Evolving Your Workplace

Carol Schultz
  • 4.8 (17)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

On this workplace podcast, your host Carol Schultz brings on experts to discuss problems many business owners face in real time. Guest experts provide context for the issue and advise those in leadership positions on best practices. Whether you are starting a company, or you lead an established organization-- the podcast is geared toward getting you helpful answers.

  1. 2d ago

    Creating a Culture People Don’t Want to Leave

    It's vacation time for us, so here's another Throwback Thursday. For leaders seeking guidance on building a winning culture, this one is for you. In this conversation Carol Schultz speaks with Jason Andrews, multiple time founder, expert in space travel, and the current Cofounder & CEO of Orbite. Carol and Jason discuss the intricacies of building a company that retains talent and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They also explore the importance of company culture, effective marketing strategies, and the financial aspects of running a startup. Jason shares insights from his journey with Orbite, emphasizing the need for vision, adaptability, and the right team to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry. This is an episode you won't want to miss. Takeaways Creating a company that people don't want to leave is essential for success.Building a strong team and company culture is crucial for retention.Every entrepreneur faces challenges, and adaptability is key.Funding strategies can vary; organic growth is often beneficial.The future of space travel is becoming more accessible to the public.Effective marketing and customer engagement are vital for growth.Understanding your ideal customer profile is essential for targeting.Vision and mission drive the company forward and inspire the team.Entrepreneurship requires a unique mindset and resilience.Learning from failures is part of the entrepreneurial journey. Chapters 00:00 Creating a Company People Don't Want to Leave 01:11 The Vision Behind Orbit and Human Spaceflight 03:18 The Challenges of Building a New Industry 06:21 Employee Retention in Startups 10:14 Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur 12:47 Funding Strategies for Startups 17:15 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 19:20 Understanding Space Training Costs 22:08 The Adventure of Space Training 24:58 Overcoming Perceptions of Space Travel 28:07 Marketing Challenges in the Space Industry 30:25 Building a Mission-Driven Team 32:43 Navigating Growth and Resource Limitations 35:47 The Journey of Entrepreneurship 40:41 Navigating Space Experiences and Virtual Operations Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Find out more about our guest, Jason Andrews, and his company at Orbite Space, LinkedIn, and Instagram Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

  2. Aug 7

    What is Founder’s Syndrome?

    We're on a much needed vacation as we typically are in August, so it's time for Throwback Thursday. Curious to learn more about Founder’s syndrome, or working for someone who may have it? This episode is for you. Host Carol Schultz teams up with social impact entrepreneur Sophia Shaw to dive deep into the tricky dynamics of founder syndrome. From understanding why founders struggle to let go, to practical strategies for succession planning and building a culture that supports new leadership, the conversation is packed with real-world stories and actionable advice for both founders and their teams. Whether you’re just starting your business or looking for ways to future-proof your organization, you won’t want to miss these insights on evolving—without losing what makes your company unique. Hit play and start evolving your workplace today. Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

  3. Jul 23

    Suicide in the workplace

    One in four employees is seriously mentally distressed — and it's rarely about the person; it's about the workplace itself! This conversation dives into why workplace mental health is quietly collapsing, the hidden cost of untrained managers, and the simple systems — from tracked airtime to two-minute check-ins — that can turn a toxic culture around. We discussed: ◼ Why depression rates tripled during the pandemic and never came back down ◼ How one Gallup number predicts 70% of your team's engagement ◼ The two simple questions that instantly rebuild trust with your team ◼ Why fixing individuals is solving for the completely wrong problem ◼ How one CEO's 30,000 handwritten notes turned a failing company around 🎙️ Host: Carol Schultz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ Vertical Elevation: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertical-elevation/ 🎤 Guest: Laura Putnam LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraputnam/ Motion Infusion: https://www.linkedin.com/company/various-schools-and-organizations/ 🎧 Find us YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingYourWorkplace Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72jbAC9Hk4P0EH9wxW1vy4?si=b0eab40cecc343e3 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolving-your-workplace/id1562180951 Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

