Wired to Work with Jess Chapman

What if creating a trauma-informed workplace actually led to higher performance—not lower expectations?Many leaders worry that supporting employees through difficult circumstances means compromising accountability. Angela Crockwell, Executive Director of Thrive, argues the opposite.In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with Angela to unpack what trauma-informed leadership really means, why every workplace—not just healthcare or social services—should be thinking about it, and how leaders can create psychologically safe environments while still expecting excellence.They explore:Why trauma is more common than most leaders realizeThe difference between being trauma-aware and trauma-informedHow to create psychological safety without becoming a therapistWhy strong boundaries are essential—not optionalHow curiosity can replace judgment in difficult conversationsWhy accountability and compassion can (and should) coexistPractical ways leaders can support people without lowering standardsWhether you lead a team of two or two thousand, this conversation will change the way you think about people, performance, and what it really means to create a healthy workplace.🎧 Listen & Subscribe🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or on Buzzsprout:https://wiredtowork.buzzsprout.com📬 Join the Wired to Work Substack community for exclusive leadership insights, behind-the-scenes content, and episode takeaways:https://substack.com/@wiredtowork

A stressful week is not the same as burnout.Stress usually has an end point. Burnout develops when overwhelm becomes chronic, recovery disappears, and your brain and body no longer have the capacity to keep up with what is being asked of them.In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with burnout and resilience coach Cherri Forsyth to explore how burnout develops, what it looks like before someone reaches a breaking point, and why pushing through is not the same as being resilient.They discuss:• The difference between temporary stress and chronic burnout• Why burnout can be difficult to recognize from the outside• The early signs leaders and colleagues should notice• How brain fog, exhaustion and detachment show up at work• Why rest and recovery are essential to performance• How workplace systems can contribute to burnout• Why self-care has to mean more than an occasional bubble bath• How leaders can support someone without trying to diagnose or fix themBurnout is not a personal failure. And it is not simply a matter of learning to cope better.Sometimes the person needs support. Sometimes the workload needs to change. Often, the system needs to be examined too.🎧 Listen to the full episode of Wired to Work:https://wiredtowork.buzzsprout.com📩 Join the Wired to Work Substack for practical insights, tools and conversations about making work work better:https://substack.com/@wiredtowork#Burnout #Stress #Leadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #MentalHealthAtWork #Resilience #WorkplaceCulture #WiredToWork

Most organizations invest heavily in workplace wellness and still end up with teams that feel flat, disengaged, and exhausted.The problem may not be the programme. It may be what we're aiming for.In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with behavioural neuroscientist Dr. Paul Zak to explore what actually helps people and teams thrive—and how leaders can measure it in real time.They discuss:• Why wellness may be too low a bar• What a thriving brain actually looks like• How psychological safety can be measured rather than surveyed• What neuroscience reveals about remote and in-person work• Why autonomy and a clear sense of purpose matter so much• How “train extensively, delegate generously” changes performance• Why traditional engagement surveys only tell part of the storyAfter 30 years studying the neuroscience of human connection, trust, and performance, Dr. Zak offers a very different way to think about workplace wellbeing.Because the goal shouldn't be helping people just get through the week.It should be creating the conditions where they can actually thrive.🎧 Watch or listen to Wired to Work with Jess Chapman wherever you get your podcasts:https://wiredtowork.buzzsprout.com📩 Get practical insights on leadership, neuroscience, and making work better:https://wiredtowork.substack.com#WiredToWork #WorkplaceWellbeing #Leadership #Neuroscience #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #FutureOfWork

Most people are not at their best under pressure. Put a group of highly pressured people together, and unhealthy workplace behaviour can quickly become the norm.In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman is joined by leadership coach Kate Franklin to explore why workplace relationships become so difficult—and why a challenging boss is not necessarily a bad person.They discuss how stress changes the way we communicate, why relational skills matter just as much as technical expertise, and how leaders can create the conditions for trust, honesty and high performance.In this conversation:• Why poor workplace behaviour has become normalized• How pressure affects leaders and their teams• Why relationships are a critical part of performance• How to give honest feedback to your boss• The difference between intention and impact• Why complaints are more useful when turned into requests• How leaders can discover the impact they are having• Why caring about people and expecting strong results are not opposites• How much agency we really have to improve difficult workplace relationshipsMost difficult workplace relationships are not beyond repair. But improving them requires courage, curiosity and a willingness to remember that the person across from you is human too.🎧 Listen to Wired to Work:https://wiredtowork.buzzsprout.com📩 Get practical insights about leadership, neuroscience and making work better:https://wiredtowork.substack.comFollow Kate Franklin:LinkedIn: @Kate FranklinInstagram: @coachkatefranklinSubscribe for more honest conversations about leadership, workplace culture and how to make work work better for everyone.#Leadership #WorkplaceRelationships #WorkplaceCulture #ManagingUp #LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #WiredToWork

Your brain is changing all the time, whether you realize it or not.In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman breaks down one of the most important concepts in neuroscience: neuroplasticity. From habits and learning to performance and leadership, understanding how your brain forms and strengthens neural pathways can completely change the way you think about personal growth.You’ll learn:Why “use it or lose it” is literally true for your brainHow habits are created through repetitionWhy multitasking hurts learningThe surprising role emotion plays in memory and behaviourWhy practice—not just knowledge—is the key to lasting changeWhether you’re trying to build better habits, learn new skills, or help your team perform at their best, this episode explains the science in a way that’s practical and easy to apply.Subscribe for more conversations about neuroscience, leadership, workplace psychology, and making work work better.#Neuroplasticity #Habits #Neuroscience #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #BrainScience #WiredToWork

In this special season finale, Jess Chapman looks back at the five conversations that challenged her thinking the most - and the ideas that every leader, HR professional, and workplace designer should be paying attention to.From the hidden burnout crisis facing HR professionals to what healthcare can teach us about designing better systems, this episode explores the themes that kept resurfacing all season: cognitive load, psychological safety, technology, boundaries, climate anxiety, menopause, and why the future of work has to be designed around humans, not just processes.Jess revisits powerful conversations with:• Dr. Jo Burrell on the growing burnout crisis in HR• Dr. Paul Zak on measuring whether people are actually thriving at work• Ange Crockwell on why boundaries are an act of leadership—not selfishness• Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo on climate grief and its impact on today’s workforce• Tina Pomroy on reframing menopause as an evolution rather than a declineIf there’s one thread running through every conversation this season, it’s this:Work isn’t broken because people aren’t trying hard enough. It’s broken because we’ve spent too long designing systems without fully considering the humans inside them.Whether you’ve listened to every episode or you’re just discovering Wired to Work, this is the perfect place to catch up on the biggest ideas from the season, and to start thinking differently about what work could become.🎧 Join the Wired to Work Substack:https://substack.com/@wiredtowork🌐 Episode archive:https://wiredtowork.buzzsprout.com

