Vol. 3 Issue 42: Championing Performance - Aligning Organizational and Employee Trust, Purpose, and Well-Being

Vol. 3 Issue 42: Championing Performance - Aligning Organizational and Employee Trust, Purpose, and Well-Being

Get insights on HR, leadership, and industry trends via original research and interviews with executives and thought leaders from across the globe -?subscribe here to the?Alchemizing Human Capital?newsletter?to get future editions directly in your feed.


Welcome to Vol. 3, Issue 42, of the Alchemizing Human Capital weekly newsletter. This week's content is focused on championing performance and aligning organizational and employee trust, purpose, and well-being.

This issue features Cathy Wassenaar, David Berkal, Casey Freeman, Maria Kellis, and Karen Ball.

In this issue:

  • New from HCI Academic Press: Championing Performance
  • As Seen in Forbes
  • 4 New HCI Webinars
  • 17 New HCL Review Articles
  • 7 New HCL Review Explainer Videos

Also, be sure to check out:

  • The Human Capital Innovations (HCI) Academy
  • HCI Podcast Network
  • Energizing Innovation
  • Cultivating Engagement
  • Optimizing Organizations
  • The Art and Science of Organizational Leadership
  • Leading with Purpose
  • Leading for Transformation
  • The Future Leader
  • 'Bluer than Indigo' Leadership
  • The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership


New from HCI Academic Press: Championing Performance

Championing Performance: Aligning Organizational and Employee Trust, Purpose, and Well-Being

In today's volatile world of work, high performance depends more than ever on an organization's ability to champion its people. But how can leaders foster the trust, purpose, and well-being needed to unlock discretionary effort and innovation over the long run?

Through rigorous academic research and practical case studies, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover sheds new light on this vital question. In "Championing Performance: Aligning Organizational and Employee Trust, Purpose, and Well-Being," he presents a systematic framework to help practitioners evaluate key levers for cultivating an engaged and committed workforce.

Westover draws from multiple disciplines, including organizational behavior, neuroscience, and change management. Readers will learn strategies for reducing workplace stressors while increasing autonomy, work-life integration, and leadership empathy. Compelling insights address challenges like burnout, talent retention, and navigating technological disruption with humanity.

Through an empirical yet accessible analysis, Westover offers a roadmap for organizational leaders seeking to champion both people and performance for competitive advantage in uncertain times. His scholarship makes a timely contribution to transforming people practices grounded in trust, purpose, and well-being. Practitioners in HR, L&D, and beyond will find valuable models, tools and ideas to apply for sustainable business success.


As Seen in Forbes

Check out Dr. Westover Forbes contribution last week:

The Slow Death Of The Creative Spirit: How Micromanagement Undermines Engagement, Innovation And Organizational Performance

From the conclusion: "Micromanagement does far more harm than good. By systematically undermining the psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness, micromanagement diffuses employee motivation and engagement over time. However, organizations can replace micromanagement with empowerment by properly structuring work, communicating clear expectations and cultivating appropriate autonomy within a framework of transparency, guidance and accountability.

This balanced, responsibility-focused approach stimulates independence, problem-solving and initiative in employees. When executed well, empowerment transforms underperforming teams from dependent to determined, reengaging individuals’ creative spirit and passion to improve innovations and meet rising challenges. Overall, replacing micromanagement with empowerment holds immense potential to build thriving organizational cultures that consistently maximize human talent and drive sustainable performance excellence over the long run."

Take a look at the full article and let us know what you think!


New HCI Webinars

Check out last week's new HCI Webinars!

