Human Resources For Small Business

This podcast episode explores how "radical listening" transforms leadership by focusing on intentional connection rather than performative techniques. Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener explain that radical listening requires internal quieting, purposeful attention, and genuine curiosity to overcome modern workplace distractions.   TAKEAWAYS Radical listening is an intentional act of connection that goes beyond traditional "active listening" techniques to build trust and influence. The Radical Listening Framework centers on positive intention, combining internal skills (quieting, noticing) with external skills (inquiring, acknowledging). Creating a listening culture requires self-awareness about when you feel heard and practicing appreciation-based listening without the intent to fix or solve.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

Rob Shallenberger discusses his book "Do What Matters Most," explaining how implementing three key habits—creating personal visions, setting specific goals, and practicing pre-week planning—can dramatically increase productivity while reducing stress. These practices help people design intentional lives rather than defaulting to reactivity and chaos.   TAKEAWAYS Creating written personal visions for each key life role provides direction and meaning, transforming how you approach priorities (only 2% of people do this). Pre-week planning (spending 20-30 minutes weekly) allows you to accomplish 800-1,000 additional priorities annually with less stress. The "Do What Matters Most" matrix helps identify high-value quadrant 2 activities that lead to peace and fulfillment rather than constant firefighting.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

In this bonus podcast episode, Brandon Laws catches up with Nicole Blevins, who recently returned from maternity leave and stepped into a new role as Director of HR Services at Xenium HR. Nicole candidly shares her experience transitioning to parenthood, the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities, and the significance of paid family leave. Despite the challenges of returning to work in a new leadership position while adjusting to parenthood, Nicole emphasizes how the flexibility of remote work, supportive leadership, and her passion for her career have helped her navigate this major life transition!   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

In this Transform Your Workplace episode, host Brandon Laws interviews Dr. Rosalind Chow about her book "The Doors You Can Open." They discuss the critical difference between mentorship and sponsorship, with Chow explaining that sponsors talk about you to others while mentors talk to you directly. Using Kim Ng's MLB breakthrough as an example, Chow emphasizes how sponsorship requires trust and can take different forms. She explores how "good gossip" celebrates others' achievements, the importance of diversifying social networks, and challenges with meritocracy. Chow concludes that everyone can be a sponsor by connecting people they admire.   TAKEAWAYS Sponsorship differs from mentorship in that sponsors promote others through trusted networks, while mentors focus on personal improvement Social capital comes in "small town" (close-knit, values-aligned) and "big city" (diverse, innovation-focused) forms, with both being valuable in different contexts Everyone can be a sponsor by connecting admired individuals

Jennifer Moss discusses her book "Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants," exploring how the pandemic triggered a collective existential crisis about work. She emphasizes that meaningful workplace cultures can be built through small, intentional practices rather than major overhauls, focusing on hope, purpose, and community to combat burnout and disengagement in today's rapidly changing work environment.   TAKEAWAYS Building hope through regular goal-setting and celebrating small wins helps combat workplace anxiety and burnout Flexibility should be treated as a right rather than a perk, with organizations using "pull" strategies rather than mandates Creating community requires authentic connection through simple practices like 20-minute check-ins and positive colleague recognition   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

In this episode of "Transform Your Workplace," host Brandon Laws interviews Loren Sanders about her book "Empathy is Not a Weakness and Other Stories from the Edge." Sanders shares her journey from being a toxic leader to understanding the power of empathy in the workplace. She discusses how empathy strengthens trust, reduces turnover, and increases engagement, while offering practical strategies for leaders to develop their empathy muscle through self-awareness and intentional practice.   TAKEAWAYS Empathy isn't weakness or coddling – it's about listening, understanding, and aligning actions with both people and business outcomes Leaders should practice self-reflection daily and create psychologically safe environments where vulnerability is normalized Developing empathy requires recognizing blind spots, practicing mindful presence, and taking small, consistent steps toward greater awareness   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

Melody Wilding discusses her book "Managing Up," explaining how employees can effectively navigate relationships with those in power. She covers critical conversations about alignment, understanding workplace communication styles, setting boundaries, giving upward feedback, and leaving jobs gracefully. Wilding emphasizes these skills are essential in today's workplace where manager relationships significantly impact mental health and career advancement.   TAKEAWAYS Alignment is fundamental for success - Having clear conversations about priorities and expectations with managers helps ensure you're focusing on work that matters to both your boss and the organization. Understanding communication styles improves effectiveness - Recognizing the four workplace styles (Commander, Cheerleader, Caretaker, and Controller) allows you to frame messages in ways that resonate with different personality types. Setting boundaries requires strategic approaches - Learning to say no respectfully involves understanding your "p

