How to Protect Culture When Pressure Is High with Kate McKinnon

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws sits down with Kate McKinnon, a fractional Chief People Officer with deep experience in high-pressure, high-visibility environments across sports and entertainment. Kate shares what it takes to protect culture when speed and stress are constant, how to address burnout and disengagement without pretending everything is fine, and why "stop, start, continue" feedback loops can help leaders turn frustration into action. They also unpack generational friction, the reality of AI reshaping HR and leadership work, and why developing first-time managers before they step into leadership is one of the most overlooked levers for performance. The conversation closes with practical ways to build belonging without huge budgets, and a reminder that grace and kindness still matter in modern workplaces. 0:00 Welcome to Transform Your Workplace + episode overview 2:00 Meet Kate McKinnon and why her background matters 4:00 Protecting culture in high-pressure, high-performance environments 6:00 Burnout, disengagement, and the power of "stop, start, continue" 9:00 Generational friction at work and how leaders can bridge the gap 11:00 Gen AI, new grads, and the future of work 13:00 Making work more human in an AI-driven workplace 15:00 Why great performers struggle as new managers 17:00 The future of learning and development: microlearning vs in-person 20:00 Belonging without big budgets: practical, low-cost ideas 22:00 Leadership lessons from crisis, M&A, and COVID 25:00 What sports culture teaches us about performance and growth 27:00 Using data, feedback, and scorecards to drive engagement 29:00 Bridging the gap from college (and military) to career 32:00 What the next decade of culture and leadership will demand 34:00 Final thoughts: grace, kindness, and what leaders should remember   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders. About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more [https://www.xeniumhr.com/] Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon] About [https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws] Connect with Xenium HR: Website [https://xeniumhr.com/] Learning & Development Programs [https://xeniumhr.com/learning-development] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR] Twitter [https://twitter.com/XeniumHR] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR]