This episode is for: Leaders, executives, HR professionals, and business owners who want to strengthen organizational culture, improve leadership effectiveness, and protect their business from real-world threats. Recommended Books by JC Gaillard: Cybersecurity Spiral of Failure The First 100 Days of the New CISO A CyberSecurity Handbook for the CISO and the CEO The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast helps leaders improve work culture, communication, and business performance through real-world leadership strategies and practical insights. Click here to view the episode transcript. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/1e28f8b3/transcript] Learn more about training, coaching, and courses at https://vibrantculture.com [https://vibrantculture.com/] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/] For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/] Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/ [https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/] Want to be a guest? Send your request to podcast@vibrantculture.com [podcast@vibrantculture.com]