The People Strategy Podcast

From the classroom to the superintendent's office, Dr. Tom Mahoney  has charted a transformative journey through the educational landscape, drawing on deep personal and professional experiences. Currently steering the Oregon School District towards innovative educational practices, Tom joins host Traci Austin on the People Strategy Podcast to explore pivotal strategies in education and leadership....

From personal development workshops to influential education leaders, Brad Zimmerman and Tom Willis have carved impactful paths in transforming organizational culture especially within school districts. On the People Strategy Podcast with host Traci Austin , they share vital insights into the art of coaching, emphasizing the significance of listening and asking meaningful questions. As seasoned pr...

From investing to innovating in employee engagement, Bryan Wolff has mastered the art of cultivating inclusive workplaces where every voice is heard. As the President of AllVoices , an employee relations platform, Bryan joins Traci Austin on The People Strategy Podcast to reveal the significance of fostering environments where employees feel safe and empowered to contribute authentically. Addition...

Step into the world of innovation as we chat with Ben Mones , the visionary CEO and founder of Fama . In this electrifying episode, Ben and host Traci Austin explore the dynamic fusion of technology and human potential in the workplace. Ben captivates us with his profound insights, revealing how strategic use of technology can amplify professional effectiveness and boost profitability. Uncover the...

Jessica Bensch is a renowned advocate for workplace culture transformation and is currently building a not-for-profit global movement (Vanguard Voices) on the topic of psychological safety. In this episode, Jessica and host Traci Austin discuss psychological safety and open dialogue. Jessica artfully underscores the necessity for a holistic approach to creating a workplace where every voice can be...

Tarek Kamil , CEO and Founder of an  internal communication software , Cerkl, is passionate about using AI and big data to transform how organizations communicate, engage, and understand their audiences. In this episode, Tarek draws parallels between Netflix's personalized content delivery and the need for similarly tailored communication in the workplace, illuminating the path to enriching employ...

In this episode, host Traci Austin discusses the importance of clarity in defining roles and expectations for new employees. She shares valuable insights on aligning goals, behaviors, and core values when hiring and managing talent. Her compelling story about the challenges and successes of hiring a marketing coordinator, shed light on the significance of defining essential job duties, setting cle...

Chris Allaire , CEO of staffing firm Averity , is passionate about recruiting people for the right role. With extensive expertise in blending technology with human-centric recruiting, Chris articulates the essence of authentically relevant and clear communication within today's dynamic hiring landscapes. In this episode, Chris and host Traci Austin delve into the refined tactics for assembling the...

Jeff Mould , once a reluctant leader has gracefully embraced the mantle of leadership as president and CEO of Stoney Creek . Alongside host Traci Austin, he delves into the perks of a "think week," aimed at personal and professional rejuvenation. In this episode, Jeff unravels the efficacy of positive tension at the strategic table, the EOS model's role in steering through challenges, and the nuan...

Navigating the 'big why' of business with precision and insight is at the heart of this episode featuring Byron Low , a predictive index partner and seasoned coach committed to refining organizational culture. Together, Byron and host Traci Austin unpack the symbiotic relation between personal purpose and its potent ability to drive team inspiration—underscoring the importance of aligning personal...

Traci Austin has seen the power of listening to employee complaints and turning them into opportunities for growth and transformation first hand. In this epsiode, she discusses strategies and techniques to empower employees to come up with solutions rather than just expressing frustrations. She highlights the significance of creating an environment where employees feel heard and valued, leading to...

Navigating the intricacies of leadership and the vitality of people strategy, Jonathan Reynolds , CEO of Titus Talent Strategies , brings his compelling philosophy to the People Strategy Podcast. In a rich discussion with host Traci Austin , Jonathan illuminates the path to discovering and nurturing individual potential within an organizational framework. He underscores the essential practice of s...

