Let's Fix Work With Laurie Ruettimann

Let’s Fix Work Episode 83 Kris Dunn’s book, 9 Faces of HR, is awesome. I hope to have him as a guest on the podcast in the future. In the meantime, let me tell you briefly about his book. He has broken up the world of HR into 9 personas using a nine-box grid. It is a great book for personal development, professional development, self leadership, and to understand who you are and what you have to offer. I love Kris, his framework, and his model. I also think the concept of nine HR personas is really interesting.  Not to steal Kris’s thunder, but I think there are three personality types when it comes to HR professionals. Today, I am going to dive into who they are and how they view organizations like SHRM. So if you want to hear about the three personality types of the HR profession and hear some talk about SHRM, then sit back and listen to this episode of Let’s Fix Work.  In this episode, you’ll hear: The three personality types of Human Resources Why some think the world's largest HR management association

Let’s Fix Work Episode 82 Earlier this year I was invited to speak to a bunch of corporate executives about the future of work. I was there as the special guest expected to bring some new ideas on how to rethink and re-imagine the world of human resources. I love these opportunities because it gives me a chance to try out new material. I decided to talk about something I've been thinking about for a long time. What if the CEO ran human resources? What would happen in your company if your CEO woke up tomorrow and suddenly decided to run human resources? Sure, it could mean a big disruption and there would be a huge learning curve for most CEOs. If you're a CEO, you may be thinking you would be way too busy to run the HR department. In this episode, I explore what the world of Human Resources would look like if we passed the reins to the CEO. Sure, your reaction listening to this episode may turn out just like the audience I presented this topic to; they were mad. They even heckled me. They thought it was a stu

Let’s Fix Work Episode 81 One of the crowning jewels in the life here in North Carolina is the N.C. State Fair. I've lived in a lot of places. I've bounced around a lot. I've even lived abroad. Up until the time I moved down to Raleigh, I had never been to a state fair. I didn’t know what I had been missing. Let me tell you, the N.C. State Fair is an interesting intersection of agriculture industry, artistry, high fat, and high fructose corn syrup food. Today, I'm talking to Heather Overton, Assistant Director of Communications for the N.C. State Fair Press Office and our go to concierge for the N.C. State Fair. So how does this mega-event come together? What's it all about? Why do people keep coming back? What makes the N.C. state fair so special? Heather will be helping us answer all of these questions and more. So if you like fried food, livestock competitions, or landscape exhibits and are interested in learning how it all comes together, then sit back and listen to this episode of Let’s Fix Work.  In thi

Let’s Fix Work Episode 80 Have you heard of Lil Bub? If not, let me introduce you to her. She is a published author, a talk show host, a movie star, and has helped raise well over $300,000 for animals in need. In 2011, she went viral and became an internet sensation. Oh yeah, and she’s a cat.   Yes, you read that correctly. Lil Bub is a special needs cat, in fact. She suffers from an extreme form of dwarfism, making her a permanent kitten with stubby legs, no teeth and the inability to use the litter box on her own. So her owner, Mike Bridavsky, helps her with everything, including running the day-to-day business of Lil BUB.  Alright, you may be wondering what an amazing cat and her owner have to do with my podcast. Well, they are a fascinating example of using work to help make the world a better place. So I went down to Bloomington, Indiana, to learn everything I could about the work and business of Lil Bub. And of course, I wanted to meet Lil Bub too. She did not disappoint. So if you're interested in the

Let’s Fix Work Episode 79 I want to share a story with you this week. It starts out like this: a long time ago, I took an HR Advisor job for a well-known company, and the job sucked. It sucked the life out of me and it sucked my energy. It was downright horrible. And yet, I had an inkling, on the day it was offered, that the choice may be a bad one. But I moved forward because I had a pile of student debt to pay off. And while I did gain some experience and worked on national and international levels, it was not all it was cracked up to be. The biggest lesson from that tumultuous time in my worklife was this: I did not have to take that job and when I realized it was a bad fit, I didn't have to stay with it. So this week on the show, the guest is me and I'm talking about putting yourself first, taking control of your career, and being your own HR representative. There is no leadership without self-leadership. So if you're looking around and you're waiting for someone to be the person to make a change, look in

