9 MAY 2024 · John's guest this week is Ashley Goodall, author of the provocative new book "The Problem with Change." In his book, Goodall challenges the conventional wisdom that constant workplace transformation and disruption lead to better employee performance and well-being. Drawing on decades of experience managing human resources initiatives at organizations like Cisco and Deloitte, he argues that non-stop change often does more harm than good. About Ashley Goodall: Ashley is a leadership expert who has spent his career exploring large organizations from the inside, most recently as an executive at Cisco. He is the co-author of Nine Lies About Work, which was selected as the best management book of 2019 by Strategy + Business and as one of Amazon’s best business and leadership books of 2019. Prior to Cisco, he spent fourteen years at Deloitte as a consultant and as the Chief Learning Officer for Leadership and Professional Development.

18 APR 2024 · In Part 2, Todd Davis digs deeper into the vital role that organizational culture plays in driving success. Drawing from his decades of experience, he shares his expert opinion on why cultivating a strong, positive culture is so critical. Davis emphasizes how an empowering environment that aligns employees towards a greater purpose can be a powerful competitive advantage. He provides real-world examples and advice for shaping workplace cultures that inspire peak performance, innovation, and genuine engagement. The conversation also pivots to exploring the importance of modesty in leadership. Davis explains why demonstrating humility, vulnerability, and an eagerness to learn from others are invaluable qualities for inspiring trust, loyalty, and cohesion among teams. He offers a refreshing counterpoint to traditional conceptions of what leadership should look like. Through thought-provoking insights, Davis challenges listeners to reevaluate what truly defines effective organizational and personal leadership in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. This is a can't-miss segment for anyone striving to create thriving cultures and become more impactful leaders.

11 APR 2024 · In this insightful episode, John is joined by Todd Davis, a senior consultant, thought leader, and author whose pioneering work has transformed how organizations develop talent and build effective teams globally. With over 30 years of experience in HR and talent development, including 18 years as Chief People Officer at FranklinCovey, Davis brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. He is the author of best-selling books like "Get Better: 15 Proven Practices to Build Effective Relationships at Work" and "Everyone Deserves a Great Manager." During the episode, he shares his invaluable insights and practical strategies for cultivating a high-performing workforce and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within organizations. Through thought-provoking discussions and real-world examples, Davis delves into the importance of effective talent management, relationship-building skills, and the pivotal role that great managers play in driving employee engagement and success. Whether you're an HR professional, a business leader, or simply someone passionate about personal and professional growth, this episode promises to be a must-listen, packed with actionable advice and inspiring ideas that will help you fire your hiring habits and unlock the full potential of your organization's most valuable asset—its people.

28 MAR 2024 · In part two, John and Wendy's conversation shifts to changing hiring practices to build a talented and engaged workforce. Wendy shares her perspective on why it's crucial for organizations to regularly reevaluate their hiring approaches in today's rapidly evolving marketplace. She dives into the pitfalls of relying too heavily on traditional hiring metrics and credential filters that can overlook outstanding candidates. Wendy also provides best practices for effectively interviewing prospective hires, including insightful questioning techniques to truly gauge skills, culture fit, and growth potential beyond just a resume. Dr. Mitchell and Wendy engage in a lively discussion around innovative hiring strategies to close skills gaps and increase workplace diversity. Listeners will walk away with a fresh mindset for rethinking their approach to recruitment and selection. About Wendy Sellers: Wendy's expertise stems from personal experience, as she entered the field of HR without a clear plan and faced numerous challenges along the way. This has made her authentic, transparent, results-oriented, and committed to providing practical solutions without hidden agendas. She is The HR Lady®: Realistic, Honest, and Reliable.With over 25 years of experience, Wendy has worked in many HR areas, such as operations, downsizing, change management, corporate culture, remote and in-person workplaces, coaching, training, HR education, and leadership development. She has served businesses of all sizes, ranging from local startups to global enterprises, across diverse industries, including healthcare, dental, professional services, technology, manufacturing, construction, engineering, higher education, federal contractors, public safety, non-profit, and government agencies.Wendy's straightforward style means she doesn't sugar-coat things. She believes that people are a company's greatest asset and should be treated as such. That means training and empowering managers, supervisors, and employees to be successful in their roles is not an option; it is mandatory. Wendy Sellers, The HR Lady, trains administrators on HR compliance and managers on the rest: the people part, from hiring to termination.