The Impact of Acquisitions On Company Culture, with Cathy Wassenaar and David Berkal

The Challenges the Gen Z Workforce is Currently Facing, with Casey Freeman

Aligning Your Career with Your Personal Values, with Maria Kellis

The Prosci ADKAR Model of Change Management, with Karen Ball


New HCL Review Articles

Check out our new Human Capital Leadership Review articles this past week:

  1. Why I'm Careful About Encouraging My Best Employees to Consider Outside Job Offers
  2. Working with Difficult Colleagues: Strategies for Managing Conflict and Maintaining Productivity
  3. Secrets to Mastering Modern Leadership Challenges
  4. Helping yourself whilst IN THE SITUATION
  5. Making your Mission and Vision Statements Work: How to Align Words with Actions
  6. When Creativity Stalls: Maintaining Innovation Under Pressure
  7. Strategies for Career Readiness in the Age of General Artificial Intelligence
  8. The 6 Biggest Mistakes Leaders Make When Motivating Employees
  9. Beyond Command and Control: Empowering Leaders Build Capability and Drive Innovation
  10. 4 Effective Insights to Address Employee Dissatisfaction
  11. AI and Trust in Organizations
  12. Translating HR Impact to Business Impact
  13. From Skill Development to Skill Duration: Three Strategies for Cultivating a Culture of Learning in Your Organization
  14. Becoming a True Partner: How HR Leaders Can Earn a Seat at the Leadership Table
  15. Uncovering the Paradox: Exploring the Departure of Exceptional Employees from Supposedly 'Exceptional Cultures'
  16. HR's Strategic Role in Managing the AI-Driven Talent Restructure
  17. Taking the Stress Out of Taking Time Off: Reducing Workplace Anxiety Through Flexible Policies and a Culture of Trust

Take a look at the full articles and let us know what you think!


HCL Review Explainer Videos

Check out our new Human Capital Leadership Review article explainer videos this past week:

Mastering Workplace Conflicts Strategies for Success

Boosting Creativity Under Pressure Proven Strategies for Leaders

The Biggest Mistakes Leaders Make When Motivating Employees

Building Trust in AI: Transparency, Accountability, and Fairness

Cultivating a Learning Culture - 3 Key Strategies for Leaders

Why Top Talent Leaves 'Exceptional' Cultures: Uncovering the Paradox

Taking the Stress Out of Time Off: Flexible Policies & Trust Culture

Take a look at the article explainer videos and let us know what you think!


Human Capital Innovations (HCI) Academy

Check out the Human Capital Innovations (HCI) Academy! All HCI Academy courses, micro-credentials, and certificates are designed, developed, and delivered by award-winning and internationally renowned scholars, educators, thought leaders, executives, and professional practitioners.

Our courses, micro-credentials, and certificates cover the most important issues facing organizational leaders and human resources professionals today and will help you make your mark on the future of the work and make an immediate impact in your organization!

Apply today to get your first course free!

Apply for an HCI Academy Scholarship today!

Our award-winning and research-based curriculum of industry-leading human resources and organizational leadership courses helps managers and leaders navigate complex organizational, leadership, and HR issues, stay at the cutting edge of innovation in HR, and bring their whole selves to their work.

Our courses, micro-credentials, and certificates are designed to help learners develop and apply these skills, competencies, and capabilities, which are essential for leaders to navigate the ever-changing landscape of work in the 21st century. By developing these abilities, you can foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning that will enable your organizations to thrive in the years ahead.

Each course utilizes gamification, the use of game-based mechanics, aesthetics and game thinking to engage people, motivate action, promote learning and solve problems. Additionally you will receive individualized feedback and have the opportunity to expand your professional network!

Individual micro-credential courses are 5 hours of asynchronous, applied, reflective, and social learning experiences that leverage the wisdom and insights of global thought leaders and industry experts.??Additionally, each course features in-depth thematic and topical conversations with a mix of renowned scholars, educators, thought leaders, executives, and practitioners.

Sign up for the complete?4-course,?20-hour General HR Certificate?(complete any 4 micro-credential courses),?the?4-course,?20-hour?Leading the Future Organization Certificate, the?4-course,?20-hour?Innovative Human Capital Certificate,?or?4-course,?20-hour?The Employee-Centric Workplace Certificate?programs.?The entire 4-course certification can typically be completed within 10 weeks and is approved for 20 hours of recertification credits from the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and verified by Credly.

Complete all three specialized certificates and earn the?People and Culture Advanced Certification!?The entire advanced certification can typically be completed within 6 months and is approved for 50 hours of recertification credits from the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and verified by Credly.

Check out our micro-credential courses and certificates here and let us know what you think!

Apply today to get your first course free!

Apply for an HCI Academy Scholarship today!


