Advertise on podcast: People Business w/ O'Brien McMahon

Sri Kaza is a business leader and small business advocate with a career spanning corporate strategy, entrepreneurial ventures, and dedicated support for small businesses. He is the author of Unconvention: A Small Business Strategy Guide. Mentioned on the Show Visit Sri’s website: https://sri-kaza.com/Connect with Sri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srikazaGet Sri’s book, Unconventional: https://a.co/d/d9swnpBO’Brien and Sri discussed the book The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek: https://a.co/d/iDTdkFG (start with this book, not this one) Timestamps (00:00:00) Sri Kaza joins People Business with O'Brien McMahon (00:02:22) Could you connect your McKinsey background to writing a book on small business strategy? (00:10:36) What's the minimum threshold for making something unique in positioning? (00:12:09) Understanding lifestyle businesses vs. scalable businesses (00:19:50) Simon Sinek's The Infinite Game (00:22:29) How do small businesses with a deeper purpose make trade-offs between business and purpose? (00:28:35) What is meant by customer “intimacy” or customer proximity? (00:38:31) How can a business owner assess their own performance and sharpen your gut? (00:40:31) What are some effective self-reflection practices? (00:45:52) What are the best ways you've seen organizations scale purpose, proximity, and position while keeping the essence of those principles? (00:52:02) Final thoughts from Sri Kaza

Mark Fithian is the cofounder of WideOpen, a consultancy that helps organizations achieve sustainable growth through strategic customer experience. Mark’s expertise in CX is informed by more than thirty years of work across industries, partnering with leading brands such as Providence, SAP, PayPal, Optum, IBM, BMW, the American Cancer Society, and Microsoft. Before founding WideOpen, he held leadership roles on both the client and agency sides, as well as in strategic consultancies. Mentioned on the Show Read Mark’s profile on the WideOpen website: https://www.thisiswideopen.com/our-teamConnect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfithian/Get Mark’s book, The CX Imperative: https://a.co/d/316xGzXO’Brien and Mark discussed the book Good Strategy, Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt: https://a.co/d/9GSTIfN Timestamps (00:00:00) Welcome to People Business with O'Brien McMahon (00:01:45) What is the difference between customer experience and user experience? (00:02:22) And how did you get into this work in the first place?  (00:07:24) What is the purpose of business?  (00:08:35) Why do businesses struggle with customer experience?  (00:11:24) "The Great Distancing": what it is and why it hurts customer experience (00:13:44) What makes good incentives in customer experience?  (00:15:15) How does a business know when they are doing CX well? (00:20:08) How does executive leadership get involved in good CX? (00:32:49) Who should be responsible for customer experience? (00:40:41) Mark's 5 Pillars of Customer Experience (00:44:19) What does strategy mean to you?  (00:55:21) How to get started with customer experience and how to contact Mark Fithian.

Brock Anderson and Tracy Awe are Directors of Enterprise and Strategic Partnerships with Function Health, a biometric data company helping individuals and groups take control of their health data to live longer, healthier, more productive lives.  Mentioned on the Show Listen to Dr. Mark Hyman on the Huberman Lab podcast: https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/how-to-improve-your-vitality-heal-from-disease-dr-mark-hymanLearn more about Function Health and their approach to testing and longevity: https://www.functionhealth.com/Review the study conducted by the Integrated Benefits Institute on Economic Impact of Early Disease Detection: https://www.ibiweb.org/resources/economic-impact-of-early-disease-detectionO’Brien gave a shout-out for Peter Attia’s book, Outlive. Available on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/5nSm1XnBrock Anderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brock-anderson-16196Tracy Awe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyaweTimestamps (00:00:00) – Tracy Awe and Brock Anderson join O’Brien McMahon on People Business (00:02:38) – What is Function Health? What is Function Health’s approach to preventative health? (00:10:20) – When should people start preventative health analysis and biometric screening? (00:15:19) – How can companies encourage people to think more long-term about their health? (00:18:48) – Do doctors welcome data from these types of screenings? How can Function members have constructive conversations with their doctors?  (00:31:22) The 5 Types of Medical Consumers: segments of employees and how they use medical benefits. Population health management in practice. (00:38:21) – How does diet and exercise fit into the Function Health approach? How does Function Health support lifestyle change? (00:44:53) The Process: how many blood draws are needed? (00:44:59) Costs: what are the costs associated with bringing Function Health to employees? (00:49:16) What shifts are seen in the business clients of Function Health? Does the conversation about health shift as prevention gets a spotlight? (00:50:33) What ‘add-ons’ does Function Health offer in addition to the core blood panel?

