The People Strategy Podcast

Navigating the 'big why' of business with precision and insight is at the heart of this episode featuring Byron Low, a predictive index partner and seasoned coach committed to refining organizational culture. Together, Byron and host Traci Austin unpack the symbiotic relation between personal purpose and its potent ability to drive team inspiration—underscoring the importance of aligning personal and professional ambitions.

Additional Resources:
Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting
Connect with Byron on LinkedIn
Learn more about BigWhy Coaching 
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn 
Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Traci Austin has seen the power of listening to employee complaints and turning them into opportunities for growth and transformation first hand. In this epsiode, she discusses strategies and techniques to empower employees to come up with solutions rather than just expressing frustrations. She highlights the significance of creating an environment where employees feel heard and valued, leading to a more engaged and fulfilled workforce.

Additional Resources:
Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
Strategy Roadmap Webinar
Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Navigating the intricacies of leadership and the vitality of people strategy, Jonathan Reynolds, CEO of Titus Talent Strategies, brings his compelling philosophy to the People Strategy Podcast. In a rich discussion with host Traci Austin, Jonathan illuminates the path to discovering and nurturing individual potential within an organizational framework. He underscores the essential practice of slowing down to genuinely support and elevate employees' aspirations, going as far as integrating their life goals into the company culture. Emphasizing a no-nonsense approach to organizational values, Jonathan explains his uncompromising stance on integrity and honesty.

Additional Resources:

 
Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting
Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn
Learn about Titus Talent Strategies
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Transitioning from incarceration to corporate leadership, Michelle Cirocco has forged a unique and impactful career trajectory, demonstrating the transformative power of meaningful employment. As the CEO of Televerde Foundation, Michelle actively champions the cause of providing employment, training, and educational opportunities to incarcerated women as a gateway to successful reentry into society. In her conversation with host Traci Austin, Michelle sheds light on the importance of offering individuals with criminal records the prospect of a second chance, mirrored through her personal journey and the significant work of Televerde.

Additional Resources:
Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting
Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn
Learn about Televerde Foundation 
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn 
Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Tina-Marie Wohlfield believes nobody should ever feel isolated in their missteps; instead, she advocates for a culture where individuals are encouraged to share their journey, including the pitfalls. In this episode, Tina-Marie and Traci discuss her insights as a rehabilitation strategist, emphasizing the critical need for a culture that leverages individuals' strengths and values people as the core of every business decision.

We'll learn how a people-first approach can align with corporate goals, transforming traditional HR from an administrative function into one that’s value-driven and deeply integrated into the decision-making processes.

Additional Resources:
Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting
Connect with Tina-Marie Wohlfield on LinkedIn
TIMAWO Website 
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn 
Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In this episode of the People Strategy Podcast, Coye Harrett, president and owner of Prairie Rivet, shares his insights on expanding a business and putting customers first with Traci. Coye talks about his strategies to allow key people to have decision-making authority and creativity to get the job done in the best way possible. By letting go of the vine and trusting his team to reach the desired outcomes, Coye is creating a transparent environment that embraces both successes and mistakes as learning opportunities.

Additional Resources:
Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting
Connect with Coye Harrett on LinkedIn
Prairie Rivet Website
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In this episode of the People Strategy Podcast host, Traci Austin, shares a real-life example of working with a rapidly growing renewable energy company, highlighting the importance of aligning business goals with a clear people strategy roadmap. She emphasizes the significance of believing in the attainability of goals, defining what "winning" looks like at all levels of the organization, and ensuring that the right people are in the right roles. Traci provides insights into leveraging tools such as predictive index and addressing potential areas of misperception and disengagement within a growing organization.

Additional Resources:
Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
Strategy Roadmap Webinar
Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network

A philosopher at heart, Drew Fortin, posits that decisions are akin to the vital currency that propels development forward. In this episode of the People Strategy Podcast, Drew and Traci explore the fascinating intersection of mission, vision, values (MVV), and the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence. With nearly two decades of experience in growth strategies, Drew, CEO of Lever Talent, brings a wealth of knowledge on aligning teams and fostering engagement through clear organizational MVV.

Additional Resources:

Drew Fortin on LinkedIn

Lever Talent Website 

Connect with Traci on LinkedIn

Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting 

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn 

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

On today's episode of the People Strategy Podcast, we have a captivating conversation with guest Andreas Dankelmann, from FifthAscent. He joins Traci Austin to delve into the world of organizational leadership as they explore how to elevate people and organizations through a people strategy roadmap. Andreas shares his insights on implementing predictive index and the entrepreneurial operating system within organizations. They discuss the importance of building strong leadership teams, defining success, and creating a structure that allows people to thrive in their roles. Join us as we uncover the key insights and actionable people strategies to drive business results.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Traci on LinkedIn

Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting

Connect with Andreas on LinkedIn

Learn more about FifthAscent

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Charlie Saffro is not just the founder of CS Recruiting, a company known for excellence in logistics, transportation, and supply chain recruitment—it's a company that lives and breathes its values. From making a difference to celebrating success and doing what's right, Charlie breaks down how these principles are not just platitudes, but actions that influence every single decision made by her and her team, including some of the most difficult ones.

She joins Traci to share her personal leadership journey, from the transition to a leadership role, handling the challenges of delegation and empowerment, to the integration of personal and organizational values. She's candid about the struggles she faced, how feedback has been critical to growth, and why vulnerability isn't just a buzzword but a real strength in leading a team.

Join us as we discuss what it means to see the person behind the title, to make human connections, and to lead with heart—not just in metrics, but in our remote-working world. We'll also discover the power of employee evolution meetings and understand why trust, communication and psychological safety are non-negotiable for a truly engaged and productive workforce.