HCI Podcast Network

Check out the HCI Podcast Network - where knowledge meets innovation and excellence in the world of human capital management. We are your destination for insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions on all things related to human capital management, leadership, and organizational excellence.

At Human Capital Innovations, we believe in the power of knowledge-sharing and the importance of continuous learning and development. Our podcast network brings together a diverse lineup of experts, thought leaders, and industry practitioners who share their expertise, experiences, and insights to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of the modern workplace.

Through our podcast episodes, we delve into a wide range of topics, including leadership development, talent acquisition and retention, organizational culture, employee engagement, HR strategies, and much more. We believe that by exploring these critical areas, we can equip leaders and organizations with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in today's dynamic business environment.

Our podcast network features engaging and thought-provoking conversations that challenge conventional thinking, inspire growth, and provide practical strategies for personal and professional development. We invite you to join us as we explore the latest trends, best practices, and innovative approaches to human capital management, all designed to help you unlock the full potential of your organization and its most valuable asset - your people.

Whether you are a seasoned HR professional, a business leader, or someone interested in staying ahead of the curve in the world of work, our podcast network offers valuable insights and actionable takeaways that can drive positive change in your organization. Tune in to our episodes, gain fresh perspectives, and discover new strategies that will elevate your leadership skills and drive organizational excellence.

We are excited to have you join us on this journey of learning and growth. Explore our podcast network, subscribe to your favorite shows, and let us be your trusted source for thought leadership, inspiration, and practical tips to enhance your human capital management practices.

Are you interested in having your professional podcast become a part of the HCI Podcast Network or advertising with the HCI Podcast Network? Please reach out!


Energizing Innovation

Energizing Innovation : Inspiring Peak Performance through Talent, Culture, and Growth

In Energizing Innovation: Inspiring Peak Performance through Talent, Culture, and Growth, renowned organizational sociologist, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover provides a comprehensive research-backed framework to optimize and maximize organizational performance and employee performance and innovation.

With chapters spanning talent management, leadership, engagement, culture, as well as other timely topics such as hybrid work arrangements, self-managing teams, and adapting to workers' changing ambitions and more, Westover explores the latest research on attracting talent, fostering leadership skills, boosting engagement, and strengthening company culture and equips managers with strategies to attract top performers and develop teams to their fullest potential.

Westover dives deep into strategies like using AI for HR planning, developing meaningful work, turnover intention, building resilience during change, and leveraging positive psychology. Packed with real-world examples and tools, this book equips managers with evidence-based practices for developing top performers at every level. Westover delivers must-have insights on igniting extraordinary potential through people-centered approaches to innovation and growth.

Backed by rigorous evidence, Energizing Innovation delivers a complete toolkit to spark engagement, nourish empowering cultures and achieve peak results by maximizing an organization's greatest asset - its talented workforce. An essential read for any leader seeking to energize their workforce and turbocharge organizational success.


Cultivating Engagement

Cultivating Engagement: Mastering Inclusive Leadership, Culture Change, and Data-Informed Decision Making

In Cultivating Engagement: Mastering Inclusive Leadership, Culture Change, and Data-Informed Decision Making, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover draws on over two decades working as both an academic researcher and culture change consultant to provide an authoritative guide for organizational leaders seeking to foster truly inclusive, innovative and high-performing work cultures.

Westover emphasizes that cultivating true employee engagement and sustainability is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It requires commitment to an inclusive leadership approach, placing empathy, compassion, continuous learning and relationships at the forefront above quick fixes or purely strategic plans. Throughout seven comprehensive sections and 29 chapters, Westover weaves themes of inclusion, well-being, talent optimization, and progress. Readers will find discussions and tools covering foundational elements of inclusive leadership, building psychologically safe and high-performing teams, understanding diverse generational characteristics and leveraging individual strengths, rethinking factors like meetings and remote work with humanity in mind, addressing pay equity and other cultural issues, equipping leaders for their own growth, and aligning data practices with holistic human experiences.