Healthcare workers are asked to make high-stakes decisions in fast-moving, overloaded systems.But what happens when the systems around them make the work even harder?In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with Jennifer Woodland, experimental psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of New Brunswick, for a fascinating conversation about healthcare, burnout, cognitive load, technology, and the real-world messiness of clinical environments.They explore why healthcare work places such intense demands on the brain, how poorly designed systems and technology can add to stress, and why resilience can’t be treated as an individual problem when the system itself is creating overload.🎧 Listen to the full episode of Wired to Work: https://wiredtowork.buzzsprout.com📩 Join the Wired to Work Substack for leadership insights, practical tools, webinar invitations, and behind-the-scenes content: https://substack.com/@wiredtowork#healthcare #burnout #leadership #workplaceculture #healthcareworkers #cognitiveload #technology #ai #workplacepsychology #wiredtowork

Meditation still gets dismissed as “woo-woo” in a lot of workplaces.But the science tells a different story.In this Wired to Work summer repost, Jess is joined by Tina Pomroy and Roz Mugford for a practical conversation about meditation, mindfulness, and why slowing down may be one of the most useful tools we have for modern work.They explore how meditation can support focus, memory, emotional regulation, stress management, decision-making, and the ability to respond instead of react.This episode is for anyone who has ever said, “I can’t meditate,” “I don’t have time,” or “isn’t that a bit woo?”Because meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting cross-legged on a cushion for 30 minutes.It can start with one breath, one pause, one meeting, one mindful lunch, or one moment of noticing what’s happening before you react.💬 Join the Wired to Work Substack community for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes conversations, bonus clips, and leadership insights:https://substack.com/@wiredtowork#leadership #meditation #mindfulness #workplacewellbeing #emotionalintelligence #stressmanagement #workplaceculture #neuroscience #wiredtowork

Most people aren’t afraid of feedback. They’re afraid of the awkwardness, defensiveness, tension, and fallout that often comes with it. In Part 2 of Jess Chapman’s feedback series, she shares the N.I.C.E.R. framework — a practical, brain-friendly approach for having difficult conversations without triggering defensiveness or damaging relationships. You’ll learn:• Why most feedback conversations fail• How to reduce threat responses and defensiveness• The five-step N.I.C.E.R. framework• How to address behaviour without attacking the person• What to do when someone doesn’t change after receiving feedback If you’ve ever put off a difficult conversation, this episode is for you. Want to go deeper? Join Jess live on June 24 at 12 PM EST for Fearless Feedback, a practical webinar on how to give feedback that actually lands. The webinar is free for Substack subscribers and will include real-world examples, tools, and opportunities to practice these skills. Sign up through the Wired to Work Substack for access. #leadership #feedback #communication #management #emotionalintelligence #leadershipdevelopment #workplaceculture #wiredtowork Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Get a Bad Person to Change Their Behavior(00:00:50) - How to Make Feedback More Annoying(00:06:29) - "I hear your intention" in the following conversation(00:07:27) - How to Manage Time in a Meeting(00:10:28) - Lesson 6 on Validating Intent and Talking to People(00:16:07) - E3CA: Working In The World of Work

Feedback is one of the most important tools a leader has. It’s also one of the most avoided. In this replay episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman explores why feedback conversations feel so difficult, what neuroscience tells us about our reactions to feedback, and how leaders can create conversations that help people grow instead of triggering defensiveness. You’ll learn: • why feedback activates the brain’s threat response• the hidden reason leaders avoid giving feedback• how to normalize feedback so it becomes part of everyday work• why mindset matters more than scripts• the difference between being direct and being harsh• how curiosity creates better outcomes than correction Jess also introduces the principles behind NeuroWorks’ NICER framework for feedback conversations and explains why the best feedback conversations feel more like exploration than evaluation. This episode is a perfect companion to Jess’s upcoming Fearless Feedback workshop on June 24. ️ Fearless Feedback is free for Patreon and Substack subscribers. Join the Wired to Work community:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wiredtoworkWebsite & Podcast Hub: https://www.wiredtowork.castos.com Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts!https://lnkd.in/ezzK9CVZ #Leadership #Feedback #Neuroscience #Management #Communication #WorkplaceCulture #WiredToWork Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Have a Feedback Conversation(00:00:38) - Wired to Work: Feedback Episode 3(00:01:34) - The Need for More Feedback(00:03:57) - Why We Find Feedback So Difficult(00:07:16) - The New Normalization of Feedback(00:09:49) - As we normalize feedback conversations,(00:14:29) - How to Have a Good Feedback Conversation with Someone(00:20:04) - E3CA: Working in the World of Work

Menopause is having a moment. There’s more conversation, more awareness, and more information than ever before. But when it comes to the workplace, many leaders still don’t understand what menopause actually looks like—or how it can affect performance, wellbeing, and day-to-day work. In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman speaks with counselor and researcher Tina Pomroy about the biological, psychological, and professional realities of menopause and perimenopause. They discuss: • what’s happening with estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and dopamine during menopause• why symptoms are often misunderstood or treated in isolation• how menopause can affect cognition, memory, focus, and emotional regulation• the mental health risks that often go unrecognized• why many leaders feel uncomfortable discussing menopause at work• practical ways organizations can better support employees• why menopause should be viewed as a transition—not a decline Whether you’re experiencing menopause yourself, supporting someone who is, or leading a team that includes midlife professionals, this conversation offers practical insights and a more informed way to think about performance, flexibility, and workplace support. Join the Wired to Work community on Patreon for bonus content, exclusive clips, and deeper conversations:https://www.patreon.com/WiredtoWork Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.wiredtowork.castos.com Chapters (00:00:00) - What to Talk About When You're Going Through Perimenopause(00:01:21) - Tina Pomeroy on Perimenopause and Mental Health(00:06:04) - What Women Need to Know About Menopause(00:11:04) - What Is Perimenopause and Menopause?(00:15:15) - How to Survive Perimenopause(00:19:51) - How to manage menopause symptoms in the US(00:22:46) - How to Talk About Menopause in the Workplace(00:28:38) - What Kind of Led Me To Think About Menopause?(00:33:47) - How Menopause Affects Your Brain(00:39:23) - Hormone regulation in menopause and ADHD(00:42:33) - How to Deal with Depression in the Year 2(00:47:11) - How to Ask People How Are You Really?(00:50:38) - E3CA: Working in the World of Work

