In just five minutes a day, Dr. Jessica Kriegel, Chief Strategy Officer of Workforce and Labor for Culture Partners, unpacks the latest research, trends, and strategies shaping workplace culture—and driving business success. Designed for CEOs and executives, this daily podcast delivers actionable insights to build high-performance cultures that get real results.
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Tentwentytwo / Culture Partners Podcasts
In today’s episode: We all have favorites at work; people we prefer to work with or not. Every professional has the ability to build or break relationships. Everybody should be treated equally--given the same opportunities to practice their craft and prove their dedication. But the line between accurate beliefs and unfair biases is tricky. Sometime…
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In today’s episode: Even if the Supreme Court rules President's Trump's tariffs are illegal, the economy's in trouble. Congress will likely pass the tariffs anyway. But how long would that take? And how many ships would come from China in that time, filled with pre-tariff cargo? And who gets their money back? The midterm elections are also coming u…
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In today’s episode: When you get an aircraft that's going slow enough, it stalls--something similar could be happening with the jobs market. When you look at jobs creation, our economy is at stall speed. 20 states are already in a recession; even more are stalled and in danger of falling into a recession. The jobs report now doesn't matter; it has …
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In today’s episode: There seems to be an uptick in CEOs being caught behaving badly, from stealing hats to inappropriate relationships. With great power comes great responsibility; as a CEO, you're a focus point for public attention. In a few high-profile cases, markets have been responding poorly when companies choose long-running executives to re…
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In today’s episode: Economists at BCA say there's a 60% chance of a recession in the next 12 months. With so much uncertainty, a recession might serve as an economic cleanup--but it will come at the expense of the country's poorest. At the same time, we're dealing with a new variable--tariffs--that are creating inflation and uncertainty without bei…
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In today's episode: When you ask people what they enjoy most about their work, it's often some version of "the people." Humancore's Mike Dolen says that's going to make it hard for AI to ever fully replace managers; people value their workplace relationships. But are workplace relationships authentic, given the hierarchies and internal politics? Mi…
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The State of the Jobs Market - Jessica on Schwab Network
5:34
5:34
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5:34In today's episode: Today's jobless claims are going to be bad news whether they go up or down. Leaders are largely looking ahead, with the impact of tariffs looming on the horizon. Jobs aren't being added quickly, it's taking longer to get a job, and young people can't find jobs. Most executives are still scratching their heads about AI--but they'…
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In today’s episode: The age of corporate apologies is over; now, it's more common to double down in the face of criticism. Still, "I'm sorry" are some of a leader's most potent words. They create a powerful experience and open the door to empathy. Many leaders are too insecure to use the tool. But when we never apologize--to preserve the idea that …
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In today's episode: Internal communications are no longer a secondary concer; they're critical to an organization's success. In these uncertain times, CEO's can't just stick to the talking points about business results. Employees expect communication on larger political and social issues. To know if you should comment on something, ask these questi…
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In today’s episode: As AI reduces the number of entry-level jobs, young workers are in trouble. Companies need to wonder: what happens in ten years when it comes time to hire people for higher-level positions? Even if companies aren't firing employees now, AI will cause them to hire fewer employees down the line. The standout and most-connected can…
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In today's episode: For the last six months, people who stayed in their job experienced higher wage growth than job switchers--a dynamic we haven't seen since the Great Recession. The labor market is cooling quietly, no matter what the aggregate data says, and inflation is outgrowing wage growth. Hiring windows are opening; it may be a good time to…
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Paying Employees Enough To Buy What You Sell
5:51
5:51
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5:51In today's episode: If you want customers, pay your workers enough to be them. Inflation may have cooled on paper, but people are struggling and wages aren't keeping pace. Retention and demand are linked. When workers can live on their wages, you expand your market. CEO Daily Brief is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week'…
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In today's episode: Target's choice of new executive--its longtime COO--is raising some questions about how we think about succession. Investors aren't thrilled about the decision. When a company is in trouble, should it look to a lifelong employee or turn to an outsider who can shake things up? Investors tend to prefer fresh blood. It makes some s…
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In today's episode: Clothing is a signal; it's one of the first experiences that leaders can create for their employees. For men in power, the suit look is pretty straightforward. Deviating from that choice is often framed as bold. Women's clothing choices are scrutinized under a harsher lens; it's seen as less of a strategy than a statement. As a …
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In today's episode: Fear is the source of most dysfunctions in corporations. Open, honest communication solves most problems. Companies get in trouble when they start making decisions from false premises. Skillibrium's Bart Fanelli focuses on building patterns of communication and accountability. When people in an organization share information, sk…
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In today's episode: Results come from actions. Actions are driven by belief. Beliefs are built by experiences. Current results--for better or worse--are a result of existing actions, beliefs, and experiences within the company. To change results, leaders should avoid getting caught in the "action trap." Think about the experiences you want employee…
