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In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha take on a leadership game-changer: how to transform dissent from a workplace disruption into a strategic driver of progress. The hosts explore why embracing rebels and fostering a culture of constructive dissent is critical for organizations to innovate, adapt, and thrive. Spoiler: it all starts with empowering middle managers.

• Why dissent matters: Avoiding stagnation and fostering innovation hinges on inviting diverse perspectives.
• Middle managers as changemakers: How training them early in psychological safety and facilitation skills creates a pipeline of inclusive leaders.
• Lessons from Gallipoli: What leadership in the trenches teaches us about empowering those on the front lines.
• Insights from Annie Duke’s Thinking in Bets: How probabilistic thinking encourages smarter decision-making and healthier debates.
• Toxic cultures and short-term thinking: Why silencing dissent is a recipe for failure—and how to flip the narrative to prioritize long-term success.

The conversation also highlights the real-world challenges of creating a culture of dissent and why middle managers hold the key to breaking echo chambers and driving organizational innovation.

• Into All Problem Solving, A Little Dissent Must Fall – McKinsey
• Gallipoli (1981) – A gripping exploration of leadership and front-line decision-making during WWI.
• Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke – A guide to decision-making under uncertainty.
• Industry – HBO’s intense look at the pressures of toxic, high-stakes workplaces.

Link to Show Notes

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Fearless PX on Linkedin at The Fearless PX
• Visit our website for more content and updates: https://www.thefearlesspx.com/
• Reach out to Marion, Cacha, and Danny at elephant@thefearlessp.com
• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

We encourage you to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening!

From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.

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From hybrid work hiccups to the turbulence in DEI initiatives, 2024 has been a whirlwind for HR and workplace culture. In this special year-end wrap-up of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha reflect on the defining “elephants” of the year.

We’re diving into the challenges that shaped the workplace, sharing key lessons from the year’s most heated debates, and unpacking how companies can avoid repeating their mistakes in 2025. Plus, we reveal what trends we’re most excited (and wary) about heading into the new year.

💡 Highlights from this episode:

• Why hybrid work sparked more frustration than flexibility in 2024.
• The downfall of performative DEI efforts—and how organizations can do better.
• Lessons from our expert guests on building psychological safety and trust.
• The workplace wins we’re celebrating and the mistakes we’ll leave behind.
• What’s next for The Elephant in the Org in 2025.

📢 Special Mention:
We’ve collated a list of the most influential thought leaders shaping workplace culture, hybrid work, and DEI in 2024. Explore their insights and connect with them by checking out the full list in our show notes.

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Fearless PX on Linkedin at The Fearless PX
• Visit our website for more content and updates: https://www.thefearlesspx.com/
• Reach out to Marion, Cacha, and Danny at elephant@thefearlessp.com
• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

We encourage you to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening!

From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.

Send us a text

Employee wellness programs are everywhere, but are they actually making a difference? In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha tackle the big questions about workplace wellness. From flashy perks and meditation apps to the critical need for psychological safety, we’re breaking down why so many wellness initiatives fall flat—and what companies need to do differently.

💡 Highlights from this episode:

• Why wellness programs often fail to move from intent to impact.
• The role of middle managers as the unsung heroes (and burnout victims) of workplace wellness.
• How return-to-office policies are taking a toll on employee health, especially for those with disabilities.
• The toxic trap of hustle culture—and why it’s time to let it go.
• Practical steps to embed well-being into your organization’s culture all year round.

📢 Special Mention:
Marion shares details about her Ph.D. research on psychological safety and return-to-office policies. If you’re U.S.-based, work in the knowledge sector, and have been with your employer for six months or more, we’d love for you to participate! Help shape this critical research by completing the survey here: https://lnkd.in/gsNm9BKC

Join the Conversation:
How is your workplace tackling wellness? Are the efforts impactful or just another checkbox exercise? We want to hear your stories!

Articles Referenced:
Gallup: Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Well-Being Falters

HBR: How Carewashing Alienates Employees

Show Notes

🐘 Let’s keep addressing the elephants in the org.

