Join Jason for an enlightening conversation with Mike Ferone, Vice President of Organizational Development and Performance Excellence at Benchmark Gensuite, as they explore how his company has created a “culture of opportunity”—one where promotions are based on demonstrated competencies and potential, not rigid timelines.

Together, they examined how this approach shapes engagement, enables rapid development, and makes workplaces more human-centered and successful.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 The power of flexible, individualized promotion timelines, so everyone advances when ready, not just at review time

👉 How transparency and public clarity about why someone is promoted removes frustration and builds trust within teams.

👉 Why rigorous accountability, through regular manager and HR check-ins, ensures that every advancement is both earned and supported.

👉 How promoting based on demonstrated potential can accelerate growth for ambitious, early-career talent.

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Connect with Mike:

Company: https://benchmarkgensuite.com/

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelferone/

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JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK.

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Connect with Jason:

Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/

Join Jason for a deeply engaging conversation featuring Karen Rieck, the Vice President of Human Resources at Farm Bureau Financial Services, as she shares her journey on building “presence with a purpose” work.

Karen’s inspiring approach to employee connection, especially through their innovative “Real Stories” internal podcast, offers real-world lessons every manager should consider. They talked about how powerful it can be when people are encouraged not just to do their jobs, but to show up fully as who they are, even with everything they’re carrying.

Key lessons from our conversation include:

👉 The game-changing shift from “return to office” mandates to designing intentional in-office experiences that fuel genuine human connection.

👉 Practical, low-cost ways to foster community that make the workplace a destination.

👉 The transformative effects of storytelling through initiatives like the “Real Stories” podcast, which invites employees to share impactful experiences

👉 How inclusion is amplified not by policy statements, but by allowing people to own their stories and truly be known by their colleagues.

👉 Strategies for balancing work-life integration with organizational productivity, especially as employee expectations evolve in today’s workplace.

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Connect with Karen Rieck:

Website: www.fbfs.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-rieck-6148446/

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JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK.

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***

Connect with Jason:

Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/

#HRLeadership #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfWork #Inclusion #HumanConnection #RealStories #PeopleFirst

Join Jason for an enlightening conversation with Jessica Jones, Executive Vice President of People and Culture at Emprise Bank. Jessica reflects on her evolution from being a strong advocate for remote-first work to recognizing how hybrid and in-person work, when grounded in intention and clarity, can enhance belonging, innovation, and team trust.

Together, they explore the risks of reactive policies and examine what today’s employees are truly seeking: not just remote work, but authentic flexibility.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 Start with strategy: Align workplace policies with your organization’s unique business needs, rather than following trends or executive preferences.

👉 Be clear and intentional: Communicate the ‘why’ behind workforce decisions to ensure employees understand and not just comply with organizational choices.

👉 Flexibility is fundamental: Employees crave autonomy and flexibility; when that’s missing, “return to office” feels like punishment, not opportunity.

👉 Invest in what matters: Whether in-office or remote, invest in equipping managers, supporting employee well-being, and building spaces (physical or virtual) that build collaboration.

👉 One size does not fit all: Tailor approaches to different roles and locations; balance recruiting needs, development opportunities, and business impact.

Jessica’s perspective will challenge and inspire you to think differently about your own organization’s approach to culture, connection, and the future of work.

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Connect with Jessica Jones

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-jones-b1681193/

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JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK.

Subscribe to our newsletter:

https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Connect with Jason:

Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/

#HRLeadership #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfWork #PeopleFirst #HybridWork #Inclusion #LeadershipDevelopment