322: To Know That Employee Engagement is Actually Emotional with Joshua Freedman

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.  

What if HR stopped being the department of “no” and became the heartbeat of transformation in your business? Nikki is joined by Raina Fryer of Titus Talent Strategies to flip the script on what HR should be. Broadcasting live from the PeopleForward Network studio at CultureCon® 2025, this episode dives into how people leaders can ditch outdated playbooks and embrace a bold, modern approach to leading humans. Raina challenges us to rethink everything, from the language we use to how we train, hire, and retain our teams. She brings fresh insights on cross-functional leadership, performance-based hiring, and how to actually treat HR as a strategic partner, not just a rule enforcer. This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to building people-first cultures.   Additional Resources: Connect with Raina Learn more about Titus Talent Strategies Reach out to Titus Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: HR must shift from compliance to strategic partnership. Rethinking titles like "HR" can reflect a more modern role. Let go of control; embrace creativity and ambiguity. Hiring should focus on long-term performance, not just quick fills. Retention starts with great onboarding, mentorship, and purpose.  

What happens when a former high school math teacher turned builder decides to stop flying by the seat of his pants, and actually runs his business on a real system? Nikki chats with Loren Wood of Loren Wood Builders, who shares the raw, before-and-after story of implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) 🛠️📊 Picture this: no org chart, no KPIs, zero predictability. Fast forward to today, Loren has a focused leadership team, strong systems, and a culture grounded in clarity and accountability. If you’ve ever felt stuck solving the same problems on repeat or crossing your fingers at year-end hoping the math works out, this one’s for you. Loren gets real about what it took to shift from chaos to calm and how EOS helped him become the leader his team, and business, deserved. Get ready to rethink what it really means to run your business, not just survive it. 💥   Additional Resources: Connect with Loren on LinkedIn Learn more about Loren Wood Builders Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: EOS brought structure and accountability to a previously chaotic business. Level 10 meetings replaced unproductive meetings with focus and clarity. Shared leadership replaced Loren’s solo decision-making. Initial discomfort gave way to better team alignment. EOS reinforced culture, not just operations.a

What if boosting your team’s mental health and workplace happiness was as simple as adding a wagging tail to the mix? 🐾 Nikki is back with Michelle Yates from Pet Partners, this time joined by Steve Feldman, President of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), to uncover how pets are transforming workplace culture and mental health. From the science behind wagging tails and purring companions, to real-world success stories like Amazon’s “PupAmazonians,” they share creative ways leaders can make their organizations more pet-inclusive, whether in-office or remote. They bust myths (spoiler: pets aren’t the distraction you think they are), offer ideas for pet benefits that keep employees smiling, and show how a little four-legged love can spark collaboration, deepen connections, and create a happier, healthier workplace for everyone.   Additional Resources: Connect with Steve on LinkedIn Learn more about HABRI.org 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: Pets boost mental, physical, and social health. Pet perks work in-office or remotely. Leaders underestimate employee pet ownership. Pets improve morale, collaboration, and problem-solving. Pet benefits drive well-being, loyalty, and retention.   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 your team could get more done in less time? ⏳ In this Community Conversation, Nikki and Jason flip the traditional “hours worked” mindset on its head, championing the power of results over clock-watching. They share why it’s time to ditch the outdated 9–5 mentality, how to unlearn habits that hold us back, and why role clarity + goals + KPIs are the secret trio for driving real impact. 🚀 From experimenting with a four-day work week to harnessing AI for smarter workflows, this episode is packed with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and a few personal stories that’ll make you rethink your relationship with time. Whether you’re a leader or a team member, you’ll walk away ready to work sharper, not harder, and maybe even earn yourself that extra day off.   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: Measure success by results, not hours worked. Use role clarity, goals, and KPIs to guide focus. Unlearn outdated time-based work habits. Leverage AI to boost efficiency and flexibility. Cut low-value tasks to create space for impact.

Ever felt like your culture change efforts are just… throwing spaghetti at the wall 🍝? In this episode, Nikki sits down with BJ McKay from Advisa to swap real, in-the-trenches stories of transformation. Together they break down the ATLAS framework, reveal why discomfort is the secret ingredient to lasting change, and share how to keep leaders energized instead of burned out. From ditching the busywork to mastering the art of measurable impact, BJ’s insights will have you rethinking how you approach culture so it actually sticks. This is your backstage pass to what works (and what doesn’t) when you’re leading people-first change that lasts. 🎯   Additional Resources: Get Your 5 Minute Culture Check! Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Real transformation is uncomfortable but necessary. Systems must show measurable impact, not just look good. Focus on fewer priorities to reduce burnout and increase impact. Leadership growth at work benefits life outside of work. Self-awareness plus consistent practice builds great leaders.