Gen Z is entering the workforce with completely different expectations about stress, mental health, flexibility, and what a meaningful life should actually look like. And many workplaces aren’t ready for that shift. In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo, Provost and Vice-President Academic at Acadia University, for a fascinating conversation about how universities are preparing students for an uncertain future.. and how younger generations may fundamentally reshape the way we think about work itself. Listen to the full episode of Wired to Work:https://wiredtowork.castos.com/ Join the Wired to Work Patreon community for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes conversations, bonus clips, and leadership insights:https://www.patreon.com/wiredtowork #futureofwork #leadership #workplaceculture #burnout #mentalhealth #genz #emotionalintelligence #highereducation #workplacepsychology #wiredtowork Chapters (00:00:00) - The uncertain future of our students(00:00:35) - Wired to Work: Ashley Consolo(00:01:31) - The Provost and Vice President Academic(00:02:33) - Unexpected challenges facing higher education in Canada(00:09:21) - The role of universities in a changing world(00:10:27) - Preparation for the future(00:12:56) - Mental health issues on university campuses(00:18:49) - The future of work on a student's degree(00:21:50) - On Comfort in the Workplace(00:26:21) - Mental health issues in the workplace(00:28:58) - Indigenous mental health and climate(00:32:31) - The challenge of resilience in an era of uncertainty(00:36:36) - What is one thing leaders in organizations knew or considered about grief in(00:42:47) - Climate mental health interface(00:45:11) - On the Future of Work and Stress(00:50:58) - Wired for Work: The Future of Work

In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman speaks with Dr. Jo Burrell, clinical psychologist and co-founder of Ultimate Resilience, about the mental health crisis facing HR professionals and why the people responsible for supporting everyone else at work often have too little support themselves. They discuss why HR has become the emotional shock absorber of the workplace, how the profession has changed since COVID, and why burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and moral injury are becoming serious concerns for people professionals. You’ll hear: • why 74% of HR professionals reported symptoms of depression • why three quarters of HR respondents are experiencing or at risk of burnout • why HR professionals often feel isolated, even inside large teams • how workplace culture places unrealistic expectations on HR • why resilience can’t just be treated as an individual responsibility • how clinical supervision could offer HR the kind of support already embedded in healthcare • why organizations need to address the sources of stress, not just the symptoms This conversation is for HR professionals, senior leaders, founders, and anyone who relies on HR to hold the emotional weight of the organization. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Context 02:54 The Evolution of HR and Mental Health Awareness 05:53 The Impact of COVID-19 on HR Professionals 08:58 Data Gaps and the Need for Research 11:50 The Role of HR in Employee Wellbeing 14:52 Challenges Faced by HR Professionals 17:56 Setting Boundaries in HR 21:06 Survey Findings on Mental Health in HR 24:04 Conclusion and Future Directions 25:06 The Mental Health Crisis in HR 30:46 The Burden of Emotional Labor 35:01 The Need for Tailored Support 42:43 Resilience as a Shared Responsibility 48:07 The Role of HR in Organizational Wellbeing Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.wiredtowork.castos.com Join the Wired to Work community on Patreon for bonus content and deeper conversations: https://patreon.com/WiredtoWork Guest: Dr. Jo Burrell, Ultimate Resilience Website: https://ultimate-resilience.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/joburrell Resources: Clinical Supervision in Healthcare: https://www.healthcareprofessional.org/supervision Mental Health First Aid: https://mentalhealth.org.uk/firstaid Gallup Stress and Burnout Statistics: https://gallup.com/reports/stress-burnout LinkedIn HR Networks: https://linkedin.com/groups/hr-networks Chapters (00:00:00) - The need for a more resilient work environment(00:00:39) - Wired to Work: The Need for Resilience in HR(00:01:35) - Ultimate Resilience(00:03:25) - What caused the switch to HR mental wellbeing?(00:12:49) - The need for emotional support in HR(00:15:43) - The Need for Boundaries(00:17:27) - The UK Mental Well-being Survey(00:21:29) - The state of wellbeing in the HR profession(00:28:20) - Mental Wellbeing at work(00:33:55) - On HR and the 2020 election(00:37:41) - The need for greater resilience in the workplace(00:45:09) - The Load That HR People Carry(00:47:58) - Wired for Work: Unlocking Your People

Most leaders know trauma-informed practice matters. What’s harder is knowing what it actually looks like on a Tuesday morning, in a real workplace, with real people. Angela Crockwell has been blazing that trail for years. As Executive Director of Thrive in St. John’s, an organization supporting people navigating exploitation, addiction, homelessness, and complex trauma, she’s built one of the most thoughtful workplaces around. And what makes her approach so compelling is how practical it is. In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with Angela to unpack what trauma-informed leadership actually looks like in practice, and why these skills matter far beyond social services. In this episode: • The difference between being trauma-aware and truly trauma-informed • Why “leave your personal life at home” doesn’t work • How to balance accountability with psychological safety • Why boundaries at work protect everyone, including leaders • The 15-minute rule for difficult conversations • How curiosity changes the way we respond to people under stress If you lead people, this conversation will change the way you think about communication, conflict, and support at work. Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.wiredtowork.castos.com/ Join our Patreon Community! https://patreon.com/WiredtoWork?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink Chapters (00:00:00) - Be authentic at the Workplace(00:00:35) - Wired to Work: The Trauma Informed World(00:01:23) - Talking About Trauma at Thrive(00:03:59) - What Does Trauma informed mean for my workplace?(00:13:52) - What Do We Do About Trauma in the Workplace?(00:16:52) - Letting a conflict go(00:19:33) - Setting Boundaries for Survivors(00:24:10) - Thrive: How to support a colleague who's struggling(00:30:18) - How to Support Your Employees in a Distress(00:35:18) - On the Problem of Love(00:39:12) - The Need for More Trauma Awareness in Workplaces

Most organisations pour money into wellbeing programmes and still end up with teams that are flat, disengaged, and just getting through the week. The problem isn't the programme. It's the target. Behavioural neuroscientist Dr. Paul Zak has spent 30 years studying what actually makes people - and teams - thrive. His research shows the brain has a measurable mechanism for the value it gets from experiences, trackable second by second. And when you know what that data looks like across your organisation, the engagement survey starts to look like a very blunt instrument. In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess sits down with Dr. Zak to dig into the neuroscience of thriving teams, and what leaders can actually do about it. What's covered: Why wellness is too low a bar, and what the thriving brain actually looks like The neuroscience of psychological safety, measured, not surveyed What the data says about remote work, in-person, and where your team actually thrivesWhy autonomy and communicating the "why" separate high-immersion workplaces from everyone else"Train extensively, delegate generously" — and why most leaders only do one If you're responsible for building a team that doesn't just perform, but actually thrives, this one is for you. Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.wiredtowork.castos.com/Join our Patreon Community! https://patreon.com/WiredtoWork?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Build a Well-Being Brain(00:00:40) - Wired to Work: Trust in the Workplace(00:01:41) - Immersion and the Way it Matters for Work(00:08:07) - Back to Work: The Case for Personal Time(00:09:46) - The Key Moments of Life(00:12:31) - Employee Wellbeing and Work(00:16:18) - The importance of meeting people in person(00:21:50) - The Future of Working From Home(00:23:20) - Key Moments on the Six app(00:27:51) - The Key Moments of the Workforce(00:28:54) - Have You Asked Your Boss About High Stress?(00:30:37) - High-Immersion Businesses: The Need for autonomy(00:36:39) - How to talk to an employee about their job(00:39:52) - What Do Organizations Need to Know About Employee Well-Being(00:45:06) - E3CA: Working In The World of Work

