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How do we create workplaces where well-being isn’t an afterthought, but a core capability?

In this episode of the Rebel HR Podcast, Kyle Roed sits down with Professor Thomas Roulet, Professor of Organizational Sociology and Leadership at Cambridge Judge Business School, to discuss his new book Well-Being Intelligence (co-authored with Dr. Karen Blakeley). The book—out October 7 in the U.S. and already available internationally—translates cutting-edge research and clinical insights into practical tools for HR leaders, managers, and employees to protect and improve mental health at work.

Together, Kyle and Thomas explore:

• Why “Well-Being Intelligence” matters — and how it builds on emotional intelligence through self-awareness, reflection, and practical action.
• The hidden costs of remote work — from burnout to the struggle to disconnect, and why balance (not mandates) is the key to hybrid success.
• Why in-person connections still matter — how water-cooler conversations, mentoring, and psychological safety reduce stress and normalize challenges.
• Technology and mental health — the surprising downsides of over-reliance on AI tools, including social disconnection, sleep issues, and weaker onboarding experiences.
• The role of boundaries — why setting limits, taking real holidays, and modeling healthy behavior as leaders is essential for building sustainable cultures.
• What HR can do upstream — moving beyond crisis response to designing cultures, systems, and roles that prevent mental health issues before they escalate.

Thomas also shares insights from his research during the pandemic, his work on mentoring in high-stress professions like policing, and why simple reflection on the root causes of stress can unlock meaningful organizational change.

📘 Well-Being Intelligence is a must-read for HR professionals, leaders, and anyone who wants to build healthier, more resilient organizations. Pre-order your copy now (U.S. release October 7).

👉 Learn more about my work and access HR Strategy Tools—including assessments, templates, and AI-powered resources designed to help small and mid-sized businesses build great cultures—at www.kyleroed.com

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. Your support helps bring more world-class thinkers like Thomas Roulet to the Rebel HR community.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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Audio Intro

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In this bonus episode, Kyle re-lives his glory days of being a touring musician!

Kyle will utilize the concepts of music to help HR professionals understand:

1. What genre are you supposed to be playing, and how does that correlate to your company?

2. What does being on stage do you a musician and a HR professional?

3. How can you prevent burnout and truly fulfill your purpose

Rebel ON, HR Rebels!

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/

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Dr. Brad Harris joins Rebel HR to blow the lid off the leadership industry. In this candid and evidence-based conversation, we unpack why most leadership books are built on fluff, what actually works when developing leaders, and how HR pros can cut through the noise to create real organizational impact.

We dive into:

• The science vs. fiction behind popular leadership advice
• How to spot snake oil in the HR world
• What effective leadership development looks like today
• Advice for HR leaders sick of copy/paste frameworks

Brad is a leading researcher, author, and professor who's helped organizations across the globe rethink leadership from the ground up — using data, not dogma.

Support the show

Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

https://twitter.com/rebelhrguy
https://www.facebook.com/rebelhrpodcast
http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/

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Ever wonder why large companies struggle to innovate despite having vast resources at their disposal? According to Andy Binns, co-founder of ChangeLogic and co-author of "Corporate Explorer," we've been looking at innovation all wrong.

The secret to corporate innovation isn't hiring outside entrepreneurs or creating flashy innovation labs. It's identifying and empowering the "corporate explorers" already within your organization. These individuals aren't necessarily the loudest or most charismatic people in the room. Often they're humble, introspective problem-solvers with deep institutional knowledge and the social capital to navigate complex organizational systems.

Binns challenges our assumptions about innovation, revealing that ideas aren't the problem—most organizations have plenty. The real challenge lies in properly incubating and scaling those ideas. He outlines a three-discipline approach: ideation (understanding customer problems), incubation (experimenting with data-driven learning), and scaling (converting experiments into revenue). While most companies obsess over ideation, the latter two disciplines determine success.

Creating separate systems for exploration is crucial. Corporate explorers need protection from the optimization-focused core business, which naturally squashes innovation for efficiency. This doesn't mean relocating to different buildings, but it does require distinct metrics, cultural norms, and management approaches. Surprisingly, special financial incentives aren't necessary to motivate these internal innovators—they're driven by impact, autonomy, and the opportunity to create meaningful change within organizations they care about.

For HR leaders, this means rethinking talent identification and development. The approach works for organizations of all sizes, not just corporate giants. By recognizing and empowering your internal explorers, you might discover that large companies actually have advantages over startups in the innovation game.

Ready to unleash the innovation potential of your organization? Start by looking within—your next breakthrough innovator is probably already on your payroll.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

https://twitter.com/rebelhrguy
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http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/

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Ever wondered how your self-perception might be the key to your success? Join us as we explore this intriguing relationship with best-selling author Ben Eden, who shares transformative insights from his book, "How We See Ourselves." As an HR executive, Ben discusses his personal journey of overcoming societal pressures and the challenges of being defined by professional roles. Discover how understanding self-worth beyond career identities can lead to profound professional achievements and personal happiness.

As the role of HR evolves in the age of AI, there's an urgent need for HR professionals to redefine themselves as strategic business experts. Drawing inspiration from a recent meeting with Johnny C Taylor, we delve into how HR can take ownership of AI integration within organizations. This shift in mindset is crucial for confident decision-making and positioning HR as an essential component of organizational strategy. Personal reflections and insights on approaching HR with a holistic perspective offer invaluable guidance for navigating this dynamic landscape.

