Evolving Your Workplace

Is your company considering cutting your DEI programs? If so, this one is for you. In this powerful episode, DEI expert Stacey Gordon breaks down what's really driving the current attacks on diversity initiatives and why it matters for the future of business...and how politics skew the conversation. Tune in to hear host Carol Schultz and Stacey discuss common myths about DEI, why not to abandon th...

In this after hours episode, hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer  discuss Meta's plans to cut 5% of its workforce. In addition to pointing out parallels to Jack Welch's strategy at GE, the two analyze the broader implications of this approach.  The hosts debate the root of the issue behind these cuts. Is it insufficient training, poor hiring practices, or inadequate leadership? It’s impor...

If you lead a company and notice a lack of engagement or productivity in workers, this one is for you. One in every four adults reported feeling lonely in the world, yet very few are talking about it. In and out of the workplace, it is something greatly affecting businesses. In this eye-opening episode, Chief Scientist at the Academy to Innovate HR Dr. Dieter Veldsman joins Carol to give insight a...

If you’re a part of the RTO trend, this one’s for you.   In this episode of "Evolving Your Workplace," hosts Rob Swymer and Carol Schultz explore a recent employee exodus around return-to-office (RTO) policies. Rob expresses strong concerns about the use of terms like "revenge quitting" and "resentment" as both speakers point to fundamental problems with company culture and leadership fo...

If you’re receiving what seems to be AI applications from prospects, this one is for you. Why should someone want to work for your company? — This is the question you should answer before you start your search for talent. Experts Carol Schultz and Steve Cadigan discuss the underlying factor to pay attention to as a leader when recruiting. Forget the magic of AI, no tool will help if companies don’...

In this episode, Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer dissect the public feud over employee compensation between tech billionaires Sam Altman of OpenAI and Elon Musk of xAI, with Musk suing OpenAI while accusing Altman of compensating employees with “lavish” salaries in an attempt to starve out the competition.  Carol and Rob unpack the deeper issues behind the feud. Does it come down to dollars and...

If you’re struggling to retain your employees or you want to understand the job-hopping issue more in depth—this one is for you.  Job hopping is on the rise in younger generations as we enter a shift from staying at one company for 30 years to focusing on personal growth and the benefits in diverse roles. Once looked down upon, job hopping has now become something to be proud of (or some beli...

Transfer Portal Comparison: "It's now tough for coaches to build cultures because, hey, if the quarterback doesn't like the system, he's out. He puts his name in the transfer portal, and he goes to another system next year." - Rob Swymer  Welcome to "Evolving Your Workplace," the podcast where we unpack the core drivers of a thriving, engaged work culture. In this episode, hosts Carol Schultz...

In this episode, Carol Schultz speaks with Farfalla founder Paul Didwall about the evolving landscape of digital marketing and AI’s significant impact. The conversation highlights the shift in marketing strategies over the past decade, emphasizing the role of social media and artificial intelligence. Throughout the conversation, Didwall stresses the balance between using AI for efficiency and the...

The Pitfalls of a 'Me First' Culture: "If it's left unchecked, it becomes sort of a me first culture... And then performance just degradates eventually." - Rob Swymer  In today’s episode, Entitlement Mindset , we’re tackling how a culture of entitlement at the top can derail company growth and undermine collaboration. Host Carol Schultz, joined by co-host Rob Swymer, breaks down a powerful ar...

On this episode of Evolving Your Workplace, host Carol Schultz brings on her podcast producer and Gen Z representative, Michael Cunningham, to discuss communication dynamics within the workplace. This one is for leaders who struggle to understand the new generations and how to collaborate with them. The discussion highlights the importance of flexibility, noting preferences for voice interaction t...

Job Hunting and Mental Health: ‘72 Percent of Applicants Say Job Hunting Harm Their Mental Health.’ - Carol Schultz  Co-hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer dive into the pressing issues of the modern workplace. In this episode, they tackle the alarming statistics surrounding Gen Z and job hunting's impact on mental health. As they explore a recent article revealing that 72% of job seekers repo...

