Dear Workplace Podcast Highlights – Wrapping Up Season 2, Part 2
Let’s continue to reflect on Dear Workplace Season 2!
Our Dear Workplace podcast is your safe space to untangle workplace questions. In each episode, host & founder of InnovatorsBox, Monica Kang features key conversations with diverse executives, innovators, and experts across several industries around the world to gain insights on workplace trends, questions, and innovations. Season 2 is all about transformation as we dive deep into how the way we work, lead, and collaborate is changing.
Dear Workplace also won the 2021 Best Business Podcast Nominee & Best Asian Podcast Host by Best Podcast Award.
We have taken the time to intentionally share the summaries of our podcasts because we know the life of an innovator is busy. These summaries are great post-listen reflections to help the information sink in. They are also a way to get a sneak peak of what you missed if you got caught up mid-listen. Or, they can even just help you decide what episode to watch next!
Our first podcast reflection blog covers the first 5 episodes (plus a teaser) and this reflection blog covers episodes 6 to 10. Each summary includes a little more about what each episode is about and a guest list to dive deeper into untangling workplace questions.
Episode 6: Rethink Project Management
Published: Dec 21, 2021 – 26:15 Minutes
No matter where you work, learning how to manage your time, projects, and workflows is such a key skill. Without solid project management, managing a team can be like steering a ship without a rudder. It will move, but will do so without any direction, control, or purpose. And having strong project management skills is not just about having the PMP certifications. It’s not just about ticking some boxes and checklists either. It’s about making sure you manage your projects in a way that you can lead with impact. And hence, in this episode, you won’t just hear from all the certified project managers, but from professionals who have developed their own strategies around learning how to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities effectively.
"I would establish, at the very minimum, a workflow of who does what, at what point. For the first chapter, you're going to put in so much work that no one is ever going to see."
Key Question: How will you create a happy, motivated team that knows their work matters, so do their best work?
Guests From Episode:
- Jerry Won, Founder of Just Like Media
- Dr. Bob Nelson, President of Nelson Motivation Inc. and Best Selling Author of 30+ books
- Saleema Vellani, Founder & CEO, Ripple Impact, Author of “Innovation Starts with I”
Episode 7: Rethink Team Wellbeing
Published: Dec 28, 2021 – 29:27 Minutes
As we reach the end of the year and two years of working in the pandemic, these questions on wellbeing at the workplace are becoming even more important and timely. Whether you take good rest and care of yourself and your team or not, this episode is a good reminder of why this is so important and how it’s time we rethink what it means to think of the team’s well-being in the workplace. Yes, that time of keeping your personal stress or emotions outside of work is old school. But how can we do this better beyond just talking about it or asking how you are feeling to one another at work meetings? In this episode we explore the different ways to promote team well-being in a thoughtful and effective manner, even with limited time, resources, and budget. Also, you might want to get out a pen/paper or a notes app to jot down all the amazing team-building activity examples that are jam packed in this episode.
“I create a good, safe place for people to be authentic, bring ideas, to create new processes, and be themselves. Because I haven’t always had that myself.”
Key Question: What’s one thing you’ll do to ensure team well-being this year?
Guests From Episode:
- Jacqueline Leeker, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the U.S. Forces Korea in Seoul, South Korea
- Bonnie Kim, Serial Entrepreneur, Startup Coach, Founder of Royal Telos Coaching
Episode 8: Design for Inclusion
Published: Jan 4, 2022 – 26:55 Minutes
Designing for inclusion – whether it’s technology, a workflow, a product – is incredibly important as we move into the new normal of working. Creating a workplace for all is not an overnight journey, which is why the constant care and development is there, but so is our workflow. In this episode, I dive deeper into the aspects of inclusive design with inclusivity experts to answer the questions: How do we design a workplace for all in what we create, how we serve, and what we do each day? Inclusive design doesn’t happen overnight but doing so will help you attract incredible customers, team members, and more that could’ve been overlooked. Whether you’ve already integrated inclusive design in your business (chances are you have in some way), or looking to do more, this episode is sure to inspire you with some actionable tips, stories, and tools to do so.
