Bob 'n Joyce Talk HR 'n OD

Today, Bob ’n Joyce welcome Bernie Youngblood — a force of nature who brings passion, candor, and a deep sense of purpose to everything he touches. A self-described “accidental entrepreneur,” Bernie has launched eight companies, reinvented industries, and built a career anchored in one simple belief: doing good and doing well should go hand-in-hand. Bernie doesn’t dodge hard questions. In fact, he...

In today’s episode, Bob ‘n Joyce dive into the pitfalls that often accompany the perceived benefits of outsourcing HR services. While outsourcing can seem like a smart move, especially on paper, it often brings unintended consequences—many of them negative—despite the best intentions and solid rationale. We’re not anti-outsourcing, but we’ve seen the chaos that can result when the process isn’t ma...

In today’s episode, Bob ‘n Joyce welcome Bishop Kevin Foreman — a powerhouse of purpose, energy, and impact. A success coach, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and founding Pastor of Harvest Church, Bishop Foreman has spent his life helping people rise above their circumstances and lead with intention. From the moment the conversation starts, it’s clear Bishop Foreman sees leadership not as a...

In today’s episode, Bob ‘n Joyce welcome Steve Jaffe, author of The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery, for a powerful conversation about turning job loss into personal growth. Steve shares lessons from his 22-year journey through multiple layoffs—how his early struggles gave way to resilience and insight over time. His book guides readers through the stages of grief that often follow a l...

The world feels broken — and so do many workplaces. In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce explore how a systems-based approach to Organization Development can help leaders respond with intention. When uncertainty and disruption are the norm, creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported isn’t optional — it’s essential. Together, they unpack how OD principles equip leaders to build trus...

In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce sit down with Rita Ramakrishnan, executive coach and neurodivergent leadership expert. Rita shares her passion for working with neurodivergent leaders, along with her own story of being diagnosed with ADHD and autism as an adult. Highlights from the conversation: • How neurodivergent leaders can identify and leverage their unique strengths while creating strategies to...

In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce call out those pushy political solicitations — the emails and texts that try to guilt or scare you into giving your time, talent, or money. Annoying? Absolutely. But there’s a bigger lesson here: organizations often use the same tactics when trying to win employee support. Too many leaders skip the hard work of real dialogue and rely on one-way pitches. The result? Re...

In this Labor Day episode, Bob ’n Joyce shine a spotlight on the blue-collar heroes who keep our communities and organizations running. These men and women bring grit, skill, and pride to their work—whether they’re building, fixing, driving, or keeping the lights on. Too often their contributions are overlooked, yet without them the systems we rely on every day simply wouldn’t function. We step ba...

In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce share the hard-earned principles that helped their OD work actually stick. Too often, change efforts fail because the “rules of the road” are ignored. In past conversations, we may have made OD sound smooth and effortless — but the truth is, most of the tough work was anything but easy. From preparing the ground before diving in to remembering that “thick skin” is ess...

In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce explore the surprising benefits of resistance to change. Too often, resistance is seen as a problem to squash — but that only fuels it further. Instead, what if resistance is a signal worth listening to? When we meet resistance with curiosity and inquiry, it becomes a powerful ally for successful change. Resistance is natural. It’s the system’s way of saying, “Not so...

In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce pick up where they left off in Episode 204, exploring the infectious power of energy. Too often overlooked, energy shapes how we provoke, improve, and influence the people and systems around us. Each of us carries this superpower, capable of sparking positivity—or negativity—based on how we show up. Every system is in constant flux, driven by the ebb and flow of energ...

In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce tap into the invisible but undeniable power of energy. What happens when we look at organizations — and even society — through the lens of energy? We see opportunities that are too often overlooked. Fresh from a week-long immersion in healing energy at the Omega Institute, Joyce shares her big takeaway: blocked energy is everywhere, stifling creativity and slowing mom...