You’ve had the conversation.You were clear. Direct. Professional. …so why didn’t anything change? Because feedback isn’t about what you say.It’s about how the other person experiences it. And most people get that wrong. In Part 2 of this series, Jess Chapman breaks down the structure behind feedback that actually works, introducing the NISA framework. A simple, practical way to: • start conversations without triggering defensiveness• show you understand the other person (so they actually listen)• explain impact in a way that matters to them• and move from conversation → behaviour change This isn’t about being nicer.It’s about being effective with real humans. If your feedback isn’t landing, it’s not random.There’s a reason. And a fix. Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen: https://www.wiredtowork.castos.com/Join our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/wiredtowork Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Get a Bad Person to Change Their Behavior(00:00:50) - How to Make Feedback More Annoying(00:06:29) - "I hear your intention" in the following conversation(00:07:27) - How to Manage Time in a Meeting(00:10:28) - Lesson 6 on Validating Intent and Talking to People(00:16:07) - E3CA: Working In The World of Work

More than two thirds of people say they want more feedback. Fewer than a third feel they're actually getting it. What's getting in the way? Your brain (and your team's brain!) is wired to read feedback as a social threat. It can shake your sense of status, belonging, fairness, and certainty all at once.  And if you walk in carrying the wrong energy, your body language transmits it before you open your mouth. Jess calls it "going in crispy" - and once you're crispy, you've already lost the room. In Part 1 of this Wired to Work series on feedback, Jess breaks down the neuroscience of why feedback is so hard to give and receive.. and how to set up the conditions that make it actually land. What's covered: Why more than two thirds of people want more feedback but fewer than a third feel they're getting it The SCARF model: why the brain treats feedback as a social threat Why "I don't have time for feedback" is really a value-versus-complexity problem How to normalize feedback before you ever sit down for a hard conversation Why going in "crispy" puts your team on defense before you've said a word Warm and direct: why vague kindness makes feedback land worse, not better If you lead people and you've ever avoided a feedback conversation you knew you should have had - this one's for you. Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts! ⁠https://www.wiredtowork.castos.com/ Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Have a Feedback Conversation(00:00:38) - Wired to Work: Feedback Episode 3(00:01:34) - The Need for More Feedback(00:03:57) - Why We Find Feedback So Difficult(00:07:16) - The New Normalization of Feedback(00:09:49) - As we normalize feedback conversations,(00:14:29) - How to Have a Good Feedback Conversation with Someone

Burnout is often treated like an individual problem, but what if the real issue is the system people are working inside? In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess speaks with Cherri Forsyth about what burnout actually looks like, how it builds over time, and why recovery, not just resilience, has to be part of the conversation. They explore the difference between acute stress and chronic burnout, the warning signs leaders and teams often miss, and how workplace culture can quietly push people past capacity. It’s a grounded, practical conversation about performance, pressure, and what it really takes to build healthier, more sustainable workplaces. In this episode: • How burnout develops over time • The difference between stress and burnout • Why recovery matters as much as performance • What leaders miss when they tell people to just push through • How workplace culture can either fuel burnout or reduce it This conversation is for leaders, HR teams, and anyone trying to build a workplace where people can perform without running themselves into the ground. If you’ve ever wondered how to spot burnout earlier, support people better, or create a culture that values recovery as much as results, this one is for you. Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.wiredtowork.castos.com/ Wired to Work is a Double Barrel Production Chapters (00:00:00) - How to manage burnout effectively(00:00:41) - Wired to Work: How to Manage Stress and Burnout(00:02:01) - The signs of burnout(00:08:13) - What is burnout and how can we manage it?(00:10:20) - Understanding the need for resilience(00:14:33) - Have We Lost Our Values? Burnout(00:15:50) - What about work-life balance?(00:19:17) - Bradley on burnout and the culture of the business(00:27:43) - On Perimenopause and Leadership(00:34:18) - Understanding the Emotions of Coaches(00:39:13) - Self-Care and the Healthy Mind(00:46:37) - The Neuroscience of Burnout(00:49:04) - A Day in the Life With Sheri

In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with strategic HR professional Meghan Morrison to unpack why workplace learning so often fails to create real change, and what it would take to make learning actually stick. They explore why sending someone to a workshop is not the same as helping them grow, why application matters more than attendance, and why learning has to be built into the way work happens rather than added on after the fact. You’ll hear: • why classroom training alone rarely changes behaviour • why application, reflection, and feedback matter more than binders and certificates • how leaders can make learning part of everyday work without spending a fortune • why mentorship, shadowing, and debriefing are often more powerful than formal courses • what the 70-20-10 model looks like in real life • how to help people take ownership of their growth instead of waiting to be “sent” to learn • why teams need space to ask questions, make mistakes, and reflect in real time This conversation is for leaders, HR teams, and anyone trying to build a workplace where people keep learning instead of just attending training. If you’ve ever wondered why development plans go nowhere, why training gets forgotten, or how to make learning part of culture, this one is for you. Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen whereever you get your podcasts! https://lnkd.in/ezzK9CVZ

Most workplace “relationship problems” aren’t personality problems. They’re pressure problems. In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with leadership coach Kate Franklin to unpack why stress turns reasonable people into version-2.0 disasters.. and why “just be more resilient” is NOT the answer. You’ll hear: •Why chronic pressure makes behaviour worse (and normalizes it) •The real reason your boss relationship shapes your work more than your job description does •How to get useful feedback (up and down the hierarchy) without setting off a threat response •Two simple tools that cut through drama fast: “turn the complaint into a request” and the 15-minute rule (let it go or talk about it) •A practical check-in habit that lowers friction in five minutes If you’ve ever thought, “Is it them… or is it me?” — this one’s for you. ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected] Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting | Neuroworks Website: https://www.ethree.ca | https://neuroworks.ca/ HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/

Fight. Flight. Freeze. Flock. These are the four ways your brain responds to stress — and they show up at work more often than you think. In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman breaks down what’s actually happening when you react instead of respond — and why stress makes it harder to think clearly in the moment. This isn’t about personality or willpower. It’s about how the brain processes threat. Jess explains: • what’s happening in the brain when stress levels rise • why the amygdala triggers fast, emotional reactions • how the prefrontal cortex (“brain CEO”) gets disrupted • the four stress responses: fight, flight, freeze, and flock • why social threat at work feels as real as physical danger • how chronic stress increases reactivity and reduces reasoning She also shares four practical ways to handle these moments: • how to identify what’s triggering the reaction • how trust lowers emotional intensity • what to do when someone is reacting in real time • how to reduce uncertainty and create psychological safety If you’ve ever thought “Why did that escalate so quickly?” — or found yourself reacting in ways you didn’t intend — this episode will give you a clearer way to understand and manage those moments at work. Welcome to Wired to Work. ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected] Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting | Neuroworks Website: https://www.ethree.ca | https://neuroworks.ca/ HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/ Wired to Work is a Double Barrel Production

