What are some of the biggest challenges that small business owners face as they attempt to build a dream team that can help them scale their business to another level? On today’s episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess is joined by two incredible women – Ashley Smith of Fundamental Inc and Krystal Hobbs of Reflective Marketing , both of whom share their wisdom and insights around growth and people management. Both Ashley and Krystal started their businesses as solo entrepreneurs, and were lucky e...
Sep 29, 2021•38 min
Whether we realize it or not, we have an impact on the people around us every single day. Every action we take and everything we say or share creates an impact on the people we work with. Understanding this, how do we make sure that we have the impact we want? What if you could always react in a measured and astute manner? What if you could work with others in a way that creates a positive impact, no matter how challenging the situation or conversation? In today’s episode of Unlocking Your Peopl...
Sep 22, 2021•21 min
Chris Gardner is the CEO of Sequence Bio and he has some thoughts on diversity, remote working, and conflict management to share with Jess. Based in Newfoundland, Sequence Bio is a data-driven biotechnology company. They’re doing cutting-edge work, not just in their day-to-day operations, but also in their smart and scientific HR practices. Jess recently placed a high-ranking executive at Sequence Bio and he was totally blown away by their emphasis on understanding people and psychology. In toda...
Sep 15, 2021•41 min
It's time for another Q&A session! In this episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess is joined once again by Kendra Lane as they answer questions submitted to them on a wide range of subjects. You'll learn the benefits of strength-based leadership, as well as methods for determining how to best support an employee - developing their strengths versus building their weaknesses. Jess and Kendra will explore the concept of diversity in the workplace, including the benefits and challenges. They’ll a...
Sep 08, 2021•44 min
What’s the single most important element in building a high-performing team? Trust. In any organization, trust is a precious commodity, one that must be nurtured and protected. It’s the glue that allows people to work effectively with one another. It dispels fear, spurs innovation and acts as a catalyst for growth in your organization. In today’s show, Jess shares some expert tips for creating and cultivating trust within your team. You’ll learn the power of vulnerability-based trust, and how a ...
Sep 01, 2021•23 min
Jess and Kendra are back with another insightful show answering your questions. Let’s look at some of the questions on today’s show. In the wake of COVID, when everyone is working remotely, how do we maintain our culture and a sense of team? This is a tough one. While there’s no denying the benefits of remote work, perhaps the biggest challenge is ensuring that our connections and culture remain intact. You’ll learn why being more “intentional about sharing” is the best strategy at this time. Yo...
Aug 25, 2021•33 min
It's been said that the only constant thing is change. That's certainly been true over the last year or, as the global pandemic has completely changed the way we work, play and even interact. That said, rapid change has been a "constant" for most of the 20th and 21st centuries, particularly in the world of work. In this episode of "Unlocking Your People," Jess chats with Rene Woolridge to discuss how the workplace has changed, and more importantly, how people are managing (or failing to manage) ...
Aug 18, 2021•30 min
Mental health is a hot topic, particularly in the workplace. The events of the past year and the challenges the pandemic has brought have highlighted the importance of supporting mental health and wellness. While many businesses have made great strides to put policies and resources in place, it can often be difficult to implement them in a way that helps people feel supported rather than singled out. In today's episode of "Unlocking your People," Jess sits down with Alison Butler to discuss how ...
Aug 11, 2021•34 min
One of the most common challenges that leaders face in their organizations is how to give honest developmental feedback to an employee in a constructive and supportive way. Managing performance is a big part of a leader's responsibilities, but so is addressing situations where people are exhibiting behaviors, etc. that are unhelpful. In this episode of "Unlocking Your People," Jess offers some insights into the importance of giving developmental feedback to your team members, as well as tips for...
Aug 04, 2021•13 min
On today’s show, we field different questions from our listeners on a wide range of topics like culture, conflict, and communication. Kendra Lane, an eThree client with the same passion for people, joins us today to act as host. Here are just some of the questions we’ll tackle on today’s episode: How do you know it’s time to fire an employee? This is a common issue that most organizations will grapple with at one time or another. You’ll learn the two red flags that indicate you need to let go of...
Jul 28, 2021•33 min
Have you ever struggled with “fit issues” at your organization? Have you ever been in a company or organization where you felt like the odd one out? It can happen to anyone. In this episode of "Unlocking Your People," Jess discusses the issue of "fit" within organizations. Many think that "fit" refers to a candidate's abilities - they possess the right skills and experience to be proficient, or ideally, better than proficient, in a specific role. However, that's only part of the story, as Jess w...
Jul 23, 2021•14 min
As per a recent survey, more than two-thirds of employees would like to receive more feedback. Yet, most employers shy away from giving feedback. And the small percentage of employers that do, do an extremely shoddy job. On today’s show, we are joined by Operational Excellence Coordinator, Rene as we discuss the best way to give and receive feedback to your employees. You will learn WHY an annual performance appraisal is simply not enough. And why this is an ineffective mechanism that results in...
Jul 20, 2021•30 min
How can you better support performance in your organization or team, while equipping your employees with the tools they need to succeed? On today’s show, Jess shares her ABC framework to help you do exactly that. This ABC framework can help you ensure that you set your people up to succeed. You’ll learn about the components that make up the ABC framework, starting with A – which stands for Awareness. Are your people truly AWARE of what is expected of them and do they understand your big WHY? Fro...
Jul 18, 2021•20 min
On today’s show, Jess speaks to Gina Pecore, CEO of Genoa Design International , who shares her insights on growth, company culture, and consistent HR practices. You’ll also learn why a people-first approach is critical for managing amazing growth. Genoa is a production design firm that provides 3D modeling services for the shipbuilding industry and offshore industries. Back in the early 1990s, Gina’s husband, Leonard Pecore found himself without a job after graduating with a Diploma in Naval Ar...
Jul 13, 2021•35 min
Most of us can remember learning the "Golden Rule" as kids. The idea of "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you" carries with it some useful advice on being thoughtful in your interactions with others. However, when it comes to unlocking and empowering others, the Golden Rule may not be the best way forward. In today's episode of "Unlocking your People," Jess introduces two fundamental concepts that offer a new way to look at interaction in the workplace, especially when your goal ...
Jul 12, 2021•14 min
Businesses run on people and relationships. The better your people perform, the better your organization performs. But, how do you handle the "tough people stuff" in your business? Each one of us spent our time in school learning math, science, history, geography, and other fascinating subjects. However, there's one subject that we've really never taught - human interaction. There's an assumption that, because we're human, we're innately capable of dealing with other humans, no matter the situat...
Jul 09, 2021•17 min
