Work Positive

EP 131 | Leveraging Natural Talents That Create Workplace Joy

How effectively are your team members using their natural talents and strengths in their daily work?
Discover how to unleash the power of strengths-based leadership on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Lisa Cummings, founder and CEO of Lead Through Strengths, shares practical insights on how focusing on what's already working in your team can create a more positive, productive workplace culture.
Listen as Dr. Joey and Lisa explore:
☀️ Why we often miss the natural talents in others when we're hoping they'll be just like us ☀️ How to help team members find their "easy buttons" to make excellence feel natural ☀️ The power of using strengths to improve attraction and retention of top talent ☀️ Why authentic cultures naturally attract people who will thrive in your environment ☀️ Practical ways to implement strengths-based development despite time and budget constraints
Lisa transforms organizations by helping leaders and teams discover and leverage what already works in their people. Her approach, centered around Clifton Strengths (formerly StrengthsFinder), empowers individuals to stop trying to be like everyone else and instead bring their unique talents to work every day, creating more joy and better performance.
🔑 Key Insight: "If we allow ourselves to be who we are and we're all showing up at our best, then when people are exploring cultures they might want to work for, they're going to feel it in us. Our vibe shows up, especially if we're allowing ourselves to be true and aligned—they can tell when they're interviewing when things are just off and you're trying to pretend that you lead through certain values."
💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Notice what works to get more of what works. Start spotting what people are doing well and say something out loud to them about it. It doesn't require an assessment or fancy training—just orient yourself toward what each person does well and catch them doing something right. They'll likely repeat what you notice, creating a positive ripple effect across your team.
Connect with Lisa Cummings:
Visit her website: leadthroughstrengths.com
Explore detailed information on all 34 Clifton Strengths
Check out her "Gobs of Facts and Stats" page for ROI data
Listen to the Lead Through Strengths podcast
Connect with her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisacummings
#StrengthsBasedLeadership #CliftonStrengths #TalentDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceJoy #WorkPositive
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!

EP 130 | Help Your Team Reimagine Their Professional Future

How effectively are you helping your team members envision what's truly possible for their growth and development within your organization?
Discover how to create a leadership approach that helps team members reimagine their potential on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Ashley Rudolph, a leadership expert whose insights have been featured in Inc., US News, and the New York Post, shares her journey from individual contributor to VP in just five years and reveals how leaders can foster cultures where employees truly belong and become their best.
Listen as Dr. Joey and Ashley explore:☀️ Why progress is more important than perfection in today's VUCA world ☀️ How to have meaningful "becoming conversations" that inspire team members ☀️ The importance of connecting daily tasks to company mission and goals ☀️ Shifting focus from job tasks to asking "why would the perfect candidate be excited about working here?" ☀️ Creating ceremonies and hope to give your team something meaningful to look forward to
Ashley transforms organizations by helping leaders move beyond reactivity to proactive development of their teams. Her approach focuses on creating cultures where team members feel both a sense of belonging in the present and excitement about becoming their best future selves.
🔑 Key Insight: "We were brainstorming about what this person should do, and when you have a job opening as a leader, your first inclination is to talk about all the things that this person needs to do. Instead, I said 'Let's pause. How about you tell me why should the perfect candidate be excited about working here?' That question was a circuit breaker moment."
💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Create a sense of hope on your team through consistent ceremonies that give people something to look forward to. Establish regular times to celebrate wins, recognize contributions, and contextualize the team's work within the larger business perspective. Hope exists when people have something meaningful to anticipate.
Connect with Ashley Rudolph:Visit her website: https://www.workwithashleyr.com/Take her free diagnostic to understand how you're perceived at workSubscribe to her newsletter for fresh insights for high achievers Connect with her on LinkedIn 
#LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #TalentAttraction #EmployeeRetention #WorkPositive
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!

