273: Embracing Reflection to Lead with Renee Smith

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

In this conversation, Nikki interviews John Nieters, the co-founder of TestRxMD, about living from our highest and best selves. John shares his personal story of overcoming addiction, prison, and profound life lessons that shaped his journey toward becoming a healer. Together, they explore the 10 core pillars of living your highest and best self—covering spiritual alignment, consciousness, emotional mastery, and much more. John is a true visionary in the wellness and healing space. Take a listen! Additional Resources: Free Wellness Consultation with John Nieters About TestRxMD  Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Ever feel like you're stuck on autopilot as a leader? In this episode of To Work: With Love, host Renee Smith shares a deeply personal and insightful reflection on leadership through the lens of her recent trip to Mount Rainier. She highlights how, as leaders, we often get caught up in the daily grind without pausing to assess the bigger picture. Drawing parallels from her hike, Renee emphasizes the need for spaciousness — a time to reflect, observe, and make intentional decisions. Tune in to learn how to navigate decision biases, embrace loving leadership, and cultivate a workplace where people feel truly seen and valued Additional Resources: Sign up for my new Loving Leaders email Connect with Renée on LinkedIn Learn more about a Human Workplace 7 Steps to Lead With Love Even When Your Organization Isn't Ready To Yet Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Questions for Reflection inspired by the Institute for Cultural Affairs: • What do you see? What stands out from the last year? What is happening now? What does it feel like? What are people saying about what’s going on right now? What data do you have about this? What actions or reactions stand out? • What does all this remind you of? What is exciting, joyful, or inspiring? What is boring, worrisome, or confusing? What makes you concerned? What gives you hope? What would be the soundtrack? • What is important about all this? What new view does this give you? What difference might this make? What options are open to you? What is emerging? What changes might be needed? What values are you living? • What could this be about? What does this mean to you? What have you learned? What will you do differently? What should remain the same? What is your resolve now?

Are you ready to lead the next generation? In this intriguing episode, Nikki sits down with guest Alafia Stewart, a global expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to discuss leading newer generations of employees. Alafia passionately shares how Gen Z and Millennials are transforming the workplace by challenging traditional systems and norms. From the power of personal branding to the need for flexible, transparent leadership, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on how to engage and empower the next generation of workers. Additional Resources: Connect with Alafia Stewart on LinkedIn Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Nikki Lewallen Gregory, Founder and Chief Meaningful Work Officer at PeopleForward Network, joins Lead the People podcast host Matt Poepsel to discuss intentionality in leadership and the importance of a strong culture code. She emphasizes the need for leaders to live with intention and be rooted in their why. Nikki also shares insights on building an intentional culture and the challenges that can arise when there is a disconnect between stated values and actual behavior. Transparency, accountability, and creating a people-forward workplace factor into Nikki’s authentic leadership style. Additional Resources (links for listeners to learn more or connect with host + guest) Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Subscribe to Lead the People Podcast

Human beings are wired to respond to stories, yet when it comes to our professional lives as leaders, we often neglect storytelling. In this conversation, Katherine Coble explores why storytelling is so effective and how leaders can use it to connect with their audience. She emphasizes the importance of intentionality and understanding what makes a good story. Learn about four key ideas for effective storytelling and how to harness the power of storytelling to inspire as a leader. Additional Resources: Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In this conversation, Nikki interviews Nami Baral, the founder and CEO of Niural, an AI for global workforce management. They discuss the concept of meaningful work and how it can be achieved through a sense of community, alignment with personal values, joy, and a sense of pride. Nami shares her journey as a founder and the motivation behind starting Neural. She also highlights the importance of empathy in leadership and the need to upskill the workforce in the age of AI. Nami provides insights on how to navigate the world of AI and emphasizes the importance of putting humans at the center of AI technology. Additional Resources: NiuralConnect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In this episode, Renee explores the concept of creating spaciousness in our lives and filling it with awe. She discusses the benefits of awe and how it can enhance our well-being and relationships at work. Renee shares the eight wonders of life that can inspire awe, such as moral beauty, nature, music, and epiphanies. She also emphasizes the importance of intentionally seeking out awe and incorporating it into our daily lives. By practicing loving leadership and bringing awe to our workplaces, we can create a more loving and human work environment. Additional Resources: Connect with Renée on LinkedIn Learn more about a Human Workplace 7 Steps to Lead With Love Even When Your Organization Isn't Ready To Yet Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn