Graham Abbey is a dynamic leader and organizational development expert, currently serving as Chief Executive at Farleigh Performance and a Professor in Practice at the University of Bristol. With over two decades of experience spanning corporate HR, consulting, and academia, Graham has helped numerous organizations, from global corporations to mid-sized businesses, address complex leadership and performance challenges. His work is grounded in a deep understanding of how organizations function...

Introduction: Meet Keri Higgins Bigelow, Founder and CEO of Living HR. Since 2009, she has been dedicated to humanizing workplaces by aligning business strategies with talent and culture. Keri is also an advocate for advancing women in corporate roles through her co-founded group, Fair League, and she frequently speaks at HR and business events. Key Achievements: Co-founded Fair League to promote women in leadership.Hosts "Work Now Plus in the Future" series and Disrupt HR events.Member of...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Founder and CEO of livingHR, Keri Higgins-Bigelow. Keri explores the evolving employer-employee relationship, particularly post-COVID-19. Keri emphasizes the need for a new contract that prioritizes autonomy, flexibility, and outcomes-based work over traditional time-based metrics. They discuss the challenges of maintaining community in remote work settings and the role of technology in tracking employee engagement. Keri underscores the importance of...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the CEO and Co-Founder of Happy Companies, James Lawrence. James Lawrence has over 25 years of leadership experience, James discusses the creation of Happy Companies, an AI-enhanced coaching platform aimed at improving manager effectiveness and workplace culture, especially in hybrid and remote settings. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing people and culture over short-term profits, the challenges of managing remote teams, and the need for...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the CEO of Griffin Resources, Michelle Griffin. Michelle underscores the strong correlation between employee happiness and their performance at work. She asserts that when employees are fulfilled and engaged in their roles, they tend to perform better, work more efficiently, and go above and beyond their job descriptions. This fulfillment often stems from working for organizations aligning with their values and career aspirations. Michelle references the...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Author, Speaker, and Advisor, Ben Afia. Ben emphasizes that a strong alignment between brand and culture is essential for delivering a consistent and authentic customer experience. When employees understand and embody the brand values, it translates into every interaction they have with customers, creating a cohesive and trustworthy brand image. Your brand is a promise to your customers, setting expectations about the experience they will have with...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the CEO of the Association for Project Management, Adam Boddison. Adam discussed how project management extends beyond its technical roots to play a crucial role in strategic execution. Adam emphasized that project management should not be viewed as a niche specialty but rather as a set of tools and techniques that can significantly enhance a leader's ability to implement strategy effectively. He pointed out that the misconception of project management as...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Human Resources Director, Tina Greer. Middle management often finds itself in the corporate shadow, outshone by the allure of top leadership and the frontline hustle. Yet, as Tina explored, these managers are the linchpin of any organization, directly influencing frontline teams and shaping the customer experience. It's high time we spotlight their pivotal role and prioritize their development. The crux of the conversation centered on strategies for...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the SVP, Talent, and CHRO of Harvard Business Publishing, Angela Cheng-Cimini. Angela shared her extensive knowledge gained from 30 years across various industries, including consumer product goods, professional services, and nonprofits. With her strong background in HR venture advising, Angela brought a wealth of information on the transformative power of personalizing the employee experience to the table. Angela underscored the significance of...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Author, Speaker, Mentor, Trainer, and Podcast Host of The Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata. Drawing parallels between professional athletes and their coaches, Andy explained the critical role of mentors in guiding and training professionals. Andy emphasized that mentorship is not exclusive to the early stages of a career; even seasoned professionals can benefit from the fresh perspectives and wisdom a mentor brings. The concept of a "team of...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Founder of Sand & Salt Escapes, Max Schneider. Burnout is a term we hear often, but what does it truly look like? For Max, it was a harrowing experience marked by anxiety attacks and physical manifestations like shingles. The root cause? There is a misalignment between his personal values and his work. This internal conflict, coupled with a disregard for the importance of rest, led him down a path of mental and physical exhaustion. As a consultant...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Speaker, Author, Coach, and Educator, Dr. Ruth Gotian. Ruth is not only the Chief Learning Officer and an Associate Professor of Education in Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine but also a former Assistant Dean of Mentoring and Executive Director of the Mentoring Academy. Her contributions to Forbes and Psychology Today, along with her weekly show and podcast, have made her a central figure in conversations about success and achievement. Ruth's...