In this episode of "Authentically Successful," host Carol Schultz converses with Dr. Robert Brooks, founder of RBAC, Inc., and renowned energy expert.   Sharing insights from his experience, Bob highlights his journey through several degrees to government work and beyond. He makes a bold suggestion to switch your mindset when it comes to selling assets versus selling time and how it help...

Corporate America: "When you go to work for a publicly traded company, keep your eyes wide open" - Carol Schultz In this episode, your co-hosts, Carol Schultz & Rob Swymer dive into the recent headlines surrounding Walmart's relocation mandate. With the deadline fast approaching, Walmart employees are faced with the controversial decision to relocate to one of their hubs or face potential layo...

In this episode, guest Phoebe Tan shares her journey as the founder of Taelor, a menswear rental subscription service with AI styling. She details her time from a small village in Malaysia to Chicago to getting her MBA and later starting a company.   Taelor’s service, aimed at busy men, offers fashion convenience with AI-driven efficiency. Phoebe and her co-founder shifted to men's fashi...

The Human Connection: "Where's my connection with my team, my mission, my vision, my value for the customers that I want to serve and the people that I love?" - Rob Swymer In this episode of the Authentically Successful - After Hours, hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer discuss the misconceptions that employers have about Gen Z workers. They dive into topics like Gen Z's perceived over-dependence o...

In this week’s episode, host Carol sits down with multitalented founder John Cousins. John founded MBA ASAP, an MBA affordable alternative for students.   John details his diverse journey from finessing a test to secure a job to working at ABC to eventually diving into entrepreneurship. To date, John’s educational tools have been used  worldwide by tens of thousands students interes...

Mental Health Crisis: "It's just insane right now. Everybody's fight or flight." - Rob Swymer Today on Authentically Successful - After Hours, we'll dissect a revealing Business Insider article, "The Depressing Reality of Quiet Vacationing," and probe the pressures that push all generations—not just millennials or Gen Z—toward this silent struggle. Our discussion will be peppered with personal sto...

In this episode, host Carol Schultz sits down with Matt Lepkowski, founder of Business Automation Experts (BAE). Matt brings a wealth of knowledge in software development, healthcare policy, and cybersecurity, offering invaluable insights on navigating today's complex technological landscape. Matt shares his personal journey, from his early days in the automotive industry to founding Business Auto...

“AI can't ask follow-up questions. It doesn't ask questions with nuance. It doesn't ask questions from multiple angles." - Darryl C. Clements  In this special edition of Authentically Successful - After Hours, we dive deep into the complex and sometimes controversial world of AI in recruiting. Host Carol Schultz, an experienced recruiter and executive coach, along with co-host Rob Swymer, a v...

Welcome back to another episode of Authentically Successful and our first episode post-summer break. This episode includes an exciting conversation with Marc Delbaere, a dynamic data tech founder in Belgium. Marc's journey is a fascinating tale of innovation, resilience, and the pursuit of independence. From his beginnings as a bond trader to impactful roles at IBM and SWIFT, Marc's career has bee...

In this episode, your host, Carol Schultz speaks with Splunk's Rob Swymer. Splunk is an international data company. Rob shares his diverse career and the mindset he adapted early on to accomplish what he has so far. They dive into a rare conversation about love in the workplace. What it looks like to show love to your workers and the benefits it can bring. Check out Splunk at https://www.splunk.co...

Guiding Employees: Whilst it’s important to give people enough rope to be innovative, what this guy is missing is if you are not checking in with your people, how are they to know if they’re going in the right direction? - Carol Schultz  In this week’s episode, our hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the evolving nature of middle management and th...

We're back with an insightful discussion featuring Bill Mandara, CEO and co-owner of Mancini Duffy – a design firm with a rich history and a tech-driven approach.  In this episode, Bill reflects on early setbacks as a new CEO, moments of success, and the lessons learned along the way. He offers a rare glimpse into the world of architecture and design, notably the transformative TSX...

Building True Relationships: "To build a true relationship, you have to invest the time." - Carol Schultz  Join hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer as they share their insights and experiences on how to keep employees engaged and thriving in a virtual work environment. From personal anecdotes to practical strategies, they discuss the power of authentic leadership, the importance of empathy, an...