WorkMatters

Purpose Works Consulting

In this podcast, Thomas Bertels explores with thought leaders and executives how to make work more productive, valuable, meaningful, and impactful.

  1. 23/03

    Bruce Bolger - TQM for Engagement

    In this episode, Thomas Bertels and Bruce Bolger, founder of the Enterprise Engagement Alliance, discuss what lessons we can learn from Total Quality Management (TQM) about creating a creating a movement. Bruce argues TQM succeeded because competition made the economic impact of poor quality undeniable, while engagement lags because most companies don’t measure its costs within their own operations. He advocates for a CEO-led, stakeholder-based, systematic approach based on clarifying purpose, goals, and values, establishing metrics, and aligning operating systems. Bruce explains how silos, poor job design, and toxic leadership undermine engagement and why companies that embrace a stakeholder-centric approach are keeping a low profile. Bruce Bolger is one of the founders of the practice of enterprise engagement, or stakeholder vapitalism, who since 1988 has combined a career in business publishing and content marketing with stakeholder management across the enterprise, human capital reporting, marketing and investor relationships in all the people aspects of business. He founded the Enterprise Engagement Alliance in 2009, assembling academic and business experts in all aspects of engagement to create a formal framework for the practical implementation of stakeholder engagement practices. Today, Bolger works with boards, CEOs, CHROs, CMOs, and investor relations at organizations seeking to profit from a formal stakeholder management plans, metrics, and reporting strategies that enhance performance as well as engagement and experiences. He also works with investors seeking to make sense of the human capital management reporting and with brands and advisory firms seeking to profit from the $500 billion engagement field. He created the first professional education program for Stakeholder Engagement and human capital measurement, served as an advisor to the first ISO (International Organization for Standardization) conforming human capital report, proposed the original standard for employee engagement that has recently been published by ISO, and created the Forum for People Performance and Management at Northwestern University Medill School. He is also the author of two books on Stakeholder Engagement—Enterprise Engagement for CEOs: The Little Bluebook for Stakeholder Capitalists, and Enterprise Engagement: The Roadmap, a practical guide to implementation, and the producer of dozens of high-level video interviews with leaders in all areas of ESG investment and human capital. For More Information, visit www.TheEEA.org. 00:00 TQM Lessons for Engagement 01:16 Economics and People Factor 02:39 Why Engagement Hasn't Taken Off 06:16 Competition and Quiet Winners 08:21 Tech Tools Need a System 10:50 Turnover Costs and Blind Spots 13:23 ISO Standards and Stakeholders 15:55 Need a Visible Champion 17:01 Engagement Needs Proof 18:00 Selling CEOs on Metrics 19:29 Why Stakeholder Capitalism Wins 19:48 Three Forces Changing Business 22:04 Waste and Broken Workplaces 24:19 TQM and System Thinking 25:28 CEO Playbook for Change 29:42 Quality Circles and DEI 31:54 Job Design Drives Engagement 32:32 Building an Engagement Industry 34:03 Hopeful Wrap Up

    37 min
  2. 10/03

    Michele Fite - Leadership in a Start-Up

    When it comes to leadership, context makes a big difference. Leaders that do well in large, established organizations are masters of securing resources, building consensus, and navigating the politics. But if you take those successful executives and put them into a leadership role in a start-up, many of them struggle - because leadership in a start-up requires a different set of skills. Michele Fite has made that difficult transition. She is a foodtech executive, Board Director, and advisor. Who currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of Elo Life Systems. Prior to that, Michele was the chief commercial officer at Motif FoodWorks, where As one of its first employees she led Motif’s efforts to introduce and commercialize the company’s game-changing ingredients and where I had the pleasure of working with her. But before Motif, Michele held executive roles at giant companies like Nestle and DuPont, where she was in charge of a $3.5B Nutrition & Health portfolio. In our conversation, we explore how leadership in a large, established company is different from leadership in a start-up, how her big-company experience has helped her, what she had to unlearn, and what’s really key to succeed with that transition. Whether you are an exec toying with taking the leap into the startup world or a founder looking to bring in some big company experience to help you scale, this episode offers lots of practical insights. 00:00 Why Startups Now 02:23 Startup Leadership Reality 06:37 Big Company Skills That Help 11:51 What To Unlearn Fast 18:13 Hiring Builders Not Roles 24:59 Variable Teams And Networks 29:59 Scaling Without Losing Soul 35:03 Should You Make The Leap 41:52 Closing Reflections