21 MAR 2024 · John welcomes renowned HR expert Wendy Sellers, aka "The HR Lady." Wendy is a sought-after speaker and consultant admired for her authentic, no-nonsense approach to cultivating thriving workplace cultures. Recognized as one of the most inclusive HR influencers, she brings invaluable insights on attracting top talent, effective leadership practices, and boosting employee engagement. In this candid conversation, Wendy shares personal stories and proven strategies for solving workforce challenges and closing the skills gap. Listeners can expect practical tips and thought-provoking perspectives as these two experts explore reimagining the workplace. Tune in for an inspiring masterclass in people-first leadership. About Wendy Sellers: Wendy's expertise stems from personal experience, as she entered the field of HR without a clear plan and faced numerous challenges along the way. This has made her authentic, transparent, results-oriented, and committed to providing practical solutions without hidden agendas. She is The HR Lady®: Realistic, Honest, and Reliable.With over 25 years of experience, Wendy has worked in many HR areas, such as operations, downsizing, change management, corporate culture, remote and in-person workplaces, coaching, training, HR education, and leadership development. She has served businesses of all sizes, ranging from local startups to global enterprises, across diverse industries, including healthcare, dental, professional services, technology, manufacturing, construction, engineering, higher education, federal contractors, public safety, non-profit, and government agencies.Wendy's straightforward style means she doesn't sugar-coat things. She believes that people are a company's greatest asset and should be treated as such. That means training and empowering managers, supervisors, and employees to be successful in their roles is not an option; it is mandatory. Wendy Sellers, The HR Lady, trains administrators on HR compliance and managers on the rest: the people part, from hiring to termination.

15 FEB 2024 · Continuing their conversation on Fire Your Hiring Habits, John Mitchell and renowned DEI expert Risha Grant delve into the intricacies of understanding and aligning with the Gen Z mindset. Risha emphasizes the importance of creating a workplace that resonates with Gen Z's values and aspirations, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. She highlights key characteristics of Gen Z, including their digital fluency, pragmatic idealism, and deep-rooted commitment to diversity and inclusion. To become an effective ally to Gen Z in the workplace, Risha provides actionable steps for John, such as actively educating himself about their perspectives, fostering open communication, promoting mentorship opportunities, and championing diversity and inclusion initiatives. By embracing Gen Z's unique perspectives and values, John can create a workplace that attracts, retains, and empowers this influential generation. About Risha Grant: Risha is diversity personified: CEO. Entrepreneur. Black. Female. Small-town born and raised. Bisexual. Spiritual. Ex-preacher’s wife. Cusser. Left-handed. Former Division 1 athlete. But these traits alone aren’t what make her one of the most powerful and effective diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) experts in the US. Hailed as a “cultural competency genius” and renowned for her storytelling chops, humor, and frank delivery, she has made a career of leading her audiences as well as executives and their teams, politicians, civic leaders, and academic directors around the world to Radical Acceptance (RA) through a unique bias-busting process of self-examination and concrete advice on how to behave, lead, and manage businesses more inclusively.In her role as a speaker and CEO of a multi-million dollar business, Grant has shifted the hearts and minds of her audiences and clients from around the world, including Google, Levi Strauss, Nestle Purina, Xerox, YouTube, Procter & Gamble, Discover Card Financial Services, Samsung Electronics America, Cox Communications, U.S. Airforce, U.S. Navy, Intuit, NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, and Harvard University.She’s been featured in various national and international media including Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, Harvard Business Review, HR News, The Financial Times, Glamour Magazine UK, Bloomberg Media, and Black Enterprise, among others. She is also the author of two books: That’s BS! How Bias Synapse Disrupts Inclusive Cultures and the Power to Attract Diverse Markets and Be Better Than Your BS: How Radical Acceptance Empowers Authenticity and Creates a Culture of Inclusion.Grant has received numerous honors such as being named one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women Leaders in HR, one of the 40 Top Women Keynote Speakers, and made the list of Top 100 HR Experts. She was named as 1 in 9 Speakers Turning Crisis into Opportunity by Entrepreneur magazine, and for three consecutive years been an Engagedly Top 100 HR Influencer and Entrepreneur of the Year.Grant will freely admit that she is a work in progress. She occasionally misuses pronouns. She prejudges others. Sometimes she walks in fear. Yet she has consistently striven to focus on love, and made it her mission to use her passion, persistence, knowledge, and experience to dismantle racism, sexism, classism, and plain old stupidism—including her own. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her partner, where when not teaching people how to challenge bias she is busy being the world’s best auntie.