Let’s Fix Work Episode 78 One of my biggest professional regrets in the world of HR was not having a mentor. I'm not alone. Many of you don't have mentors either and I know it because you email me and ask me questions about how to find a mentor. Or you ask what to do once you have a mentor, how not to lose that person or mess that relationship up. Since I'm not qualified to answer questions about mentorship, I thought I would invite an expert onto the show who can. This week's guest is Mike Sipple, Jr. who is a mentor to mentors, seriously. Mike is the President of Centennial, Inc., the Founder and CEO of the Talent Magnet Institute and he's the host of the Talent Magnet Institute podcast. That's a lot of jobs. I don't know how this man finds time to mentor, but he does. He mentors many people within human resources and recruiting. He teaches mentorship, he instructs, he leads, and he guides. And he is working to elevate the way mentorship is delivered in organizations all across the world. So if you want to

Let’s Fix Work Episode 77 This week, my guest is someone very special to me: my husband, Ken. Today we have a fun conversation about a 1998 trip we took to California and how we could not agree on modern art. Through this, we discovered how people don’t always agree on art and culture; and why we don’t actually need to agree in order to get along.  So how do art and culture relate to work? Well, we also discuss hiring and culture, and how that is manifested at work. How is your company using the word “culture” within the corporate context? This topic of “culture” within the workplace needs so much attention. This episode focuses on gaining clarity on the topic of “culture” and the importance of asking the real questions you need to have answered about a company. So if you’re interested in gaining a clearer perspective on “culture” and how that can happen at your office, be sure to listen to this week’s episode of Let’s Fix Work. In this episode, you’ll hear: Some details about our trip to California and the

Let’s Fix Work Episode 76 This week on the podcast, we are going “meta” because my podcast producer Danny Ozment of Emerald City Productions is my special guest. If you are wondering what podcasting has to do with work, well, I often get asked questions about individual podcasting and enterprise podcasting. Questions like, “How do we do this in our organization?” “How do we have a podcast where the CEO talks to the employees, but we keep it confidential?” Or, “How do we have a podcast for the marketing department to let other departments within the organization know the cool things that we're working on?” And I don't really have any of those answers. But my fantastic podcast producer, Danny, does have the answers. So today we talk about individual and enterprise podcast strategies that work. As well as who Danny is and how he got into podcasting, we also go through some of my listeners’ questions on what this wide world of podcasting is and how it can help to fix work. So if you're interested in employee comm

This week I’d like to introduce you to Julie Zhuo. Julie is the VP of Product Design at Facebook and the author of the new book, The Making of a Manager: What To Do When Everyone Looks to You. Julie was also the first ever intern at Facebook in 2006. Yes, that’s right! And now she's VP of Product Design. It's her job to make Facebook look great. I first met Julie almost a year ago at the Watermark Conference for Women in Silicon Valley, an event where a bunch of smart, powerful, and successful women come together to brainstorm how to take over the world. I joined Julie for a panel about “managing up,” which is basically making the people ahead of you or above you, on the organizational chart, happier. During our conversation, I was excited to learn she was writing a book about managers and knew immediately I wanted to have her on the podcast as a guest when her book came out. And, well, here we are! On today's episode, Julie and I talk about the difference between managers and leaders, as well as organization

Let’s Fix Work Episode 74 We talk about and “remember” 9/11 in America in a very callous way, without truly remembering that nearly 3,000 people died at work. Nearly 3,000 people.  The 2996 project aims to remember those people. For years, I've been writing about Claudia Martinez Foster. Claudia had a fun life.  She wanted to start a family. She loved children. She loved makeup.  She had a job on the 105th floor of Tower One, World Trade Center. And, she lost her life on September 11th, 2001, at work.  I will never stop writing or talking about Claudia.  This week I wanted to share with you my thoughts on old Labor Day traditions, the emergence of the “new” Labor Day and remembering 9/11.  If the topic of terrorism is hard for you (as it is for many of us) or you’ve lost someone on 9/11, this episode might be one you want to skip.  In this episode, you’ll hear: My memorial to Claudia Martinez Foster Why the idea of Labor Day as a union holiday is an old and stupid idea The new Labor Day, a day for rememberin

