HR Inside Out

Even though there were dozens of individuals on the Grand Connection networking group Zoom call, Nadine and I kept ending up in the same breakout rooms. We both took this as an indication that we should chat further. On my recent trip to Victoria, British Columbia we agreed to meet and exchanged books; hers, Knowing me. Knowing You: The PEP Personality Process and mine, Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within. The more I learned about Nadine and the work she is doing…. Well, I just had to introduce you to her through the podcast especially when she is all about creating better relationships at home and at work!

Interested in learning more about the impact of shame and the inner critic, of the toxic shame spiral and our shadow, and of the negative impact that unexpressed anger can have on our health? In this podcast host Susan Ney and her guest Alister Moes explore the importance of anger management. The pain, sadness, hurt, fear, anxiety, shame, and often trauma, are what leads someone to react disproportionately to events. It is only when this is examined, with compassion and deep respect, that a person can alter their response to the triggers in their life and learn to relate to the emotional reactions that have led them astray. Alistair Moes and his team at Moose Anger Management have been humbled and inspired by the many people who have taken up the courage to take on this type of investigation. Hope you decide to join us!

Everyone can go towards a path that is authentic to them. Often, we are in a role that earns us a paycheck but is that enough? Join host Susan Ney and guest Sam Thiara of Ignite the Dream as we do a deep dive into discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary, why “Everyone’s life is an autobiography – make yours worth reading”, learn of Sam’s journey – as captured in his recent book Lost and Found: Seeking the Past and Finding Myself, savour morsels from Sam’s blog - living by gratitude, changing the world and dealing with the haters (as examples), and learn of the power of acronyms and anchors to help discover who we are and how we can learn to live our best life!

Join Susan and guest Sharon Summerfield, Founder of The Nourished Executive as they delve into the topic of stress and burnout and how making small micro changes, which begins with a desire for living a more nourishing (in all contexts) and fulfilling life. Sharon has turned adversity into adventure, activism, and alignment with who she is at her core. A registered holistic nutritionist and certified breath coach, she is a model of lifelong learning and of paying it forward to help others on their journeys.

I have been surprised to hear ageism being referred to by a growing number of my colleagues and their children. Ageism is defined as prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age – at any age. And like other forms of bias, ageism is not based in biology but is socially constructed. It starts in childhood. We pick up cues that then guide our feelings and behaviour towards people of different ages and towards ourselves. According to the Global Report on Ageism, “Ageism affects us throughout life and exists in our institutions, our relationships and ourselves”. The report suggests that implementing educational and intergenerational contact interventions can help. As can becoming more aware – how might you be unintentionally contributing to the problem? Interested in learning more? Hope you will join me!

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Victoria Miles as Victoria shares her research, insights, and personal journey of transition – a journey of liminal leadership – the focus of her Master of Leadership major project and thesis. What guides the good good-bye? Victoria shares that it is all about leading a transition in a conscious and deliberate way, about letting go in increments, about dealing with the betwixt and between of transitions and, seeing uncertainty as opportunity. Together Susan and Victoria reflect on the value of showing up with integrity and recognizing that doubt and uncertainty are an integral part of the journey. Hope you will make the time to join us!

Originally from Lagos, Nigeria Ayo Owodunni immigrated to Canada in 2016 as an Economic Migrant. His initial experiences were not positive ones. He learned from these and now works with both businesses and individuals to change this. Canada needs the 500,000 immigrants scheduled to make Canada their new home per year. Ayo shares what we as their colleagues, and they as new immigrants can and should be doing differently to make this better for everyone.

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Cheryl Brewster as Cheryl talks about finding and living the power of joy in our lives and of her journey to modelling this, repurposing her work - rebranding as the good pirate - and encouraging “following your creativity into your zone of genius”. Aye matey!!!!

