268: Loving Leaders Find Awe with Renee Smith

In this episode, Katherine tackles one of the top fears (and no, it’s not death!)—public speaking! Let’s dive into practical tips for leaders who want to engage their teams and build trust every time they step up to speak. Whether it’s a team meeting or a town hall, Katherine covers how to keep your message clear, connect emotionally, and boost your speaking confidence. Ready to turn those nerves into leadership superpowers? Tune in and let’s make speaking fun and impactful!   Additional Resources: Listen to Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk  Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Preparation is Key: Good public speaking starts with clear goals and understanding the audience's concerns. Practice, simplicity, and alignment with values make the difference. Clarity and Simplicity: Avoid technical jargon and keep the message accessible. Break down complex ideas to ensure everyone can follow along and stay engaged. Engage Emotionally: Appeal to both the rational and emotional sides of the audience, creating a connection and relevance to drive the message home. Warmth Before Competence: Prioritize warmth and trust-building, then reinforce competence. This approach helps leaders create lasting influence and respect.

Katie Donovan, founder of Camp Digital, joins Nikki to discuss creating a workplace culture fueled by genuine care and connection. Sharing her “GAS” philosophy—"Give a Sh*t"—Katie reveals how this core value drives her “three-legged stool” approach, balancing employee well-being, customer satisfaction, and company health. From family-style lunches to designing spaces for connection, Katie’s insights offer a practical roadmap for leaders looking to build a culture rooted in meaning and community. Tune in to discover how “giving a sh*t” can transform your workplace.   Additional Resources: Connect with Katie Donovan on LinkedIn Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: GAS: Give a Sh*t Philosophy: This principle underpins Camp Digital’s hiring, training, and daily practices. Passion, care, and meaning are essential traits, and GAS is a non-negotiable component of their culture. The Three-Legged Stool: A balanced focus on employees, customers, and company health prevents a one-sided culture and ensures that each stakeholder's needs are addressed in daily operations. Creating Intentional Community: Family-style meals, welcoming spaces, and a central entry point help build connection and create “belonging moments” that are invaluable in a people-first culture.

Nikki speaks with Nisha Smales, a true leader in workforce strategy, to unpack one big idea: why upskilling isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s an absolute must in today’s lightning-fast world. Nisha’s career spans continents and industries (nonprofits, McKinsey, and beyond), but one thing has stayed consistent: her passion for learning. Together, Nikki and Nisha explore the rapid-fire adoption of new technologies (hello, ChatGPT!) and what it means for your people and your business. Additional Resources: Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Connect with Nisha on LinkedIn  Key Takeaways:  Upskilling is critical in a world of rapid technological change – The pace of tech adoption, exemplified by ChatGPT reaching 100 million users in just two months, highlights the need for continuous learning. Leaders must provide structured learning opportunities – Strategic workforce education isn’t just about offering courses but aligning learning programs with future business needs and employee career paths. Employer responsibility is growing – Companies need to fill the gap as traditional education systems can’t keep pace with skill requirements in today’s workforce.

What if AI isn’t about replacing jobs, but about making work more human? That’s the focus of this episode, where Nikki talks with Greg Verdino, Founder and COO of CognitivePath. With over 30 years of experience working with brands like AT&T, Coca-Cola, and IBM, Greg explains how AI can eliminate mundane tasks and allow people to focus on the strategic, creative work that truly matters. Learn to avoid common mistakes when adopting AI and how to use it to enhance—not replace—teams. Additional Resources: Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Connect with Greg Verdino on LinkedIn Key Takeaways:  AI’s Role in Human Transformation: AI enhances productivity by automating routine tasks, freeing humans for more strategic, creative, and meaningful work. Mindset Shift in Leadership: Leaders must move away from measuring success solely by productivity and focus on uniquely human skills like empathy, creativity, and critical thinking. AI as a Tool for Scalability: AI can help scale processes but should complement, not replace, the human touch—especially in areas like insights and client relationships.  

In this episode of In the Loop, we’re discussing something every leader dreads but inevitably faces: crisis. Whether it’s sudden or a slow burn, how you communicate can make all the difference. So, how do you lead through a crisis? That’s where guest, Jennifer Dzwonar, comes in. Jennifer is a crisis communication expert with over 30 years under her belt at Borshoff. Listen for practical tips on leading through tough times, from preparing a crisis plan to communicating even when you don’t have all the answers. Additional Resources: Connect with Jennifer Dzwonar on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways:  Internal communication should be the top priority in any crisis. Employees are often overlooked, yet they are crucial to managing the situation. Consistent messaging for internal and external audiences is vital in today’s connected world. The “mixed internal” communication approach ensures transparency. Trust is built long before a crisis hits—regular, honest communication strengthens this foundation. Timing matters: leaders must act swiftly in a crisis, providing accurate updates even if full details aren’t yet available. Pre-crisis planning is essential. Have a plan, practice it, and ensure your employees know it exists.  

