Episode 10
The Best of Season One
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Streaming
HOST
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Tim Carroll, COO
Working Spaces
GUEST
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Willie Spears
The Willie Spears Experience
GUEST
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Chester Elton
GUEST
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Cory Carlson
Leadership and
Life Coach
GUEST
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J. Scott Christianson
Associate Teaching Professor of Management
University of Missouri
GUEST
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Pat Ivers
Founder
Continuum Media
GUEST
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Doug Ryan
Colliers, Nashville
GUEST
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Marilyn McSweeney
The McSweeney Group
SYNOPSIS
In this special “Best of Season One” episode, host Tim Carroll of “Culture at Work” revisits some of the most impactful conversations from the podcast’s inaugural season. The episode highlights insights from industry leaders on building a positive, productive, and engaging workplace culture.
Willie Spears discusses the post-pandemic shift towards a mentality of entitlement among employees and emphasizes the need for regular and candid communication to foster an ownership mentality. He advises leaders to measure organizational health by asking strategic questions and addressing entitlement issues head-on.
Chester Elton, an organizational strategist, underscores the importance of emotional connections in the workplace. He advocates for immediate and public recognition of employees’ efforts and advises leaders to acknowledge and correct mismatches in values promptly.
Cory Carlson, author of “Win at Home First,” extends the discussion to the home, stressing the need for intentionality in family life. He encourages leaders to apply the same level of effort and empathy at home as they do at work, promoting continuous engagement until the end of the day.
J. Scott Christianson, a seasoned entrepreneur and professor, explores the growing impact of AI in the workplace. He envisions AI as a valuable assistant for handling formulaic tasks, allowing humans to focus on creativity and relationship-building. He notes that while AI enhances creativity, human involvement is still crucial for generating new ideas.
Pat Ivers, founder of Continuum Media, shares his approach to bringing employees back to the office post-pandemic. He emphasizes flexibility, creating collaborative environments, and improving office spaces. Ivers highlights the balance between offering flexibility and ensuring personal accountability among employees.
Doug Ryan, a Nashville real estate expert, discusses strategies for recruiting and retaining young employees. He highlights the importance of office amenities, walkable locations, and sustainability. Ryan believes that strong workplace culture is best fostered through in-person interactions.
Marilyn McSweeney, a veteran recruiter, focuses on attracting top talent by emphasizing the company’s core values, mission, and purpose. She stresses that employees seek meaningful work and autonomy, advising companies to avoid micromanagement and ensure clear expectations.
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