8 FEB 2024 · In an inspiring podcast episode, Fire Your Hiring Habits, host John Mitchell welcomes internationally renowned DEI expert and bestselling author Risha Grant. Together, they delve into the crucial topic of talent retention, exploring how organizations can embrace a Gen Z mindset and center DEI initiatives to foster a workplace culture that is inclusive, welcoming, and conducive to growth. Risha unveils strategies for attracting and retaining top talent from diverse backgrounds, creating pathways for employee development, and cultivating a sense of belonging and community within the organization. Her passion for DEI shines through as she shares her invaluable insights, empowering organizations to stay ahead of the curve in the war for talent. Tune in to this enlightening episode and discover how to create a workplace where everyone can thrive. About Risha Grant: Risha is diversity personified: CEO. Entrepreneur. Black. Female. Small-town born and raised. Bisexual. Spiritual. Ex-preacher’s wife. Cusser. Left-handed. Former Division 1 athlete. But these traits alone aren’t what make her one of the most powerful and effective diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) experts in the US. Hailed as a “cultural competency genius” and renowned for her storytelling chops, humor, and frank delivery, she has made a career of leading her audiences as well as executives and their teams, politicians, civic leaders, and academic directors around the world to Radical Acceptance (RA) through a unique bias-busting process of self-examination and concrete advice on how to behave, lead, and manage businesses more inclusively.In her role as a speaker and CEO of a multi-million dollar business, Grant has shifted the hearts and minds of her audiences and clients from around the world, including Google, Levi Strauss, Nestle Purina, Xerox, YouTube, Procter & Gamble, Discover Card Financial Services, Samsung Electronics America, Cox Communications, U.S. Airforce, U.S. Navy, Intuit, NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, and Harvard University.She’s been featured in various national and international media including Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, Harvard Business Review, HR News, The Financial Times, Glamour Magazine UK, Bloomberg Media, and Black Enterprise, among others. She is also the author of two books: That’s BS! How Bias Synapse Disrupts Inclusive Cultures and the Power to Attract Diverse Markets and Be Better Than Your BS: How Radical Acceptance Empowers Authenticity and Creates a Culture of Inclusion.Grant has received numerous honors such as being named one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women Leaders in HR, one of the 40 Top Women Keynote Speakers, and made the list of Top 100 HR Experts. She was named as 1 in 9 Speakers Turning Crisis into Opportunity by Entrepreneur magazine, and for three consecutive years been an Engagedly Top 100 HR Influencer and Entrepreneur of the Year.Grant will freely admit that she is a work in progress. She occasionally misuses pronouns. She prejudges others. Sometimes she walks in fear. Yet she has consistently striven to focus on love, and made it her mission to use her passion, persistence, knowledge, and experience to dismantle racism, sexism, classism, and plain old stupidism—including her own. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her partner, where when not teaching people how to challenge bias she is busy being the world’s best auntie.

