How did a simple question about making copies in the office lead Work Wisdom to a revolutionary understanding of empowerment? On this episode of The Behaviorist, Work Wisdom’s Sarah Colantonio and Kedren Crosby reveal how the company is working towards a culture of empowerment. Find the subtle but critical difference between being held accountable for something and truly “owning it.” Listen to how Kedren arrived at the company’s “Big Question” for 2020 and how that shifts the locus of control in her decision-making and delegating. There are four essential elements of an empowered culture in any workplace - does your organization stack up?

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

Enneagram type 7s - The Enthusiast - are busy, fun-loving, and inquisitive. Their unique energy can also be perceived as self-centered, scattered, or over-extended. On this episode of The Behaviorist, Work Wisdom’s Kimberlee Peifer is joined by Anna Kennedy, Executive Director of the Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation, and sculptor-artist Jonathan Colon. Both proud, enthusiastic 7s, Anna and Jonathan, share with listeners what makes being an Enthusiast fun and what challenges they face with their “ball of energy” personality. They discuss the “why” of what 7’s do and how learning more about this type’s deepest fears and motivators has led them to create healthy habits and mindsets specific to their type. Find out how Anna faces her Fear of Missing Out and why Jonathan is comfortable “jumping into the cold water” of uncertainty.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

What are high-performance habits? Hint: it’s not just waking up early or checking off a to-do list in a fancy notebook. On this episode of The Behaviorist, Work Wisdom’s Jaime Arroyo sits down with two exceptionally high performers: Doug Krane, Director of Account Management at ATOMIC Design, and Emma Parnham, COO of Atlee Hall, Attorneys at Law. These driven, determined leaders share their formulas for success, including mindset, intention, daily practices, and physical workplace environment. Find out how honing in on the “why” of what you do can lead you to a clear and steady focus on your day-to-day tasks and what these wise leaders would like to tell their 18-year-old selves, knowing what they know now.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

Enneagram type 8s - The Leader - self-confident, decisive, and direct - make strong, effective decision-makers. They can also be perceived as overbearing, intimidating, and confrontational...making them difficult bosses and colleagues. On this episode of The Behaviorist, Work Wisdom’s Kimberlee Peifer is joined by andculture’s Erin Deller and Burns Mechanical’s Dan Kerr - both 8’s - to talk about the fears, motivations, strengths, and challenges that this strong personality type faces within themselves and among others. They’ll discuss the “why” of what 8s do and how learning more about The Enneagram and their driving emotions and fears has broadened their self-awareness towards eureka moments of positive change. How can 8s redirect their passion for action to create space for others and grow as empathetic, patient communicators? What should others know about 8s to help them reach higher levels of behavior and thinking? 

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

Few things are as potentially scary and uncomfortable as uncovering your own deep-rooted biases. To discover, observe, and begin unpacking bias, a safe and confidential space needs to be created where individuals can share candidly and with no judgment. Equity Club is one such place. On this week’s podcast, we learn more about Work Wisdom’s Equity Club - a leadership accelerator for men that serves as a place to navigate gender inequity, grow skillful in managing their privilege, and make small changes in their behaviors to become allies. Kedren is joined by two Equity Club members: Dave Koser, Director of Programs at Lancaster Community Foundation, and Josh Keene, Director of Schools for the School District of Lancaster. Listen to learn what each has gained from “figuring it out together.” Find out how powerful a safe space can be in creating structural and behavioral change to empower leaders to step up - regarding their behavior or those around them.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

On this week's episode of The Behaviorist, Work Wisdom's Jaime Arroyo sits down with Leo Silva, Associate Director of Attollo, a rigorous college access and leadership program for underserved high schoolers. As a young leader in the organization, Attollo (Latin for "Rise Up") has served over 341 scholars in 7 school districts. 98% of Attollo Scholars are accepted to and attend a college or university. But Leo's story is more than these numbers. As a young child, his parents immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic, and he came to this country with a language barrier and the odds stacked against him. Despite all this, Leo has succeeded beyond his expectations of himself and is now pursuing his Master's degree in School Leadership with a focus on Educational Entrepreneurship from Harvard University. Leo is both an extraordinary mentor and a student. Learn how much resilience plays a role in nurturing young leaders and what non-traditional professional development methods can help you foster the next generation of brilliant minds.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

