325: Beyond the Basics: Win Talent with Whole-Person Wellness Benefits with Michelle Yates & Mark Rosenthal

What do pets, perks, and productivity have in common? Nikki teams up once again with Michelle Yates of PetPartners, bringing in the dynamic Mark Rosenthal to shake up how we think about employee benefits. They dive into why "nice-to-have" benefits are now need-to-have, and how understanding your people (and their furry family members 🐕) is the game-changer for attracting and retaining top talent. From multi-generational expectations and mental health support to surprising stats on pet parents and financial stress, this episode is packed with insights that challenge the status quo and inspire leaders to rethink, reframe, and rework their approach to benefits. You'll leave with a fresh appreciation for just how much a pet-inclusive workplace can do for your culture. 🐾✨   Additional Resources: Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn how to create pet-friendly workspaces with the Dogs at Work Guide! Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn Learn more about OnePack Plan by PetPartners Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Benefits must support holistic employee wellbeing. Customization is key to engaging diverse workforces. Pets are essential dependents for many employees. Perks must reflect real employee priorities and stressors. Clear communication is critical to benefits impact.   Works Cited: KRC Research conducted an online survey on behalf of OnePack Plan by Pet Partners among n=1,000 employed US adults 18-65. The sample included n=750 pet owners and n=250 non-pet owners. The study was fielded between August 19 - August 22, 2024. Cohen Research Group in conjunction with OnePack Plan by PetPartners and the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) conducted an online survey over a two-week period from February 22 to March 7, 2024, with 1,021 HR professionals working for medium or large companies in the United States and Canada. By design, half of the respondents work at companies currently offering pet health insurance to their employees and half did not offer it to them. For terms and conditions visit: www.petpartners.com/sample-policies. Products are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, (NAIC #26581), and produced by PetPartners, Inc. (NPN #7612549; CA license #0F27261 PPI Pet Insurance Agency, Inc.).  

What if working less could actually make your business more successful? 💡 Nikki chats with Dr. Sabrina Starling, aka The Business Psychologist, who's here to flip your workweek on its head. Dr. Sabrina isn't just talking theory, she's living proof that you can grow a wildly successful business on just 25 hours a week (and she's now rocking a 10-hour week!). They dive into the power of radical intentionality, how to prioritize $10,000/hour tasks, and why delegating like a pro creates massive growth opportunities for your team. If you've ever dreamed of more margin, more impact, and way less grind... this one's your permission slip. 📝   Additional Resources: Discover How To Make Your Time Worth $10,000 An Hour Connect with Dr. Sabrina Starling on LinkedIn Learn more about Tap The Potential Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Work should support life, not the other way. Identify and protect $10,000/hour activities. Delegate low-value tasks to enable team growth. Hard stops and unplugged time fuel effectiveness. A-players thrive with clear results and strengths.  

Ever been stuck in a "meh" moment, unsure if it's a yes or a no? 😬 Nikki and Jason dive into a fun, fired-up convo about making bold, aligned decisions, personally and professionally. From saying no without guilt to spotting red flags in client partnerships and making hiring choices that truly light up your team, they cover it all. Nikki also shares powerful takeaways from Mel Robbins' "Let Them" philosophy and the Why.OS framework that keeps the PFN team living and leading with radical intentionality. Tune in if you're ready to lead, live, and love like every decision is a full-body "Hell Yes!" 💥   Additional Resources: Join the PFN Community! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Know your why to guide clear decisions. Energy alignment outweighs obligation every time. Misaligned clients drain culture and results. Right person, right seat is essential. Intentionality drives meaningful culture and impact.  

Great leadership isn't just bold moves and big speeches. The real magic is in the quiet habits, clear communication, and meaningful connections the best leaders learn to make. Those were the themes of this year's Global Leadership Summit, a two-day event packed with world-renowned leadership experts. Katherine Coble is joined (finally) by her husband and business coach, Greg Coble, to recap their favorite moments from this year's Summit. From Craig Groeschel's call for consistency over charisma, to Nick Saban's surprising take on psychological safety, to Juliet Funt's bold message about reducing the noise, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and fresh energy for people-first leaders. Hit play for a fun, fast-paced breakdown you won't want to miss!   Additional Resources: Get the GLS Resource Guide! Follow Concentric Leadership Group on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Consistency beats charisma in leadership impact. Focus only on what leaders uniquely should do. Clear writing equals modern-day empathy. Transformational leaders prioritize learning over results. Legacy leadership builds others for lasting significance.  

