How do you build a high-performance team? That question occupies the minds of most leaders. Answering that question in today's environment is especially challenging. You need to outperform previous years on a fraction of the budget. Do more with less is the mandate. How do you pull this off? That's why we're here. Each week we will interview executive and senior leaders in HR, IT, and Sales. They'll share their best practices and playbooks for empowering managers and building high-performanc ...
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Transforming Education: Schools of Choice and Leadership Development
36:11
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Summary: In this episode of 'The Engaging Leadership Show,' host CheeTung (CT), co-founder of EngageRocket, talks to Dr. Bret Champion, Superintendent of Medford School District in Southern Oregon. Bret discusses the district's unique characteristics, its commitment to student-centered learning, and the initiatives around school choice, including t…
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Secrets to Aligning Your Team for Maximum Educational Impact
39:18
39:18
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In this episode of the Engaging Leadership show, host CT Leong converses with Yolanda Valdez, the superintendent of the Cutler Orosi Joint Unified School District. Valdez, who grew up in the district she now oversees, shares her unique leadership journey, insights into community engagement, and the impactful changes she has spearheaded over the pas…
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People Over Programs: Secrets to Successful School Management
40:48
40:48
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In this engaging episode of the Engaging Leadership Show, host CT Leong delves into the unique and compelling leadership journey of Jim Shoemake, the superintendent of Rescue Union School District. Jim shares invaluable insights on the cultural and operational strategies that have led his district to thrive, despite national challenges in recruitin…
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Navigating Teacher Shortages and Political Pressures in Education - A Union Leader's Perspective
43:33
43:33
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43:33
Summary: In this episode of the Engaging Leadership Show, host CheeTung (CT), co-founder of EngageRocket, interviews John Wright, Senior Director for Strategy at the National Education Association (NEA). They dive into the current state of education, focusing on the pressing issues of teacher attrition and recruitment, the impact of the political c…
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Leadership Lessons from an Educational Turnaround
35:13
35:13
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Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he dives into an in-depth conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Fleig, Superintendent of the Fond du Lac School District, revealing the strategies behind their impressive transformation. Discover how executive commitment, leadership development, and a student-centric approach propelled the district from failure to success. Jeff sha…
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The Role of Data-Driven Storytelling in Effective School Leadership
33:34
33:34
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33:34
Join CT Leong on the Engaging Leadership Show as he sits down with Dr. Greg Baker, Superintendent of Bellingham Public Schools, to explore the district's strategic initiatives like the Bellingham Promise and innovative early childhood education. Dr. Baker shares insights from his 15-year tenure, discussing the importance of leadership development, …
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Belong, Believe, and Become: Leadership Insights from Tim Winter
32:01
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32:01
Summary: On this episode of the Engaging Leadership Show, host CheeTung (CT), co-founder of EngageRocket, converses with Tim Winter, Superintendent of South Kitsap School District. They discuss what it means to belong, believe, and become, focusing on building schools from the inside out with the best people. Tim shares insights on the unique quali…
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Mission Command Meets Education: Adaptive Leadership Techniques
34:30
34:30
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34:30
Summary: Dr. Jim and Dr. Aaron Engel, Superintendent of La Crosse School District, discuss the importance of strategic leadership development in K-12 education. Dr. Engel shares insights from his military and educational careers, focusing on building cohesive leadership practices, supporting principals, and enhancing student outcomes. Key themes in…
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Beyond Test Scores: Redefining Success with Whole Child Learning
37:35
37:35
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Summary: Superintendent Michael Matsuda of Anaheim Union High School District shares his journey and insights into fostering whole-child education over test score-centric models. Exploring innovative strategies like project-based learning, longitudinal success data, and AI integration, Matsuda reveals transformative leadership practices. Host CT Le…
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Building Bridges: How to Unite a Divided School District
38:29
38:29
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Summary: Dr. Jim interviews Dr. Rainey Briggs, superintendent of Baraboo School District, to uncover his proven strategies for turning around struggling educational environments. They discuss the importance of a unifying vision, the impact of thorough data analysis, and building trust across all stakeholders. Dr. Briggs shares his candid experience…
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From Instructional to Relational: Transforming School Leadership
38:00
38:00
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38:00
Summary: Dr. Jim hosts Dr. Jill Oelslager, superintendent of the Burlington Area School District, discussing the creation of an ownership culture to combat teacher turnover. Jill shares her journey from a high school science teacher to superintendent, emphasizing the shift from instructional to relational leadership. They explore strategies like de…