Most people still treat meditation like it’s too “woo woo” for work. That may be exactly why we’re missing its value. In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with meditation teachers Tina Pomroy of Going Om and Roz Mugford, producer of the show and founder of Double Barrel, to talk about what meditation actually is, what it isn’t, and why it may be far more relevant to work than most people think. They unpack: • the biggest misconceptions that stop people from trying meditation • why a busy mind doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong • how meditation supports focus, emotional regulation, and stress management • what the research says about meditation and the brain • how meditation can help with reactivity, decision-making, and workplace conflict • simple ways to build mindfulness into the workday without making it weird This conversation is especially useful for leaders, teams, and skeptical high-achievers who assume meditation has nothing to do with performance. If you’ve ever thought, I don’t have time, I can’t meditate, or this isn’t really for work.. start here. Welcome to Wired to Work. ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected] Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting | Neuroworks Website: https://www.ethree.ca | https://neuroworks.ca/ HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/ Wired to Work is a Double Barrel Production

Most leaders assume that if people know what to do, they’ll do it. But behaviour doesn’t change that way. Why? Because habits aren’t just a willpower problem. They’re a brain wiring problem. In this breakdown episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman unpacks neuroplasticity - the brain’s ability to strengthen, weaken, and reorganize connections based on what you do repeatedly. In practical terms, this episode explains why habits form so easily, why change feels harder than it should, and why knowing what to do still doesn’t always lead to better behaviour. Jess breaks down: • what “neurons that fire together, wire together” actually means • how repetition builds habits into neural pathways • why attention, timing, and emotion matter for learning • why stress makes behaviour change harder • why training without practice rarely sticks • how leaders and organizations can support change that actually lasts If you’ve ever wondered why people keep repeating the same patterns at work (including yourself!) this episode will change how you think about habits, learning, feedback, and behaviour change. Welcome to Wired to Work. ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected] Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting | Neuroworks Website: https://www.ethree.ca | https://neuroworks.ca/ HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Wired to Work: The Brain Framework(00:00:55) - Neuroplasticity and the brain(00:08:03) - How to Build a Connective Brain(00:12:07) - Practice Is the Only Way to Get Better(00:13:19) - How to Build a HABOR(00:16:07) - E3CA: Working in the Workplace

Most workplace “relationship problems” aren’t personality problems. They’re pressure problems. In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman sits down with leadership coach Kate Franklin to unpack why stress turns reasonable people into version-2.0 disasters.. and why “just be more resilient” is NOT the answer. You’ll hear: •Why chronic pressure makes behaviour worse (and normalizes it) •The real reason your boss relationship shapes your work more than your job description does •How to get useful feedback (up and down the hierarchy) without setting off a threat response •Two simple tools that cut through drama fast: “turn the complaint into a request” and the 15-minute rule (let it go or talk about it) •A practical check-in habit that lowers friction in five minutes If you’ve ever thought, “Is it them… or is it me?” — this one’s for you. ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected] Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting | Neuroworks Website: https://www.ethree.ca | https://neuroworks.ca/ HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/ Chapters (00:00:00) - The culture of low-level behavior(00:00:51) - Wired to Work: How to Build Relationships(00:02:01) - Kate on The Business Coach Podcast(00:04:44) - On Community and The Role of Work(00:06:24) - Relationships in the Workplace(00:11:45) - How to Prioritize Relational Skills(00:18:16) - The Need to Engage at Work(00:19:37) - The Importance of a Remote Team Meeting(00:24:56) - What Do Leaders Need to Know to Be a Leader?(00:25:26) - How to Deal with Bad Bosses(00:30:25) - How to Give Feedback to Your Boss(00:33:35) - How to Build Trust in the Team(00:41:06) - How to Turn Your Complaint Into a Request(00:43:52) - The Role of the Leader(00:50:36) - Kate Franklin on Working Well With Your Team

Menopause is having a moment. There’s more content. More conversation. More noise. And yet, we’re still getting it wrong.. especially at work. In this week's episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman speaks with counselor and researcher Tina Pomroy N.D., MEd, MBA, CMEC, RYT about what menopause actually looks like - biologically, psychologically, and professionally. They unpack: • What’s happening with estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and dopamine — and why it affects cognition and emotional regulation • Why menopause often gets misdiagnosed or treated symptom by symptom • The mental health risks we don’t talk about at work • Why leaders are uncomfortable addressing it • What practical workplace support can actually look like • And why menopause is an expansion, not a decline If you lead people, work with midlife professionals, or are navigating this shift yourself, this conversation will change how you think about performance, flexibility, and support at work. Chapters (00:00:00) - What to Talk About When You're Going Through Perimenopause(00:01:21) - Tina Pomeroy on Perimenopause and Mental Health(00:06:04) - What Women Need to Know About Menopause(00:11:04) - What Is Perimenopause and Menopause?(00:15:15) - How to Survive Perimenopause(00:19:51) - How to manage menopause symptoms in the US(00:22:46) - How to Talk About Menopause in the Workplace(00:28:38) - What Kind of Led Me To Think About Menopause?(00:33:47) - How Menopause Affects Your Brain(00:39:23) - Hormone regulation in menopause and ADHD(00:42:33) - How to Deal with Depression in the Year 2(00:47:11) - How to Ask People How Are You Really?(00:50:38) - E3CA: Working in the World of Work

Burnout, disengagement, leadership fatigue — we’ve been trying to solve these problems by fixing individuals. But what if the real issue is how work is designed? In the first episode of the newly rebranded Wired to Work, workplace strategist Jess Chapman speaks with systems designer and founder of All In Agency Jules Maitland, PhD about why traditional workplace models no longer fit the world we live in. They explore: • Why resilience training doesn’t fix burnout • Why employee engagement often fails • Why leaders struggle to admit they don’t have all the answers • What systems thinking means in practical terms • How to redesign work without a “big bang” transformation • The rise of adaptive, self-managing (“teal”) organizations If you’re a leader, founder, or manager wondering how to improve culture, reduce burnout, or lead change that actually sticks — this episode is for you. Welcome to Wired to Work. ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected] Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting | Neuroworks Website: https://www.ethree.ca | https://neuroworks.ca/ HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/ Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Be a Leader Who Knows the Answer(00:00:28) - Wired to Work: How to Make Work Better for Everyone(00:02:28) - How to Win at Work with a Computer(00:04:44) - How Systems Thinking fits into Human Centered Design(00:11:53) - The Role of Relationships in Organizations(00:15:26) - Back to the Floor(00:16:56) - The Need to Evolve Our Practices(00:20:37) - The Need for Human Centered Design(00:23:43) - Leadership in a Changing World(00:26:42) - On Feedback and Commander Control(00:32:39) - What Do You Do If You Don't Have the Power to Change(00:37:40) - What is a Teal Organization?(00:44:07) - On the Need for More Leadership(00:45:26) - Wired for Work: Unlocking Your People