Forget the one-mentor model! What if you had a team of people championing your growth? Melanie Stuber shares how designing your personal board of directors can be a game-changer for your career and personal growth. After 25+ years in corporate leadership, Melanie stepped into entrepreneurship, and quickly realized the power of intentionally surrounding herself with people who challenge, support, and champion her. From knowing your values to identifying the roles every growth-minded person needs (mentor, coach, sponsor, expert, and more), she breaks down how to build and sustain this dynamic circle. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just getting started, you'll walk away with real tools to build a board that grows with you, and never feel like you're doing it alone again. 👥   Additional Resources: Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn Learn more about Cultivate and Thrive Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Know your values and strengths before building your board. Be intentional in choosing who surrounds and supports you. Personal boards evolve as you grow professionally and personally. Express gratitude often, as it sustains meaningful relationships. Follow-through builds trust and deepens connections.  

Employee engagement metrics have barely moved in over a decade, but what if we're measuring the wrong things? Nikki sits down with Joshua Freedman, CEO of Six Seconds and author of the soon-to-drop "Emotion Rules". Together, they go deep on why engagement isn't about snacks in the breakroom or slick surveys. It's emotional, and it's human. They unpack why "leave emotions at the door" might be the worst business advice ever, what true caring leadership looks like, and how love, trust, and boundaries create high-performing cultures where people actually want to show up. If you're ready to trade performative leadership for authentic connection, this episode is your roadmap. 🤲   Additional Resources: Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn Learn more about Six Seconds Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Engagement is emotional, not just a dashboard metric. Emotional intelligence globally is in serious decline. Leaders shape culture through behavior, not slogans. Genuine care includes clear, compassionate boundaries. Emotions drive people, people drive performance.  

Why is finding great talent harder than ever… even with AI at our fingertips? Nikki sits down with Gerald Gordon, Co-Founder & CTO of Reference Me, to unpack how technology is reshaping hiring in ways that often make things messier, not easier. From flawless AI-generated resumes to overwhelming applicant pools, Gerald reveals why human discernment and cultural fit matter more than any algorithm. He also introduces a game-changing idea: professional certified references, a way to bring trust, truth, and confidence back into hiring decisions. Get ready for a candid conversation that will make you rethink how you evaluate candidates, balance AI with human judgment, and build teams that truly multiply culture. 🚀   Additional Resources: Connect with Gerald on LinkedIn Learn more about Reference Me Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: AI-polished resumes don't equal the right fit. Time and keyword filters can cut out great candidates. Online presence now shapes first impressions. Human discernment is irreplaceable. Certified references save time and prevent hiring mistakes.  

What if your AI tools were more like teammates than tech? AI isn't coming for your job, it's coming to take the busywork off your plate. Jason and Nikki crack open how the PeopleForward Network team is weaving AI into their daily workflows without ditching what makes them... them. F rom using ChatGPT for parenting convos to building sales proposals, onboarding guides, and culture content, they're showing how AI can augment your team, not replace it. Expect lightbulb moments and a roadmap for using AI to go further faster while keeping your values and people at the center 💡   Additional Resources: Join the PFN Community! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: AI is a co-pilot. Use it to enhance, not replace, human work. Start small. Experiment with everyday tasks before scaling. Input matters. Better prompts lead to better, more authentic outputs. Culture comes first. Align AI use with your company's values. Free up time. Let AI handle the mundane so people can focus on meaningful work.  

What if more play is the key to better work? This episode flips the script on what it means to be "professional." Nikki sits down with Mike Montague, author of Playful Humans, to explore why play isn't just for kids or weekends. In fact, it might be your team's biggest untapped superpower. From challenging hustle culture to reimagining how we measure productivity, Mike brings humor, heart, and a whole lot of wisdom. They unpack the three types of work, dive into the magical "Five P's" that fuel thriving workplaces, and get real about why forced fun just doesn't cut it. If you're ready to ditch the burnout and build work cultures where people actually want to show up, hit play. 🛝   Additional Resources: Take the Playful Humans Quiz! Connect with Mike on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Play enhances, not opposes, meaningful work. Physical, intellectual, and spiritual work require different approaches. The "Five P's" (Performance, Pause, Ponder, Play, Practice) drive fulfillment. Choice and control boost engagement. Real play is voluntary… forced fun backfires.  

Ever feel like no one's really listening to you as a leader? Like your message isn't landing, even though your intentions are solid? That's not just frustrating. It's a credibility problem. Katherine sits down with communications powerhouse Jenni Field, author of "Nobody Believes You: Become a Leader People Will Follow." Together, they dive into why great leadership isn't just about charisma or good intentions, it's about credibility, and yes, that can be learned. With 20+ years in global comms roles and now leading her consultancy, Redefining Communications, Jenni breaks down her signature 8 practices of leadership credibility. From integrity to visionary thinking, she shares real-world stories, laugh-out-loud insights, and tips leaders can implement tomorrow. If you've ever wondered why your team isn't "getting it," or felt like you're doing all the right things but still not moving the needle, this episode's for you. 💡   Additional Resources: Connect with Jenni on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Good intentions aren't enough. Leaders must be aware of their impact. Credibility is built through eight practical leadership behaviors. Vulnerability is about connection, not oversharing. Leadership gaps often cause deeper organizational issues. Visionary leadership starts with clear, short-term direction.