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Fearless PX on Linkedin at The Fearless PX
• Visit our website for more content and updates: https://www.thefearlesspx.com/
• Reach out to Marion, Cacha, and Danny at elephant@thefearlessp.com
• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

We encourage you to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening!

From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.

Send us a text

Happy Thanksgiving! This week, we’re serving up a hearty helping of gratitude—but is it heartfelt or just for show?

In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha carve into the complex world of workplace thankfulness.

Are annual "thank-you" emails and pizza parties really enough? Or are they just, as Marion says, "all fur coat and no knickers?"

We discuss why performative gratitude often misses the mark and explore what it takes to make appreciation feel authentic and meaningful.

In this episode, we explore:
✅ The difference between performative and authentic gratitude (and why it matters).
✅ Why recognition programs and ritualized thank-yous can sometimes tick the wrong boxes.
✅ How managers can build authentic connections with their teams (spoiler: no pizza parties!).
✅ The gratitude gap: Why middle managers need more support to foster appreciation.

Plus, we share our personal reflections on gratitude this year and invite you to join the conversation about what true appreciation looks like in the workplace.

Whether you’re reflecting on how you recognize your team or rolling your eyes at yet another empty corporate "thank you" email, this special Thanksgiving episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the real impact of gratitude at work.

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Fearless PX on Linkedin at The Fearless PX
• Visit our website for more content and updates: https://www.thefearlesspx.com/
• Reach out to Marion, Cacha, and Danny at elephant@thefearlessp.com
• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

We encourage you to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening!

From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.

Send us a text

In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, we’re tackling the controversial “work family” narrative. Is calling your workplace a family a sign of authentic connection, or is it just another way to blur boundaries and exploit loyalty?

Join Danny, Marion, and Cacha as they explore:

• The red flags behind the "work family" narrative.
• Why this language gives some people “the ick” and others a sense of belonging.
• How workplace culture can foster real bonds without manipulation.
• The fine line between psychological safety and toxic expectations.

From corporate love-bombing to performative culture, we’re breaking down what it really means to feel connected at work—and how companies can get it right (or very wrong).

Referenced Articles:
📄 We Need to Stop Referring to Work as Family—Here’s Why
📄 Company Culture: Why You Shouldn’t Refer to Your Team as a Family
📄 The Myth of Workplace Family and What Leadership Can Do to Cultivate Authentic Engagement
📄 The Toxic Effects of Branding Your Workplace a Family

Participate in Marion’s PhD Research:
Help shape the future of work by participating in Marion’s research survey on employees’ experiences with remote, hybrid, and in-office work, and how these affect psychological safety. Your insights will contribute to understanding workplace dynamics in a post-pandemic world.

👉 Take the survey here.

Listen now and decide: Is "work family" a comfort, a red flag, or something else entirely?

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Fearless PX on Linkedin at The Fearless PX
• Visit our website for more content and updates: https://www.thefearlesspx.com/
• Reach out to Marion, Cacha, and Danny at elephant@thefearlessp.com
• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

We encourage you to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening!

From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.

Send us a text

Election season is upon us, and it’s not just your social media feed that’s feeling the heat—your workplace is, too. In this episode of *The Elephant in the Org*, hosts Danny Gluch, Marion Anderson, and Cacha Dora tackle the tension that creeps into offices during politically charged times. From navigating differing opinions at work to managing post-election anxieties, we explore how to maintain psychological safety when emotions run high.

Is it possible to keep things civil in the office when things get messy outside? Should organizations offer moderated spaces for political conversations, or are they just asking for trouble? And how do we support colleagues who might be struggling after the election without turning the workplace into a battlefield?

It’s a lively, thoughtful discussion on what happens when *the personal becomes professional*. Whether you’re managing a team, navigating political conversations, or just trying to survive the watercooler talk, this episode offers practical insights with a healthy dose of humor.

Tune in to hear our take on how to stay sane, civil, and connected at work—even when the world feels anything but.

