Laurie Ruettimann | Jennifer McClure`

How AI Is Changing the Game for Thought Leaders and Content Creators With Laurie Ruettimann and Jennifer McClure

On episode 93 of the Impact Makers podcast, author, speaker and coach Laurie Ruettimann joins me to discuss the topic of how generative AI tools can aid in content creation.

I asked Laurie to join me to chat about how we’re using generative AI tools as content creators, and just humans in general, and what’s working or not working for us as we try to make peace with our future overlords.

We share our personal experiences with using these tools and how they’re saving us precious time, as well as adding immense value to our work, and we unpack the different user types of AI: creators who leverage it for automation and editors who utilize AI to refine existing work.

Laurie and I also explore the potential of AI in personal and professional communication, and the use of generative AI tools for writing emails, newsletters, and even crafting professional messages. Communicating effectively with AI is critical to getting satisfactory results, and the secret lies in writing the right prompts that will yield better results. Don’t miss out on the tips and insights we offer on how to get the best results from any AI platform that you choose to work with.

In the latter part of our conversation, we focus on the power of AI in enhancing our creativity and decision-making processes. Laurie and I both talk about how these tools suggest ideas we may not have thought of, and how they can be used without interfering with the creative process. Finally, we share our vision for the future of generative AI tools and how they will continue to shape our lives.

As usual with Laurie, it’s a fun and insightful conversation, and I think you’ll find it interesting how we’re both using AI tools in our content creation processes, including how we use them to save time, and add value to our work.

Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:

Jennifer’s experience in expanding ideas and editing content using ChatGPT.
Laurie’s use of ChatGPT in content editing and refining — particularly with emails.
Laurie’s thoughts on the two types of users of generative AI tools.
The advantages of using AI as an editor or copywriter.
Using AI tools for brainstorming and generating ideas.
Understanding how ChatGPT “learns” and retains information, and whether or not it can be trained to truly mimic a writer’s unique voice.
Our thoughts on which generative AI tool is better – ChatGPT or Google Bard?
Why it’s important to not over engineer your prompts when using AI tools.
Our thoughts on the balance between human creativity and AI assistance.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 93

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

People & Resources Mentioned In This episode:

Laurie Ruettimann – website, LinkedIn, Instagram

Punk Rock HR / Corporate Drinker podcast

ChatGPT

Google Bard

Vadim Liberman

Impact Makers podcast episode 036: The Random Show — Conversations with My BFF Laurie Ruettimann

Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career by Laurie Ruettimann

Written by Jennifer McClure

My Favorite Podcasts: Future of Work, Speaking, Entrepreneurship — And Just for Fun

I’m an avid podcast listener, and I’m often asked for recommendations of some of my favorites, so here are a few, as of June 2023.

Let’s start with the assumption that you’re already subscribed and listening to MY podcast – Impact Makers with Jennifer McClure. 😉 (You ARE subscribed, right?)

Podcasts are currently my favorite learning and professional development resource, and I have about 30 different podcasts in my listening rotation, most of which fall into the following categories:

Future of Work / Human Resources
Professional Speaking
Business / Entrepreneurship
General Interest / Just For Fun

I’ve shared a few of my favorites below from each of the categories above, along with a sample episode or two from each that would give you a flavor of what the podcast is like, and that I think you’d enjoy:

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Recommended episode: Jimmy Fallon

Flightless Bird with David Farrier

Recommended episodes: Game Shows, RVs, Football, Bottled Water, Dog Shows, and Disney Adults

Written by Jennifer McClure

Discovering Strength and Courage in the Face of Job Loss and a Cancer Diagnosis with Nicole Roberts

Imagine receiving a breast cancer diagnosis just nine days after losing your job.

This was the reality for my friend, Nicole Roberts, an HR executive who faced these challenges beginning in December 2022.

In this truly inspiring episode of the Impact Makers podcast, Nicole shares her journey through conquering cancer and navigating the financial difficulties that came with it. Not only is she shouldering her family’s living expenses and her own medical care, but she also embarked on the journey of starting her own HR consulting and coaching business, People Solutions Group.

In our conversation, my friend Laurie Ruettimann, host of the Punk Rock HR podcast, joins me to explore with Nicole the original misdiagnosis of her breast cancer, and to discuss the importance of self-advocacy and self-care. Nicole’s story highlights the significance of having a treatment plan and the unwavering support of loved ones, as well as how to better support those who may face health or personal challenges in the future.

As Impact Makers, let’s unite in showing Nicole our support on her journey in every possible way. Connect with Nicole through the links in the show notes and consider contributing to the GoFundMe campaign set up to assist her and her family during this time.

