Wired to Work with Jess Chapman

When we talk about safety at work, we usually think hard hats and handrails — but what about the safety to speak up, struggle, or be honest about your mental health? In this episode, Jess sits down with Sean Kennedy to unpack what psychological safety really means. Sean shares his own mental health journey and how stigma shaped his leadership perspective, while Jess explores how organizations can...

In this Just Ask Jess episode, Jess tackles real questions from listeners — from how to manage performance in small teams to what to do when your leadership group isn’t aligned. She shares straight-up advice on giving better feedback, getting your people involved, and creating a culture that actually works (not just looks good on paper). ✉️ Get in touch at: contact@ethree.ca   Follow us: Instagram...

When leaders speak, their words carry weight — whether they’re grounded in fact or not. In this Just Ask Jess episode, Jess reflects on Trump’s presidency through a leadership lens, unpacking what it reveals about power, responsibility, and influence. From the impact of a leader’s words, to the role of trusted advisors and diverse perspectives, to the dangers of “yes men” and top-down cultures, Je...

The world of work is shifting fast — and leaders are being challenged to keep up. In this Hot Topics episode of Unlocking Your People , Jess welcomes back Tom Hickey to unpack the themes showing up everywhere right now: diversity, equity, and inclusion (or DIB, as we call it), the rise of AI and its impact on jobs, the complexity of employee expectations, and the uncertainty that comes with consta...

In this bonus Q&A segment, Jess unpacks three real-world scenarios—an RFP gone sideways, a hiring process with hidden ties, and a client relationship kept quiet—all pointing to one root issue: undisclosed conflicts of interest. She explains why most conflicts aren’t intentional, the reputational risks they pose, and how leaders can build awareness, motivation, and clear processes to prevent th...

In this episode, Jess talks with Chelsea Colwell-Pasch about leading with empathy, kindness, and clarity — even when the conversations get hard. From navigating tough moments with heart to holding space without losing accountability, they explore how real leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room — it’s about being the most human. Chapters (00:00:03) - Unlocking Your People (00:00:59) -...

Onboarding doesn’t have to mean endless PowerPoints or a “sink or swim” experience. In this bonus Q&A edit, Jess breaks down how to streamline the process—using checklists, templates, e-learning, and structured check-ins—to set new hires up for success without draining your time. Whether you’re scaling fast or just trying to bring more structure to your team, Jess shares practical tips for bui...

Great sales isn't about driving the deal—it's about riding shotgun. In this episode, Jess sits down with Susan Englehutt to unpack why successful salespeople let their buyers take the wheel. From emotional intelligence and genuine empathy to navigating buyer dynamics with authenticity, Susan shares how rethinking the sales process as a journey you're taking together—not a race you&a...

In this first-ever Just Ask Jess mailbag episode, Jess answers listener questions on merging company cultures, making 360 feedback actually useful, and dealing with confusing leadership. It’s all about clarity, communication, and what really gets in the way of teams working well together. Chapters (00:00:00) - Interviewing Your People (00:00:50) - Interviewing Just Ask Jess (00:01:23) - Merger &am...

In this bonus mini-episode, Jess answers a tough leadership question: what do you do when a team member is deflated after missing out on a promotion? She walks through how to open the door to a compassionate follow-up conversation, and shares how the SCARF model (from the NeuroLeadership Institute) can help leaders understand and respond to emotional triggers like uncertainty, status, and fairness...

Running a business with family isn’t for the faint of heart. In this episode, Jess talks with Jeff McAloon, co-CEO of The Smart Energy Company, about what it takes to lead alongside his brother. From trust and tough conversations to knowing when to lean in (and when to back off), they explore how strong relationships can power strong leadership — especially when family is part of the equation. Cha...

In this bonus Q&A edit, Jess tackles a big question many leaders face today: How do you build culture when no one’s physically together? From creating intentional “triggers” that replace watercooler chats, to using recognition, leadership presence, and virtual touchpoints to keep teams connected, Jess shares practical strategies for sustaining culture and engagement in remote-first organizatio...