EP 129 | Beyond Hidden Agendas

How effectively does your workplace culture identify and address hidden agendas that undermine transparency and productivity?
Discover how to create a more authentic, transparent workplace on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Wendy Sellers, known as "The HR Lady," brings her 30+ years of experience and no-nonsense approach to reveal how organizations can move beyond hidden agendas to build cultures focused on results and solutions.
Listen as Dr. Joey and Wendy explore:
☀️ How to be realistic about hiring and compensation to attract (and keep) the right talent
☀️ Why job descriptions must accurately reflect actual responsibilities and expectations
☀️ The critical importance of training managers to provide regular, specific feedback
☀️ How to measure culture and demonstrate ROI through employee surveys and committees
☀️ Creating a workplace built on clear company values that guide all decisions
Wendy transforms organizations by helping leaders take a realistic approach to human resources. With her trademarked straight-talking style, she shows how companies can move beyond unrealistic job descriptions, vague feedback, and empty surveys to create workplace cultures where employees feel genuinely valued and engaged.
🔑 Key Insight: "The best way to attract top talent is to be very realistic about what we can pay, what we can offer, and what we can provide to new hires and current employees. Companies need to stop chasing unicorn candidates and instead create accurate job descriptions that reflect what's truly available in the market."
💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Conduct an employee engagement survey and actually act on it. Form a diverse committee to analyze the results, communicate the findings transparently, and implement changes. Don't wait a year to take action—let employees know your plans immediately so they see you're listening.
Connect with Wendy Sellers:
Visit her website: thehrlady.com
Get her free "Five Pillars of Company Culture" guide 
Check out her book: "Suck It Up Buttercup: Be a Leader People Will Follow" 
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Explore her affordable training programs and HR mentoring
 
#WorkplaceCulture #AuthenticLeadership #EmployeeRetention #HumanResources #TalentManagement #WorkPositive
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!

EP 128 | Humanize Leadership with Generative AI

How could your leadership be augmented to thrive in a world that's becoming increasingly brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible?
Discover how to harness the power of generative AI to become a more effective, human-centered leader on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Futurists Bob Johansen and Jeremy Kirshbaum share insights from their groundbreaking research about the leadership skills required to navigate a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Listen as Dr. Joey, Bob, and Jeremy explore:☀️ Why leaders must embrace augmentation or risk becoming obsolete in the next decade☀️ How to use generative AI as a tool for "stretching" your thinking rather than just seeking answers☀️ The critical balance between human qualities and computing power in effective leadership☀️ Why "human calming" is essential when incorporating AI into leadership practices☀️ How constructive depolarizing can help bridge divides in an increasingly fractured workplace
Bob and Jeremy transform organizations by helping leaders think "future back" from ten years ahead to make better decisions today. Their research reveals that the best leaders will use generative AI not to replace human qualities but to enhance them, creating new possibilities for collaboration, creativity, and meaningful work.
🔑 Key Insight: "Human calming means we have to go inside ourselves and ask why we're doing this. The reason is to stretch our thinking, to imagine futures that haven't yet occurred. This is a way of enhancing, expanding, rehumanizing, and reenchanting what leadership is all about."💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Create "yes zones" in your organization for generative AI experimentation. Rather than creating policies full of restrictions, establish safe spaces where people can joyfully experiment, learn from each other, and fail in low-risk ways while developing new skills together.
Connect with Bob Johansen and Jeremy Kirshbaum:
Get their book: "Leaders Make the Future: 10 New Skills to Humanize Leadership with Generative AI" : Visit: augmented-leadership.comExplore: handshake.fyi and iftf.org
Connect on LinkedIn Bob Johansen : https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-johansen/Jeremy Kirshbaum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-kirshbaum-6294b01a1/
#FutureLeadership #GenerativeAI #HumanizedLeadership #WorkplaceInnovation #AIAugmentation #WorkPositive
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!

EP 126 | Here Come The Girls With Leadership Skills Anyone Can Learn

How might your organization benefit from embracing the leadership qualities that women naturally bring to the workplace?
Discover a groundbreaking forecast for economic transformation on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Dr. Don Barden, author of "Here Come the Girls," shares his pioneering research on why women are poised to take over global leadership between 2028-2032 and how this shift will create unprecedented economic growth.
Listen as Dr. Joey and Dr. Don explore:
☀️ The three-step approach women use in critical thinking and problem-solving that dramatically outperforms traditional leadership models ☀️ How female-led businesses outproduce male-led counterparts in revenue and profits by a 3-to-1 ratio ☀️ Why employees in female-led companies stay twice as long and increase productivity over time ☀️ The power of creating a workforce where everyone feels seen, heard, and understood ☀️ How these leadership skills can be learned by anyone, regardless of gender
Dr. Barden transforms organizations by helping leaders prepare for a monumental economic shift that will be driven by women's collaborative leadership approach. His comprehensive three-year study reveals that when leaders make team members feel valued through sympathy, empathy, and empowerment, both workers and consumers respond with unprecedented loyalty and productivity.
🔑 Key Insight: "The women aren't saying you need to change your mind—they're challenging us to think differently about how we think about the way we think about our thinking. Don't change your mind, but maybe there's a different way to do it. That's called inclusion."
💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Make a top-down commitment to changing your leadership mindset. Practice the three steps to confidence: be committed, be courageous, and seek the capabilities you need. When you've done these three things, you earn the right to be confident.
Connect with Dr. Don Barden:
Visit his website: donbarden.com 
Get "Here Come the Girls" on Amazon 
Connect on LinkedIn and mention this podcast for a FREE e-copy of "The Perfect Plan" 
#WomenInLeadership #EconomicTransformation #CollaborativeLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkPositive
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!
 