In my last podcast, I talked about saying yes to opportunities; that these can take us to experiences and places we could not have ever imaged. Something we often don’t say “yes” to, is taking breaks. I have been the person who, fully focused on what I was doing, didn’t stop what I was doing to grab that morning coffee, or at times, lunch. As a leader I always encouraged that team members ensure that they take their breaks, but I often didn’t model my words, and therefore, likely left team members confused at what I really meant. This alone wasn’t healthy. Not taking much needed breaks for my mind to focus elsewhere wasn’t healthy, and … although I guess I have always known it internally, getting outside to enjoy some truly fresh air, also wasn’t healthy. And may explain why I was frequently going home so exhausted. I just finished reading the book The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, by Florence Williams. I felt it important to share some of what I learned. I know that I always feel better when I have taken a few moments to step outside, to breathe fresh air, especially when this involves even a small walk. It was interesting to learn that there has been significant research conducted on the very positive benefits to our health – both physical and psychological. So, today’s podcast is about just that. It will hopefully encourage you to change any bad habits that you might be currently engaged in…. Hope you will join me!

I’m back! I said “yes” and created a whole lot of interesting new experiences in my life, including meeting a number of my zoom colleagues in my travels to Stirling, Scotland. When was the last time you did something that wasn’t necessarily comfortable for you? You are encouraged to say “yes” when opportunities present themselves, especially when they stretch your comfort zone. You never know what might come of the experience. It is all a part of “daring to soar”. Hope you will join me!

Our work teams are comprised of multi generations. And research indicates that each generation tends to have specific preferences and characteristics. I am delighted to introduce you to my work colleague, Amal Anup, to chat about one of these – Gen Z. Amal works as an HR Associate in Classification and Compensation at Capilano University in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He is originally from Kochi, Karala, India. And he speaks passionately about changes we could be making to our education systems and our organizations to better engage this newest generation to our work environments. We hope you will join us!

The other day I got asked the question “What is a grievance? As this podcast is all about demystifying the HR “stuff”, I thought, hey, maybe a podcast to provide an overview of this area of HR might be helpful to you… so, here goes! Hope you will join me!

Retirement is a topic becoming of significantly more importance and interest to individuals of my generation. It is also something that those just wishing for those “golden years” should start giving thought to. Although it might not feel so at the time, the years pass quickly. And more importantly, once you are finally there, thanks in large part to our better health care, there are also many years ahead of us. For those of you who have been going at warp speed for decades, the sudden stop can feel like heading into a collision with a brick wall. It doesn’t need to be that way, with a little planning. We are all different and will yearn for different things in our next chapter. Hope you will join me to learn more!

I met Brian when he was working as the Business Manager for the West Vancouver Municipal Employees Union. I was working as the Director of Human Resources and Payroll Services with the District of West Vancouver. We both eventually moved on from those positions. Brian, to work with the BCGEU – the BC Government and Services Employees Union - as, amongst other responsibilities, their pension expert. Brian recently retired from, what ended up being over ten years with the BCGEU, building expertise on the public sector pension plans in BC. He sat on pension boards, assisted with a myriad of questions and is probably one of the most knowledgeable individuals around when it comes to this stuff. Brian joins us on today’s podcast to share some of this knowledge and to address questions that we have both been asked in our respective positions over the years. And, he asked me to stress this is a general overview as plans and their specific details and information including design details will vary and the pension plans themselves should be relied upon for the specifics. The websites for the specific pension plans have been included below. *EDIT NOTE: The new flat accrual rate on the MPP. is not 1.85% (which was the PSPP number before moving to 1.95% Jan 1 this year). The MPP rate as of Jan 1, 2021 is a flat rate of 1.90%.

Today we are going to talk about intentions, given that it is the beginning of a new year, and a great opportunity to start fresh. Like the rain gently washing away the snow where I live. It helped me realize that I don’t like living in a world of black and white. Colour is important to me. I have noticed the absence of colour with white blanketing everything. So, I pep up my day by choosing brighter colours from my wardrobe. What is important to you? And how are you able to bring that into your life? We delve into the question “What do you want”? And what are the baby steps that will help get you there as we set intention for 2022?

When you’re in the middle of everything, you are a boss. You have a boss. Being in the thick of it at work, dealing with change imposed from above and leading your team through it, can feel difficult and exhausting. It can also be rewarding Gwyn’s book In the Thick Of It: Mastering the Art of Leading From the Middle takes you on a journey of awareness, growth, and purpose to help you master the art of leadership, to become the kind of leader that delivers results while valuing every human being, engendering trust and loyalty, and bringing out the best in others. Gwyn provides the map for you to successfully navigate the waters of planned and unplanned change, and coaches you on how to incorporate autonomy, mastery, purpose, innovation, and creativity into your leadership toolkit.

