Chuck and Jenni have both been on the road in the last week attending the IABC World Conference in Vancouver and Atomicon in Newcastle in the UK, and they kick off this episode with some of their reflections and learnings from both.

Throughout the episode they reflect on the changing nature of workplace culture, the importance of meaningful connections, and the challenges of presenteeism. The conversation touches on Jim Collins' concept of 'Good is the enemy of Great' and the need for companies to strive for superior results and lasting impact.

They explore the evolving expectations of employees regarding work social events and the signals that leaders send about taking time off when you’re sick. In this episode they discuss the challenges of workplace illness in a remote and hybrid world and the expectations placed on employees by leadership.

They get into some recent research that shows the impact of gender bias in reporting misconduct in the workplace, with the conversation turning to the history of the witch trials!

Finally, they address the rapid adoption of AI in organizations and the potential risks to employee autonomy and trust, emphasizing the need for thoughtful communication and support during these changes for employees.

Links and articles mentioned in this episode:

• Unhappy Hour: People used to relish getting sloshed with their colleagues after work. What happened?
• Research: Why Employees Work While Sick—and How Leaders Can Stop It
• Research: Women’s Complaints of Workplace Abuse Get Ignored More Than Men’s
• Good is the enemy of great
• Washington Post: More companies are mandating employees to use AI. Not everyone is on board

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.