Welcome to the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today’s episode tackles a subject that every manager will inevitably face but few feel fully prepared for: having tough conversations with employees. To help us navigate this challenging yet crucial aspect of leadership, Mike welcomes Paul Falcone, acclaimed HR expert and author of 101 Tough Conversations to Have with Employees: A Manager's Guide to Addressing Performance, Conduct, and Discipline Challenges.

If you’ve ever struggled to address sensitive workplace issues—whether it’s substandard performance, inappropriate behavior, or team conflicts—this conversation is for you. Paul’s book is a practical guide for managers, offering proven strategies and sample dialogues to approach these situations with clarity, confidence, and respect. With decades of experience in human resources, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge on how to resolve issues while preserving dignity and maintaining professionalism.

In this episode, Paul and Mike dive into some of the most challenging scenarios managers face: navigating disciplinary warnings, handling FMLA abuse or ADA accommodations, addressing productivity concerns, and even managing team turnarounds. Paul shares actionable techniques for fostering honest and productive communication, protecting both your employees and your organization, and steering difficult conversations toward positive outcomes.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to management, you’ll gain valuable insights into turning awkward situations into opportunities for growth and transformation. Paul’s approach not only helps resolve conflicts but also builds trust and strengthens workplace culture.

Get ready for an eye-opening discussion packed with practical tools, real-world examples, and tips for mastering one of the toughest yet most rewarding aspects of leadership. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to turn difficult conversations into defining moments for your team and your organization!

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Welcome to the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today, we’re diving into a topic that strikes at the heart of every successful organization: career development. Joining us is the brilliant Julie Winkle Giulioni, co-author of the newly updated Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Organizations Need and Employees Still Want.

This third edition of Julie’s bestselling classic comes at a crucial time as workplaces adapt to a more flexible employment environment, including the rise of remote and hybrid work. It’s no secret that career development is a game-changer—it drives engagement, retention, and results. But for many managers, the idea of tackling career development feels daunting, especially with the fast pace of today’s work environment. That’s where Julie’s approach shines.

In this episode, Julie shares practical strategies for integrating meaningful career conversations into everyday business. These aren’t the long, formal sit-downs you might imagine. Instead, Julie advocates for frequent, short, and impactful discussions that build trust, spark self-awareness, and align employee goals with organizational needs. Together with Mike, she’ll explore the three types of career conversations every manager should be having and how these dialogues can unlock strengths, identify growth opportunities, and chart a path forward for employees.

You’ll also hear insights on adapting these strategies for remote and hybrid teams, leveraging tools like worksheets and assessments to personalize the process, and how organizations can stay ahead of the curve in talent development. Whether you’re a leader, an HR professional, or an employee looking to take charge of your own growth, this conversation will empower you to transform workplace relationships and results.

Tune in to discover why career development isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the secret weapon for building loyalty, productivity, and success in any organization!

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Welcome to another transformative episode of the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce a conversation that is sure to spark innovation and self-reflection. Our guest is the dynamic Jessica Pettitt, author of "Almost Doing Good: Doing the Best That You Can With What You Have Some of the Time." If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Jessica’s fresh and candid approach will resonate deeply.

This isn’t your typical DEI book or conversation. Jessica breaks down the complexities of workplace inclusivity into a manageable, actionable framework she calls the "Do-Good Triangle": Prepare, Recognize, and Respond. By focusing on doing the best you can, even when perfection feels out of reach, her approach encourages everyone—from leaders to HR professionals—to embrace "almost" as a critical step toward meaningful progress.

In this episode, Jessica and Mike dive into the real-world applications of her philosophy. With humor, candor, and no-nonsense advice, Jessica shares how organizations can embrace disruption and turn ‘almost’ efforts into stepping stones for measurable impact. Together, they discuss over 20 case studies from various industries, highlighting both inspiring successes and teachable failures. You’ll discover how to normalize complexity, engage stakeholders, and implement strategies that reduce risks while building more inclusive workplace cultures.

Whether you're leading a team, driving organizational change, or just seeking to better understand your role in creating a more equitable environment, Jessica’s message is clear: you don’t have to get it perfect—you just have to start. Tune in for a powerful discussion that will inspire you to take action with what you have, where you are. This is your invitation to disrupt the norm and move from "almost doing good" to making a real difference!

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