EP 125 | AI That Makes Work More Human

How can your organization leverage AI to transform human connections and make work culture communication more personal?
Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing human resource management on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Juan Betancourt, CEO of Human Intelligence, returns to share groundbreaking insights on using AI to enhance work environment communication, engagement, and leadership development.
Listen as Dr. Joey and Juan explore:☀️ How AI personalizes leadership communication with contextual relevance to individual team members ☀️ The democratization of psychometric assessments across all organizational levels☀️ Real-time tools that analyze cultural alignment and reduce work conflict ☀️ Practical solutions for improving employee engagement beyond traditional surveys ☀️ The future of AI in creating more human-centered work culture interactions
Juan transforms organizations by making psychological insights accessible and actionable for everyone. His AI platform brings to life unused psychometric data, allowing leaders to instantly access personalized guidance for managing teams, resolving conflicts, and improving engagement without requiring specialized training or certifications.
🔑 Key Insight: "Leadership books exist by the millions, but if you ask ChatGPT how to lead your team, you get the same generic answer whether you're in France or the US. Our tool is personalized with contextual relevance, recognizing that leading in different cultures and with different personality types requires completely different approaches."
💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Don't be scared of AI and HR tools. Cross the chasm, be courageous, and invest in AI tools that make work more human, authentic, and fulfilling for your team.
Connect with Juan Betancourt:
Visit Human Intelligence: humanintelligence.com 
Schedule a demo to see these powerful AI tools in action
See how major companies like Walgreens, United Healthcare, Siemens, and Southwest Airlines are benefiting
Connect with Juan https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanluisbetancourt/
#AIforHR #WorkplaceCommunication #LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #PsychometricTools #WorkPositive
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!

EP 124 | Lead Better, Culture Follows

How intentionally are you developing yourself to create the culture your organization needs?
Discover the direct connection between leadership development and organizational culture on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Christian Muntean, author of "Train to Lead," reveals how the personal growth journey of leaders directly shapes the environment their teams experience.
Listen as Dr. Joey and Christian explore:
☀️ Why team performance depends more on leadership than resources or environment ☀️ How to transform abstract values into specific, measurable behaviors ☀️ The process of building a "magnetic organization" that attracts top talent ☀️ Why culture problems consistently trace back to leadership behaviors ☀️ Creating an intentional development pathway for emerging leaders
Christian transforms organizations by helping leaders understand that culture isn't accidental—it's a direct reflection of leadership values and behaviors. His structured approach ensures personal growth and leadership development work together to create sustainable positive cultures within teams.
🔑 Key Insight: "The actual lived values and behaviors of your leadership team will inform the entire culture of your organization. If you're not getting the culture you want and you are an executive, leader, or owner, it is your responsibility to change that."
💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Look at the results you're getting, track them back to what you've communicated intentionally or unintentionally about your culture, and be deliberate about transforming values into specific behaviors for each department.
Connect with Christian Muntean:
Visit his website: christianmuntean.com https://www.christianmuntean.com/
Read his book: "Train to Lead" (available on Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/Train-Lead-Unstoppable-Leaders-Performance/dp/B0D48FJ9NQ
Access free leadership resources on his website https://www.christianmuntean.com/resources/
#LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #MagneticOrganization #ValuesAlignment #WorkplaceCulture #WorkPositive
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!

