In this insightful episode of LoveLeadChange, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith are joined by Jim Conti, who works at a venture capital firm providing HR and operational consulting for their portfolio companies. Jim brings valuable experience in creating people-first cultures and supporting early-stage startups in their growth journey.

Jim shares his perspective on love in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of balancing empathy with accountability. He discusses how his understanding of love was shaped by his family background, community experiences, and professional journey, particularly highlighting the impact of growing up in a strong community environment and his time at Boston College.

Through practical examples, Jim illustrates how loving leadership can transform workplace dynamics. He shares the success of initiatives like "Tuesday Tea," a monthly program where team members could present on non-work-related passions, fostering authentic connections and trust among colleagues. This program became one of their highest-rated activities, demonstrating how simple initiatives can create meaningful workplace connections.

A powerful segment explores Jim's approach to supporting early-stage companies in building their cultures. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in communicating company values and expectations, particularly in areas like work setup (remote vs. hybrid vs. in-office), helping companies attract and retain talent that aligns with their culture.

Jim candidly discusses his own challenges with self-care as a leader, acknowledging his tendency to prioritize others' needs over his own. His reflection on the results of the loving leaders assessment reveals high scores in team care and organizational love implementation, but lower scores in self-care, offering valuable insights for other leaders facing similar challenges.

Looking ahead to 2025, Jim expresses hope for a more balanced employment market where both employer and employee needs are met, and where people can find supportive communities in various aspects of their lives.

Subscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-email

Connect with the Guest and the Hosts:

Jim Conti - LinkedIn Profile

Renée Smith - LinkedIn Profile

Simon Phillips - LinkedIn Profile

All Music composed by Adam Phillips

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this insightful episode of LoveLeadChange, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith are joined by Joanna Zak, Senior Director of Workplace Experience at Sprout Social and a seasoned leader in operations, planning, and people management. Joanna brings over 15 years of experience in fostering workplace cultures that prioritize connection, clarity, and authenticity.

Joanna shares her journey from the nonprofit sector to her current role, where she has helped drive global expansion, implement hybrid work strategies, and create spaces that inspire human connection. She delves into her philosophy of love in the workplace, reframing it as respect, authenticity, and a commitment to fostering environments where people feel seen, valued, and heard.

Through practical examples, Joanna illustrates how intentional leadership can transform workplace dynamics. From leading breathing meditations during tough performance reviews to instituting quarterly “State of Affairs” meetings for clarity and alignment, her strategies emphasize the importance of both structure and empathy. She also highlights a bi-monthly practice of peer recognition that creates emotional connection and momentum, showcasing how even small rituals can have a profound impact on team cohesion and morale.

A powerful segment explores how to lead with love during challenging times, like delivering difficult news. Joanna candidly shares her approach to maintaining authenticity and care, turning tough conversations into opportunities to strengthen trust and resilience. She also offers valuable advice for new leaders, urging them to prioritize active listening, clarity, and building trust as foundational elements of loving leadership.

This episode is a testament to the power of leading with love, especially in today’s shifting relationship economy. Joanna’s wisdom and practical insights will inspire leaders to embrace authenticity, infuse their work with compassion, and prioritize people without compromising results.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and New Year Reflections

04:25 Meet Joanna Zak: A Leader in Workplace Experience

08:45 What Love Means in the Workplace

12:30 Managing with Empathy During Tough Times

17:15 Creating Rituals for Connection and Recognition

22:00 Lessons from Early Leadership Challenges

26:40 Advice for Emerging Leaders

31:10 Building a Relationship Economy with Love

34:25 Reflections and Closing

Subscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-email

Connect with the Guest and the Hosts:

Joanna Zak - LinkedIn Profile

Renée Smith - LinkedIn Profile

Simon Phillips - LinkedIn Profile

All Music composed by Adam Phillips

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith engage with Tatiana Machado-Griffin, an administrative business partner at Sprout Social and author of 'Let's Connect as Humans.' The conversation explores the significance of love in the workplace, emphasizing care, trust, and connection as essential elements of effective leadership. Tatiana shares her experiences transitioning from Brazil to the U.S. workplace, highlighting the challenges of isolation and the importance of fostering relationships. The discussion also delves into the framework of loving leadership developed by David Mead, which includes honesty, humility, and humanity, and the role of recognition in creating a supportive work environment. Tatiana expresses hope for the future, focusing on the power of small communities to drive meaningful change.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Loving Leadership

01:30 The Importance of Love in the Workplace

05:55 Building Connections and Trust

12:06 Challenges in Fostering Love and Trust

17:44 The Role of Recognition and Appreciation

25:42 A Framework for Loving Leadership

31:50 Looking Ahead: Community and Connection

Subscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-email

Connect with the Guest and the Hosts:

Tatiana Machado-Griffin - LinkedIn Profile

Renée Smith - LinkedIn Profile

Simon Phillips - LinkedIn Profile

All Music composed by Adam Phillips

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.