Check-In with Jason Lauritsen

Jason Lauritsen
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A weekly podcast exploring how to create a more human work experience through the power of relationship and connection. Host Jason Lauritsen interviews those HR executives and thought leaders who are paving the way towards a better future of work.

  1. Key Skills for the Modern CHRO with Kathy Claytor

    AUG 12

    Key Skills for the Modern CHRO with Kathy Claytor

    “Oftentimes in HR, we are looking at and supporting others. We don’t pay attention to kind of what we need for ourselves... So I would say ask for what you want.” - Kathy Claytor *** In this episode, Kathy Claytor, a long time CHRO at multiple organizations, opens up about her career journey from her “origin story” as an accidental HR pro to leading global HR transformations. She reveals why she believes now is a pivotal time for HR’s impact. Together, Jason and Kathy unpack the changing demands of the CHRO role, mentorship, and how technology and AI are reshaping the work of people leaders everywhere. Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include: 👉 Be intentional about mentorship, identify and invite those you admire to share their wisdom (and don’t be afraid to start with a simple coffee ask). 👉 Modern CHROs need financial savvy, business strategy awareness, and a commitment to becoming voracious learners, beyond the traditional HR practices. 👉 Data proficiency and tech skills are table stakes, but the real value-add? Learning to influence across the enterprise, especially when helping steer AI and digital adoption beyond the HR function. 👉 Advocate for yourself as fiercely as you advocate for others. Don’t assume leaders know your ambitions. Raise your hand! *** Kathy Claytor has built a career defined by leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to advancing the human resources profession. As an accomplished Chief Human Resources Officer and the current Board Chair at HRCI, she has become a trusted voice in shaping the future of HR. Her professional journey spans influential roles at organizations such as Delta Dental, Northwinds Technology, and One Mind Health India. Connect with Kathy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyclaytor/ *** Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity *** JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK. 📌 Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f *** Connect with Jason: Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/

    50 min
  2. Unlocking the Potential of Reluctant Leaders with Will Matthews

    JUL 29

    Unlocking the Potential of Reluctant Leaders with Will Matthews

    Join Jason for an eye-opening and hopeful conversation with Will Matthews, the Director of Learning and Engagement (aka “Team Hearts and Minds”) at G Adventures.   Will shares offers fresh insights on how we can better recognize and activate the hidden leaders on our teams. Together, Jason and Will dive deep into the origins and nuances of “reluctant leaders”, those talented individuals who opt out of leadership because of limiting stories or outdated models of what a leader should be.   Key highlights from the episode include: 👉 True leadership isn’t about being loud, social, or front-and-center; it’s about making others better, going first, and creating space for growth.   👉 Managers can unlock incredible results by seeking out reluctant leaders, investing in human-centered development for all, and recognizing that leadership is a collective, evolving practice.   👉 Discover how G Adventures uses innovative programs and clear messaging to ensure every team member, from office to remote guide, feels empowered to lead and connect.   👉 Learn concrete techniques for identifying overlooked talent, inviting introverted and non-traditional employees into growth pathways, and reframing “leadership” as essential human skills.   ***   Connect with Will: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wbmatthews/ ***   JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f   ***   Connect with Jason: Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/   #Leadership #PeopleFirst #CompanyCulture #FeedbackLoop #WorkplaceExcellence

    49 min
  3. What Does It Mean to Lead with Fairness? with Jessica Winder

    JUL 15

    What Does It Mean to Lead with Fairness? with Jessica Winder

    Join Jason for a provocative episode as he welcomes Jessica Winder, Senior Vice President of People, Colab Software. She brings a fresh, no-nonsense perspective to employee experience and workplace culture.   Jason and Jessica explore what it means to lead with fairness. Together, they unpack why fairness isn’t about treating everyone the same, how transparency fits into the equation, and what it takes to balance people and performance. It’s a real-world conversation for anyone who’s ever wrestled with making the right call when the answer isn’t black and white.   Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include: 👉 Fairness isn’t about treating everyone the same. It’s about making consistent decisions that align with your values, even when you can’t share all the details. 👉 Lack of transparency breeds mistrust: Overshare what you can, set clear expectations, and be honest when you can’t disclose everything. 👉 Employee perceptions of fairness are shaped as much by how you treat them as by the outcomes you deliver. 👉 Employees feeling unfairly treated should clarify their concerns, gather specifics, and approach the conversation thoughtfully to drive productive dialogue.     ***   Connect with Jessica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinder/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiddengemcoach/ Website: https://www.hiddengemcareercoaching.com/   ***   JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f   ***   Connect with Jason: Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/   #Leadership #PeopleFirst #CompanyCulture #FeedbackLoop #WorkplaceExcellence

    41 min
  4. How Group Mentoring Unlocks Employee Potential with Carolina Terrazas

    JUL 1

    How Group Mentoring Unlocks Employee Potential with Carolina Terrazas

    Join Jason for a dynamic conversation with Carolina Terrazas, Vice President of Talent Management and Development at Schneider Electric, global HR leader, and host of the “Leading Yourself” podcast.   Carolina provides an illuminating view into the organization’s innovative group mentoring program. Moving beyond traditional one-to-one mentorship, their approach leverages small group mentorship to cultivate peer learning, accelerate skill development, and deliver positive business impact at scale.   Key highlights from this episode include: 👉 Group mentoring amplifies learning by harnessing the diverse perspectives and experiences of peers, enabling participants to both teach and learn within a trusted cohort. 👉 Group mentoring reinforces a culture of inclusivity, curiosity, and openness. It encourages collaboration, builds confidence, and helps employees recognize their shared challenges and aspirations. 👉 How group mentoring outperforms traditional models by fostering connection, peer learning, and diverse perspectives beyond one-on-one setups. 👉 This approach is accessible with the right intention and structure, any organization can begin building a dynamic group mentorship offering, regardless of size or resources.   ***   Connect with Carolina: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdearriba/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-yourself/id1476733586 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadingyourselfpodcast/   ***   JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f   ***   Connect with Jason: Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/   #Leadership #PeopleFirst #CompanyCulture #FeedbackLoop #WorkplaceExcellence

