Episodes

In this episode of the Jon Harrison Podcast, we explore how everyday attitudes and actions shape a positive workplace culture. From leading with approachability and embracing change to managing frustrations and extending grace, we discuss the small choices that make a lasting impact. A positive work environment starts with each of us choosing to lift others up, assume positive intent, and "be the light" in every interaction. Upcoming Events:https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically,...

Hosts Melissa Dunn and Jon Harrison sit down with Kim Burnette, Deputy Director of HR for the City of South Bend, to discuss her unconventional career path, the importance of accountability and clear expectations, and what it takes to build a strong workplace culture. Kim shares practical lessons on leadership, navigating difficult conversations, and why lasting culture change starts with everyday actions. Upcoming Events:https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically, every year about 70...

Jon Harrison speaks with client and friend Caleb Osborne about how the “VIP” principles and nine expectations show up in everyday experiences, using the Masters Tournament as a standout example. Caleb describes Augusta as exceptionally intentional in its execution, with every detail designed around the attendee experience. From food and merchandise lines to restroom flow, staffing, layout, and crowd management, the event minimizes friction through careful planning and preparation. He compares it...

In this episode of the Jon Harrison Podcast, the team discusses why developing people is a shared responsibility between leaders and employees. They explore the importance of strong onboarding, ongoing coaching, and preparing people with the skills, values, and expectations they need to succeed. The conversation highlights the critical role frontline supervisors play through mentoring, feedback, one-on-ones, and day-to-day development. Christy also shares her experience learning to accept coachi...

In this episode of the Jon Harrison Podcast, the team explores the sixth of nine expectations: Know Your People. Jon, Christy and Melissa discuss how understanding individual personalities, motivations, and communication styles helps leaders reduce conflict, strengthen relationships, and build a culture where people feel valued and perform at their best. Upcoming Events:https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically, every year about 70% of people are disengaged at work! Of course, that's...

Christy Frazier, Melissa Dunn, and Jon Harrison discuss two VIP Way expectations: holding people accountable and communicating with excellence. Accountability requires clear expectations, candid conversations, openness to coaching, and leaders who follow through on their own commitments. Without it, culture, customer experience, retention, and top performers can suffer. They also emphasize that strong everyday communicationespecially from frontline supervisorscan either strengthen or drain emplo...

Host Christy Frazier, with Melissa Dunn and Jon Harrison, discuss the next two expectations: championing operational excellence and making sound decisions. Jon argues organizations must balance a healthy culture with measurable results. He also encourages leaders to use simple scoreboards and share metrics transparently to build ownership, innovation, and long-term thinking. They emphasize “getting awkward early,” speaking truth, and building passion for “winning at work.” On decision-making, th...

Host Christy Frazier, Melissa Dunn, and Jon Harrison introduce the nine leadership expectations, created after Jon's experience while managing at Caterpillar. They discuss how the framework addresses accountability, operational excellence, people development, and understanding individual differences, emphasizing that it applies to every employee not just leaders. They also introduce the "VIP Way": Values, Information, and Passionate People, and the group highlights the importance of shared cultu...

On this episode of the Jon Harrison podcast, the team announces the upcoming JH Portal launching July 7th - created in response to client requests for more touchpoints and a centralized place to stay connected. Inside the portal you'll find: • Session materials and reports • Upcoming workshops and events • Practical resources and tools • Courses and on-demand content • Personalized recommendations for your next step on the VIP Journey Upcoming Events:https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events ...

Jon Harrison continues his conversation with Dr. Kevin Rindal on workplace health and performance, focusing on practical nutrition and wellness strategies for busy professionals. Rindal encourages tracking food intake with tools like MyFitnessPal to build awareness of nutrition habits and emphasizes making small, sustainable changes rather than following restrictive diets. The discussion also highlights the connection between employee well-being, leadership, and workplace culture, with actionabl...

Jon Harrison welcomes Dr. Kevin Rindal to discuss his transition from working with elite athletes including the U.S. Olympic Swim Team and U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey to helping utility, construction, and maritime companies reduce injuries and improve workforce readiness. Inspired by seeing his grandfather worn down by physical labor, Rindal developed “body maintenance” frameworks that apply simple, athlete-style recovery principles to workers, helping reduce injuries and improve mobility. They disc...

Host Christy Frazier, joined by Melissa Dunn and Jon Harrison, discusses how leaders and employees can navigate workplace disruptions like mergers, layoffs, and downsizing. They stress addressing the human impact first through empathy, communication, and one-on-one support, while quickly stabilizing operations through clear processes, retraining, and accountability. The conversation highlights the importance of transparency, strong core values, succession planning, and “thinking like an owner” t...

