Lead the People

Daniel Chait is CEO and Co-founder of Greenhouse. As a technology entrepreneur in New York for over 22 years, Dan is a frequent speaker on the topics of recruiting and entrepreneurship. He has presented at numerous venues, including the General Assembly, the University of Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship, Launch Scale, DEMO Traction and the Wharton Entrepreneurship Conference. Dan graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Computer Engineering (#GoBlue!). Top 3 Takeaways Set the Intention. Creating a "culture of hiring" is a strategic advantage in today's business environment, requiring orchestrated processes and leadership behaviors rather than just good recruiters or software. Sync up. Effective hiring requires structured interviews with coordinated questions across team members, independent evaluations before group discussion, and intentional candidate experience management. Yes and. AI should augment rather than replace human decision-making in hiring, helping with efficiency while preserving the essential human connection that attracts top talent. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "In businesses of all kinds these days, it really does come down to if you can hire the right person, you can do anything. If you can't hire the right person, it doesn't matter what your idea is, you're not gonna get there." "I like to call it, it's not artificial intelligence, it's augmented intelligence. These tools are there to help you think and if you think that they're there to make the decisions for you, that's where we get into trouble." "Most businesses have all kinds of capital... physical capital, financial capital, reputation capital, and so on. The only kind that can create all the other kinds is human capital." “The difference between the companies where hiring is working really well and everyone else is not about the recruiter... it's about the leadership behaviors." "When I'm talking to a candidate, in my mind I'm thinking like, whatever other job they're considering, I wanna bring my A game on this one." “The moment that they applied to a job or looked at a job on your website through the interviews... Are the interviews on point? Do they make sense or am I being asked the same question over and over again?" Connect with Daniel Website: http://www.greenhouse.io

Aileda Lindal, widely recognized as "The Business Alchemist," is a conscious leader with over three decades of experience driving innovation and resilience across industries. From leading crisis management for New York City’s medical sector during the COVID-19 pandemic to consulting in aerospace, retail, and banking, her career showcases her strategic vision and ability to deliver scalable solutions under pressure. Aileda empowers business owners and executives with actionable strategies to navigate challenges while maintaining operational excellence. Top 3 Takeaways Wake Up. Conscious leadership begins with self-awareness - most people operate on autopilot 95% of the time, limiting innovation and perpetuating old patterns in organizations. Own Up. Leaders must first understand their emotions and thought patterns to make better choices, creating a ripple effect that changes company culture and promotes wellbeing. Go All In. True business transformation requires leaders to balance purpose with profit, prioritize physical wellbeing, and develop resilience through consistent mindfulness practices. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "Conscious leadership is really more about kind of an operational model. It's understanding how we are designed operationally to work and to flow." "Most findings from psychology and neuroscience say that we are consciously aware, an average of 5 percent of the time... the other 95 percent we're primarily running in subconscious brain, meaning repeat patterns." "We're getting a lot of the same thing over and over and over again, right? And so it also makes me kind of like put a question mark in things like, ‘Okay, does history repeat itself?’ Because we haven't evolved and realized how our systems work." "Our job, though, as leaders is to self evaluate, right, and to have acceptance and adapt. Right? Like our whole lives are about our ability to adapt and grow." "Humanity really needs to meet technology at the forefront. And that means this self awareness and this ability to remain conscious and consciously aware of the choices that we're making, not just for ourselves, but also that ripple effect of expanding the circle." "Can I use the word challenge or maybe even opportunity if I dare take that spin on it and a new perspective on whatever it is that's happening on my playing field." "People have to fully understand their purpose and embrace their purpose in order to be strong leaders for the future." Connect with Aileda Website: https://askaileda.com  Conscious Leadership Development: https://askaileda.com/conscious-leadership-development LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askaileda Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askaileda  

