In this conversation, social entrepreneur Russell McLeod, Founder of Mightyhum, shares his career journey, starting from his love for team sports and the collaborative aspect of it, which led him to pursue a business career. He worked at Free the Children and played a key role in launching the Me to We movement, joining the social enterprise arm of the organization and helping grow it to 42 million in revenue. After leaving Me to We, he founded Mightyhum, a consulting firm that supports purpose-driven businesses.

Russell emphasizes the importance of aligning a team and the challenges that can arise when things don't work well. He discusses purpose-driven organizations and his passion for working with companies that have a social impact. Russell also talks about the obstacles he faced during the collapse of WE and the effect it had on his personal and professional life.

Finally, he discusses the shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset when it comes to success & wealth and the importance of building resilient and profitable businesses.

"When I see the problems in the world, I actually think that business is uniquely positioned to potentially be the most important tool for solving them." ~ Russ McLeod

Key Takeaways

• The team aspect of sports can translate into the business world, where aligning a team is crucial for success.
• Running a business is like managing a growing organism, with humans being both the most powerful tool and the most disruptive force.
• Purpose-driven businesses founded with a social impact mission require careful alignment of mission and vision to create a multiplier effect.
• Obstacles and challenges are a part of the journey, and they can lead to growth and learning.
• Applying your skills in a way that challenges you, delivers meaningful outcomes, and allows you to put your values into action.
• Success should not be solely defined by wealth but by the ability to make a positive impact and find joy in the journey.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

In this episode, Robin and Al sit down with Leadership & Culture Speaker, Stephen (Shed) Shedletzky, author of Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up. Shed shares his personal journey of overcoming adversity and how it shaped his passion for creating a Speak Up Culture, where employees feel safe, respected, and encouraged to speak up about things that need to be addressed. He emphasizes the importance of psychological safety and the need for leaders to encourage and reward employees for speaking up. Shed also introduces his culture equation, which highlights the importance of clear values and behaviours multiplied by influence. He envisions a future where individuals use their strengths to contribute to something bigger than themselves, leading to fulfillment and growth.

"As a leader, your whisper is a shout and your tiptoes are stomps." ~ Stephen Shedletsky

Key Takeaways

• Creating a speak-up culture involves both psychological safety and the perception of positive impact.

• Leaders should listen and encourage employees to speak up, creating an environment where their voices are welcomed and encouraged.

• Culture is determined by the clarity of values and behaviours, multiplied by influence.

• Fulfillment comes from using strengths to contribute to a cause bigger than oneself.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

In this episode, passionate P&C leader Kara Wilson Oliver, VP People at Rose Rocket, shares her experiences in the tech startup industry and her transition from product management to the people side of the business. She discusses the challenges she has faced and the hard things about hard things in her career. Kara also talks about the importance of building strong communities and relationships, both personally and professionally. She emphasizes the need for self-directed learning and curiosity in the education system and the value of planting proverbial trees by supporting and empowering others.

"I am a builder at core. I like to take nothing and turn it into something. I like to do that very collaboratively." ~ Kara Wilson Oliver

Key Takeaways

• The tech startup industry offers opportunities for building and creating something from scratch, which can be addictive for those who enjoy problem-solving and building things collaboratively.
• Career transitions can be challenging but can also lead to personal growth and new opportunities. It's important to be open to new experiences and willing to learn and adapt.
• Building strong communities and relationships is essential for personal and professional growth. Having a support system and a space to share experiences and challenges can be invaluable.
• The education system should focus more on self-directed learning and curiosity, allowing students to explore their interests and develop problem-solving skills.
• Supporting and empowering others is a meaningful way to make a positive impact and leave a lasting legacy.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Suzanne Mason, Co-Founder & COO at Sprout Family, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of improving Canadians' access to fertility, surrogacy, and adoption care. She shares her personal experiences and reveals the gaps she and her co-founder identified in the market. They started Sprout, a virtual care platform that provides employees with information, experts and sponsored funds to help them navigate through their family-building journey with personalized education and advice. The conversation covers topics such as the challenges of accessing fertility care in Canada, the role of employers in providing family-building benefits, and the future goals of Sprout Family.

