Return on Empathy (ROE)

What if the secret to holding people accountable at work had absolutely nothing to do with authority? Longtime corporate facilitator Frank Ziede firmly believes that "preparation equals respect" and that true empathy means leaning directly into a team's struggles. In this episode, Frank responds to a powerful challenge passed down from our previous guest, Maggie Brady, about balancing execution wi...

Can practicing deep empathy actually make your organization more agile during a massive restructuring? Return on Empathy host Rebecca Dhrimaj sits down with Maggie Brady, VP of HR and Talent at White Cap. Drawing from their shared backgrounds as former college competitive swimmers and Maggie’s 20-year corporate trajectory from Arthur Anderson to GE, they unpack why empathy shouldn't be sidelined a...

In this episode of Return on Empathy, host Rebecca Dhrimaj sits down with biopharma industry executives Warren Stone (NeoGenomics), Dr. Lisa Sellers (formerly Vector Laboratories), Denise Mueller (formerly Affimed), and Dr. Jeff Buguliskis (Outsourced Pharma) to explore the critical role of compassion in high-pressure, capital-intensive environments. Amidst an industry landscape rocked by market v...

Associate Professor at Maastricht University’s School of Business and Economics, Therese Grohnert, shares the complexities of teaching change management to graduate students and the importance of empathy in leadership. Therese shares her personal experiences in corporate environments and how they shaped her approach to education in learning and development. The discussion emphasizes the need for e...

Tom Szczesny, Ed. D. shares his journey from aspiring sports broadcaster to school principal, emphasizing the importance of systems thinking and empathy in leadership. He discusses the complexities of educational environments, the significance of engaging stakeholders, and the necessity of slowing down to foster connection and understanding. Tom highlights the importance of personal well-being and...

Empathy is about seeing the unseen, it's a journey into connection. In a world that often feels divided, how do we bridge the gap between "us" and "them"? In this episode, Return on Empathy host hands the mic over to her father, Dave Galloway and President of Continuous MILE Consulting, for an intimate conversation where they explore why empathy is a universal human superpower. From the evolution...

Alex Brown of Clemco discusses her evolution from a technical specialist to a Continuous Improvement Manager and Culture Lead, emphasizing that true operational excellence is rooted in workplace culture. Alex highlights the critical need to move beyond "top-down" mandates by actively listening to employees and fostering a high-trust environment. By addressing change fatigue head-on and utilizing h...

In this episode, we explore the intersection of human-centric leadership and operational excellence with Kim Peplinski, a continuous improvement analyst at the US-based convenience store chain KwikTrip. Kim details her personal evolution toward empathy, illustrating how life-altering experiences reshaped her belief that employees must feel "seen and heard" to truly engage with their work. A highli...

Discover how empathetic leadership transforms the traditional workplace in this episode featuring plant manager, professor, and Marine Corps veteran Dr. William Harvey. We dive into the essential shift from a culture of compliance to commitment, exploring how military-honed insights can help leaders unlock employee engagement and organizational success. By prioritizing human connection and small g...

Discover how improv in leadership can transform your corporate culture in this episode featuring expert Jon Colby. We explore the powerful intersection of workplace empathy, psychological safety, and effective communication, offering practical strategies to make every team member feel valued and heard. Learn why mastering deep listening and the "Yes, And" mindset is essential for fostering an incl...

Discover how empathy-driven leadership can transform organizational culture in this thought-provoking episode of the Return on Empathy podcast featuring Robert Quinn. Explore how fear-based leadership erodes trust, fuels dysfunction, and perpetuates toxic workplace cycles—and why vulnerability, authenticity, and collective intelligence are essential for lasting change. Drawing on powerful framewor...

In the second installment of this Leadership Excellence Series, Robert Quinn challenges leaders to rethink everything they’ve been taught about performance and change—arguing that true transformation doesn’t come from fixing problems, but from studying and scaling excellence. This thought-provoking conversation dives into how deeply embedded systems shape behavior, why emotion is an often-ignored...

In this powerful first installment of a three-part Leadership Excellence Series, renowned leadership expert Robert E. Quinn explores what happens after leaders hit the breaking point—and how crisis can become a catalyst for profound transformation. Drawing on deeply personal stories and decades of research, Quinn reveals how fear-driven leadership erodes trust and performance, while self-reflectio...

What if the biggest risks in your organization aren’t visible on your dashboards? Return on Empathy (ROE) challenges traditional leadership thinking by exploring what metrics miss—unspoken concerns, hidden risks, and the human experience behind performance. Hosted by founder and Chief Empathy Officer at The Empathy Collective, Rebecca Dhrimaj, this podcast reframes empathy as decision intelligence...

In this special episode, Rebecca Dhrimaj, founder of The Empathy Collective, explores the transformative power of empathy in leadership and introduces the concept of Return on Empathy (ROE) as a critical lens for understanding organizational performance. Challenging traditional metrics that often overlook the human experience, this conversation reveals how a lack of empathy can create hidden risks...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. In this episode, Tucker Kaas shares his unconventional path from aspiring pastor to HR leader at Kaas Tailored, offering powerful insights on leadership, HR, and...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Dr. Kim Cameron—professor emeritus of management and organizations and cofounder of the Center for Positive Organizations...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. In this powerful episode, Raj Sisodia explores the awakening of conscious capitalism and why true leadership begins with healing. Through candid reflections on t...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. In this episode, Dr. Zach Mercurio explores how mattering shapes leadership , employee engagement , and workplace culture . Through research, case studies, and p...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. In this episode, Ben Hoseus explores how leadership grounded in respect for people and intentionality can drive continuous improvement across cultures. Drawing o...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. In this insightful leadership podcast episode, Sarah Kernion explores how nonverbal communication, motherhood, and empathy shape stronger leaders and healthier c...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. What does it really mean to lead with heart in today’s high-pressure workplaces? In this episode, Mark Crowley shares his powerful journey from a challenging chi...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. What does it really take to build an inspired workforce—one where people feel respected, included, and empowered to do their best work? In this episode, Rebecca...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. What if the secret to retaining millennials isn’t another perk—but purpose? In this episode, Dr. Katie Thomas unpacks why “purpose is retention” and how connecti...

Note: This episode was recorded as part of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, the original version of this podcast. It is now part of Return on Empathy (ROE)—a podcast series focused on the measurable impact of empathy in the workplace. In this episode, Tracey Minutolo shares her journey from scientist to operational excellence leader and how empathy, mentorship, and reflection have shaped her a...