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Founder and CEO of Two Rivers Partners, Barbara Spitzer. One of the most significant shifts Barbara discussed is the transformation occurring within the corporate sphere. The younger generations are exerting unprecedented pressure on corporate governance and leadership, demanding a level of transparency and authenticity previously unheard of. Companies are now expected to make public statements and take action on social issues that align with their...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Chief Human Resources Officer of Naviant, Tricia Shields. Trisha's passion for HR technology is rooted in its potential to revolutionize the employee experience. She advocates for the strategic use of technology to handle tasks that machines excel at, such as data processing and workflow automation. This approach allows HR professionals to dedicate more time to what truly matters: providing a human touch in their interactions with employees and...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host, Author, and Founding Partner of Gray + Miller Agency, Scott Miller Scott explored the intricate process of building a career that's not left to chance but is instead carefully crafted and steered by intention. He delved into the core principles that are outlined in his book, principles that are essential for anyone looking to navigate their professional path with purpose and clarity. Scott emphasized that understanding...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Director of Total Rewards of Christian Care Ministry, Casey Sanders. Christian Care Ministry, a non-profit financial services organization with a workforce of 730 employees, has been under Casey's strategic leadership for six years. During the conversation, Casey illuminated the critical role of core values in shaping the culture of an organization. He described these values as the organization's heartbeat, influencing every interaction and decision...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the President of Stefanie Krievins & Co, Stefanie Krievins. Stefanie tackled a topic that resonates with many of us: the challenges and inefficiencies of meetings. Stefanie pointed out a critical issue—meetings have become the go-to for decision-making, information gathering, and connecting, yet they often lack a clear purpose. Stefanie brilliantly addressed the shift in communication dynamics, noting how the simple, spontaneous interactions we once...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Remote and Hybrid Work Consultant and Keynote Speaker, Chris Dyer. During the economic downturn of 2008-2009, Chris faced a pivotal moment in his career. With a significant portion of his business evaporating, he was on the brink of giving up. Instead, he chose to persevere and, through this challenge, identified seven key pillars that are essential for a thriving company culture: transparency, positivity, listening, uniqueness, recognition,...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Director of Business Development and Marketing of Holzer Health System, Melissa Davis. With over 17 years of experience under her belt, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge from various healthcare settings, including acute hospital care, outpatient clinics, long-term care, and pharmaceutical marketing. At Holzer Health System, she's not just the marketing maestro; she's also the architect behind their employee communications programs. Melissa shed...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Corporate Communications Professional at Nashville-based Ryman Hospitality Properties, Hannah Vincent. Ryman Hospitality Properties, a titan in the lodging and hospitality realm, is where Hannah has honed her expertise. Starting at the Grand Ole Opry, she climbed the ranks to the human resources department, where she discovered her zeal for fostering an exceptional employee experience. Now, as a corporate communications professional, Hannah champions...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Founder, Coach, Facilitator, Consultant, and Speaker of WorkJoy, Tina Robinson. Tina has a stellar background in corporate operations, technology consulting, and people leadership, Tina has carved out a niche in creating innovative coaching solutions tailored for organizations. Her partnerships with leading-edge companies like Fabletics, Fox Sports, National Wildlife Foundation, SAP, and Spotify speak volumes about her expertise. As a leadership coach...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Founder and CEO of Strategic Thinking Institute, Rich Horwath. One of the key takeaways from the conversation with Rich Horwath was the importance of focusing on expertise rather than solely on experience during succession planning. Rich, a strategic strategy facilitator, coach to executive leadership teams, bestselling author, and expert commentator on business strategy, emphasized the need to identify the 2 or 3 key skills and behaviors that drive...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Speaker and Adviser to Business, and  Future of Workforce and Leadership, Niki Avraam. Nikki is not just a legal entrepreneur; she is a trailblazer in leadership and workplace evolution. Her background in employment and discrimination law has seen her litigate high-profile cases and establish her law firm, Harvard Avraam Solicitors. Nikki's philosophy is rooted in challenging established norms across industries and instilling a sense of ownership in...

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Executive Coach of Corporate Punk, Claire Croft. Clare Croft, the dynamic founder of Corporate Punk, is on a mission to revolutionize business performance through strategic conversations. With over two decades of experience, Claire empowers leaders to build high-performing teams and eliminate barriers that hinder organizational potential. During the discussion, Clare emphasized the importance of conversation in unlocking human potential for business...