    46 min
  3. 6/01

    Steve Degnan - The Value of Good HR

    Steve Degnan is the former CHRO for Nestle Purina North America, a role he held for nearly two decades under three different CEOs. In conversation with host Thomas Bertels, Steve offers his views on what good HR looks like, where the biggest opportunities are for HR to add real value , why seizing these opportunities is often challenging, and what the future holds for the HR function. He shares his take on the impact of AI and the need for HR to maintain human elements in an increasingly automated world. About Steve Degnan: Steve Steve’s professional journey began at Nestle as a Production Supervisor in a coffee factory. He later transitioned into logistics and industrial performance roles before finding his calling in the HR organization. Steve’s career culminated in his role as CHRO of the newly acquired St. Louis-based Purina Petcare business, where he served until his retirement in 2023. Throughout his tenure, Steve managed the succession of several CEOs and leadership teams, and designed and led the succession/people practices that produced them. He spearheaded multiple restructuring efforts and transformations, assessed M&A targets, and integrated businesses. These days in addition to finishing a book project, Steve serves on several non-profit boards and provides coaching and advisory services. In his spare time, Steve enjoys staying fit, following college basketball (especially his La Salle Explorers), spending time with family and friends, and spoiling his 9-year-old Labrador Retriever, Angel. To learn more about Steve and his work, visit https://www.stevedegnan.com. To follow Steve on social media, visit https://linktr.ee/skd7777.

    35 min
  4. 26/08/2025

    Patrick Farran - The Power of Co-Creation

    In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas Bertels and Patrick Farran talk about the power of co-creation. The conversation highlights the importance of involving team members in decision-making processes for significant change initiatives, because people value what they help create. Patrick explains the benefits and challenges of a co-creation approach and provides scenarios where co-creation is effective, such as strategic planning and job crafting, and cautions against performative co-creation. The discussion also touches on appreciative inquiry, the necessity for psychological safety, and the mindset shifts required for leaders to successfully implement co-creation. Patrick shares practical tips for leaders to start small with everyday interactions, ensuring clarity of processes and fostering an environment of constructive conflict and collaboration. 00:00 Introduction to Co-Creation 00:59 Defining Co-Creation 01:49 Pros and Cons of Co-Creation 04:39 Examples and Applications of Co-Creation 06:18 Challenges and Leadership Mindset 10:09 Appreciative Inquiry and Co-Creation 11:35 Getting Started with Co-Creation 14:52 Prerequisites for Successful Co-Creation 25:13 Final Thoughts Use these links to connect and learn more about Patrick and his upcoming book, 'The Intentional Executive,' which aims to guide leaders in being more intentional and effective in their roles. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickfarran/ Website: http://www.adlucemgroup.com Book: https://adlucemgroup.com/the-intentional-executive-prelaunch/

    28 min
  5. 15/07/2025

    Elizabeth Moran - Change Leadership

    In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas delves into change leadership with Elizabeth Moran, the founder of Elizabeth Moran Transformation and author of 'Forward: A Playbook Grounded in Neuroscience to Support Leaders Through Change’. The conversation explores why change is challenging for leaders, practical tips grounded in neuroscience for effective change leadership, dealing with resistance, and the importance of authenticity and empathy in the change process. Elizabeth emphasizes the need for leaders to manage their own discomfort, view resistance as valuable feedback, and engage teams in constructive dialogues. She also offers a special LinkedIn promotion for her book's audio version! 00:00 Introduction: The Bottomless Pit of Organizational Needs 02:11 Elizabeth's Journey into Change Leadership 05:15 Understanding Resistance and Neuroscience in Change 06:54 Practical Approaches to Leading Through Change 11:53 Handling Tough Conversations and Authentic Leadership 16:20 Balancing Analytic and Empathetic Networks 20:29 Mistakes Leaders Make in Change Management 37:19 The Importance of Self-Care and Resilience 38:07 Conclusion and Resources Here is where you can learn more about Elizabeth and her work: Homepage: https://www.elizabethmorantransformation.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/Forward-Leading-Your-Through-Change/dp/1782792899 LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elizabeth-moran/ Special gift for our listeners: If you buy a hardcopy of her book and connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn, you get the audio version of the book for free!

    40 min

Sobre

In this podcast, Thomas Bertels explores with thought leaders and executives how to make work more productive, valuable, meaningful, and impactful.

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