The People Dividend Podcast Mike Horne, Ph.D

“Most leaders never get trained on how to support the health and well-being of their workforce,” says Dr. Richard Safeer, Chief Medical Director of Employee Health and Well-Being at Johns Hopkins Medicine. In this episode, Dr. Safeer, author of “A Cure for the Common Company,” discusses his shift from family medicine to spearheading workplace health initiatives. He stresses that true organizational change goes beyond superficial wellness programs, advocating for a fundamental shift in how companies view and support employee health.
 
Dr. Safeer highlights the critical role of leadership in modeling healthy behaviors and integrating well-being into the core business strategy. He challenges current practices, noting that less than 3% of Americans live fully healthy lifestyles, largely due to ineffective corporate support systems. His advice to HR leaders and executives is clear: prioritize genuine health habits and create a culture where well-being is as fundamental as any business operation. Through patience and persistence, Dr. Safeer believes that impactful, lasting changes can be achieved, transforming the workplace into a catalyst for well-being.
 
Quotes
“We think that it’s our own responsibility to live a healthier life. Sure, we can be responsible for ourselves. But we also have to recognize that most of us don’t live on an island. We live with people in our home and we live with people in the workplace. And it’s really the collection of those forces that shape our ability to make healthier choices and have healthier emotions. One of my catchphrases is that well-being is a team sport because we really can’t win alone. (13:26 | Dr. Richard Safeer) 
“We can be proactive in the workplace… UKG did a study about a year and a half ago… And they found out that just as many people who said their spouse impacts their mental health also said their manager impacts their mental health. That’s how powerful we are as leaders. And I don’t think most leaders are trying to be a negative force in their team’s life, but they don’t recognize it. And then they aren’t helped. We don’t help them understand what they can do to be a more positive force.” (21:21 | Dr. Richard Safeer)
“We need to understand that if we’re truly going to optimize the well-being of our workforce, we need to look at this not only as an individual challenge, but an organizational challenge, which will require organizational change.” (37:21 | Dr. Richard Safeer) 
 
Links
Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin
Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com
Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/, 
LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/, 
Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike  
 
Learn more about Richard Safeer, MD
richardsafeer.com 
linkedin.com/in/richardsafeer/ 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“The solution often lies in very effective and deep listening,” says host Mike Horne, as he shares insights with Jonathan Bennett, an advisor and executive coach with a background in purpose-driven leadership across various community settings. Jonathan’s unique path from novelist and poet to a pioneer of corporate social responsibility illustrates his dedication to principles like fairness and transparency. His insights reveal how narrative deeply influences leadership and strategy, bridging storytelling and business to enhance organizational dynamics.
 
In this episode, Jonathan discusses the critical role of values-driven leadership in addressing pressing societal challenges such as environmental sustainability and social equity. He highlights the importance of engaging clients and fostering value alignment in an evolving corporate landscape.
 
The conversation delves into the personal aspects of executive coaching, emphasizing trust and integrity as foundations for effective relationships and strategic business development.
 
With reflections on his poetic background, Jonathan underscores how deep listening and understanding—similar to the intricacies of poetry—are vital for driving meaningful organizational change and fostering a culture of innovation and success.
 
Quotes
“I think that as humans, we’re drawn to stories.” (04:00 | Jonathan Bennett)
“Coaching is a one-on-one, person-to-person, high-touch, high-cost business. And so the only real way you’re going to have somebody part with a significant amount of money is by providing service to them and getting to know them in a deep way. That can take a long time. It can take many touch points.” (19:06 | Jonathan Bennett) 
“When we can show up and do our best work without fear of retribution or ridicule, then we’re in a kind of psychologically safe work environment.” (30:06 | Jonathan Bennett)
“What I love about poetry is it is a very quiet, private and small thing. But it’s precious. And I think that the space that happens between a leader and a coach is a very intimate one. And I liken it to poetry.” (33:15 | Jonathan Bennett) 
 
Links
Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin
Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com
Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/, 
LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/, 
Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike  



Learn more about Jonathan Bennett
clearlythen.com 
linkedin.com/in/bennettjonathan/
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I’ve seen that small shifts in individuals’ approaches, behaviors, and actions can have a wide impact,” says Dr. Rachel Kindt, a scientific leadership coach with a background in biotech. With a PhD from MIT and a postdoctoral fellowship at UCSF, Dr. Kindt transitioned from a biotech executive to a leadership coach, focusing on helping scientists excel in leadership roles beyond the laboratory.
 
