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Fear doesn't have to be the enemy at work. Join us as we unravel the complexities of fear with Mark Minoukas and Gaurav Bhatnagar, authors of "Unfear," a book that challenges conventional views on fear in the workplace. Discover how fear often lies at the core of organizational dysfunction, but through a shift in understanding, it can become a catalyst for growth. We'll explore how fear influences decision-making and how HR professionals can transform fear narratives to boost workplace well-being and effectiveness.

Navigating fear isn't easy, especially when it can lead to inaction in high-pressure environments. Our discussion dives into the physical markers of fear and how awareness, combined with meditation, can help you manage those emotions. Learn how to become the director of your life story, transforming fear into a tool for personal breakthrough. Witness the transformative power of breaking free from unproductive patterns and gain insight into the role of meditation in cleaning up your mental "Velcro."

Explore workplace dynamics through fascinating archetypes like the Fight Club and the Nice Club, understanding their strengths, pitfalls, and how they relate to common fears. Gaurav shares his personal journey from skepticism to embracing mindset and human potential, emphasizing HR's vital role in managing workplace anxiety and trauma. Connect with our guests through CoCreationPartners.com and UnfearBook.com, and join the ongoing conversation to foster personal and organizational growth.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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What if losing your sight at 21 became the catalyst for an extraordinary life journey? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Chad Foster, a compelling international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and entrepreneur, as he shares the transformative power of adversity. Through his book "Blind Ambition," Chad opens up about his remarkable experiences, including his time at Harvard Business School. His story is one of resilience, ambition, and redefining possibilities against all odds, proving that mindset can turn personal challenges into motivations for success.

Discover how stepping outside your comfort zone can be the key to personal growth. Chad reflects on the profound impact of embracing discomfort, from pursuing higher education as a blind individual to taking on thrilling activities like downhill skiing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Learn how these incremental challenges helped build his confidence and led to significant accomplishments. Chad’s experiences with Brazilian jiu-jitsu also highlight the joy of connecting with his children, emphasizing the importance of self-defense, family bonding, and lifelong learning.

Experience the powerful lessons Chad shares about gratitude and empathy in personal development. He emphasizes the necessity of reframing adversity into strengths and surrounding oneself with positive influences to prevent negativity. Through honest feedback and tough love, Chad demonstrates how true compassion sometimes means delivering hard truths for growth. Join us as Chad Foster inspires listeners to question their limits, embrace growth, and choose gratitude on their journey toward personal and professional excellence.

Chad E. Foster

Pursue Your Success

With Blind Ambition™

Watch Keynote Reel, Order the Book

Tel: 855-GET-CHAD

News: Harvard | Forbes | Yahoo

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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The workplace landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, challenging HR professionals like never before. By the end of 2023, the independent workforce surged to 72 million Americans (1:5) while declining employee engagement continues to cost the global economy $8.8 trillion a year. HR leaders are tasked with fostering engagement and productivity in increasingly diverse and distributed teams.

Enter Dr. Christie Smith, a voice in human-centered leadership and organizational strategy. Known as “The Humanity Expert,” Christie spent decades guiding Fortune 500 executives during her time at Apple, Deloitte, and Accenture through the complexities of modern leadership. Now, she’s the co-author of ESSENTIAL: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership (Wiley; 1/22/25), offering a new blueprint for the future of work.

In ESSENTIAL, Smith and co-author Kelly Monahan (Upwork) reveal that our future success depends on one key element — putting humanity back at the heart of organization. Their extensive research shows that human-centered leadership isn’t just a “nice-to-have,” it’s ESSENTIAL for driving innovation, increasing engagement, and sustaining growth in an age of AI and distributed teams.

The episode takes a critical look at leadership in the age of AI, questioning the romanticized notion of workplace environments as families. We dissect the balance between long-term goals and immediate financial pressures, especially in profit-driven businesses. As the buzz around generative AI grows, we stress the importance of understanding its real-world applications and the analytical skills required to leverage it—highlighting that AI is a tool, not the ultimate solution.

We conclude by addressing the urgent need to redesign work for enhanced flexibility and predictability, emphasizing the shift toward holistic work-life integration. With generational attitudes shifting, we explore how aligning leadership models with the desires for autonomy in the workplace is crucial for talent retention. Our conversation wraps up on a heartfelt note, expressing gratitude for the meaningful connections made through the podcast and the passion that fuels our content creation.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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Curious about how childcare challenges can secretly wreak havoc on employee retention? Our enlightening conversation with Calli Bakken, founder of WiggleWork, reveals the hidden costs of neglecting corporate childcare solutions and how they affect organizational dynamics. Calli’s journey, from her impactful Disrupt HR talk to founding WiggleWork, unfolds a roadmap for HR professionals aiming to make meaningful change. Learn how embracing imperfection and focusing on long-term goals can transform your HR strategies and offer fresh perspectives on tackling systemic issues.

Ever felt trapped by difficult colleagues or leaders in your workplace? We discuss strategies for keeping your authenticity intact while managing challenging personalities that can stifle team collaboration. Calli and I explore the psychological traps of people-pleasing within HR and the burnout it often brings. This episode shines a light on the importance of staying true to oneself, even in demanding environments, and provides actionable insights into setting firm boundaries to protect your integrity and enhance your professional value.

