In this episode of HR Live Lounge, we delve into the dynamic world of workplace wellbeing with an exceptional guest, Mike Pascoe. 

A seasoned wellbeing advocate, Mike shares his transformative journey from the fitness industry to becoming the founder of "Mental Wellbeing for Life." 

Tune in as he discusses key strategies for embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and psychological safety into workplace culture. 

Drawing from his rich experience managing mental wellbeing for a global workforce of 30,000, Mike unveils insights on fostering a culture of open communication and positive human experiences. 

Don't miss this enlightening conversation on the critical intersection of wellbeing, leadership, and the future of work.

List of topics covered in the episode: 

Mike's Diverse Career Path: Explore Mike Pascoe's unique journey from the fitness industry, mountain guiding, and triathlon coaching to founding "Mental Wellbeing for Life."

Global Wellbeing Leadership: Gain insights into Mike's role in managing mental wellbeing for a global workforce of 30,000, creating psychological safe spaces, and fostering wellness on a global scale.

Eight Dimensions of Wellness: Understand the eight dimensions of wellness and how they revolve around mental wellbeing, influencing individual performance and potential.

Remote Work and Culture: Delve into the impact of remote work on organizational and team culture, with an emphasis on intentional cultural decisions and supporting diverse employee needs.

Clear Expectations in Leadership: Discover the critical role of leadership in employee retention, with a focus on setting clear expectations as the top factor influencing job satisfaction.
Employee Experience Book Recommendation: Mike recommends "The Employee Experience" by Tracy Maylett and Matthew Wride as a valuable resource for data-driven insights into attracting and retaining top talent.

Leadership Impact on Employee Departure: Explore the poll results indicating that leadership is the primary reason employees leave organizations, with the importance of clear expectations highlighted.

Psychological Safety: Emphasize the significance of creating psychologically safe spaces within organizations, fostering open and honest communication for building strong relationships.Book Recommendation: "The Employee Experience" by Tracy Maylett and Matthew Ride for data-driven insights.

Connect with Mike Pascoe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-pascoe/

Company Website: https://www.mentalwellbeingforlife.ca/

Michelle Jaggroep, Vice President of HR at Paris Baguette North America, shares insights into her 20+ years of experience in HR, particularly in fashion retail, and her current role at Paris Baguette.

List of topics covered in the episode:

Insights into HR Leadership and Boardroom Representation: Michelle shares insights into her journey as a female HR leader and the importance of being persistent, proactive, and continuously proving one's value to secure a seat at the boardroom table.

Remote Work Challenges: The discussion explores the challenges posed by the remote work model, including generational differences in expectations and productivity. Michelle stresses the need for individualised approaches and effective communication to address these challenges.

Future Challenges for HR: Looking ahead, Michelle anticipates challenges in understanding and adapting to the generational nuances of the workforce, especially with technological advancements impacting learning and development.

Learning and Development Strategies: Michelle highlights the current need to rethink traditional learning and development methods to cater to the preferences of newer generations. The discussion touches on gamification and the importance of making training programs engaging and appealing.

Industry Collaboration in HR: Michelle encourages HR professionals to avoid siloing themselves within their industry and emphasises the importance of learning from others and incorporating successful strategies from different sectors.

This episode provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of HR, addressing challenges related to remote work, generational differences, and the future of learning and development. Michelle's experiences and perspectives offer guidance for HR professionals navigating these dynamic changes.

Connect with Michelle Jagroop on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-jagroop-7505538/⁠

Company: Paris Baguette North America

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/paris-baguette/⁠

Other links mentioned in the show: 

Darren Tipton, Chief Executive Officer at Paris Baguette North America

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-tipton-0526324/⁠

In this episode of HR Live Lounge, our host Roy Ripper engages in a dynamic conversation with Laura Wilcockson, Executive Director of HR at Wirral Met College.

Laura shares her unconventional journey into HR, starting with recruitment and progressing to leadership roles in diverse sectors.

The discussion unfolds with insights into the evolving landscape of HR, touching upon the cultural dynamics of organisations and the pivotal role of HR in fostering a positive work environment. Laura recounts her experiences, including a significant previous challenge involving confronting toxic behaviour at a senior level, showcasing the importance of HR standing up for a healthy workplace culture.

The conversation delves into the paradigm shift in the relationship between HR and Learning and Development (L&D), shedding light on the integration of these functions for comprehensive employee growth. Laura emphasises the need for proactive approaches to address the rising trend of absenteeism linked to mental health issues.

The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective, where Laura predicts the future challenges for HR leaders. She highlights the growing demand for flexible and hybrid working models, urging organisations to embrace change to attract and retain top talent. The importance of investing in apprenticeships and robust learning development strategies is emphasised as key elements in HR's toolkit for the coming years.

List of topics covered in the episode:

Unconventional HR Journey: Laura's transition from recruitment to executive HR roles and the role of culture in her career decisions.

Confronting Toxic Behaviour: Addressing a challenge involving toxic behaviour at a senior level and the impact of HR's intervention.

HR and Learning Development Integration: The evolving relationship between HR and L&D, with a focus on holistic employee development.

Absence and Mental Health: Exploring the emerging trend of absenteeism linked to mental health and the need for preventative HR measures.

Future of HR: Predicting challenges for HR leaders, including the demand for flexible working, talent acquisition strategies, and the importance of employee engagement and development.

Innovations in HR Practices: Discussing innovative HR practices, such as remote recruitment and breaking down traditional processes.

Employee Engagement: Strategies for effective employee engagement, including listening to staff, implementing suggestions, and closing the communication loop.

This episode provides valuable insights for HR professionals and leaders navigating the complexities of the modern workplace, offering actionable strategies to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing HR landscape.

Connect with Laura Wilcockson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-wilcockson-fcipd-86ab7933/

Company: Wirral Met College

https://www.linkedin.com/school/wirral-metropolitan-college/

Also mentioned in the show:

Gemma Dale - senior lecturer at John Moores University. specializes in promoting flexible and hybrid working and the benefits that it has to organizations and to individuals.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-dale/