FEATURE: Why Leaders Are Stuck and Change Is So Hard with Nikki Lewallen Gregory

Get ready to have your mindset stretched and your leadership toolkit expanded! 💡 Nikki sits down with Jon Mayo, culture transformer and founder of Waymaker. They dive deep into purpose-driven leadership, how culture starts with YOU, and why being a conduit (not a solutionist!) can transform your team from the inside out. 🌟 From the STRIVE methodology to real stories of team turnarounds, Jon brings passion, practicality, and a refreshing take on what it means to lead with intention. Whether you're scaling a business, building a culture from scratch, or just trying to keep your team aligned, this convo is your next spark. 🔥 Don’t miss it!   Additional Resources: Connect with Jon on LinkedIn Become a WayMaker! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Culture is always present, and it’s your responsibility to shape it. Leaders are conduits: they guide and amplify, not dictate. Shared language is critical for sustaining culture. Feedback should be consistent and constructive, not reactionary. Excellence must be a non-negotiable value in people-first leadership.

Work’s changing fast—hybrid setups, flexible perks, and even pets making boardroom appearances 🐶💼. Michelle Yates from Pet Partners joins Nikki to dig into why intentional culture design (with a pet twist!) is the new frontier for engagement and retention. From pet insurance to office mascots, discover how the joy of animals is shaping the future of meaningful work 🐾✨.   Additional Resources: The Power of Pet Perks - Research with HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Institute) 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 at work boost morale and mental health. Culture design must be intentional and people-first. Personalized benefits like pet insurance drive retention. Even non-pet owners value pet-inclusive workplaces.   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.).

🎉 We’re celebrating 7+ years of Gut+Science! In this special anniversary episode, Nikki pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a thriving podcast and people-first culture. From trust and autonomy to finding your rhythm and aligning strengths, Nikki shares powerful insights and heartfelt shoutouts to the all-star team behind the scenes. 💪🎙️ It’s real talk about leadership, meaningful work, and the magic of doing life with people who just get it. Ready to be inspired? Hit play and celebrate with us! 🚀✨   Additional Resources: Join the PFN Community! Meet the team at PeopleForward Network! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: People-first is a mindset; People-forward is action. Longevity is fueled by trust, autonomy, and values alignment. Remote work thrives when leadership trusts team members and empowers them through asynchronous, flexible processes. Leaders should spend time in deep, open-ended conversations and prioritize relationship advancement.  

In this episode of “In the Loop,” Katherine sits down with Dr. Michael Kirchhoff from Cooper University Healthcare. 🎙️ With over 25 years of experience—and two powerhouse roles as Patient Safety Officer and Chief Innovation Officer—he dives into why most leaders are getting communication all wrong. From decoding complexity to mastering the art of iteration and storytelling, Dr. Kirchhoff shares real talk on what it takes to truly connect with your people in any organization. 💡 Whether you're leading in healthcare or beyond, this convo is packed with wisdom, humor, and a few truth bombs. 💥 Ready to level up your leadership communication? Tune in!   Additional Resources: Connect with Dr. Kirchhoff on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Effective communication in complex organizations requires understanding the audience and tailoring delivery methods accordingly. Over-communicating means using multiple channels repeatedly, not just repeating the same message via email. Communication is a team effort—leaders must leverage their teams to refine and adapt messaging. Storytelling in leadership is not just about structure but about iteration, relevance, and encoding intent.

We’re back with another special feature with Jason and Nikki, as they take you behind the curtain at People Forward Network to show how they’re shaking up team meetings 🎯 No more Zoom fatigue, awkward silences, or missed voices—just real collaboration, flexibility, and fun 🧠💬 They break down their async meeting framework, the tools they swear by, and why giving everyone space to contribute is the future of work. Ready to try meetings that actually work for people? Let’s go! 🚀   Additional Resources: Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Listen to the Working Forward Podcast Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Asynchronous meetings empower all voices by removing the pressure of live participation. Clear structure and consistent tools (like Slack or Google Docs) are essential for async success. Expectation-setting—especially around deadlines and participation—is non-negotiable. Async meetings reduce meeting fatigue and improve focus. This model aligns with the evolving flexibility needs of distributed teams.

Remote work is here to stay—but how do we actually thrive in it? 💻✨ In this episode, creative powerhouse and Suka founder Steven Puri joins Nikki to share how leaders can ditch distractions and help remote teams find their focus. From Hollywood to high-growth startups, Steven's journey is full of bold moves and big lessons. Get ready for practical tips, mindset shifts, and a few laughs along the way as we explore how to turn chaos into clarity and embrace outcome-driven work 🚀   Additional Resources: Get your free trial of Sukha (no credit card required!) Connect with Steven 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: Focus on 3 priorities a day to reduce overwhelm. Remote work isn't new—just renamed. Trust beats surveillance in remote leadership. Flow states boost productivity—set the stage. Reflect during failure to grow faster.

This one’s different 🎙️ Nikki joins Dr. Rosie Ward for their quarterly “Courageous Leadership Series,” and this is a jam-packed convo on why leaders feel stuck and why change is so dang hard 😤 They break down the “stuckness zone,” faulty inner programming, and how to actually transform (not just learn). Real stories. Deep insights. Tune in, take notes, and get ready to upgrade your leadership! 💡🔥   Additional Resources: Get the Future Proofing Leadership White Paper! Listen to the original episode Check out Show Up As a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Leaders often remain stuck due to faulty internal programming, not lack of skill. Impression management—over-focusing on how we’re perceived—drains energy and blocks authenticity. Most change leaders face is adaptive, not technical; transformation (not just information) is key. Tools like “cancel cancel” help rewire unhelpful perfectionist tendencies. Modeling upgraded leadership behaviors influences broader team and culture transformation.

In this episode of “In the Loop,” Katherine takes us from scraped knees on a turquoise bike to shark diving in Hawaii —all to teach one powerful lesson: great leaders don't clam up when times get tough. With the world spinning fast around political shifts, DEI rollbacks, and plummeting employee engagement, Katherine breaks down how to stay grounded, clear, and forward-thinking. Think of it as your communication toolkit for chaos. Tune in, get inspired, and learn how to lead with purpose when the waters get rough 🌊✨   Additional Resources: Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Communicate more, not less, during times of uncertainty. Employees look to leadership for clarity, especially when external changes are rapid and complex. Focus on company values to remain grounded amidst chaos. Repetition builds comfort—frequency in messaging matters. Forward-thinking language and direction keep teams motivated and connected.

For this special feature, Nikki joined Dan Dominguez on his podcast, “Lead Different”🎙️ Nikki unpacks the moment she said “Why not?” and how it sparked the creation of a people-first podcast network. From discovering her WHY to taking bold risks in business, Nikki shares the highs, the lessons, and the heart behind her mission. 💡 You'll hear how she builds aligned, purpose-driven teams and why meaningful work matters now more than ever. If you're all about leading with purpose, scaling culture, and staying true to your mission—you’re in the right place. 💬✨   Additional Resources: Connect with Dan on LinkedIn Listen/Watch the original episode on Lead Different! Listen to Lead Different with Dan Dominguez Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Know your WHY to unlock clarity and confidence. Mission-aligned teams fuel exponential impact. Hire slow, align deep—culture starts before day one. The workplace is the most powerful mission field. Entrepreneurship thrives at the edge of risk and purpose.

🎙️ In this special feature episode, Nikki flips the script — she joined PeopleForward Network’s Jason Cochran on “Working Forward”! They dove into the real talk about what it takes to build strong, connected remote teams 🌎 💬. From flexible-first culture to over-communication magic and ditching "death by meeting,” Nikki shares how PeopleForward Network keeps people-first leadership at the heart of everything. Get ready for real-world tips, lots of laughs, and a fresh take on the future of work! 🚀   Additional Resources: Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Listen to the Working Forward Podcast Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Culture and values must come first for remote success. Flexible work thrives with intentional design. Over-communication beats miscommunication every time. Async meetings can be more powerful than live ones. Rituals and fun are critical for remote team connection.