The Growth Collective

This episode features an organization that is truly doing the deep work necessary to evolve culture.   My guests, Mychal Coleman Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Grand Valley State University and Lindsey DesArmo, Interim Director of Talent Management at GVSU, began the journey of culture evolution when they realized a few years ago, they were losing what had made their organization great for so many years and it was time to review and reset with a goal to reach higher by 2025.   In this episode, Lindsay and Mychal walk through the steps their team took to evolve their approach to HR and strategy resulting in evolution of the role of HR within the organization and further establishing wellness into the employee experience.  What I love about this episode is how it brings the beginning of culture evolution to life.  From the need to have senior leadership on board and involved in the conversation to the reality that change takes time and can be uncomfortable for some, yet when worked through intentionally it delivers a reward worth investing in… a culture that supports thriving humans and organizational sustainability. Connect with Mychal Coleman Email:  colemamy@gvsu.edu Website: https://www.gvsu.edu/hro/hr-transformation-timeline-1118.htm LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mychal-coleman/ Connect with Lindsey DesArmo Email: desarmli@gvsu.edu Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desarmli/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Dr. Marcus Collins is back on the podcast to talk about his new book For the Culture: the power behind what we buy, what we do, and who we want to be. Listen in a Marcus highlights why it's essential to be clear on what you stand for as an organization and the importance of being intentional about building culture;  why we buy the things including why we buy including the idea that showing up to a job every day is a worthwhile endeavor beyond a paycheck; and, the power of the too often neglected role of storytelling in the workplace to motivate.   Connect with Marcus Collins Email:  marcus@marctothec.com Website: www.marctothec.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marctothec/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

My guest for this episode is Victor Cho.  A passionate consumer advocate, Victor was most recently the CEO at Evite where he led the company successfully through COVID-19 and returned it to growth, financial health, and a successful corporate buy-out. He is also the creator of the 4th Stakeholder Framework on improving stakeholder capitalism. Victor believes for society to thrive, we must shed what he calls the Mercenary Business approach and embrace a more balanced stakeholder model. Unfortunately, many organizations find it hard to balance even just the first three primary stakeholders (Shareholders, customers, and employees).  When you add Society (the 4th stakeholder) to the mix, that balancing act becomes even more challenging.   Gratefully, Victor has developed a framework to help organizations maximize impact and overcome the challenges that stand in the way of achieving balance between all the stakeholders. Listen in as we discuss a bit about the history of business and capitalism, the power of listening to stakeholders and the idea that considering the relative impact of various actions in combination with thinking about the broader whole can equal more than the sum of its parts.   Connect with Victor Cho LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-cho-/ www.victorcho.com - Free leadership frameworks and courses www.4thstakeholder.com - A practical framework to help businesses become better citizens Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

50 years of research has shown an individual's sense of purpose and understanding of how they matter to an organization predicts motivation, productivity and the performance of an individual and the overall business.   A lack of feeling relevant and connected to the purpose within a job or organization is one of the drivers of the Great Resignation, Quit Quitting or whatever term is being used to refer to good old fashioned disengagement.   This suggests that one of the most important steps an organization can take to engage and attract great talent is to help them understand how they matter to the organization, the people they work with and the work that is done.   Zach Mercurio is back on the Growth Collective podcast for a third time to talk about lessons he's learned through his own research and the work he has done with hundreds of companies to help them cultivate positive cultures that enable more meaning, mattering, motivation, wellbeing and performance. Listen in as we talk about how mattering sounds touchy feely but it's not, the power of making sure employees feel seen, the incredible impact of creating a culture that humanizes, dignifies and grows people and considerations for organizations navigating the hybrid/return to office world. Website: www.zachmercurio.comLinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio/ Twitter: @zachmercurio Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

People are living longer and that can mean they are working longer. Where there was once a 1st act – work and then a second act – retirement, there now may be a 3rd or even 4th act. The effort to attract and engage great talent has pushed organizations to invest in the wellbeing and growth of all of their people – meeting them where they are at and offering them more of what they want – opportunities to learn and earn longer. This conversation features Dr. Jean Accius. At the time of this interview, he was serving as Senior Vice President of Global Thought Leadership at AARP.  AARP is the largest non-profit in the US focused on empowering people to choose how they live when they age with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. They provide a range of resources for people over 50 and advocating for this population is at the heart of their mission.  Jean is a passionate champion and catalyst for changing how the world sees and values aging. He is an internationally recognized thought leader on aging, longevity, equity, health systems transformation and modernizing the delivery and financing of long-term care. Listen in as we discuss a range of topics around building a competitive future for all through the workplace, highlighting new ways of thinking about mentoring, the benefits of investing in learning and development and the need to reinvest and reinvent organizations to align with the evolving talent market.   Connect with Jean Accius Email: jean.accius@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/accius4/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Historically, about 1 in 4 working adults in the United States met clinical criteria for having a behavioral health condition. The consequences of leaving anxiety, depression, alcohol, drugs, and other common behavioral disorders unidentified and untreated have negative impacts in several areas relevant to employers. These problems influence absenteeism, presenteeism, health care treatment costs, workplace safety risks and more. Many of these behavioral health conditions became more prevalent since the start of COVID-19 pandemic and organizations are focusing like never before on providing support for mental health to their employees.  This episode focuses on an underutilized mental health resource that has been around for decades – the Employee Assistance Program also known as an EAP. My guest for this episode is Dr. Mark Attridge, a thought leader with deep expertise in the mental/behavioral health field. Mark brings a unique scholarly approach to his consulting and this discussion. We start with the basics – what is an EAP and then move on to steps employers can take to insure they are maximizing their investment in their EAP as a component of a broader culture strategy to support mental wellbeing in the workplace. Connect with Mark Attridge Email: mark@attridgeconsulting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markattridgephd/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

