Elevated Leader Experiences with Laurie Maddalena

Well we did it, folks! Experience by Design podcast has hit 25,000 downloads. I don’t know what all that means in real terms other than a lot of you like to listen to this on a regular basis. First, that’s a testament to the great guests who spend their time talking with me about their lives and their work. Second, it is a testament to you for being interested in these stories and the field of experience design. Third, I guess it is a testament to me, even though I don’t feel comfortable giving myself credit.

So thank you for 25,000 downloads. And I promise more great guests for the next year.

We have had a run of great episodes on employee experience, and it is one of my favorite topics to explore in experience design. In discussions of workplaces, the framing typically is either around the workers (at the bottom of the org chart) or the leadership (at the top of the org chart). When people talk about organizational change, it is framed as either ‘top-down’ or ‘bottom-up’. These formulations leave something important out: the middle. 

In many ways, middle management often goes unresourced, underappreciated, and stressed. But it also is where things need to get done, and ultimate strategic success can depend.

My guest today on Experience by Design is the author of the book “The Elevated Leader” who talks about ‘the messy middle’ in organizations. Laurie Maddalena is first notable characteristic is that sociology was her favorite class. Along with that topic, we explore the challenges of having five generations in the workplace right now, and what that means for management and leadership.

She talks about the Six Saboteurs in the workplace, which she lays out in her book and consulting. We explore how there are no “hard skills” or “soft skills”, but rather just essential skills. The key goal is to create environments where people can do and become their best. 

Laurie provides practical leadership tools with training that gives actionable tips rather than vague statements. She stresses the need for career paths besides leadership. We explore the evolution of human resources into being a strategic partner that are shaping the culture of the workplace. 

Finally, we talk about while conflict is natural and necessary for team growth, the key is managing it constructively rather than avoiding it. Laurie also offers a free assessment tool to help leaders identify and overcome their specific saboteurs. 

Laurie Maddalena: https://www.lauriemaddalena.com/

Laurie Maddalena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriemaddalena/

“The Elevated Leader”: https://www.lauriemaddalena.com/elevated-leader-book