In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce shine the spotlight on Joyce and her winding journey to becoming an OD expert. It’s a story filled with unexpected turns, setbacks, resilience, and an unwavering drive to keep moving forward. From a high schooler more interested in socializing and boys to a leader in workplace culture transformation, Joyce shares how each step shaped her path. Insights from Joyce’s jo...

In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce dig into the underrated superpower of knowing before doing. Before charging ahead, what if we paused to truly assess what’s needed? We share a playful, low-tech meeting check-in that opened the door to real talk—and it just might work wonders in your next gathering. From informal gut checks to formal tools that steer hiring and change management, we explore how assess...

In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce explore a simple yet powerful technique called “I want…”—a way to name our desires and aspirations out loud. As we cross the 200-episode milestone, we turn inward to uncover what we truly want from our work, and in doing so, open up new possibilities. This candid conversation gets up close and personal, surprising even us with what surfaced. It’s a reminder that we of...

Today marks a major milestone—our 200th episode! For over four years, we’ve shown up every Tuesday morning, come rain or shine. This ritual has been our anchor, carrying us through both the highs and the lows. Lately, we’ve been talking a lot about finding an “island of sanity” in turbulent times. In many ways, this podcast has been ours—a space to think, laugh, question, and reconnect. Here’s wha...

In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce dive into what it takes for organizations to stay grounded when chaos and uncertainty are no longer the exception—they’re the backdrop. As global and local challenges intensify, leaders face a new mandate: create environments where people can stay resilient, think creatively, and feel safe enough to perform at their best. We explore: Why taking a systems view helps le...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Griffin, CEO and founder of Griffin Resources—an entrepreneur who truly has the "right stuff." Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, Michelle’s story is a masterclass in growing a thriving business without sacrificing your life. Michelle brings a rare blend of strategic insight and human-centered leadership. She sees the big p...

In this second part of our resiliency deep dive, Bob ‘n Joyce take a close look at MIT Sloan’s latest take on what makes a culture truly resilient. Do we agree with their insights? Mostly. But spoiler alert: we still like our list better. We break down the key conditions MIT Sloan says drive resiliency and stack them up against our lived experience in the trenches of culture work. The result? A th...

In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce dive into how to create and sustain organizational resiliency—a must-have competency in today’s fast-changing business world. We kick things off with a little game we call “learning.” First, we share our personal and professional takes on what makes a workplace truly resilient. Then, in the next episode, we’ll check in with the experts at MIT Sloan Management Review t...

After we hit “stop” on our last episode, Tight Ship or Jazz Band?, we realized the conversation wasn’t over. The tension between discipline and flexibility kept tugging at us — and stirred up a few stories (and laughs) we hadn’t yet shared. So we’re back, diving deeper into the power and pitfalls of routine, the magic of improvisation, and why finding that balance matters more than ever in today’s...

Bob ‘n Joyce riff on how much structure is too much — and when it’s time to improvise. In this episode, they dive into the ongoing tug-of-war between discipline and flexibility — habits that create stability vs. the adaptability that sparks innovation. Once upon a time, businesses prized routine, rituals, and predictability. But in today’s fast-moving world, research suggests agility and openness...

In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce explore what it really takes to create a workplace where people thrive — and it’s a lot more than free snacks and ping pong tables. They dive into the idea of on-site wellness centers, where employees can unplug, recharge, and access real support. Imagine a workplace that offers: ✅ Manicures and massage therapy ✅ On-site counseling for burnout or stress ✅ Flu and C...

In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce explore the common practice of relying on the same group of people—time and again—to get important work done. Joyce calls them the “spoiled brats,” while Bob refers to them as the “usual suspects” or “chosen ones.” The problem? This habit unintentionally sidelines the talent in waiting—the wild cards and up-and-comers—who miss out on critical development opportunities...

In today’s episode, Bob ‘n Joyce pick up where they left off in episode 185, diving deeper into how leaders can navigate turbulent and unsettling times with intention and heart. The key? Leaders must first ground themselves before engaging in conversations about what the business needs to move forward. But how do you get grounded? Where do you start, and with whom? And how can leaders truly suppor...