The Highlights: As organizations grow, so do their people challenges. What started as a small team that could “figure things out as we go” now needs consistent hiring processes, clear policies, and better ways to manage and support employees. HR issues can start to take more time, and they’re landing on the owner’s or president’s … Read more

Making sure your wages stay competitive means focusing on the cost of labor, not the cost of living. And relying on old data or only occasional reviews just won’t cut it.  We talked with compensation expert Susan Pyles to put together insights on pay practices that meet market demands. Cost of Living vs. Cost of … Read more

If you’re reading this, you might be feeling the strain of not having a dedicated HR professional, but you’re also not sure if you’re ready for a full-time hire. Maybe you’ve got leaders juggling HR tasks. Maybe hiring feels inconsistent, employee questions are taking more time, or you’re starting to worry about compliance as you … Read more

Is building a truly great workplace about perks and policies? Or about showing up and listening to the people who make the work happen? Meet Cindy Torres Essell, Chief People Officer at Heinen’s, the family-owned grocery company serving communities across Northeast Ohio. Cindy’s path to leadership didn’t follow a straight line, but each chapter shaped … Read more

Meet Austin Merk, President of Universal Oil, a nearly 150-year-old, 100% employee-owned organization. Universal Oil is a distributor of fuels and industrial lubricants serving customers across construction, manufacturing, and transportation, right here in Cleveland. In this episode, Austin shares what it looks like when a new leader takes the helm of a long-standing company and … Read more

When employees move into supervisory roles, it’s common to realize they need new skills to lead effectively. Supervisors may be navigating the shift from peer to manager, learning how to communicate expectations, or figuring out how to handle conflict constructively. Here’s how to explore supervisor training options that fit your organization’s goals and resources. For … Read more

What if your DEI work came with a revenue target, developed your next leaders, and grew the business at the same time? Kevin Clayton, Executive Vice President & Chief Impact and Equity Officer at the Cleveland Cavaliers, joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to show how DEI has become a core business strategy. Kevin breaks down … Read more

Is stress really the enemy at work, or is it the strength training your team needs to grow? In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist, bestselling author, and co-host of the Ask Lisa podcast, explains why stress is natural, why recovery matters more than trying to remove stress, and how leaders can spot problems early … Read more

In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, host Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Jessica Jung, President of Oswald Companies, to talk about her path to leading one of the country’s top insurance firms. Jessica shares how rolling up your sleeves can model the kind of leadership people want to follow, how to find … Read more

Before Dave Banyard became CEO of MasterBrand, the largest residential cabinet manufacturer in North America, he spent over a decade flying F/A-18s for the U.S. Navy. When Dave joined us on our podcast, What’s Up at Work?, he shared some of the most refreshingly honest leadership lessons we’ve heard in a while. Dave’s insights apply … Read more

There’s a side of military leadership most people never see—one built on trust, delegation, and learning through failure. Dave Banyard brings those lessons straight into his position as CEO. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Dave Banyard, President and CEO of MasterBrand, the largest residential cabinet manufacturer … Read more