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In today’s episode: As AI makes it harder for college grads to find entry-level jobs, there's one key way people can still differentiate themselves: lean into being human. Conversations, connections, networking, and referrals are key to differentating ourselves from the competition. When in doubt: act like a 1950s businessman (without the bigotry).…
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In today’s episode: 212,000 women have left the workforce since the beginning of the year. That's a result of the return-to-office movement and the disproportionate burden of caregiving that falls to women. The wave of RTO mandates was poorly thought-out and fundamentally misunderstands culture and productivity. Leaders should be able to lead witho…
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In today's episode: Companies have been using AI to screen applicants for years; the difference is that now applicants are using it, too. Anyone who claims to know the full impact of AI on the workforce has an agenda; the truth is, it's still an open question. College grads are having a hard time finding jobs because entry-level positions have been…
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In today’s episode: The news has been abuzz with coverage of AT&T CEO John Stankey's letter to employees. Jessica argues he's just saying the quiet part out loud: company loyalty is dead in both directions. John says the role of a CEO is to inspire--and the letter's preachy tone has incited anger, not results. CEO Daily Brief is a daily, five-minut…
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Jobless Claims and the Jobs Reports - Jessica on Schwab Network
7:57
7:57
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7:57In today's episode: Many CEOs are pausing; not too much hiring or firing as they're waiting to see what happens with inflation, AI, and tariffs. Maintaining adaptaibility is key to success in ever-changing circumstances. We're also seeing a huge need for alignment at the executive level. 212,000 women have left the workforce this year--that's a ref…
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In today’s episode: 58% of workers complain they're being underutilized at work. Most salaried employees would complain about also feeling overworked, especially if made to work the full forty-hour of the workweek. We're in a society where people see what's broken--which leads to the sense that we can do more to fix it. CEO Daily Brief is a daily, …
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In today’s episode: The firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics is going to have a damaging effect on the economy. The jobs report has been looking good over the last few months--but only if you read the headlines. The BLS has been transparent about the limitations of the data. The trick is to ignore the jobs report from this month; pa…
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In today's episode: Conscious capitalism is an apolitical movement that's trying to make capitalism work for all. It has four tenets: First, a higher purpose. Without meaning, you're just trying to grab dollars. Second, stakeholder orientation: create value for all the stakeholders, including employees, shareholders, and customers. Third, conscious…
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In today's episode: In order to be AI-first and people first, we need to consider how our communication, work methods, and employee talent development are changing. We all need to be constant learners--at every level of the corporate ladder. In order to succeed, leaders need to learn how to acquire employee buy-in for their visions. The key is to m…
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The Revised Jobs Numbers - Jessica on Bloomberg Radio
7:08
7:08
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7:08In today's episode: The newly-revised jobs numbers don't look good. Growth is slowing, and business investments are down. Most Americans have felt the economy is getting worse--and now we have the numbers to show for it. President Trump's pressure on the Fed is working against him; its need to appear impartial means it might take longer to lower in…
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In today's episode: A special guest--Jessica's 8-year-old daughter--gains a working understanding of the results pyramid. In order to achieve a results (Mom buying her a hamster), Eleanor has been caught in an action trap. Really, she needs to change some of Jessica's underlying beliefs about buying a hamster. Experiences shape beliefs; beliefs dri…
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In today’s episode: There's been a shift this year in the language around layoffs. Companies aren't just unapologetic about cuts, but pointing to them as accomplishments in the AI era. Transparency is a good thing. These decisions have always been happening--now that they're being made openly, employees can better prepare. Leaders need to make toug…
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In today’s episode: The position of "interim CEO" is becoming increasingly common. In a world where layoffs are always seen as a bad decision, it becomes tempting to use a "disaster CEO" to make the painful decisions. But this can hurt a sense of transparency. An interim role is that it can tell the wrong story to employees. If executive leadership…
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In today's episode: To understand the future of AI, Jessica has been reading AI: Unexplainable, Unpredictable, Uncontrollable by Roman Yampolskiy. Since it's not human, AI is in some ways unpredictable. That could be a bad thing, but it may also free it from predictable human impulses. We tend to operate from a place of fear and resource-hoarding, …
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In today's episode: This month, shareholders in some of the country's largest companies voted against anti-DEI proposals. The market knows that DEI is good for business. Companies like Costco saw increased foot traffic after defending DEI policies, while companies that have abandoned DEI programs are taking hits to sales. DEI might be politically u…
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In today’s episode: In a world of rapidly changing technology, why are some companies signing up for ten-year contracts with a single tech company? It might be a lack of accountability; the person making the decision for short-term gain won't be around to see the negative consequences for the company. The leaders who drive the strongest results are…
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In today’s episode: According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. economy is "regaining its swagger" --but, at the same time, "economic clouds" are gathering. That kind of confusion is the environment in which leaders are making decisions these days. The economy appears both good and deeply troubling. At least in part, keeping people guessing is a…