Marc published his first book Heroic HR in May 2012 - "A little book with BIG ideas" - presenting his passion and philosophy of the need for HR to align itself with the business of the company in which it works; to present strategic, value-added information to all stakeholders and to move from "data management to information craftsmanship". His most recent book, The Death of HR: Who Killed H. (Harriet) R. (Rose) Job? is a cautionary tale and a detective story which provides further insights and actions for all members within the HR workforce. HR Technology, Human Capital Management (HCM) strategies, workforce cyber awareness - all leveraging technology to position HR as a strategic partner - remain a passion for Marc that he teaches, consults, and speaks on. He joins us in today’s podcast to share his “why”, his experience working in this field, and … to let us in on “why the trench coat Marc?”. Hope you will join us.

It’s the holiday season, with all its busyness. We are already stressed out with the uncertainty of the impact of a new covid variant, our work environments still figuring out what a “hybrid” is supposed to look like, the intensity and impact of what are being called “atmospheric rivers” on many of us, especially if you live on the west or east coasts of Canada. And then you add a holiday season… The “good girl” in me feels obliged to bake, entertain and shop… So, a podcast on some gentle reminders, or perhaps prods, on remembering and finding that delicious, sometimes what feels completely unattainable life balance seemed appropriate. Wishing each of you peace, good health and the very best always! Hope you will join me!

Barb Ashcroft is a mentor, an encourager, and a thought changer. On the journey of your life, Barb can help with a mid-course correction to multiply the chances for improvement in all areas of your life, whether personal, physical, or your career. She is always looking for individuals with a desire to grow, to change their current ‘normal’. She asks, “Are you ready for some self-development and confidence building?” As a natural leader, she has learned a great deal about mindset, attitude, and positive thinking. With a desire to raise people up to their full potential, she helps shift people’s belief in themselves. She asks “Are you ready to lose your frustrations and fears? As Barb says, “Your mind is your biggest barrier to an optimum life.” Through programs, events, and workshops, she helps her clients unearth what might be holding them back from a more fulfilled, vibrant, and healthy life.

I am not going to bore you with all the statistics on the importance of fun and play in our work environments. I would be just telling you the obvious. I believe these would help with the engagement (or disengagement) dilemma and create a much-needed spark our organizations desperately need right now. When I reflect over the years and my employment at the various organizations I have worked within, what I’ve cherished most - the memories that bring a lovely feeling of warmth within me - are the moments of fun. Although I worked hard and it wasn’t always easy, it is the times of play and laughter that I continue to cherish. Now, given that much of my career involved working in the public sector, expenditure of public funds in play activities was certainly questioned. Working towards attainment of exotic prizes and retreats at expensive spas were never going to be part of anything that could be considered; activities often available to private sector firms just weren’t doable. This fueled the creativity button. Therefore, what could we do to bring fun and play to work without much, if any cost? And, for our listeners working for non-profits, for those of you working for small companies and for you entrepreneurs, hopefully you will gain some ideas that might work for you. Hope you will join us!

Today we are going to talk about mentoring–both the formal and informal versions–and our experiences with these. Over the years of her career, Carolyn Cooper-McOuatt has been very involved in setting up mentoring programs through her role as trainer, advisor and coordinator at a local college. These have been quite structured. My personal experiences have been with the more laissez-faire ones and those that just simply came about because... well they just seemed meant to. In this era of so much brain drain, engaging that wisdom and experience as one way to pay-it-forward is something that we are certainly encouraging. And the reverse works. I would cherish the opportunity to be mentored in the areas I struggle... technology perhaps... by those the skills come to more naturally–the generations following behind me in our work worlds.

Melissa is a registered health coach and an integrated health practitioner. Originally employed as a business executive in the hotel industry, getting let go when big fish bought little fish and then the reality of both daughters suffering concussions from sports injuries caused her to reassess priorities and refocus on a different journey; one that has led her to her current work. As the quote on the banner that sits behind her in her home office reminds us “Health isn’t everything but without it, everything else is nothing.” Helping others improve their health journeys has become her life’s passion and purpose. And it shows! Words like new found energy, gut health, and dealing with brain fogginess certainly caught my attention! A recent winner of the Quality Care Award, Melissa shares her wisdom through her podcast Don’t Wait for Your Wakeup Call!, her YouTube channel Your Guided Health Journey, and the programs she offers. She joins us today to share some of those invaluable health tips; tips meant to help each of us on our own health journeys.

