The Team Check-in

In this deeply human episode of The Team Check-In, Emre sits down with veteran Chief People Officer and founder of Agile in HR, Mindy Honcoop, for a candid conversation about the emotions we rarely acknowledge in the workplace: fear, shame, and the hidden stories we bring with us into our jobs. Mindy opens up about how fear shapes behavior, why shame disconnects us from ourselves and others, and how these forces quietly sabotage performance, collaboration, and confidence. She shares real examples from her career, breaks down the difference between scarcity and abundance cultures, and introduces practical tools like the Fear Audit to help leaders uncover unspoken blockers before they derail projects or people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannes Albrecht from How-to-OKR joins The Team Check-In to break down everything you need to know about OKRs. With 12 years of experience helping companies implement OKRs, Hannes shares what OKRs actually are (and what they're not), why they shouldn't be used for individual performance measurement, what causes OKR implementations to fail, and a nightmare story of a well-known brand that over-engineered its OKRs to the breaking point. Stay tuned for details on our upcoming webinar with Hannes on how to implement OKRs like an expert.How to Implement OKRs Webinar RegistrationSay "Hi" to HannesLearn More About Teamflect Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can swing dancing teach us about leadership? More than you'd think. In this episode, Carol Fraser, an HR veteran with 30+ years of experience and 28 years of teaching swing dance, reveals the surprising parallels between the dance floor and the boardroom. Carol breaks down how partner dancing builds trust faster than any corporate team-building exercise, why leaders need to understand "leading vs. bulldozing," and what neuroscience research tells us about movement and brain health. Say "Hi" to CarolLearn more about Teamflect Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most organizations have company values — yet very few use them. They sit on a website, printed on a wall, or buried in an onboarding deck… but they rarely guide decisions, shape culture, or influence performance.In this episode of The Team Check-In, Emre sits down with Ann Melinger, Founder & CEO of Bink, who brings 25+ years of expertise in employee communications, culture transformation, and values-driven leadership. Together, they unpack:Why company values become “wallpaper” in most organizationsThe biggest misconceptions leaders have about defining valuesHow to translate a value into clear, observable behaviorsWhat values look like in action — especially under pressureHow to integrate values into hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, competencies, and recognitionWhat to do if you realize your values are outdated, ignored, or misalignedHow fast-growing companies can prevent cultural driftA simple storytelling exercise that helps leaders identify their real valuesWhen (and how often) to refresh your values as your business evolvesAnn breaks it all down with clarity, practicality, and zero jargon — offering a framework that any HR or People leader can start using immediately.If you're realizing your company values aren’t doing the job they should, this episode is your starting point. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Team Check-In, Emre sits down with Felicia Heward — a seasoned HR leader who’s worked with industry giants like GE Aerospace and Tesla before launching her own fractional HR practice. Felicia shares her remarkable journey from managing labor relations in male-dominated industries to supporting growing startups that need structure and culture.She discusses what “employee relations” really means, how to handle workplace conflict constructively, and the story of Charles — the 80-year-old employee who became a symbol of loyalty and leadership. Felicia also offers an insider look into Tesla’s rapid growth, explaining how HR played a pivotal role in scaling under charismatic leadership and fast-paced innovation.Whether you’re an HR professional, a startup founder, or simply fascinated by workplace dynamics, this episode is filled with wisdom, humor, and heart. Say "Hi!" to FeliciaLearn more about Teamflect Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the third installment of our HR Expert Series, we sit down with Natalie Ledbetter, fractional Chief People Officer, startup advisor, and consultant, to explore the role of HR in early-stage companies. Natalie shares why bringing HR in too late can create “people debt,” how hiring strategically early on can change the trajectory of a Series A or B startup, and why DEI is far more than a compliance exercise but actually a core business strategy. Along the way, she offers a candid perspective on why most people don’t scale with companies, how to celebrate exits when they happen, and the patterns that distinguish early-stage builders from late-stage operators.Learn more about TeamflectSay "Hi!" to Natalie! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second installment of our HR Expert Series, we sit down with Ina Atanassova, Senior Talent Development Manager at MaltegoTechnologies, to talk about navigating uncertainty and making training programs truly impactful. Most strikingly, she reveals how she re-engineered Maltego's training strategy: shifting from “everyone gets a budget” to a goal-driven approach that aligns individual development with company objectives. Along the way, Ina candidly discusses the messy realities of training from trial-and-error vendor selection to the impossibility of making everyone happy and leaves us with a powerful reminder: The real measure of success is whether learning translates into growth for both people and the organization.Learn more about TeamflectSay "Hi!" to Ina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first installment of our HR Expert Series, we sit down with Barry Flack — veteran HR practitioner, advisor, and notable voice on fractional HR — to uncover what really makes or breaks digital transformation in the workplace. Barry shares candid stories from the front lines: from multi-million dollar software flops that ignored culture, to standout cases where organizations actually got it right. Most importantly, Barry poses a question every HR leader should ask: “Is the technology you’re implementing making your people more lonely?” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Team Check-In, host Emre sits down with globetrotting Chief People Officer Cécile Pompei to challenge everything you think you know about HR and people management. Cecile brings a refreshingly candid perspective to modern people strategy, starting with her memorable insight that "HR processes exist to protect companies from bad managers." However, her approach goes far beyond that provocative statement. As a self-described "non-traditional HR" professional, she advocates for strategic, people-centered approaches that treat employees as key partners rather than disposable resources.Learn more about TeamflectSay "Hi" to Cécile! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Microsoft MVP to one of the most prolific voices on LinkedIn and YouTube, Nick DeCourcy has been at the center of the Copilot conversation since day one. In this episode of The Team Check-In, Nick joins Emre to look back on the evolution of Microsoft 365 Copilot, from the hype of its 2023 announcement to the reality of how it’s actually being used today. Together, they explore what Copilot got right, what it still struggles with, and why organizational context is the missing piece in most AI rollouts. Nick also shares what separates successful AI adopters from the rest, how companies can structure their data to maximize the benefits of Copilot, and why ethical AI and better work, not just more work, should be the ultimate goal. The conversation spans everything from lazy app reskins to meeting agents, from tear gas to taxation in the age of AI.Learn more about TeamflectSay hi to Nick! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From LinkedIn’s first Chief HR Officer to the author of Workquake, Steve Cadigan has long been at the forefront of how work is evolving. In this episode of The Team Check-In, Steve sits down with Emre to talk about what today’s leaders get wrong about retention, why employee departures shouldn’t be feared, and how the employment contract is being rewritten in real time. Together, they unpack why returning employees might be more valuable than long-tenured ones, what we can learn from movie studios and college basketball teams, and how companies can future-proof their talent strategy by embracing movement instead of resisting it. Steve also shares behind-the-scenes stories from his time at Electronic Arts, LinkedIn, Cisco, and more, including the nightmare moment his boss at EA discovered he was interviewing with LinkedIn!Learn more about Teamflect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From VP of Product Management to full-time content creator, Aakash Gupta has built a thriving business through his insights on leadership, growth, and product strategy. In this episode of The Team Check-In, Aakash shares his journey from writing LinkedIn posts during COVID to launching a paid newsletter and a top-performing podcast. Along the way, he and Emre discuss the challenges of leadership in high-growth companies, what makes great (and terrible) leadership, the hidden struggles of running a content business, and why HR’s role in organizations is more critical than ever. Plus, Aakash shares fascinating stories from his time at Epic Games, Apollo.io, and ThredUp, revealing what truly sets great leaders apart.Learn more about Teamflect!Say hi to Aakash! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keirsten Greggs is one of the most prominent voices in recruitment today. As a Forbes Coaching Council Member, the founder of TRAP Recruiter, and a top recruitment influencer, she shares her insights on recruitment with thousands of followers every single day. She joined The Team Check-In for a very special episode, discussing how organizations can integrate relationship-building and trust into their recruitment processes in today's chaotic HR landscape. Along the way, Keirsten and Emre discuss the implications of organizations rolling back their DEI practices, areas where traditional recruitment methods fail, groups of people often left out of the DEI conversation, and more!Learn more about TeamflectSay "Hi!" to Keirsten! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this "All Things Workplace Feedback!", episode of The Team Check-In, we were beyond excited to welcome Anna Wildman to the show. You might be familiar with Anna's work as the founder of The CEDAR feedback model! This episode covers everything from all the do's and don'ts of feedback in the workplace, why the feedback sandwich may not be as effective as you think, as well as how different power dynamics can affect how feedback is received. Anna is not only an expert on feedback in the workplace but is also exceptionally talented in sharing her breadth of knowledge, making this one of the most insightful conversations you will find on the topic of feedback!Learn more about TeamflectLearn more about Anna Wildman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Team Check-In, we welcome Femke Cornelissen to the show. Femke is a Chief Copilot, a Microsoft MVP, and a founding member of the Dutch Women in Tech community. This is a truly inspiring episode as Femke walks us through what it means to be a woman in tech in 2024, shocking statistics, how to build and manage strong, organic communities, and so much more. This episode also provides quite a lot of helpful insights into how AI agents will affect the world of work in the coming years.Reach out to Femke!Learn more about Teamflect! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes the best team-building happens beyond the office walls. In this episode of The Team Check-In, we welcomed Mark Smith, aka NZ 365 Guy, to share his unique insights into harnessing AI in the workplace. With an extensive career in Microsoft’s Power Platform and a commitment to making tech accessible, Mark brings a refreshing, hands-on perspective to AI's role as an “extension of the self.”Learn more about TeamflectFollow Mark Smith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Team Check-in, we had the pleasure of welcoming Chris Huntingford! One of the most entertaining voices in digital innovation and a Microsoft MVP, Chris has plenty of incredible insights to offer when it comes to building a digital ecosystem for your company, using AI responsibly, and so much more! Emre and Chris go into detail on digital ecosystems, sustainable AI, Ed Zitron's concept of "The Rot Economy", and their shared confusion when it comes to drinking whisky!Reach out to ChrisLearn more about Teamflect! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to have an outward mindset at work? In this episode of The Team Check-in we welcome Mitch Warner, managing partner at The Arbinger Institute. Hot off the heels of the release of the fourth edition of "Leadership and Self Deception" by The Arbinger Institute, Mitch joined our show to go over how the book has transformed mindsets over the years, the growing disconnect between employees and managers, fostering an outward mindset, the problem with performance reviews, and so much more!Connect with Mitch Learn more about Teamflect Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Team Check-in, we welcome dual Microsoft MVP Jannik Reinhard to the show! Jannik is well-versed in all things Azure AI and brings a unique and educated perspective into the AI conversation! Jannik and Emre go over some of the common misconceptions about the use of AI at work as well as how the mindset changes organizations will be going through as AI tools become more and more prominent. They also went over what it means to be a Microsoft MVP and everything that comes with the title.Learn More About TeamflectFind Jannik on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Team Check-in, we welcome Daria Rudnik to the show! Daria is one of the premier voices when it comes to team building. Emre and Daria go deep into what it means to be a team architect, the effects of leadership in team chemistry, her interesting venture into an AI leadership assistant, and so much more! If you are currently running a remote team or planning to in the future, this is one episode you can't afford to miss!Learn More About TeamflectHit Daria up on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.