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Why We Need More Humanity in the Workplace with Debbie Cohen & Kate Roeske-Zummer (Ep. #41)

The BetterManager Team
Building Better Managers Podcast Episode 41 - Debbie Cohen & Kate Roeske-Zummer

Building Better Managers Podcast Episode #41: Why We Need More Humanity in the Workplace with Debbie Cohen & Kate Roeske-Zummer

The huge challenges for leaders and managers over the last year have left organizations scrambling for solutions as employees scatter for better opportunites and working conditions. We'll be sharing the skills and strategies that inject some much needed humanity into your organization to solve these problems and help turn around employees that are feeling burned out and disenfranchised.

In this episode:

Meet Debbie Cohen & Kate Roeske-Zummer:

  • In a revolutionary approach to workplace productivity, leadership experts Debbie Cohen and Kate Roeske-Zummer show you how to chart a new path forward: one that brings humanity to the workplace through awareness, choice and courage.
  • Inspired by proven techniques they’ve used to transform teams at organizations like Mozilla, Pinterest, Saba, Articulate and Charge EPC, the authors guide you through their transformative Five Practices. The result? A healthier, more productive work environment that draws the best – rather than squeezes the most – out of people.
  • Debbie and Kate have just published a new book “Humanity Works Better”- 5 Practices to Lead with Awareness, Choice and the Courage to Change. I’m excited for them to share their insights!reers.

Why We Need More Humanity In The Workplace

  • Productivity is about people, but overemphasis on efficiency and productivity has left folks burned out, disenfranchised and disheartened.
  • From this depleted state, folks are at their worst to navigate the difficult moments that come up when working together - those interactions create ripple effects and even scars that are serious roadblocks to productivity.

4 Steps to Implement Great Servant Leadership

  • Encourage diversity of thought.
  • Create a culture of trust.
  • Have an unselfish mindset.
  • Foster leadership in others.

What are the 5 Practices?

  • Creating Safety (it’s up to you)
  • Working Together (it’s not about you)
  • Claiming Your Value (know what is important to you)
  • Owning Your Impact (be responsible for what you create)
  • Daring Not to Know (you lead the way)

Simple Skills that Bring More Humanity to the Workplace

Humans Are People Not Resources

  • If you want to increase productivity, think about the power of language in shaping our mindsets and behaviors.
  • How do you refer to the function in your organization that is tasked with the attraction, retention, motivation and incentives, growth and evolution of your talent?
  • Are the words in your organization aligned to behavior, e.g. “people are our greatest asset” - but are they discussed as cost and liabilities rather than investments?
  • What is measured re: your people?

How Will Organizations Improve When Use These Practices?

  • Among their current clients, one has YTD, 94% retention in a climate where turnover is knocking the door at nearly 30% in many organizations.
  • Another hit their 2022 revenue goals halfway through 2021!
  • Human-centered organizations are simply seeing more favorable results.
  • This is not a "check the box and we are done" kind of effort - healthy relationships require ongoing care and nurturing.

Downloads & Resources

Follow Kate & Debbie on LinkedIn, Twitter and at HumanityWorks.com.

Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform!

Check out our blog articles on Leadership here.

About Debbie Cohen & Kate Roeske-Zummer

In a revolutionary approach to workplace productivity, leadership experts Debbie Cohen and Kate Roeske-Zummer show you how to chart a new path forward: one that brings humanity to the workplace through awareness, choice and courage. Inspired by proven techniques they’ve used to transform teams at organizations like Mozilla, Pinterest, Saba, Articulate and Charge EPC, the authors guide you through their transformative Five Practices. The result? A healthier, more productive work environment that draws the best – rather than squeezes the most – out of people.

Debbie and Kate have just published a new book “Humanity Works Better”- 5 Practices to Lead with Awareness, Choice and the Courage to Change. I’m excited for them to share their insights!

Episode Transcript
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