There are many reasons driving employee disengagement and departures these days. The latest episode aims to shed light on how to address one of the drivers – lack of connection. My guest, Art Markman and I explore the difference between family, neighbors and strangers – how you treat them and what you expect from them and what we can learn from these differences and apply in the workplace to increase connection and organizational commitment. Art Markman,  is a professor of psychology and vice provost of Academic Affairs at the University of Texas Austin.  Art is the author of smart thinking and habits of leadership, smart change, brain briefs, and, most recently, bring your brain to work. Listen in as we explore the non-rational, human dimension of organizations, walk through a foundational framework for thinking about connection at work and the 3 questions people leaders should be asking their team members regularly.  Connect with Art MarkmanEmail: markman@mail.utexas.edu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-markman-93aa6a22/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Dr. Richard Safeer leads the employee health and well-being initiative, Healthy at Hopkins at Johns Hopkins Medicine.  He also advises the institution on matters related to health plan benefits, occupational health and the employee assistance program.  He has published many journal articles and regularly speaks on employee health and wellbeing, in particular on how to create healthy workplace cultures. In January 2023, his book, “A Cure for the Common Company” will be released and that book and his culture building blocks serve as the foundation for our discussion.   Listen in to learn steps an organization of any size or type, with or without a budget can take to create a culture of wellbeing. Connect with Richard Safeer LinkedIn - @Richard Safeer  Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

It is possible to offer a highly engaging and rewarding work experience in a manufacturing environment and this episode provides insight into a few ways to accomplish this goal. This episode features truckbed cover and accessory manufacturer, Diamondback Covers CEO, Ben Eltz and Chief People Offer, Morgan Forney.   Listen in as Ben and Morgan share their perspective on creating a workplace employees love by focusing on 4 bottom lines – Finance, Customers, Community and Employees and how utilizing company values to guide decision making in each area has helped them grow successfully and sustainably. Connect with Diamondback Covers Website: www.diamondbackcovers.com Ben Eltz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/beneltz/ Morgan Forney - Morgan@diamonbackcovers.com Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

In 2022 and the focus for employers has expanded well beyond physical wellbeing to include financial and mental wellbeing (in most companies) and social, community and professional wellbeing in organizations that have taken a more comprehensive approach.   The wisest employers recognize creating a culture of health requires an intentional, multi—level approach and meeting employees where they are at.   My guest for this episode is Jessica Grossmeier, PhD, MPH is the author of Reimagining Workplace Well-being: Fostering a Culture of Purpose, Connection, and Transcendence. She is a leading voice in workplace well-being, having dedicated her career to identifying evidence-based strategies that promote a thriving workforce. In this episode, Jess and I dive deep into the basics and spiritual wellbeing – having a sense of connection to purpose, others and something larger than self.  She explains how spiritual well-being is an essential element of a comprehensive and effective program impacting everything from health to reducing turnover and highlights a few of the many steps organizations can take to dip a toe in the spiritual wellbeing waters.  Connect with Jessica:  Website: www.JessicaGrossmeier.com  Email: Jessica@Grossmeier.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jgrossmeier  Twitter: @jgrossmeier Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

There is a belief that we can all get what we want if we just pull up our bootstraps and go for it.  But what happens to those who simply don't have boots?  It's tough for someone to move forward if they don't have the basics.   This episode is about a business that looks at business differently…My guest for this episode is Tom Vozzo, CEO of Homeboy Industries. Tom left his career in corporate America convinced there had to be a better way to define success. In 2012, Tom became the first-ever CEO of Homeboy Industries, the largest and most successful gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. This discussion hits on a lot of opportunities for business to think differently – for the benefit of all involved.   From letting go of judgement, to creating a space where employees feel loved and supported the experience Tom shares can apply to any organization.   Listen in as Tom shares a few of the 55 rules he believes more businesses need to break, speaks the power of asking employees what they need and why love, kinship and compassion are the key to creating a workplace where employees can thrive. Connect with Tom:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo/ Homeboy Industries LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/homeboy-industries/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HomeboyInd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeboyindustries/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeboyIndustries   Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Everyday across the globe, people bring their whole selves to work.  They bring every experience from the moment they are born to the moment before they walk in the door each day.  All of it. The good, the bad, the traumatic.   The stuff they bring can be called the Social Determinants of Health.  The determinants are big buckets of factors – environment, genetics, individual behaviors, social circumstances and medical care – that influence an individual's ability to be healthy and THRIVE.   Recognizing these factors influence one's ability to focus and engage at work or even just show up at work opens up a door of possibility for employers.  Employers who provide “benefits” to employees as part of a compensation package are uniquely positioned to provide resources and support that can help to address the factors that can be barriers to an individual who is trying to remain employed. My guest for this episode is Mark Peters, CEO of Butterball Farms, Inc. Mark recognized a long time ago, he could choose to learn about his employees' issues or ignore them and not play that role.   He learned quickly – everyone benefited when he and the organization decided to come alongside their employees to help struggling employees find resources they needed to help them keep their jobs and care for their families.  In 2003, he organized a pioneering group of CEOs and community leaders to found The Source, a not-for-profit organization that has helped hundreds of workers navigate personal challenges that interfere with their jobs. Listen in as Mark shares many of the lessons he learned along the way, actions organizations can take today to better understand the challenges their employees face and steps leaders can take to provide support that leads to reduced turnover and increased employee happiness.  Connect with Mark Peters Instagram: i_3leadership Facebook: i3Leadership1 LinkedIn: i-3 Leadership Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/  

