In this week's episode, we're revisiting Episode 86: Feeling Unfulfilled at Work? Here's What to Do with career coach Michelle Schafer.
This conversation remains as relevant as ever. We often think fulfillment is a personal issue, but it is also shaped by the organizations we work in. Leadership, culture, growth opportunities, and purpose all play a role in how fulfilled we feel at work.
Whether you're considering a career change, exploring new opportunities, or redefining success on your own terms, Michelle shares practical insights to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Key Takeaways:
- Organizational culture plays a pivotal role in shaping individual fulfillment and overall job satisfaction.
- Employee disconnection impacts team productivity and has broader implications for company performance.
- Understanding the 'why' behind work is essential for both employees and employers in achieving meaningful outcomes.
- Personal fulfillment is a powerful driver of engagement and retention, contributing to a thriving workplace environment.
- The organizational consequences of employee disengagement highlight the importance of addressing these challenges proactively.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Michelle Schafer:

https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/

In this episode, host Mike Horne reflects on recurring themes that shape effective leadership and organizational performance. Drawing from conversations with diverse industry leaders, he highlights critical insights on organizational drift, the importance of trust, and managing growth in complex environments, emphasizing practical takeaways for leaders aiming to foster resilient, high-performing teams.

Key Points:

• Organizations often drift before any noticeable decline, making it crucial for leaders to recognize early warning signs.

• Trust plays a vital role in enhancing operational performance and should be considered a key performance variable, not just a cultural element.

• Scaling and managing complexity present significant challenges, requiring intentional systems and effective communication.

• Clarity and accountability are essential for driving successful execution within organizations.

• Leading through uncertainty and rapid change demands providing clarity amid ambiguity to maintain direction and focus.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

In this episode, host Mike Horne talks with returning guest Norm Jones, CEO of Integrated Diversity, about how organizations can move beyond surface-level diversity metrics to create truly inclusive cultures that drive performance and sustainability. Discover actionable strategies to embed DEI into core business processes and decision-making.

Key Points:

• Organizations often misunderstand diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and how it enhances core work.

• It is crucial to integrate DEI into organizational strategy rather than treating it as peripheral or separate initiatives.

• Focusing solely on demographic representation can hinder real inclusion and cultural shifts.

• Diverse perspectives have the transformative power to enhance organizational culture and innovation.

• Inclusion should be viewed as a journey rather than a static goal, emphasizing ongoing reflection and adaptation.

• Leaders can take immediate actions, such as fostering conversations about wants and needs at work, to strengthen relationships and performance.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Norm Jones: https://www.normjonesphd.com/

integrateddiversity.org

In this episode, host Mike Horne talks with leadership expert Liane Davey about how organizations can overcome common team dysfunctions such as conflict avoidance, misalignment, and the impact of thought load on performance. Discover practical strategies for fostering healthy conflict, clear decision-making, and achieving true alignment within teams.

Key Points:

• Most organizational issues stem from alignment problems, not talent deficiency.

• Teams often avoid conflict, which can significantly hamper their performance.

• Understanding the difference between productive tension and friction is essential in managing team conflicts.

• Leaders should focus on three pillars: activity, output, and outcome.

• Conflict debt can develop over time, leading to costly impacts on teams.

• Clear roles and obligations to engage in conflict are necessary for effective deliberation.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Liane Davey: linkedin.com/in/lianedavey

lianedavey.com

In this episode, host Mike Horne is joined by psychologist and human behavior expert Pete Sacco to explore how understanding behavior unlocks organizational performance. They dive into the importance of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and aligning culture with authentic actions to foster a thriving workplace.

Key Points:

• Control perceptions significantly shape leadership and organizational culture.

• Distinguishing intention from behavior is crucial for effective organizational dynamics.

• AI profoundly impacts decision-making and enhances human discernment.

• Leaders can enhance behavior and culture by leveraging practical strategies like the power of pause.

• Conscious awareness and neuroplasticity are essential for effective behavior change.

• Navigating organizational currents effectively requires going with the flow rather than resisting it.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Pete Sacco: linkedin.com/in/petertsacco

petesacco.com

In this episode, host Mike Horne talks with Curtis Sprouse, founder and CEO of Eureka Connect, who shares insights on building high-performance teams, leadership development, and the social skills necessary for organizational success. Discover practical strategies and the importance of wellness in leadership effectiveness.

Key Points:

• Curtis explains the difference between high functioning and high performing teams, emphasizing how great leaders create more leaders within their organizations

• He addresses common misconceptions about team performance and leadership overestimations, highlighting the role of behavioral assessments versus traditional personality tests

• The discussion also covers the importance of social acuity and human connection in leadership, as well as the impact of sleep and well-being on team performance

• Curtis shares strategies for leadership development in a tech-driven, AI-influenced workplace and suggests practical shifts leaders can make immediately, such as ensuring team members get enough sleep

• He also explores the influence of behavioral traits like social skills and goodwill, and discusses his approach to client engagement and leadership coaching

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Curtis Sprouse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtissprouse/

https://eurekaconnect.com/company

In this episode, host Mike Horne talks with John Ulsh, who shares his remarkable story of recovery and resilience after a tragic car accident with only a 3% survival chance. His journey from near-death to becoming a leadership coach and keynote speaker offers profound lessons on discipline, perseverance, and mental toughness.

Key Points:

• John Ulsh details the devastating 2007 car accident and its aftermath, providing insight into his survival and recovery

• He explains how these experiences shaped his approach to resilience and leadership

• John discusses the concept of resilience as a discipline rather than a trait and he emphasizes the importance of loving the process to overcome setbacks

• The role of pain in gaining clarity and developing empathy is explored

• Insights from John's book, The Upside of Down, and his ongoing advocacy for mental toughness are discussed

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about John Ulsh: linkedin.com/in/john-ulsh-987a6a7

https://www.johnulsh.com/

In this week's episode, host Mike Horne welcomes culture strategist Greg Hawks to explore the transformative power of ownership in the workplace. They discuss how the metaphor of house ownership applies to organizational culture, introducing the archetypes of owners, renters, and vandals. Greg shares insights on how mindset shifts can enhance employee engagement and productivity. The episode also delves into the impact of leadership behaviors on retention and performance, offering practical strategies for cultivating a thriving workplace.

Key Points:

• House ownership metaphors illustrate workplace culture dynamics.

• Owners, renters, and vandals represent different organizational behaviors.

• Mindset shifts boost employee engagement and productivity.

• Five ownership unlocks foster team ownership behaviors.

• Specific language and "free words" encourage positive actions.

• Trust and signals enhance truth-telling and safety.

• Leadership behaviors impact retention and performance.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Greg Hawks: https://hawksagency.com/greghawks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghawks/