Advertise on podcast: Wired to Work with Jess Chapman

As Season 2 wraps up, Jess looks back on the moments that stuck — the insights, laughs, and leadership lessons that made this season one to remember. From kindness at work to navigating change, clarity in relationships, and what it really means to connect with people, these are her Top Five Takeaways to make the tough people stuff easier. ️ Featuring highlights from conversations with Chelsea Colwell-Posh, Tom Hickey, Jeff McAloon, Anna Cook, Pierre Battah, and Susan Englehutt. ️ Watch the full episode now — packed with real-world advice on hiring, leadership, and the people side of growth. YouTube: https://youtu.be/IhRn3i4pD3U?si=rIN5V1FkBPFc5gmr Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlock Your People: A Season Finale(00:01:05) - Chelsea on the Need for More Kindness in Work(00:04:33) - Employers' ability to manage uncertainty(00:07:37) - How To Win a Brother's Love(00:11:59) - In the Elevator With Pierre Batter(00:12:43) - How to Drive Change in the Organization(00:16:34) - Susan Engelhut on the Relationship in Sales(00:19:05) - Just Ask Jess: Season 2

What really happens when your business starts to grow — and your people have to grow with it? In this roundtable episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess is joined by Atlantic Canada entrepreneurs Mike Randall (Portfolio) and Stephanie Hovey (Allied Therapy) for a candid chat about leading through change, managing emotion at work, and finding the right cultural fit when hiring. From the hidden costs of moving too fast to why the “people part” matters as much as the business plan, this panel gets real about what it takes to build healthy, thriving teams. ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected]   Follow us:   Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca   Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlock Your People(00:01:05) - A Chat With Mike Randall and Steph Huffy(00:02:57) - Stephanie on Change Management(00:08:39) - What's the biggest mistake leaders make in planning for change?(00:11:02) - How to Prepare for Change?(00:15:51) - What support does a team need for change?(00:17:27) - On Change and How to Deal with It(00:23:58) - The 3 Step Process on Change Communication(00:27:18) - The Simple Things a Leader Can Do to Make People Feel Seen and(00:32:23) - How to Hire the Right Talent(00:37:08) - Does Psychometrics for Fit Matter?(00:41:21) - Interviewing the Right Person for the Job(00:47:45) - The Need for Talent Development in 2030(00:51:17) - What is harassment prevention legislation in New Brunswick?(00:55:17) - E3CA: HR Self-Serving Toolkit

Contracts, corporations, and co-founders — oh my! In this episode, Jess sits down with Anna Cook, Partner at Cox & Palmer, for a practical, plain-language look at the legal side of running a business. From when to incorporate, to why every partnership needs a “business prenup,” Anna breaks down what small business owners really need to know — including how to avoid common legal pitfalls as you grow. Plus, Jess tackles a viral workplace scandal in the Just Ask Jess segment: when the CEO and HR lead make headlines for all the wrong reasons, what can small organizations learn about managing relationships at work? ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected] Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/   Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlock Your People: Small Business Owners(00:00:48) - Meet Anna Cook(00:02:12) - Why Law School Is For Real(00:03:42) - Do You Incorporate or Not?(00:06:56) - Other Things to Consider When Starting a Business With Family(00:13:08) - What are some of the things that you regularly see organizations doing that(00:18:22) - Small Business Owners: Stock Options and Remuneration(00:22:55) - Should You Give Stock Options to Family or Friends?(00:26:48) - Incorporation: The Cast of Characters(00:29:22) - Do Shareowners Have a Right to Vote?(00:33:12) - Confirmations and Documents for Business Owners(00:39:18) - Have You Got a Vision to Sell Your Company?(00:40:09) - Ontario vs Nova Scotia & Quebec: What's the Difference?(00:45:16) - Covid HR: Remote Work and the Law(00:48:54) - Commercial Law(00:50:28) - The Coldplay Kiss Cam(00:54:42) - Are Personal Relationships Bad for the Workplace?(00:56:27) - Questions for Work

Giving feedback doesn’t have to spark defensiveness — if you know how to do it right. Jess walks through her NICER framework: Notice the behavior, validate intent, and explain consequences in a way that matters. It’s a simple, powerful way to turn tough conversations into growth conversations — minus the friction. Chapters (00:00:03) - How to Coach a Terrible Co-worker(00:04:34) - How to Give Feedback to a Boss

When we talk about safety at work, we usually think hard hats and handrails — but what about the safety to speak up, struggle, or be honest about your mental health? In this episode, Jess sits down with Sean Kennedy to unpack what psychological safety really means. Sean shares his own mental health journey and how stigma shaped his leadership perspective, while Jess explores how organizations can move beyond surface-level wellness to build cultures where people actually feel safe — not just physically, but emotionally too. Chapters (00:00:02) - Unlock Your People: Psychological Safety(00:00:57) - Seth Mind on Mental Health(00:05:47) - Psychological Safety in the Workplace(00:12:18) - Wellbeing and the Lead(00:19:34) - Mental Well-being in the Workforce(00:23:53) - Philip Glass on Workplace Psychosocial Issues(00:25:55) - How to Coach Someone Who's a Jerk(00:30:32) - How to Give Feedback on a Problem(00:33:11) - Just Ask Jess

In this Just Ask Jess episode, Jess tackles real questions from listeners — from how to manage performance in small teams to what to do when your leadership group isn’t aligned. She shares straight-up advice on giving better feedback, getting your people involved, and creating a culture that actually works (not just looks good on paper). ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected]   Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/ Chapters (00:00:00) - So much.

When leaders speak, their words carry weight — whether they’re grounded in fact or not. In this Just Ask Jess episode, Jess reflects on Trump’s presidency through a leadership lens, unpacking what it reveals about power, responsibility, and influence. From the impact of a leader’s words, to the role of trusted advisors and diverse perspectives, to the dangers of “yes men” and top-down cultures, Jess explores how leaders can either build trust or erode it — and what that means for anyone guiding a team, an organization, or a nation.   ✉️ Get in touch at: [email protected]   Follow us: Instagram - @ethreeconsulting LinkedIn - ethree-consulting Website: https://www.ethree.ca HR Toolkit!: https://www.ethree.ca/hr-toolkit/ Chapters (00:00:01) - Trump on Tylenol, and His Leadership(00:02:27) - The Importance of Diversity in Your Enourage(00:06:21) - Top-Down Management Under Trump(00:09:07) - Government employees' attachment to the work(00:10:34) - In the Elevator With a CEO

The world of work is shifting fast — and leaders are being challenged to keep up. In this Hot Topics episode of Unlocking Your People, Jess welcomes back Tom Hickey to unpack the themes showing up everywhere right now: diversity, equity, and inclusion (or DIB, as we call it), the rise of AI and its impact on jobs, the complexity of employee expectations, and the uncertainty that comes with constant change. With two voices, different perspectives, and candid conversation, Jess and Tom break down what’s really happening inside organizations today — and what leaders can do to navigate it. Chapters (00:00:03) - Unlock Your People Today(00:00:37) - Tom Back on the Podcast(00:01:11) - What Did I Do?(00:02:31) - The Need for Strategic Plans(00:08:19) - Ontario Business Executive on the US vs. Canada divide(00:13:48) - Do We Need More Jobs in the AI Space?(00:21:10) - Can You Replace Your Boss With AI?(00:26:21) - Does AI Social Media Help You Build Relationships?(00:33:22) - How to Win at Cold Calling(00:34:58) - DW: Diversity and Inclusion(00:42:46) - The role of diversity in the workplace(00:48:54) - The Scarf Model(00:50:29) - Just Ask Jess

In this bonus Q&A segment, Jess unpacks three real-world scenarios—an RFP gone sideways, a hiring process with hidden ties, and a client relationship kept quiet—all pointing to one root issue: undisclosed conflicts of interest. She explains why most conflicts aren’t intentional, the reputational risks they pose, and how leaders can build awareness, motivation, and clear processes to prevent them. Chapters (00:00:00) - Conflict of Interest: The Issues

In this episode, Jess talks with Chelsea Colwell-Pasch about leading with empathy, kindness, and clarity — even when the conversations get hard. From navigating tough moments with heart to holding space without losing accountability, they explore how real leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room — it’s about being the most human. Chapters (00:00:03) - Unlocking Your People(00:00:59) - In the Elevator With Pat Robertson(00:02:09) - Your View on Kindness at Work(00:06:13) - Teaching Kindness as Work(00:13:25) - How to Have a Heart-to-Heart Conversation(00:20:28) - Being respected and valued in the workplace(00:28:45) - Chelsea on Her Agency(00:31:53) - Conflict of Interest: Three Things(00:37:43) - Contact 3CA

Onboarding doesn’t have to mean endless PowerPoints or a “sink or swim” experience. In this bonus Q&A edit, Jess breaks down how to streamline the process—using checklists, templates, e-learning, and structured check-ins—to set new hires up for success without draining your time. Whether you’re scaling fast or just trying to bring more structure to your team, Jess shares practical tips for building an efficient, people-first onboarding system. Chapters (00:00:00) - A Question For The Amazing Roz(00:00:20) - Mail Bag Question #271(00:00:32) - Onboarding and Probationary Period

Great sales isn't about driving the deal—it's about riding shotgun. In this episode, Jess sits down with Susan Englehutt to unpack why successful salespeople let their buyers take the wheel. From emotional intelligence and genuine empathy to navigating buyer dynamics with authenticity, Susan shares how rethinking the sales process as a journey you're taking together—not a race you're trying to win—leads to better conversations, stronger relationships, and growth that sticks. Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlock Your People: Sales Podcast(00:01:00) - How to Transform the Sales Process(00:04:12) - The Real Value of Relationship in Sales(00:09:35) - The Change in the Sales Process(00:11:17) - The Salesperson's Place(00:13:23) - In the Elevator With Sales Teams(00:17:13) - Coaching with Empathy(00:20:04) - How to Get a Technical Person to Lead(00:25:08) - Does the Need for More Salespeople Matter?(00:31:29) - We Can't Find Enough Salespeople(00:34:25) - Top Executives on How To Sell to Customers(00:34:58) - Another Question From the Mail Bag(00:35:28) - Onboarding our New People(00:39:33) - Onboarding

In this first-ever Just Ask Jess mailbag episode, Jess answers listener questions on merging company cultures, making 360 feedback actually useful, and dealing with confusing leadership. It’s all about clarity, communication, and what really gets in the way of teams working well together. Chapters (00:00:00) - Interviewing Your People(00:00:50) - Interviewing Just Ask Jess(00:01:23) - Merger & Acquisitions: The Culture(00:06:25) - What are you doing to allow people to say goodbye to the old(00:09:18) - What are 360s and Are They Worth It?(00:12:24) - Questions for the Blind(00:12:42) - How to Deal With a Boss Who Changes His Mind(00:18:15) - Mailbag(00:19:19) - Talking Sales

In this bonus mini-episode, Jess answers a tough leadership question: what do you do when a team member is deflated after missing out on a promotion? She walks through how to open the door to a compassionate follow-up conversation, and shares how the SCARF model (from the NeuroLeadership Institute) can help leaders understand and respond to emotional triggers like uncertainty, status, and fairness. #podcast #humanresources #hr #management #entrepreneurship Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Help Someone Get the Promotion They Deserve(00:02:14) - 5 Trauma Points That Make People Unhappy

Running a business with family isn’t for the faint of heart. In this episode, Jess talks with Jeff McAloon, co-CEO of The Smart Energy Company, about what it takes to lead alongside his brother. From trust and tough conversations to knowing when to lean in (and when to back off), they explore how strong relationships can power strong leadership — especially when family is part of the equation. Chapters (00:00:00) - Unlocking Your People(00:00:58) - Welcome to the Podcast(00:02:04) - In the Elevator With My Brother(00:02:48) - How a Partner Changes Their Life(00:07:18) - In the Elevator With Mark(00:08:20) - Does a Co-CEO Make the Right Decisions?(00:12:08) - The Importance of Trust in Organizational Conversations(00:12:59) - Discussing Co-CEO Culture(00:17:04) - The Culture of Scaling(00:18:27) - Having a Personality Assessment?(00:22:42) - Smartergy: The Farm Experience(00:25:45) - Where's the Passion in Your Career?(00:30:52) - What Have Been the Differences Between Being an Entrepreneur and a Corporate(00:33:46) - Jeff Bezos on the Power of Belief(00:35:28) - How to Give Bad News to a Friend(00:39:50) - How to Get Through a Unhappy Employee Talk(00:41:45) - Ask Jess Scenarios