We are all about the pursuit of workplace happiness this week with my guest Lori-Ann Duguay.
Lori-Ann is the owner and founder of People Powered Solutions, and the author of The Happiness Factor, a delightful book filled with actionable insights for creating happy cultures drawn from Lori-Ann’s extensive experience in the HR space.
She shines a light on the 10 fundamental needs of employees that are key to fostering a joyful and productive work environment. We discuss how effective communication and a robust onboarding process are not just nice-to-haves but essential for long-term success. The heart of our conversation centred on the importance of purpose, how as leaders we demonstrate and communicate purpose in a way that resonates across the organisation. That’s a big ask but Lori-Ann’s insights make it feel achievable for all. Press play for a hit of happiness!
Effective leadership communication is a conduit for happiness
Why you should listen: Is your corporate culture ‘catfishing’ potential employees?
Leadership principles for successful onboarding
We explore the importance of a purpose-driven leadership approach
Meeting the 10 essential needs of your people is a leadership priority
Purpose drives corporate culture inter-connectedness
Shared commitment drives motivation and resilience in teams
Take action
Create example growth paths to boost motivation for career development
Try the buddy system for onboarding - for all the unsaid, culture stuff
Tip of the week
From Moments: Leadership When It Matters Most a reminder that small gestures can have a big impact. We need leaders who can connect in the small moments, who can make decisions and take action in the moment.
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About Lori-Ann Duguay
Lori-Ann Duguay is a HR strategist and culture creator, the founder and owner of People Powered Solutions and author of The Happiness Factor.
Lori-Ann is a certified Dispute Resolution Practitioner, with an Advanced Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Canadian Institute of Applied Negotiation. Her educational background includes a Post-Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management and Labour Relations from Athabasca University, and a B.A. in Humanities from Laurentian University. Find out more here
Key moments
Planet Human: The Intersection of Social Responsibility and Free Speech on Twitter/X
Planet Zoë: Zoë is still in Bali, writing away making good progress on her fourth novel, tentatively called Olympus Rising. Olympus Bound is available for pre-order now.
**Lori-Ann Duguay's Career Journey (00:04:48)**
Lori-Ann Duguay discusses her transition from a large organisation to HR consultancy and her mission to create happy and productive workplaces.
**Choosing Happiness as a Focus (00:07:17)**
Discussion on why happiness was chosen as the main focus in Lori-Ann's book and business.
**Research for the Ten Happiness Factors (00:09:54)**
Insight into the research process and the identification of the ten fundamental needs for employee happiness.
**Importance of Effective Communication (00:13:11)**
The essential role of communication in ensuring message interpretation and understanding in the workplace.
**Secrets to Successful Onboarding (00:14:56)**
The significance of a successful onboarding process and the impact on employee retention and success.
**Maintaining Purpose in the Organisation (00:20:34)**
Discussion on the importance of maintaining purpose in the organisation and making new employees feel welcomed and part of the team.
**Purpose-driven leadership (00:20:58)**
Discussion on keeping purpose at the forefront of daily tasks and how it drives motivation and resilience.
**Conveying purpose (00:22:10)**
Specific ways to convey purpose, such as storytelling, visual displays, and involving the team in the process.
**Growth plans (00:26:13)**
The importance of growth plans in mapping out career trajectory and skill development within the organisation.
**Vertical and horizontal development (00:32:54)**
Exploring the significance of both vertical and horizontal development in leadership and skill enhancement.
**Use of AI in business (00:34:36)**
Leveraging AI for administrative tasks and maintaining brand consistency in content creation.
**Best leadership tip (00:36:56)**
The importance of being human as a leader, emphasising vulnerability and empathy.
**Lack of accountability in the workplace (00:37:22)**
Highlighting the challenge of lack of accountability and its impact on organisational culture.
**Thumbs up for a remarkable leader (00:38:11)**
Acknowledgment of an exceptional leader's approach to employee engagement and visibility.
**Favourite leadership book (00:39:52)**
Recommendation of "Five Dysfunctions of a Team" for understanding high-performing team behaviours.
**Starting workplace culture transformation (00:42:30)**
The need to assess the current state using tools like the "Happiness Factor" culture check.
**The 10 needs assessment (00:42:55)**
Understanding the 10 needs and their delivery within the company, identifying areas for improvement and investment.
**Assessing the employee experience (00:42:55)**
Evaluating the current employee journey, touchpoints, and fulfilment of the 10 needs at various stages.
**Key takeaways on leadership and culture (00:44:39)**
Reflection on growth paths, buddy system for onboarding, and creating defining leadership moments.
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About your host, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast, dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.