How Work Actually Works

Joe Marques with KayLee Hanson
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

There’s a gap between how work is supposed to be and how it actually is, and this podcast is for people ready to do something about it. Hosted by Joe Marques and KayLee Hansen of Authentic Unlimited, How Work Actually Works cuts through the corporate noise to explore what it really takes to make work more human. Every two weeks, you’ll hear real stories, candid insights, and practical ways to build cultures where people thrive — by dropping the mask, leading authentically, and doing work that actually matters. 🎧 New episodes every other week. 💡 More at AuthenticUnlimited.com Work made human. Truth made practical.

Episodes

  1. FEB 10

    5 Invisible Threats You're Creating at Work | Episode 10

    Every interaction moves people in one of two directions. Toward threat. Or toward safety. Most leaders don't set out to put their people on the defensive. But it happens anyway—in the meeting where someone gets publicly corrected, in the rumor that goes unaddressed, in the project that went to someone else without explanation. In this episode of How Work Actually Works, Joe Marques and KayLee Hansen break down the SCARF model—a neuroscience-backed framework developed by David Rock and the NeuroLeadership Institute that explains both why people shut down and what makes them come alive. They walk through all five drivers—Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness—exploring what puts people on guard and what creates reward. Joe shares a brutal story about a leader who told employees their location was like "the company's right arm"...weeks before security showed up and the whole place was eliminated. KayLee brings a legendary Ritz-Carlton story about a room attendant who booked a plane ticket to Hawaii just to hand-deliver a guest's forgotten laptop. They also tackle the return-to-office tension, why "connect before you lead" matters more than proving you earned the promotion, and what happens when fairness gets confused with equality. And yes—there's a cutout face taped to a conference phone. You'll understand. Key Takeaways Why silence unsettles people more than bad news ever couldThe difference between certainty (knowing what's coming) and autonomy (having a say in it)How new leaders cause damage by trying to prove competence before building connectionThe "10-second certainty boost"—a simple way to put people at easeWhy focusing on one letter of SCARF per week beats walking around with a mental checklistPeople are always scanning for threat or safety. You choose which one you create.

    41 min

  2. JAN 27

    Reframe, Don't Reset | Episode 9

    There's a difference between resetting and reframing. Most organizations treat a new year or new quarter like a magic eraser—turn the page, set new goals, pretend last year's struggles disappeared. But people don't forget what they experienced just because the calendar changed. And that "fresh start" energy? It often feels more performative than real. In this episode of How Work Actually Works, Joe Marques and KayLee Hansen challenge the pressure-filled rituals of goal-setting and explore what it actually takes to build momentum that lasts. They unpack why clarity beats speed, how trust erodes fastest under pressure, and what happens when leaders confuse a beautiful plan with real progress. Joe shares a story about flipping engagement planning on its head—putting it in employees' hands instead of leaders'—and what his team reflected back that he'd never seen himself. KayLee brings the sports analogies (Blue Jays heartbreak included) and a square dancing reference you didn't know you needed. They also introduce the "15 Minute December Look Back"—a simple exercise that helps teams define what a great year actually feels like before it's already over. Whether you're in a final push or staring down a fresh planning cycle, this episode offers a different way to approach goal-setting—one that honors what happened and focuses on what actually matters. Key Takeaways Why resetting ignores reality while reframing builds from itHow trust breaks down when leaders only show it during easy timesThe danger of planning with false certainty—and why beautiful plans give you dopamine without progressOne question that shifts goal-setting from KPIs to real intentionHow to ask your team what they don't want to loseBetter years don't start with turning the page. They start with telling the truth about what's already written.

    39 min

  3. JAN 13

    5 Questions That Make People Feel Seen at Work | Episode 8

    There's a difference between being watched and being seen.Most workplaces have mastered watching—monitoring performance, tracking metrics, observing output. But seeing? That's the part that gets missed. And it's the part that actually matters. In this episode of How Work Actually Works, Joe Marques and KayLee Hansen explore five practical questions that help leaders move from surveillance to connection. These are the kinds of questions that shift one-on-ones from status updates to real conversations—and create the conditions where trust and engagement can actually grow. KayLee shares her “magic questions” approach, including the story of the Hot Wheels Lamborghinis and why knowing someone’s exact coffee order matters more than most leaders realize. Joe adds perspective on why recognition often misses the mark, how motivation goes deeper than money, and why the first, polished answer people give is rarely the real one—until you slow down and dig a little deeper. They also talk about how to introduce this approach without it feeling performative or forced—especially if this isn’t how you’ve led before. Whether you’re a new manager or a seasoned leader looking to reset how you connect with your team, this episode gives you questions you can use immediately. Key Takeaways Why being watched feels very different from being understoodTwo questions that reveal how people actually want to be recognizedHow to move past surface-level answers to uncover real motivationWhat most leaders get wrong about feedback—and how to fix itOne culture question that works like a mini pulse surveyBetter leadership doesn’t start with better answers. It starts with better questions.

    40 min

  4. 12/30/2025

    What Makes People Want to Follow You | Episode 7

    What actually makes people want to follow a leader? In this episode of How Work Actually Works, Joe Marques and KayLee Hansen break leadership down to its simplest—and most misunderstood—ingredients. Using an unexpectedly sticky metaphor (apple pie), they explore why leadership isn’t about confidence, competence, or ambition alone—and why those traits, without something deeper, often fall flat. They unpack a practical “recipe” for real leadership: Self-awareness — knowing your strengths and your blind spotsHumility — being willing to learn out loud and invite others inCare — the true multiplier that turns authority into followership Along the way, they challenge common leadership myths, talk candidly about fake care and performative humility, and share real workplace stories that show how trust is actually built—or quietly broken. You’ll leave with: A clearer distinction between leadership and followershipSimple, actionable ways to gauge your own self-awarenessQuestions you can use with your team immediatelyA sharper lens on why people either lean in…or check out Simple ingredients. No shortcuts. And no cinnamon-by-the-cup mistakes.

    36 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Change People Choose (with Tria Deibert) | Episode 6

    What happens when you stop trying to fix what's broken and start building on what works? In our first guest episode, Joe and KayLee welcome Tria Deibert, SVP of Culture and Team Member Wellbeing at Hackensack Meridian Health—and one of the most authentic leaders we know. Tria shares how she went from marketing executive to culture architect (with plenty of imposter syndrome along the way), and why she scrapped the consultant "market shaper" language in favor of words that actually sound like real humans at work. You'll hear about: Why appreciative inquiry beats deficit-based thinking every timeHow 400-person summits make change feel like co-creationThe moment when everyone takes off their title and becomes equalsFour simple actions proven to drive engagement (no complicated programs required)Why "leadership is love in action" isn't soft—it's strategicThis conversation is proof that when you focus on what works, involve people in shaping the future, and lead with heart, culture shifts. And when culture shifts, everything else follows.

    39 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    The Six Things That Make Culture Actually Work | Episode 5

    Episode 5 opens with a surprise: Joe reveals the first physical proof copies of The Unmasking: Why We Hide and How We Find What’s Real—the moment the book finally becomes real (coming to Amazon December 9th) From there, Joe and KayLee dive into what the data finally proves about people and profit, including the 17-year Irrational Capital study showing how “culture-first” companies significantly outperform the S&P 500. Then they break culture down into something practical and usable—not a perk, not a poster, not a pizza party—but a practice. They walk through the six conditions every team needs if they want a culture that actually works: Psychological SafetyReal Human BondsAlignment Between Words + ActionsClarity You Can TrustPath Clearing (Not More Process)Support That Fuels Real GrowthExpect real stories (the Quad, potato projectiles, crappy computer mice), practical examples, and their new “Triple T” closing: a trio of Tips, Tactics, and Tools you can take back to work tomorrow. If you’ve ever wondered what truly creates sustained performance—and what kills it—this one’s worth a listen.

    54 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    The MASK Framework™: Why We Hold Back at Work | Episode 4

    Most teams aren’t quiet because they lack ideas — they’re quiet because they’ve learned it isn’t safe to speak. In this episode, Joe and KayLee dig into the MASK Framework™ — the four protection patterns people carry into work without even realizing it: Muting, Approval-Seeking, Security-Driven behavior, and the Kryptonite we hide to avoid looking weak. They break down why smart people hold back, how leaders accidentally teach teams to stay silent, and the small shifts that reopen trust — including the “Thank You AND” move that changed how one team handled ideas. If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting and heard the real opinions afterward, this episode explains why.

    43 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    The False Choice: Why Profit and People Aren’t Enemies | Episode 3

    For decades, leaders have been told to choose: results or relationships, performance or people. It’s a lie. In this episode, Joe and KayLee dismantle that false choice. From Bob Chapman’s “touch lives” philosophy to the cautionary tales of Wells Fargo, Uber, and the bankrupt studio behind Life of Pi, they show how success built only on metrics collapses — and how culture built only on heart can’t last. Then they reveal the bridge: the 3Cs of Authentic Leadership — Clarity, Connection, and Collaboration — and the real-world stories that prove it works.

    41 min

  9. 11/12/2025

    The Unmasking: Vulnerability, Reinvention & Being Real | Episode 2

    In this intimate conversation, KayLee Hansen turns the mic toward Joe Marques to explore the story behind his forthcoming book The Unmasking — Why We Hide and How We Find What’s Real. Joe opens up about the health scare that changed his life — and the five versions of his manuscript that taught him clarity doesn’t make life easier, it makes it unavoidable. Together, they unpack masks, mirrors, self-forgiveness, and the moment you stop pretending and start living.

    39 min

  10. 11/12/2025

    Why We Started “How Work Actually Works” | Episode 1

    Work is broken — and we’re here to talk about how to fix it. In this first episode, Joe Marques (Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Authentic Unlimited) and KayLee Hansen (Senior Director of Culture & Client Experience) share how their friendship, philosophy, and frustration with traditional “leadership talk” turned into a podcast about what really makes work work. From skeptical first meetings to the moments that shaped their purpose, this is the story behind Work Made Human™ — and what happens when two people decide to build something real.

    27 min

  11. 11/11/2025

    How Work Actually Works | Trailer

    Welcome to How Work Actually Works. Most people talk about how work should work. We're here to talk about how it actually works—the good, the messy, and what it takes to make it better. Join Joe Marques and KayLee Hansen of Authentic Unlimited for real conversations about leadership, culture, and what happens when you stop treating people and profit like competing priorities. Turns out, when you lead with authenticity and actually care about the humans in your organization, both thrive. No corporate jargon. No b******t. Just decades of experience helping organizations get this right. If you're skeptical that any of this "soft stuff" actually works in the real world, good—we love skeptics. 🎧 New episodes every two weeks. Work Made Human™

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

There’s a gap between how work is supposed to be and how it actually is, and this podcast is for people ready to do something about it. Hosted by Joe Marques and KayLee Hansen of Authentic Unlimited, How Work Actually Works cuts through the corporate noise to explore what it really takes to make work more human. Every two weeks, you’ll hear real stories, candid insights, and practical ways to build cultures where people thrive — by dropping the mask, leading authentically, and doing work that actually matters. 🎧 New episodes every other week. 💡 More at AuthenticUnlimited.com Work made human. Truth made practical.

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Marques with KayLee Hanson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Joe Marques with KayLee Hanson
  • Show Website
    How Work Actually Works