Unleashing Health in the Workplace: Small Changes, Big Results with David Medansky

In this episode of the Training Unleashed Podcast, host Evan Hackel welcomes David Medansky, known as “The Health Guy,” to discuss how small, positive changes can lead to significant health improvements and enhance productivity in the workplace. David shares his expertise on helping employees adopt healthier habits, which in turn benefits both the individuals and the companies they work for. The conversation covers practical tips for staying hydrated, the benefits of reducing soda consumption, and the importance of creating an empowering and encouraging environment for health challenges.

Key Takeaways:

The Importance of Small Positive Changes:

  • David emphasizes that making small, manageable changes can lead to substantial health improvements over time.
  • Encouraging employees to participate in health challenges can foster a culture of wellness and productivity in the workplace.

Ideal Client Profile:

  • David’s favorite clients are companies with 50 to 300 employees, with a sweet spot of 50 to 100 employees.
  • Successful health challenges typically involve at least 60-70% employee participation.

Creating a Positive Environment:

  • Challenges should be empowering and encouraging, rather than demanding or demeaning, to motivate employees to participate willingly.
  • When employees start seeing results from their efforts, they build momentum and are more likely to continue their healthy habits.

Special Offer:

David offers a PDF of the “9 Simple Golden Rules for Living a Healthy Life,” which listeners can request by emailing him.

About Our Guest

Top-selling author and speaker, David Medansky, is known as The Health Guy because he empowers CEOs, Executives, and individuals to master 9 Simple Golden Rules to Live a Healthy Life. David struggled with his own weight issues until July 2016 when his doctor told him to either lose weight or find a new doctor. During the next four months, David shed 50 pounds, almost 25 percent of his total body weight and has kept it off. He understands your frustrations and challenges to be healthy.

David, in June 2022, at age 67 hiked up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

His mission is to help others to adopt a healthier lifestyle so they can enjoy life to the fullest. The key to his success is alerting clients to the deceptive marketing tactics used by the food, pharmaceutical, and weight-loss industries, to manipulate you into purchasing their products and services that put their profits over your health.

Now, in addition to writing books about health, David is producing and hosting JADED HEALTH, a streaming TV series centered around the topics of health, wellness, and fitness.

How to Connect with David Medansky:
Additional Media:

2024-07-24T11:32:10-04:00July 24, 2024|

Unleashing Insights on Diversity and Inclusion with Chloé Valdary

In this episode of the Training Unleashed podcast, host Evan Hackel engaged in a profound conversation with Chloé Valdary, founder of the Theory of Enchantment. This episode delves into the intricacies of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), emphasizing the importance of curiosity, compassion, and cultural fit in the workplace. Chloé shares her unique perspective on DEI training, providing valuable insights and practical strategies for organizations striving to create more inclusive environments.

Understanding the Importance of Cultural Fit

Chloé Valdary highlights the significance of cultural fit when hiring new employees. She explains that beyond qualifications and skills, aligning with a company’s culture is crucial for long-term success. Chloé suggests asking potential hires about what attracts them to the company and why they want to work there. This question helps uncover their core motivations and ensures they resonate with the company’s values. Additionally, she recommends presenting candidates with problem-solving exercises to gauge their curiosity and approach to challenges, further revealing their potential fit within the organization.

Innovative DEI Training Approaches

Valdary introduces her innovative DEI training methods, which include workshops, coaching, and digital platforms. Her workshops range from 90-minute virtual sessions, known as sprints, to full-day in-person marathons. One of her standout initiatives is the Enchanted Games League, a practice-based digital program. Over nine weeks, participants engage in daily quests that encourage self-reflection and curiosity. These quests, which take just six minutes each, prompt individuals to explore their feelings of expansiveness and defensiveness, the mindsets inherited from caregivers, and instances of perceived superiority. This approach fosters a habit of living in the question, enhancing participants’ ability to navigate conflicts with empathy and curiosity.

Embracing Self-Compassion and Lifelong Learning

Chloé Valdary emphasizes the transformative power of self-acceptance and compassion. She encourages individuals to recognize and overcome internalized negative self-judgment. By treating oneself with curiosity and love, people can project these positive attitudes onto others, reducing defensiveness and enhancing interpersonal relationships. Valdary’s advice is particularly relevant in the context of DEI, as fostering self-compassion can lead to more empathetic and effective communication within diverse teams. This practice of self-forgiveness and continuous self-improvement aligns with the philosophy of being a lifelong learner, a concept strongly advocated by both Valdary and Hackel.

About the Guest

Chloé Valdary is the founder of Theory of Enchantment, a company dedicated to providing innovative DEI training through workshops, coaching, and digital platforms. With a focus on fostering curiosity and compassion, Valdary’s methods aim to create more inclusive and empathetic workplace environments. Her approach is rooted in the belief that understanding and accepting oneself is key to understanding and accepting others. For more information about Chloé Valdary and her work, visit Theory of Enchantment or contact her team at [email protected].

Visit The Learning Network to explore more episodes and visit insights on leadership and organizational development. For updates and more valuable content, follow the Learning Network on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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2024-06-20T17:16:56-04:00June 26, 2024|

Unleashing Transformative Leadership: Insights from Sue Bingham

In the latest episode of the Training Unleashed podcast, hosted by Evan Hackel, we had the pleasure of hearing from Sue Bingham, founder of HPWP Group. Sue shared invaluable insights into the world of leadership development and training, shedding light on her approach to transforming workplace cultures and empowering leaders.

The Philosophy of HPWP

HPWP stands for High Performance Workplace, a philosophy that Sue and her team have been championing for over 25 years. Their mission is to help organizations create environments where trust, respect, and positive assumptions about people drive performance and engagement. Sue emphasizes that most people are inherently good and, when treated with trust and respect, will reciprocate those values in their work.

Transformative Leadership Training

Sue’s approach to leadership training is both innovative and deeply human. HPWP Group’s flagship program is designed to be highly experiential, filled with stories, exercises, and experiences that genuinely transform participants. Sue recounted instances where initially resistant managers, attending reluctantly, left with profound insights and sometimes even tears of gratitude, wishing they had learned these principles earlier in their careers.

Real Impact Beyond the Workplace

One of the most striking aspects of Sue’s training is its impact beyond the workplace. Participants often report that the principles they learn improve their personal relationships, including those with their spouses and children. This holistic impact underscores the importance of positive leadership and human-centric training in all areas of life.

Unique Offerings and Collaboration

Sue highlighted two key offerings from HPWP Group:

  1. In-House Workshops: These are tailored specifically for individual companies, ensuring all leaders within the organization can benefit from the training.
  2. Open Leadership Workshops: These sessions bring together leaders from different organizations, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and solutions. This collaborative environment allows participants to learn from each other’s challenges and successes.
Training Made Simple

In a generous offer to the podcast audience, Sue introduced “Training Made Simple,” a virtual program designed for those responsible for training within their organizations but who may lack formal training in this area. This program guides participants through a structured process to develop effective training programs, incorporating collaboration and feedback to enhance the learning experience.

How to Access the Free Training Program

Sue is offering “Training Made Simple” for free to listeners of the Training Unleashed podcast. To take advantage of this opportunity, simply email Sue at [email protected]. While HPWP Group’s website, www.hpwpgroup.com, is undergoing updates, you can still find valuable information and contact details there.

A Powerful Closing Tip

Sue’s parting advice to the audience was profound: “Believe that the vast majority of people are good people. Operate off of positive assumptions more than negative assumptions. Positive assumptions will drive us to treat people with trust, and thus receive trust in return.” Evan Hackel echoed this sentiment, adding his personal philosophy of leading with love, which he finds foundational to building trust and fostering positive relationships.

About Our Guest

For more than 30 years, Sue, a former Human Resources Executive, has provided direction to companies in the transportation & logistics, pharmaceutical, aerospace, food, bottling, floral, optical, textile and medical device industries.

She has worked closely with company leaders to analyze their organizations and facilitate the implementation of common-sense systems that have a positive impact on the organization’s bottom line. She is an expert at effectively using culture to form a common language across global operations leading to greater collaboration, higher levels of team member satisfaction and increased business unit cooperation.

Her passion is helping companies embrace and transition to high-performance work environments.

2024-06-07T13:30:58-04:00June 12, 2024|

Unleashing Trust in Leadership with Dr. Mike Armour

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the importance of trust in leadership cannot be overstated. As organizations strive for success, the relationship between leaders and their teams plays a crucial role. Dr. Mike Armour, a seasoned expert in leadership development, shared invaluable insights on trust, coaching, and organizational culture in a recent conversation with Evan Hackel. Let’s delve into the key takeaways from this enlightening discussion and explore how trust can be built and maintained within an organization.

The Essence of Trust in Leadership

Trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Dr. Armour emphasizes that building and maintaining trust requires consistent effort and dedication. He quotes Warren Buffett, who famously said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 10 minutes to wreck it.” This highlights the fragility of trust and the importance of nurturing it daily.

Dr. Armour explains that every interaction within an organization is akin to a sales call, where individuals continually resell themselves to colleagues and stakeholders. This ongoing process is crucial in establishing and reinforcing trust. Leaders must be aware of their actions and words, ensuring they consistently reflect reliability and integrity.

From Coaching to Mentoring: Developing Leaders Internally

One of the significant aspects of Dr. Armour’s work involves helping organizations develop internal mentoring programs. By fostering a culture where experienced leaders coach and mentor emerging talents, companies can build robust leadership pipelines. This approach not only enhances individual growth but also strengthens the organization’s overall resilience.

Dr. Armour’s book, “Developing Leaders Who Coach,” provides a comprehensive guide for organizations aiming to cultivate a coaching culture. The book distinguishes between coaching, mentoring, consulting, and training, offering practical advice on fostering a supportive environment where leaders can thrive.

Identifying Trust Issues: The Role of Anxiety and Fear

A critical insight from Dr. Armour’s discussion is the link between trust and the levels of anxiety and fear within an organization. High levels of anxiety and fear often indicate that trust is in disrepair. This connection is rooted in our neurological wiring, where the presence of fear can inhibit the brain’s ability to trust.

To gauge the state of trust in an organization, leaders should observe the general atmosphere and emotional climate. Reducing anxiety and fear through transparent communication, consistent actions, and empathetic leadership can significantly enhance trust levels.

About Our Guest

For over 30 years Dr. Mike Armour has helped leaders and executives perfect their professional skills, attain peak performance, and discover new dimensions of satisfaction and fulfillment. A successful author in leadership and other fields, Mike is currently published in over two dozen languages. His writing and coaching are marked by an astute understanding of personal behavior, organizational dynamics, and the process of cultural change.

For those interested in diving deeper into these concepts, Dr. Armour offers a free eBook, “Developing Leaders Who Coach,” which provides actionable insights and practical strategies. To receive a copy, simply email [email protected] with the subject line “Free Coaching Book.”

2024-05-30T22:17:04-04:00May 30, 2024|

Unleashing the Future of Learning: Exploring Extended Reality (XR) with Richard Adair

In a recent enlightening podcast conversation, we had the pleasure of speaking with Richard from the Learning Network, uncovering the dynamic landscape of Extended Reality (XR) technologies and their profound impact on learning and development. From fire extinguisher training to electric vehicle instruction, XR isn’t just revolutionizing industries; it’s reshaping the way we perceive and engage with learning.

Embracing the Reality: XR Technologies Today

Gone are the days of XR being confined to the realm of science fiction. Richard emphasized that XR is not merely a vision of the future; it’s a present-day reality. With XR technologies becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, organizations are leveraging them to drive tangible business outcomes. The conversation highlighted how XR is democratizing training, offering immersive experiences that transcend traditional learning methodologies.

From Fire Extinguishers to Electric Vehicles: Real-world Applications of XR

The podcast illuminated a myriad of real-world applications for XR technologies. From optimizing fire extinguisher training to enhancing electric vehicle technician instruction, XR is proving to be a game-changer across diverse sectors. By creating engaging and interactive simulations, organizations are not only improving learning outcomes but also driving cost savings and enhancing safety standards.

Unleashing Learning Potential with Performance XR Analytics

One of the most intriguing topics discussed was the potential of Performance XR Analytics. By harnessing data collected from XR experiences, organizations can gain invaluable insights into training effectiveness, user behavior, and ergonomic efficiency. This data-driven approach enables adaptive learning strategies, enhances curriculum design, and maximizes training outcomes, ushering in a new era of personalized learning experiences.

About Our Guest

Richard is a visionary leader with extensive experience in the learning and development industry. As the driving force behind The Learning Network, Richard brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. With a passion for leveraging cutting-edge technology to revolutionize training methods, Richard has spearheaded initiatives in XR technology, transforming how organizations approach learning. His forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence have earned him recognition as a trailblazer in the field. Join us as Richard shares insights, strategies, and success stories in this insightful podcast episode.

2024-05-15T10:54:59-04:00May 15, 2024|

Navigating Diversity and Equity Across Borders: Insights from Toby Mildon

Toby Mildon is on a mission to help put the right strategies in place to improve retention, innovation, productivity, profitability and so much more. In this episode of Training Unleashed, Evan Hackle and Toby have an enlightening discussion on diversity and inclusion.

