Random Ramblings

Where do unicorns come from? Have you ever considered asking one of your employees this question? Well, maybe you should - argue Rona and Jessica as the founder of The Playful Mind Project. Listen in on this passionate soapbox about why we need more play care as professionals. In this episode, we chat about the impact the impact a lack of play is having on working parents. Rona and Jessica share about the much needed, I-Work and We-Work that begins with the practice of play. Access Show Notes

Where is the line between being inspired and stealing? Just when we thought the world of HR couldn’t get any grayer, Devin comes into our lives. In this episode, attorney Devin Miller shares what we should watch out for when it comes to intellectual property and our organizations. Take a moment and listen in on this conversation that opened my eyes to a whole other world of law. Access Show Notes

As the shift to remote work became the only option in 2020, we realized that we don't have a great understanding of remote work. Our attempts to adapt to these new working conditions have caused paranoid leadership and management tendencies to surface. Many employees are now working in environments where their sense of autonomy has been stripped and fear is the primary motivator for performance. We cannot underestimate these dire circumstances that are completely changing our workforce landscape. In this episode, Dr. Benjamin Ritter discusses the pressing need to embrace self-leadership in order to navigate these times of change. Access Show Notes

Would you love for your employees to absorb more than 10% of what you are attempting to pass on? Well, it's possible if you simply provide them the permission to play. We aren't talking about the super childish cutesy play that you may be envisioning, but we are talking about fun. Ruby Martin returns to the podcast to talk about how to engage our teams through play by embracing creativity. Ruby challenges us to simply start playing with our teams and then sit back to watch how it will catch on like wildfire. While in the wake of its flames, we witness a level of team engagement and connection that we've never seen before.  Access Show Notes

Are you able to talk about your organizational culture at a depth for hours? If not, Brett would argue that potentially your culture needs more clarity. It's time to dig deep into the onion layers of culture. Culture development has somehow become associated with a surface level checklist of vision, mission and values - but having the text does not instantaneously translate it into our culture. In this conversation, Brett and Samm explore how we should evolve our strategic planning process regarding culture considering how our fundamental workplace norms are being questioned. Access Show Notes

If your employee wanted to bust out in a Dora the Explorer style peacock dance, could they do so without fear of not being accepted? When we aim to create an inclusive culture, what are we exactly trying to achieve? In this conversation, Samm is joined by Dr. Steve Yacovelli to break down what creating an inclusive culture really means and what we should consider as we create our organization's strategic initiatives around DEI. Access Show Notes + Awesome Dora the Explorer Dance Clip

How much fear have you experienced in your life? Enough to make you an expert? Well, that was exactly the case of Jacqueline Wales, who is the author of The Fearless Factor and The Fearless Factor at Work. In this conversation, Jaqueline and Samm explore the fear we experience as HR practitioners, that is often the cause of our disengagement. Listen to learn what is at the root of the fear we experience in the workplace and what could happen if we choose to remain afraid. NOTE: This episode includes language not appropriate for little ears, so headphones recommended. :) Access Show Notes

Are you ready for a brainy conversation? Well you should be, it is so important that we start talking about the brain and what happens especially at work. You might be surprised to learn that our primitive brain is being routinely triggered by our common workplace comments and as a result we end up afraid. When we are afraid we are unable to show up and perform at the level that we desire to see in our teams. In this conversation, Samm chats with Jen Thornton to uncover how leaders can use the science of the brain to make them more effective in leading their teams. Access Show Notes

Are we suffering from serious grown up syndrome in the workplace? What if I told you that letting go of this seriousness is the key to maximizing engagement, productivity and potential? In this conversation with Jeff Harry, we explore unleashing your inner child by following your curiosity. This path leads us to the work that makes us comes alive and provides permission for others to pursue this path as well. It's time to discover your play values as a people-driven leader and Jeff will tell us how. Access Show Notes // Leave a Review

908 Downloads. Listeners in 11 Countries. Over 1,363 Minutes of Conversation in 55 Different Episodes. 2020 may of had its challenges but for The HRart of It Podcast we had a great year. Our conversations covered everything from hiring to qigong to diversity and even a special summer book club series.  In this episode, we countdown and revisit the top 5 most listened to episodes of 2020. Thank you for listening! Access show notes

As I reflect on my Connected Canvas that was created with intention for my 2020 professional path, it brought forth three distinct themes of my year. This year whispered incessantly for me to simplify by engaging in a practice of less as well as engaging in the physical act of organization. This year called for me to seek and play with the possibilities in regard to my future, specifically surrounding the idea of me continuing my formal education. But most importantly, this year asked me to surrender and let go. It was this theme that generated some of the most beautiful moments of the year for me. Listen and find out more in this episode. Access Show Notes

The year of 2020 has been a bit unexpected, I'm sure that is an understatement. But, when I created my 2020 Connected Canvas due to some personal circumstances I truly had no sense of vision. It was fully driven by what my intuition wanted to share and my only hope was that it would give me glimpses of affirmation throughout the year. Affirmation that whatever my reality was, I would know it was intentional. Now looking back, I see a beautiful year filled with a opportunities that restored and liberated my human soul. Access Show Notes

I believe we should all aspire to pursue joy like a 6-year old, treasuring the smallest of moments that fill the year. Whether it is spending time with loved ones during the holidays or savoring every bite of your favorite sweet treat, Zoey shares that happiness is found in the simplest of moments. Enjoy this light hearted conversation as Zoey reflects on candy trees, marshmallow treats and pie. Access Show Notes

The depths of reflection can still be heard in the voice of a 9-year old mourning the past year. Dreams of rollercoasters, new friendships and ice cream tacos became even more unattainable when the pandemic dictated a stay at home mandate. But Madelyn, had no idea that this was to come when creating her 2020 Vision Board or what we like to call a Connected Canvas. For our young creators that attend Vision Fest every year, we ask them to fill the board with what makes their heart happy and Maddy did just that. Listen in this episode as she unpacks what these happy images now share as she looks back at the past year. Access Show Notes & See Maddy's Vision Board

When you envision your leadership team, do you see a group of misfits? But it is when this group of misfits came together that they created something pretty special. PTO Genius has created a culture based on their Organizational DNA. This DNA is instilled and lived daily by their leadership team. We all know that great cultures start at the top and PTO Genius embraces an approach involving the necessary vulnerability that establishes trust and bonds for an organizational foundation worthy of changing the world. Access Show Notes

Today's world is calling us to have courage, to show up and to stand up. In this episode, Samm is joined by Karin Hurt, co-author of the new book, Courageous Cultures. Karin shares how courage in the workplace is requiring leaders to go first. Leaders must demonstrate the same openness and vulnerability that we want to see our teams. When we don’t go first, our employees don’t feel safe to speak up and instead of the dialogue we need to move our organizations forward we are met with silence. Karin reiterates that the solutions we are seeking are in our people, so to obtain these answers we must cultivate a culture with courage as a fundamental pillar. Access Show Notes

Stories change hearts. Samm's guest in this episode believes that stories are an internal art of transformation. In this episode, Melissa Plotkin shares how to listen to these stories that will transform us. She shares how to invite others to share these stories with us. She shares how we seek out the stories we need to hear most right now. Samm and Melissa also talk about #metoo stories and how this movement can teach us some powerful lessons about navigating the current times.  Access Show Notes

It's a fact, we don't talk about grief in the workplace. We may handle bereavement leaves and express condolences when a co-worker experiences a loss, but we don't really talk it. This poses the question, are we doing a disservice to our organizations by not talking about it? Samm's guest in this episode would argue yes. Kevin Ringstaff shares how we should be talking about grief in the workplace. Kevin also unpacks the grief that is inevitable as a result of the current pandemic and mandated quarantines. Take a listen to learn how we as HR should manage grief? Access Show Notes

This season we have heard time and time again that relationships are absolutely essential. They are key to experiencing joy and gaining momentum professionally. In this episode, Samm chats with Justin Leader, a close friend, who Samm often refers to as a relationship mastermind. Justin has a strong innate ability to build and sustain relationships and when the state-mandated quarantine was put in place, he didn’t miss a beat. Justin naturally found new ways to connect. So, what’s his secret? Take a listen to find out. Access Show Notes

What do we need to know? What should we expect? When we choose to move beyond intention and start doing the much needed work in our communities and organizations. In this episode, Samm chats with Nicole Shaffer about taking those much needed steps beyond intention when it comes to work surrounding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Our organizations are being called to action. How do we as HR nurture and support these efforts in these organizations? How do we continue to learn and unlearn, when are asked to lead these efforts?  Access Show Notes