The Weekly Workplace
Welcome to the Weekly Workplace, your ticket to an electrifying transformation of your work life! Join the dynamic experts from Missouri Training Institute as they serve up a potent blend of insights and inspiration to skyrocket your productivity and joy. Whether you’re a team player or calling the shots, get ready for a thrilling journey filled with laughter, growth, and unstoppable success.
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Episode #18: Engaged or Not Engaged?
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2021 Report an unfortunate and staggering 51 - 69% of employees are disengaged or actively disengaged. Disengagement costs companies millions in lost productivity. When companies have to replace disengaged workers, it can cost even more; one-half to two times the employee's annual salary. Either way, disengaged workers cost you! Listen as the MTI team talks about what the state of engagement is in the workplace and how you can impact that as a leader.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Resources:
Gallup Workplace. (2021). State of the Global Workplace: 2021 Report. Gallup. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx
References:
Gandhi, V. and Robison, J. (2021 July 22). The 'Great Resignation' Is Really the 'Great Discontent'. Gallup. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/351545/great-resignation-really-great-discontent.aspx
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
Episode #17: Meaningfulness at Work
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
Interestingly, immediate supervisors have the most impact on an employee’s engagement yet cannot create meaningfulness at work. However, leadership can actively cause meaninglessness. Listen as we discuss the factors that destroy meaningfulness and how employees find work meaningful.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Resources:
Bailey, C., & Madden, A. (2016 June 1). What Makes Work Meaningful - Or Meaningless. MIT Sloan Management Review. https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/what-makes-work-meaningful-or-meaningless/
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Episode #16: Engaging in Difficult Dialogue
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Engaging in difficult dialogue with an employee is never easy and requires a careful approach. Whether you are addressing poor performance, or behavior that is detrimental to your team or its success, it is important that leaders address these issues head-on. This episode offers tips for leaders to keep these difficult conversations positive, constructive, and focused on productive outcomes.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Resources:
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2012). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
*Visit the Columbia, Missouri Barnes & Noble and get 25% off this title by mentioning The Weekly Workplace.
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Episode #15: The Effect Lack of Confidence Has on Your Career
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Many times low self-esteem leads back to “that one time when…” and once that seed is planted and takes root it can be hard to stop. From your personal life into your professional life, that nagging voice in the back of your mind can get in the way of accomplishing great things. Listen in as we navigate our way through what confidence actually is and how you can eradicate the weeds to move forward to a more productive future.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
Episode #14: Where the Real Meetings Happen
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
Have you ever heard the phrase, “the real meetings happen at the water cooler”? The average meeting lasts ninety minutes, has no written agenda, and its purported purpose is completed only 50% of the time. This episode will address concepts to help you prepare and deliver a virtual or in-person meeting that has impact and purpose in a way that grows your influence.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Resources:
The Memory Jogger: A Pocket Guide of Tools for Continuous Improvement
Brassard, Michael. (1985). The Memory Jogger: A Pocket Guide of Tools for Continuous Improvement. GOAL/QPC.
*Visit the Columbia, Missouri Barnes & Noble and get 25% off this title by mentioning The Weekly Workplace.