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High Retention Secrets: Leadership, Systems, and Shared Vision
33:55
33:55
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33:55
Summary: Learn how to achieve a 90% educator retention rate amid industry challenges with Dr. Jim and guest Dr. Brad Saron, Superintendent of Sun Prairie School District. This episode dives into the transformative power of a shared vision, robust systems, and community engagement. Discover the strategic processes behind Sun Prairie's success, the r…
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Empowering Through Trust: Creating a High-Performing School District
34:11
34:11
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Summary: Dr. Jim chats about the educator retention crisis with Mike Cady, superintendent of Pewaukee School District. They explore the importance of investing in leadership to create a supportive environment for educators. Dr. Cady shares his experiences and strategies on building a culture of continuous improvement, fostering strong relationships…
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Impacting Change at Scale: Systems Thinking in Education
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37:00
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Summary: Superintendent John Parker of Central Valley School District shares his insights on balancing tradition with innovation in education. Drawing from his international experience in China and Colombia, Dr. Parker emphasizes the importance of choice, systems thinking, and emotional intelligence in leadership. He discusses the pivotal role of p…
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Developing Leaders within Schools: A New Approach to Evaluations
33:09
33:09
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Summary: Explore a revolutionary approach to performance evaluations with Dr. Jim and Paul Mielke, superintendent of Hamilton School District. Discover how shifting from traditional evaluations to a continuous coaching and self-assessment culture enhances educator growth and retention. Learn how specific, actionable feedback and collaborative proce…
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Breaking Barriers: Women of Color in Superintendent Roles
38:03
38:03
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38:03
Summary: In this engaging episode of the Engaging Leadership show, host CT Leong sits down with Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil, the Superintendent of Uniondale Union Free School District. With a vibrant background in education and a passion for equity, Dr. Akil shares her journey from a high school teacher in New York City to her current leadership role…
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Summary: Lisa Greene, superintendent of Kohler School District, joins Dr. Jim to discuss strategic retention and leadership development in small school districts. Greene shares insights from her 35+ years in education, emphasizing the importance of relationships, professional development, and committee structures to keep educators engaged and preve…
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Real-World Strategies for Attracting Top Talent to Small Towns
38:27
38:27
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38:27
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he explores the unique strategies employed by Rob Stewart, district administrator for the Alma school district in Wisconsin, to attract and retain talent in a rural setting. Discover how community integration, a comprehensive mentorship program, hands-on professional development, and a strong cultural foundation can make al…
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Leading from the Middle: Secrets to Building a Student-Centered School
34:49
34:49
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Summary: Superintendent Sue Lemon shares her journey, insights, and leadership wisdom honed during her tenure at Rosedale Union Elementary School District. Taking the helm right before the COVID-19 pandemic, Sue discusses the importance of community, structured hiring, and effective communication. She delves into how she navigated school closures, …
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Data-Driven Leadership: The Secret to Retaining Top Educators
34:06
34:06
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Summary: Dr. Jim and Steve Salerno, Superintendent of Mount Horeb School District, chat about K-12 education leadership. With a focus on reducing educator turnover, Steve shares his 30-year journey and the strategies that reshaped his district's culture. Learn how data-driven decisions, intentional leadership development, and aligning comp and bene…
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Go Slow to Go Fast: Strategic Steps for Startup Success
39:56
39:56
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Summary: Join host Dr. Jim as he sits down with Evan Wittenberg, Chief People Officer at Pivot Bio, to discuss navigating leadership in challenging environments. They chat about building managerial discipline, fostering learning agility, and the significance of developing internal subject matter experts. Evan shares his insights from various indust…
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Summary: Dr. Jim and Jennifer Akoma, VP of People and Stewardship at Android Industries, dive into transforming high churn rates by refining hiring and onboarding processes. Jennifer shares her experiences of navigating crises, implementing applicant tracking systems, and shifting from temporary staffing to a more strategic talent acquisition appro…
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Creating a Culture of Listening and Action: The Secret to a Thriving School District
35:51
35:51
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Summary: Dr. Jim explores how tight alignment between the community, school board, and district leaders can enhance educator retention and student outcomes. Joined by Casey Nye, Superintendent of DC Everest Area School District, they discuss the importance of board stability, community involvement, and a formal culture of listening and action. Lear…
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Best of Series: How Does Systems Thinking and Empathy Help You Build Elite Teams?
