MCP070: Creating a Workplace People Actually Want to Be Part Of /w Kim Laughlin

Hey there! I'm excited to bring you this episode of the #MeetCoolPeople podcast, where I had the pleasure of chatting with Kim Laughlin, owner of Cultural Apex Coaching. Kim has a background in HR and is passionate about improving workplace cultures. She believes in creating environments where teams actually love Mondays – yes, you heard that right!

Kim shared her journey from being immersed in the world of recruiting to stepping into an HR director role. Her natural curiosity about psychology and understanding people led her from recruiting into HR leadership. From this experience, she learned that company culture and leadership are pivotal in the workplace, not just the salary a job provides.

During our discussion, Kim emphasized the importance of having the right team dynamics and how leaders play a huge role in cultivating a positive work culture. She explained how a great workplace isn't just about the work itself, but about the people you share the space with.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Company Culture Over Paycheck: Employees today often prioritize a positive work environment over a paycheck. The last few years have shown a significant shift toward valuing company culture more than ever before.
• Understand Your Team: As leaders, taking the time to understand your team's personalities and learning styles leads to a more harmonious workplace. The onus is on the leader to facilitate this.
• Empathy in Leadership: Loving your job is important, but liking who you work with is crucial. When leaders understand and empathize with their team, it translates into better collaboration and productivity.
• Coaching Away the Fear: Leaders often avoid tough conversations due to fear of mishandling them. Kim advises against procrastination and encourages training to handle such situations proactively.
• Plan for Leadership Gaps: Being prepared for unexpected absences or departures by cross-training team members ensures smoother transitions and continuity in small businesses.

🔗 Connect with Kim:

• Visit her website at culturalapexcoach.com for more information and to contact her.

Curious to know how you can turn more of your connections into clients? Catch my free training at ConvertMoreClientsNow.com.