David Goodman is Dean of the Woods College of Advancing Studies and Executive Director of the Center for Psychological Humanities and Ethics at Boston College. He also serves on the faculty of three departments: Formative Education, Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology, and Philosophy. Dr. Goodman currently serves as the Series Editor for the Psychology and the Other Book Series with Routledge. He has authored and edited over a dozen books. Co-authored with Matthew Clemente, Dr. Goodman currently has a book under contract with Oxford University Press titled Technology and Its Discontents (forthcoming). Dr. Goodman is also a licensed clinical psychologist and has a private practice in Boston, MA. Top 3 Takeaways Rest up. Taking intentional breaks between roles can be crucial for leadership transitions. Dr. Goodman took a full month off before starting as Dean to create mental space and prepare for the new position. Put people first. Building relationships and trust should precede organizational change initiatives. Dr. Goodman prioritized connecting with staff and students through informal conversations and structured listening tours before implementing major changes. Strike a balance. The most effective innovation balances speed with inclusivity and collaboration. While quick decision-making with a small team may seem efficient, involving the broader organization often creates better buy-in and more sustainable change. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "I realized the most important thing for me to start with is to just connect with people and to be moving around in this space, getting to know people, what they're doing, having them get to know me, my personality, my sense of humor, to feel sort of allayed of their immediate anxiety." "I don't want to build lots of new programs to turn them out of the world. I want to build programs that are transformative to the world because of the nature of the student and a lot of those countercultural elements that I think we bring to them." "Think of Boston College as something of a Navy fleet, many different types of vessels... I see Woods College as a scouting vessel while the whole fleet is moving ever so slowly in one direction together. We're able to go off into the horizon and sort of see what's ahead." "You lose the long game in getting something up and going in the short run. And so that's a lesson I hate to say I have to learn all the time. Because I—in my rashness—when I want to see things move, I don't always take that seriously." "The great benefit of being in a place with such a long history and traditions is its stability... The liabilities that come with it are oftentimes that it could just replicate itself, just sort of keep going, keep being what it is without ever really facing a changing world around it." Connect with David Woods College of Advancing Studies Website: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/wcas.html LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-goodman-18bb165/ 

Tamara Myles is an accomplished consultant, author, and international speaker with over two decades of experience helping leaders improve business performance. She is the author of The Secret to Peak Productivity, which introduced her proprietary Peak Productivity Pyramid framework. Tamara’s insights have been featured in leading publications such as Forbes, Fast Company, USA Today, and Business Insider. She has worked with clients such as Microsoft, KPMG, MassMutual, and Google. Tamara has a masters degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she also serves as an instructor in the masters program and a trainer for the world-renowned Penn Resilience Program. She is a professor in the Master of Science in Leadership program at Boston College, where she integrates cutting-edge positive psychology research into practical applications for leadership and organizational success. Top 3 Takeaways Everybody’s watching. 48% of an employee's experience of meaning at work is directly related to their leader's actions and behaviors. This highlights the crucial role that managers play in creating meaningful work environments. It’s elementary. Meaningful work consists of three key components: community (feeling connected), contribution (feeling work matters), and challenge (personal growth). When leaders focus on these elements, they see improved engagement, retention, innovation, and resilience. Links over location. The shift to hybrid/remote work has intensified the importance of intentionally building connections across organizations. Companies need to create compelling reasons for people to come together rather than forcing mandatory office returns. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "We spend more time at work than we do with our family and our friends combined... People say that work friendship is the most important aspect to a happy work life." "Meaning happens in moments that matter... It's not in these grand big gestures, but in moments." "Our brains respond to loneliness in the same way as it responds to thirst and hunger. So the same alarms activate in our brains when we don't feel a sense of belonging as when we are hungry and thirsty." "We found that this role modeling and walking the talk is so important that it is a destroyer of meaning if you say one thing and do another." "When leaders focus on making work more meaningful, not only do individuals thrive and they are happier... but also the organization performs much better. Engagement is up, retention is up, innovation is up, resilience is up." Connect with Tamara Meaningful Work (book): https://amzn.to/4kORS2O Website: http://www.makeworkmeaningful.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaramyles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamaramyles 

Amber Bardon is the Founder & powerhouse CEO of Parasol Alliance, a full-service managed technology provider that dominates the senior living industry. Under her leadership, Parasol Alliance has become a game-changer, consistently ranked among the Top 501 Managed IT Service Providers in the World for six consecutive years including an incredible #4 global ranking in 2022! Amber’s vision and relentless drive have built an award-winning culture across a multi-state, virtual workforce, earning her the prestigious title of Best & Brightest CEO in the Nation in 2024. She’s not just leading a company, she’s redefining what’s possible in tech and senior living. Top 3 Takeaways Make remote work work. Despite being 100% remote, Parasol Alliance has built a strong culture through intentional practices like daily team calls, mandatory camera-on meetings, and structured Slack policies. Think different. Coming from an anthropology background, Amber's disruptor mindset helped her innovate in the senior living technology space. Her experiences facing workplace flexibility challenges as a woman and mother inspired her to create a company culture that prioritizes work-life balance. Talk it out. Regular transparent communication, including twice-yearly town halls and CEO welcome meetings with every new hire have been crucial to maintaining culture during rapid growth. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "My goal has always been to create the happiest I.T. Company in the world." "I think the biggest mistake companies can make with remote work is to treat it like you're working in an office, but you're working from home because that's not what it is. You do have to be intentional and come up with different strategies and policies and processes for that." "I see myself as a disruptor and I think that has been a big part of our success as a company is because I problem solve from a completely different perspective coming from that disruptor and non-traditional mindset." "The longer someone is in the wrong role, the bigger impact and problems that you're going to have from that... Our people are our products." "One toxic person or one person who's causing problems within your culture and refusing to participate can bring so many other people down... You will build the culture and you will start to attract the talent that you want when you are intentional about that." Connect with Amber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbardon

Geoffrey leverages a diverse 25+ year career in Human Capital Management, specializing in employee engagement, leadership development, and culture change initiatives in the workplace. His journey has ranged from working for the corporate industry leader, to building his own entrepreneurial start-up from the ground up. Currently he supports innovative employee/patient/caregiver/human experience leaders, nurse and clinician entrepreneurs, and hospital administration, consulting them on and modernizing people and talent activation strategies to make a true impact on those that both provide and receive care. Geoffrey also hosts the Mo-ments of Experience podcast on the People Forward Network. Top 3 Takeaways Business is personal. Geoffrey's experience with his wife's cancer treatment revealed how every employee interaction, from nurses to food service workers, impacts patient care. Your business is no different. The time is now. Healthcare systems often treat employee engagement as an annual event rather than a dynamic, team-based process. Your feedback systems need to match your operating reality. People treat patients. While healthcare leads in clinical innovation, it lags decades behind in people strategy. The combination of administrative burdens, broken systems, and staffing challenges disconnects caregivers from their original healing purpose. Don’t let this happen to you. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "Employee engagement in some industries could be considered a buzzword, but in healthcare, it's a necessity for optimal patient outcomes." "Healthcare is at the forefront of clinical innovation yet lags 30 years behind the private sector in people strategy." "I just teach everyone to lead with compassion. It's that simple and everyone buys in and everyone feels like they have their back." "There's two sides to care as a doctor. There's the science but the most important part is the art. The art is being human." "The healthcare system was never designed. It just evolved. And as a 24/7, 365 business, it's hard to change the tires on a moving bus." Connect with Geoffrey Website: https://www.mo-mentsofexperience.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffreypsmith 

Liz Corcoran leads Impact Performance Group’s research and design team, providing custom leadership, sales, and service solutions that enable organizations to deepen client relationships and ignite employee engagement. Liz significantly impacts employee well-being and performance by applying expertise in emotional intelligence, appreciative inquiry, and positive organizational scholarship. Liz is an ICF-certified coach, holds a Bachelor of Science from Boston College, a Master of Business Administration from New York University, and a Master in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She works with the International Positive Psychology Association and resides with her husband and three children in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Top 3 Takeaways Frame it up. The PERMA framework (Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment) provides a roadmap for workplace wellbeing as relationships are the most predictive factor of employee health and retention. Meet the moment. Leaders can combat workplace loneliness and boost engagement by creating intentional moments for connection and by encouraging team members to leverage complementary strengths. Look again. Finding meaning at work is possible in any role by reframing tasks in terms of their impact on others and aligning work with personal values. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "Every day I'm dealing with someone's special moment.. I'm making memories with these people. The way I make it joyful for them and comfortable for them and meaningful so they could celebrate." "Positive emotions allow us to broaden our view and build resources for resilience.When we're having more fun or we bring our best self, we're more creative." "We want to bring our authentic self to work.One way to do this is to get to know others and let them get to know you. And so these micro moments, we capitalize on those." Connect with Liz Website: http://www.impactpg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-corcoran-105a575/ 

Transformational Life Coach Anissa Zabriskie is an Amazon International Bestselling author, speaker, and certified career and business Coach. Anissa uses her experience working in Fortune 50 companies as a Human Resources Executive to bring encouragement, education and love to empower others to reinvent themselves and define their ultimate mission in life and business so that they can live amazing lives and leave their unique and positive mark on the world. She knows that no matter where you come from, or what you’ve been through, You Can Always Begin Again! Top 3 Takeaways Size matters. Large companies offer advantages like brand recognition, robust benefits, and extensive networking opportunities, but require specific strategies to avoid employee isolation. All together now. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and buddy systems help large organizations create community and prevent workers from feeling lost among thousands of colleagues. Freshen up. Career reinvention often stems from burnout or stagnation, requiring both personal reflection and practical steps like updating resumes and practicing interview skills. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "I just felt like I was losing my professional identity... profoundly something has got to change." "As a coach, your role is to ask probing questions to help your clients resolve the situation themselves." "Many times if you've been on a job for 10 plus years, you have not interviewed for another position... you just want to make sure they understand or have a good foundation for interviewing." Connect with Anissa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anissaz Sparking Transformation: 1000 Conversation Starters for Life Coaches (book): https://a.co/d/c2mXcKF 