As Season 2 wraps up, Jess looks back on the moments that stuck — the insights, laughs, and leadership lessons that made this season one to remember. From kindness at work to navigating change, clarity in relationships, and what it really means to connect with people, these are her Top Five Takeaways to make the tough people stuff easier. ️ Featuring highlights from conversations with Chelsea Colwell-Posh, Tom Hickey, Jeff McAloon, Anna Cook, Pierre Battah, and Susan Englehutt. ️ Watch the full episode now — packed with real-world advice on hiring, leadership, and the people side of growth. YouTube: https://youtu.be/IhRn3i4pD3U?si=rIN5V1FkBPFc5gmr Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlock Your People: A Season Finale(00:01:05) - Chelsea on the Need for More Kindness in Work(00:04:33) - Employers' ability to manage uncertainty(00:07:37) - How To Win a Brother's Love(00:11:59) - In the Elevator With Pierre Batter(00:12:43) - How to Drive Change in the Organization(00:16:34) - Susan Engelhut on the Relationship in Sales(00:19:05) - Just Ask Jess: Season 2

What really happens when your business starts to grow — and your people have to grow with it? In this roundtable episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess is joined by Atlantic Canada entrepreneurs Mike Randall (Portfolio) and Stephanie Hovey (Allied Therapy) for a candid chat about leading through change, managing emotion at work, and finding the right cultural fit when hiring. From the hidden costs of moving too fast to why the “people part” matters as much as the business plan, this panel gets real about what it takes to build healthy, thriving teams. ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected]   Follow us:   Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca   Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlock Your People(00:01:05) - A Chat With Mike Randall and Steph Huffy(00:02:57) - Stephanie on Change Management(00:08:39) - What's the biggest mistake leaders make in planning for change?(00:11:02) - How to Prepare for Change?(00:15:51) - What support does a team need for change?(00:17:27) - On Change and How to Deal with It(00:23:58) - The 3 Step Process on Change Communication(00:27:18) - The Simple Things a Leader Can Do to Make People Feel Seen and(00:32:23) - How to Hire the Right Talent(00:37:08) - Does Psychometrics for Fit Matter?(00:41:21) - Interviewing the Right Person for the Job(00:47:45) - The Need for Talent Development in 2030(00:51:17) - What is harassment prevention legislation in New Brunswick?(00:55:17) - E3CA: HR Self-Serving Toolkit

Contracts, corporations, and co-founders — oh my! In this episode, Jess sits down with Anna Cook, Partner at Cox & Palmer, for a practical, plain-language look at the legal side of running a business. From when to incorporate, to why every partnership needs a “business prenup,” Anna breaks down what small business owners really need to know — including how to avoid common legal pitfalls as you grow. Plus, Jess tackles a viral workplace scandal in the Just Ask Jess segment: when the CEO and HR lead make headlines for all the wrong reasons, what can small organizations learn about managing relationships at work? ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected] Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/   Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlock Your People: Small Business Owners(00:00:48) - Meet Anna Cook(00:02:12) - Why Law School Is For Real(00:03:42) - Do You Incorporate or Not?(00:06:56) - Other Things to Consider When Starting a Business With Family(00:13:08) - What are some of the things that you regularly see organizations doing that(00:18:22) - Small Business Owners: Stock Options and Remuneration(00:22:55) - Should You Give Stock Options to Family or Friends?(00:26:48) - Incorporation: The Cast of Characters(00:29:22) - Do Shareowners Have a Right to Vote?(00:33:12) - Confirmations and Documents for Business Owners(00:39:18) - Have You Got a Vision to Sell Your Company?(00:40:09) - Ontario vs Nova Scotia & Quebec: What's the Difference?(00:45:16) - Covid HR: Remote Work and the Law(00:48:54) - Commercial Law(00:50:28) - The Coldplay Kiss Cam(00:54:42) - Are Personal Relationships Bad for the Workplace?(00:56:27) - Questions for Work

Giving feedback doesn’t have to spark defensiveness — if you know how to do it right. Jess walks through her NICER framework: Notice the behavior, validate intent, and explain consequences in a way that matters. It’s a simple, powerful way to turn tough conversations into growth conversations — minus the friction. Chapters (00:00:03) - How to Coach a Terrible Co-worker(00:04:34) - How to Give Feedback to a Boss

When we talk about safety at work, we usually think hard hats and handrails — but what about the safety to speak up, struggle, or be honest about your mental health? In this episode, Jess sits down with Sean Kennedy to unpack what psychological safety really means. Sean shares his own mental health journey and how stigma shaped his leadership perspective, while Jess explores how organizations can move beyond surface-level wellness to build cultures where people actually feel safe — not just physically, but emotionally too. Chapters (00:00:02) - Unlock Your People: Psychological Safety(00:00:57) - Seth Mind on Mental Health(00:05:47) - Psychological Safety in the Workplace(00:12:18) - Wellbeing and the Lead(00:19:34) - Mental Well-being in the Workforce(00:23:53) - Philip Glass on Workplace Psychosocial Issues(00:25:55) - How to Coach Someone Who's a Jerk(00:30:32) - How to Give Feedback on a Problem(00:33:11) - Just Ask Jess

In this Just Ask Jess episode, Jess tackles real questions from listeners — from how to manage performance in small teams to what to do when your leadership group isn’t aligned. She shares straight-up advice on giving better feedback, getting your people involved, and creating a culture that actually works (not just looks good on paper). ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected]   Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/ Chapters (00:00:00) - So much.

When leaders speak, their words carry weight — whether they’re grounded in fact or not. In this Just Ask Jess episode, Jess reflects on Trump’s presidency through a leadership lens, unpacking what it reveals about power, responsibility, and influence. From the impact of a leader’s words, to the role of trusted advisors and diverse perspectives, to the dangers of “yes men” and top-down cultures, Jess explores how leaders can either build trust or erode it — and what that means for anyone guiding a team, an organization, or a nation.   ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected]   Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/ Chapters (00:00:01) - Trump on Tylenol, and His Leadership(00:02:27) - The Importance of Diversity in Your Enourage(00:06:21) - Top-Down Management Under Trump(00:09:07) - Government employees' attachment to the work(00:10:34) - In the Elevator With a CEO

The world of work is shifting fast — and leaders are being challenged to keep up. In this Hot Topics episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess welcomes back Tom Hickey to unpack the themes showing up everywhere right now: diversity, equity, and inclusion (or DIB, as we call it), the rise of AI and its impact on jobs, the complexity of employee expectations, and the uncertainty that comes with constant change. With two voices, different perspectives, and candid conversation, Jess and Tom break down what’s really happening inside organizations today — and what leaders can do to navigate it. Chapters (00:00:03) - Unlock Your People Today(00:00:37) - Tom Back on the Podcast(00:01:11) - What Did I Do?(00:02:31) - The Need for Strategic Plans(00:08:19) - Ontario Business Executive on the US vs. Canada divide(00:13:48) - Do We Need More Jobs in the AI Space?(00:21:10) - Can You Replace Your Boss With AI?(00:26:21) - Does AI Social Media Help You Build Relationships?(00:33:22) - How to Win at Cold Calling(00:34:58) - DW: Diversity and Inclusion(00:42:46) - The role of diversity in the workplace(00:48:54) - The Scarf Model(00:50:29) - Just Ask Jess