Summer Replay 2022: We're revisiting a few relevant & helpful episodes from the past until we return with a new episode in Late August 2022.  Earlier this year, MIT Sloan Management Review published a survey that revealed that toxic culture is the leading predictor of employee departures.  My guest for this episode proves positive cultures have the opposite effect - they help to attract and retain talent by offering an employee experience that supports team members growth, wellbeing and flourishing. Garry Ridge is chairman and chief executive officer of WD-40 Company. He is passionate about the learning and empowering organizational culture he has helped establish at the WD-40 Company, and his vision and leadership have positively impacted the WD-40 Company in both measurable and immeasurable ways.  Listen in as Garry walks through his experience evolving the culture over the past 20+ years.  We touch upon the idea that profit is the “applause of people doing great work”; the benefits of building a “fortress of health”; and, the power of learning moments.   This episode was originally published on April 21, 2021 Connect with Garry Ridge Website: www.thelearningmoment.net LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Summer Replay 2022: We're revisiting a few relevant & helpful episodes from the past until we return with a new episode in Late August 2022.  The best companies relentlessly focus on their contribution to the world and the humans in it and trust the effects (profitability, growth, lower turnover, etc.) will follow.   Culture and how people feel when they work, directly affects their ability to flourish and make positive contributions.  This episode replay features Zach Mercurio - the most popular guest on the Growth Collective podcast.  Zach helps leaders enable the daily experience of purpose, meaningfulness, and mattering. He is a researcher and Honorary Fellow of Psychology in the Center for Meaning and Purpose at Colorado State University and author of "The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose." Listen in as we walk through how to find meaning and approach work as purposeful and talk through the benefits of helping employees find purpose in every type of work on the planet. This episode was originally published on September 15, 2020.  Connect with Zach Mercurio Email:  Zach@ZachMercurio.com Website: www.zachmercurio.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: Susan.Bailey@marshmma.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Summer Replay 2022: We're revisiting a few relevant & helpful episodes from the past until we return with a new episode in Late August 2022.  Employees are more likely to stay with an organization if they believe they can thrive there. What factors influence thriving in an organization?  It is more than perks and benefits. It's the daily experience of working for the organization...it's how it feels to be a part of it and the factors that enable that feeling.   In this episode, I explore culture in metaphor. Trees and humans have a lot in common... to thrive they must be surrounded by supportive and enabling conditions.   Listen to learn more about the similarities between a healthy productive forest and a healthy organizational culture and the key elements of creating a culture to support employee thriving.  This episode was originally published on March 4, 2020.  Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

It is possible to turn a culture around.  This episodes guest is proof positive.   From toxic to family.   It takes work  and commitment at all levels in the organization.  The payoff - a company with staying power, happy employees and long-term potential.  My guest for this episode is Corey Stowell, VP of Human Resources at Webasto Americas.  Corey's passion for people, wellbeing, mindful leadership and coaching come through loud and clear in our discussion. His ability to understand employees AND help leaders and key stakeholders develop their own empathy skills contributed to the turnaround of a culture that had lost its way in the early 2000s as market forces pushed hard on the company to take actions that led a culture of fear and distrust. Listen in as Corey walks through the steps they took to renovate their culture to one that provides employees a great environment each day.  Connect with Corey Stowell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/webasto-roof-systems-americas LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-stowell-phr-0a6b727b/   Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Mental and behavioral health challenges affect 1 in 4 adults worldwide. Given that the majority of awake time is spent at work, the workplace is an ideal setting for promoting good mental health. For employers, supporting a healthy workforce, particularly one emotionally and cognitively healthy, can also drive productivity, improve attendance, produce long-term health care cost savings, and help attract and retain top talent. My guest for this episode is fellow employee wellbeing and organizational performance consultant Dr. David Ballard.  Listen in to learn more about mental health, what it is exactly and what is the employers role in supporting it.   Connect with Dr. David Ballard Email:  dballard@ghostnoteconsulting LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidballard Twitter:  https://twitter.com/drdavidballard   Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/ Link to Paper: ISO 45003:2021 - Occupational health and safety management — Psychological health and safety at work — Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks https://www.iso.org/standard/64283.html Carolyn C. Mattingly Award for Mental health in the Workplace  https://theluvuproject.org/workplaceaward/  