Matty Berryessa, Executive Director of Serendipity Center, shares his journey from a difficult upbringing to leading a therapeutic school for students with complex needs. Drawing parallels between supporting students and staff, he implements trauma-informed practices focused on emotional safety, trust, and predictability. Despite resource constraints, Matty maintains boundaries between work and home life while advocating for sustainable mission-driven work that prevents vulnerable students from falling through the cracks.   TAKEAWAYS Leaders should apply trauma-informed principles to workplace management, recognizing that adults are "better rehearsed kids" who perform best in environments with safety, predictability, and trust. Setting personal boundaries is essential for sustainable leadership in emotionally demanding work, as exemplified by Matty's practice of mentally transitioning before arriving home. Mission-driven organizations like Serendipity face unique challenges in resource acquisition while mai

What makes people stay—and thrive—at work? Career & Culture Strategist Aoife O’Brien joins Brandon Laws of Xenium HR to explore how leaders can build environments where people feel valued, safe, and energized. From toxic cultures to values-driven leadership, Aoife shares practical strategies from her Happier at Work framework and offers a glimpse into her upcoming book, Thriving Talent. If you’re all about retaining top talent and creating meaningful workplace experiences, this episode is a must-listen.   TAKEAWAYS Thriving workplace cultures are possible, and leaders are responsible for creating them. A company’s culture reflects its values, whether intentional or not. Effective leadership balances autonomy with clear guidance. People perform best when they can use their unique strengths regularly. Psychological safety is essential for honest feedback and team growth. Breaks and “unproductive” time are necessary for long-term wellbeing. Our guest’s upcoming book, Thriving Talent, offers a p

In this energizing episode of Transform Your Workplace, keynote speaker and author Peggy Sullivan delivers a much-needed wake-up call for today’s overwhelmed professionals. Sharing insights from her book Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less, Peggy explores the hidden costs of glorifying busyness. Through heartfelt stories, she challenges leaders to rethink their priorities and model healthier, more intentional work habits. If you're a leader who feels stretched too thin, this episode is your invitation to lead differently — listen in and discover how doing less can help you and your team achieve more.   TAKEAWAYS Busyness is often mistaken for productivity but usually leads to poor quality, low energy, and burnout. Time poverty—lacking time for what matters—is a widespread challenge among professionals. Overstuffed schedules and constant multitasking reduce effectiveness and increase mistakes. Email and communication overload are major distractions that hinder meaningful work. Chronic

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry shares powerful insights on navigating change with confidence. He emphasizes that flexibility is the key to effective leadership in uncertain times, challenging leaders to break strong habits, balance outcomes with people, and make smarter decisions. If you want to sharpen your leadership approach and learn how to lead with confidence through change, don’t miss this episode.   TAKEAWAYS During change, leaders should refocus teams on what stays the same to help them feel more grounded. Flexibility is the key to navigating uncertainty and making effective leadership decisions. Balancing outcomes with people is essential—strong leaders don’t have to choose one over the other. Breaking habits requires intentionality, as leadership routines can limit adaptability. Context matters—leaders must assess situations carefully rather than relying solely on best practices. People naturally seek certainty, even if it’s uncomfortable

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with Nikki Innocent, a leadership coach and DEI consultant, to explore the human side of workplace culture. Nikki shares a pivotal moment from her corporate career that ultimately led her to question workplace norms and advocate for more transparent, human-centered leadership. From addressing workplace toxicity to embracing multigenerational collaboration, Nikki challenges leaders to rethink how they create spaces where employees feel seen, valued, and heard. Listen in and discover how to break outdated workplace molds and foster a culture where authenticity and collaboration thrive.   TAKEAWAYS When employees leave without acknowledgment, it creates confusion, mistrust, and a lack of psychological safety in the workplace. Toxic workplaces are often the result of outdated systems, not just individual bad leaders.  Viewing workplace dynamics as heroes vs. villains oversimplifies human behavior and limits opportunities for growth and

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with global executive coach and author Sabina Nawaz to discuss the unseen pressures of leadership and how they can unknowingly change the way we lead. Drawing from her own experience as a former Microsoft executive, Nawaz shares how relentless pressure—not power—can corrupt even the most well-intentioned leaders. Through practical strategies, she offers a path forward for leaders to stay connected, self-aware, and intentional in their management approach. Don’t let pressure derail your leadership—tune in now to learn how to lead with clarity, connection, and confidence.   TAKEAWAYS Leadership pressure can quietly push managers toward efficiency over empathy, distancing them from their teams. Strengths in previous roles, like efficiency or attention to detail, can be misinterpreted negatively in leadership. Employees often avoid giving honest feedback to leaders, leading to blind spots and poor decisions. When leaders voice their

