The Employee Success Podcast

In this inspiring episode, Brian sits down with Tabitha Grier-Reed, the University of Louisville's new dean of the College of Education and Human Development, to explore her journey of "Unreasonable Optimism"—a philosophy that has guided her both personally and professionally. As she steps into her role as the college's newest dean, Dean Grier-Reed shares her vision for the future of education, th...

“Leadership is a conversation.”  In this episode, Dr. Patty Payette and Brian Buford discuss experiences with mentorship, connection, and rich guidance in the workplace that can elevate and increase the value of your professional practices.  Dr. Payette is an expert in applying critical thinking skills to everyday problems and questions. As a trainer, coach, and scholar, she consults with leaders...

Brian sits down with Sarah Schladand and Talayah Childress to talk about young professionals in the workplace, including the gifts and fresh perspectives they offer and the challenges they have making their voices heard.  Sarah and Talayah are both leaders in the University of Louisville’s Young and Emerging Professionals (YEP) Employee Resource Group (ERG), which supports the personal and profess...

Jessica Gendron is a leadership expert and culture strategist. She has spent the last several years studying successful leaders and workplace culture,  especially for women and female-identified people.  In this episode of the Employee Success Podcast, Jessica sits down with Brian to discuss her book, “What It Takes To Shatter Glass," male allyship to women in the workplace, and how to stay to tru...

In this episode, Brian talks with Emory University's Melody Ridley about the challenge of relating to those who are different from us and how a few key communication skills can help foster greater understanding and unity in the workplace. Listen to find new ways to communicate and learn as Melody and Brian share stories of their teaching experiences and the impact we can make on each other's lives...

In this special episode, host Brian Buford is joined by Marian Vasser and Lindsey Ronay to celebrate and reflect on the profound impact of Dr. J. Blaine Hudson at the University of Louisville. Listen as Marian and Lindsey share personal stories and insights into how Dr. Hudson’s vision and efforts have left a lasting mark on their professional lives and the broader UofL community. They, along with...

Gerry Bradley was named Executive Vice President and University Provost in February after serving two separate interim appointments, and already he has developed an exciting vision for the academic growth of the university.  In this episode, he shares his successes so far and what he's learned about UofL since his arrival in 2016 as Dean of the School of Dentistry.  And he knows his work often...

In the last episode covering the Cardinal Principles, we talk with Avery Kolers about integrity and transparency.  Dr. Kolers teaches students about integrity as chair of the Philosophy Department and was the recipient of the 2022 Cardinal Principles Champion award for Integrity and Transparency.  Integrity is complex, he says, because it requires commitment to more than just personal values, but...

Tune in to a transformative episode as we welcome Dr. Zac Goldman to discuss the power of humanizing leadership and learning. Delve into strategies that prioritize empathy, inclusivity, and personal connection in leadership roles and educational settings. From fostering authentic relationships to embracing vulnerability, discover how human-centered approaches can revolutionize your leadership styl...

Join us in this insightful episode with guest Dr. Brittany Wildman as we delve into the art of supervising student employees. Wildman draws from her experience managing the Student Activities Center and her doctoral research to explore strategies to help student employees effectively balance the academic pursuits with work responsibilities, fostering a supportive environment for growth and success...

How do we create a campus community that upholds the dignity and humanity of every one of us?  In this episode, we talk with Asma Addarrat-Edwards about respect and how we practice it in our daily interactions.  Asma's work in Corporate and Foundation Relations and her identity as a Muslim person has given her a unique perspective on how we can learn treat each person with respect, regardless...

This year the Employee Success Center added a new team member and a new functionality to our offerings, a focus on career navigation for faculty and staff, that will support faculty and staff in 2024 and beyond. Mallory Newby will be leading the effort and, in this episode, she shares some of the ways that employees can start thinking about their next steps at UofL.  Mallory is creating new tools...

