HR Inside Out

Paul Moffatt made a decision, late in his career, to become a bus driver. He applied to the local transit authority, studied for and attained his Class 2 drivers license. He has discovered that, of all the different jobs he has worked at through his career, being a bus driver is the absolute best. As a people person, Paul has found his niche. We are going to explore the process Paul went through to make this decision, why he loves the job so intensely, and where else this has taken him to in the latter years of his career.

As this month’s podcasts are with individuals working in a variety of different jobs and careers, I began to reflect on the number of calls I have received over the years from individuals interested in learning more about working within the field of human resources. So…. for those of you wishing to understand about a career choice that kept me interested and learning for many years, in this week’s podcast we explore the scope of HR, a little about the various specialist options that individuals may wish to pursue, what working as a generalist is like - and more - about this fascinating and exciting career option. We also review a current posting for the roles of HR Assistant and HR Coordinator/Advisor with some tips to consider in your own interview processes. Join me!

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Ed Seymour as they discuss the importance of mentors, especially during your key developmental years and when you are feeling stretched beyond what you think you might be capable of. In the podcast Susan and Ed also speak on the creation of our personal career histories - the ones that evolve from the decisions we make along the way – when we say “yes” to opportunities and create those, at times, roads less travelled as part of our learning and development, using Ed’s rich and diverse career history as an real-life example of the tapestry we can choose to weave over the years. And more!

Although I believe our school systems are doing better at helping guide us in reviewing options regarding careers that will hopefully engage us for the rest of our working lives, I thought it might be fun to spend some time in the upcoming podcasts introducing you to individuals in unique jobs that we might not have thought to pursue. I am also increasingly speaking with individuals who have chosen to leave careers to pursue something different in later years. Perhaps you are mid-career and asking whether there could be something more, or a way you could be applying your skills, experience and education differently. Like me, you want to colour outside those proverbial lines and “do” differently, with more passion and re-finding that sparkle that you haven’t seen lately when looking at “you” in the mirror. You are going to meet individuals who made the leap and never looked back. And for many of you who spent your lives at one speed – full on – retirement may not be what you had contemplated. For those who had absolutely no time whatsoever to pursue hobbies and passions, the hours now available to you may now seem long and unproductive. Some options for you to consider as well. A taste of what is to come, examples of real people making different choices, excerpts from my book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within…. Hope you will join me!

In the roles we play, we are expected to be able to not only handle our own stressors, but frequently to mitigate stress for others and be the “go to” for others, for answers. Our world, in a matter of months, became something that none of us had experienced or been expected to lead through, at any prior time in our lives. The eventual return to our “new normal” if there is such a thing, is the next hurdle that we will need to contend with. This past year and a half has for many people, created stressors and stress levels that no-one could have contemplated. How we take care of ourselves through such circumstances is critical. In this podcast host Susan Ney explores what causes stress, signs that you might be experiencing stress, some stress relievers, exploring work/life balance, and helping us remember to never get so busy making a living that we forget to make a life.

Sometimes things happen to us that we have no control over – like life-altering illnesses, employment termination and then being cut-off LTD benefits. Dealing with one of these is difficult enough. When all occur at the same time, it can feel like a virtual tsunami. We can let such circumstances take us out, or we can decide to fight. Those choices determine where we go next in this life of ours. In today’s podcast you will meet Catherine Elliott – one of my heroes – someone who models courage, resilience and tenacity – and what deciding to react differently can look like, even in truly adverse circumstances.

Susan Ney hosts guest Dr. Paul Harrietha in a dialogue about gender equity and, to use the subtitle of his book, what’s really holding women back in business – and how to fix it. Dr. Harrietha and co-author Holly Catalfamo confirm that women are held back from advancement opportunities (particularly the C-suite and board positions) by a number of invisible rules that continue to “tilt the playing field in favour of white men”. Their book The Invisible Rules: What’s really holding women back in business – and how to fix it, is based on direct one-on-one interviews with 50 senior female Canadian executives who shared their personal insights, experiences, wisdom and real-life challenges. Learn about the four big biases women face, the CAPS Leadership Framework and what we all need to be doing to help finally achieve gender equity within our workplaces and organizations.