    47 min
  5. Creating Compassionate Workplaces for Those Experiencing Loss and Grief with Jenna Sage

    JUN 24

    Creating Compassionate Workplaces for Those Experiencing Loss and Grief with Jenna Sage

    Join Jason for a thoughtful and deeply moving conversation with Dr. Jenna Sage, Director of Organizational Wellness and Well Being, Ultimate Medical Academy, and executive coach, author, and passionate advocate for whole-person employee support. Jenna discusses how organizations can truly support employees navigating grief, loss, and caregiving. Having walked alongside a loved one through terminal illness, Jenna knows firsthand the weight leaders often carry in silence. She believes it’s time for organizations to normalize conversations around loss, bereavement, and mental wellness, by design, not just in reaction.   Key highlights from this episode include: 👉 Start normalizing discussions about loss, grief, caregiving, and mental health at work. 👉 As a manager, you’re not expected to be a therapist; what’s needed is grace, flexibility, and understanding, not answers or solutions. 👉 Respect and support boundaries, understand that networking events or after-hours obligations might not be a fit for caregivers, and that’s not a lack of commitment. 👉 Rethink bereavement that true compassion looks like flexibility and recognizing the many forms of loss an employee might face.   Connect with Jenna: Website: https://www.beself.ist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-sage-phd-bcba/   *** JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK.   Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f   *** Connect with Jason: Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/   #Leadership #PeopleFirst #CompanyCulture #FeedbackLoop #WorkplaceExcellence

    44 min
  6. How Storytelling Drives Company Culture at Kwik Trip with John McHugh

    JUN 18

    How Storytelling Drives Company Culture at Kwik Trip with John McHugh

    Join Jason to learn about building an award-winning culture through storytelling in this episode with John McHugh, Vice President of External Affairs at Kwik Trip.   John shares how Kwik Trip has harnessed the power of storytelling to create low turnover, high morale, and exceptional customer experiences, all in an industry notorious for high attrition. He shares practices for how they have scaled a culture of exceptional service and customer commitment within an organization of 39,000 “co-workers”.   Key highlights from this episode include:   👉 Practical interview questions that find candidates hardwired for compassion and purpose.   👉 Why every meeting at Kwik Trip starts with an emotional real-world story and how this practice fuels engagement at every level.   👉 How sharing thousands of unsolicited customer compliments each year has become the secret sauce behind both customer loyalty and employee satisfaction.   👉 How Kwik Trip’s profit-sharing and recognition programs help every employee feel like an owner, resulting in industry-leading retention rates.   ***   Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mchugh-37056513/   ***   JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f   ***   Connect with Jason: Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/   #Leadership #PeopleFirst #CompanyCulture #FeedbackLoop #WorkplaceExcellence

    39 min
  7. Announcing The Human Connection Study

    JUN 11

    Announcing The Human Connection Study

    In this mini-episode, Jason announces the launch of the Human Connection Study, a new research initiative created in partnership with Ingenuity Design. This ambitious project aims to understand how people today are experiencing connection and disconnection at work and in everyday life. Jason shares why he feels this study is both necessary and vitally important. And, he asks for your help. In the episode, Jason invites you to take the Human Connection Survey and then share it with your friends and colleagues. Take the sruvey here: https://www.thehumanconnectionstudy.com/ *** JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f *** Connect with Jason: Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/

    8 min
  8. How Listening Protected Culture During the Remote Work Shift with Wendy Rummler

    JUN 3

    How Listening Protected Culture During the Remote Work Shift with Wendy Rummler

    Join Jason for a powerful conversation with Wendy Rummler, Chief People Officer at Credit Acceptance. Wendy shares the inside story of how their organization transformed from a conventional, in-office workplace to a high-performing, remote-first organization, while earning multiple workplace awards year after year. The secret, she says, is fostering a culture where listening leads to meaningful action, and where transparency and feedback are non-negotiable.   Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include: 👉 True “listening cultures” require managers to close the feedback loop every time. Either by implementing suggestions, explaining their reasoning for declining, or seeking more information.   👉 Organizational change is a long-term journey. The best results occur when leaders approach engagement as a continuous and rigorous discipline.   👉 Transparency about “why” decisions are made, especially about difficult topics, builds trust, even when the answer isn’t what people want to hear.   👉 The most valuable employee feedback often points to operational obstacles, not just perks or benefits. Addressing these issues directly enables your people to do their best work.   👉 Remote work success hinges on proactive onboarding, strong mechanisms for relationship-building, and frequent, meaningful leader check-ins with every team member.   👉 Strong cultures assume positive intent. Leaders who communicate trust and aspire to help everyone succeed redefine performance expectations and team cohesion.   *** Connect with Wendy: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-rummler-69777611/   *** JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f   *** Connect with Jason: Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/   #Leadership #PeopleFirst #CompanyCulture #FeedbackLoop #WorkplaceExcellence

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A weekly podcast exploring how to create a more human work experience through the power of relationship and connection. Host Jason Lauritsen interviews those HR executives and thought leaders who are paving the way towards a better future of work.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Lauritsen
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Jason Lauritsen
  • Show Website
    Check-In with Jason Lauritsen

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