In this bonus Q&A segment, Jess unpacks three real-world scenarios—an RFP gone sideways, a hiring process with hidden ties, and a client relationship kept quiet—all pointing to one root issue: undisclosed conflicts of interest. She explains why most conflicts aren’t intentional, the reputational risks they pose, and how leaders can build awareness, motivation, and clear processes to prevent them. Chapters (00:00:00) - Conflict of Interest: The Issues

In this episode, Jess talks with Chelsea Colwell-Pasch about leading with empathy, kindness, and clarity — even when the conversations get hard. From navigating tough moments with heart to holding space without losing accountability, they explore how real leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room — it’s about being the most human. Chapters (00:00:03) - Unlocking Your People(00:00:59) - In the Elevator With Pat Robertson(00:02:09) - Your View on Kindness at Work(00:06:13) - Teaching Kindness as Work(00:13:25) - How to Have a Heart-to-Heart Conversation(00:20:28) - Being respected and valued in the workplace(00:28:45) - Chelsea on Her Agency(00:31:53) - Conflict of Interest: Three Things(00:37:43) - Contact 3CA

Onboarding doesn’t have to mean endless PowerPoints or a “sink or swim” experience. In this bonus Q&A edit, Jess breaks down how to streamline the process—using checklists, templates, e-learning, and structured check-ins—to set new hires up for success without draining your time. Whether you’re scaling fast or just trying to bring more structure to your team, Jess shares practical tips for building an efficient, people-first onboarding system. Chapters (00:00:00) - A Question For The Amazing Roz(00:00:20) - Mail Bag Question #271(00:00:32) - Onboarding and Probationary Period

Great sales isn't about driving the deal—it's about riding shotgun. In this episode, Jess sits down with Susan Englehutt to unpack why successful salespeople let their buyers take the wheel. From emotional intelligence and genuine empathy to navigating buyer dynamics with authenticity, Susan shares how rethinking the sales process as a journey you're taking together—not a race you're trying to win—leads to better conversations, stronger relationships, and growth that sticks. Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlock Your People: Sales Podcast(00:01:00) - How to Transform the Sales Process(00:04:12) - The Real Value of Relationship in Sales(00:09:35) - The Change in the Sales Process(00:11:17) - The Salesperson's Place(00:13:23) - In the Elevator With Sales Teams(00:17:13) - Coaching with Empathy(00:20:04) - How to Get a Technical Person to Lead(00:25:08) - Does the Need for More Salespeople Matter?(00:31:29) - We Can't Find Enough Salespeople(00:34:25) - Top Executives on How To Sell to Customers(00:34:58) - Another Question From the Mail Bag(00:35:28) - Onboarding our New People(00:39:33) - Onboarding

In this first-ever Just Ask Jess mailbag episode, Jess answers listener questions on merging company cultures, making 360 feedback actually useful, and dealing with confusing leadership. It’s all about clarity, communication, and what really gets in the way of teams working well together. Chapters (00:00:00) - Interviewing Your People(00:00:50) - Interviewing Just Ask Jess(00:01:23) - Merger & Acquisitions: The Culture(00:06:25) - What are you doing to allow people to say goodbye to the old(00:09:18) - What are 360s and Are They Worth It?(00:12:24) - Questions for the Blind(00:12:42) - How to Deal With a Boss Who Changes His Mind(00:18:15) - Mailbag(00:19:19) - Talking Sales

In this bonus mini-episode, Jess answers a tough leadership question: what do you do when a team member is deflated after missing out on a promotion? She walks through how to open the door to a compassionate follow-up conversation, and shares how the SCARF model (from the NeuroLeadership Institute) can help leaders understand and respond to emotional triggers like uncertainty, status, and fairness. #podcast #humanresources #hr #management #entrepreneurship Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Help Someone Get the Promotion They Deserve(00:02:14) - 5 Trauma Points That Make People Unhappy

Running a business with family isn’t for the faint of heart. In this episode, Jess talks with Jeff McAloon, co-CEO of The Smart Energy Company, about what it takes to lead alongside his brother. From trust and tough conversations to knowing when to lean in (and when to back off), they explore how strong relationships can power strong leadership — especially when family is part of the equation. Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlocking Your People(00:00:58) - Welcome to the Podcast(00:02:04) - In the Elevator With My Brother(00:02:48) - How a Partner Changes Their Life(00:07:18) - In the Elevator With Mark(00:08:20) - Does a Co-CEO Make the Right Decisions?(00:12:08) - The Importance of Trust in Organizational Conversations(00:12:59) - Discussing Co-CEO Culture(00:17:04) - The Culture of Scaling(00:18:27) - Having a Personality Assessment?(00:22:42) - Smartergy: The Farm Experience(00:25:45) - Where's the Passion in Your Career?(00:30:52) - What Have Been the Differences Between Being an Entrepreneur and a Corporate(00:33:46) - Jeff Bezos on the Power of Belief(00:35:28) - How to Give Bad News to a Friend(00:39:50) - How to Get Through a Unhappy Employee Talk(00:41:45) - Ask Jess Scenarios

In this bonus Q&A edit, Jess tackles a big question many leaders face today: How do you build culture when no one’s physically together? From creating intentional “triggers” that replace watercooler chats, to using recognition, leadership presence, and virtual touchpoints to keep teams connected, Jess shares practical strategies for sustaining culture and engagement in remote-first organizations. Chapters (00:00:04) - Question of the Day(00:00:30) - How Do You Build a Remote Company Culture?(00:02:44) - The Importance of Leadership Presence(00:03:01) - Leadership Presence and the Culture(00:03:48) - Part 2 of 6: Cultural issues(00:09:16) - Working remotely with a remote team

In this episode, Jess talks with Tom Hickey, CEO of Wedgewood Insurance, about the messy, meaningful work of leadership. From scaling a team without a playbook to building trust that sticks, Tom shares what he’s learned his decades-long career. Leading with heart, staying curious, and figuring it out one honest conversation at a time Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlocking Your People: Leadership and Culture(00:01:29) - Tom Munn(00:02:25) - Wedgwood CEO on People, Culture and Leadership(00:09:02) - How to Ask the Lead Why They Want to Lead(00:12:41) - In the Elevator With Steve Jobs(00:13:13) - What are some of the pitfalls of new leaders?(00:19:27) - Small Businesses and the culture(00:24:21) - In the Elevator With Businesses(00:24:45) - Getting People to Believe in Their Values(00:26:56) - How Do You Ensure a Good HR Team?(00:31:09) - Employee Relations: The Role of HR in a Company(00:36:22) - Jess on Self-Advancement(00:38:06) - Question of the Day(00:38:32) - How Do You Build a Remote Company Culture?(00:40:46) - Leadership With a Lead(00:41:51) - Is culture part of the business?(00:47:17) - Working Remotely

