The Workplace Podcast in association with YellowWood

Episode 35: In service of the public good - leadership insights from Vice Admiral Mark Mellett

Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, the first naval officer in the Irish State to serve as Chief of Staff, having previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Navy.

Holder of a Doctorate in Political Science and a Masters in Government and Public Policy, Admiral Mellett has a keen interest in research with a focus on European security, innovation, diversity and values-based leadership

Admiral Mellett share his leadership insights and the lessons from a career in serving the public good for over 40 years of military service. In this refreshing podcast, we cover leadership related topics and valuable nuggets  on humility & ego, what is means to cede power to gain power,  vulnerability, mental health, collaboration & innovation, reciprocity and what authority actually means.

Episode 34:Critical thinking - an essential workplace skill to future proof your career.

David Robert Grimes is a physicist, cancer researcher, and author. His work encompasses everything from how tumours use oxygen to the impact of disinformation and conspiracy theory on public understanding. He has a strong focus on public understanding of science and medicine, contributing to BBC, RTE, The New York Times, The Guardian, Scientific American, The Irish Times, and PBS. He received the 2014 Maddox prize, and his first book, “The Irrational Ape - why we fall for disinformation, conspiracy theory, and propaganda” is out now from Simon & Schuster UK. 

David joins to workplace to provide insight through story telling to what critical thinking is. David joins our host William Corless to discuss how critical thinking impacts so much of everyday life, including the workplace. In this wide ranging discussion we cover subject matters on toxic masculinity, cognitive biases, gender balance, team and leadership behaviours, group think, mansplaining, social media polarisation and decision making. 

This enjoyable and thought provoking podcast highlights the pitfalls we can avoid and tips on how to become a more effective critical thinker. 

Episode 33: The Mature Organisation with Stuart Woolard

Stuart Woollard joins our host William Corless to discuss the Mature organisation, a fascinating perspective on how organisations can utilise a model for responsible capitalism.

Stuart co-designed the OMINDEX® organisational health diagnostic, pioneering work in linking human 'intangibles' (e.g. corporate culture, governance, human capital, and management systems) through ESG to value and risk. Stuart also co-authored a book "The Mature Corporation - a Model of Responsible Capitalism"

 

This episode on the Mature organisation we shine a light on what total stakeholder value means and how it can be at the heart of stakeholder purpose. There are many gains and benefits by truly understanding that human beings are fundamental sources of value.

Managing people as a source of value and not a cost, not just employees; but all the way along the supply chain  - suppliers, customers, local community all the touchpoints of the organisation. Understanding the whole human system will realise the value of all those working relationships. Where people really feel valued with fairness and dignity, this will incorporate Human Rights, slavery, child labour and whistle blowing.

Stuart discusses ESG- Environmental Social Governance which replaces Corporate Social Responsibility, which in now integrated into corporate strategy. We mention organisations like Toyota, BooHoo.com, Amazon, Volkswagen, BP, Patagonia, PG&E, Walmart, Mercadona, Boeing, Good Jobs First, Apple and many more.

Stuart articulates that shareholder value will increase if we improve how we manage stakeholder value. Stuart also talks about his work with equity analysts and fund managers, where he demonstrates the value of this approach and how they changed their perspective on risk. Stuart also discusses his collaborations with Cambridge University and the Harvard Law and Business Schools which provided a greater understanding of  what a healthy culture looks like.

 

Here is the Youtube video of Stuart presenting his model, to the DCU leadership talent summit as  mentioned in the podcast:

https://youtu.be/mIelnnlRsOQ

 

Episode 32: Trailblazer insights -with Niamh Fahey

Professional Footballer and Captain of Liverpool F.C Women as well as an established senior international for the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team with close to 100 caps. Her career to date focused on earning a third level education while continuing to progress my football career. This has led me to attain an MSc in Pharmacology and also playing professional football in Ireland, England and France over a 14 year period.

Niamh joins the workplace podcast to share her insights on being a trailblazer, gender balance and how to fulfil your potential. This episode is thought provoking and inspiring as Niamh did not always see herself as a trailblazer. Niamh provides insights into the challenges she faced in her career to date. For all those who are inspired by trailblazers this is a must listen from one humble person, as Niamh speaks about becoming captain of the club she supported as a child.

Episode 31: Onboarding remotely with Jennifer Meffert

Jennifer Meffert of Deloitte Global, is a global onboarding experience manager. Jennifer joins our host William Corless to discuss onboarding remotely. Onboarding remotely became the norm during the pandemic, this became a major challenge for organisations across the world. 

Jennifer is passionate about creating meaningful moments - specifically focused from the moment a candidate signs an offer letter. Adopting the latest terminology of “experience architect”, Jennifer spends her days enhancing the onboarding experience for Deloitte Global. She has informed and influenced every moment along the candidate to employee lifecycle as an HR partner or consultant. 