  4. Jul 16

    Scaling a Workplace with No Employees

    A company with no staff, no payroll, and no traditional org chart — just AI models, subscriptions, and 300 hand-picked consultants! How a business scales with zero employees: AI-powered prospecting, brutal consultant vetting, deliberately thin 33% margins, virtual CIOs delivering 400% ROI, and why vendors are keeping the AI savings their clients deserve. We discussed: ◼ Why a firm deliberately keeps just 33% margin while competitors keep 60% ◼ How interviewing 800 consultants during COVID built a 300-person network ◼ The single interview question that exposes technologists who can't think like executives ◼ Why fractional leadership commonly delivers 400% ROI in the mid-market ◼ The "AI dividend" your suppliers are banking as margin instead of passing to you 🎙️ Host: Carol Schultz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ Vertical Elevation: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertical-elevation/ 🎤 Guest: Jeff Roberts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsjeff/ Innovation Vista: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovationvista/ 🎧 Find us YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingYourWorkplace Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72jbAC9Hk4P0EH9wxW1vy4?si=b0eab40cecc343e3 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolving-your-workplace/id1562180951 Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

  5. Jul 9

    Getting personal at work: use this tried and true technique to connect with employees

    "People don't check their personal lives at the door—and pretending they do just makes it show up somewhere else." – Jimmy Rayford In this week's episode, Carol Schultz sits down with Jimmy Rayford, CEO of Dealers Wholesale, to challenge the old-school belief that "work is work, personal is personal"—and to share the tried-and-true technique leaders can use to build real connection with their teams. Jimmy explains why suppressing what's happening in people's lives doesn't make it disappear—it just resurfaces in the work—and why the single most powerful move a leader can make is to model the openness they want to see. They dig into how simple rituals like "share something good" check-ins and Personal Growth Mondays turn ordinary meetings into genuine connection, why Jimmy embraced the role of "Chief Reassurance Officer" during COVID, and how a leader can build a culture of care without forcing anyone to overshare. The episode closes with candid talk on empowering your team, avoiding the founder-CEO bottleneck, and knowing when to give someone "enough rope"—plus Jimmy's parting advice on finding the environment that brings out your best work. Takeaways 1. "Work is work, personal is personal" is outdated—people bring their whole selves to work whether leaders acknowledge it or not. 2. You can't ask employees to be open and transparent while everything about you stays closed—modeling comes first. 3. The most effective connection technique is simple: model the behavior you want to drive. 4. Small, consistent rituals (like weekly "good news" shares) build deep familiarity over time. 5. Personal Growth Mondays and deep-question prompts create space for real vulnerability—voluntarily. 6. Timing matters: expect early adopters, late adopters, and never-adopters, and focus on whoever shows up. 7. Vulnerability from a leader creates a "permission structure" for the whole organization. 8. Smaller companies offer outsized impact—your decisions actually matter and you can see the results. 9. Founder and CEO leaders risk becoming the bottleneck by involving themselves where they're not needed. 10. Give people "enough rope"—but calibrate how much based on their track record and the stakes of the decision. Chapters 00:00 Intro: Why "work is work, personal is personal" couldn't be further from the truth 00:51 What Dealers Wholesale does & Jimmy's role as CEO 02:38 Why the smallest company he's worked for became the best chapter of his career 04:11 The hidden cost of bureaucracy and office politics in large organizations 05:30 The former CEO who stayed on—and a 38-year lesson in humility and loyalty 07:48 The death of the "company guy" and why companies aren't loyal anymore 09:58 How getting older changed Jimmy's view on bringing your whole self to work 11:24 Becoming "Chief Reassurance Officer" during COVID 13:53 The tried-and-true technique: model the behavior you want to see 14:53 Vulnerability in action: why leading through emotion builds trust 21:19 "Share something good": how small check-ins build connection over time 21:47 Personal Growth Mondays & the 365-question ritual 22:46 Timing, adopters, and focusing on who shows up 24:40 Why shared vulnerability makes leaders more open and sensitive 30:58 Building a leadership team empowered to call you out 31:27 Avoiding the founder-CEO bottleneck 32:47 Giving people "enough rope" and situational leadership 33:56 The one thing Jimmy would solve to unlock business growth 35:58 Final thoughts: take a true inventory of what really matters to you Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

