Building Blocks | Edition 11 💌
Stories, reflections and tools from People leaders & change-makers to help navigate the new world of work.
In this issue…
NEW – Launching our People Builders LinkedIn Group ⚡
NEW – Launching our Monthly Community Catch Ups 🎉
Building Voices – Dr. Maria Panagiotidi on UX and the employee experience 🧠
Resource Hub – Curated articles and podcasts for International Women’s Day 💪
Hello, People Builders! 👋
Welcome to another edition of our People Builders Community Newsletter, where the future of work isn't just a concept—it's our mission. This week, we're thrilled to announce not just one, but several launches that promise to redefine our journey together. With every step, our community is not just growing; it's transforming, evolving, and embracing the NEW in every possible way.
Before we dive in, let's celebrate a significant milestone together - we have officially welcomed over 800 members! This growth is not just in numbers; it's a testament to our collective passion for reshaping the future of work. Your feedback, enthusiasm, and visionary outlook have been the driving force behind our evolution. Together, we're not just ready for the future of work; we're actively creating it. Let’s dive in!
NEW – Launching our PB LinkedIn Group ⚡
You spoke, and we listened. The desire for deeper connections, more meaningful discussions, and a dedicated space to share and grow together beyond just our interactive events has been loud and clear. SO, we're super excited to launch our People Builders Community LinkedIn Group!
This is your new platform to connect, share insights, and discuss everything that matters to us as forward-thinkers in the world of work. Let's make it a hub of innovation, support, and collaboration.
Does that mean that our Notion hub will disappear? No — while our Notion Community hub is your go-to for an extensive resource library to boost your professional journey and host our events calendar, our LinkedIn community is where the magic happens socially!
The group is an opportunity beyond our events to share your latest adventures and challenges in a supportive space, bring any challenges you're facing and brainstorm solutions as a group, and of course make authentic connections with like-minded peers. 💚
Now, let's break the ice! Drop a note in the LinkedIn group sharing about your role and what sparks your excitement about joining us ✨
Looking forward to all the amazing conversations and connections that lie ahead!
NEW – Launching our Monthly Catch Ups 🎉
In our quest to continuously evolve and co-create the future together, we're introducing a new event: our Monthly Community Catch Ups. It's your relaxed, no-pressure opportunity to connect with fellow community members, share updates, and tackle challenges together. You’ll be able to access the monthly call in this calendar, and you can sign up to the March catch up call below!
⭐ What to Expect:
Share your latest adventures and challenges in a supportive space.
Bring any challenges you're facing - let's brainstorm solutions as a group.
Make authentic connections and network with like-minded peers.
These calls are entirely optional — join when you can, share as you feel. They’re truly a chance to be your authentic self and meet others going through the same challenges as you. Diverse perspectives make for richer discussions and better solutions so whether you've got a specific challenge in mind or just want to listen in, you're all welcome!
Building Voices – Dr Maria Panagiotidi on using UX to create our employee experience 🧠
Our exploration into new paradigms continues with a fresh perspective on the employee experience. Imagine a workplace designed with the same care and creativity as the best user experiences out there. Our latest Building Voice is our very own Maria Panagiotidi, Senior UX Research Manager, who is diving into UX principles for enhancing the full employee experience. It's time to innovate and leverage user research and human-centred principles to create thriving workplaces. Let’s hear it from Maria!
Can you introduce us to the concept of applying UX methodologies in the workplace?
Absolutely! At the heart of it, applying UX methodologies in the workplace is about creating environments that foster employee satisfaction and engagement. It’s a strategy focused on empathy, user research, and iterative design, with the goal of not just meeting, but exceeding employee needs. This approach promises to bridge the gap between how managers perceive their employees' well-being and the actual experiences of those employees, especially in terms of mental and financial health.
What prompted the exploration of UX principles for enhancing Employee Experience (EX)?
A recent article by Jura shed light on a significant disconnect between management's perception and the reality of employee well-being. Traditional mechanisms, like exit interviews, often miss the mark due to inherent biases. By integrating UX principles centered around empathy and iterative design, we can craft environments that not only boost employee engagement but also enhance customer experiences. The premise is simple: happier employees lead to happier customers.
