The Dignity of Work

E181: More Than a Label — Reinvention and Resilience

What happens when life forces you to start over? In this episode of More Than a Label, Nicole shares how losing a job became the beginning of an unexpected new chapter as she launched her own pet sitting business with support from Career Path Services and the WIOA Dislocated Worker program. Joined by workforce professional Elizabeth Neal, the conversation explores career pivots, resilience, and the emotional realities of rebuilding after hardship. Together, they discuss what people truly need when navigating uncertainty—not just employment support, but encouragement, dignity, and the belief that a setback does not define a person's future.

E180: My Whole Story: More Than a Label – From Surviving to Showing Up

In this episode of My Whole Story: More Than a Label, Duncan Taylor, CEO of the Washington Bankers Association and President of CareerWork$, shares a powerful and deeply personal story that challenges assumptions about success, struggle, and what people carry beneath the surface. Growing up in poverty and an abusive home, Duncan faced significant trauma and instability, but through mentorship, self awareness, and a pivotal shift in mindset, he began to see his life not as defined by what happened to him, but by what he could choose moving forward. With honesty and insight, he reflects on the role of effort, support, and the belief that transformation begins with a simple idea, "because I can." This conversation is a reminder that we are all more than our past, and that the path forward is shaped by the meaning we choose to make of it.

E179: Good at Work: The Career Playbook for Leaders and Teams-Same Team, Same Page – Building Sustainable Work Practices Through Feedback

From the Best of The Dignity of Work: In this episode of the Good at Work series, Cami Eakins (CEO of Career Path Services), Lisa Grund (Organizational Development Partner for Career Path Services), and Dr. Anna Valiavska (organizational researcher and professor) continue their conversation about building sustainable work practices through effective feedback systems. The panel explores how workplace communication tools, knowledge management practices, and structured feedback processes contribute to creating positive work environments. They discuss strategies for overcoming discomfort with feedback, the importance of approaching feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism, and practical tactics for both giving and receiving feedback effectively. Discover how successful workplace communication requires intentional systems, consistent practices, and a foundation of trust between employees and leaders.

E178: Good at Work: The Career Playbook for Leaders and Teams- The First 90 Days: Creating Meaningful Onboarding Experiences

From the best of The Dignity of Work: In this episode of the Good at Work series, Cami Eakins (CEO of Career Path Services), Lisa Grund (Organizational Development Partner for Career Path Services), and Dr. Anna Valiavska (organizational researcher and professor) continue their conversation about effective workplace practices, focusing on what happens when employees first enter an organization. They explore how the initial 30-90 days are crucial for forming habits and understanding what success looks like in a particular workplace. Discover practical strategies for creating meaningful onboarding experiences, from sending welcome packages and writing personalized notes to scheduling regular check-ins and creating "manager cheat sheets" that clarify expectations.

E177: Good at Work: The Career Playbook for Leaders and Teams-Building Belonging Before Day One

From the best of The Dignity of Work: In this episode of the Good at Work series, Cami Eakins (CEO of Career Path Services), Lisa Grund (Organizational Development Partner for Career Path Services), and Dr. Anna Valiavska (organizational researcher and professor) explore how organizations and employees can build a sense of belonging even before the first day of work. The panel discusses the evolution of hiring practices from seeking "cultural fit" to embracing cognitive diversity, the importance of authentic organizational messaging in job postings and interviews, and how both employers and job seekers can evaluate the alignment of values during the hiring process. Through personal experiences and professional insights, the conversation highlights how creating genuine belonging requires consistent organizational practices, transparent communication, and empowerment of both leaders and potential employees to ask meaningful questions during the hiring process.