In my conversation with Charlene, she noted that people only really get ready for a career transition when they have to and thus find the process something that really shakes them to their core. And that we need to get better at self-managing our careers. Charlene founded SmART Career Solutions (SCS) to recognize and celebrate that a significant number of professionals don’t fit into a traditional service model and that NOT ALL PROFESSIONALS wear a suit or would consider themselves an “average” job seeker. She asks “Are you an out-of-work creative professional that wants a new JOB or wants to build a creative business or both? Do you leverage your creative and artistic skills to your advantage? Are you missing out on better opportunities? Have you married the elements of ‘being creative’, finding meaningful work and generating money?” She offers Job Search Online courses and career coaching if you are ready to leverage your superpower … or at least be willing to be held accountable! And all her work is aligned with her belief that Creatives bring valuable contributions to the workplace and the world. Hope you will join us!

Negative self-talk. I suspect you are like me, especially when it comes to how we feel we are being perceived by our worlds. We all pick up on body language, changes in vocal tone, and other indicators that an individual’s words, as one example, may not be an accurate reflection of what they are truly feeling. And… yes, this provides a wonderful playground for those negative voices inside of us. Today we are going to talk about that negative chatter inside our heads. Some call it our gremlins. It’s the stuff that holds us back, erodes our self-confidence and creates havoc in our ability to present as our very best. And I have not yet met anyone who doesn’t struggle with it. In the podcast we explore identification of those gremlins and tools to use to enable a refocus when they are having their fun with us. Hope you will join me!

Julia grew tired of being an Administrative Assistant. She also hated her fingernail-biting habit. Hypnotherapy answered both of her quandaries when she decided to pursue certification with the National Guild of Hypnotherapists. That was more than a decade ago. Now a seasoned hypnotist and a Reiki Master, she helps people kick their habits, heal from past traumas, and begin loving the life of their dreams. Join us as Julia tells us about this career choice and answers all those questions you might have about hypnosis – how it works, whether it “sticks” – and for those of you worried that you might start to cluck like a chicken, she will answer the “entertainment” hypnosis questions too!

Heather’s passion is helping empower individuals with confidence in their finances and joy in their lives. Combining the left-brained, money and financial details with the right-brained, emotion, spiritual/woo to improve your life, is her specialty. Hope you will join us as Heather shares tips to make the money stuff more manageable. It is your future we are talking about here! Make it a prosperous one! We hope you will join us!

As I record this podcast it’s October and the time of celebrating Thanksgiving in Canada, so it feels appropriate to talk about being grateful – of expressing gratitude. Immediately all those individuals volunteering their time, doing nice things to make other’s lives easier… you know the ones, come to mind. So, this week’s podcast is all about gratitude and leadership. And a thank you to Stuart McNish for providing me with a copy of Pablo Casals’ A Salute to Life, a lovely reminder of all that is truly important; words that I share with you in our time together.

Meet Monique Liddle. She is the Manager of Operations at the City of North Vancouver Library. It is a place she has called “home” for over a decade and not a place that she had originally envisioned working when she graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) with her certification in Interior Design Management. Our libraries are so much more than a repository of books and information. Monique was able to use the skills and expertise she had built over the years to secure a similar and yet very different type of position within her local library. That was many years ago now. Monique has continued to grow and thrive with the library. And yes, she has even been able to use her training in interior design!

Stuart McNish, a veteran Canadian journalist, is the host of the weekly news series Conversations That Matter, where he interviews thought leaders from around the globe to dig into the issues that matter to Canadians. He is also the President of Oh Boy Productions, a company he built, in his words, from a laptop and cellphone. Stuart is a natural in this environment. With his start as a reporter with BCTV and training from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in Broadcast Journalism, Stuart quickly found his niche and has never looked back. Stuart shares his journey with us, what helped him decide to venture into this career path, and some of the exciting interviews and stories he has helped bring to the world through the years of his career – including a recent interview with yours truly! Hope you decide to join us!