This podcast is focused on helping organizations create spaces where employees can thrive so the business can thrive too.  This episode's guest leads an organization that so seriously believes in the purpose of thriving it's woven into the customer and employee value propositions. Ki Hammer is president and CEO of Ghafari, a global engineering, architecture, process design, consulting and construction services firm.  Listen in as Ki shares how her flat organization gets work done, with an entrepreneurial spirit that has been key to the successful growth and stability of the organization alongside their commitment to doing what it takes to enable team member thriving. Website: www.ghafari.com Website: www.ghafari.com/about/leadership/kouhaila-hammer LinkedIn: ghafari-associates Instagram: ghafari_associates Facebook: ghafariassociates Twitter: GhafariCo Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Recent data (from January 2020 – a little laggy due to the pandemic) showed there were 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in Amerca.  70% were individuals and the rest were people living in families with children.  They lived in every state and territory and reflect the diversity of the US.  Homelessness is a big topic that plays a role in individual and community wellbeing. In this episode we only scratch the surface of it.   The part that answers a few questions – what are some of the solutions, what are the challenges related to those solutions and  what can individuals and organizations do to help. My guest for this unique episode is Treger Strasberg, founder of Humble Design.  Humble Design is an organization focused on chaing lives and communities by custom designing and fully furnishing home interiors for individuals, families and veterans emerging from homelessness. Listen in as we talk through the challenges and rewards of running a non-profit that's making a difference one home at a time.  Website: https://www.tregerstrasberg.com/ Humble Design Website: https://www.humbledesign.org/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/treger-strasberg-80020841/ Facebook National: @humbledesignnational Detroit: @humbledesigninc Chicago: @humblechitown Cleveland: @humbledesigncleveland San Diego: @humbledesignsandiego  Seattle: @humbledesignseattle   Instagram National: @humbledesignnational Detroit: @humbledesigndetroit Chicago: @humblechitown Cleveland: @humbledesigncleveland San Diego: @humbledesignsandiego Seattle: @humbledesignseattle Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Everyday organizations are working hard to attract and retain talent and in this tight labor market, they're employing a lot of tactics to draw people in from signing bonuses to expanded benefits.  Behavior science tells us, tactics like this only inspire short-term commitment.  In order to engage talent long-term...the culture must nurture employees and provide inspiration beyond a paycheck.  My guest for this episode is Charlie Malouf is the President and CEO of Broad River Retail, a large independently owned and operated licensee of 29 Ashley HomeStores. As President and CEO, Charlie has the distinct privilege of leading a highly talented team of over 800 Memory Makers (employees) in their purpose of furnishing life's best memories.   Culture takes time to build and Broad River is still a work in progress.   In Charlie's words… you can't microwave culture.  Listen in as we talk through lessons learned along the way and steps the organization plans to take to continue to evolve culture and Thrive.

From the beginning, Ted Castle's desire to own a company that develops its employees, has a positive impact on the community, and shares innovative workplace practices has set the course of their growth and their culture.  Over time this has evolved into purpose and principles that are not just words on a wall, they are the foundation of living the Rhino Foods culture. The “right thing to do” guides all they do and you'll hear how it comes to life in so many ways in my chat with Ted from hiring practices to financial wellbeing strategies and proving working together for something bigger than ourselves is an extraordinary and powerful form of motivation money can't buy. I also learned… A group of Rhinos is called a Crash. Here's the crash course on what we cover in the episode: Unique business practices that enable employee thriving Lessons learned about inclusive hiring practices How you can make your company stronger while improving your employees' lives and your community Connect With Ted Castle: Website: https://www.rhinofoods.com/team-member/tcastle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-castle-6a954a10/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey: Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Long before the pandemic led to the great resignation organizations who understood the power of establishing meaningfulness in work had an easier time engaging and keeping top talent.   Not surprisingly, the organizations losing the most talent are those that haven't been intentional about this. My guest for the podcast understands the human element of the work world well.  Zach Mercurio is one of the leading experts on the role of purpose and meaning in organizations, work, and life. Through speaking, consulting, and research, Zach has helped diverse organizations and individuals around the world understand how purpose and meaning unleashes human potential to create thriving organizations and lives. Listen in as we talk through three invisible factors leading employees to look for new jobs: desire for meaning, connection to purpose and freedom. We walk through steps you can take to enhance your organization culture and engage top talent.   Connect with Zach Mercurio: Website: www.zachmercurio.com LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio/ Twitter: @zachmercurio Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

This episode is for those who want to keep going.   Who want to not just survive, you want to thrive.   As we head into the holiday season – which brings a whole new set of stressors – there are steps we can take to boost our resilience and maybe even come out of the holiday season (or any challenging time of life) stronger. My guest for this episode is Dr. Michelle Thompson, a Triple-board certified physician in Integrative, Lifestyle and Osteopathic Family Medicine. In this episode, Michelle reminds us – at any given time, there is more right with us than is wrong with us.  If you haven't paused to check in with yourself in a while, there is no time like the present.  We need you in the game.  Listen in for tips to recharge and renew your body, mind and soul. Connect with Michelle  Website: https://www.bewelltherapies.org/dr-michelle-thompson-do-aboim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-thompson-olson-058688a/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtyogidoc/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Approximately 40-60% of our current state of health is driven by non-clinical factors. How much money we have in the bank, the depth and breadth of our social support network and the stress of finding reliable childcare all have impact on our health and risk for disease.   Organizations looking to improve the health of their workforce would be wise to keep this in mind – understand and address basic need challenges exist among your workforce – before focusing on improvement of individual health risk factors. My guests for this episode understand the power of helping individuals meet basic needs.   Kate Sommerfeld is the President of the Social Determinants of Health Institute and she is joined by Randy Oostra, President and CEO of Promedica Health System based in Toledo, Ohio.  Listen in as Kate and Randy walk through the steps they have taken to provide resources that address basic needs to those they serve and to their own employees.  They share the lessons they've learned through their partnership with Kumanu provider of the Resourceful app the two organizations developed together to help organizations understand what's truly holding employees back from being present, productive, and resilient. If you've been thinking your wellness strategy needs a reboot, this episode is for you. Connect with Kate Sommerfeld Website: https://www.promedica.org/social-determinants-of-health/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesommerfeld Brussels Sprouts Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKHMS_ZP4zo Resourceful App: https://www.kumanu.com/resourceful/ Connect with Randy Oostra Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/promedica LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-oostra-4348286/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Scribe Media believes company culture is the operating system for their organization.  They so strongly believe in the concept of intentional culture, they created an open-access, living document call the Scribe Culture Bible that lays out what they believe, why they believe it and how they live by it.  From there the values are baked into their DNA and everything they do.  My guest for this episode is author and Scribe Media CEO, JeVon McCormick.  JeVon understands well the power of words and actions and strives daily to lead an organization that stands by its words and with careful awareness uses words them to foster a culture of transparency, compassion and openness.   Listen in to hear JeVon share his journey from poverty to joyful CEO, the steps he has taken to nurture a culture that thrived through the pandemic, his advice for rethinking how we think about the opportunity leaders have in organizations to support growth and the need to change the way we speak about the way we do business.   Connect with JeVon McCormick Website: https://jevonmccormick.com/about/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jevonmccormick/ Scribe Culture Bible: https://tinyurl.com/xdxfnuse Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