Amy Bayer is the Global Director of DE&I, Engagement, and Culture at Duck Creek Technologies. In this role, she leads strategic efforts to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace while promoting a culture of belonging. Amy’s experience spans nearly 20 years across multiple industries, including technology, publishing, manufacturing, and healthcare. Prior to this role, she held key HR positions, including HR Business Partner at Duck Creek Technologies and HR Manager at McGraw-Hill Companies. Amy’s work focuses on empowering employees through grassroots initiatives, driving meaningful change, and fostering leadership from within. Top 3 Takeaways Go all in. Successful company culture requires intentional leadership engagement, from CEO participation to employee-led initiatives like ERGs and cultural ambassador programs. Do remote right. During remote/hybrid work transitions, structured onboarding and deliberate relationship building become critical for employee engagement and retention. Take the chance. Taking career risks and overcoming self-doubt requires courage and self-affirmation, but can lead to significant professional growth and fulfillment. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "I've never worked at a company where I've seen such engagement in the survey... because of that, I feel like we have to honor that and respect it." "I got the courage. It wasn't ever that I lacked the confidence. I think it was just really the way that I was viewing my own self and speaking to myself." "It's not always the words that he says, it's his actions... when things get hard, he doesn't back away from these kinds of activities that we're doing." "I made some of the closest relationships during that time... the building of trust and relationships, it is possible." Connect with Amy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bayer-812ba8104 Duck Creek Technologies: http://www.duckcreek.com 

Stefanie Adams is a keynote speaker, training facilitator, adjunct university instructor, former elected official, wife, and mother; for those who know her best, she is "Cheerleader Stef", which personifies her personality and leadership style. She has over 20 years experience leading and training in corporate, non-profit, and government settings. In 2024, she added author to the resume, publishing her first book, CheerLEADERship: Strategies to Build and Support Human-Centric Workplaces for the Future. She earned an M.Ed. in Multicultural Education in 2008. Stefanie has worked as an organizational consultant for Johns Hopkins University School of Education (Baltimore, MD), served as Director of Customized Training for Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington, NC), and more recently, she led the corporate training function for CastleBranch (Wilmington, NC). In early 2020, Stefanie founded WNY People Development. In her role as Chief Empowerment Officer, she provides leadership training, coaching, and keynote presentations to grow the next generation of leaders. Her main areas of expertise are building high impact teams, first time/front line manager development, women in leadership, and engaging multigenerational workforces with a focus on millennial and Gen Z employees. Since company launch, she has developed and facilitated leadership solutions for clients in various industries including construction, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, human resources, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, public service, real estate, and non-profit management. Her professional affiliations include SHRM and the Lower Cape Fear Human Resource Association. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern NC, and she was nominated as a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2022 for her service as School Board Chair during the Covid pandemic. Top 3 Takeaways Mix it up. Successful teams require diverse working styles that complement each other, just as cheerleading squads need different positions to function effectively. Trust counts. Building trust through genuine connection and understanding team members' personal motivations is essential for creating high-performing teams in today's workplace. Dial it in. Leaders must calibrate challenges based on individual team members' goals and current circumstances, similar to how cheer coaches adjust practice intensity based on their team's situation. From Our Sponsor The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. From the Source "In cheerleading you only can succeed together because it is the only sport where you physically build on each other. And that's what work is today. It is all team-based." "You cannot build trust on a team until you know somebody. And if we don't know somebody, I'm not gonna want to work with you. I'm not gonna feel safe to ask you for feedback or to give you feedback." "If you're challenging someone and providing them with information that's going to help them be better at their job and you're doing it by keeping their integrity at the heart of your message...you've done your job." "If we celebrate the small, small wins, if we highlight those small wins, that is going to remind us, let's keep doing this...Happy people are engaged workers." "Cheerleadership is not about toxic positivity. It's about recognizing what we're capable of and working towards it as a team." Connect with Stefanie CheerLEADERship (book): https://a.co/d/eTYuKPy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniezadams Website: https://wnypeopledevelopment.com