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Collaboration only works when both sides win—and when you can prove your value every single day. That’s the lens Chris Canova brings as he walks us through how Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) scaled from a small team to 70+ staff across ten counties, serving youth, specialized populations, and now adults in manufacturing, business, and the growing polymer sector. We unpack the hard truth behind the word “collaboration”: it’s overused, under-practiced, and only becomes real through engagement, relationships, and clear mutual benefit.

We dig into a practical framework leaders can use right away: meet partners where they are, invest in the relationship before the contract, and set expectations that tie results to shared goals. Chris explains why nonprofits must operate like businesses to earn trust with employers and schools, and how to avoid common traps—charity posture, misaligned incentives, and one-sided deals. Inside the organization, we talk about ending silos with intentional, face-to-face time, cross-team outcomes that demand cooperation, and simple rituals that make a growing culture feel connected.

For small businesses eager to join the talent solution, we lay out a realistic starting path: be transparent about wages, schedules, and access; run a small pilot; and build from proof, not hype. Chris shares hard lessons from partnerships that went sideways and the guardrails that prevent a repeat. We also explore two big forces shaping the next five years of workforce development: engaging younger workers who crave investment and belonging, and embracing AI as a training and productivity tool that retains talent rather than scares it away.

If you’re ready to build partnerships that last, strengthen your team, and turn “collaboration” from a buzzword into a competitive edge, this conversation is your playbook. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review with your top takeaway so we can keep bringing you practical strategies that work.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

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Confidence doesn’t show up on command; it grows after courage. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Erica Hill, the creator of Positioning Self—a coaching framework that turns soft skills into daily, practiced habits for interns, first-year hires, and emerging leaders. We dig into a two-sided model that pairs early-career professionals with mentors or supervisors who actively make space to practice, so growth isn’t left to chance or squeezed into yet another classroom.

Erica breaks down why “questionable” curiosity is a superpower when it’s grounded in self-checks, research, and safe, specific prompts that invite dialogue rather than trigger defense. We unpack how to transform questions into collaboration, move from fear to action, and build a “confidence bank” you can draw on when the stakes rise. You’ll hear how borrowing others’ belief can bridge the gap as you develop your own, and why courage—tiny, repeatable acts of it—is the real front door to confidence.

We also explore “sociable” networking that starts with the people who already know your work, then expands through warm introductions, volunteering, and one-on-ones that actually fit your wiring. Instead of generic advice, Erica’s micro-lessons arrive by text and include audio, written guidance, and live challenges designed to fit real schedules and diverse learning styles. For leaders, the takeaway is clear: if you can’t make the time to mentor, at least create the space—safe sandboxes, explicit invitations to practice, and support that turns potential into performance.

If building soft skills, smarter questions, and durable confidence matters to you or your team, this one’s a bookmark. Subscribe, share with a manager or mentee, and leave a review telling us the one soft skill you’re committed to practicing this week.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

Send us a text

Do you know what your health insurance broker actually does? Most small business owners assume their broker simply shops for the cheapest rates, but that's just skimming the surface of what a true strategic benefits advisor should provide.

Alice Rhodes from AUI breaks down this misunderstood role, revealing that for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, benefits aren't just about price—they're about protection, retention, and compliance. A great broker doesn't just deliver quotes; they develop game plans tailored to your specific business needs, navigating the complex world of insurance options to find solutions that are relevant, cost-effective, and actually work.

Northeast Ohio businesses have a distinct advantage with nine carriers offering various products including MIWAs (Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements), level-funded plans, self-funded options, and captives. This competitive landscape creates opportunities that aren't available in many other regions, but it also requires knowledgeable guidance to navigate effectively. What separates good brokers from great ones? Great brokers take time to understand your business structure, employee needs, and ask critical questions that others might miss—like whether common ownership across multiple businesses could allow you to combine entities for better purchasing power.

The "set it and forget it" approach to insurance is dangerous. Benefits aren't static—legislative changes occur, workforce demographics shift, and compliance issues arise throughout the year. If you only speak with your broker during renewal season, you're missing crucial support. True broker partners check in regularly, assist with claims issues, help with new hires, and educate your team about effectively using their benefits. This education piece is vital, as employees who understand how to be smart healthcare consumers (like knowing when to use independent labs instead of hospitals for testing) can save hundreds of dollars while helping keep overall plan costs down.

Ready to evaluate your current broker relationship? Ask yourself: When was the last time you saw them? Have they helped with claim problems? Do they educate your team? Do you even know their name? The best business leaders don't just react—they plan proactively. Reach out to us at AUI to discover what a true strategic benefits partnership looks like.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.