As more individuals seek work that has purpose and meaning, in combination with growing interest in working for organizations that are making a positive difference in the world, leaders are opening up to the idea that they can and should focus on the impact they have on all stakeholders. My guest for this episode is Alexander McCobin, the CEO of Conscious Capitalism, Inc. a US-based nonprofit whose purpose is to build a movement of business leaders improving the practice and perception of capitalism to elevate humanity so that billions of people can flourish, leading lives infused with passion, purpose, love and creativity; a world of freedom, harmony, prosperity, and compassion. Listen in as we walk through the framework of Conscious Capitalism, steps organizations can take to elevate their purpose and create value well beyond the bottom line. Connect with Alexander  Website: https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/people/alexander-mccobin LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/mccobin/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Iceland recently made headlines following the world's largest trial of a shorter work week when it declared the trial a success when they results showed workers were happier, healthier and more productive. At a time when the theme of work is focused on avoiding burnout and mental health issues, feeling happier and healthier while working seems like a dream.   My guest for this episode, futurist and author Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, has done the research. Through his work, he has demonstrated fewer work hours is absolutely a path toward a win-win – happy, engaged employees and successful business. Listen in as we walk through why we work the way we do, the elements necessary to enable employee thriving, the exponential benefits of rest and a shorter work week. Connect with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang Website: https://www.strategy.rest/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/askpang/ TED Ideas Article: https://ideas.ted.com/case-for-4-day-workweek/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

4 in 5 employees feel emotionally drained from their work, an early sign of burnout. 9 in 10 employees report their workplace stress affects their mental health 3 in 5 employees are not receiving adequate support from supervisors to help manage stress This data from the 2021 Work Health Survey conducted by Mental Health America tells us what we already knew…Humans were stressed before the pandemic began and it's only gotten worse.  Many lacked effective coping skills.  And now, far too many are struggling. And others are powering through… buoyed by coping and resilience skills learned through experience or courses offered in the community or at their place of work.   My guest for this episode is Tramaine El-Amin, the ClientExperience Officer at Mental Health First Aid a program of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.  Listen in as we talk about the current state of mental health in the US, steps organizations can take to reduce mental health stigma in their organizations and walk through the basics of Mental Health First Aid – a technique for supporting mental health in any organization.

The future of work looks different and the same.  The actions organizations took to build culture with everyone in the room can and should be utilized to build culture wherever your team sits.  My guest for this episode is Dr. Tracy Brower a PhD sociologist studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life and writes for Forbes.com and Fast Company. She is also a principal with Steelcase's Applied Research + Consulting group where she gets to do exciting purpose focused work every day. Listen in as Tracy walks the drivers for employee engagement and happiness, how organizations can put the drivers to work and steps leaders will need to take to build culture in a hybrid world. We reference these articles in our discussion. How to Sustain Company Culture in a Hybrid Work Model  To Bring People Back, Your Office Must Change: Here's How  Connect with Tracy Brower Website: https://tracybrower.com/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybrowerphd/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/  

