Jennifer McClure`

Helping Leaders Leverage Influence & Create Maximum Impact.

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Written by Jennifer McClure

The Best Articles & Resources for Leaders Transforming the Future of Work: August 2023

Each week, I send a brief email newsletter to leaders seeking to disrupt and transform the future of work.

In this weekly letter, I share my learnings and experiences from over 3 decades of work as a human resources leader, executive coach, and entrepreneur, along with tools, tips and resources that are personally curated to help leaders establish credibility, communicate confidently, and lead with impact.

If you’d like to receive the weekly Impact Makers email newsletter, you can subscribe HERE.

Following are a few of the best resources that I created, read, reviewed, and shared in the month of August 2023.

HIGH-IMPACT LEADERSHIP:

Great leaders promote a culture of curiosity – they lead with questions, not answers.

✏️ The 50 Most Powerful Questions Smart Leaders Can Ask by Gustavo Razzetti

PERSONAL BRANDING / THOUGHT LEADERSHIP:

Can you answer the question “What do you do?” in one sentence that makes someone want to know more?

✏️ How to Simplify the Way You Talk About Your Work (No Jargon Allowed) by Lee Price

I enjoyed this discussion on how to use writing to connect with your audience and communicate who you are as a thought leader.

🎧 Steal the Show podcast — How to Use Writing as a Thought Leader with Michael Port and Queena B.

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLIC SPEAKING:

To succeed as a professional speaker, you need a plan.

On this podcast, Dan Irvin shares his 4-step prospecting and contact strategy, and the systems he’s developed that have turned his speaking business into a well-oiled machine generating over 6-figures a year.

🎧 The Speaker Lab Podcast: The 6 Step System to Book More Paid Speaking Gigs with Dan Irvin, M.A.Ed/Adult Education and Training

In this podcast, popular keynote speaker and New York Times best-selling author Jon Acuff shares his 15-year speaking journey, and the lessons he wishes he had known when he first started.

🎧 Speak Like a Pro: A Crash Course in Public Speaking

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING:

On August 1, 2023, Living Corporate, a media network focused on centering and amplifying Black and brown voices at work launched the Living Corporate Collective, an invite-only virtual space that will empower, educate, and elevate all of its members by facilitating monthly private webinars and sharing resources on the landscape of DEI and HR.

🎟 I’m in! Join me.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (one of the largest philanthropic Foundations in the US) created this toolkit to share their experiences, lessons and recommended tools and resources for implementing racial equity strategies as part of an HR function.

🗄 HR Toolkit for Racial Equity

HUMAN RESOURCES / PEOPLE & CULTURE:

Jennifer Kim’s focus is on teaching startups how to hire + grow, and in this post, she shares 3 lines of questioning to help founders or c-suite leaders filter out mediocre and incompetent people leaders from the applicant pool for Head of People jobs.

✏️ 3 interview questions to sniff out Heads of People who can’t deliver by Jennifer Kim

Employee engagement levels reached a record high in 2022, but it’s also the second year in a row where worker stress reached record levels as well.

🗄 Globally, Employees Are More Engaged — and More Stressed via Gallup

Lots of interesting insights in this report, including the significance of pay and compensation to today’s workforce, the importance and impact of flexibility, an increased desire for caring workplace cultures, and the effects of uncertainty about the future.

🗄 People at Work 2023: A Global Workforce View via ADP Research

New research highlights three key times when bringing employees and teams together in person creates lasting connection.

✏️ In the Changing Role of the Office, It’s All about Moments That Matter via Microsoft WorkLab

The big brains and researchers at The RBL Group believe that HR functional effectiveness is about creating value for all stakeholders. Through extensive research and practice, they’ve identified 10 dimensions to create value-based HR, ensuring that HR is not about HR, but about creating value.

✏️ What Makes an Effective HR Function? via The RBL Group

RECRUITING & TALENT ACQUISITION:

Fifty-seven percent of job seekers are already using social media as part of their job search.

I was interviewed to share some tips – as well as key mistakes to avoid – in this article on Dice.com.