18 JAN 2024 · In the second part of this episode, John Mitchell and Miranda Zolot delve into the complexities of navigating labor laws across borders. Discover how companies can follow local laws while respecting cultural norms. The discussion extends to the evolution of compliance over time and where it's headed in the future. Stay tuned to gain valuable insights into the intersection of labor laws, cultural dynamics, and the evolving landscape of compliance on "Fire Your Hiring Habits." About Miranda Zolot: With over 20 years of experience as an in-house legal counsel, Miranda is a seasoned leader and a legal creative who loves helping people and businesses succeed. She is an International Legal Design Expert, certified by Legal Creatives, and a charter member of TechGC, a peer community for General Counsels. As the General Counsel at Oyster, Miranda is building a legal framework for making cross-border employment easier, supporting global expansion for businesses, and helping to bring remote work to talented people everywhere. She leverages her expertise in employment law, litigation, information risk management, and legal operations to deliver forward-thinking, business-minded solutions that produce sustainable results. Miranda is a strategic business partner and adviser to the senior management team, and a hands-on leader of a diverse and collaborative legal team.

11 JAN 2024 · Join John as he sits down with Miranda Zolot, the dynamic General Counsel at Oyster. With over 20 years of in-house legal experience, Miranda is a strategic business partner, hands-on manager, and a creative problem-solver. Discover Miranda's role in simplifying global hiring through a robust legal framework at Oyster. As an International Legal Design Expert and a leader in the in-house legal community, Miranda shares insights into navigating the complexities of legal leadership. Whether you're a legal professional or a business leader, this episode is a must-listen for valuable advice on enhancing your hiring practices and legal strategies. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from Miranda Zolot's wealth of experience and ignite your approach to compliant global hiring. Tune in now to "Fire Your Hiring Habits"! About Miranda Zolot: With over 20 years of experience as an in-house legal counsel, Miranda is a seasoned leader and a legal creative who loves helping people and businesses succeed. She is an International Legal Design Expert, certified by Legal Creatives, and a charter member of TechGC, a peer community for General Counsels.As the General Counsel at Oyster, Miranda is building a legal framework for making cross-border employment easier, supporting global expansion for businesses, and helping to bring remote work to talented people everywhere. She leverages her expertise in employment law, litigation, information risk management, and legal operations to deliver forward-thinking, business-minded solutions that produce sustainable results. Miranda is a strategic business partner and adviser to the senior management team, and a hands-on leader of a diverse and collaborative legal team.

21 DEC 2023 · In the second half of this podcast, John delves into Erica's insights on Generation Z's impact on today's workplaces. She'll shed light on why Gen Z isn't just tech-savvy but also deeply human-centric, valuing authenticity, diversity, and social responsibility. For companies seeking to foster strong human connections in a distributed workforce, Erica will share her expertise. She'll provide best practices and tips on effective communication, creative collaboration, and regular celebrations within your remote and hybrid teams. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Erica Keswin, a leading voice in workplace strategy and human connection. Tune in to this episode of Fire Your Hiring Habits and get ready to elevate your retention strategies. About Erica Keswin: Erica is a bestselling author, internationally sought after speaker, and workplace strategist. Her first two bestselling books Bring Your Human to Work: 10 Surefire Ways to Design a Workplace That’s Good for People, Great for Business, and Just Might Change the World(McGraw Hill 2018), and Rituals Roadmap: The Human Way to Transform Everyday Routines Into Workplace Magic(McGraw Hill 2021) were widely discussed in media outlets likeGood Morning America, MSNBC and Live with Kelly & Ryan, as well as many print articles and reviews. Her forthcoming book is called The Retention Revolution: 7 Surprising (and VeryHuman!) Ways to Keep Employees Connected to Your Company (September 2023 McGraw-Hill) and will set leaders up for success in this new world of work. When Erica isn’t writing books and offering keynotes, she coaches top-of-the-class businesses, organizations, and individuals to help them improve their performance by honoring relationships in today’s hybrid workplace. Erica is honored to be one of Marshall Goldsmith’s Top 100Coaches, as well as one of Business Insider’s most innovative coaches. She’s also the founder of the Spaghetti Project, a roving ritual devoted to sharing the science and stories of relationships at work. Erica lives in New York City with her husband Jeff, three children and her labradoodle, Cruiser.