Additional Resources:

• Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
• Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting
• Connect with Charlie on LinkedIn
• Learn more about CS Recruiting
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn 
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In today's episode, Traci Austin reflects on the year 2023 and the importance of goal setting. She shares her personal experiences with setting and achieving goals, emphasizing the significance of reflecting on the impact and outcomes of these goals. Traci provides valuable insights into the "SMARTY" goal format and how it can be applied to both personal and organizational goals. She stresses the importance of aligning goals with core values and finding intrinsic meaning in them. Join her as she dives deep into the power of goal setting and the impact it can have on our lives and organizations. Thank you for tuning in, and let's make 2024 a year of achieving meaningful and impactful goals! 

Additional Resources

• Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
• Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Rob Grady is a passionate and insightful leader of a top-tier hydronics rep firm that prides itself on serving better than anyone else. He joins Traci Austin to dive deep into the people-first culture that Rob fosters at Mulcahy, exploring how empowering and supporting their team has been pivotal in driving growth and meeting customer needs. They dissect how Mulcahy actively aligns its core values with its business decisions, from hiring practices to geographic expansion, creating a strong foundation that guides the company's trajectory.

Rob also shares invaluable insights into Mulcahy's people strategies. They'll discuss the importance of understanding your employees, aligning core values with everyday decisions, and the profound impact of employee appreciation. So, whether you're an executive, a team leader, or just someone interested in nurturing a thriving workplace, this episode is packed with practical strategies and heartfelt advice.

Additional Resources

Connect with Traci on LinkedIn

Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting

Connect with Rob on LinkedIn

Learn more about Mulcahy Company

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

There are times where we, as leaders and as employees, get frustrated with being asked to complete a specific task, and then being asked to complete another for an individual inside of the organization at the exact same time. During these moments it can be difficult to decide what is the top priority and what isn’t. Today I examine how to face these multiple competing priorities and more specifically how they can be used to elevate your team to build better solutions and inspire your staff.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Traci on LinkedIn

Predictive Index

12 Tips to Determine What Needs Action First

ETC / INSPIRE

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Marcia Barnes has a knack for rallying people together. Widely recognized for her enthusiasm and strategic mindset, she champions growth not merely as a goal but as an essential ingredient to nurturing talent and ensuring her team members have a vibrant pathway to flourish within Valve and Meter. Her story is one of passion intertwined with the practicalities of leadership, illustrating that at the heart of successful business growth lies the well-being and progression of its people.

This conversation is filled with wisdom and practical examples that shed light on the significance of integrating core values into business decisions and strategies. Tune in for an engaging discussion with Traci Austin that brings valuable insights to the forefront of organizational leadership and growth.

Additional Resources

Connect with Traci on LinkedIn

Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting

Connect with Marcia on LinkedIn

Valve+Meter Performance Marketing

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Matthew Schneider is a visionary entrepreneur deeply rooted in his middle-class upbringing. Fueled by a passion for financial inclusivity, Matthew has risen as a champion of change, setting out to bridge the chasm that separates the middle class from the powerful currents of capital growth.

Traci and Matthew dive deep into the alignment between organizational culture and personal values, the grassroots passion for democratizing real estate, and the evolution of roles within a startup. They explore the challenges of determining the right team composition as a company scales and the significance of cultural alignment and coachability in building a successful organization. Join us as we unpack the essential elements of creating a people strategy inside a startup organization.

Additional Resources

Connect with Traci on LinkedIn

Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting

 Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn

Learn more about e-States

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

With Thanksgiving soon approaching, today's episode is designed to share the importance of gratitude. Traci Austin explores the power of gratitude and its impact on employee engagement, health, and the bottom line. This episode shares the Five Languages of Appreciation, including Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, Gifts, and even Physical Touch (with boundaries, of course). Discover how understanding these languages can help you create a more positive and appreciative workplace culture - enjoy this journey of appreciation and growth.

Additional Resources

Connect with Traci on LinkedIn

Learn about Elevated Talent Consulting

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In this episode, Traci Austin will be discussing the importance of getting to know your people incredibly well and creating an environment that allows them to thrive. We'll explore how implementing systems and processes can sometimes hinder productivity instead of enhancing it, and why building strong relationships and trust within your organization is crucial. Join us as we uncover key strategies shared by organizational leaders from around the world, who will shed light on reducing turnover, increasing staff productivity, and fostering high levels of alignment and teamwork. We'll also delve into the significance of core values, feedback mechanisms, and effective use of people data in shaping a successful people strategy.

Additional Resources: 

• Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Elevated Talent Consulting
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network

On this episode, Traci Austin, Chief Talent Officer at Elevated Talent Consulting joins Nikki to discuss the importance of fulfilling work and the ripple effect it has on individuals and communities. Together, they break down the concept of "holding space" as a coaching skill and how it empowers individuals to problem-solve on their own. Traci also shares four powerful levers for creating fulfilling work experiences: job fit, leadership, team dynamic, and values alignment.

Additional Resources: 

• Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network
• Connect with Traci on LinkedInLearn more about Elevated Talent Consulting

The People Strategy Podcast provides an ongoing coaching experience that the C-suite can leverage to align their people to more effectively execute the business strategy. The show challenges leaders to create a talent strategy roadmap that will increase profits and boost employee engagement.  Host, Traci Austin, invites purpose-driven leaders to join her for deep-dive conversations on present challenges across the employee lifecycle. Listeners walk away with insights and strategic action steps to move them and their people forward. Episodes are ideal for Human Resource and Executive Level Managers to better understand how to create a strategy to best serve their organization best.

Additional Resources:

• Connect with Traci on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Elevated Talent Consulting
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network