“This system wasn’t made for him. I couldn't articulate but I knew it was unfair. I have to do what I can to be a good influence for him … that’s why I got into counseling, at least I could help him cope.”
Key Question(s): What’s one aspect of inclusive design your work does well at? What’s one aspect of inclusive design your work can improve on?
Guests From Episode:
- Richard Reiman, Founder & CEO of Imagination Video Books
- Margaret Park, Elementary School Assistant Principal, Seoul Foreign School
Episode 9: Create Your Own Jobs
Published: Jan 11, 2022 – 22:00 Minutes
Whether you’re looking to start a new career, build a new opportunity where you are, or even want to build something of your own on the side, or just curious about how others have done it, this episode is for you. In these past years, while some of us were furloughed or let go, many others have also transitioned, got promoted, or resigned to start their dream jobs. In this episode I want to dive deeper into the stories of people who have created their own jobs and opportunities both in organizations, and outside on their own, to see what we can learn as we continue to build our own careers and growth opportunities. Together we learn about the key characteristics required to build your own path, and how we can effectively utilize those “aha” moments to make our dream jobs come true.
“It’s not really about the content or the transfer of knowledge that's important; it’s about the relationship that you're building with kids."
Key Question: Keep exploring and asking what do you love, why do you love it and how would you want to do more of it?
Guests From Episode:
- Ellie Kim, Former K12 Teacher, Founder of Our Happimess
- Youngmoo Kim, Director of the ExCITe Center at Drexel University (an institute for transdisciplinary collaboration), Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Episode 10: Summary: Design The Life You Want
Published: Jan 25, 2022 – 10:07 Minutes
In this episode, I summarize the key insights from Dear Workplace, Season 2. And after interviewing innovators from across the world in countless industries and in countless roles, one thing stuck out – we all have the power to design the life we want. It takes courage, intentionality, and trial and error but it’s so key to have that protagonist mindset. And again, thank you so much again for joining us on this journey together. I hope these insights remind you that you always have a choice and that by each of us choosing how we want to design the life we want, we can have that life.So are you ready for it? Here let’s dive into the key insights from our guests from Season 2!
“It takes courage, intentionality, and trial and error but it’s so key to have that protagonist mindset.”
Key Question: What takeaway from Season 2 is going to help you better design the life you want? What are you still curious to learn?
Season 2 of Dear Workplace was all about designing our own lives as we navigate through the transitions of new workplaces, cultures, and lives. We want to take this opportunity to thank our guests (and friends) again for their time and expertise. Also, thank you to the entire InnovatorsBox team for continuing to make our podcasts happen.
Interested in the key summaries from our other podcast, Curious Monica, where we feature candid conversations with innovators in thriving organizations across various industries? Here is our Curious Monica Season 2 Part 1 Summary up to Episode 6 and stay tuned for our Curious Monica Season 2 Part 2 Summary to final Episode 10.
Want us to have you as a guest for Season 3?
Looking to sponsor us for Season 3?
Drop us a note at info@innovatorsbox.com.
About the Author
Kree Pandey
Kree Pandey is a Content Strategist and Digital Marketer powering growth goals for brands with purpose. Founder and CEO of ShiftCreatives Digital® and Co-Founder of No Names Digital, Kree's work and passion collide at the intersection of 'Brand' and 'Impact'. After working with numerous clients across sectors like Real Estate, SaaS, Education, Retail, Finance, Sustainability, HR and many more, Kree has found that her niche isn't any particular industry, but it's brands that are seriously driven by impact, understand the value of brand equity, and aren't dabbling.
At InnovatorsBox®, Kree's main focus is augmenting its digital presences. Kree is also a mom to a 2 year old, and losing hair fast!
