In this episode, Jivan Dempsey interviews Christina Robinson, the CEO of Green Umbrella Marketing, who shares her inspiring journey from the hospitality industry to becoming a successful business owner. Christina discusses the importance of values in business leadership and how she fosters a thriving company culture by understanding and aligning with her team's strengths and aspirations. Christina reflects on her experiences with mentorship, the challenges of transitioning from employee to owner, and the significance of creating an inclusive environment where team members feel valued and empowered.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The importance of aligning personal and organizational values is crucial for fostering a strong company culture. Engaging the team in identifying and owning these values can lead to a more cohesive and motivated workforce.

• A strong sense of curiosity drives personal and professional growth. Actively seeking knowledge and understanding gaps in skills can lead to better performance and innovation within a business.

• Recognizing that each team member has unique challenges and strengths is essential. Tailoring support to meet individual needs, whether through mentorship or flexible work arrangements.

• Open and honest communication is vital in addressing issues within a team. Asking the right questions and being prepared for any response fosters an environment where employees feel safe to share their struggles.

• True leadership involves caring deeply about team members and understanding their journeys. Building connections and providing support can empower individuals to grow and thrive.

BEST MOMENTS

"I always say I'm known for three things: marketing, mindset, and mischief. And hopefully the mischief will become apparent as we go through this."

"When you understand people, it's amazing the conversations you have... it's not just about the business and the marketing; it's also about who they are as a person."

"You can't use a cookie cutter approach because that isn't going to work... they haven't spent long enough really getting to understand what the individual wants."

"I always want people that come into my team to start here and leave there. If you are the same person when you left as when you started, I'm not a good leader."

"It's about what resources can we put in place? Every organization should have something in place, even if it's your mental health first aider."

HOST BIO

Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity. Triggered by the #MeToo movement she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, groomed and assaulted by a boss at work, his subsequent aggression and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved.

Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger.

As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers bespoke consultancy and programmes to help companies navigate HR transformation that delivers a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and more inclusive workplaces for all.

Please connect with her on Linked In:

Jivan Dempsey FCIPD GMBPsS | LinkedIn

Or email at:

hrhacksandhalos@gmail.com

www.fiverivers-consulting.com

HR Change Manager’s Handbook: The 3 Step Guide To Managing HR Transformation: https://amzn.eu/d/drvToPv

Are you working in a toxic environment? Take our free quiz to find out

https://bit.ly/3BPZXSR

In this episode, Jivan welcomes life coach and author Angela Allan-Burns, also known as Ang, to discuss the profound challenges of navigating divorce and its impact on the workplace. Ang shares her personal experiences of a lengthy divorce process and emphasizes the emotional toll it can take on productivity and mental health. Through her podcast, "Do I Really Hate Men?", she aims to support individuals, particularly women, in rebuilding their lives post-divorce and highlights the importance of emotional support and flexibility from employers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Divorce can significantly affect an individual's productivity and mental health, making it challenging to maintain focus and performance at work.

• Employees going through a divorce should feel encouraged to communicate their situation to their employers or line managers, as this can lead to necessary support and flexibility in the workplace.

• Employers should consider implementing flexible work arrangements to accommodate employees dealing with personal crises, such as divorce, to help reduce absenteeism and improve overall well-being.

• Many individuals experience feelings of shame and guilt when going through a divorce, which can prevent them from seeking help or sharing their struggles with colleagues and managers.

• Prioritizing self-care is crucial for individuals navigating divorce. Taking time for oneself can lead to better emotional health, which ultimately benefits both the individual and their children.

BEST MOMENTS

"Divorce could go on a long time. Mine went on just short of six years. It was a long time of strife and difficulty."

"You have to look after yourself. If you don't look after yourself, you can't look after your children."

"A broken home is a home where there is fighting going on every night and control issues and abuse."

"Sometimes it's not going to work for them nor for someone going through a divorce who needs to be somewhere for their children."

"Divorce is like a new beginning. It really is... it's taken me to this point where I can really help other people."

HOST BIO

Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity. Triggered by the #MeToo movement she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, groomed and assaulted by a boss at work, his subsequent aggression and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved.

Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger.

As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers bespoke consultancy and programmes to help companies navigate HR transformation that delivers a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and more inclusive workplaces for all.

CONTACT

Please connect with her on Linked In:

Jivan Dempsey FCIPD GMBPsS | LinkedIn

Or email at:

hrhacksandhalos@gmail.com

jivan@fiverivers-consulting.com

HR Change Manager’s Handbook: The 3 Step Guide To Managing HR Transformation: https://amzn.eu/d/drvToPv

Are you working in a toxic environment? Take our free quiz to find out

https://bit.ly/3BPZXSR

www.fiverivers-consulting.com

In this episode, Jivan engages in a thought-provoking conversation with leadership advisor Olga Vtorushina and Dorrit Kromans board professional about their upcoming book, "Board Dynamics," set to be published in the first quarter of 2025. The discussion delves into the often misunderstood role of boards within organisations, highlighting their overarching responsibilities, the importance of diverse voices, and their critical influence on company culture and decision-making. Olga and Dorrit share insights on how boards can foster productive environments, address diversity and inclusion challenges, and ensure all members feel empowered to contribute.

olga.vt@sociallearningtalent.com dorrit@kromanns.com

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Boards hold the overall responsibility for an organization, including strategic direction, compliance, and hiring C-level executives, while maintaining a boundary that prevents them from engaging in operational work.

• Diverse boards, in terms of gender, age, and background, lead to more productive discussions and decision-making.

• The chairperson plays a crucial role in fostering a healthy board environment by ensuring that all voices are heard and that the meeting is productive.

• Due to existing dynamics, new board members often face challenges in asserting their voices.

• Boards significantly influence organizational culture and decision-making processes. By addressing underlying issues and fostering open communication.

BEST MOMENTS

"The board is the overall responsible. They are responsible for the right strategy, for compliance, and for hiring most of the C-level executives."

"I always think about the board meeting itself as how productive that should be for any important decision to come out."

"When you have a very homogeneous board, you don’t really need to think about how to speak. But when you start to have diversity, you need to listen differently."

"New people have a tendency to observe, to listen in, to think they are still here to learn, but their contribution is important."

"The chair's most important task is to make sure something intelligent is happening at the meeting."

HOST BIO

Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity and bad boss behaviour. Triggered by the #MeToo movement she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, groomed and assaulted by a boss at work, his subsequent aggression and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved.

Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger.

As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers bespoke consultancy and programmes to help companies navigate HR transformation that delivers a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and more inclusive workplaces for all.

Please connect with her on Linked In:

Jivan Dempsey FCIPD GMBPsS | LinkedIn

Or send her an email at:

jivan@fiverivers-consulting.com

www.fiverivers-consulting.com

HR Change Manager’s Handbook: The 3 Step Guide To Managing HR Transformation: https://amzn.eu/d/drvToPv

Are you working in a toxic environment? Take our free quiz to find out

https://bit.ly/3BPZXSR