Lululemon stocks went up 13% in one day – apparently we are enjoying hanging out in our comfy clothes and plan to continue doing more of that. News broadcasts indicate that 50% of our workforce are considering quitting. McKinsey and Company and Harvard Business Review articles are noting that people are choosing to not return to work, even without the safety net of alternate employment. We are reassessing our priorities. We are yearning to be appreciated and recognized, to be considered and treated like more than a transaction. Companies that understand this are doing what needs to happen to change. Others are not willing to shift. Yet, resignation is not truly an option for many of us. In today’s podcast we talk about what what we can do to help create the changes we wish to see in our own lives - as individuals, within our teams and within our organizations. Hope you decide to join us!

Overwhelmed? Frustrated? Disengaged? Counting the years until you can retire? Most of us experience, at least at some point in our careers, these feelings. Are you interested in learning how to live and to work differently, to tap into the leader within you? I believe that we have what we need inside us, to do this. Using my own and others’ experiences, through the sharing of stories and encouragement of reflection, I strive to help you find your true self and potential, and to live your life’s best journey. The people in our lives are watching and learning from what we model. Get yourself a hot bevy, curl up in your most comfortable chair and enjoy a few of the lighter stories from my book, Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within in today’s podcast. I hope you decide to join me!

Stephen Hammond, lawyer turned professional speaker, helps his clients avoid the landmines that are getting so many people and workplaces in trouble. For 27 years Stephen has educated thousands of Canadians about the importance of preventing and responding to all the inappropriate stuff that goes on at work; in particular, harassment, bullying and discrimination. Despite the serious nature of the issues, Stephen is known for his humour, wit, and discussing issues that are current and relevant. Most importantly, people leave his sessions feeling more confident to prevent and address inappropriate workplace behaviour. Stephen shares the importance of dealing quickly with matters that can quickly erupt into more serious situations especially when these appear to violate individual’s ability to work in a respectful work environment or are an infringement on any of the protections provided under human rights and charter of freedom legislation. His stories are real, taken from actual cases. His lessons, using his recent book The New Norm: A manager’s guide to improving workplace behaviour … and keeping out of legal hot water are practical, outlined as: 1) A big mistake; 2) Important tip; 3) Quiz on the key points; and 4) relevant Canadian legal cases on “the big mistake”. Stephen makes a subject that could be overwhelming and mired in legalese approachable and understandable as evidenced in his keynotes “It’s Official – Everything is Offensive” and “Creating Your New Norm at Work”. Hope you will join us for lots of nuggets of great learning that could help keep you and your organization contributing to the “wow” organizations – those great ones that we love working for and with.

In this week’s podcast we talk about the importance of effective communication and what Susan Scott in her excellent book Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work & in Life, One Conversation at a Time, calls, “fierce conversations”. Overall, most of us could be much better communicators. Too frequently we attempt to express ourselves and find that what we had hoped to convey has been received in a manner that we had not intended or expected. With our incresased use of emails, texts, tweets and the like, I see this getting worse, not better over time. Scott asserts that the next frontier of exponential growth, the place you will find a new and sustainable competitive edge, lies in the area of human connectivity – internally with staff and externally with your marketplace. This assertion is supported by leading edge research groups such as McKinsey & Company where words like heighted connectivity, more purposeful, more human, and emphasis on employees’ need for affirmation, social chohesion, purpose and meaning are being increasingly used - all postive impacts of deep dialogue and effective communication. We have an opportunity to do things differently as we begin to emerge from the realities of the pandemic. According to Scott, “Conversation = Relationship”. Make your conversations truly great ones! Tips and insights in today’s podcast. Hope you will join me!

Malcolm White lives his passion through his work. He has always known that he loved working on the water. He was fascinated by the tugboats and the barges they were towing – the ones he would watch while working as a fishing guide in Campbell River, British Columbia. So, he attained his Deck Hand certification and the requisite sea hours. And over a career of, now forty years, he continued to take courses, build continued experience on the ocean, and for many years now, has been master of his tug, as the Captain. Malcolm shares his journey with us, including some very frightening and exhilarating experiences, a little about the tugboats used in this exciting work, and some tips if this is a career that might be of interest to you or someone you know. Ever wonder what it is like to assist those big freighters into dock? Hope you will join us!