Empathy and authenticity are more than buzzwords in HR leadership—they're essential. We delve into the necessity of human-centered decision-making, emphasizing the power of authentic connections and data-driven insights to foster a supportive workplace culture. From handling tough situations with empathy to pioneering a people-first mentality, you'll gain inspiration to craft an HR approach that’s both innovative and compassionate. Plus, don't miss our chat about the exciting Disrupt Minneapolis videos and how you can stay connected with the transformational work being done in the HR field.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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Discover the transformative power of employee engagement with Bob Kelleher, a visionary in the HR landscape. Bob shares his incredible journey from an HR professional to an influential speaker and consultant, illustrating how understanding the business side of HR can amplify its impact. His story is a powerful testament to how HR, when aligned with business goals, can drive significant organizational change. Bob's passion for engagement as a critical business driver is palpable, offering listeners actionable insights into how HR can evolve from traditional roles to become true catalysts for growth.

HR has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last three decades, shifting from administrative tasks to becoming pivotal players in fostering innovation and people-centric strategies. In our conversation, Bob and I discuss the challenges HR professionals face when pushing for change, especially amid leadership resistance. The importance of finding allies within a company and reflecting on whether HR professionals are truly acting as business partners cannot be overstated. Bob candidly talks about the necessity of staying current, expanding networks, and knowing when to pursue new opportunities if the environment fails to support meaningful contributions.

Our episode concludes with practical strategies for effective employee engagement, starting with the power of engagement surveys. These surveys are compared to essential diagnostics like blood work, identifying critical issues such as leadership trust that can impact engagement levels. Bob shares a compelling case study on reallocating resources to initiatives that matter, underscoring the impact such strategic moves can have. As we wrap up, we highlight the value of professional relationships and invite listeners to connect with us for more invaluable insights into transforming HR into a force for innovation and success.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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Unlock the secrets of workplace transformation through the power of play with Jeff Harry, a leading HR influencer. Jeff's journey, inspired by the movie "Big" and marred by the realities of the corporate world, led him to a pivotal experience with a playful engineering education organization. Through these experiences, Jeff discovered the critical importance of creating psychologically safe work environments that nurture innovation. Our conversation sheds light on how play can address the challenging issues of workplace toxicity and office politics, fostering a professional life that is both fulfilling and productive.

Imagine a workplace where team-building events go beyond superficial activities like bowling or ping pong and effectively address deeper issues. We dive into the intricacies of team-building and the misconceptions that often accompany such activities. Through Jeff’s workshop, "Dealing with A-Holes at Work Through Play," we explore ways to confront workplace toxicity head-on. Learn about the staggering financial impact of toxic environments and the necessity of having those difficult conversations that many shy away from. Together, we emphasize the importance of a culture where mutual respect and accountability are the norms rather than the exceptions.

But it doesn't stop there. We also explore how HR professionals can inject fun and creativity into their work, even when it feels daunting. Drawing insights from companies like Google and Zappos, we discuss how fostering creativity and encouraging passion projects can lead to groundbreaking innovations and happier workplaces. Listen to us advocate for a shift to a "yes, and" mindset that can revolutionize workplace dynamics, and hear rebellious strategies for HR professionals ready to challenge the status quo. Join us for this insightful episode packed with actionable strategies to enhance workplace happiness and productivity.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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Unlock the secrets to a successful compensation strategy with insights from Thang Nguyen, the visionary CEO and co-founder of OpenComp. As organizations navigate challenges like the Great Resignation and wage inflation, Tang shares why compensation should be your company's cornerstone, especially during early growth phases. Learn how setting the right pay levels and communicating effectively can transform your approach to employee retention, weaving compensation data seamlessly into your company’s broader philosophy for lasting success.

Join us as we tackle some of the toughest questions in today's employment landscape. How do companies stay competitive when they can't rely on top-tier tech talent pools? Discover the importance of disciplined financial planning and strategic headcount management. With employee expectations shifting post-pandemic, we explore how adaptability and transparency, particularly in salary and equity bands, are key to attracting and retaining top talent in a rapidly evolving market.

The future of HR is here, and it’s centered around transparency and empowerment. Discover how innovative tools are reshaping compensation and equitable practices, aligning with Gen Z’s call for social responsibility and equality. As job seekers increasingly prioritize purpose over paychecks, we discuss the critical components of offering career development pathways and fostering a culture of team alignment and happiness. By creating an environment where contributions are valued and employees find meaning in their work, your organization can build a committed workforce ready to thrive in today's dynamic world.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

https://twitter.com/rebelhrguy
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http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/

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Ever wonder why HR seems obsessed with rules that make you scratch your head? Join me, Kyle Roed, on the Rebel HR Podcast as we unpack the absurdity behind some of the most bizarre HR policies around. From Colorado’s catapult conundrum to Connecticut’s bouncing pickle predicament, we explore not just the humor, but the implications these rules have on the perception of HR as the dreaded "policy police." Prepare for a candid discussion on challenging the necessity of these regulations and the opportunity to foster a workplace where trust and common sense take center stage.

As we traverse the realm of mind-boggling rules, I share my favorite approach for tackling the relentless requests for new policies—by questioning the validity of those already in place. Let’s face it, the HR handbook often turns into a labyrinth of forgotten guidelines. Instead, let’s focus on creating environments where people instinctively know not to wield flaming arrows at work. This episode encourages HR professionals to weed out the "stupid rules" and prioritize building a culture that emphasizes trust over red tape. Tune in for a fresh perspective that might just make you rethink your approach to HR policies altogether.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

https://twitter.com/rebelhrguy
https://www.facebook.com/rebelhrpodcast
http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/