Don’t miss this powerful episode, as it is essential listening for leaders and anyone in the workplace who may face similar challenges.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Nicole Roberts, President of People Solutions Group, shares about her 20-year career in HR, and the motivation behind starting her own business.
Nicole was laid off from her job as an HR executive in December 2022, and was diagnosed with breast cancer nine days later.
Why it’s important to be your own advocate: Nicole’s journey from an initial misdiagnosis through seeking a second opinion, leading to a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and lymph node involvement.
How resilience, mindset, and positive thinking has played a crucial role in Nicole’s approach to managing her health, while she is also pursuing the next steps in her career.
It can be embarrassing or difficult for many cancer patients to accept financial support, as it was initially for Nicole. She shares about her own experience with when she was ready and able to accept help and support from friends and professional colleagues, as well as why she believes it’s important to offer support without being asked.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to provide an opportunity to support Nicole and her family in this journey. We hope that you’ll not only consider donating whatever you can, but also sharing it with others in your network who may be interested in her story, and ready to support.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 78

Supporting Links and Resources:

GoFundMe: Support Nicole Roberts & Her Fight Against Cancer

Nicole Roberts – LinkedIn, Twitter

People Solutions Group

Laurie Ruettimann – website, Punk Rock HR podcast

Links for support for breast cancer:

Pink Ribbon Good

Breast Wishes Foundation

Susan G. Komen

I Have Wings

Phil’s Friends

National Breast Cancer Foundation

Facebook Private Support Group “”Breast Cancer Support – I Got This!

Written by Jennifer McClure

Putting Yourself First and Finally Taking Control of Your Career With Laurie Ruettimann

I’m coming in hot into 2021 with Episode number 53 of the Impact Makers podcast!

Seriously.

I’m ready to emerge from my 2020 coronavirus induced cocoon, and to make great things happen in my world, and for you in this shiny and promising new year. And I can think of no better way to kick off the year, than with my BFF, Laurie Ruettimann.

Laurie is back as a guest on the podcast to chat about her first traditionally published book – Betting On You – which will be released on January 12, 2021.

And that’s truly a big deal.

In Episode 002 of the Impact Makers podcast, I shared a little bit about how I originally found Laurie online through one of her early blogs – Teambuilding Is For Suckers. She wrote every day about work, life and cats – among other things – and even though I didn’t always agree with her, or share some of her views, her writing style was totally engaging, and she always had an informed point of view that made me think.

Over the last 15+ years, she’s evolved online from the anonymous voice behind the Teambuilding Is For Suckers blog, to being the pixie of the apocalypse who penned the wildly popular Punk Rock HR blog, and then the successful blogger who blew everything up to rebrand, and become The Cynical Girl for awhile.

A few years ago, she took all of her great writing and talents over to her own online domain – laurieruettiman.com – and resurrected Punk Rock HR as the name of her popular weekly podcast.

And while she’s become my best friend over the last 11 years, I’m also her biggest Fan. She’s simply one of the best writers out there, and can always be counted on to share frank, informed – and sometimes contrary to popular opinions – career and life advice, which is what is needed in a world where many of the so-called career experts sound very much the same.

It’s always been a personal dream of Laurie’s to write a book, and to have it published by a traditional publishing house, and she’s finally made that dream come true. Her book – Betting On You: How To Put Yourself First And (Finally) Take Control Of Your Career – will be published and released by Henry Holt & Co on January 12, 2021.

So, of course, we needed to talk about this moment in time, and what it took to accomplish this major life goal. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m so glad that Laurie pushed through the challenges, did the hard work, and has reached the point where the book will go from a dream to reality next week.

In this episode, Laurie will share a couple of the career and life stories that are included in the book, and she’ll also unpack the framework she proposes for fixing work by fixing yourself – which includes focusing on self leadership, well-being, continuous learning, and risk taking.

I’m so proud of my friend. And I’m really proud of this book.

I’ve read an advance copy, have pre-ordered a hardback version, and will also purchase the audio book. I hope that you’ll buy at least one copy too, and will connect with Laurie to continue to follow her journey, as well as learn from her in the future.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

The steps Laurie took in the long process of selling her book proposal for Betting On You, and ultimately signing with a major publisher.
The project plan that Laurie and her team created to ensure that the book was written, and delivered on time.
The role that her husband, and a bottle of tequila, played in the receipt of the long awaited initially proposed book cover for Betting On You.
The framework for fixing work by fixing yourself: self leadership, well-being, continuous learning, and risk taking.
What the buyer of Betting On You is going to get – a fresh take on the world of work, and also life. Also, good stories, well told.
The role that punk rock singer Courtney Love played in Laurie deciding to put herself first, and reclaim her life.
Why everybody good gets fired at least once – and the lessons that can be learned in that process.
How using the pre-mortem process can help you approach your life and career more effectively.

IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 53

(Email subscribers – click HERE to listen to the podcast.)

Key Quotes From This Episode:

“You fix work by fixing yourself. People really get sick and tired of me saying that. I don’t care. I’m going to say it until I die. You fix work by fixing yourself. When you look at your employer for the answer, you’re never going to be satisfied. When you look for your HR lady to swoop in and solve a problem, even if she nails it, it’s never going to feel good. Because most of the problems we have at work reflect the problems we have in our own personal lives. I’ve never dealt with someone who was chronically late at work that didn’t have something going on in their personal life that was driving some of those attendance issues. For me to just sit there and blather on about an attendance policy was a failed way to solve that problem. We had to drive in deeper. And it’s not just attendance. It’s attention, it’s attitude, it’s engagement. All of this doesn’t start at work, it starts at home. That’s what I believe.” ~ Laurie Ruettimann

“Your worth is not your work.” ~ Laurie Ruettimann

“If you’ve been fired, know that you’re in really great company. But beyond that, know that it’s not the defining moment of your life – or it doesn’t have to be.” ~ Laurie Ruettimann

People & Resources Mentioned In This episode:

Order your copy of Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career by Laurie Ruettimann

Impact Makers Podcast Episode 002 – The Thriving Contrarian with Laurie Ruettimann

Impact Makers Podcast Episode 036 – The Random Show — Conversations with My BFF Laurie Ruettimann

Laurie Ruettimann Website

Laurie Ruettimann books

Betting On You Book Resources

Laurie’s LinkedIn Learning courses on Self-Leadership & Managing Conflict

Punk Rock HR podcast with Laurie Ruettimann

Danny Ozment / Emerald City Productions

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins

Blake Mycosckie / Madefor

Connect with Jennifer:

Send her a message [https://jennifermcclure.net/contact/]

On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcclure

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferMcClure

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_mcclure/

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferMcClureSpeaker

Written by Jennifer McClure

How Leaders Can Step Up to Promote Racial Justice and Equity in the Workplace with Katie Augsburger

Katie Augsburger photo

My guest today is Katie Augsberger, who is an employee experience strategist that’s disrupting how we think about employee experience, and helping organizations to rethink their policies and practices to create a more healing and inclusive workplace for all of their employees.

I was first introduced to Katie through my friend Laurie Ruettimann’s podcast in early 2019, and then shortly thereafter Laurie introduced the two of us so we could connect, and get to know each other better.

You’ll hear more about that phone call in this conversation today, but let’s just say that I felt that I made a less than positive impression during our chat, and I was grateful then – and even more grateful now – for Katie’s grace, support, and forgiveness.

I hope that you’ll find this conversation today helpful to you in your learning journey, and take action, along with me, to create a network of authentic relationships with a diverse group of people, a more equitable workplace, and a better world where all people feel welcomed and included, and they can thrive.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

We’re all on a learning journey to understand “How do I show up based upon my identity, and how do I not do harm?”
We have to call people in, and not call people out. But also, those people who get called in have to have the grace to hear feedback about how they’re showing up.
The importance of building authentic relationships with black and brown folks in order to see potential in them, amplify their voices, and allow them to give you feedback about how you show up.
Recognizing the difference between “intent” and “impact” – and how to ensure that those are aligned.
How workplaces have changed, and must change, as a result of the recent death of George Floyd.
Why some HR leaders are doing tremendous harm to black and brown people in the workplace, and what needs to be done to fix that.

IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 41

(Email subscribers – click HERE to listen to the podcast.)

Key Quotes From This Episode:

“The goal is not perfection, the goal is that you try, and are comfortable getting feedback when you get it wrong. The goal is to make sure your impact and intent are aligned.” ~ Katie Augsburger #ImpactMakersPodcast

“I believe that we’re in – somebody said to me recently – “the great white awakening”, which I found both hilarious, and also really interesting. White folks have not had to think about race and racism. That has been the privilege of being white. I, like many other black and brown folks have participated in that system, because that was a survival mechanism of – I don’t want to talk about race, because I don’t know how you’ll react, and I want to stay safe. And we just have not had this conversation at this volume – I know in my lifetime – and I think probably ever. And that feels radical, and it feels scary, and it feels depressing, and it feels new, and it feels exciting, but I also feel in my bones that it feels different.

It feels like we’re on a precipice of big change. And I’m hopeful, because I think that we’re ready for it.” ~ Katie Augsburger #ImpactMakersPodcast