This is a fun crossover episode with Karl Staib, host of the Systemic Leader podcast and systems consultant through a company of the same name. In this episode, shared across both platforms, we discuss systems thinking and how we have each built and evolved systems to help us navigate work and life.  Mentioned on the Show Learn more about Karl and his Systematic Leader framework: https://systematicleader.co/Connect with Karl Staib on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlstaibListen to the Systematic Leader podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/systematic-leader/id1535499918Timestamps (00:00:00) — People Business x Systematic Leadership podcast crossover: O’Brien McMahon with Karl Staib (00:02:00) — What is systems thinking? How do you define it? (00:08:15) — “Leaking”: How do you identify the biggest problem in your process? (00:12:45) — What are some best practices in creating a customer journey map? (00:14:27) — Client retention: what systems help keep things fresh for existing clients? (00:17:49) — How do you handle feedback and resistance to change in organizations? (00:23:31) — How humans are more motivated by status than we might think (00:33:14) — How to turn employee appreciation into a system (00:36:33) — When should something be cut out of a system? (00:42:19) — Examples of systems that might surprise people (00:52:54) — Final thoughts and how to contact Karl and Systematic Leader

Shawn Bushway has a PhD in economics and public policy from the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University and has spent his career in criminology, where he has been recognized as a Distinguished Scholar for the Division of Corrections and Sentencing and a Fellow of the American Society of Criminology. He has published two books and over 100 peer-reviewed articles in journals. Mentioned on the Show Learn more about the Bushway Opportunity Score: https://www.bushwayopportunityscore.com/Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-d-bushway-91a1494aTimestamps (00:00:00) — Shawn Bushway joins O'Brien McMahon on People Business. (00:03:12) — What’s the origin story for how you got into criminology? (00:05:41) — As a culture in the US, how have our beliefs around crime and criminals changed over time? (00:08:49) — Do foreign countries have other sentiments about criminals?  (00:12:49) — What are the misconceptions and what is the reality around recidivism? (00:26:47) — Which factors should you look for in recidivism? (00:35:38) — What about white collar crime? Is there a higher risk to hiring someone to a white collar job who has committed a white collar crime? (00:43:30) — The Bushway Opportunity Score: helping employers make solid decisions in hiring (00:45:31) — What factors can be considered for offenders in the hiring process?  (00:49:55) — Once these people get hired, are they materially the same as every other employee, or are there differences—maybe positive or negative? (00:56:12) — Closing thoughts and encouragements

Radhika Dutt draws on 25 years of experience across industries, continents, and sizes of organizations to write, speak, and consult on innovation and change. Her experience has taught her that goal-setting systems often produce the opposite of what they promise: short-termism, performance theater, and cultures that prioritize looking good over doing good work. In this conversation, she offers an alternative. Mentioned on the Show Get Radhika’s free toolkit to help you switch to puzzle-solving in your business: https://www.radicalproduct.com/toolkit/#OHLToolkitConnect with Radhika Dutt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-duttLearn more about Radhika Dutt on her website: https://rdutt.com/Timestamps (00:00:00) - Welcoming Radhika Dutt to People Business  (00:03:02) – What is the history of goal setting? (00:06:15) – Is the problem OKRs or SMART goals or goal setting in general? (00:22:02) – Why doesn’t traditional goal-setting work? (00:24:42) – How do institutional incentives fit into your new framework? (00:29:16) – If goal setting doesn’t work, what does?  (00:34:12) – How frequently do leaders need to review and work on this new framework? (00:36:22) – What about goals for individuals? Does goal setting work for people’s individual goals? (00:37:11) – How does puzzle-solving work in a service-related business? (00:40:09) – Do traditional metrics have any role in the puzzle-solving framework? (00:49:39) – How sustainable is using puzzle-solving over traditional goals? (00:53:51) – Using vision statements in the process of solving puzzles in business (00:55:08) – What are the drawbacks of using a puzzle-solving approach over traditional goal setting? (00:57:28) – Get Radhika’s free toolkit to develop the puzzle-solving approach for your business