We are knee deep into the great resignation.  Earlier in 2021, surveys said 27% would leave their jobs.  More recent surveys indicate as many at 95% of the workforce are looking for new jobs.   As employees reevaluate their values and commitments, it can be tempting to think the grass is greener somewhere else.  And it might be if an organization doesn't take steps to evolve culture and commit to creating a workplace the supports employee wellbeing. My guest for this episode, book author, podcaster, CEO and Friday Forward blog creator, Robert Glazer, literally wrote the book on Thriving in a Virtual Workplace. Robert runs a 100% remote organization.  He has successfully done this for years.   In this episode, he shares lessons he's learned along the way that support the idea that culture is not a place. Culture is built upon the vision, values and goals you set for your organization and your efforts to consistently weave them in to all you do with clarity.   Connect with Robert Glazer Website: www.robertglazer.com LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/glazer/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Change and transitions are constants these days. My guest for this episode has a passion for change.  As a former weather man in Michigan – where the joke about the weather is –if you don't like it, wait 5 minutes – Chuck Gaidica understands change from many angles.   So much so that he committed the post-weather man phase of his life to helping others through transitions through his Foundations of Fitness system – the "Fit" part of Fitness stands for Forever in Transition.   Recognizing that change and life are interwoven and leaning into the transitions is one of the best parts of the journey. Listen in as we talk through the steps an individual can take to reflect on life and purpose in the various phases of our lives and go deep into disbanding the myth of Retirement being about doing nothing.  Life is change. Growth is optional. Chuck's wisdom can help us all navigate transitions.  Connect with Chuck Gaidica Website: www.chuckgaidica.com Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Some think culture is the soft stuff.  Come in to work, have fun, have happy hours and play ping pong.  My guests for this episode know well culture is about how an organization treats their people as evidenced by how they communicate, develop team members and create opportunities for them to flourish. My guests for this episode are Ron Alvesteffer President and CEO of Service Express and Gretchen Murphy Chief Human Resources Officer.   Listen in as Ron and Gretchen explain why they putting employee happiness first is the key to their success, how they put employees first and why they believe this approach has led to tremendous growth and success including 100 new hires since March 2020.   This is a fun one…if you are an HR leader – consider encouraging your CEO to listen too or vice versa – so much food for thought in this episode! Connect with Ron Alvesteffer Website Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Connect with Gretchen Murphy Website Linkedin Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Life is about personal growth.  My guest for this episode is Joe Hart, the CEO of one of the oldest growth-focused, training organizations in existence – Dale Carnegie.  Dale Carnegie authored popular books - How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and The Leader in You. He grew the lessons into the books into a training company focused on transforming individuals and businesses. Listen in as Joe shares his experience keeping employees engaged during the pandemic and how the lessons of Dale Carnegie can be helpful for individuals and organizations navigating change at any time.  Connect with Joe Hart Website: https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en/joe-hart LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephkhart/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseph_k_hart/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/josephkhart/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/  

As organizations muddle their way toward a post-pandemic work world, the pressure is on for organizations leaders to think differently about their role and the opportunity they have to make a difference in the lives of their employees and the communities they operate in. My guest for this episode understands this challenge at many levels.  Alison Omens is the Chief Strategy Officer at JUST Capital an organization whose mission is to build an economy that works for all Americans by helping companies improve how they serve all their stakeholders – workers, customers, communities, the environment, and shareholders. Alison is responsible for setting and implementing strategy to achieve mission impact for the organization. Alison's varied experience including working for former US Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, serving as director of Media Outreach for the AFL-CIO, and sitting on the board of directors for JobsFirstNYC uniquely enable her to provide perspective on the role of business in the future and steps organizations can take to contribute in big ways.   Listen in as we discuss the work JUST Capital is doing to address a variety of fundamental worker wellbeing issues financial wellness, racial equity and helping organizations understand the steps they can take to contribute to an economy that works for all. Connect with Alison Omens Website: https://justcapital.com/about/team/alison-omens/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-omens-5903768/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/  

The events of the past 15 months have been extraordinarily disruptive to life on our planet.  The way we work shifted for many and the next wave of disruption that seems to be erupting is the ‘Why' we work piece.   My guest for this episode understands change and disruption so well she wrote a book about it titled Disrupt Yourself.  Whitney Johnson is CEO of human capital consultancy Disruption Advisors an Inc. 5000 2020 fastest-growing private company in America, one of the fifty leading business thinkers in the world as named by Thinkers50 and host of the Disrupt Yourself podcast.  As organizations venture into efforts to attract and retain talent in a new market, reflecting on the impact of the past year and a half, lessons learned and opportunities to put your strengths to work will be a few of the keys to not just surviving, but thriving as a business.  Listen in as Whitney shines a light the power of the S-Curve to ground us and provide insight into how we can thrive in an era of disruption by disrupting ourselves and our organizations.   Connect with Whitney Johnson Website: https://whitneyjohnson.com/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyjohnson/ Instagram: instagram.com/johnsonwhitney Twitter: twitter.com/johnsonwhitney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wljadvisors Clubhouse: @johnsonwhitney Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

The talent market is getting interesting as 2021 progresses. The pandemic caused many to pause and consider where they focus their time and energy along with their returns for their efforts.  There is a ripple effect in everything we do. Your employees touch the community, your business uses resources and you influence customers – each with upstream and downstream effects that often go unnoticed.   My guest for this episode is Hanna Schulze, president of Local First and Good For Michigan. Good For Michigan is Michigan's B Local. Like me, Hanna believes that successful, vibrant communities thrive when they put people first. Listen into to learn more about steps organizations can take to expand their focus from the bottom line to the triple bottom line. Connect with Hanna Schulze Website: https://localfirst.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-schulze-she-her- Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

We learn best through experience.  Learning is amplified when we take time to reflect on the experience and capture the lessons learned and then take action with the new information in mind.  My guest for this episode is a pro at learning from his mistakes.  He's not afraid to own it and hopes that others will benefit from learning about the messes he created along the way.    My guest for this episode is Scott Jeffrey Miller FranklinCovey's senior advisor on thought leadership. Listen in as we discuss the intersection of culture, leadership and marketing and hear Scott's thoughts on successful leadership in challenging times and the tremendous opportunity the C-19 pandemic offers leaders and organizations to innovate and think differently moving forward. Scott shares lessons from his two most recent books entirely born from his own experience making mistakes and growing as a human. 

