Leaders everywhere are talking about Employee Experience, and for good reason.

EX is perhaps the single most important thing an employer can do to improve engagement, productivity, and retention. 

It was a perfect storm that threatened a large company’s entire Employee Experience (EX).

A major player in the technology sector, this company was facing a restructuring triggered by an acquisition. From the moment the deal was announced, employees knew layoffs were likely. 

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of giving an invited talk at the Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Network Conference in Houston, TX. I knew it would be a great opportunity to engage with OBM professionals and researchers on a challenge that everyone shares right now: facing the inevitability of change, particularly career change.

Since our Pride Month series is all about prompting more open conversations about LGBTQIA+ allyship, I took the opportunity to interview my colleague Brian Cole about his allyship journey. Not only is Brian my colleague, but he is also my dad, so it was powerful to address how features of allyship show up across our shared work, home, and social spaces. Together, we talked about defining allyship, getting better at it, and responding to misconceptions about the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Can you still create a compelling employee experience (EX) when you don’t get to see your employees in person?

Welcome to the great EX-hybrid challenge. EX is the sum total of all the interactions employees have with people, processes, technologies, and their physical working environment. These are the elements necessary to promote engagement and productivity, and retention.  

EX is the sum total of all interactions employees have with people, processes, technologies, and their physical working environment.

Done properly, a mature and effective EX can boost engagement and productivity, as well as cut down on costly attrition. 

June is National Men's Health Month and a call to prioritize men's mental and physical well-being, the bedrock for success in all aspects of life. Leaders know that our health lays the foundation for our career achievements, team relationships, and overall resilience. However, one piece of men's health puzzle is often missing in our conversations. 

Every June, companies plaster rainbow flags across their logos in a show of LGBTQIA+ "allyship" for Pride Month. But true allyship isn't just a celebration - it's an ongoing commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals every day. 

During Pride Month, we celebrate the diversity, resilience, and authenticity of the LGBTQIA+ community. It's a time to uplift their voices, lived experiences, and the ongoing journey toward true equality and inclusion. As allies, our role is to listen, learn, and take meaningful action in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community year-round.  

It was an honor to explore the story of Nainoa Thompson here, and we’re thrilled you’re following our series on what today’s leaders and workers can learn from AA and NHPI people whose work demonstrates a profound commitment to behaviors with a lasting positive impact.