Let’s Fix Work Episode 73 Do you love having five jobs? Do you love chasing down invoices and getting four hours of sleep a night because you're worried about the future? Yeah, I didn’t think so. In fact, nobody probably really loves any part of the side hustle. More on that in a moment. But first, meet this week’s guest, Mary Ellen Slayter. She's the Founder and CEO of Rep Cap Media, a B2B Marketing agency focused on helping their clients create leads, sales, and revenue. Of course, Mary Ellen is so much more than that. She's a scientist. She's a journalist. She's a former writer at the Washington Post. And she's also a mother, a partner, and an absolute dear friend.  Mary Ellen is also someone who has a strong opinion on entrepreneurship and the hustle economy.  Now, I don't know when the word hustle emerged in our lexicon as a good thing, but Mary Ellen and I are here to tell you it is not a good thing. It is not a proper way to live your life. It's not a proper way to be connected to the people you love.

Let’s Fix Work Episode 72 This week’s episode is a bit different. Why? Well, I am the guest (and the host). I have some important things to share with you about Human Resources and I felt compelled to switch up the format a bit to get my message to you uninterrupted.  I dive into what Human Resources is and how some people may have a different view of what Human Resources is supposed to look like. I also share about the four quadrants of Human Resources (what they are and why they’re needed), and what makes a great Human Resources professional. What could the world of HR be if we had nothing to lose? Find out in this unique and high energy episode of Let’s Fix Work.  In this episode, you’ll hear: What Human Resources is (and what it should be) Some problems in HR and where they stem from The Four Quadrants of Human Resources What to do if you’re struggling in your career Resources from this episode: Read more from Laurie Work with Laurie Laurie on Instagram *** EPISODE CREDITS: If you like this podcast and

Let’s Fix Work Episode 71 This week I get to introduce you to a dear friend of mine, Victorio Milian. Some people refer to him as the most disruptive man in human resources. Is that hyperbole? Is that true? Well, on the surface, Victorio is a human resources consultant, a father, a husband, and a volunteer.  He also is a hobbyist photographer. So yes, he's got a normal life. But he is also the founder of a movement called #fixitSHRM. SHRM is the Society for Human Resource Management. Why does it need to be fixed? Well, that's exactly what we're talking about today. What would you do if an association that represents you starts to behave in a way that you don't agree with? Do you stay with it? Do you leave it? Do you speak up? What happens when you try to reach out to the leadership and they don't respond? Victorio was faced with this dilemma, he made his choice and the #fixitSHRM movement was born.  I will let you decide whether or not you believe Victorio is in the right or wrong. But this is for sure, our c

Let’s Fix Work Episode 70 This week's podcast features a guest who was a real treat for me. I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Jeff Gordinier, Food and Drinks Editor at Esquire Magazine. Jeff is also the author of a book about the most famous and most celebrated chef in the world, René Redzepi. The book, Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World, is about leadership, innovation, creativity, and saying, “Yes,” to experiences that can change your life. I mean, come on, if that doesn’t say, “Let’s Fix Work,” I don’t know what does!  Whether you are reading what Jeff is writing in the New York Times or listening to our conversation about risk-change transformation and René Redzepi, you are bound to be transfixed by his witty, engaging, and creative demeanor. So if you want to hear from a disaffected Gen-X writer, go on a road-trip food tour, and enjoy a conversation about risk-change transformation, then sit back and listen to this episode of Let’s Fix Work.  In th

Let’s Fix Work Episode 69 Bill Perry is the founder of The Innovatus Group.  Bill was referred to me by one of the listeners of the show. They described him as a Sherpa. Yes, a Sherpa.  While that phrase is often overused, Bill is the real deal. He offers extremely personalized executive development, coaching, and team training. The people who work with him rave about their results.  Bill comes at his work from the heart. He is plainspoken. He does not use any buzzwords and he believes in a better you, better teams, better business, and better life. Bill truly believes that in order to be a good employee, you have to live with integrity. If you want to be a leader, you have to live from the inside out. Today we talk about working human and leading from the heart. So if you're interested in listening to a conversation about consulting and leadership and hearing from someone who brings his whole heart to the conversation, I know you're going to enjoy this episode of Let’s Fix Work.  In this episode, you’ll hear

Let’s Fix Work Episode 68 This week I welcome Dan Cockerell to the show. Once upon a time, Dan was the VP of Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. He is now an Executive Coach, Keynote Speaker, and Leadership Mentor. Because this is a podcast about leadership and work, it was only fitting to have an ex-Disney executive on to talk about leadership.  In this episode, we talk about how and why Disney became the gold standard of employee experience, training, and development. Then we talk in-depth about dilemmas versus problems, as well as professional detachment and some ways Dan is currently fixing work. So if you want to learn from someone who knows a thing or two about the gold standard of work and how to fix it, then sit back and listen to this episode of Let’s Fix Work.  In this episode, you’ll hear: What makes Disney the gold standard regarding employee experience, training, and development About corporations that provide such great wealth but also struggle at the bottom end of the spectrum to meet certain ba

Let’s Fix Work Episode 67 This week’s guest is Mandie Brice. She's a hair and makeup artist, a model, and the host of The Bold Moves Podcast.  I first met Mandie when I needed a hair and makeup artist for an event. When Mandie came into my hotel room, I didn't know a thing about her. I soon found out she's a phenomenally talented individual who's a former Milwaukee Public School teacher. She didn't like the political system in Milwaukee, the state of Wisconsin, or America and decided to transform her side hustle into her full-time job.  This episode represents a moment in my life when I was curious enough about someone to just shut up and listen to them tell a story. While she was doing my hair and makeup, I played podcast host without even realizing it, I asked her some questions and she told me her life story. It was so interesting and fascinating that I knew I needed to ask her to be a guest on Let’s Fix Work to do it all over again. So if you've ever wondered how to make a move from the thing that you're

Let’s Fix Work Episode 66 My first guest of the summer is Danny Fahey, owner of Castle Fitness. He also happens to be my personal trainer. Danny isn't just a strength coach and personal trainer, he’s an entrepreneur too. One of the reasons I love Danny is because he's not afraid to tackle the myths of wellness and wellbeing.  And he is also not afraid to create unique training experiences for his clients.  Through his company, he is providing virtual exercise via a Facebook portal. I've done it and it’s amazing.  He is trying to disrupt the experience we get at the gym by bringing you the best of personal training and strength coaching, but also allowing you to do it in your living room, your basement, your dining room, or wherever you hook up to your Facebook portal. In today’s episode, we talk about his creative use of an interesting and emerging piece of technology for health and wellness.  I'm honored to be his friend, I'm honored to talk about his business, and I really hope you enjoy this episode with D

Namely believes there’s one team that can help make your workplace great: HR. When their days are filled with administrative to-dos, they can’t focus on the big stuff—like parental leave and promotions. Namely’s all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform makes their lives easier, saving them an average of 11 hours each week. Over 1,000 companies use Namely to build a better workplace. Get a free demo at Namely.com/podcast Let’s Fix Work Episode 65 Up until recently, I was using the words job description and job posting interchangeably. They are two very different things. A job description is a technical document and it includes some high-level esoteric stuff, like competencies, abilities, and requirements. You cannot have a fair and equitable work environment unless you have a clear and specifically delineated job description. And well, a job posting is what you put on the Internet (or back in the “olden” days, in the newspaper). In this episode, I speak with Don Berman, COO of HRTMS. HRTMS is evangelical

Namely believes there’s one team that can help make your workplace great: HR. When their days are filled with administrative to-dos, they can’t focus on the big stuff—like parental leave and promotions. Namely’s all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform makes their lives easier, saving them an average of 11 hours each week. Over 1,000 companies use Namely to build a better workplace. Get a free demo at Namely.com/podcast Let’s Fix Work Episode 64 This week I welcome Eric Knudsen to the podcast. Eric is the Manager of People Analytics at Namely, the all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform built for today’s employees. Namely is also the sponsor and underwriter for Let’s Fix Work for the month of June, so I am thrilled to welcome Eric to the show. In today’s show, Eric and I talk all about data. We talk in-depth about the world of data and its effect on informed decision-making in human resources today. So if you love hearing about organized data, messy data, or HR data, then stick around for this epis