21:40
21:40
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Summary: Matt Dyason, VP of HR at Stash, shares his insights on how to be a better problem solver in HR and how to sharpen HR strategy. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the business strategy and aligning HR programs to support it. Matt breaks down the people experience into three pillars: people, programs, and technology. He highlights…
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Best of Series: The Power of Bottom-Up Feedback in Organizational Transformation
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32:01
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Summary: In this episode of the HR Impact show, Dr. Jim interviews Melissa Hinshaw, Executive Director of Organizational Development at Lone Star College. Melissa shares her experience in transforming the culture of the organization and emphasizes the importance of bottom-up feedback in building a strong culture. She discusses the challenges of exe…
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Best of Series: The Impact of Mission and Vision Alignment on Hiring and Retention
28:08
28:08
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28:08
Summary: In this episode of the HR Impact show, Dr. Jim interviews Jim Boebel, superintendent of the Platteville School District, about attracting and retaining top talent in rural school districts. They discuss the importance of building strong relationships within the community, aligning hiring practices with the district's mission, and fostering…
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Best of Series - Developing Future Leaders: Building Elite Teams by Investing in Your People
30:09
30:09
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Summary: Kadiatou Cesaire, Vice President of Global Human Resources and Talent Development at the Atlantic Council, joins the HR Impact Show to discuss how HR can be the "good guys" in organizations. She emphasizes the importance of treating people well and aligning their values with the mission of the organization. Kadiatou shares her strategies f…
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Principal Effectiveness - Empowering Leaders to Drive Systemic Change
37:45
37:45
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37:45
Summary: Discover how Dr. Dana Monogue, Superintendent of Middleton Cross Plains Area School District, achieves a 90% retention rate. Learn about key initiatives like "build your own" strategies, the impact of effective leadership, and the vital role of listening to staff and students. Dr. Monogue shares actionable insights on building a coaching c…
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Maximizing Hourly Employees' Contributions and Career Growth
31:00
31:00
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31:00
Summary: Retail expert Charles Smith joins Dr. Jim to tackle the challenge of building high-performing teams in high-churn environments like retail. Learn how Charles leverages his finance and HR background to drive business outcomes, the importance of breaking down the "us vs. them" mentality, and actionable steps for retail leaders to lower their…
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Building a People-Centric, High-Performance Startup
30:05
30:05
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30:05
Summary: Dr. Jim chats with Jonathan Alarcon, founder of WorkLyfe, to explore the intersection of high performance and empathetic leadership within organizations. Drawing from his startup journey, Jonathan emphasizes the importance of understanding employees' personal motivations, setting clear expectations, and recognizing achievements. He argues …
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Building the Future: Systems for Growing Leadership in Schools
36:46
36:46
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Summary: On this episode of the *Engaging Leadership Show*, host CT Leong sits down with Dr. Todd Cutler, superintendent of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District. Dr. Cutler discusses the unique challenges and opportunities he’s faced since taking on his role amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. His experience working with diverse populations, budgetary …
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Attracting and Retaining Top Talent in K-12 Education
38:23
38:23
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38:23
Summary: Discover how Jason Tadlock, Superintendent of Elkhorn School District, overcomes K-12 education challenges. Dr. Jim dives into talent strategies, emphasizing the importance of being mission-aligned, offering continuous development, and maintaining investments even during tough times. Jason shares insights on leveraging a wide net for talen…
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How the 5 S's of HR Success Can Transform Your Team
32:47
32:47
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32:47
Summary: Brian Arrington, CHRO at Oak Ridge National Labs, joins Dr. Jim to discuss the evolving role of HR from administrative to strategic. They explore the significance of understanding business needs, asking probing questions, and internal talent development to drive efficiency and alignment. Brian shares his five-step framework for sustainable…
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The Power of Collaboration: Creating a Non-Evaluative Teaching Culture
36:27
36:27
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36:27
Summary: Dr. Jim and Charlie Urness chat about the vital role of effective coaching and mentoring in K-12 schools. With over 25 years of experience, Charlie shares actionable insights on building high-performing teams, retaining new teachers, and fostering inclusive practices. Learn about the impactful instructional rounds method and how using both…
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From the Ground Up: Building a Mission-Driven Culture in Blue Collar Industries
30:33
30:33
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30:33
Summary: Dr. Jim chats with Samantha Coker, the Chief HR Officer at Apache Industrial Holdings, discussing the importance of building a mission-driven culture for hourly employees. Samantha shares insights from her 17 years in HR, focusing on total employee health and safety. She emphasizes the key role of employee engagement and using technology t…
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Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Education Leadership
28:23
28:23
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28:23
Summary: In this episode of the Engaging Leadership Show, hosted by CT Leong, the focus is on navigating the intricate balance between culture and strategy in schools, and the age-old question of whether leaders are born or made. CT Leong, co-founder of Engage Rocket, sits down with Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum, the Superintendent of San Benito High School…
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Influencing Without Authority: Lessons from A Project Manager Turned CIO
30:47
30:47
