The Weekly Workplace

Episode #19: Why Fix What Ain‘t Broke?

If there’s anything that life and longevity teaches us it’s that to survive you must adapt and that means change. It’s no different in business. If a business is to survive, it must change and that means innovate, find new ways to present its products and services, giving its customers what they need how they need it where they need it when they need it. Creativity and innovation are knowledge-based skills that are born when employees use collaboration to come up with new ways to solve problems that might not even exist yet. Join the MTI teams as they talk about how leaders can cultivate creativity and innovation in the workplace.
mti@missouri.edu  I  573.882.2860  I mti.missouri.edu

Episode #18: Engaged or Not Engaged?

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

Episode #17: Meaningfulness at Work

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/

Episode #16: Engaging in Difficult Dialogue

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.

Episode #15: The Effect Lack of Confidence Has on Your Career

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

Episode #14: Where the Real Meetings Happen

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.

Episode #13: Creating Positive Workplace Culture

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

Episode #12: Business Writing

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