What happens when a mission trip transforms your perspective, your relationships, and even your approach to leadership? In this episode, Nikki takes us on a journey through her life-changing experience with Homes of Hope, an organization that's built over 8,000 homes in 30 countries. Joined by the founders, Sean Lambert and Andrea East, Nikki explores how service doesn’t just uplift communities—it has the power to recalibrate how we think, work, and connect with others. Additional Resources: Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Homes of Hope International Websight Contact Andrea to discuss next steps: [email protected] Promotional Video Homes of Hope family story Our pricing model for Homes of Hope in Mexico  Key Takeaways:  Transformative Power of Service: Serving others not only helps those in need but creates a deep bond and sense of purpose among those who give. Connection Through Immersive Service: A mission trip creates stronger relationships between coworkers by uniting them in a meaningful cause. Purpose and Impact in Leadership: Today’s workforce seeks purpose beyond a paycheck—serving as a team fulfills that deeper desire for meaning and trust.

What’s the secret sauce to building a culture that sticks? According to Amy Bayer, Global Director of DE&I, Employee Engagement & Culture, at Duck Creek Technologies, it’s not some magic bullet—it’s your people. In this episode, recorded live at CultureCon 2024, Amy sits down with Nikki to talk about how Duck Creek has created a people-first culture that thrives in a fully remote world. Spoiler alert: it’s not about big budgets or fancy tools. It’s about empowering employees to own culture—every single one of them. Additional Resources: Connect with Amy Bayer on LinkedIn Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network  Key Takeaways:  Everyone Owns Culture: Culture isn’t just driven by HR or leadership—it thrives when everyone has a role and feels empowered to contribute. Flexible First Approach: Duck Creek’s ‘flexible first’ policy prioritizes trust and allows employees to work in ways that best suit their lives, which fosters engagement and balance. Programs Without Big Budgets: Building an engaged culture doesn’t require massive resources. Start small, stay intentional, and leverage the creativity of your team.

Leadership is more than a title—it’s about influence. In this episode, Nikki speaks with Jess Goldberg, a leadership coach, Emmy Award winner, and lecturer at Columbia University, whose mission is to help leaders communicate with influence. Jess shares her journey from journalism to leadership training and introduces her groundbreaking concept: the eight archetypes of influence. Need a roadmap to effectively communicate with and inspire your team? Tune in for a deep dive into how communication shapes leadership and the power of influence in transforming teams and organizations. Additional Resources: Download 8 Archetypes of Influence  Get Jess' Top 5 Leadership Frameworks Connect with Jess Goldberg Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Influence Requires Investment: Leadership influence is built over time, requiring consistent effort in building relationships, both up and down the chain of command. The 8 Archetypes of Influence: Jess developed these archetypes after years of observing leaders at top companies. These are not personality types but essential tools that leaders must employ in different situations.

Is traditional employment... dead? Bold claim, right? But that's exactly what our guest, Josh Drean, is here to unpack. Josh isn’t just tossing around buzzwords—he’s a talent management and people analytics expert who’s been deep in the trenches of workforce innovation. He’s also the co-founder of Work3 Institute, where he’s actively rethinking how we work, why we work, and (most importantly) how we should work in this new digital-first world. In this episode, we dive into what "non-traditional work" really looks like—spoiler: it's way beyond remote work and freelancing. Together, we explore why today’s workforce is demanding more flexibility, autonomy, and purpose—and what leaders need to do right now to attract the next generation of talent (hint: it’s not just about offering snacks in the breakroom). Additional Resources: Josh Drean on LinkedIn Work3 Institute  Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

With big companies calling employees back to the office, does this mean the end of flexible work? Not so fast. In this episode, Katherine Coble tackles a hot topic on every leader’s mind: the future of remote and hybrid work. Katherine breaks down the reality that remote and hybrid work are here to stay—whether we like it or not. More importantly, she shares three simple, actionable strategies to improve how you lead your team, no matter where they work. Tune in to discover how you can level up your leadership in a world that’s forever changed. Because let’s face it: effective communication is more important than ever. Additional Resources: Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network