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Siri Chilazi breaks down how small, practical changes can make hiring and workplace culture more fair and effective. She challenges the idea that bias training alone fixes workplace inequities and instead shows how data-driven tweaks can lead to real results. Chilazi also dives into common hiring biases, the power of accountability, and why companies that commit to fairness attract better talent. If you're a leader looking for simple, research-backed ways to improve your workplace, tune in today!   TAKEAWAYS Small changes in hiring practices can reduce bias and help employers focus on what matters. Bias training alone isn’t enough to create fairness; structural and data-driven changes are needed to drive real impact. Data should be more than just charts and reports—it should be used to identify gaps and take meaningful action toward equity. Transparency and accountability push organizations to follow through on diversity and inclusion efforts. Workplace n

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Mark Mohammadpour, Founder and Chief Well-Being Officer at Chasing the Sun, challenges the idea of enterprise-wide culture, emphasizing that workplace wellness is built at the team level. He argues that true well-being goes beyond perks—it’s about creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported. “Is my life better because I work here?” he asks, urging leaders to rethink benefits and communication. Tune in for insights on building a workplace culture that prioritizes both people and business success.   TAKEAWAYS Workplace culture is defined by the relationships between employees and their direct teams. True well-being isn’t just gym stipends or meditation apps but includes financial, social, career, and community health. Many employees don’t fully utilize company benefits due to an awareness gap that better communication can bridge. Managers play a crucial role in fostering a culture of well-being by prioritizing connection, clarity, and te

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Emmy-winning sports broadcaster Anne Marie Anderson challenges us to rethink audacity — not as arrogance, but as the courage to take bold risks. She shares how a life-changing moment early in her career pushed her to stop waiting and start saying “yes” to adventure, opportunity, and growth. In this eye-opening discussion, Anderson proves that real success comes from action, not hesitation. Are you fostering a culture where bold ideas thrive, or are you letting fear and doubt hold your team back? Tune in to learn how to lead with audacity.   TAKEAWAYS Audacity is about taking bold risks, not arrogance, and it can be developed over time. Waiting for the “perfect” time can be riskier than taking the leap, as opportunities can disappear in an instant. Saying “yes” to challenges and taking risks is essential for growth. Fear of failure, rejection, and judgment never truly disappear, but success comes from learning to navigate them. Understanding the difference

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Maria Ross unpacks insights from her book The Empathy Dilemma, all about how leaders can balance performance, people, and personal boundaries without sacrificing success. She debunks myths about empathy, explains its bottom-line impact, and shares practical ways to build a thriving, high-performing workplace. Tune in to learn how empathy can be your most powerful leadership tool.   TAKEAWAYS True empathy goes beyond kindness; it’s about understanding others’ perspectives and making better decisions. Empathy involves gathering information, while compassion turns that understanding into meaningful action. Employees with empathetic leaders are more innovative, engaged, and productive, driving better business outcomes. Effective leaders use empathy as a strategic strength, balancing performance with people’s needs. Jumping in with personal stories or solutions can derail connection whereas true empathy focuses on listening first. Instead of treating others as you want

In this episode, host Brandon Laws sits down with Dr. Christie Smith, the author of Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership. They explore how traditional leadership models are falling short and how combining human insight with AI is driving faster growth, deeper engagement, and a new set of power skills. The discussion highlights the urgent need for empathy, continuous learning, and genuine connection in today’s rapidly shifting business landscape. Sponsored by Xenium HR, a company dedicated to supporting small businesses with innovative and personalized HR solutions, this episode offers a fresh perspective on leading in an AI-driven world. Listeners are invited to like, subscribe, and join the journey into the future of leadership.   TAKEAWAYS Leaders must develop "emotional maturity" rather than just emotional intelligence, moving beyond self-interest to truly understand and support their employees' needs, challenges, and personal cont

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws welcomes Robert Glazer to discuss his groundbreaking book, Rethinking Two Weeks’ Notice. Glazer challenges outdated norms surrounding employee transitions, advocating for open communication, mutual respect, and structured programs that benefit both employees and employers. With real-life examples and actionable insights into fostering psychological safety and transparency, Glazer provides a fresh take on improving workplace culture during departures. Tune in to hear how these strategies can transform the offboarding experience for both employer and employee.   TAKEAWAYS Rethinking traditional two-weeks' notice policies can lead to smoother and more respectful transitions.   Psychological safety is essential for open communication and honest feedback between employees and employers.   Transparent conversations about performance and future roles benefit both employees and organizations.   Open transition programs allow employees to search fo

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Michelle Gladieux, author of Communicate with Courage, explores the four hidden challenges of effective communication and shares practical strategies for overcoming them. From embracing vulnerability to balancing authority and empathy, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you communicate with authenticity and purpose.    TAKEAWAYS Bravery is a critical component of effective communication as it allows us to take risks and avoid regret. Hiding from risk stems from fear of exposing vulnerabilities, which can hinder personal growth and authentic connections. Clinging to being right often blocks the opportunity to learn from others’ perspectives and experiences. Pessimistic self-talk can negatively color communication, but choosing optimism can transform both interactions and outlooks. Settling for "good enough" prevents individuals from reaching their full potential in meaningful situations. Balancing vulnerability with authority ca