Jennifer believes the most important moment along the employee lifecycle is often dismissed, the job offer is accepted and equipment is setup, but the rest of the onboarding process is inconsistent at best. She hopes to show how everyone in a company plays a role in creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment  for New Hires.

In this episode we share insights and research on how organisations can improve their onboarding experience. Organisations can often be blind to the negative impact on the organisation and the new hire, by not placing a focus on remote onboarding. Jennifer highlights the opportunities for organisations with some practical tips. Some statistics might be thought provoking.

 

Gallup 12% of employees strongly agree that their company does a great job at onboarding. This presents a huge opportunity for improvement 😊. Yet also says the bar is low and it should be easy to stand out among the crowd if you do it well.

• GREAT EMPLOYEE ONBOARDING CAN IMPROVE EMPLOYEE RETENTION BY 82%
• 88% OF ORGANIZATIONS ‍DON'T ONBOARD WELL
• MOST ORGANIZATIONS ONLY FOCUS ON WEEK 1 OF ONBOARDING
• THE AVERAGE NEW HIRE ONBOARDING EXPERIENCE CONSISTS OF 54 ACTIVITIES
• 87% SAY BUDDY PROGRAMS BOOST NEW HIRE PROFICIENCY

 

Global Onboarding Experience Leaders (LinkedIn Group)

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9052268/

 

Links for books mentioned in the podcast include:

https://heathbrothers.com/the-power-of-moments/

https://www.priyaparker.com/thebook

Episode 30:Organisational Culture and Climate with Neil Walshe

Neil Walshe, Associate Professor, Organisational Psychology, University of San Francisco joins his former school friend William Corless on the workplace podcast.

In this episode we discuss organisational culture pre and post pandemic. What does organisational culture mean? How does culture work in remote environment?

Neil brings his evidence based approach and his insights on the differing views of organsational culture. Realisations from the pandemic, which Neil describes as the great equaliser. We discuss how companies are changing they way they work forever.

We cover collaboration, assumptions made and how companies are now encouraged to be fluid on how they perceive culture. We also focus on the drivers of culture, internal values and external facing values. What are the measures of success of organisational culture and why need to invest in culture…. or not! (Spoiler alert: you do - invest in facilitation)

 

Resources mentioned in the podcast:

https://cebma.org

https://scienceforwork.com

https://www.neilwalshe.com

Episode 29: Change is possible with Brian Pennie

Brian Pennie, consultant, lecturer, radio host and author (Bonus Time) joins our host William Corless on the workplace podcast. Brian discusses his journey from being chronically addicted to heroin for fifteen years to embrace a second chance at life. This thoroughly engaging podcast provides insights on coping techniques and explores the relationship between trauma, addiction and bad habits. Brian shares his learnings and also snippets from his PhD research. Brian has developed his own programme for life, which others can practice self observations and make more value based decisions.

Episode 28: In praise of the informal leader with Gordon D'Arcy

Gordon D'Arcy, COO of Kids Speech Labs and former Irish international rugby player,  joins our host William Corless on the Workplace podcast. Gordon discusses the informal leader, the oft undervalued member of a high performing team or organisation. Gordon provides his insights on his formative years that will help others achieve their potential. William and Gordon also discuss the role of the informal leader within a high performance environment with anecdotes from his former managers and team mates. Many lessons from the sporting and business environment are shared, especially how to create a culture of excellence and the role of candid conversations.

 

Episode 27:Radical Transparency: Leadership in action with Spencer Williams

Spencer Williams (CEO of Westpaw) joins our host William Corless to discuss his approach and ethical manner to leadership. Spencer provides real life examples of radical transparency and candour with his employees of his organisation based in Montana, USA. During the podcast William explores Spencer's approach to radical transparency where a collegial and professional spirit he has naturally built while also developing a culture of improvement. Spencer openly discusses how he deals with pushback to this approach, embracing honest mistakes, demonstrating vulnerability and also holding people to account. Spencer believes his approach avoids disfunction where a useful reframe is used: Transparency protects. This work in practice approach to leadership highlights the importance of courageous conversations where staff are empowered to manage upwards. For those who are curious, we also discuss the boundaries to transparency. This open book management approach to leadership is a must listen podcast.

Westpaw.com

 

Episode 26: Workplace Mediation Insights - Taking the fear out of workplace conflict with Luke Monahan

Founding partner of The Mediation Foundation of Ireland, Luke Monahan joins our host William Corless on the workplace podcast to provide insights into workplace mediation. Many senior managers and people in HR have a fear of conflict and fear the mediation process escalates conflict. In this episode, we dispel certain myths about mediation and give people a great understanding of mediation to overcome their reluctance.We cover key principles of mediation such autonomy, confidentiality, impartiality and a voluntary process. We share the keys stages of mediation and the concept of reframing to make mediation more accessible to people in the workplace.This episode promises to provide a different perspective on conflict through a reframe of resolution and away from grievance procedures that many managers are hesitant to address. For more information click on www.mfi.ie