In this episode, Jess talks with Tom Hickey, CEO of Wedgewood Insurance, about the messy, meaningful work of leadership. From scaling a team without a playbook to building trust that sticks, Tom shares what he’s learned his decades-long career. Leading with heart, staying curious, and figuring it out one honest conversation at a time Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlocking Your People: Leadership and Cult...

In this mini-episode, Jess answers the question of how to set clear expectations and accountability across teams. She shares insights on the importance of documenting goals, defining ownership, and maintaining open communication to prevent misunderstandings. Jess also highlights the role of organizational values in shaping behavior and performance management, and introduces a self-serve program de...

In this episode, Jess talks with Pierre Battah about what it really means to lead with presence. From the myth of employee engagement to the quiet power of one-on-one conversations, they unpack why people check out at work — and how to bring them back in, one real connection at a time. Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to Season Two (00:01:49) - The Importance of Employee Engagement (00:03:36) - Under...

In this episode, Jess talks with Pierre Battah about what it really means to lead with presence. From the myth of employee engagement to the quiet power of one-on-one conversations, they unpack why people check out at work — and how to bring them back in, one real connection at a time. Chapters (00:01:49) - The Importance of Employee Engagement (00:03:36) - Understanding Engagement vs. Satisfactio...

What are some of the biggest challenges that small business owners face as they attempt to build a dream team that can help them scale their business to another level? On today’s episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess is joined by two incredible women – Ashley Smith of Fundamental Inc and Krystal Hobbs of Reflective Marketing , both of whom share their wisdom and insights around growth and people...

Whether we realize it or not, we have an impact on the people around us every single day. Every action we take and everything we say or share creates an impact on the people we work with. Understanding this, how do we make sure that we have the impact we want? What if you could always react in a measured and astute manner? What if you could work with others in a way that creates a positive impact,...

Chris Gardner is the CEO of Sequence Bio and he has some thoughts on diversity, remote working, and conflict management to share with Jess. Based in Newfoundland, Sequence Bio is a data-driven biotechnology company. They’re doing cutting-edge work, not just in their day-to-day operations, but also in their smart and scientific HR practices. Jess recently placed a high-ranking executive at Sequence...

It's time for another Q&A session! In this episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess is joined once again by Kendra Lane as they answer questions submitted to them on a wide range of subjects. You'll learn the benefits of strength-based leadership, as well as methods for determining how to best support an employee - developing their strengths versus building their weaknesses. Jess and K...

What’s the single most important element in building a high-performing team? Trust. In any organization, trust is a precious commodity, one that must be nurtured and protected. It’s the glue that allows people to work effectively with one another. It dispels fear, spurs innovation and acts as a catalyst for growth in your organization. In today’s show, Jess shares some expert tips for creating and...

Jess and Kendra are back with another insightful show answering your questions. Let’s look at some of the questions on today’s show.  In the wake of COVID, when everyone is working remotely, how do we maintain our culture and a sense of team? This is a tough one. While there’s no denying the benefits of remote work, perhaps the biggest challenge is ensuring that our connections and culture remain...

It's been said that the only constant thing is change. That's certainly been true over the last year or, as the global pandemic has completely changed the way we work, play and even interact. That said, rapid change has been a "constant" for most of the 20th and 21st centuries, particularly in the world of work. In this episode of "Unlocking Your People," Jess chats w...

Mental health is a hot topic, particularly in the workplace.  The events of the past year and the challenges the pandemic has brought have highlighted the importance of supporting mental health and wellness. While many businesses have made great strides to put policies and resources in place, it can often be difficult to implement them in a way that helps people feel supported rather than singled...

One of the most common challenges that leaders face in their organizations is how to give honest developmental feedback to an employee in a constructive and supportive way. Managing performance is a big part of a leader's responsibilities, but so is addressing situations where people are exhibiting behaviors, etc. that are unhelpful. In this episode of "Unlocking Your People," Jess...