Neal Foard spent more than 25 years in advertising and marketing, creating award-winning campaigns for global power brands like Budweiser, Lexus, and Nokia. Most recently, Neal has gained a following on social media for his inspirational videos about the kindness of everyday people. Mentioned on the Show Learn more about Neal Foard at his website: https://www.nealfoard.com/The "Gen Z" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiz6-pIYfaEConnect with Neal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-foardNeal’s storytelling course is Storyfire, find it here: https://www.storyfire.net/Timestamps (00:00) - Meet Neal Foard on this week's People Business (03:16) - How did you begin telling stories on social media?  (05:07) - How did you become so good at storytelling? (10:04) - What is your process for capturing stories? (21:07) - How can professionals use storytelling in everyday work situations? (32:34) - How do humor and vocabulary work in storytelling? (48:47) - The one thing.  (56:34) - How do stories enhance business presentations?

Recognized in Crain's New York Business Notable Leaders in Real Estate and ranked the #1 Real Estate Broker in New York and New York State and #14 in the Nation for 2022, Bianca currently manages a $10B real estate portfolio for Nest Seekers International. She is the star of Selling the Hamptons on HBOMax, CEO and founder of The Masters Division and Managing Director for Nest Seekers Development Marketing, and author of Mastering Intentions: 10 Practices to Amplify Your Power and Lead with Lasting Impact. Mentioned on the Show Connect with Bianca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancadalessioLearn more about Nest Seekers and Bianca’s role in The Masters Division: https://www.nestseekers.com/agent/bianca-dalessio/Read Bianca’s book Mastering Intentions: https://a.co/d/cVlGRkgTimestamps (00:00) – Introducing Bianca D'Alessio on People Business. (02:04) – Why did Bianca dedicate her book to a professor and what role did he play in her story? (06:28) – What is the book Mastering Intentions, 10 Practices to Amplify Your Power and Lead With Lasting Impact about? What do you hope people get out of the book? (08:15) – What does it mean to “always make the ask”? (12:44) – How can leaders get authentic feedback from teammates?  (16:34) – Hiring: what techniques do you use to find (and qualify) teammates?  (25:05) – How do you approach sales? (32:19) – How do you handle losses (not getting the sale, setbacks, failures)? (33:45) – What is your goal-setting process? (37:56) "How does that translate to the team? Because I imagine you bring somebody and you're like, I want you to hit some numbers." (41:03) – Working for sales, but not being money motivated  (45:09) – How to balance “going with the flow” and directing and capturing and enhancing drive 

Micah Remley is the CEO of Robin, a leading workplace management platform revolutionizing hybrid work. He brings 20+ years of experience scaling high-growth technology companies. At Robin, Micah drives innovation in hybrid work solutions, enabling employees to seamlessly reserve office resources while fostering collaboration and productivity. Mentioned on the Show Find Micah Remley of Robin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-remley-b6430740Learn more about Robin, the office optimization software: https://robinpowered.com/aboutTimestamps (0:00) – Welcome to People Business. (1:58) – Meet Micah Remley. What is Robin and what is office optimization? (07:26) – Are companies still struggling with return to work policy or has the dust settled? (10:35) – What is the justification for requiring employees to return to the office? (19:17) – How are companies enforcing stricter in-office attendance requirements? (23:16) – What’s working with structuring office time versus remote work? (26:00) – How do we build a sense of community at work? (31:49) – What office layouts, amenities, and equipment are popular right now? (38:09) – What data should companies use to make decisions about office space? (46:25) – Executive presence: Why is it important for executives to be in the office? (46:27) – What about office optimization are you sick of talking about?