Comparing Diversity Discussions: UK vs. US

The definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion are remarkably similar in the UK and the US. Toby emphasizes the importance of all three elements for creating a fair society. Diversity includes everyone, inclusion enables full contributions, and equity emphasizes personalized approaches. Toby introduces the iceberg analogy, stating that visible characteristics represent only 10% of our diversity, while the remaining 80% consists of invisible attributes. Understanding this diversity is crucial for creating an inclusive and respectful work environment.

Impact of Bias on Decision-Making

Bias, often automatic and unintentional, significantly influences decision-making, especially in critical situations like hiring or promotions. Toby highlights the importance of being mindful, curious, and challenging assumptions to understand individuals and their strengths.

Six Signature Traits of Inclusive Leadership

Toby shares the six traits identified by Deloitte for inclusive leadership:

  1. Curiosity: A trait essential for inclusive leaders.
  2. Cognizance: Being aware of biases and blind spots.
  3. Courage: Fostering honest, frank, and brave discussions.
  4. Cultural Intelligence: Understanding and navigating different cultures.
  5. Collaboration: Encouraging effective collaboration across teams.
  6. Commitment: A commitment to diversity and inclusion, challenging the status quo.
Inclusive Growth: Good for Business

Toby emphasizes that diverse teams make better decisions, and McKinsey’s reports support the idea that diverse leadership teams lead to more profitable businesses. Inclusive cultures improve creativity, innovation, customer experiences, and employee retention, leading to positive business outcomes.

About Our Guest

Toby Mildon, the founder of Milton Echo Ltd., is a dedicated advocate for fostering inclusive cultures within organizations. With a wealth of experience, Toby collaborates with clients to drive positive change, improve productivity, and create environments where everyone feels valued. For more information about Toby Mildon and his work, visit Milton Echo Ltd.. Connect with Toby on LinkedIn, where he shares valuable content regularly.

2024-01-29T17:36:23-05:00February 21, 2024|

Nurturing Psychological Safety: Unveiling Workplace Insights with Mehmet Baha

His full name is Mehmet Baha and everyone calls him Baha. Since his childhood, he has been fascinated by the question: “How can I make a difference in the lives of people?” His interest led him to win a scholarship from Fulbright and finish his master’s in the USA on the topic of Conflict Resolution.

In this episode of Training Unleashed, hosted by Evan Hackel and proudly sponsored by C-suite TV, listeners are treated to an engaging exploration of psychological safety in the workplace.

Understanding Psychological Safety

Evan Hackel kicked off the conversation with a fundamental question, asking Mehmet to demystify the concept of psychological safety. Mehmet’s enlightening response highlighted psychological safety as the bedrock of environments where employees feel secure expressing questions, concerns, ideas, and even mistakes – an indispensable ingredient for fostering high-performing teams. Mehmet shared insightful strategies for establishing psychological safety, placing a special emphasis on involving employees in decision-making processes. Drawing from a transformative example, he illustrated how traditional organizations can shift decision-making power to frontline employees, fostering a culture of inclusion and agility.

Empowering Employees

Evan steered the conversation towards situations where employees fear making decisions without absolute clarity. In response, Mehmet advocated for organizational awareness, genuine interest, knowledge acquisition, and the application of empowering practices to instigate sustainable change. Mehmet shared his experiences at Facebook, shedding light on the company’s commitment to transparency, open communication, and active employee involvement in addressing challenges. The emphasis here was on fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.

Free Resources

The episode drew to a close with Mehmet generously sharing free resources on psychological safety available at solutionfolder.com/free-resources. These resources include eight concise, actionable videos covering various aspects of psychological safety, providing valuable insights for organizations seeking to implement positive change.

About Our Guest

He has lived and worked in Germany, Turkey, Ireland, Guatemala, and the USA with more than 18 years of work experience. Baha was one of the first employees of Facebook in Europe. Throughout his life, he has realized the importance of collaborative work culture in organizations. So far, he has delivered training and given talks in more than 28 countries across 5 continents. Recently, he completed Harvard Business School’s Online Executive Education Programme “Organizational Leadership”. He is fluent in English, Turkish, Spanish, and German. In his free time, he loves to play percussion, travel with his family, and play puzzles with his 5-year-old daughter. His new book “ Playbook for Engaged Employees“ was published in April 2021 and has already been purchased in the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, the UK, and Switzerland.

2023-12-07T14:55:31-05:00December 7, 2023|
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