I don’t think it would be much of a stretch to assume that, at some point in our careers we have all been party to, or impacted by, conflict-laden situations: individuals not getting along, someone not pulling their weight, colleagues not showing up on time or at all, poor behaviour, rules not followed, as only some examples. All too often, these situations get tolerated, ignored, excused, and otherwise not dealt with. I have been in situations that allowed me to address such issues, in others where I have been stymied in doing so. I have also been the avoider and the leader who didn’t act in a timely manner. I know that NOT dealing with situations that create conflict is NOT a good thing. I also know that dealing with conflict is one of the toughest responsibilities that individuals who oversee people face. We don’t teach these skills well. Many of us don’t learn effective conflict resolution in our formative years. This spills over into our work environments. The outcome is not good. Gary Harper in his excellent book The Joy of Conflict Resolution: Transforming Victims, Villains and Heroes in the Workplace and at Home encourages a different approach. I was lucky enough to learn from Gary. He reminds us that “every conflict provides the opportunity for learning, growth and enhanced relationships”. Yes - the opportunity. I just re-read The Joy of Conflict Resolution. I would like to take today’s podcast to share some of Gary’s insights – because I know they work.

When we are able to fulfill our life’s purpose, in this case helping ensure that people’s voices were heard, inequities were addressed and choice was actioned, as part of the responsibilities of what we are paid to do, we tend to infuse really positive stuff onto those we work with. I was one of the lucky ones provided the opportunity at an early point in my own career to work with such an individual – Bill Howes. Bill is someone who through every action and every word he spoke, exuded leadership, alignment with core values and passion for what he did. He knew what he was good at. He built leaders along the way. And he has continued to make a positive difference in his retirement activities. Bill spent most of his career working for and with unions, as a paid employee within those organizations. It might be something for you to consider too. Our unions need great leaders too. Hope you will join us!

Paul Moffatt made a decision, late in his career, to become a bus driver. He applied to the local transit authority, studied for and attained his Class 2 drivers license. He has discovered that, of all the different jobs he has worked at through his career, being a bus driver is the absolute best. As a people person, Paul has found his niche. We are going to explore the process Paul went through to make this decision, why he loves the job so intensely, and where else this has taken him to in the latter years of his career.

As this month’s podcasts are with individuals working in a variety of different jobs and careers, I began to reflect on the number of calls I have received over the years from individuals interested in learning more about working within the field of human resources. So…. for those of you wishing to understand about a career choice that kept me interested and learning for many years, in this week’s podcast we explore the scope of HR, a little about the various specialist options that individuals may wish to pursue, what working as a generalist is like - and more - about this fascinating and exciting career option. We also review a current posting for the roles of HR Assistant and HR Coordinator/Advisor with some tips to consider in your own interview processes. Join me!

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Ed Seymour as they discuss the importance of mentors, especially during your key developmental years and when you are feeling stretched beyond what you think you might be capable of. In the podcast Susan and Ed also speak on the creation of our personal career histories - the ones that evolve from the decisions we make along the way – when we say “yes” to opportunities and create those, at times, roads less travelled as part of our learning and development, using Ed’s rich and diverse career history as an real-life example of the tapestry we can choose to weave over the years. And more!

Although I believe our school systems are doing better at helping guide us in reviewing options regarding careers that will hopefully engage us for the rest of our working lives, I thought it might be fun to spend some time in the upcoming podcasts introducing you to individuals in unique jobs that we might not have thought to pursue. I am also increasingly speaking with individuals who have chosen to leave careers to pursue something different in later years. Perhaps you are mid-career and asking whether there could be something more, or a way you could be applying your skills, experience and education differently. Like me, you want to colour outside those proverbial lines and “do” differently, with more passion and re-finding that sparkle that you haven’t seen lately when looking at “you” in the mirror. You are going to meet individuals who made the leap and never looked back. And for many of you who spent your lives at one speed – full on – retirement may not be what you had contemplated. For those who had absolutely no time whatsoever to pursue hobbies and passions, the hours now available to you may now seem long and unproductive. Some options for you to consider as well. A taste of what is to come, examples of real people making different choices, excerpts from my book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within…. Hope you will join me!