  6. Jun 25

    How the Federal Government Impacts Our Workplaces in 2026

    "Businesses don't fail because of what they do. They fail because of everything else." – Michael Sakata In this week’s episode, Carol Schultz sits down with Michael Sakata, President & CEO of the Maryland Transportation Builders and Materials Association (MTBMA), to discuss how federal policy decisions are impacting small businesses, contractors, and transportation firms across the country. The conversation centers on recent changes to disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) programs, the uncertainty created by shifting regulations, and what business owners can do when the rules suddenly change. Michael explains how the removal of race-based criteria from DBE certification has created new questions for businesses that have relied on these programs for decades. Rather than focusing on politics, the discussion explores the practical realities facing contractors, engineers, and small business owners as they navigate evolving requirements, funding concerns, and changing government priorities. Carol and Michael also dive into the role of relationships in business success, why networking matters more than ever, and how organizations can remain resilient during periods of uncertainty. The episode closes with lessons on leadership, communication, membership growth, and the importance of staying engaged with industry associations and policymakers. Michael shares how MTBMA has more than doubled its membership under his leadership and why consistent communication remains one of the most important drivers of retention and long-term success. TakeawaysFederal policy changes can create significant uncertainty for small businesses.Changes to DBE certification programs are forcing many companies to reassess their strategy.Business owners should focus on impact rather than politics when evaluating policy decisions.Strong relationships often matter more than formal programs or certifications.Companies that stay engaged with industry groups are better positioned to adapt to change.Infrastructure remains one of the few areas that continues to receive bipartisan support.Consistency and predictability are critical for business growth and planning.Communication is one of the strongest drivers of member, customer, and employee retention.Successful organizations create value through networking, advocacy, and education.Leaders must focus on what they can control rather than reacting to every external change.Trade associations can give businesses a stronger collective voice with policymakers.Growth often comes from listening closely to members, customers, and stakeholders. Chapters00:00 Intro: How federal decisions impact everyday businesses 01:05 Michael Sakata's role and the mission of MTBMA 02:19 Changes to disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) programs 03:40 What the new certification landscape means for small businesses 05:10 Why uncertainty creates challenges for business owners 06:22 Relationship-building vs. government-supported opportunities 08:19 The original purpose of DBE programs and ongoing debates 10:30 Advice for businesses navigating regulatory changes 11:44 How disadvantaged business status has changed 13:38 Political perspectives and the impact on transportation businesses 15:04 Why businesses need consistency to thrive 17:35 What business owners can do when policies change 18:04 Infrastructure as a rare bipartisan issue 19:45 Michael's career journey into transportation advocacy 20:36 Legislative wins and improving transportation safety 22:14 Why trade associations can influence policy effectively 23:54 The secret behind a 96%+ membership retention rate 26:38 Creating value for members through networking and advocacy 30:28 Collaboration between transportation organizations across states 32:21 Managing change instead of being controlled by it 34:02 How MTBMA more than doubled its membership 36:10 Final thoughts and closing remarks Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

  7. Jun 19

    3 things to include in Your Ideal Office Environment

    In this week's episode, Carol Schultz sits down with Beth Goff- McMillan, CEO of SKG and founder/CEO of FOLIO, to dig into how office design has completely transformed since COVID—and why most companies are stuck in what Beth calls a "vortex of confusion" about what their workspace should even be. Beth shares 30 years of industry insight on the shift from rigid cubicle layouts to fully open offices to today's hybrid chaos, and explains why the real question leaders need to ask isn't "what furniture do we buy" but "why do we even need an office." They get into what makes employees actually want to come back in (hint: it's not ping pong tables), the most expensive and most overlooked design mistakes companies make, and how a simple employee survey can save a business tens of thousands of dollars. The episode wraps with a look at FOLIO, the tech platform Beth built to drag a notoriously slow-moving industry into the SaaS era. Takeaways Most leaders are stuck on "what" to put in their office instead of asking "why" they need an office at all.Return-to-office policies alone don't drive engagement or productivity—you need clear KPIs tied to purpose.Employee surveys (before AND after a redesign) can prevent massively expensive, unused investments.Noise and acoustics should be the #1 design priority post-COVID—people need more visual/sound barriers, not fewer.Gimmicks like ping pong and shuffleboard tables rarely get used and often signal a lack of real design intent.Storage and file cabinets are some of the most expensive—and most unnecessary—line items in office design."Resi-mercial" design (home-like textures, plants, varied seating) makes employees feel more connected and productive.Large conference rooms often go underused—flexible lounge spaces can replace them entirely.Workplace design decisions involve far more stakeholders than people expect: C-suite, facilities, HR, IT, and legal.The furniture/design industry is still behind on technology—and AI-driven tools are starting to close that gap. Chapters 00:00 Intro: How office spaces have transformed since COVID 01:49 What SKG actually does (workplace strategy, design, furniture procurement) 03:10 30 years of office evolution: from Dilbert cubicles to fully open floors 05:33 The "vortex of confusion"—why nobody has a playbook anymore 07:07 Shifting the conversation from "what" to "why" 09:24 Three things every workspace needs to succeed post-COVID 11:29 "I wanted to earn their commute"—how design changed employee behavior 12:48 Why noise and acoustics should be priority #1 14:21 Dress codes, client expectations, and reading the room 16:17 Two things to leave out of your office (gimmicks & excess storage) 18:41 Bringing "resi-mercial" design into the workplace 23:11 Who SKG actually meets with—from CEOs to facilities to legal 25:19 The survey that saved a client from a costly coffee bar mistake 28:21 Redesigning SKG's own HQ: what worked and what didn't 33:04 The privacy/acoustics fail—and how they fixed it 36:47 Why Beth joined SKG and what keeps her there 11 years later 39:03 Folio: building the first SaaS tool for the furniture dealership industry 43:11 Current bottlenecks: training talent in a fast-changing industry 45:00 Final thoughts Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