A recent study from IBM shows that 27 of Americans expect to change jobs in 2021.  Many organizations are struggling to find talent and the ongoing-pandemic job market is going to compound these challenges. What if there was a way to draw people to your company? What if it was possible to attract many times more applicants than openings WITHOUT a recruiter? My guest for this episode proves it is possible to do attract and retain talent by way of creating a culture that supports team members growth, wellbeing and flourishing. Garry Ridge is chairman and chief executive officer of WD-40 Company. He is passionate about the learning and empowering organizational culture he has helped establish at the WD-40 Company, and his vision and leadership have positively impacted the WD-40 Company in both measurable and immeasurable ways.  Listen in as Garry walks through his experience evolving the culture over the past 20+ years.  We touch upon the idea that profit is the “applause of people doing great work”; the benefits of building a “fortress of health”; and, the power of learning moments.   Connect with Garry Ridge Website: www.thelearningmoment.net LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/  

The title of this episode is borrowed from Seth Godin, a marketing teacher who like my guest for this episode understands deeply the connection between marketing (going to the people in an effort to get them to adopt behavior) and culture (system of values, symbols and norms that informs who people are and how they behave).  Successful organizations have learned they must be clear on who they are and who they believe is a good match for their culture.  They have also learned the concepts of marketing apply well beyond the sales department.   My guest for this episode is brilliant marketing professional Marcus Collins, Head of Planning at WKNY and Marketing Professor at the University of Michigan. Marcus studies cultural contagion and meaning-making to help those who aim to put ideas in the world that inspire people to take action.  Listen in to gain new perspective on marketing and culture and the steps you can take to use these concepts to create a culture that attracts and retains extraordinary talent. Connect with Marcus Collins Website: www.marctothec.com LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/marctothec Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshMMA.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/  

You've likely heard the phrase...An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  My guest for this episode knows well the benefits of investing in wellbeing and building supportive environments for individuals at work and in their communities. It is easier to be healthy and well if the spaces we spend time in each day enable healthy choices and provide support in the form of positive relationships and connection.  And, it's far more efficient and cost effective to prevent ill health and try to repair it later. Dr. Dexter Shurney is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Community Wellbeing and the Blue Zones Institute, a “Living Lab” to create, study, and codify best practice, including a lifestyle medicine approach to care, that can be replicated across regions and communities of greatest need.  Listen to hear how Dexter's broad diversity of experience in health and workplace settings contribute to his broad ranging perspectives of the opportunities we have to enable wellbeing in the workplace. NOTE: Dexter's wifi was a bit unstable at times during our discussion. It's brief and worth ignoring so you can listen and learn. Connect with Dexter Shurney Email: shurned@ah.org LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/dexter-shurney-61093113/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/  

What does it take for an individual to be resilient?  Which is more influential...Physical fitness or mental health?  How do the two relate to each other? What happens when an organization places as much emphasis on physical fitness as they do on mental health?   This episode of the Growth Collective Podcast features Chris Macklin, the wellness manager from SouthMetro, a fire and rescue organization outside Denver, CO. Chris leads the Peer Support Program which is focused on providing a safe and supportive workplace where members are free to express and normalize their reactions and experiences so they may seek help without fear.   Chris believe it's best to “always leave it better than you found it, for the greater good.” That is what the Growth Collective podcast is all about and this episode provides a special look into the steps any organization can take to build resilience among their workforce by helping them carry less trauma and “baggage” in their daily lives. Connect with Chris Macklin Email:Chris.Macklin@southmetro.org LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christian-macklin-168349182/ Website: http://southmetropeersupport.org/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: susan.bailey@marshmma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/  

Archetypes are stories. They are the shared patterns, themes, and symbols that have universal meanings across cultures and time. They provide structure to the human experience and they can help us understand ourselves too. Through the frame of archetypes, we can see our strengths and shadows – providing us opportunities to grow. When applied in an organization, clarity of archetypes – knowing who you want to be and how you want to show up as an organization in the world– is foundational to developing a culture that sustains the organization for years to come. My guest for this episode is Cynthia Forstmann, co-founder of CultureTalk.  CultureTalk offers an end-to-end system for measuring the culture of the organization, as well as the strengths of the leaders and teams that drive it. Cynthia and her team have certified an international community of executive coaches, culture consultants including me to use the CultureTalk System as a culture assessment and development tool.  Listen in as we discuss the how understanding archetypes can help shift and evolve cultures and lead and grow your people. Connect with Cynthia Forstmann Email: cynthia@culturetalk.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiaforstmann/ Website: https://culturetalk.com/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: sbailey@mma-mi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

The brand of an organization is all about how the organization shows up for it's customers...it's their personality and helps to set expectations for customers.  The most successful organizations take the power of a strong brand persona and align their brand and culture.  When culture and brand are in sync, it's easier for employees to engage and know what's expected of them at work and deliver on the brand promise – a winning combination. My guests for this episode have brought the magic of brand and culture partnership to life at Ally Financial.  Kathie Patterson, Chief Human Resources Officer and Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing Officer have collaborated over the past few years to bring Ally's “Do it Right” promise to life internally and externally resulting increased brand awareness, increased employee engagement, and more.  Listen in to learn about the power of culture and brand partnership in action. Connect with Kathie Patterson Email:Kathie.patterson@ally.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathie-patterson-9aaa058/ Website: https://media.ally.com/leadership-patterson Connect with Andrea Brimmer Email: Andrea.Brimmer@ally.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-brimmer-a4345a68/ Website: https://media.ally.com/leadership-brimmer Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: sbailey@mma-mi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Millions of people in the U.S. are stuck in bad jobs with poverty-level wages, unpredictable schedules, and few opportunities for growth, meaning, or dignity. By making better operational choices and investing in their employees, companies can create good jobs that can build stronger companies and communities. The Good Jobs Institute is on a mission to change the way organizations think about building a thriving business by way of creating good jobs – that meet basic needs and provide meaning and dignity for people. My guest for this episode is Sarah Day Kalloch, Executive Director of the Good Jobs Institute.   Listen in to hear Sarah talk through the steps employers can take to create a culture the supports employee and business thriving via jobs that meet basic and higher needs.