Underlying each topic is Westover's philosophy that maximizing both people and performance long-term demands systems thinking balanced with understanding diverse experiences. Managers will gain perspective through reflections on Westover's own triumphs and challenges encountered as a consultant. The book aims to spark and support positive long-term change through sharing valuable lessons, insights and real-world case studies of progress realized. With its integrated framework and translatable strategies, Cultivating Engagement provides a comprehensive blueprint for leading authentically inclusive workplace transformations.


Reinventing Leadership

Reinventing Leadership: People-Centered Strategies for Empowering Organizational Change

In a world of increasing uncertainty and constant change, the ability to empower people and lead organizational transformation has never been more important. Yet many traditional leadership models are no longer effective for navigating today's complex challenges.

In Reinventing Leadership, organizational sociologist and management expert Dr. Jonathan H. Westover draws on over a decade of empirical research to propose a new people-centered framework for guiding effective change. Integrating insights from social, cognitive and industrial-organizational psychology, and other management and organizational sciences, Dr. Westover outlines a paradigm shift away from top-down directives toward distributed, empowering styles that motivate teams from within.

Through comprehensive literature reviews and in-depth company case studies, the book unpacks how today's workers truly process and respond to change initiatives. It then provides evidence-based strategies and tools leaders can apply to build resilience, foster autonomy, and inspire collective innovation across businesses undergoing disruption.

Packed with real-world examples and quantitative data, yet accessibly written for busy executives, Reinventing Leadership is an indispensable resource for any manager seeking to effectively lead their people into an uncertain future. Its research-backed insights offer a roadmap for empowering and engaging teams to successfully drive organizational reinvention.


Optimizing Organizations

Optimizing Organizations: Reinvention through People, Adapted Mindsets, and the Dynamics of Change

The world of work is undergoing rapid and unprecedented change. Technological disruptions, shifting demographics, and globalization are transforming the business landscape at an exponential pace. To thrive in this new reality, organizations must evolve beyond traditional ways of operating. Adapting structures and processes is no longer enough. True reinvention requires optimizing the human factor - the people, mindsets, and dynamics that form the heart of every organization.

This is where this book comes in. In "Optimizing Organizations for Maximum Impact", I introduce a holistic framework for reinventing organizations through continuous optimization of leadership, teams, culture, environment and performance. The approaches discussed are grounded in practical strategies and evidence from high-impact companies that are successfully navigating change.

Over the course of six parts, we will explore how optimizing key organizational dimensions can drive transformation. We begin by enhancing leadership capabilities and fostering an innovative mindset. We then examine optimizing culture and collaboration, as well as managing workflows and talent. Finally, we bring these elements together to propel organizational impact.

My goal is to provide a playbook you can use right now to mobilize people, evolve mindsets and harness disruption. Optimization is a journey, not a destination. I hope the frameworks and tools in this book empower you to reinvent continuously and thrive - no matter the challenges of tomorrow. It is through people that organizations will find both meaning and maximum impact in this new era.


The Art and Science of Organizational Leadership

The Art and Science of Organizational Leadership : Building High-Performing Cultures Through People and Innovation

The Art and Science of Organizational Leadership provides actionable frameworks to help build high-performing, resilient cultures in today’s uncertain business landscape. As globalization, technology and industry disruptions upend the status quo at an unprecedented rate, the most successful leaders cultivate flexibility to adapt.

Rather than clinging to outdated assumptions, these innovative leaders challenge norms, welcome new perspectives and continually develop the adaptive skills, mindsets and structures needed to thrive amid constant change. This book equips readers with research-backed strategies to adopt this forward-thinking approach within their own organizations.

Across six sections and 28 chapters, Dr. Westover synthesizes research and practitioner insights from the management sciences, psychology, sociology and other disciplines to holistically define the elements of organizational leadership. Topics like strategic planning, innovation, talent development and change management are explored through diverse lenses to present a comprehensive model.

Universal leadership qualities that strengthen all organizations are also examined. Themes of authenticity, empowering employees, operating trustfully, self-awareness, embracing complexity and redefining metrics beyond revenues emerge as pillars of sustainable adaptability. Truly extraordinary cultures integrate strategic vision with how human relationships and potential are nurtured.

Through case studies and profiling of high performers, the book illustrates how the most agile leaders constantly expand their understanding of cultural dynamics and shifting industry drivers. They approach problems with curiosity rather than assumptions, welcoming diverse inputs. This nimble, empathetic mindset allows rebuilding workflows collaborative as realities change on the ground.

