Ever feel like national economic headlines hit a little too close to home in your workplace? In this episode of America's Employee Handbook, we're clocking in on the economy. Viewing the U.S. government as "AmeriCo," we explore how big-picture market swings—from inflation and consumer confidence dips to sudden economic shocks—profoundly impact the employee experience.

Join Dani Sterbinsky as she applies concepts from Industrial-Organizational Psychology to explain how economic uncertainty fuels employee anxiety, erodes trust, affects motivation, and shakes our sense of psychological safety. We'll look at real-world examples and discuss why understanding local labor markets (economic geography) is key to retention.

Please tune in to gain practical insights on the hidden ways the economy shapes your daily work life in AmeriCo, and discover what leaders can do to support their teams through turbulent times.

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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative reveals a cautionary tale in change management. In this episode, Dani Sterbinsky applies principles of Industrial-Organizational Psychology to analyze what went wrong and what could have been done better. Learn how prioritizing empathy, fairness, and psychological safety can lead to more successful and sustainable organizational change.

References

Gustafsson, S., Gillespie, N., Searle, R., & Dietz, G. (2020). Preserving organizational trust during government restructuring: A case study of change management in a public agency. Organization Studies, 41(4), 645–664. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840620901234

Hughes, M., & Zhang, L. (2024). Revitalizing Organizational Change: A Modern Take on Lewin’s Change Model in the Digital Age. Journal of Organizational Dynamics, 35(1), 45–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840623112345

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In this episode of America’s Employee Handbook, host Dani Sterbinsky unpacks the inner workings of global alliances by comparing U.S. government strategies to corporate operations at "AmeriCo." Dani explores the dynamics of NATO defense spending and the impact of tariffs on North American trade, revealing how decisions in high-level policy can affect everything from national security to your local grocery bill. The discussion also delves into the intriguing Mar‑a‑Lago accord theory, a speculative yet thought-provoking idea that questions how coordinated economic strategies might reshape the global financial system. Interweaving insights from Industrial-Organizational Psychology and real-world examples, this episode invites listeners to research, share personal experiences, and reflect on how civic duty and informed dialogue are key to sustaining effective partnerships.

References

Chiaburu, D. S., Peng, A. C., & Van Dyne, L. (2021). Abrupt organizational changes and employee cynicism: A meta-analytic review. Organizational Psychology Review, 11(2), 135–159.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2041386620978716

Harvard Business Review. (2024). Why strategic partnerships fail: Communication breakdowns and abrupt policy shifts. Harvard Business Review.
https://hbr.org

Lin, X., Park, J., & Choi, Y. (2021). Misaligned incentives in global alliances: How cultural and strategic differences undermine collaboration. Journal of International Business Studies, 52(3), 417–433.
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-020-00336-8

NATO. (2023). Secretary General’s Annual Report 2023. NATO Public Diplomacy Division.
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_70672.htm

U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (2022). The cost of tariffs to the U.S. economy. Retrieved from
https://www.uschamber.com/international/trade

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2020). Impacts of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. farm exports. Economic Research Service Report.
https://www.ers.usda.gov

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). (2023). Defense budget overview. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Budget-Materials/

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). (2021). Economic impact of Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs on U.S. industries.
https://www.usitc.gov

World Trade Organization (WTO). (2020). Trade profiles: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/trade_profiles_list_e.htm

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