The COVID pandemic has brought about many revelations...one of the top being that businesses and organizations employ humans with unique and special circumstances and needs.   Long before the pandemic hit, Greenpath Financial Wellness utilized human-centered design to understand and meet the need of their customers and employees.   Gratefully, this focus, in combination with their emphasis on a culture of empathy, provided much needed framework through the uncertainty.   My guest for this episode is Kristen Holt, CEO of Greenpath Financial Wellness. Listen in to understand how heavy emphasis on intentional culture as a foundation for organizational success allowed the Greenpath team to weather the COVID-19 storm and gather food for thought as you move your organization forward into the next normal. Connect with Kristen Holt Email: klholt@greenpath.com Website: www.greenpath.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenholt/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: sbailey@mma-mi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

The best companies relentlessly focus on their contribution to the world and the humans in it and trust the effects (profitability, growth, lower turnover, etc.) will follow.   Culture and how people feel when they work, directly affects their ability to flourish and make positive contributions.  My guest for this episode is Zach Mercurio.  Zach helps leaders enable the daily experience of purpose, meaningfulness, and mattering. He is a researcher and Honorary Fellow of Psychology in the Center for Meaning and Purpose at Colorado State University and author of "The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose." Listen in as we walk through how to find meaning and approach work as purposeful and talk through the benefits of helping employees find purpose in every type of work on the planet. Connect with Zach Mercurio Email:  Zach@ZachMercurio.com Website: www.zachmercurio.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: sbailey@mma-mi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

Providing opportunities to learn and grow is a key element of a healthy culture ecosystem.   Breeze Thru Car Wash's vision is to be an excellently run car wash company that prepares people for the future and provides for the community. With a strong vision, mission and values guiding the way, Breeze Thru has become a solid and growing organization that makes a difference in many ways and defies the ideas that culture doesn't matter by proving that intentional culture leads to growth and prosperity in many ways. My guest for this episode is Justin Salisbury, COO at Breeze Thru Car Wash. His focus is on developing people by empowering them to be successful to prepare them for their future. Listen in to understand how bottom line growth and organizational stability were realized by way of a foundation of clarity around vision, mission and values.   Walk away with steps any organization, especially one with hourly, lower-wage employees, can take to develop a strategy to care for their team members that results in lower turnover, higher engagement, and happy customers. Connect with Justin Salisbury Email: Justin@breezethrucarwash.com Website: Breezethrucarwash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsalisburylwf/ Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: sbailey@mma-mi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/  

An organization focused on relationships, trust, reasonable workload, vacation, work-life balance... sounds like a dream job.   A dream that is possible when a goal of the organization is long-term sustainability.   Beyond that, adding joy and recognition that employees have lives outside of work to the recipe has a powerful impact on employee attraction and retention and every measure of business success. My guest for this episode is Rich Sheridan, CEO and Chief Storyteller at Menlo Innovations. His two best-selling books—Joy Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love and Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear outline the culture philosophy Rich and his cofounder lead by every day.   Listen in as Rich shares the story of his evolution of leadership and finding the formula for thriving in the organization. It is all about more lift and less drag. 

This episode features Justin Salisbury, Chief Operations Officer at Breeze Thru Car Wash. His focus is on developing people by empowering them to be successful to prepare them for their future.  The COVID-19 pandemic has had a varied affect on business.  True to form, the Breeze Thru team did not let a pandemic stop them from continuing to find ways to care for and grow their people.  Listen in to hear how their values have evolved, the footprint has begun to grow in unique ways (employee housing) and they are finding new and innovative ways to support team member growth.

This episode features Jeff Jamerino, President and CEO of Superior Electric Great Lakes.   The COVID-19 pandemic has had a varied effect on business.  Organizations with healthy, positive cultures seem to be weathering the storm and Superior Electric Great Lakes is no exception as their ESOP structure and values provided a strong foundation through the initial crisis and beyond.  Listen in to hear how their family-focused culture has continued to thrive. Connect with Jeff Jamerino Email: jjamerino@seglc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-jamerino-304039a9 Website: www.seglc.com Connect with Susan Morgan Bailey Email: sbailey@mma-mi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmbailey/

This episode features Rich Sheridan, CEO and Chief Storyteller at Menlo Innovations. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a varied effect on business and Menlo felt the impact of the highly contagious virus right away.   Having survived economic turmoil several times in 19+ years, the first 100 days of the pandemic lock-down were some of the scariest Rich had felt in years.  Despite great fear that Menlo wouldn't survive, the business many have called the most agile organization in the world found a way to survive, adapt, sustain with intent to emerge stronger and thrive again.  Listen in to hear how the intentional culture built many years ago supported the return of joy to Menlo amidst the storm of the pandemic.