In this episode, I’m joined by culture expert, Craig Forman. We discuss the importance of having clear agreements to building safe, trusting relationships both individually and in groups. We also unpack how these agreements must be accompanied by a process for how we hold each other accountable to them. We also talk about the power that leaders have to give people both permission and protection to be themselves and take chances at work.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 The necessity of having clear, written agreements to foster consistency, safety, and authenticity within teams.

👉 The powerful impact of honoring personal needs and making intentional decisions about leaving or evolving relationships.

👉 The role of accountability and integrity within organizations, emphasizing that actions and words must align.

👉 How extending trust and freedom to employees can lead to greater commitment and enhanced performance.

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Craig Forman is the Founder of CultureC Consulting, helping organizations evaluate and transform their workplace culture. He’s spent the past fifteen years supporting hundreds of organizations to build effective, human-focused cultures. Prior to starting CultureC Consulting, Craig spent six years as Lead People Scientist with Culture Amp, where he developed a keen ability to help organizations effectively evaluate their cultures and translate insights into meaningful and measurable outcomes.

Aside from his work in the “Culture” space, he is a proud Air Force veteran and currently resides in Bay Area California with his spouse and two daughters.

Connect with Craig:

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

Website: https://www.culturecraig.com/

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Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

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Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

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Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com

In this special episode of Better Relationships: Better Work, I am joined by my wife Angie. Together, we discuss what lessons we’ve learned through 20 years of marriage about making a relationship work.

We explore how mutual respect and trust are the foundation of the relationship and the vital role of listening has played in laying that foundation. We also discuss what it means to fully accept someone, always assuming positive intentions from the other person. And, as a bonus, Angie shares what she’s learned about relationships through her career in politics, needing to build connection with those who may have very different beliefs and values.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 Fostering trust through mutual respect and prioritizing relationships over winning arguments.

👉 Building a foundation of effective communication and understanding early on to align on significant issues.

👉 Embracing active listening and having open conversations about difficult topics without judgment.

👉 Learning not to internalize personal attacks, attributing them to others' issues rather than your own.

👉 Trusting your instincts and valuing the power of compassion.

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“See a need, fill a need” has been Angie Lauritsen’s motto for decades and that is how she leads in her community. Her leadership has included serving on the Gretna City Council, running for state legislature, founding Gretna Hometown Heros, and being a fierce advocate for survivors and children. Angie is the State Director for Nebraska For Us, a non-profit focused on federal economic policy that affects hardworking Nebraskans.

Connect with Angie:

X: https://x.com/AngieLauritsen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-lauritsen-23475752/

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com

In this episode, Jason shares why he started this podcast and why he feels this work is more important than ever. He shares how he discovered that he’d become closed off to connection in some important ways and the steps he’s taken to “re-open” himself to it. He also shares a relationship lesson from his childhood–if you want better relationships you need to be willing to invest in them and be willing to make the first move. Then, he shares some practical tips for how you can apply these lessons to build better relationships at work.

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 The necessity of being open to connection: It all starts with your willingness to engage and show curiosity about those around you.

👉 Recognizing the impact of relationships on workplace dynamics: Almost every workplace issue can be traced back to a relationship issue, making it crucial to nurture these connections.

👉 The role of work in societal healing: By teaching better relationship skills at work, we can elevate well-being, productivity, innovation, and overall satisfaction.

👉 Investing in relationships intentionally: Reach out to colleagues, suggest regular check-ins, and create meaningful moments over coffee or lunch.

👉 Implementing tools to foster connection: Use a "question of the day" in meetings to spark dialogue and understanding among team members.

***

Get access to the Relationship Reflection Exercise here: https://forms.gle/tSt34KguHL6iFHGH6

***

Episode sponsor:

Inspiring Workplaces

Join the free global community at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/

***

Jason Lauritsen is a dynamic keynote speaker and true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement. He is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™. He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership. Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity.

***

Download the 18 Great Questions for Check-In Conversations cheat sheet here: https://www.checkintothrive.com/18-great-questions

If you'd like more content like this delivered straight to your email box, sign up for my email list here: https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

***

Follow and connect with me:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonlauritsen

www.JasonLauritsen.com