The challenge of maintaining authenticity while adapting to others' perceptions is a common struggle for many HR professionals. By embracing self-awareness and introspection, individuals can discover their true selves beyond professional roles, leading to enhanced personal satisfaction and career success. Ben Eden shares personal anecdotes that highlight the power of authenticity in the workplace. As we wrap up, we invite listeners to connect with Ben and explore additional resources for personal growth and fulfillment.

Ben’s Profile

linkedin.com/in/benedenspeaks

https://howweseeourselves.com/

Website

• reachyourultimatepotential.com (Company)

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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Discover how to redefine success and well-being in high-pressure careers with insights from Dr. Janna Koretz, a visionary clinical psychologist and founder of a transformative firm in Boston. Dr. Koretz is on a mission to challenge the norms of therapy, making mental health care both accessible and relevant for professionals grappling with burnout, anxiety, and challenging relationships. By sharing her personal journey and professional insights, she highlights the importance of tailored support and breaks the stigma surrounding therapy in demanding careers like human resources.

We explore the often-overlooked concept of career identity and balance, emphasizing the futility of chasing the elusive perfect work-life balance. Instead, we delve into the power of understanding personal values and priorities. Our conversation encourages listeners to reflect on what truly matters beyond their professional identities, offering practical advice on reassessing career paths and integrating personal passions into daily life. This episode is a call to action for those feeling trapped in the rat race, offering a fresh perspective on creating a more fulfilling life.

In a world where leadership roles often require balancing empathy with corporate responsibilities, Dr. Koretz's insights are invaluable. We discuss the role of HR professionals in fostering supportive company cultures that prioritize mental health and encourage civil discourse. By sharing stories and offering practical tools, we aim to inspire change in workplace environments, making them more conducive to mental well-being. Join us for this enlightening episode, packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking discussions on aligning personal values with professional roles.

ABOUT DR. JANNA KORETZ

Dr. Koretz is the founder of Azimuth, a therapy practice specializing in the mental health challenges of individuals in high-pressure careers. She has spent over a decade helping her clients face and overcome their mental health issues by developing a unique understanding of industry-specific nuances in fields like law, consulting, finance, and technology.

Connect with Dr. Janna Koretz:

Website: https://azimuthpsych.com/

Dr. Koretz LinkedIn

Azimuth LinkedIn

Azimuth Instagram:

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

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http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/

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Can nurturing the soul unlock higher productivity and satisfaction in the workplace? Join us in a thought-provoking conversation with Pam Buchanan, the visionary founder of Quantum Sense, who brings four decades of corporate wisdom to our discussion. Pam challenges the status quo by highlighting the often-neglected domain of soul health, urging organizations to see beyond conventional physical and mental wellness programs. By reimagining corporate culture to include an understanding of each individual's essence, businesses can foster environments where authenticity thrives, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization.

Moving beyond theory, we explore the tangible impact of our sensory experiences on workplace wellness. Pam shares her insights into how attention to sensory inputs—colors, sounds, and surroundings—can transform our daily work environments. This sensory mindfulness can help shift employees from mere survival to truly thriving, enhancing engagement and fostering a culture that values curiosity and creativity. By embracing these principles, leaders can create spaces that resonate with employees, improving overall satisfaction and success.

As acceptance of holistic well-being grows, we delve into innovative wellness solutions that incorporate soul health into the workspace. From sound therapy to the universal power of music, these programs challenge traditional notions of wellness, emphasizing empathy, creativity, and teamwork as vital components of professional development. Pam's insights offer a roadmap for leaders eager to integrate these transformative approaches within their organizations, fostering innovation and human potential in a rapidly evolving corporate world.

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Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

https://twitter.com/rebelhrguy
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http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/

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Discover how to revolutionize your leadership approach with insights from Stephen M. R. Covey, author of "Trust and Inspire" and "The Speed of Trust." In our latest Rebel HR Podcast episode, we promise you'll learn how to transition from the outdated command and control model to a leadership style that fosters trust, inspiration, and unprecedented employee potential. Covey’s transformative model is perfectly suited for today’s rapidly evolving work environment, driven by technological advancements and the diverse expectations of newer generations.

We take a deep dive into Covey's concept of leadership through stewardship, which prioritizes responsibility over rights and influence over position. Covey shares compelling examples of how organizations like Popeyes and Microsoft have implemented these principles to achieve remarkable transformations. By focusing on three key leadership responsibilities—modeling, trusting, and inspiring—leaders can create high-trust cultures that drive productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. These stories show that by empowering your team, you unlock untapped talents and drive genuine success within your organization.

As we challenge the persistent dominance of command and control, we aim to inspire HR professionals to rebel against outdated paradigms and champion trust and inspiration as new leadership standards. The episode explores the nuances between motivation and inspiration, emphasizing the importance of fostering internal inspiration to boost productivity and creativity. Join us to explore how HR can serve as a catalyst for positive change by integrating trust-based leadership into your day-to-day operations, paving the way for a future defined by empowered and inspired teams.

Support the show

Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

https://twitter.com/rebelhrguy
https://www.facebook.com/rebelhrpodcast
http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/