Focus is placed not solely on risk minimization but rallying teams around meaningful missions optimizing long-term creativity, health and shared purpose. While strengths and contexts vary, certain growth-oriented practices consistently underpin leaders’ evolving dexterity to impact positive change.

Overall, this book provides a wealth of actionable takeaways to strengthen any organization’s adaptive capacities and future-proof its culture. Most importantly, it encourages continual self-reflection and learning as the sole means to successfully navigate uncertain terrain. Readers will be inspired to lead pragmatically but also think beyond perceived limits, prizing people and purpose above short-term outputs alone.


Leading with Purpose

Leading with Purpose: Navigating Change, Cultivating Collaboration, and Prioritizing Well-being in Today's Workplace

Work is constantly evolving, and organizations need to equip their leaders with the tools to navigate change while fostering employee engagement, productivity, and well-being. In this book, leadership expert Jonathan H. Westover lays out a roadmap for establishing purpose-driven leadership in uncertain times.

Drawing from research and case studies, Westover outlines strategies for developing a coaching mindset, creating a culture of open communication and collaboration, and embedding well-being practices into daily work. He provides templates, checklists, and examples to help leaders implement an agile and growth-oriented leadership approach.

Readers will learn how to craft a compelling vision that inspires action, set measurable goals to track progress, and translate strategy into clear action steps. They will also discover tactics to facilitate breakthrough thinking, resolve conflicts constructively, and establish an environment where learning from failure is expected.

Ultimately, Westover coaches leaders on how to lead with empathy, integrity and resilience -- traits essential for navigating constant change while elevating performance and engagement. For any executive seeking to inspire their organization to reach new levels of success, this book delivers a practical roadmap for purposeful leadership in today's shifting business landscape.


Leading for Transformation

Leading for Transformation: Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Work, by Jonathan H. Westover, PhD.

Leading for Transformation - Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Work is a groundbreaking book that serves as a compass for leaders who are navigating the ever-changing landscape of work. In this insightful and thought-provoking guide, renowned leadership expert Jonathan H. Westover, PhD, provides a roadmap for leaders to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by the dynamic world of work.

Purchase your copy on Amazon and let us know what you think!


The Future Leader

The Future Leader: Creating & Transforming Next Gen Organizations, by Jonathan H. Westover, PhD.

Drawing from two decades of professional experience and over 600 in-depth interviews with executives, thought leaders, and scholars from across the globe, The Future Leader will help you explore the ordinary, everyday actions that will help you to prepare to lead in the future of work, to respond to an uncertain future, and to produce extraordinary results for individuals, teams, and organizations.

Purchase your copy on Amazon and let us know what you think!


'Bluer than Indigo' Leadership

'Bluer than Indigo' Leadership: The Journey of Becoming a Truly Remarkable Leader, by Jonathan H. Westover, PhD.

Purchase your copy on Amazon and let us know what you think!


The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership

The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership: Ordinary, Everyday Actions that Produce Extraordinary Results, by Jonathan H. Westover, PhD.

Purchase your copy on Amazon and let us know what you think!


The HCI team helps?our clients break through the personal and organizational obstacles that seem to be holding them back in their professional life. Life's too short to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled at work. Let us help you learn and develop better ways to handle the issues that are standing in the way of your professional goals and organizational success. Let us help you learn how to create and maintain a people-centric workplace and organizational cultures.

Thinkers 360 - Thinkers360 Top Voices 2023

Thinkers 360 - #1 HR, #1 Innovation, #1 Culture, #1 Future of Work, #1 Leadership, #5 Overall

Thinkers 360 - 50 Thought Leading Companies on Future of Work in 2023

Global Gurus - Top 20 in Management, Top 20 in Organizational Culture

LeadersHum - Power List of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership to watch

LeadersHum - Nominated - Top 100 Influential Global Thought Leader


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Get insights on HR, leadership, and industry trends via original research and interviews with executives and thought leaders from across the globe -?subscribe here to the?Alchemizing Human Capital?newsletter?to get future editions directly in your feed.

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