In this episode of the Joyful Mate™ podcast, Anthony Hartcher speaks with Katriina Tahka about her journey from law to creating fulfilling workplace cultures. They discuss the importance of engagement, belonging, and the collective responsibility of happiness in the workplace. Katriina shares insights on how to stay connected to one's purpose, navigate workplace challenges, and the significance of meaningful conversations. The conversation emphasizes the need for authenticity, long-term thinking, and the role of curiosity and learning in achieving holistic fulfillment.

Takeaways

• Katriina's journey reflects the importance of mentorship.
• Work should be fulfilling and connected to personal values.
• Engagement in the workplace leads to higher contentment.
• Understanding your 'why' is crucial for job satisfaction.
• Peaks and troughs in work life are normal and expected.
• Collective happiness impacts workplace culture.
• Finding the right fit in company culture is essential.
• Visibility and voice are critical for employee satisfaction.
• Normalizing career aspirations can empower employees.
• Long-term thinking is necessary for sustainable workplace relationships.

Katriina Tähkä - Short Bio

Katriina Tähkä is the CEO of A Human Agency (A-HA) and Managing Director of Cultivate Sponsorship. With a background in employment law and over 20 years of experience in diversity and inclusion, talent management, and leadership, Katriina is a visionary workplace change-maker and leadership advocate. She is dedicated to creating inclusive, respectful, and empowering work environments that unlock the full potential of individuals and teams.

Katriina's innovative approaches have guided global and local organizations to achieve meaningful cultural transformation. She is passionate about improving the human experience at work and helping organizations evolve to foster environments where everyone feels valued and can thrive. Katriina's work at Cultivate Sponsorship focuses on building strategic relationships between senior leaders and diverse talent, promoting gender equality and inclusion.

Connect with Katriina:

• Cultivate Sponsorship

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Katrina's Journey

03:17 From Law to Workplace Culture

06:29 The Importance of Engagement and Fulfillment

09:13 Staying Connected to Your 'Why'

11:59 Navigating Peaks and Troughs in Work Life

14:58 The Role of Culture in Workplace Belonging

17:52 Visibility and Voice in the Workplace

23:36 The Pitfalls of Short-Term Thinking

26:08 The Importance of Meaningful Conversations

27:33 Gender Dynamics in Career Advancement

29:59 Challenging Leadership Stereotypes

31:35 The Risk of Conformity in Leadership

33:29 Creating a Sense of Belonging

34:50 The Balance Between Transactional and Relational Work

38:27 Engagement and Performance in the Workplace

40:25 Holistic Fulfillment and Connection to Nature

44:36 Concluding Thoughts on Connection and Potential