In this episode, Dr. Kindt discusses the unique challenges technical experts face when stepping into leadership roles in the biotech industry. She reflects on her journey from Vice President at Myocardia, a company acquired for $13 billion, to mentoring emerging science-based leaders, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence alongside technical expertise.
 
Dr. Kindt offers practical advice on how subtle behavioral changes can enhance leadership effectiveness and impact organizational performance. She details her work in equipping R&D leaders with essential soft skills to manage diverse teams and communicate the broader significance of their projects effectively.
 
Quotes
“Being right is not everything. Being smart is not everything. Being the smartest person in the room—which sometimes I can be—is not always necessary or attractive.” (29:56 | Dr. Rachel Kindt)
“Being in an organization that prioritized leadership development, my journey as a leader within the company was also a personal journey of growth. The things that I learned by leadership have helped me be a better spouse and a more patient parent. So I also feel that work is a great venue for not only doing amazing things in the world, but also for personal growth.” (35:25 | Dr. Rachel Kindt)
“It’s a reductionist attitude in a way that in the end, an organization is a collection of the individual people and their behaviors. And the behavior of one—especially, but not exclusively if they’re in a leadership position—influences all of the people around them. So to me, I believe and I've seen that small shifts in individuals’ approaches and behaviors and actions can have a wide impact. (36:25 | Dr. Rachel Kindt) 
 
Links
Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin
Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com
Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/, 
LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/, 
Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike  

 
Learn more about Rachel Kindt, Ph.D.
www.rachelkindt.com 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkindt/
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
 

“Strategy has a unique attribute in that it touches a whole lot of different things in an organization,” explains Alex Brueckmann, a strategy facilitator and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “The Strategy Legacy” and “Secrets of Next Level Entrepreneurs.” Alongside host Mike Horne, they discuss the critical role of human capital in driving growth and innovation, emphasizing that employees are much more than mere resources.
 
Alex shares his strategic process, highlighting the importance of understanding an organization’s identity and aligning executive teams for effective implementation. He stresses simplicity in communication to ensure strategies are understood and embraced at every level.
 
The episode addresses the ethical implications of strategy development, with Alex arguing that neglecting strategy is unethical as it withholds potential benefits from employees and customers. He emphasizes leveraging organizational strengths and setting realistic goals.
 
Alex and Mike also touch on the intersection of strategy and executive development, noting the crucial role leaders play in promoting strategic objectives. Alex advocates for continuous strategic thinking over sporadic planning to embed strategic thought into organizational culture.
 
Quotes:
“When we use the term strategy, what is it that we mean? And what is it that we mean when we use other terms like vision, mission? How do you bring those into a cohesive framework, into a model where they can all coexist and influence each other in a positive way?” (07:57 | Alex Brueckmann)
“If you think about what strategy is, it is your theory of how you win in your marketplace. And winning means different things to different people. To me, as an organization, winning means to be able to grow, to be able to deliver value to your customers.” (16:03 | Alex Brueckmann) 
“Once you’ve reached a certain level in the organization, it’s not necessarily about your subject matter expertise anymore. It’s how well you lead and how well you understand some of the key capabilities that a leader on that level needs to have. And one of that, for example, is, ‘Am I able to rethink the organization? Am I able to create a strategy?’ Another one is, ‘Am I able to lead teams in ways that they can implement strategy? Do I create an environment—some people would use the term ‘culture’— in which strategy can thrive? And am I able to use a strategy process to do more than just strategy, to actually define, redefine the culture, redefine how we operate as an organization?’” (36:50 | Alex Brueckmann) 
 
Links:
Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin
Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com
Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/, 
LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/, 
Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike  
 
Learn more about Alex Brueckmann
Website: https://brueckmann.ca
Alex Brueckmann’s Books: https://brueckmann.ca/books
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderbrueckmann/
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
 

“It’s not just a little flame; it is this huge conflagration. More people are experiencing this. And it’s the rate and the pace of change of what’s being required of us,” says Eileen McDargh, founder and CEO of The Resiliency Group. In this episode, Eileen, a renowned facilitator, author, and coach, discusses the importance of resilience in managing burnout and maintaining energy. Her extensive experience aids organizations and individuals in developing their resilience capacities.
 