✏️ How to Use Social Media to Land a Job in Tech

BOOK OF THE MONTH:

One of the books I recommend to anyone interested in pursuing professional speaking is The Wealthy Speaker. The book covers in detail how to set yourself up for success as a professional speaker, including mindset, positioning, marketing, fees, creating an epic speech, and more.

A third and updated edition was released earlier this year. I’ve read all three, and always appreciate the refresher, as well as the new topics addressed, because the world (and the business of speaking) is ever-changing.

📕 The Wealthy Speaker 3.0: Your Recipe for Building the Speaking Business of Your Dreams by Jane Atkinson

FROM MY POINT OF VIEW:

Recently, I joined Bill Banham on the HRchat podcast to discuss all things DisruptHR LLC.

We spoke about the unanticipated wild ride that DisruptHR has been on over the last 10 years, and how it continues to grow expand around the world. I also highlight some standout events, some of my favorite DisruptHR Talks, and who my dream speaker would be. (You’ll never guess.😉)

🎧 A Decade of Disrupting HR: HRchat Episode 614 with Jennifer McClure

What the heck is a “balcony person”? And why would you want to be one?

As a leader, one of the most meaningful ways that you can make an impact in the lives of those that you lead and serve is to be a balcony person for them.

✏️ How to Lead with Impact: 4 Key Traits of Mentors Who Make a Difference

Are you a lifelong learner? If you want to be a successful leader, the answer has to be yes.

How do you create a customized leadership development plan that will help you become the best leader you can be?

✏️ 6 Resources to Create a Leadership Development Plan to Fuel Continuous Personal Growth and Career Success

In the ever-evolving future of work, it’s more important than ever to hire exceptional talent.

But beyond qualifications and experience, how can you discern if a candidate is truly exceptional?

✏️ Hiring for Success: An Interviewer’s Guide to Identifying Job Fit and Future Potential

When I’m given the opportunity to speak to an audience – whether from a stage, in front of a camera in my home office, or in a corporate conference room, it’s important to remember that being a “good” or “great” speaker isn’t about just sharing; it’s about resonating. And while every performance may not be a home run, there are certain missteps that I (and you) should avoid.

✏️ How to Deliver a Killer Presentation: Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes

You don’t have to be a famous celebrity or invent something that changes how millions of people engage with the world in order to make a difference. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every moment of connection has a ripple effect that impacts the people you come across every day.

✏️ You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Lead With Impact: 5 Ways to Make a Difference

THE IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST:

Want to discover innovative strategies to attract top talent, enhance HR processes, and redefine employee engagement in the future of work? I’ve got ideas you…

🎧 Transformative HR Leadership: Embracing Disruption and Shaping the Future of Work with Jennifer McClure and Shari Simpson, SHRM-SCP, MBA, MHRM

Khalilah “KO” Olokunola shares her personal story from the streets, to prison, to a job as the Chief People Officer of a for profit organization with the social mission to unite gang rivals and decrease violence, and now to boardrooms and training rooms around the world equipping leaders to create more impact.

🎧 From the Block to the Boardroom: Impact Architect Khalilah Olokunola Breaks Boundaries in HR

Zachary Nunn – CEO of Living Corporate – shares how he transformed his frustration with performative corporate DE&I efforts into a multimedia diversity, equity, and inclusion network that centers and amplifies Black and brown professionals in the workplace through narrative storytelling.

🎧 Amplifying Black and Brown Voices in the Workplace With Zachary Nunn, Founder of Living Corporate

Noah Warder – Head of People at Guusto shares about building people-centric cultures that provide purpose, well-being, and opportunities for all.

We also discuss the value of simplifying HR, quantifying ROI for people strategies, the importance of trust and transparency in fostering a strong company culture, and leveraging conflict for optimal results.

🎧 Creating People-First Cultures Through Transparency, Trust, and Transformative HR With Noah Warder

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion practitioner, speaker, and podcast host Shahzia Noorally, M.Ed (she/her) discusses challenges and biases that persist in traditional leadership models. We also explore the concept of sponsorship versus mentorship, which can create a space for authentic expression, and amplify not just talent, but also the voices that often go unheard.

