Gut + Science Nikki Lewallen Gregory

Dr. Paul Zak believes grounding leadership in emotional fitness is crucial to both professional success and personal well-being. In this episode, Paul joins Nikki Lewallen Gregory to explore the critical role of emotional fitness within leadership and workplace culture. A renowned expert on human connection, Paul advocates for leaders to craft emotionally fit environments that serve employees and promote a harmonious work-life balance.
Emphasizing the link between engaged workers and positive energy in both professional spaces and at home, Paul spotlights impactful strategies such as the emotional fitness app Tuesday. This episode underlines leaders’ need to embrace emotional health as a foundation for a dynamic and fulfilling organizational culture.

Additional Resources:
Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn
Learn more about Immersion
Check out BestTuesdayEver.com

In this episode, Katherine Coble highlights a disconnect with executive transparency and stresses the overlooked but crucial role of managers as communicators. She unravels the challenges that managers face when striving to be effective communicators and how this disconnect can hinder a company's success. Katherine explores the reasons why managers might need to realize the critical nature of their role as communicators and provides actionable tips to elevate their skills in this area. Katherine is a communication expert and partner at Borshoff, a prominent integrated marketing communications agency. Recognizing the power of effective dialogue in organizational success, she spearheads this monthly series on Gut+Science, "In the Loop: Communicating for Maximum Leadership Impact.”

Additional Resources:
Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn
Learn more about Borshoff
’Mushroom Management’ Research Report
The Future of the Office Has Arrived: It’s Hybrid
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Steven Van Cohen believes social disconnection is a silent epidemic in the workplace. Steven, best-selling author and connection expert, joins host Nikki Lewallen Gregory to dive into the importance of fostering authentic connections in the workplace. This conversation traverses the landscape of employee engagement, revealing how a focus on intentionality in relationships boosts performance and well-being. Steven brings to the table personal stories, strategies for enhancing team cohesion through impactful engagement initiatives such as impact lunches, and insights on the importance of recognizing individual behavior and love languages. He cites clients like Netflix and Core Mining as exemplars in creating culture-rich onboarding and check-in processes.
Additional Resources:
Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network
Connect with Steven on LinkedIn
Check out LessLonely.com

Renée Smith believes that when leaders embrace love, they can create meaningful and transformative work experiences. In this episode, she takes us on a journey, sharing her expertise on creating more loving and human workplaces through clarity. She discusses the significance of organizational, individual, and team clarity in fostering environments where people thrive. She emphasizes the role of clear purpose and goals, role clarity, and setting up working agreements within teams.
Additional Resources:
Connect with Renée on LinkedIn
Learn more about a Human Workplace
Thrive Assessment
Lack of Clarity Drives Work Stress Article
Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Matt Lesser’s journey from family business challenges to triumphs in private equity has shaped his worldview on creating flourishing organizations. He joins host Nikki Llewellyn Gregory to share the profound pillars of his philosophy—empathy, empowerment, and excellence—a framework that speaks to the heart of his books "Unsatisfied: When Less is More" and "Unengaged: Building Flourishing Organizations." His insights touch on the delicate balance of navigating sacrifices as a leader, the art of embracing struggles, and the importance of human connections in business success.
Additional Resources:
Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
Learn more about Uniquely Normal
Book: unEngaged: Building Flourishing Organizations
Book: UnSatisfied: When Less Is More

Zech Dahms is a culture strategist and employee experience expert who thrives in efforts that transform workplaces with innovative, meaningful people strategies that lead the future of work. In this episode, Zech joins Nikki Lewallen Gregory as a fellow advocate for strategic peer learning. They discuss the need for structured mentorship conversations and the rich, sometimes unexpected, outcomes of peer groups, such as new business initiatives. The long-term benefits of deep peer relationships are a focal point, alongside Zech's examples of community programs that bolster HR leadership and skill development.
Additional Resources:
Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network
Connect with Zech on LinkedIn 
Learn more about achievement Engagement