In the roles we play, we are expected to be able to not only handle our own stressors, but frequently to mitigate stress for others and be the “go to” for others, for answers. Our world, in a matter of months, became something that none of us had experienced or been expected to lead through, at any prior time in our lives. The eventual return to our “new normal” if there is such a thing, is the next hurdle that we will need to contend with. This past year and a half has for many people, created stressors and stress levels that no-one could have contemplated. How we take care of ourselves through such circumstances is critical. In this podcast host Susan Ney explores what causes stress, signs that you might be experiencing stress, some stress relievers, exploring work/life balance, and helping us remember to never get so busy making a living that we forget to make a life.

Sometimes things happen to us that we have no control over – like life-altering illnesses, employment termination and then being cut-off LTD benefits. Dealing with one of these is difficult enough. When all occur at the same time, it can feel like a virtual tsunami. We can let such circumstances take us out, or we can decide to fight. Those choices determine where we go next in this life of ours. In today’s podcast you will meet Catherine Elliott – one of my heroes – someone who models courage, resilience and tenacity – and what deciding to react differently can look like, even in truly adverse circumstances.

Susan Ney hosts guest Dr. Paul Harrietha in a dialogue about gender equity and, to use the subtitle of his book, what’s really holding women back in business – and how to fix it. Dr. Harrietha and co-author Holly Catalfamo confirm that women are held back from advancement opportunities (particularly the C-suite and board positions) by a number of invisible rules that continue to “tilt the playing field in favour of white men”. Their book The Invisible Rules: What’s really holding women back in business – and how to fix it, is based on direct one-on-one interviews with 50 senior female Canadian executives who shared their personal insights, experiences, wisdom and real-life challenges. Learn about the four big biases women face, the CAPS Leadership Framework and what we all need to be doing to help finally achieve gender equity within our workplaces and organizations.

Change always creates ripples in our lives – or tsunamis – depending on the magnitude of the situation. Some of these we create by our own actions. At other times we are impacted by circumstances totally outside of our personal control. How we deal with these situations can build courage, grit, resilience, and the eventual ability to positively move forward if we so choose. This podcast introduces you to the theme of ripples and to some of the heroes I reflect on in my book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within; individuals who rose above really difficult situations stronger and as real life demonstration that it can be done. Leadership at its very best!

Susan Ney hosts guest James Ridge, author of Welcome to the Hall: A Practical Guide for Municipal Leaders as he shares his experiences and wisdom drawn from years of working in top formal leadership positions in local government, reporting to an elected Mayor and Council. This book is a “must-read” for anyone considering either a position on Council or a CAO/Municipal Manager’s job or if you are interested in attaining a better understanding of local and regional governments. James provides a candid overview of the roles, responsibilities, and realities. In the podcast, James also shares his own nuggets of learning about leadership.

In this episode of the series, host Susan Ney reflects on what leadership means to her using examples from her own experiences. She shares that there are leadership lessons all around us in every way and on every day. Always wishing to promise some fun, Susan borrows excerpts from her book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within (available on Amazon) - lessons from the playground - and how many of these first learnings have influenced us, both personally and within our organizations. You are encouraged to dare to soar on more than your neighbourhood swing set!

Susan Ney hosts guest, Dr. Kieth Deats, as he shares how his personal journey shaped both his leadership style and the model he created through his doctoral research and dissertation, of Equality-Based Practice and the related Five-Step Framework. Dr. Deats offers programs and dialogue on leading in uncertainty through his business Recree8, based out of Scotland. His passion is about “Helping Individuals, Groups and Leaders Think and Grow.” He “Strives for inclusion, transparency, and the well-being of the whole to sustain and increase rates of growth.” He has helped transform companies into places where people love to come to work because they are asked for input, listened to, and truly wish to buy in to their and their organization’s success. Dr. Deats integrates the latest research and thinking on leadership into his work. He encourages deep dialogue and reflection. We hope you will join us and learn more!

In this episode of the series, host Susan Ney talks about how each of us has all we need inside of ourselves to be find the leadership within us and to be our very best version of “us”. Using sections of her book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within (available on Amazon), through the use of story she speaks of the internal gremlins that get in our way, how we frequently judge ourselves to be not enough, and often look to others to determine our paths. She encourages the listener to reflect on their own journey and thought patterns and to choose to “do” differently when these are getting in the way. “Dare to Soar!” And consider asking a friend to help find the thermals when we can’t find them for ourselves. It is whimsical, thought provoking and fun!