Change always creates ripples in our lives – or tsunamis – depending on the magnitude of the situation. Some of these we create by our own actions. At other times we are impacted by circumstances totally outside of our personal control. How we deal with these situations can build courage, grit, resilience, and the eventual ability to positively move forward if we so choose. This podcast introduces you to the theme of ripples and to some of the heroes I reflect on in my book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within; individuals who rose above really difficult situations stronger and as real life demonstration that it can be done. Leadership at its very best!

Susan Ney hosts guest James Ridge, author of Welcome to the Hall: A Practical Guide for Municipal Leaders as he shares his experiences and wisdom drawn from years of working in top formal leadership positions in local government, reporting to an elected Mayor and Council. This book is a “must-read” for anyone considering either a position on Council or a CAO/Municipal Manager’s job or if you are interested in attaining a better understanding of local and regional governments. James provides a candid overview of the roles, responsibilities, and realities. In the podcast, James also shares his own nuggets of learning about leadership.

In this episode of the series, host Susan Ney reflects on what leadership means to her using examples from her own experiences. She shares that there are leadership lessons all around us in every way and on every day. Always wishing to promise some fun, Susan borrows excerpts from her book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within (available on Amazon) - lessons from the playground - and how many of these first learnings have influenced us, both personally and within our organizations. You are encouraged to dare to soar on more than your neighbourhood swing set!

Susan Ney hosts guest, Dr. Kieth Deats, as he shares how his personal journey shaped both his leadership style and the model he created through his doctoral research and dissertation, of Equality-Based Practice and the related Five-Step Framework. Dr. Deats offers programs and dialogue on leading in uncertainty through his business Recree8, based out of Scotland. His passion is about “Helping Individuals, Groups and Leaders Think and Grow.” He “Strives for inclusion, transparency, and the well-being of the whole to sustain and increase rates of growth.” He has helped transform companies into places where people love to come to work because they are asked for input, listened to, and truly wish to buy in to their and their organization’s success. Dr. Deats integrates the latest research and thinking on leadership into his work. He encourages deep dialogue and reflection. We hope you will join us and learn more!

In this episode of the series, host Susan Ney talks about how each of us has all we need inside of ourselves to be find the leadership within us and to be our very best version of “us”. Using sections of her book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within (available on Amazon), through the use of story she speaks of the internal gremlins that get in our way, how we frequently judge ourselves to be not enough, and often look to others to determine our paths. She encourages the listener to reflect on their own journey and thought patterns and to choose to “do” differently when these are getting in the way. “Dare to Soar!” And consider asking a friend to help find the thermals when we can’t find them for ourselves. It is whimsical, thought provoking and fun!

Join host Susan Ney and her guest John Izzo, Author, Keynote Speaker, and Consultant as they dive into some of the key aspects of John’s books: Stepping Up: How Taking Responsibility Changes Everything and The Purpose Revolution: How Leaders Create Engagement and Competitive Advantage in an age of Social Good. Whether you are currently a leader of people, aspire to be one at some point in your career, or just want to be the very best version of “you”, John provides fabulous insights from the research he has conducted and the organizations he has worked with through his career; insights that will help both you and your organization thrive. Always engaging and immensely interesting you are treated to an hour of learning from a master. Hope you will join us!

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Alex Cann, Senior Project Manager with Maximizer Software Inc. as they dig deep into the topic of employee engagement, looking at some of the statistics around disengagement, and reviewing the practices and culture that Alex has found successful in helping to create an engaged workforce. Lots of tips for those who lead teams and for those struggling to keep excited about their employment.

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Cindy Rogers as they talk about employee engagement, both their own and that of the employees they work with. Cindy will also talk about the employee engagement project recently assigned to her students, what they have learned from their research and how that learning compares with their own employment experiences to date.