Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom VP Workforce Solutions

In this episode, Kerri, Kelly, and Melanie tackle Imposter syndrome at work.
What is it?!
The conversation discusses symptoms of anxiety and self-doubt in the workplace, as well as the importance of (Kel's fave!) a visible commitment from leadership.
The ladies also touch on the need for leadership training and being open and transparent with communication.

Takeaways
Anxiety and self-doubt can manifest in various ways in the workplace.
Visible commitment from leadership is crucial for creating a positive work environment.
Leadership training is essential for developing effective leaders.

The VPWS Ladies are joined by Founder and Chief Empathy Office of Joanne Sparrow Consulting!
Joanne discusses imposter syndrome and its impact on individuals in the workplace. She defines imposter syndrome as a persistent feeling of fraudulence despite achievements and respect from peers. She highlights that 65% of professionals experience imposter syndrome, with young women being disproportionately affected. Culture, gender, and background can influence one's experience with imposter syndrome. Strategies to combat imposter syndrome include accepting imperfection, embracing strengths and weaknesses, seeking mentorship, and avoiding comparison. Joanne emphasizes the importance of creating psychologically safe workplaces and having open conversations about imposter syndrome.

This episode of Hire Expectations explores the importance of safety, mattering, and belonging in the workplace. The hosts discuss how fostering a safe and inclusive environment can boost productivity, creativity, and overall employee well-being. They define safety as both physical and psychological, where employees feel free to express themselves without fear of retaliation. Mattering is described as feeling valued and appreciated for one's contributions, while belonging is about feeling accepted, respected, and included. The hosts emphasize that prioritizing safety, mattering, and belonging leads to higher employee satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and greater innovation.

Takeaways:

Safety, mattering, and belonging are crucial for a thriving workplace culture.

Organizations that prioritize these factors see higher employee satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and greater innovation.

Leaders should model the behavior they want to see, actively listen to employees, and address any form of disrespect or exclusion.

Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is key to fostering a sense of belonging for all employees.

Leaders need to create psychological safety by approaching errors as learning opportunities and refraining from discouraging innovation and creativity.

Building relationships with each employee and actively listening to what they're not saying is important for creating a safe and inclusive workplace.

Shirlea Crook, CEO and Founder of Care for Life Support Services, and an expert in multi-generational engagement, discusses the integration of diverse age groups in the workforce.
She emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, mental health and well-being, and fluidity and flexibility in the workplace.

Shirlea highlights the value of legacy leaders and the need to support and harness their expertise.
She also encourages companies to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion and create a supportive and authentic work environment.
Additionally, she emphasizes to the VPWS Ladies the need for clear expectations and effective onboarding processes. The conversation highlights the importance of being honest with oneself and others when it comes to pursuing a role or career path. It emphasizes the need for companies to have transparent messaging during the interview and onboarding process, as well as when saying goodbye to employees.
The ladies also touch on the importance of work-life balance and creating a hybrid model that suits different generations and individual needs. It suggests that companies should invest in their employees' growth and well-being, and be open to non-traditional approaches and diverse communication practices. Lastly, it emphasizes the value of collaboration, authenticity, and continuous learning in building a successful multi-generational workforce.

This episode explores the dynamics of the multi-generational workforce, where four different generations are collaborating under one roof.
The VPWS Ladies focus on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this mix, as well as how businesses are adapting to this diverse landscape. Key statistics are shared, such as the dominance of millennials in the workforce and the high job turnover costs associated with this generation. The importance of work-life balance and remote work arrangements is highlighted, along with the need for in-person collaboration and the impact on mental health.

They explore the differences in working styles among different generations, including baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. Baby boomers prefer face-to-face communication and value structure, while Gen X seeks frequent and honest feedback and values a balance between autonomy and collaboration. Millennials desire immediate feedback, meaningful work, and work-life balance. Gen Z values face-to-face feedback, flexible work environments, and transparency. Despite these differences, all generations share the same basic emotions and needs.

The ladies emphasize the importance of respecting boundaries, communicating preferences openly, challenging stereotypes, and not playing favorites.

Kelly, Kerri and Melanie explore the impact of empathy at different stages of a career. They highlight the importance of empathy in building relationships and seeking guidance in the early stages of a career. They also discuss how empathy helps navigate leadership challenges in mid-career and how it plays a significant role in mentoring and understanding clients in later career stages. The conversation emphasizes that empathy is not just a soft skill but a critical competency that influences personal growth and professional success.
The ladies also address obstacles to empathy in the workplace and the importance of fostering an empathetic organizational culture. The conversation concludes by providing tips for practicing empathy in the workplace.

Takeaways:
Empathy plays a pivotal role in building relationships, seeking guidance, and adapting to new environments in the early stages of a career.
In mid-career, empathy helps navigate leadership challenges, foster better communication, and resolve conflicts.
In later career stages, empathy is crucial for mentoring, understanding clients, and providing tailored solutions.
Cultivating empathy throughout one's career enhances teamwork, decision-making, and job satisfaction, and fosters an inclusive and innovative work culture.