Join host Susan Ney and her guest John Izzo, Author, Keynote Speaker, and Consultant as they dive into some of the key aspects of John’s books: Stepping Up: How Taking Responsibility Changes Everything and The Purpose Revolution: How Leaders Create Engagement and Competitive Advantage in an age of Social Good. Whether you are currently a leader of people, aspire to be one at some point in your career, or just want to be the very best version of “you”, John provides fabulous insights from the research he has conducted and the organizations he has worked with through his career; insights that will help both you and your organization thrive. Always engaging and immensely interesting you are treated to an hour of learning from a master. Hope you will join us!

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Alex Cann, Senior Project Manager with Maximizer Software Inc. as they dig deep into the topic of employee engagement, looking at some of the statistics around disengagement, and reviewing the practices and culture that Alex has found successful in helping to create an engaged workforce. Lots of tips for those who lead teams and for those struggling to keep excited about their employment.

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Cindy Rogers as they talk about employee engagement, both their own and that of the employees they work with. Cindy will also talk about the employee engagement project recently assigned to her students, what they have learned from their research and how that learning compares with their own employment experiences to date.

Join host Susan Ney as she explores the topic of employee engagement, the concerning disengagement dilemma, and through use of the Gallup Q12 questions, some ideas to consider to bolster your personal engagement ratings.

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Steve Serbic as they talk about the culture of Fire Services departments and the fact that although surveys conducted have found that 95% of firefighters feel critical incident stress and 65% are traumatized by calls, over 80% of firefighters don’t feel they can talk to a peer/seek help about how they are feeling due to concern that they might be perceived as weak or unfit for duty. The suicide rate for this profession is high. Steve is making it his business to bring voice to this reality and concern. His book The Unbroken: A Firefighter’s Memoir will be available in bookstores soon. Steve will share his personal story and the work he is doing to change the culture in Fire and Protective Services departments across North America.

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Debbie Comis as they explore the topic of team dynamics within corporate culture: what it takes to build and keep vibrant teams - ones that most of us wish to work within, the impact of team behaviour on employee engagement, working within cross-departmental teams, and how “great” teams can effectively manage change.

Welcome to the new podcast series HR Inside Out – Demystifying HR & People Management Join host Susan Ney and her guest David Harvey as they explore the transition of a human resource department from one that had been focused on administration and process to that of strategic partner, assisting with the building of the skills and knowledge - an “HR Took kit” - of supervisors and managers, its impact on the department and organizational culture, the ripple effects, challenges and lessons learned. David will also share insights on how HR is currently perceived as seen through his Kwantlen Polytechnic University students’ experiences as they have worked through projects and assignments; those which have involved a myriad of other organizations.

In the podcast series HR Inside Out - Demystifying HR & People Management Susan and her guests weave a tapestry of information, insights and guidance around HR, people management and the work processes we could all understand and “do” better. Sharing examples both personally and through interviews of others who have walked the path of daring greatly, she offers insights for those who wish support on their own journey as they become the best version of themselves and within their organizations. Welcome to the new podcast series HR Inside Out – Demystifying HR & People Management Join host Susan Ney as she explores the topic of corporate culture; what it is and isn’t, why it is important to understand for employee recruitment and retention, a little about corporate culture change, tips to consider if you are responsible for managing people, and the importance of being in alignment with what is said and what is practiced.

Join host Susan Ney and guest Pamela Jones of Soundswrite as Pam provides tips on how to use the speaking voice more effectively; to present our best self, especially in situations where we are “aim to influence” – interviews and presenting reports as two examples. Pam absolutely loves her work, and it shows! She will share a little about her career path, why she and her partner Bill decided to establish their business Soundswrite, and some thoughts re her personal journey.

Welcome to the new podcast series HR Inside Out – Demystifying HR & People Management Join host Susan Ney and guest, Cheryl Brewster of The Intuitive Life, as Cheryl walks us through the “ah-ha” moment and journey she has been on to find and live her true purpose, the business she as grown as a result and the lessons she has learned through the process.