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Summary: Shannon Thomas, VP of Technology at Hennepin Technical College, joins Dr. Jim to chat about leading an IT team without a traditional technical background. Shannon shares her journey from project management to CIO, emphasizing building credibility, fostering a culture of trust, and focusing on quick wins and relationship-building. She also …
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Transforming Schools Through Intentional Leadership and Culture
28:13
28:13
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28:13
Summary: Dr. Jim chats about the impact of front-loading the hiring process on employee retention with Tim Widiker, Superintendent of St. Croix School District. They discuss how focusing on fit and standardized interview checklists can improve hiring outcomes. Widiker shares his approach to creating a leader-full organization through effective coac…
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Empowerment Mindset: Creating Owners, Not Renters, in Your Team
30:13
30:13
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Summary: Edward Carr, CIO of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, shares insights on establishing trust and leadership in technical teams. He emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership, empowering team members, and building a culture of ownership to drive success. Carr discusses his journey from developer to leader, highlighting…
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From Crisis to Triumph: Building Stronger School Communities
37:27
37:27
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Summary: In this engaging episode of the Engaging Leadership show, host CT Leong, co-founder of EngageRocket, sits down with Terrence Davis, the superintendent of Banning Unified School District, to delve into the heart of educational leadership. Terrence shares his journey through various districts in Riverside County and highlights what sets Bann…
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Driving Massive Change Without Breaking Culture
26:05
26:05
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26:05
Summary: Dr. Jim chats about fostering a pioneering corporate culture during times of transformation with Keri Smith, Chief People Officer at Dowl. Keri shares her expertise in maintaining employee engagement and safety amidst massive organizational change. The discussion covers facilitating transparent communication during mergers and acquisitions…
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Creating a Destination District: How to Attract and Retain Top Educators
31:05
31:05
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31:05
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he speaks with Dani Mikula, superintendent of the South Shore School District in Wisconsin, about building a culture of teamwork, community, and coaching in a small K-12 district. They discuss the unique challenges of a small district, such as wearing multiple hats and preventing burnout, and how to attract and retain talen…
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Leading with the We: Aligning Executive Leadership for Collective Success
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34:55
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Summary: In this episode, Dr. Jim and guest Kristina Karcic discuss the importance of shifting from a "Me" culture to a "We" culture in order to solve talent challenges and build high-performance organizations. They emphasize the need for representation at all levels of the organization and the role of executive leadership in creating a supportive …
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Modeling the Way: How Senior Leaders Can Empower Managers to Build High-Performing Teams
29:45
29:45
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Summary: Discover how to build a high-performance team through trust, feedback, and coaching in this episode featuring Anita Chandrasekhar, Global Talent Strategy and Operations Manager at Zapier. Learn how to create a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, foster open feedback, and embrace vulnerability to drive innovation and engagemen…
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Building a Culture of Trust: The Key to Retaining Top Talent
31:39
31:39
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Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he interviews Superintendent Dani Scott on leadership best practices in K-12 education. Dani shares her journey from pre-med to education, emphasizing the importance of building a positive culture and fostering trust within the district. She discusses the impact of relationships and administration support on teacher retenti…
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The Power of Care, Collaboration, and Justice in Educational Leadership
30:03
30:03
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Summary: In this episode of the Engaging Leadership Show, host CheeTung Leong interviews Dr. Tara Taupier, superintendent of the Tamalpais Union High School District. They discuss the importance of values-based leadership and how to grow leaders from educators. Dr. Taupier shares her leadership philosophy, emphasizing care, collaboration, and justi…
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The Power of Productive Confrontation: How to Foster Healthy Conflict in the Workplace
40:34
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40:34
Summary: Alfred Ishak, VP of People Strategy is an optimistic and consultative insights professional, and joins Dr. Jim to discuss how to build a culture that encourages productive confrontation. They emphasize the importance of trust, vulnerability, and accountability in creating an environment where employees feel safe to voice their opinions and…
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The Long View: How Taking a Strategic Approach Leads to Startup Success
29:40
29:40
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29:40
Summary: Join Dr. Jim and guest Vanessa Gilardi as they discuss the importance of rethinking talent strategy and prioritizing employee experience in startups and scale-ups. They explore the need for a long-term view and the power of continuous learning in a rapidly changing work environment. Vanessa shares insights on building a strong onboarding p…
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From HR to People: How Atlas Renewable Energy Transformed the Traditional HR Role
30:32
30:32
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30:32
Summary: In this episode of the podcast, host CT Leong welcomes Marcela Pizzi, Head of People and Communications at Atlas Renewable Energy. The conversation pivots around the essential role of cultivating a people-centric culture within an organization and how it can spearhead the company's drive to be a force for good. As the episode unfolds, Marc…
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Summary: Discover the relationship between customer obsession and employee retention in this episode featuring guest Sandra Scirpo. Learn how principles of customer loyalty and engagement can be applied to building an employee-centric environment. Explore the importance of clear communication, career pathing, and ongoing development in retaining an…
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