Transitioning from incarceration to corporate leadership, Michelle Cirocco has forged a unique and impactful career trajectory, demonstrating the transformative power of meaningful employment. As the CEO of Televerde Foundation , Michelle actively champions the cause of providing employment, training, and educational opportunities to incarcerated women as a gateway to successful reentry into socie...

Tina-Marie Wohlfield believes nobody should ever feel isolated in their missteps; instead, she advocates for a culture where individuals are encouraged to share their journey, including the pitfalls. In this episode, Tina-Marie and Traci discuss her insights as a rehabilitation strategist, emphasizing the critical need for a culture that leverages individuals' strengths and values people as the co...

In this episode of the People Strategy Podcast, Coye Harrett , president and owner of Prairie Rivet, shares his insights on expanding a business and putting customers first with Traci . Coye talks about his strategies to allow key people to have decision-making authority and creativity to get the job done in the best way possible. By letting go of the vine and trusting his team to reach the desire...

In this episode of the People Strategy Podcast host, Traci Austin , shares a real-life example of working with a rapidly growing renewable energy company, highlighting the importance of aligning business goals with a clear people strategy roadmap. She emphasizes the significance of believing in the attainability of goals, defining what "winning" looks like at all levels of the organization, and en...

A philosopher at heart, Drew Fortin , posits that decisions are akin to the vital currency that propels development forward. In this episode of the People Strategy Podcast, Drew and Traci explore the fascinating intersection of mission, vision, values (MVV), and the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence. With nearly two decades of experience in growth strategies, Drew, CEO of Lever Talen...

On today's episode of the People Strategy Podcast, we have a captivating conversation with guest Andreas Dankelmann , from FifthAscent . He joins Traci Austin to delve into the world of organizational leadership as they explore how to elevate people and organizations through a people strategy roadmap. Andreas shares his insights on implementing predictive index and the entrepreneurial operating sy...

Charlie Saffro is not just the founder of CS Recruiting, a company known for excellence in logistics, transportation, and supply chain recruitment—it's a company that lives and breathes its values. From making a difference to celebrating success and doing what's right, Charlie breaks down how these principles are not just platitudes, but actions that influence every single decision made by her and...

In today's episode, Traci Austin reflects on the year 2023 and the importance of goal setting. She shares her personal experiences with setting and achieving goals, emphasizing the significance of reflecting on the impact and outcomes of these goals. Traci provides valuable insights into the "SMARTY" goal format and how it can be applied to both personal and organizational goals. She stresses the...

Rob Grady is a passionate and insightful leader of a top-tier hydronics rep firm that prides itself on serving better than anyone else. He joins Traci Austin to dive deep into the people-first culture that Rob fosters at Mulcahy, exploring how empowering and supporting their team has been pivotal in driving growth and meeting customer needs. They dissect how Mulcahy actively aligns its core values...

There are times where we, as leaders and as employees, get frustrated with being asked to complete a specific task, and then being asked to complete another for an individual inside of the organization at the exact same time. During these moments it can be difficult to decide what is the top priority and what isn't. Today I examine how to face these multiple competing priorities and more specifica...

Marcia Barnes has a knack for rallying people together. Widely recognized for her enthusiasm and strategic mindset, she champions growth not merely as a goal but as an essential ingredient to nurturing talent and ensuring her team members have a vibrant pathway to flourish within Valve and Meter. Her story is one of passion intertwined with the practicalities of leadership, illustrating that at th...

Matthew Schneider is a visionary entrepreneur deeply rooted in his middle-class upbringing. Fueled by a passion for financial inclusivity, Matthew has risen as a champion of change, setting out to bridge the chasm that separates the middle class from the powerful currents of capital growth. Traci  and Matthew dive deep into the alignment between organizational culture and personal values, the gras...

With Thanksgiving soon approaching, today's episode is designed to share the importance of gratitude. Traci Austin explores the power of gratitude and its impact on employee engagement, health, and the bottom line. This episode shares the Five Languages of Appreciation, including Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, Gifts, and even Physical Touch (with boundaries, of course). Disco...