Jeremy Dubow is Prosperity Partners’ Chief Executive Officer. He manages the company and is responsible for its strategic direction, growth initiatives, and talent development.  Mentioned on the Show: Find Jeremy Dubow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremydubow/Jeremy Dubow’s profile on the Prosperity Partners website: https://www.prosperityllc.com/personnel/jeremy-dubow/Listen to the People Business episode with John Block, CEO of Unity Partners: https://peoplebusinesspodcast.com/johnblock/Timestamps (00:00:00) – Introducing Jeremy Dubow on People Business (00:03:13) – What is Prosperity Partners and what have you been through in the last 12-18 months? (00:05:40) – How did you want to conduct your business that differed from the traditional “Big Four”? (00:10:13) – Entrepreneur mindset: What’s the biggest surprise about running a business?  (00:12:22) – How do you deal with hardships and setbacks in business? (00:17:17) – What is it really like to be in business with a private equity firm? (00:22:57) – What is your current strategy for recruiting and attracting talent? How does your business model work with today’s professionals?  (00:28:42) – Culture and fit: what are the processes and challenges of integrating acquisitions? (00:38:20) – How are effective teams created in these conditions?  (00:44:47) – What role does offshoring play in your strategy and how does that impact company culture?  (00:48:50) – What is the purpose of business?

Chuck Wisner has spent 30 years as a trusted advisor, coach, and teacher in communication, human dynamics, and leadership excellence. He has worked with leaders and their teams in Fortune 200 companies. He also trained in mediation and worked as a senior mediator affiliated with the Harvard Mediation Program at the Harvard Law School, and later, was associated with MIT’s Center for Organizational Learning. His book, The Art of Conscious Conversations – Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact, explores how to heighten our awareness and become more conscious in our conversations. Mentioned on the Show Learn more at Chuck Wisner’s website: https://www.chuckwisner.com/Get Chuck’s book, The Art of Conscious Conversations: https://a.co/d/hfPRSmKConnect with Chuck on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-wisnerListen to the People Business interview with Charles Feltman, author of The Thin Book of Trust: https://peoplebusinesspodcast.com/charlesfeltman/Timestamps (02:53) - What is the ‘ontology of language’? (06:02) – The impact of worldview on the language we use. What is a ‘master story’? (09:33) – How can we let go of worldviews or change a master story? (13:15) – How can we contend with negative views of ourselves? (15:54) – Opinion vs fact: What questions can we ask ourselves about the stories we tell? (21:34) – How can we break negative patterns and form healthy, positive new patterns? (24:47) - The four questions: how to explore our thinking during our reactions (34:27) - Collaboration and collaborative conversations: What makes for good collaborators? (43:18) - "Conversations are the one human universal tool that we share."

As founder of Lapin International, David Lapin advises executives worldwide on how to align business strategy with character and corporate culture with purpose. He is the author of Lead by Greatness and a practicing Rabbi. Raised in apartheid-era South Africa, David helped draft one of the world’s first formal corporate ethics codes. He now lives in Israel and travels frequently to the U.S. for client engagements. Mentioned on the Show David Lapin’s company, Lapin International: https://www.lapininternational.comLearn more about the Lapin Leadership Fingerprint: https://lapininternational.com/lapin-leadership-fingerprint-lp/David’s book: Lead by Greatness – https://amzn.to/4kxb7gU Connect with Rabbi Lapin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlapinLapin International on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lapin-international/ _______________________ Connect with O’Brien McMahon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obrienmcmahon/Learn more about O’Brien: https://obrienmcmahon.com/________________________ Timestamps (00:00) – Welcome to People Business (02:14) – What’s it like being a Rabbi and working in the business world? (06:00) – What kind of role does a Rabbi have outside of a temple?  (10:36) – How does your expanded cultural perspective shape your work as a Rabbi? (24:16) – What does Judaism say about business? (28:07) – How does business build a healthy community? (37:29) – How can we best be of service to others? (41:38) – Purpose: Is finding our purpose a worthy pursuit or a distraction? (51:32) – Do “better people” enjoy more success? What does it mean to be a better person? (56:28) – What qualitative improvements can be expected when people are working ethically and aligned with purpose? (58:08) – Final thoughts and how to contact David Lapin and Lapin International.

