Lisa Walden

From A to Z: Evolving Your Workplace for Gen Z
We're standing at the precipice of a workplace revolution, with Generation Z at its forefront. Born digital natives, these young professionals are reshaping what it means to work, communicate, and lead. But here's the thing: many organizations are still stuck in outdated paradigms, struggling to connect with this dynamic generation. It's time for a wake-up call.

In "From A to Z: Evolving Your Workplace for Gen Z," you’ll dive deep into the art of workplace transformation. It's a blueprint for creating the kind of organization that not only attracts top Gen Z talent (while not alienating other generations) but nurtures their potential and harnesses their unique strengths.

Drawing from extensive research and real conversations with Gen Z professionals, you’ll see a vivid picture of what the future of work can and should look like. More importantly, you’ll walk away with the tools to start that redesign today.

Takeaways include:
• A look at the “why” behind the “what” of Gen Z behavior and motivation
• Insights into how to become the compassionate, authentic leaders who inspire Gen Z
• Identifying how Gen Z is transforming the way work works
• Strategies to craft a culture for Gen Z while staying true to who you are now

Beyond the Paycheck: Cultivating Engagement in Your Workforce
The rulebook for motivating and engaging employees has been completely rewritten. Annual bonuses and employee-of-the-month plaques may have driven engagement in the past, but today it’s just not enough to keep people motivated in the long term.

Make no mistake, salary and pay still matter for every working individual, and there’s opportunity to motivate in addition to those foundational financial components. This presentation will challenge you to think beyond extrinsic rewards and dig into how to have authentic conversations about what drives your team, how to design a work culture that ignites passion, and how to create an environment where people are energized by challenges rather than drained by them.

In this deep dive, you’ll learn the latest research on what really drives people in the modern workplace and actionable strategies to transform your approach to motivation and engagement.

Get ready to explore:
• The Motivation Revolution: Why traditional carrots and sticks are failing, and what's replacing them
• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic: Harnessing the power of internal drive over external rewards
• Belonging in the Digital Age: Fostering true connection in remote and hybrid environments
• Real-time Recognition: Moving beyond annual reviews to constant, meaningful feedback

Work is Where the Wi-Fi Is: Mastering the Art of Hybrid Work
The hybrid work revolution promised flexibility and freedom, but for many, it's delivered complexity and confusion. We're navigating uncharted waters, where the boundaries between work and life are blurrier than ever, and our notion of why we need to go to the office is constantly shifting.

While it can feel like an unending quest to discover the best hybrid work rules, the trick is actually proactive strategies instead of reactive policies. In this presentation you will learn the guiding principles to create a hybrid workplace that works for everyone. You’ll discover how to create rituals that bridge the digital-physical divide, how to redesign workflows for asynchronous excellence, and how to lead with empathy in a world where face-to-face interactions are no longer a given.

Takeaways Include:
• Leaning into intentionality to make meetings purposeful, productive engagements
• Practical strategies to redesign how you communicate, connect, and collaborate
• Best practices from organizations with proven awesome virtual and hybrid workplaces
• How to craft strong culture and community in a distributed workplace

Memos to Memes: Cracking the Generational Communication Code at Work
In today's constantly changing workplace, communication can be our greatest asset… and our biggest frustration. The days of one-size-fits-all memos are long gone, replaced by a dizzying array of channels, styles, and yes, even memes. With five generations now working side by side, it's like we're all speaking different dialects of the same language.

"Memos to Memes: Cracking the Generational Communication Code at Work" is your Rosetta Stone for navigating this complex landscape. We're diving deep into the communication preferences and pitfalls of each generation, from the Baby Boomers who still appreciate a well-crafted email, to the Gen Zers who can convey an entire strategy meeting in shorthand and a few emojis.

Whether you're a Boomer trying to connect with new hires or a Millennial manager bridging the gap between your Gen X leaders and Gen Z interns, this presentation will equip you with the practical tools to improve collaboration, reduce misunderstandings, and leverage the unique communication strengths of each generation.

Takeaways include:
• How to convey your message effectively across generational lines
• A look at generational communication styles, including strengths and blind spots for each cohort
• Strategies for fostering inter-generational understanding
• Digital natives vs. digital adapters, and how to navigate tensions around technology’s role in workplace communication

Leading with Compassion: A Human-First Approach to Building Great Teams
We are entering a new era of leadership, one where success is measured not just in profits, but in the well-being and growth of our people. The old playbook of top-down management and rigid hierarchies is being rewritten, with compassion and empathy taking center stage. But let's be real – this shift isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have for organizations that want to thrive in our rapidly changing world.

"Leading with Compassion: A Human-First Approach to Building Great Teams" isn't just another feel-good leadership seminar. It's a deep dive into the art and science of putting people at the heart of your organization. Drawing from years of research, real-world case studies, and conversations with leaders across industries, we'll explore how compassionate leadership can transform your team from good to extraordinary.

In this presentation, we'll unpack:
• Why human-centric leadership isn't just nice, it's necessary for success in today's business landscape
• The three cornerstones of compassionate leadership and how to put them to work for your organization
• How accountability doesn’t clash with compassion, but rather enhances it
• Common pitfalls and misconceptions about compassionate leadership

Staying Human in the Age of AI
Artificial Intelligence isn't just knocking at the door of our workplaces – it's already made itself at home, rearranged the furniture, and started offering to make the coffee. As AI systems become more sophisticated and ubiquitous, we're facing a fundamental shift in how we work, lead, and create value. But amidst all the excitement and anxiety about this brave new world, one crucial question remains: how do we stay fundamentally human?

"Staying Human in the Age of AI" isn't about teaching you how to use the latest AI tool or warning you about the robot apocalypse. It's a deep dive into the art of remaining gloriously, messily human in a world that's increasingly powered by circuits and code. It’s about using the time that AI frees up in our work lives to invest into the most complex part of work: collaborating with our fellow human beings.

Drawing from cutting-edge research, real-world case studies, and hard-won wisdom from leaders on the front lines of the AI revolution, we'll explore what it really means to lead with heart in a high-tech world.

Get ready to explore:
• The AI-EI Tango: How to dance between artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence without stepping on any toes
• The Human Element: Why soft skills are actually your secret weapon in a world of hard data
• The Great Rehumanization: Redesigning work processes to amplify our humanity, not replace it
• The Creativity Catalyst: Using AI to enhance, not replace, human innovation and problem-solving