EP 123 | How to Recognize and Prevent Employee Burnout

How effectively does your organization support your team members in achieving sustainable success while preventing burnout?
Learn how to create a work environment where sustainable success flourishes on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Mel Kettle, author and host of This Connected Life podcast, shares powerful insights on preventing burnout through awareness, connection, and strategic leadership.
Listen as Dr. Joey and Mel explore:
☀️ How to identify early warning signs of burnout before they become critical ☀️ Creating a leadership culture that supports work-life balance ☀️ The importance of asking the right questions and truly listening to your team ☀️ Managing information overload in today's rapidly changing workplace ☀️ Supporting employees through major life transitions while maintaining productivity
Mel transforms organizations by helping leaders create sustainable success without burning out their teams. Drawing from her personal experience with burnout 25 years ago, she now guides others in recognizing warning signs and making positive changes before reaching crisis points.
🔑 Key Insight: "Everyone has their stuff going on. The first question should be to ask 'What do you need? What can I do to help you do your job better or enjoy your job more?' Because we all want to be enjoying what we do."
💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Do something today that brings you complete joy - whether it's a quiet cup of coffee before the household wakes up, a beach walk, or a call with a friend. Make this a daily practice to create positive ripples in both your work and home life.
Connect with Mel Kettle:
Visit her website: melkettle.com
Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melkettle/
Listen to This Connected Life podcast https://www.melkettle.com/podcast
Read her books: 
"Fully Connected" https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0B4HZXVDV
"The Social Association" https://www.amazon.com/Social-Association-not-profits-engagement-ebook/dp/B07CHBZ6N1/
#BurnoutPrevention #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkLifeBalance #PositiveWorkCulture #WorkplaceWellness #WorkPositive
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!

EP 122 | Transform Business as Usual to Business as Unusual

How can you create space for meaningful culture change in your organization?
Create sustainable transformation on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Joyce Wilson-Sanford and Bob Stapleton share their down-to-earth approach to leadership development and culture change through real stories of successful organizational transformation.
Listen as Dr. Joey and his guests explore:
☀️ Why small, consistent changes lead to meaningful culture shifts
☀️ How to create safe spaces for authentic dialogue at all levels
☀️ The power of appreciative inquiry in leader-employee interactions
☀️ Ways to bridge the corporate-retail divide through collaboration
☀️ The importance of slowing down to speed up results
Joyce and Bob help organizations transform through simple, fun, and sustainable leadership development. Now they're here to help you create a positive work culture that grows people and profits.
🔑 Key Insight: "You don't buy a culture or impose it from above - let it emerge through consistent small actions and by creating space for real conversations."
💡 Your DOTs (Do One Thing):
Joyce: Create community in every interaction before focusing on productivity
Bob: Take different routes through your day to have new conversations with different people
Connect with Joyce Wilson-Sanford & Bob Stapleton:
Connect with Joyce on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycewilsonsanford/
Connect with Bob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-stapleton-pcc-cpcc/
The Bob 'n Joyce Talk HR 'n OD podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bob-n-joyce-talk-hr-n-od/id1540067908
#WorkCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #CultureTransformation #EmployeeEngagement #AuthenticLeadership #OrganizationalChange #PositiveWorkCulture #CommunityAtWork
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!

EP 121 | Make Fun the Right Choice at Work

How can you unleash more fun and passion in your work culture?
Create an environment where energy and enjoyment fuel success on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette. Joel Zeff, author of "Make the Right Choice" and improvisational comedy expert, shares how to lead with passion and elevate your team through the power of fun.
Listen as Dr. Joey and Joel explore:☀️ Why positive support and opportunity are essential for engagement ☀️ How to break through myths that block workplace fun ☀️ Ways to celebrate daily wins with "Ta-da" moments ☀️ The importance of choosing your reaction to change ☀️ Simple practices for showing appreciation to team members
Joel helps organizations transform through the power of positivity and play. Now he's here to help you create a positive work culture that grows people and profits.
🔑 Key Insight: "No one chooses to be frustrated or negative. Take back your power by choosing how you react to change and finding ways to make work fun."💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): At the end of each day, reflect on who deserves appreciation. Then make sure to express that gratitude tomorrow through a call, text, or conversation.
Connect with Joel Zeff:Visit his website: https://www.joelzeff.comGet his book "Make the Right Choice" https://www.joelzeff.com/bookConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelzeff
#WorkplaceFun #PositiveWorkCulture #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceJoy #TeambuildingSuccess #WorkCulture #PassionateLeadership
🎙️ Love the Work Positive Podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover how to grow people and profits with a positive work culture!
🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/
📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email analiza@getpositive.today with your recommendation!