🎧 Challenging Traditional HR Paradigms to Create More Inclusive and Equitable Workplaces With Shahzia Noorally

FIND ME AT UPCOMING SPEAKING EVENTS & CONFERENCES:

Fall conference season is gearing up, and I’ll be speaking at the following events. I would love to connect IRL if you’ll be there too!

9/20/2023 – Edmonton, AB: Jobber Choose Your Impact Day

Superhero Leadership: Accept the Challenge, Push Past Uncertainty & Embrace the New World of Work

9/27/2023 – Dallas, TX: Federal Reserve Bank Minorities in Banking Forum

Defining and Communicating Your Personal Brand to Help Your Career and Your Organization Grow

10/3/2023 – New York, NY: LinkedIn Talent Connect

Transforming Your HR Team to Deliver Maximum Impact in Today’s Competitive Environment

10/26/23 – Broadview Heights, OH: Northeast Ohio SHRM

I’ll be discussing The Future of HR, along with John Bernatovicz, Tim Sackett, SPHR, SCP, George Sample, MBA, SPHR, and Lauren Rudman, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

 

Categories: Blog, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Future of Work, Human Resources, Leadership, Personal Branding, Recruiting
Posted on September 12, 2023

Written by Jennifer McClure

Creating People-First Cultures Through Transparency, Trust, and Transformative HR With Noah Warder

Get ready to reshape your HR practices with my guest on episode 88 of the Impact Makers podcast – Noah Warder!

Noah has been leading people teams across Canada and the US for over 10 years, and now leads the People Team at Guusto, a company that provides a recognition and rewards platform focused on both front-line and office employees. In this role, he gets to marry his passion for building a people-first culture that focuses on creating purpose, opportunity, and well-being for every member of Guusto team.

He’s also the Principal Consultant and Founder of PeopleOps Consulting, where he helps early-stage Founders to build people-first cultures in rapidly growing organizations, and he brings a fresh perspective to the role HR should play in advocating for a culture that stimulates open dialogue and forethought.

In our conversation on the podcast, Noah shares his thoughts on how to balance daily tasks and strategic initiatives while also debunking the misconception that effective people practices need to be intricate or costly. We also chat about the vital role of diverse leadership teams in recruiting a diverse workforce, and the significance of tying DE&I strategies to business objectives.

Finally, Noah share his views on trust-building within HR, and his strategies for providing constructive feedback, including the challenge of communicating with those skeptical of HR.  He firmly believes that transparency in leadership leads to more openness and clear communication that can empower employees and foster greater engagement.

I think that you’ll enjoy our conversation, and will leave it with some actionable takeaways to create, or further build a people-first approach in your own workplace.

Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:

  • Why HR leaders should get more comfortable with starting small, making mistakes, and avoiding perfectionism.
  • Strategies for prioritizing people initiatives when HR leaders have so much on their plates.
  • How to approach making a business case for important people strategies when the ROI is hard to quantify.
  • The importance of building influence and trust as a people leader, in order to get things done.
  • Why it’s important – and healthy – to embrace conflict in order to reach better outcomes.
  • Why transparency is so important for company culture and trust in organizations.
  • The importance of being intentional about adding diverse voices and perspectives to the people you listen to, follow and learn from.
  • Suggested communities and resources for people leaders to share ideas and best practices, and gain support from others facing similar challenges.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 88

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

People & Resources Mentioned in This episode:

Noah Warder – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahwarder/

Noah Warder – Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoahWarder

PeopleOps Consulting – https://www.peopleopsconsulting.com/

Guusto – https://guusto.com/

Lars Schmidt – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsschmidt

Amplify Academy – https://amplifytalent.com/academy

ChartHop People Ops Community – https://www.charthop.com/the-people-ops-community/

The People People Group – https://thepeoplepeoplegroup.com/

Categories: Blog, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Human Resources, Leadership, Podcast
Posted on August 21, 2023

Written by Jennifer McClure

From the Block to the Boardroom: Impact Architect Khalilah Olokunola Breaks Boundaries in HR

It’s not often that I come across a story as astonishing and inspiring as that of my guest on episode 86 of the Impact Makers podcast – Khalilah Olokunola. Khalilah (also known as KO) transformed a troubled past into a beacon of hope and empowerment, and her journey from the streets of Brooklyn to a prison cell, and eventually to the boardrooms of the corporate world, is a testament to her talent, as well as her unwavering resilience and determination.