In this mini-episode, Jess answers the question of how to set clear expectations and accountability across teams. She shares insights on the importance of documenting goals, defining ownership, and maintaining open communication to prevent misunderstandings. Jess also highlights the role of organizational values in shaping behavior and performance management, and introduces a self-serve program designed to help individuals strengthen their skills in managing team dynamics and accountability. Chapters (00:00:00) - Setting Clear Expectations Across Teams(00:05:17) - Tools and Strategies for Accountability

In this episode, Jess talks with Pierre Battah about what it really means to lead with presence. From the myth of employee engagement to the quiet power of one-on-one conversations, they unpack why people check out at work — and how to bring them back in, one real connection at a time. Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to Season Two(00:01:49) - The Importance of Employee Engagement(00:03:36) - Understanding Engagement vs. Satisfaction(00:07:54) - Misconceptions About Engagement(00:10:56) - The Role of Surveys in Measuring Engagement(00:14:35) - Driving Substantive Change in Organizations(00:18:11) - The Human Side of Leadership(00:21:07) - Coaching as a Leadership Tool(00:25:40) - Balancing Leadership Styles(00:29:58) - The Manager as Coach(00:34:07) - Investing in Leadership Development(00:39:40) - Creating Better Workplaces(00:45:07) - Final Tips for Engagement

In this episode, Jess talks with Pierre Battah about what it really means to lead with presence. From the myth of employee engagement to the quiet power of one-on-one conversations, they unpack why people check out at work — and how to bring them back in, one real connection at a time. Chapters (00:01:49) - The Importance of Employee Engagement(00:03:36) - Understanding Engagement vs. Satisfaction(00:07:54) - Misconceptions About Engagement(00:10:56) - The Role of Surveys in Measuring Engagement(00:14:35) - Driving Substantive Change in Organizations(00:18:11) - The Human Side of Leadership(00:21:07) - Coaching as a Leadership Tool(00:25:40) - Balancing Leadership Styles(00:29:58) - The Manager as Coach(00:34:07) - Investing in Leadership Development(00:39:40) - Creating Better Workplaces(00:45:07) - Final Tips for Engagement

What are some of the biggest challenges that small business owners face as they attempt to build a dream team that can help them scale their business to another level?On today’s episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess is joined by two incredible women – Ashley Smith of Fundamental Inc and Krystal Hobbs of Reflective Marketing, both of whom share their wisdom and insights around growth and people management.Both Ashley and Krystal started their businesses as solo entrepreneurs, and were lucky enough to have their friends and former colleagues as their first hires. However, as their businesses grew, they were forced to step out of their comfort zone.In this episode, Ashley and Krystal share some of their biggest growth challenges. For example, you’ll learn how and why you need to redefine your role within an organization as you grow. You’ll also discover methods for maintaining a good work-life balance, even when your business is in hyper-growth mode.Enjoy!What You Will Learn In This Show:How to overcome your hesitation when giving feedback.Realigning a founder’s role as an organization scales.The biggest challenges small business owners face as they scale their business.And so much more…Resources:Fundamental Inc.Reflective MarketingPodcastWebsiteFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Whether we realize it or not, we have an impact on the people around us every single day. Every action we take and everything we say or share creates an impact on the people we work with. Understanding this, how do we make sure that we have the impact we want?What if you could always react in a measured and astute manner?What if you could work with others in a way that creates a positive impact, no matter how challenging the situation or conversation?In today’s episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess demonstrates why our intentions and impact can be out of sync. While the majority of people have good intentions, their behaviors and the resulting impact can often be undesirable.You’ll learn how to develop an approach for communicating with your colleagues and employees that’s both empathetic and logical, avoiding the knee-jerk reactions that result in the kinds of impact you don’t want to make.Enjoy!What You Will Learn In This Show:Why, no matter how hard we try, our intentions, and the impact we create, are almost never the same.How to avoid regrettable, knee-jerk reactions that can create needless conflict.How to facilitate a positive behavioral shift between you and your team.And so much more… Resources:PodcastWebsiteFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Chris Gardner is the CEO of Sequence Bio and he has some thoughts on diversity, remote working, and conflict management to share with Jess.Based in Newfoundland, Sequence Bio is a data-driven biotechnology company. They’re doing cutting-edge work, not just in their day-to-day operations, but also in their smart and scientific HR practices.Jess recently placed a high-ranking executive at Sequence Bio and he was totally blown away by their emphasis on understanding people and psychology. In today’s show, you’ll get a peek into Sequence Bio’s workplace and learn about their best practices.The first theme touched upon is diversity. When Chris had everyone in his organization take DISC assessments, he was surprised by the diversity he found among his team. He greatly credits this diversity for his team’s spectacular performance. However, he quickly discovered that managing these differences requires both intent and structure.As an experienced business leader, Chris emphasizes the importance of servant leadership. He reveals that, as CEO, he’s primarily responsible for facilitation and risk mitigation. It is not the CEO’s job to “carry the ball across the line.” Rather, you need to accept your weaknesses and delegate tasks to a team member with the right skillset.We discuss the importance of creating a safe space for “good” conflicts, along with some nuanced tips for building team culture in a remote environment.Enjoy!What You Will Learn In This Show:Things that have helped Chris in his development journey as a CEO.The importance of creating safe spaces for “good” conflicts.The concept of “servant leadership” and the role of a CEO in an organization.Why you need to leverage diversity with intent and structure.And so much more…Resources:PodcastWebsiteFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

It's time for another Q&A session!In this episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess is joined once again by Kendra Lane as they answer questions submitted to them on a wide range of subjects.You'll learn the benefits of strength-based leadership, as well as methods for determining how to best support an employee - developing their strengths versus building their weaknesses.Jess and Kendra will explore the concept of diversity in the workplace, including the benefits and challenges. They’ll also reveal how "oil and water" colleagues can learn to work together more effectively.You'll discover how changing the language around team members’ differences can help build better interactions and understanding.You'll learn why leaders tend to absorb their employee's problems (their "monkeys") as well as the benefit of giving team members everything they need to solve their own problems before they grow into more serious issues.You'll also find out how leaders can become better informed about issues affecting their team members, issues that can lead to larger problems such as burnout.Join Jess and Kendra as they answer pressing questions around unlocking your people!Enjoy!What You’ll Learn in this Show:How to determine the balance between focusing on an employee's strengths and helping them with their weaknesses.How diversity can be both a benefit and a challenge - if certain elements are not in place in your business.Changing the language around differences between team members to help foster a positive approach to differencesWhy leaders need to give employees everything they need to solve their own problems, thereby strengthening the team overall.How to be better informed as a leader as to struggles your team members may be facing, such as burnout. And so much more...Resources:WebsiteFacebookTwitterLinkedIn