How can UX methodologies be applied specifically to improve the employee experience?
Applying UX to employee experience means employing a range of tools and methodologies—like user research, iterative design, and feedback loops—to deeply understand and address employee needs. For instance, conducting surveys, interviews, and observations can offer invaluable insights into what employees truly need and expect. It's about creating a continuous cycle of improvement, where feedback is not just collected but acted upon, ensuring that workplace policies, tools, and environments are always evolving to better serve the team.
Can you share some practical examples of how these methodologies have been implemented?
Certainly! Let's talk about usability testing for internal tools, for example. Before rolling out new HR software, we gather a group of employees to use it in real-world scenarios, like requesting time off. Their feedback uncovers areas for improvement, ensuring the tool enhances productivity. Another example is employee journey mapping, which involves outlining the stages an employee goes through within the organization, identifying key touchpoints and opportunities to enhance engagement and satisfaction from recruitment to offboarding.
What role do UX professionals play in this transformative approach?
UX professionals are pivotal in this journey, pairing up with workplace teams in various capacities. They can lead the charge in conducting comprehensive user research, offer their expertise as advisors on best practices for implementing UX methodologies, and even serve as trainers or educators to spread human-centered design thinking across the organization. This collaborative approach not only democratizes the process but also ensures that the human-centered mindset permeates every facet of the organization.
In conclusion, what's the takeaway for organizations looking to integrate UX into their employee experience strategy?
The integration of UX methodologies into employee experience strategies offers a fresh, data-driven, and empathetic approach to workplace design. It's about creating environments that support not just the functional needs but also the emotional and psychological well-being of employees. By leveraging the expertise of UX professionals, organizations can craft spaces where employees feel truly valued and understood, leading to enhanced satisfaction and driving tangible business growth.
Let's keep this conversation going – let us know your thoughts in the comments, and don’t hesitate to connect with Maria on LinkedIn!
Resource Hub – Curated articles and podcasts for International Women’s Day 💪
As International Women's Day approaches, we've meticulously curated a selection of articles and podcasts for you. Our Resource Hub is strategically designed to empower you to become a pioneer in fostering inclusive, dynamic, and forward-thinking work environments.
8 Ways to Celebrate International Women's Day with Your Team - for people & culture leaders, managers.
Celebrate International Women's Day by Focusing on Workplace Inclusion - for leaders, people and l&d professionals, people & culture leaders.
14 Ways HR Leaders Can Elevate Women Of Color In The Workplace - for leaders, managers, professionals & change-makers.
10 Ways to Celebrate International Women's Day At Work 2024 - for culture leaders and professionals, managers.
Top 11 Purposeful Leaders-Women Positively And Inspiringly Impacting The World - for leaders, managers, professionals & change-makers.
Esther Perel’s ‘How’s Work’ Podcast - Iconic couples therapist Esther Perel focuses on the hard conversations we're afraid to have in our jobs, she brings a new perspective to the invisible forces that shape workplace dynamics, connections, and conflict through one-time therapy sessions with coworkers, cofounders, and colleagues.
‘Honest HR’ Podcast with co-hosts Amber Clayton, Wendy Fong and Monique Akanbi - Honest HR is the podcast for HR professionals, people managers and team leads intent on elevating how they improve and grow their companies.bring you honest, forward thinking conversations and relatable stories from the workplace that challenge the way it’s always been done, because after all, you have to push back to move forward.
#WorkTrends Podcast with Meghan Biro - all about how work is changing, new trends and how to stay current. Hear from leading experts, HR tech vendors and HR practitioners about what inspires them.
WOW we’ve really covered a lot of topics this month and so many new exciting launches in our Community. Thank you once again for being part of People Builders, we can’t wait to hear how you find our latest changes and always feel free to reach out with any feedback. Let’s co-create the future of work together! 🚀
Until next time,
Carmen, Community Lead
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