EP 161 | Bring Your Whole Self to Work | Mike Robbins

What happens when you prioritize team chemistry over individual talent? How do you create a work culture where people feel safe enough to bring their authentic selves every single day? What's the difference between recognizing performance and appreciating the person? Transform your leadership approach and discover why vulnerability might be your greatest competitive advantage on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette and Mike Robbins. Mike brings over 25 years of experience helping world-class organizations like Google, Microsoft, and the NBA build high-performing teams rooted in trust, authenticity, and genuine connection. Listen as Mike explores:

☀️ Why caring about each other and the work creates the foundation for team success

☀️ How vulnerability in difficult conversations builds trust faster than perfection

☀️ The critical distinction between recognition (performance) and appreciation (people)

☀️ Why team chemistry often matters more than individual talent on high-performing teams

☀️ Simple ways to communicate authentic culture that attracts top talent naturally

Mike transforms how leaders think about team building by proving that when people feel valued as humans first, performance excellence follows naturally.

🔑 Key Insight: "There's a difference between recognition which is about performance and appreciation which is really about people. We can value and appreciate people all the time irrespective of performance. Letting people know that they're valued, they're seen, they're heard, they're cared about—that goes a long way."

💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Appreciate someone on your team today. Not for what they accomplished, but for who they are. Let them know they're valued, seen, heard, and cared about as a person.

Connect with Mike Robbins:

Visit mike-robbins.com for articles, Ted Talks, and resources

Listen to the "We're All In This Together" podcast wherever you find podcasts

Get Mike's bestselling books: "We're All In This Together" and "Bring Your Whole Self to Work" https://amzn.to/43yFixW https://amzn.to/4r4Dery

Watch Mike's 3 TedX talks with nearly 2.5 million views https://youtu.be/bd2WKQWG_Dg?si=W4TgCiW554CKcRdt

#BringYourWholeself #TeamChemistry #Authenticity #Leadership #Appreciation #WorkCulture #Vulnerability #WorkPositive

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🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/

📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email [e-mail] with your recommendation!