  8. Jun 4

    Transforming the workplace through self-awareness and delegation

    “Lead yourself before you lead others.” – Jane Monroe In this week’s episode, Carol Schultz sits down with Jane Monroe, founder of Embrace the Grape Beverage Catering, to explore one of the most overlooked leadership skills: self-awareness. What started as a conversation about leadership quickly became a masterclass on blind spots, delegation, personal growth, and building teams that can lead themselves. Jane shares the unexpected story of how a bride’s wedding problem led her to launch a completely new business during the 2008 financial crisis. From there, she introduces her framework for leadership cohesion, breaking down the four versions of ourselves—the known self, blind self, hidden self, and mystery self—and explains how understanding each one can transform the way we lead. Carol and Jane discuss why many leaders struggle with control, how delegation creates stronger organizations, and why hiring people who compensate for your weaknesses is a competitive advantage. They also dive into trust, employee empowerment, succession planning, and the importance of balancing logic with intuition to become a more whole-brained leader. The episode closes with practical lessons for leaders looking to build high-performing teams, uncover their blind spots, and create workplaces where accountability starts from within. Takeaways • Self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership. • Blind spots can limit growth until someone helps uncover them. • Great leaders learn to lead themselves before leading others. • Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. • Delegation allows leaders to focus on their strengths. • Hiring for your weaknesses creates stronger teams. • Employees perform better when given ownership instead of micromanagement. • Different perspectives often produce better outcomes than one leader working alone. • Strong cultures are built on trust, communication, and accountability. • Encouraging employees to “manage up” creates healthier organizations. • Leadership exists at every level—not just in management positions. • Balancing emotional intelligence with logical thinking leads to better decisions. Chapters 00:00 Intro: Why self-awareness separates great leaders from everyone else 01:11 Meet Jane Monroe & the story behind Embrace the Grape 02:19 The bride who accidentally created a business opportunity 04:29 Turning blind spots into entrepreneurial breakthroughs 07:01 The four selves: known, blind, hidden, and mystery 09:37 Why growth requires getting comfortable being uncomfortable 11:54 Leading yourself before leading others 13:51 A powerful framework for humility and leadership 15:58 Learning to let go: delegation and control 17:03 Hiring for your weaknesses instead of your strengths 18:13 Diversity of thought and avoiding groupthink 19:15 How delegation unlocks team growth 20:05 Empowering employees through trust and ownership 21:41 Giving people opportunities to exceed expectations 22:41 When employees redesign your plans for the better 23:09 Managing up: why leaders need feedback too 24:05 Building a culture of accountability with part-time teams 25:38 Hiring experienced professionals and maintaining low turnover 26:39 Supporting employees through major life transitions 27:35 Succession planning when family doesn't want the business 29:12 Whole-brain leadership: balancing emotion and logic 31:38 Final thoughts & closing remarks Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

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4.8
out of 5
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About

On this workplace podcast, your host Carol Schultz brings on experts to discuss problems many business owners face in real time. Guest experts provide context for the issue and advise those in leadership positions on best practices. Whether you are starting a company, or you lead an established organization-- the podcast is geared toward getting you helpful answers.

Information

  • Creator
    Carol Schultz
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Vertical Elevation
  • Show Website
    Evolving Your Workplace