"We started Sprout because we wanted to improve Canadians' access to fertility, surrogacy and adoption, regardless of their age, their gender, their sexual orientation." ~ Suzanne Mason

Key Takeaways

• Fertility care is separate from Canada's public healthcare system and can be expensive, leading to financial and emotional stress for individuals and couples.
• Employers can play a significant role in supporting employees on their family-building journey by offering comprehensive benefits that cover fertility care and providing education and resources.
• Proactive care and education about reproductive health can help individuals make informed decisions and take steps earlier in their family planning journey.
• Sprout Family aims to expand internationally and become a go-to virtual care platform for family wellness, addressing various stages of the family journey.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Join us for a conversation with Penny Farinha, VP of Human Resources at Ecobee, a company founded with the goal of offering people smart home solutions that enable planet-positive actions. Penny shares her upbringing on a dairy farm and how it shaped her work ethic and determination. She discusses the importance of surrounding yourself with people you can learn from and the impact of the products at Ecobee on the environment. Penny emphasizes the need to be nimble and adaptable in a high-growth environment and the value of giving people opportunities to learn and grow. The episode concludes with a discussion on the legacy of Ecobee and the impact it has had on energy consumption.

"The environmental impact that Ecobee has had is the legacy that makes me feel so proud." ~ Penny Farinha

Key Takeaways

• Growing up on a dairy farm instills a strong work ethic and determination.
• Surrounding yourself with people you can learn from is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Being nimble and adaptable is essential in a high-growth environment.
• Giving people opportunities to learn and grow fosters their confidence and success.
• Ecobee's products have had a significant positive impact on energy consumption and the environment.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

On a mission to change the way the world works, Joe O'Connor, CEO & co-founder of Work Time Reduction, joins Robin and Al in a discussion surrounding the concept of reduced employee work time and its potential benefits for individuals and organizations. Work Time Reduction is a consulting and research organization that specializes in reduced-hour, outcomes-focused work models. Joe shares his journey and how he became interested in this topic. He also talks about the challenges and misconceptions surrounding the four-day workweek and how it can be implemented in different organizations. The conversation touches on the role of technology, such as AI, in driving efficiency and productivity. Overall, the episode explores the future of work and the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life.

"If we can find these opportunities to improve productivity and efficiency, we're going to share that benefit with you in a very, very powerful currency, which is giving people time back to do the things that they love, to spend time with the people that they love." ~ Joe O'Connor

Key Takeaways

• Reducing work time can lead to increased productivity and employee engagement.
• The four-day workweek is not a one-size-fits-all approach and can be implemented in various ways, such as half-day Fridays or nine-day fortnights.
• Successful implementation of a shorter workweek requires proper planning, a culture of trust, and addressing client expectations.
• AI and technology can drive efficiency and incentivize employees to adopt new tools and technologies.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

In this episode, Robin and Al chat with Michelle Brooks, Chief People and Culture Officer at Security Compass, an industry-leading information security firm. They discuss topics such as change management, creating great employee experiences, and the importance of transparency in organizations. Michelle shares her career journey and emphasizes the value of being open to career detours. She also talks about her passion for helping the next generation of HR leaders and supporting CEOs in building effective people operations. The episode concludes with Michelle sharing her vision of success and the impact she hopes to have through her work.

"There's nothing greater for a leader to realize that their team can survive without them." ~ Michelle Brooks

Key Takeaways

• Change management is crucial for organizations to adapt and be successful, and it starts with transparent communication and involving employees in the process
• Valuing and supporting employees creates great employee experiences and is essential for building a successful company
• Being open to career detours can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth
• HR leaders play a vital role in supporting and mentoring the next generation of HR professionals
• Transparency and collaboration are key in building effective people operations and supporting CEOs in leadership roles

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

In this episode, we welcome Tessa Goudy, a Sales Development Professional at Dialogue, an integrated health platform designed to improve the overall health and wellness of your organization. Tessa understands the importance of building teams that deliver an exceptional client experience. She discusses her background in the group benefits insurance space and her journey to joining Dialogue. Tessa shares the challenges of the Canadian group benefits healthcare industry, including the confusion and low utilization rates of virtual care services. She highlights Dialogue's proactive approach to healthcare and its focus on member experience. Tessa expresses her excitement for the future of Dialogue and her personal goal of making a positive impact in the industry.

"I truly cannot wait until every single Canadian has access to Dialogue." ~ Tessa Goudy

Key Takeaways

• The Canadian group benefits healthcare industry faces challenges such as confusion and low utilization rates of virtual care services
• Dialogue takes a proactive approach to healthcare and focuses on the member experience

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group