When we say that our top priority is student success, a common refrain in higher education, what does that mean in terms of prioritizing faculty and staff success?  This week's guest,  Suhail Johnson  of Texas Christian University, says the two are inextricably linked and that student success doesn't happen unless we invest first in employees.  Johnson left her mark on UofL as a leader in residenc...

Gallup’s research on employee engagement includes a data point you might find surprising:  Having a best friend at work is highly correlated with productivity, job satisfaction, and a sense of purpose.  While many of us learned that we should keep our relationships strictly professional in the office, Gallup’s findings suggest that we are happier and more successful when we have someone who is per...

To motivate employees and keep them engaged, it's crucial to acknowledge their efforts in a way that resonates with them. However, appreciation is subjective, and each person has their own preferences for how they give and receive it. Despite your best intentions, your employees may not feel valued if you're not speaking their language. Tune in to our latest episode, where we speak with Meagan Wes...

It’s that time of year when we are thinking about staff performance evaluations at UofL, and while some of us dread doing them, the truth is a thoughtful performance evaluation can help employees soar. Guest Courtney Abboud shares some of her suggestions for turning evaluations into a year-round conversation about goals and career dreams, rather than a once-a-year burden. And she sees them as tool...

We are starting Season 3 of the Employee Success Podcast with a look at the Cardinal Principle of Noble Purpose and offering some tips for making 2024 your best year of work yet.  Guest Errol Wint shares his journey toward discovering his “why” and how defying conventional wisdom was a secret to unlocking his true purpose. Finding your “why” can make life more exciting, whether your purpose happen...

All children are inherently creative, but somewhere along the way in adulthood we all start to lose a little of the courage and joy that once fueled our creativity. By the time we are in the midst of a professional career, we are often too risk-adverse to take the chances that come with creative expression. But Dr. Jabani Bennett says living a creative life is possible for all of us, and in fact o...

Maybe the most often cited of the eight Cardinal Principles is “community of care,” but what does it really mean? Dr. Douglas Craddock has been exploring that question in his role as Vice President for Community Engagement and as a busy faculty member. He says it starts with caring for self and realizing that the more we practice self care, the better able we are to be there for others. And once y...

This week’s guest is Dr. Kevin McClure, whose research at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington illuminates the workplace challenges and opportunities that exist in higher education. His findings and social media presence have made him a popular and respected advocate for the folks who work at colleges and universities, and we couldn’t resist the chance to talk to him while he was visiting U...

When Shirrod Le’Det learned he had been fired from his job with no warning, he thought he had experienced the worst career tragedy possible. But every setback is also a set up, he says, depending on your mindset. In this episode, we explore what happens when you hit bottom, how to get back up, and some of the strategies for turning failure into a new opportunity for growth. Shirrod Le'Det Introduc...

For decades, people have used the free speech zone at UofL to peddle hateful and triggering messages while the campus community grappled with the best way to respond. After messengers of hate came to campus again recently, we asked Professor JoAnne Sweeny to help us understand the boundaries of free speech and why it’s so difficult to sort through. What can we can do when we are confronted with me...

What do positive leaders do differently? In his work studying leadership, Dr. Ryan Quinn noticed that successful leaders are often break with conventions and exhibit virtues that transform those around them. And now through his work at the Center for Positive Leadership, he’s gathering virtue experts from the university and surrounding community to provide us with tools we can use to develop a str...

Join us for an authentic, personal exploration of faculty burnout with Dr. Cynthia Ganote, who shares her own experience in the academy and the lessons she learned as a result. The demands to constantly achieve higher and higher levels of perfection, coupled with the crippling exhaustion that results, make burnout a very real possibility. And staff aren’t exempt either. Dr. Ganote talks about how...

Join us for an authentic, personal exploration of faculty burnout with Dr. Cynthia Ganote, who shares her own experience in the academy and the lessons she learned as a result. The demands to constantly achieve higher and higher levels of perfection, coupled with the crippling exhaustion that results, make burnout a very real possibility. And staff aren’t exempt either. Dr. Ganote talks about how...