Eileen traces her interest in resilience to her personal battle with corporate burnout, an experience that led to her first book and has informed her career. Her continued exploration of this theme is evident in her latest publication, "Burnout to Breakthrough," where she tackles the growing prevalence of burnout in today's fast-paced work environments and highlights the necessity of resilience for energy management.
 
Throughout the episode, Eileen underscores the importance of building resilience, both personally and organizationally, to effectively handle continual challenges and shifts. She illustrates how resilience acts as a critical mechanism for enhancing performance and overall well-being in the workplace.
 
Quotes
“We'd like to think we understand this. Burnout—it's not just a little flame, it is this huge conflagration. And more people are experiencing this. It's the rate and the pace of change of what's being required of us. I think we have forgotten self-care. And we have forgotten how to care for others.” (11:14 | Eileen McDargh)
“I define resiliency as energy management.” (12:34 | Eileen McDargh) 
“I don’t want to be a chief executive officer. I want to be the chief energy officer… Yes, I’m an energy officer, and I want to find out ways in which I can help my customers, my clients, my audiences find ways that allow them to tap into what is the best of them or how do they begin to move forward. Because ultimately, resiliency is also not about bouncing back, which is what the dictionary tells us. That's fine, but not for human beings.” (20:55 | Eileen McDargh) 
 
Links:
Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin
Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com
Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/, 
LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/, 
Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike  
 
Learn more about Eileen McDargh:
theresiliencygroup.com,
https://www.facebook.com/speakereileen
https://www.facebook.com/eileen.mcdargh/
https:// www.twitter.com/macdarling
https://www.instagram.com/mcdargh/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileenmcdargh/
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“If you have a great idea with software like IdeaScale, it can get in front of the decision makers of your organization very, very quickly,” says Nick Jain, CEO of IdeaScale, as he discusses the role of human capital in driving organizational success. With a background as a Harvard Business School valedictorian and experience leading companies in various sectors, Nick shares his journey from Wall Street to heading IdeaScale and how the company is transforming the management of innovation in businesses.
 
Nick explains that IdeaScale’s innovation management software functions similarly to a CRM system but for ideas. It democratizes idea-sharing across all levels of a company, giving even entry-level employees a platform to communicate with top decision-makers. This approach harnesses the collective intelligence of the entire workforce, boosting employee engagement and loyalty by ensuring everyone feels valued and heard.
 
The discussion delves into the broader effects of such systems on organizational culture and leadership. Nick advocates for inclusive, data-driven decision-making to foster a healthy, innovative work environment. Drawing from his scientific and financial background, he emphasizes the importance of using data to drive results while maintaining effective communication.
 
Nick also reflects on the ethical dimensions of leadership, acknowledging the weight of decisions on employees and their families. He underscores the significance of trust, empathy, and decisiveness in leadership roles.
 
Offering advice to aspiring leaders, Nick stresses the importance of continuous learning, staying updated on technological advancements like AI, and honing strong quantitative skills.
 
Quotes
“Today, it doesn’t matter if you’re the junior most employee sitting in a far off office. If you have a great idea with software like IdeaScale, it can get in front of the decision makers of your organization very, very quickly.” (03:54 | Nick Jain)
“The first benefit is you’re able to tap into the brains and intellectual capital of your entire organization rather than just the four, five, six people who sit at the top. The second is from an inclusion and emotional impact perspective. If your employees feel like their ideas are being heard, they feel more attached to the organization, they’re more loyal, turnover is less, and they are more productive as employees too. There’s an emotional impact to having a more democratic organization.” (04:19 | Nick Jain) 
“Part of being a leader requires being self-aware of what your strengths and weaknesses are. I’m a competitive individual. I like to go out there, define a goal, and win, particularly in a competitive space where there’s other people trying to achieve the same thing. That has certainly been a defining characteristic... By the way, I don’t have to win. Obviously, winning feels nice, but just the act of competing is really motivating and emotionally rewarding for me.” (10:25 | Nick Jain)
“One should aspire to a C-level job, whether that be in government or nonprofit or the private sector. But I do think you have to be aware, assuming you are a reasonably moral and diligent person, you have to be aware of the moral weight and the emotional impact of having that job.” (14:58 | Nick Jain) 
“As we continue to scale, how do we maintain that same culture of making good decisions as we grow from a hundred person organization to a thousand person organization?” (32:04 | Nick Jain)
 
Links:
Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin
Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com
Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/, 
LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/, 
Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-disc