Kassi Kincaid is a leading expert in creative leadership. She is a speaker, trainer, and author committed to helping people leverage their creativity to lead with greater impact and innovation. As the visionary behind Book Days — an international children’s literacy initiative — Kassi has seen how creative thinking can turn small ideas into global movements. Her journey from building a grassroots literacy project to inspiring professionals across industries fuels her mission: to equip leaders and teams with practical creativity frameworks that spark innovation, increase engagement, and drive meaningful change.  Mentioned on the Show Kassi Kincaid’s website: https://www.kassikincaid.com/Learn more about Book Days: https://www.bookdays.org/Connect with Kassi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassi-kincaid-speakerThe Edge of Creativity by Kassi Kincaid: https://a.co/d/hSVLMqNListen to Kassi’s podcast: https://pod.link/1714322040_______________________ Connect with O’Brien McMahon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obrienmcmahon/Learn more about O’Brien: https://obrienmcmahon.com/________________________ Timestamps (00:00) Welcome to People Business. (00:19) Meet Kassi Kincaid: Creative Leadership Expert (05:06) How do you define creativity? (10:15) How did the Book Days initiative come about? (14:55) Creativity in kids vs. adults. (19:06) Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation. (27:05) What role does rest play with creativity? (35:24) How do we bring creativity into our workplaces?  (42:50) Is creativity something that can be learned? (52:55) How can creativity improve our work success? (55:05) Contacting Kassi and final thoughts on creativity.

Internal communication strategist Alejandra Ramirez is a veteran culture builder with nearly two decades of experience helping organizations align message with meaning. She founded ReadyCultures to help leaders communicate in ways their teams can hear, trust, and act on.  Mentioned on the Show Connect with Alejandra Ramirez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malejandraramirezLearn more about Alejandra’s internal communications firm, Ready Cultures: https://www.readycultures.com/Get Alejandra’s worksheet explaining her Head, Heart, Hands approach: https://www.readycultures.com/3h-frameworkTim Ferris’ interview with Walter O’Brien (inspiration for the show, Scorpion): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ6IcUoXpzU_______________________ Connect with O’Brien McMahon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obrienmcmahon/Learn more about O’Brien: https://obrienmcmahon.com/________________________ Timestamps (00:00) Welcome to People Business. (02:44) Meet Alejandra Ramirez of Ready Cultures. (04:30) What is a “third culture” and what communication challenges does that bring? (08:01) Are there best practices in internal communications? (17:52) What do managers need to know about delivering bad news? (20:48) How can companies uphold a communication strategy and be transparent? (25:50) How can companies have effective communications? (28:33) Why is social connection so important? (29:05) Why is it important to know our ‘why’? (29:37) The importance of “EQ” at work. (33:30) How do leaders get coached in communications? (36:59) What does good preparation look like? (40:25) Who delivers the news, especially bad news? (51:38) How can company culture be created? (54:38) How to contact Alejandra Ramirez and Ready Cultures.

George Watts is Chairman of Top Line Talent and a nationally recognized author, behavioral scientist, and senior executive. He coaches CEOs on how to build and lead formidable C-Suite teams and is the author of several books, including Becoming Your Own Business Coach and Becoming a Strategic Leader. His passion is inspiring people to mature their natural personality strengths. Laurie Blazek is President and CEO of Top Line Talent and is coauthor of Becoming a Strategic leader and cocreator of the online Top Line Talent leadership development program. Her passion is to help people specifically define who they are when they’re at their best. Mentioned on the Show The book, Becoming a Strategic Leader: Capitalize on the Power of Your Personality: https://a.co/d/09u6VTyConnect with George Watts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-watts-1b8923181Connect with Laurie Blazek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-blazek-4b7a592Learn more about TLT Coaching: https://www.tltcoaching.com/_______________________ Connect with O’Brien McMahon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obrienmcmahon/Learn more about O’Brien: https://obrienmcmahon.com/________________________ Timestamps (0:00) Meet George Watts and Laurie Blazek. (02:37) What are some of the limitations of leadership coaching? (11:51) How do we avoid unhealthy comparisons? (13:52) How can we understand our weaknesses and our "shadow"? (17:26) The Big Five Personality Traits. (28:21) How do we apply insights about our personality in our everyday lives? (37:38) How do I bring these personality insights to my workplace? (42:54) What are the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations? (44:59) How does the "shadow self" derail personal growth? (46:49) How can the "shadow" help during performance reviews?  (48:56) How can we use these personality insights in other personal areas of our lives? (58:22) Where to learn more and get the book, Becoming a Strategic Leader