Khalilah is an extraordinary human, HR executive, community leader, and now business owner – for the 6th time – and the story of her life to date, is amazing. In our conversation on the podcast, Khalilah takes us through her inspiring journey and the wisdom she gleaned along the way. She recounts how a simple letter from her father gave her the strength to persevere, and how her role as a Chief People Officer at a startup with a mission to unite gang rivals shaped her perspective on life. In her latest endeavor founding her own company — Re-Engineering HR — she helps companies thrive by prioritizing people, purpose, and profit.

We also discussed the impactful work that Khalilah does through Re-Engineering HR, where she helps leaders and organizations to understand how to be people-focused, purpose-driven, and profit-aligned, and also how to put strategies in place to avoid sinking the business ship by identifying and addressing internal icebergs before they take an organization down. She also introduces her Alphabet Audit tool, which measures people and practices, and her Serve Principle training.

Finally, you’ll hear about her upcoming book, set to release in 2024. This episode is filled with inspiration, resilience, and valuable insights that will leave you empowered and ready to create change!

Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:

  • Resilience and determination can turn even the harshest experiences into opportunities for growth and impact.
  • HR isn’t just about managing people; it’s about transforming lives, building communities, and driving meaningful change.
  • Embracing educational opportunities, learning from industry veterans, and not being afraid to take on challenges are keys to growth in the HR field.
  • For companies to thrive, leaders must rely on the wisdom of their partners and employees, maintain transparency, and communicate effectively.
  • Effective HR practice involve being proactive, aligning decisions with values, and being purpose-driven.
  • The Power of ‘D.I.R.T.Y. HR’ – being divergent, intentional, responsible, trustworthy, and focused on your ‘why’.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 86

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

People & Resources Mentioned In This episode:

Khalilah “KO” Olokunola – LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

ReEngineeringHR website

Khalilah Olokunola personal website

The HR Social Hour Half Hour podcast episode 80: Jon & Wendy talk to Khalilah Olokunola

Dirty HR (D.I.R.T.Y.) | Khalilah “KO” Olokunola | DisruptHR Talks

Categories: Blog, Human Resources, Leadership, Podcast
Posted on August 4, 2023

Written by Jennifer McClure

Transformative HR Leadership: Embracing Disruption and Shaping the Future of Work

On episode 85 of the Impact Makers podcast, I’m sharing a conversation with you that I had recently with Shari Simpson – Senior Manager of Thought Leadership at Paylocity – on the HR Mixtape podcast, which she hosts.

I asked Shari if I could also share the conversation with the Impact Makers community, because I thought she asked some great questions about the challenges and opportunities that HR leaders are facing in a world where work and employee expectations have changed forever.

We discussed how technology and artificial intelligence impacts HR, as well as how HR can lead in the future of work in the areas of attracting and retaining talent, redefining employee engagement, and connecting employees with meaning and purpose in their work. We also touched on how HR leaders can build their influence, and make a significant impact in their organizations as well as the broader HR community.

I’ve linked to the episode of the HR Mixtape podcast where this conversation originally appeared below. I encourage you to connect with Shari, and to follow or subscribe to the HR Mixtape podcast so you can listen to more thought-provoking interviews, compliance tips, coffee chats, and the latest HR-related news.

Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:

  • Current and future challenges confronting HR leaders.
  • The crucial role of HR in adopting technology impacting the workplace.
  • The influence of consumer experience on employee satisfaction and competitiveness in the labor market.
  • Defining employee engagement and strategies for positive impact.
  • The significance of a learner’s mindset for HR leaders and methods to gain beneficial insights.
  • Guidance for HR leaders on enhancing their influence and contributing to meaningful conversations in their profession, company, and industry.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 85

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

People & Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

Shari Simpson – LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram

HR Mixtape Podcast

HR Mixtape Podcast — HR Evolved: Navigating Challenges and Embracing the Future with Jennifer McClure

PCTY Talks Podcast — Creating Your Personal HR Brand with Jennifer McClure

Re:Thinking with Adam Grant — ChatGPT did NOT title this podcast (w/ Allie Miller & Ethan Mollick)

Impact Makers Podcast — Defining Return on Workforce Investment in the Future of Work with Dr. Alexander Alonso

Redefining Work Podcast with Lars Schmidt

Punk Rock HR Podcast with Laurie Ruettimann

Digital HR Leaders Podcast with David Green

Kris Dunn – The HR Capitalist

Noah Warder – LinkedIn

Tracie Sponenberg – LinkedIn

Julie Turney – LinkedIn

Subscribe to Jennifer McClure’s Impact Makers Newsletter

Categories: Blog, Employee Engagement, Future of Work, Human Resources, Podcast
Posted on July 27, 2023

Written by Jennifer McClure

Poetry, Hip Hop, and HR: Creativity and Leading in the Future of Work With Arend Boersema

Have you ever thought of poetry as a tool for revolutionizing your thought process and sparking creativity? Well, my guest on episode 84 of the Impact Makers podcast has!

Arend Boersema, is a human resources leader, hip-hop enthusiast, spoken word poet and writer, and in our conversation, he shares how we can use art forms like poetry to disrupt our thinking, and to unlock creativity in the workplace.

Having lived in various countries and cultures around the world, Arend embraces his diverse identity as a global citizen, and utilizes his passions and experience to help leaders to tap into their creativity, and to think differently about work and life. He’s a firm believer that writing poetry can be a useful activity to explore self-expression and uncover new ideas.

During the pandemic, Arend found solace in writing and capturing his experiences through spoken word poetry, and this creative expression culminated in the publication of his book, “Poetry at the Heart of Business.”

As an HR and organizational development expert, Arend incorporates spoken word poetry, hip-hop, and haikus into training classes, retreats, and summits as tools to encourage creative thinking, and to foster a sense of community among participants.

This episode is a fascinating blend of art, creativity, and leadership that you wouldn’t want to miss. I hope that it sparks something in you, and inspires you to use poetry, hip hop lyrics, or some other form of art that you may be passionate about to engage your own creativity and self-expression in your leadership journey going forward.

Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:

  • The importance of HR in creating a positive employee experience and fostering company culture.
  • How incorporating storytelling and spoken word poetry into your work can make concepts and feelings come to life in unique ways.
  • How embracing creativity and self-expression can enhance leadership skills and help us to connect with others on a deeper level.
  • Using poetry and art as tools for personal growth, self-reflection, and making sense of the world.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 84

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

People & Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

Arend Boersema – Website, LinkedIn Profile

Book – Poetry at the Heart of Business : Spoken Word Poetry Exploring the Concept of Company Culture & Belonging by Arend Boersema

DisruptHR Philadelphia Talk – Do You Even Hear Yourself? (Leadership & Self-Reflection) | Arend Boersema

DisruptHR Philadelphia Talk – Turns Out, You Can Fix Stupid | Arend Boersema

Categories: Blog, Human Resources, Leadership, Podcast
Posted on July 21, 2023

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Recent Posts

  • How AI Is Changing the Game for Thought Leaders and Content Creators With Laurie Ruettimann and Jennifer McClure
  • How to Create a Company Culture That Attracts and Retains Top Talent: 4 Essential Elements
  • My Best Career Advice to Position Yourself for the Job You Want [Replay]
  • 4 Steps to Building a Business Case That Will Get Your Proposals Approved
  • Create High-Impact Presentations and Build a Profitable Speaking Business With Jennifer McClure and Dr. Daniel Crosby [Replay]

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  • How to Create a Company Culture That Attracts and Retains Top Talent: 4 Essential Elements
  • My Best Career Advice to Position Yourself for the Job You Want [Replay]
  • 4 Steps to Building a Business Case That Will Get Your Proposals Approved
  • Create High-Impact Presentations and Build a Profitable Speaking Business With Jennifer McClure and Dr. Daniel Crosby [Replay]

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