In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz sits down with Mike Drolet of Six Degrees to talk about what it takes to step into a new organization and quickly chart a path forward.

With nearly two decades of experience leading private equity–backed companies through growth and transformation, Mike shares how he uses clarity, communication, and trust to strengthen retention and loyalty—especially during times of change.

You’ll learn how to:

+ Step into leadership with confidence and empathy
+ Assess culture and build alignment early
+ Retain key talent during transitions
+ Leverage data and people insights to drive engagement

Whether you’re taking on a new leadership role or helping your organization navigate change, this episode offers a grounded look at how intentional leadership keeps teams connected and committed.

In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz sits down with David Satterwhite to talk about one of the most pressing leadership challenges today: how to beat burnout and prime productivity. With over 35 years in tech—including two decades as a CRO scaling companies from millions to hundreds of millions in revenue—David has seen firsthand that growth isn’t just about strategy or systems. It’s about people.

You’ll learn how to:
+Recognize the signs of burnout before they derail performance
+Create environments where people thrive and stay engaged
+Build scale by focusing on team health, not just business metrics
+Leverage mentorship and leadership practices to sustain productivity over the long haul

Whether you’re leading a fast-growing startup or an established enterprise, this conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons on keeping your people energized, engaged, and ready to fuel growth.

In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz sits down with Jennifer Guidry, founder and CEO of Solomon Advising, to talk about what it really takes to build well-rounded teams—and why forcing square pegs into round holes only holds businesses back.

You’ll learn how to:
+Recognize when someone’s gifts don’t align with their role
+Develop teams that balance marketing, operations, and leadership strengths
+Create a culture where people are empowered to contribute at their highest level
+Align profitability, client success, and team well-being by getting roles right

Whether you’re leading a professional services firm, a healthcare practice, or any growing business, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on how to structure teams for both performance and fulfillment.

In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz sits down with Philip Samuel Raj, founder and CEO of TechJs, to talk about the intersection of AI, culture, and leadership. With a mission to help every individual and business transform with AI, Philip brings a unique lens on how disruption can be both technological and human.

You’ll learn how to:
+Embrace AI as a tool for transformation without losing focus on people
+Create cultures that thrive during disruption and change
+Balance organizational goals with individual growth and well-being
+Lead teams through innovation in ways that build trust and engagement

Whether you’re curious about the future of AI or leading cultural change in your organization, this episode offers practical insights you can apply today.

In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz sits down with Octavia “Tav” Treadway, founder and Chief Greatness Officer of You’re Carrying Something Great, to explore why leaders so often mistake system problems for people problems.

You’ll learn how to:
+Distinguish between challenges rooted in systems versus individual performance
+Avoid wasting time and resources by solving the wrong problem
+Build ecosystems that support small business growth and team success
+Approach problem-solving with curiosity and clarity

Whether you’re leading a startup or scaling an established business, this conversation will help you see problems differently—and uncover solutions that unlock your team’s potential.

In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz sits down with Mary Akioka to talk about how leaders can better engage and retain the skilled trades workforce. These are the “industrial athletes” who build our communities, often in extreme conditions, where trust, safety, and strong leadership matter most.

You’ll learn how to:
+See frontline workers as “industrial athletes” and lead them differently
+Tailor communication, benefits, and programs for crews with unique needs
+Build trust and loyalty in demanding, high-pressure environments
+Create people-first, safety-first cultures that sustain long-term retention

Whether you’re leading in the trades or managing any frontline team, this conversation is packed with strategies you can put into action right away.

In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa sits down with Ajay Malik—founder of StudioX and former leader at Google and Cisco—to explore why degrees and formal qualifications shouldn’t be the gatekeepers for great talent. Ajay shares how his own hiring experiences have proven that skill, creativity, and problem-solving matter far more than what’s listed on a diploma.

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognize the limits of résumés and degrees in predicting success
• Spot potential and capability in unconventional candidates
• Shift your hiring lens to focus on skills, adaptability, and problem-solving
• Build stronger, more innovative teams by broadening who you consider

Whether you’re leading a fast-growing company or rethinking your approach to hiring, this conversation will challenge assumptions and give you practical ways to unlock overlooked talent.

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch here on YouTube.

In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz talks with Lauren Fisher, Senior HR Business Partner at Tru HR Solutions, about the game-changing leadership concept Who, Not How. They explore why shifting your focus from doing it yourself to finding the right person can save time, increase effectiveness, and strengthen your team.

You’ll learn:

• How “Who, Not How” applies to leaders in any industry
• The role of trust, autonomy, and role clarity in empowering people
• Why healthy conflict can actually deepen relationships and build stronger teams
• How to avoid “should-ing” on others—and yourself—while holding people accountable

Whether you lead a small team or a large organization, this conversation will give you tools to free up your time, empower your people, and get better results.

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch here on YouTube.