Wednesday Jul 14, 2021
Episode #13: Creating Positive Workplace Culture
Wednesday Jul 14, 2021
Wednesday Jul 14, 2021
Veterans United not only has an altruistic purpose of lending to veterans but has also become an employer of choice for many people due to the positive culture it has created for employees. Learn how Veterans United established and maintains its positive culture and continues to be a magnet for talent as we talk with Ian Franz, the Director of Culture at Veterans United in Columbia, Missouri.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Wednesday Jul 07, 2021
Episode #12: Business Writing
Wednesday Jul 07, 2021
Wednesday Jul 07, 2021
More and more of our communication in the workplace is done through writing. Whether it’s emails, texts, instant messaging, etc, we spend a lot of time constructing written communication to set expectations, discuss problems, or provide feedback. However, the spoken word is very different from the written word. Join us for on this episode to learn how to be simple, concise, and specific with your business communication.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
Episode #11: Influencing Others
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
To get things done in today’s organizations, we must positively influence others. Whether it is your direct reports, colleagues, clients, suppliers, or even your boss, it’s important to gain buy-in and securing cooperation from others. This week’s episode of the Weekly Workplace explores influence: what it is and how to grow it when working with others.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
Episode #10: Accountability for Leaders
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
The hardest expectation to meet is the one no one knew about, and that’s where accountability starts. Accountability is results-focused and outcome-based. Listen in as MTI experts talk about what leaders can do to hold their team members accountable for expected outcomes.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Wednesday Jun 16, 2021
Episode #9: How to Receive Feedback Gracefully
Wednesday Jun 16, 2021
Wednesday Jun 16, 2021
Feedback is a gift. Whether you agree with the feedback or not, it does provides valuable insight on another person’s perspective about your work. This week’s podcast sheds light on how to receive feedback, the good, the bad or the ugly, gracefully.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
Episode #8: Grit in the Workplace
Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
According to Merriam-Webster, grit is defined as “firmness of character; indomitable spirit.” Others might use words like perseverance in pursuit of one’s passion. Whichever one you like or a bit of both, we will be discussing the value and distinction of grit in determining success in the workplace.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Resources:
Duckworth, Angela. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Simon & Schuster.
Grit scale
Duckworth, Angela. (n.d.) Grit Scale. https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/
References:
IMDb. (1969). True Grit. A Paramount Picture. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065126/?ref_=tt_mv_close
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
Episode #7: It's Not About the Money
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
More than money employees say they want a workplace that provides opportunities for growth and development and an employer who cares about their career journey. Advancing skills, increasing job satisfaction, and boosting employee confidence and morale are just a few of the benefits of training in organizations. Listen as we talk with the City of Columbia Missouri's Debbie Cummings, HR Training Coordinator, as she shares her knowledge about the value of training in the workplace.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Resources:
Operating out of strengths; CliftonStrengths
Buckingham, M. & Clifton, D.O. (2001). Now, Discover Your Strengths. The Free Press: A Division of Simon & Schuster Inc.
*Visit the Columbia, Missouri Barnes & Noble and get 25% off this title by mentioning The Weekly Workplace.
CliftonStrengths assessment & training: Contact Missouri Training Institute
Wednesday May 26, 2021
Episode #6: Team Dynamics
Wednesday May 26, 2021
Wednesday May 26, 2021
Good team dynamics include trust, collective decision-making, accountability, mutual understanding, and self-corrective behavior. When consistent and productive behaviors exist, teams work more effectively and with less drama. We will identify what poor team dynamics look like, the top two causes, and some ways to overcome poor team behaviors.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Episode #5: What Are You Trying to Balance?
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Wednesday May 19, 2021
In today's environment the line between work life and home life is set in sand, not stone; often making it hard to even distinguish the two. What does work/life balance even mean? What are we trying to balance? The most common response is time, time between work and home and having that "always on" feeling. We're here to dispel that and identify what we should really be trying to balance.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Monday May 10, 2021
Episode #4: Trust is a Must (Part 2)
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
Earning trust is a process not an event. It requires team members to be vulnerable and intentional with trust-building behaviors.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Monday May 10, 2021
Episode #3: Trust is a Must (Part 1)
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
High-performing teams are built on a foundation of trust. But what is trust? This episode will define trust and describe what it looks like in workplaces.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Resources:
Vulnerability-based trust
Lencioni, Patrick. (2002). The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. Jossey-Bass: A Wiley Imprint.
Emotional bank account
Covey, Stephen R. (1989, 2004). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Simon & Schuster.
*Visit the Columbia, Missouri Barnes & Noble and get 25% off these titles by mentioning The Weekly Workplace.
Monday May 10, 2021
Episode #2: Differences Make the Difference
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
Have you ever eaten a fruit salad with just one kind of fruit? How boring would that be? It's the variety that makes it interesting. The same can be said for your workplace. Appreciating the unique talents of your colleagues is what makes a great team.
mti@missouri.edu I 573.882.2860 I mti.missouri.edu
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Episode #1: Small But Mighty
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Missouri Training Institute's work is to inform, involve, and inspire professionals to be the best they can be. Find out who we are, what we do, and more importantly why we do it.
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