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In today’s episode: We're at an inflection point for inflation; if things don't get under control soon, Americans are going to feel it. There are two different roots of inflation: one, companies need to reduce controllable costs like labor. The other is tariffs. If nothing changes, the storm is likely to hit by August as families start spending on …
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In today's episode: The AI age is here to stay; the way to succeed is to embrace it. In this fast-paced world, learning will always be a part of work. Leaders need to be honest with employees; AI will transform the workplace. According to Udemy's Greg Brown, leaders should also integrate AI in a way that helps their employees and enhances their lea…
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In today’s episode: Older Americans are being laid off in their fifties and sixties, before they're financially or emotionally ready to ready. That's forcing many into an awkward late-stage pivot. Decades of institutional knowledge are no longer as valuable in the face of young people with access to the internet and AI. As always, agility is the ne…
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In today’s episode: The problem with not taxing overtime wages: it cuts jobs. High performers collect the overtime, while low performers lose their positions. In the short-term, this is good for businesses. In the long-term, it's taking people out of the workforce, consumers out of the economy, and creating a larger population on welfare. There's d…
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In today’s episode: A lack of control over scheduling makes employees more likely to quit. Employers already know this. Millions of employees have very little leverage in the workplace right now. In certain parts of Europe, this is less true--work is less of a priority. In America, there's no clear cultural norm around work. CEO Daily Brief is a da…
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In today's episode: The percentage of employees who say management cares about them tends to go down after the first few months in a job. There's a mismatch between the expectations and the experince. Employers are finally being more transparent about what they're expecting from new hires--often, high productivity. There's a privilege difference in…
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In today’s episode: Manufacturers don't believe tariffs will affect their prices in the near future--but there will definitely be shortages. Companies are getting creative with finding new sources for materials, but they're looking on a years-long timescale. Tariffs are here to stay at a rational level--not 50% or higher, but the low-level tariffs …
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Newly Announced Tariffs - Jessica on LiveNOW FOX
10:50
10:50
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10:50In today's episode: President Trump's latest tariffs on the EU and Mexico have a mix of purposes. It's important for leaders to understand those reasons, rather than panic. There are low-level reciprocal tariffs, country-specific tariffs used as leverage for negotiations, Sector-specific tariffs are meant to boost specific industries. Agility is th…
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In this episode: A candid conversation on political hypocrisy, calling out leaders who preach small government but vote for massive spending. A personal reflection on Medicaid cuts and the real-world impact on vulnerable communities. A plug for a deeper, nonpartisan discussion on tariffs with former U.S. trade advisor Kate Kalukowitz. CEO Daily Bri…
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In today’s episode: Collaborator vs. negotiator mindsets and how they shape conflict resolution. How trust and transparency impact negotiations and leadership decisions. The unintended effects of messaging, using anti-drug campaigns as a humorous example. CEO Daily Brief is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest n…
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In this episode: Companies are dropping the pretense of work-life balance How transparency about demanding cultures—when paired with proper compensation—can attract the right candidates. The double standard in hourly jobs, urging employers to be honest about expectations, and paying fairly for demanding roles. CEO Daily Brief is a daily, five-minut…
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In today's episode: To achieve transformation of any kind, you need to get people on board. Precisely's Tendü Yogurtçu drives technological change by keeping technical teams aware of business challenges and vice versa, as well as always keeping the customer's perspective in mind. Cross-functional collaboration and consistent recognition help keep p…
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In today’s episode: How the low unemployment rate might be misleading due to declining labor force participation. Signs of an economic slowdown, including layoffs in tech and other industries. How current economic data might not fully reflect people’s real-life experiences. CEO Daily Brief is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect t…
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In today's episode: Despite low unemployment and good economic numbers, people are still reporting a that it's hard to find a job. That's especially true for young people. July is going to be a time of big layoffs as companies are restructuring around AI and uncertain economic times. Online applications are being screened out by AI; other low-effor…
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In today's episode: We're past "return-to-office." By and large, workers are back in the office or on hybrid schedules. Employer/employee leverage is a matter of supply and demand that changes over time. Right now, most sectors have a larger supply than demand, giving employers more leverage. The supply and demand are only flipped in a few sectors,…
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In today's episode: Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora meets with 100 random employees every week, taking the pulse of the company. As a result, the people in the company know that he cares. Culture is about what you prioritize when faced with a choice; values are only tested when push comes to shove. In the short-term, standing up for values migh…
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In today's episode: If a company's culture lacks accountability, a four-day work week won't fix things. If a company does have accountability, then a four-day work week won't destroy that. Mandating a four-day work week won't have a guaranteed effect across industries. It's one solution that works in certain places and breaks down in others. For le…
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