Bonus Episode: Stephan Meier on The Employee Advantage

Paul hosts Stephan Meier, author of 'The Employee Advantage' and chair of the management division at Columbia Business School.Paul and Stephan discuss the new book, and the benefits and challenges associated with creating human-centric workplaces. They delve into the core themes of employee engagement, the importance of listening to workers, and the concept of treating employees as valuable assets.Stephan shares insights from his book, including examples of successful employee-centric companies such as Best Buy and MasterCard. They also explore the diminishing returns of monetary compensation, the necessity of learning and development, and the impact of empathy on team productivity. The episode concludes with a discussion on how adopting AI can enhance employee experience and why employee centricity is crucial in modern workplaces.02:08 The Importance of Employee-Centric Workplaces03:46 Challenges in Valuing Employees04:50 Employee vs. Customer Centricity08:44 Listening to Employees: Beyond Surveys10:53 Leadership and Employee Engagement22:36 Mission and Vision: Walking the Talk28:32 The Importance of Purpose in the Workplace30:37 Connecting Purpose to Daily Work34:28 KPMG's 10,000 Stories Challenge38:06 Behavioral Economics and Employee Motivation42:31 Learning and Growth as Key Motivators49:21 The Role of Social Skills in Team Success52:32 AI, Robotics, and the Future of Work58:20 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources Mentioned In This EpisodeInterview with Garry RidgeThe Employee Advantage BookStephan's Stop-Motion AnimationHumanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.