Van Lai-DuMone discusses her book on transforming curiosity into action through small steps. She shares her mother's refugee story of building the nail industry, emphasizes reframing limiting beliefs, and advocates for workplace cultures that welcome all ideas. The framework includes pausing, asking "what if" questions, and embracing creative chaos.

TAKEAWAYS

• Curiosity requires pausing to ask "what if" and "how might we" questions.
• Small steps overcome fear and build confidence toward big goals.
• Welcome all ideas without judgment to foster innovation and trust.

Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws

In Brandon's own words:
"The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience.
Learn more: https://www.xeniumhr.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon
About: https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws

Website: https://xeniumhr.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR
Twitter: https://twitter.com/XeniumHR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR

Sarah Escobar and Corinne Murray discuss their book "Work Then Place," arguing that return-to-office mandates alone won't drive transformation. They emphasize understanding how work actually happens before designing physical, digital, and experiential environments. The authors advocate for empirical approaches, building trust through small changes, and creating adaptive organizations prepared for AI's fourth industrial revolution.

TAKEAWAYS

• Work must inform place - analyze workflows first, then design environments to support them
• Leaders must actively participate in change themselves, not just orchestrate it from above
• Address foundational friction like burnout and connectivity before pursuing innovation

Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws

In Brandon's own words:
"The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience.
Learn more: https://www.xeniumhr.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon
About: https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws

Website: https://xeniumhr.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR
Twitter: https://twitter.com/XeniumHR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR

Martha Lawrence discusses her biography of Ken Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager. She explores his journey from rejected academic to leadership legend, emphasizing his authentic servant leadership philosophy of "catch people doing things right" and how he built a values-driven company focused on people over profit.

• Ken Blanchard co-authored The One Minute Manager in 1982 after being told he couldn't write, creating one of the world's bestselling business books with its accessible, story-based approach
• He founded his leadership company on four core values—ethical behavior, relationships, success, and learning—revolutionary for the hierarchical 1970s business culture
• His lasting legacy centers on servant leadership and positive reinforcement: catching people doing things right rather than focusing on mistakes

Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws

In Brandon's own words:
"The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience.
Learn more: https://www.xeniumhr.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon
About: https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws

Website: https://xeniumhr.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR
Twitter: https://twitter.com/XeniumHR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR

Lisa Skinner discusses Alzheimer's care beyond memory loss, emphasizing the importance of "joining their reality" rather than correcting false beliefs. She challenges myths about late-stage awareness and stresses early planning, caregiver self-care, and workplace support as cases are projected to triple by 2050.

TAKEAWAYS

• Validate emotions and join their reality instead of correcting false beliefs to prevent distress.
• Establish legal documents and discuss end-of-life wishes early while loved ones can participate.
• Caregivers must prioritize self-care through support groups and breaks to maintain their health.

Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws

In Brandon's own words:
"The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience.
Learn more: https://www.xeniumhr.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon
About: https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws

Website: https://xeniumhr.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR
Twitter: https://twitter.com/XeniumHR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR

Nicole Blevins discusses HR burnout with Brandon Laws, describing HR professionals as the "emotional sponge" of organizations. She explains how HR workers struggle to recognize burnout in themselves despite helping others with similar issues, particularly solo practitioners lacking peer support. Nicole shares practical strategies including setting boundaries, scheduling breaks, using music for decompression, and building professional networks. The key message: HR professionals must proactively prioritize their own mental health and apply the same self-care they advocate for employees.

Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws

In Brandon's own words:
"The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience.
Learn more: https://www.xeniumhr.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon
About: https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws

Website: https://xeniumhr.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR
Twitter: https://twitter.com/XeniumHR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with Lawrence "Larry" Armstrong—architect, artist, and author of Layered Leadership: Drive Double-Digit Growth and Dominate Your Competition with Creative Strategies and Execution. Larry shares how his unique blend of art and business has shaped his multidimensional approach to leadership.

Through vivid metaphors and real-world examples, Larry breaks down his "layered" model of leadership, emphasizing balance, vision, and execution. He explains why curiosity and creativity are essential traits for leaders, how developing a strong "number two" can multiply impact, and why personal wellness and financial health form the foundation for sustainable success.

Listeners will come away with practical ideas for leading more intentionally, staying curious, and helping teams grow in both structure and creativity.

Key Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to Transform Your Workplace and introduction to Xenium HR's Custom HR Support
01:00 – Introducing Lawrence Armstrong and the concept of "layered leadership"
03:00 – How the idea of layers connects art, architecture, and leadership
06:00 – The importance of building a foundation before chasing growth
09:00 – The "rocket" metaphor for balanced leadership
10:00 – Leonardo da Vinci and the power of whole-brain leadership
12:00 – Why curiosity and discomfort fuel long-term growth
13:00 – Delegate vs. abdicate: developing fluency in all aspects of your business
14:00 – The Tinker Toy exercise for visualizing leadership growth
16:00 – The power of developing a strong "number two"
18:00 – Books that shaped Larry's leadership approach
23:00 – Why personal health and financial wellness matter for leaders
25:00 – The "fleet of ships" metaphor and agile leadership at scale
27:00 – Building innovation into every layer of the organization
30:00 – How being an artist makes Larry a better CEO
32:00 – Leadership legacy and lessons from Layered Leadership

Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws

In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought leaders."

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience.

Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: https://www.xeniumhr.com/

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