In a recent survey, 66% of consumers said they would be willing to pay more for a product or service if they knew the company was socially and environmentally responsible. Earning a B Corp certification is the bat signal for such companies. Work Wisdom's Sarah Colantonio speaks on this week's podcast with Sarah Payne, Impact Consulting Manager at Assets. Sarah, a passionate advocate for companies to pursue B Corp certification, explains how certification works as well as some small but powerful changes you can make within your organization right now to "be like a B Corp." Find out what choices you can make to impact your "triple bottom line dramatically": people, planet, and profit.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

Every organization faces “tough times” - a bad quarter, unexpected staff turnaround, or an even more mission-critical challenge - like Sheila Mastropietro has faced for the last three years. Sheila is the Director of Church World Service in Lancaster, which assists refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers to find home, peace, and stability to rebuild their lives in the United States. The current White House administration’s policies have sent shockwaves across organizations like CWS as they desperately try to continue their important work in the face of many legislative, legal, and cultural challenges. In this candid and important conversation, Work Wisdom’s Sarah Colantonio talks with Sheila about how she keeps her head above water and stays focused on the work she was put here to do. Find out how Sheila rebounds from disappointment and what skills and focus you need to keep your eyes on the prize in your own tough battles at work - and in your community.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

Contemplative leadership helps leaders "move from the illusion of me to the reality of us, from the illusion of scarcity to the reality of abundance, from powerlessness to the presence of power, from institutional self-protection to embracing the mission, from fear to trust." - Parker Palmer

What is contemplative leadership? It's incorporating mindfulness practices into your work life: stilling yourself, listening, examining, and learning to lead with your heart more than your head. On this week's Behaviorist podcast, join Work Wisdom's Kedren Crosby, Sarah Colantonio, and Kimberlee Peifer in a conversation about Contemplative Leadership and its mysteries. Learn what practices will help you receive the gift of contemplation, and find out if you need to practice a specific spiritual path or religion to embark on contemplative leadership (spoiler alert: you don't).

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

Is optimism a crucial trait for effective leadership? What is the difference between being optimistic and being naive? Can optimists be empathetic and work alongside their pessimist nemesis? These questions and more will be explored on this week’s episode of The Behaviorist podcast. Kedren is joined by Dr. Jill Koser,  Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the City of York School District, and Joe McMonagle, Vice President of ATOMIC. Listen as these three optimists discuss the benefits and potential costs of maintaining a hopeful outlook, and find out in what ways a stubborn pessimist can be an asset to your vision, not a thorn in your side.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

In this week’s episode, we welcome Dr. Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School and author of The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation and Growth. Dr. Edmondson is an expert on leadership, teaming, and workplace psychological safety. The Work Wisdom team frequently references and recommends her work to our clients. Psychological safety is believing one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. Listen to learn what the costs are when an organization ignores psychological safety (both tangible failures and intangible lost opportunities), as well as hear about some specific companies who are doing it right (what is Pixar’s “Brain Trust” and how does it guide peer critiques?). Dr. Edmondson also shares some concrete practices anyone can use to create psychological safety at home or work - setting the stage, inviting participation, and responding productively.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

When facing adversity, or knee-deep in the “messy middle” of progress, how do we know when to power through, versus when to tactfully cut bait and walk away? On this week’s Behaviorist podcast, Kedren is joined by longtime friends and mentors Laura Howell and Kathryn Ross to discuss how to hone the power and proper proportions of grit and grace. Listen to learn practical ways to help guide those “should I stay or should I go” decisions - like what three rulers you can use to measure whether a challenge is taking too much of a toll to be worthwhile. Find out how our guests activate and strengthen their grace in day-to-day interactions - and how admitting you’re wrong and working to find your “do-over” can be the greatest grace of all.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

What does it mean to work in a company that practices forgiveness on an organizational level? On this week’s episode of The Behaviorist, Work Wisdom’s Kedren Crosby is joined by Jess King, Chief of Staff of the Mayor’s office of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in a candid and heartfelt conversation about organizational forgiveness. Listen to learn what the research shows about groups that are able to collectively reframe traumas and offenses - including the three ways individuals and organizations respond to distress from failed expectation (Begrudging, Neutralizing, and Transcending). Kedren and Jess share personal stories - over a lot of laughs and perhaps even a couple of tears - that prove this is a subject that organizational leaders should be talking more openly about and practicing to benefit both their interpersonal relationships and the health of their company overall.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

Do you know your organization’s archetypes? Do you recognize how your personal archetype comes into play as a leader and team member? On this week’s Behaviorist, Kedren sits down with Ryan Martin, Co-Founder of Infantree, and Tracy Cutler, Executive Vice President of the Lancaster County Community Foundation to talk all things archetypes. Listen to find out how identifying your organization's archetype can serve as an invaluable “north star” and “guard rail” to help guide decisions, prevent mission creep, and create a shared language for your staff and your audience to grasp your message and purpose. You’ll hear how Infantree has used exploring personal archetypes as a beneficial tool for hiring, team building, and creating clear and revealing job descriptions. Kedren, Ryan and Tracey all share what concrete practices leaders can begin with to start uncovering and incorporating your archetypes to help move your organization forward.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

If you could travel back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?  How I Built This is a fascinating podcast hosted by NPR's Guy Raz that reveals the stories behind some of the world's best known companies with the men and women who started them.  On this week's Behaviorist, Sarah pays homage to her favorite podcast by asking Work Wisdom's founder Kedren Crosby about the story of Work Wisdom's remarkable beginnings and improbable success. Listen to find out how Kedren never intended to be an entrepreneur - but that once she rather unexpectedly found herself owning a company, the first year of Work Wisdom shaped her in more ways than she could have ever predicted. 

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

Is traditional strategic planning dead? Join Work Wisdom's Sarah Colantonio and Kedren Crosby in a conversation about what works - and what doesn't - when organizations sit down to think big picture and long term. Find out how to filter your questions to create a "Strategy Screen" that will help you frame your exploration more tactfully, allowing people and teams a "positive no”. This tactic will help you get comfortable saying what you won’t do so that you can focus intentionally on what you will. Think of it as "The Organizational-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" for your company. Focusing your strategy goals this way can drive your team to create a "winning aspiration" for your organization that everyone will buy in to and believe in. Boiling down 5 and 10 year plans that may be obsolete before then into 2-3 "Big Questions" will help you and your team keep your eyes on the prize of that winning aspiration. 

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

Can a healthy, vibrant corporate culture and shrewd business strategy peacefully coexist within one organization? Yes, if you understand the differences between the two - and work intentionally to cultivate them both. In this episode of The Behaviorist, Work Wisdom’s Matt Sware and Sarah Colantonio discuss the intersection of culture and strategy. Strategy is the road map that your business needs to succeed, culture is the fuel for the vehicle to get there. Find out what concrete steps you can take as an individual and company to nurture both of these crucial concepts. And don’t miss Part 2 of Strategy Meets Culture - in next month’s episode, Kedren Crosby will share Work Wisdom’s methods for weaving culture and strategy together to go farther, faster as a stronger company.

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by Work Wisdom's Donunshae Sanders to talk about Workplace Equity. Creating at atmosphere that makes all of your employees feel heard and valued increases morale, retention, and profitability. Sarah and Don discuss the many tools leaders can use to help uncover their own bias, like the Implicit Association Test, or IAT. Listeners will also learn about an interviewing tactic that will ensure an equitable and positive experience for both your team and potential candidates. 

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

What is PSYCAP? Positive Organizational Behavior expert Fred Luthans defines Psychological Capital as an individual's positive psychological state of development that is characterized by efficacy and confidence. Join Work Wisdom's Sarah Colantonio and Kedren Crosby as they walk through the four pillars of PSYCAP - Confidence, Optimism, Hope, and Resiliency. These mindsets are not set in stone - they can be practiced and learned. Kedren shares some concrete practices that you as an individual can bring into your daily life and workplace to begin improving your PSYCAP and moving your organization to a place of positive growth and unlimited potential. 

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).

This week, Work Wisdom's Sarah Colantonio and Jaime Arroyo are joined by Joe McMonagle, Vice President of Set Construction at Atomic Design. Joe is a member of Work Wisdom's The Review Club, a cohort of leaders and rising leaders who meet monthly to quickly and collaboratively digest and discuss articles from the most current issue of the Harvard Business Review. Jaime Arroyo, co-facilitator of The Review, explains how the group benefits from a concise and focused conversation about each HBR article, and how it can relate to and benefit each members' workplace culture and habits. Joe shares what practices he has learned from the diverse and disparate group of leaders in his Review cohort to take back to his workplace - practices that have made real and rapid changes to how his team handles challenges. 

To learn more about Work Wisdom, visit our website at www.workwisdomllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@workwisdom).