Link to show notes

**Referenced Articles and Books:**

- [Navigating Politics in the Workplace During a Divisive Election Year]

- [How to Guide Your Workplace Through the 2024 Election Season]

- [Navigating Pre- and Post-Election Tensions in the Workplace: Part I]

- [2024 Election Impact on the Workplace]

- [What Employers Need to Know About Employee Voting Leave]

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Fearless PX on Linkedin at The Fearless PX
• Visit our website for more content and updates: https://www.thefearlesspx.com/
• Reach out to Marion, Cacha, and Danny at elephant@thefearlessp.com
• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

We encourage you to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening!

From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.

Send us a text

In this explosive episode, Danny Gluch, Marion Anderson, and Cacha Dora dive deep into the turbulent world of middle management. Inspired by the recent MSN article "Being a middle manager is getting increasingly toxic," our hosts explore whether it's the hardest it's ever been for those caught between the C-suite and the frontlines.

Our hosts unpack:

• The growing toxicity in middle management roles
• Why focusing on managers might be more crucial than employee experience
• The dangerous disconnect between C-suite expectations and on-the-ground realities
• How the push for efficiency might be crushing innovation and morale
• The critical need for psychological safety in fostering effective leadership

From "time and attendance police" to "mouthpieces for bad news," we explore middle managers’ evolving and often thankless role. Are they set up to fail from the get-go? How can organizations better support these crucial linchpins?

Join us for a no-holds-barred discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and offers fresh perspectives on empowering middle management. Whether you're a seasoned leader, an aspiring manager, or simply interested in organizational dynamics, this episode is a must-listen.

Don't miss out on this thought-provoking conversation. Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and let us know your thoughts!

Do you have an organizational elephant you want to discuss? Email us at elephant@thefearlesspx.com

Link to show notes

**Reference:**

MSN. (2024). "Being a middle manager is getting more and more toxic."

#MiddleManagement #LeadershipChallenges #OrganizationalDynamics #WorkplaceCulture #TheElephantInTheOrg

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Fearless PX on Linkedin at The Fearless PX
• Visit our website for more content and updates: https://www.thefearlesspx.com/
• Reach out to Marion, Cacha, and Danny at elephant@thefearlessp.com
• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

We encourage you to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening!

From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.

Send us a text

We are back! Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of "The Elephant in the Org"!

Danny, Cacha, and Marion are thrilled to kick off a new season, bringing you fresh insights into workplace dynamics and organizational culture. While Marion is on assignment for this episode, Danny and Cacha are excited to welcome a very special guest: Acey Holmes, founder of BoredLess.

Acey is a playful work design consultant who's about to shake up everything you thought you knew about productivity and workplace enjoyment. With her vibrant energy and engaging style, Acey is transforming corporate cultures one playful interaction at a time.

As the mastermind behind BoredLess, Acey has made it her mission to revolutionize work environments by seamlessly weaving flexibility, purpose, psychological safety, and inclusion into the fabric of everyday work life. Her secret weapon? The power of play and flow.

Acey's unique blend of experience in education, speech-language pathology, and a deep understanding of neuroscience allows her to translate complex concepts into relatable, actionable strategies. As a TEDx and 4x DisruptHR speaker, she's inspired countless teams to unlock their creativity and foster collaboration in ways they never thought possible.

In this episode, Danny and Cacha dive deep with Acey into the world of playful work design. They explore how something as simple as an "emotional support pickle" on your desk can boost productivity, and why treating your workday like a strategy game might be the key to unlocking your potential.

Get ready for a conversation that will challenge your perceptions, tickle your funny bone, and maybe even inspire you to bring a little more play into your workday. It's time to get BoredLess and discover the elephant in the org – the untapped power of playfulness at work!

You can connect with Acey here

You can find this episode's show notes here

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Fearless PX on Linkedin at The Fearless PX
• Visit our website for more content and updates: https://www.thefearlesspx.com/
• Reach out to Marion, Cacha, and Danny at elephant@thefearlessp.com
• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

We encourage you to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode enlightening!

From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.