Christy Frazier, Melissa Dunn, and Jon Harrison discuss how to stay positive when culture or process change feels slow and inconsistent. They stress managing expectations - culture change is a marathon built over decades by celebrating small victories, setting realistic timelines, and recognizing the emotional cycle of change. Leaders must act as cheerleaders, tailor support to different team needs, and address both active and passive resistance, especially when leaders undermine the effort. Las...

On this episode of the Jon Harrison podcast, host Christy Frazier, Jon Harrison and Melissa Dunn, discuss some of fears about AI “taking over” jobs but emphasize there have seen similar disruptions (computers, ATMs, outsourcing, call centers) before. They highlight that media-driven fear should be replaced with focusing on what can be controlled: becoming valuable through human skills like communication, customer service, approachability, accessibility, and the ability to explain, train, and tro...

On this episode of the Jon Harrison podcast, the group discusses how workplace stress spills into personal life and argue that “balance” is not a 50/50 split but constant adjustment as demands shift. Jon emphasizes addressing stress early by talking before it “blows,” and leaders proactively checking in with employees rather than waiting for them to ask for help. The group notes individuals own their work-life balance, but leaders should show empathy for realities like newborns, sick children, o...

Host Christy Frazier, with Melissa Dunn and Jon Harrison, discusses what to do when a high-performing employee is promoted into leadership but struggles - whether due to difficulty shifting from “doer” to leading others, toxic or values-misaligned behavior, or poor results and team dissatisfaction. They stress first diagnosing the specific failure (behavior vs. performance), then addressing issues early through direct coaching, frequent one-on-ones, clear expectations, and a time-bound action pl...

Jon Harrison, Christy Frazier, and Melissa Dunn use Indiana’s unexpected undefeated national championship season to explain how workplace culture drives results. Jon shares that Indiana was historically one of college football’s worst programs until a new coach, Kurt Cignetti, reset the culture by setting a bold vision, raising standards, and reinforcing clear expectations and accountability. They discuss why strong teams focus on production over potential, gain buy-in, clarify roles, and block ...

In this podcast, Jon and the team discuss how accountability is crucial to having a good culture. Your best employees don't want to work somewhere where people can get away with poor behavior and poor work. Upcoming Events:https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically, every year about 70% of people are disengaged at work! Of course, that's bad for business, but it also spills over into the home lives of employees. Through our employee training, leadership training, and coaching, we impa...

In this episode, the Jon Harrison team discusses ways to establish a healthy work environment. They teach about the importance of clearly setting shared values, taking personal responsibility, and slowly working our way towards achieving workplace goals one step at a time. Upcoming Events:https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically, every year about 70% of people are disengaged at work! Of course, that's bad for business, but it also spills over into the home lives of employees. Throug...

On this episode of the podcast, Jon, Melissa, and Christy talk about how the decisions you make as a leader often have ripple effects. Even more so than a vision statement, the small actions you take as a leader can have some of the greatest impact on your company's culture. Upcoming Events:https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically, every year about 70% of people are disengaged at work! Of course, that's bad for business, but it also spills over into the home lives of employees. Thr...

On this episode of the Jon Harrison podcast, Jon and the team give advice on how to set good goals. The kind of goals that can be measured, the goals that actually make a difference for your personal life and your organization. They also talk through different strategies for making sure these goals are accomplished. Upcoming Events:https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically, every year about 70% of people are disengaged at work! Of course, that's bad for business, but it also spills o...

In this episode, the Jon Harrison team discusses their plans and hopes for 2026 at the company. Their plans are focused on finding more ways to help the business they work with implement the VIP way. Upcoming Events:https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically, every year about 70% of people are disengaged at work! Of course, that's bad for business, but it also spills over into the home lives of employees. Through our employee training, leadership training, and coaching, we impact orga...

The Jon Harrison team reflects on their year at the company and discusses some of the principles of leadership that were especially relevant to them this year. The team uses real-world examples they saw this year to teach others how to lead better. Upcoming Events: https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically, every year about 70% of people are disengaged at work! Of course, that's bad for business, but it also spills over into the home lives of employees. Through our employee training,...

Nobody likes being told they're doing something wrong, but it’s essential to becoming better at anything. In this episode, the Jon Harrison team gives advice on how to better receive constructive criticism. They also talk through a performance review within the company to help others understand the best ways to effectively deliver constructive feedback. Upcoming Events: https://www.jonharrisonvip.com/events Statistically, every year about 70% of people are disengaged at work! Of course, that's...