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PODCAST

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive

WRKdefined Podcast Network

Join us for in-depth conversations about the future of work. Our hosts explore cutting-edge research on organizational innovation, leadership transformation, and the evolving workplace. From hybrid work strategies and employee experience to change management and organizational culture, each episode unpacks complex topics through thoughtful dialogue with the experts driving workplace innovation. Whether you"re a business leader, HR professional, researcher, or simply curious about building thriving

business management

All Episodes

50:57

A Conversation about the Silent Crisis: Addressing...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/09/07

This research explores workplace ostracism, a subtle form of mistreatment where employees are ignored or socially excluded rather than overtly harassed. Research indicates that being treated as invisible is actually more widespread and psychologically damaging than active forms of aggression like bullying. Because exclusion thwarts the fundamental human need to belong, it leads to higher rates of physical illness, decreased organizational commitment, and increased turnover. The research argues that

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62:33

A Conversation about Inclusive Leadership and the...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/09/06

This research explores how inclusive leadership serves as a vital catalyst for employee innovation within contemporary organizations. By prioritizing openness, accessibility, and availability, leaders can cultivate psychological safety, allowing diverse teams to take creative risks without fear of retribution. This research-driven analysis highlights that when workers feel their unique perspectives are valued, they are more likely to generate and implement novel solutions to complex problems. Case

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43:58

A Conversation about Bridging the Generational Divide...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/09/05

This research explores the complexities of managing a multigenerational workforce where four distinct age groups must collaborate and share vital information. While generational diversity can lead to social friction and restricted information flow, the research argues that boundary-spanning leadership and a positive intergenerational climate can transform these challenges into a competitive advantage. By implementing structured knowledge transfer programs and flexible work systems, organizations can

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47:08

A Conversation about Going Beyond the Room: The...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/09/04

This research examines the critical role of workplace advocacy, defined as the active championing of an individual’s career by influential leaders behind closed doors. It emphasizes a vital distinction between mentorship, which offers guidance, and sponsorship, which directly secures advancement and high-visibility opportunities. Research suggests that while formal systems exist, informal advocacy networks often dictate professional success, frequently creating barriers for women and

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59:58

A Conversation about Transformational Employee...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/09/03

This research explores the evolution of Employee Experience Management (EXM) from a minor HR task into a vital strategic capability that drives organizational success. By shifting from fragmented programs to integrated systems, companies can achieve significantly higher profitability, retention, and innovation. The research highlights the importance of psychological safety, structural empowerment, and transparent communication in shaping how employees interpret their work environment. Modern EXM

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47:27

A Conversation about the Multigenerational Edge:...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/09/02

This research examines thestrategic potentialof today’s historically uniquemultigenerational workforce, which currently features up to five distinct generations working together. It argues that while diverse age groups bring differentvalues and technological fluencies, organizations can transform potential friction into acompetitive advantagethrough intentional management. Key strategies include implementingreverse mentoring, fosteringinclusive leadership, and designingflexible HR policiesthat cater

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34:46

A Conversation about Going Beyond the Desk: Why...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/09/01

This research explores the empirical evidence surrounding work arrangements, arguing that autonomy, rather than physical attendance, is the primary driver of employee retention and organizational health. By analyzing a large-scale study and various corporate case studies, the research demonstrates that remote and hybrid workers often report higher levels of well-being and comparable social connection compared to their onsite counterparts. The research challenges the effectiveness of return-to-office

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39:05

A Conversation about the Architecture of Accountability

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/31

This research explores the critical need for organizations to abandon outdated victim-blaming theories and instead adopt frameworks focused on perpetrator accountability and systemic reform. The research highlights how workplace mistreatment frequently targets marginalized groups as a tool to maintain power hierarchies, leading to severe consequences for employee wellbeing and organizational productivity. By examining evidence-based interventions like the CREW model, the research argues that lasting

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00:41:33

A Conversation about Strategic Imperatives for an...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/30

This research explores the strategic necessity for Brazilian organizations to adapt to an aging labor force, noting a significant gap between demographic shifts and current corporate readiness. Despite projections that a massive portion of the population will soon be over 50, only a tiny fraction of top employers have established specific policies to support older professionals. The research identifies age-inclusive practices—such as flexible scheduling, specialized training, and biased-free

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00:37:06

A Conversation about Bridging the Generational Tech...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/28

As artificial intelligence and rapid automation reshape the modern workplace, a significant technological divide has emerged between younger digital natives and older, more experienced employees. This research examines how this gap creates organizational risks, such as increased technostress, skill obsolescence, and the potential loss of critical institutional knowledge. To mitigate these issues, the research highlights reverse mentoring as a powerful strategy where junior staff guide senior

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00:35:01

A Conversation about Unlocking the Voice of Experience

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/27

As global workforces age, organizations must adopt age-inclusive human resource practices to leverage the deep expertise and crystallized intelligence of mature employees. This research examines how equitable policies—such as age-neutral recruitment, career advancement equity, and inclusive cultures—signal value to older workers and encourage them to speak up with constructive ideas. Research highlights that when employees feel psychologically safe, they engage in job crafting toward strengths,

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00:38:31

A Conversation about Unlocking Organizational Agility...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/25

In a modern landscape of rapid technological and geopolitical change, organizations must prioritize strategic flexibility to ensure long-term survival and competitive success. This research explains that high-performance work systems act as the essential bridge, translating a company's adaptable goals into tangible results through selective staffing and continuous development. Furthermore, the research highlights how inclusive leadership and psychological safety foster a culture where employees can

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00:34:50

A Conversation about Moving Beyond the Bottom Line:...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/24

This research explores the systemic shift toward corporatization within American higher education, where business-oriented metrics and administrative expansion increasingly overshadow traditional academic missions. The analysis details how market-driven pressures, such as declining state funding and demographic shifts, have led to a reliance on precarious adjunct labor and the erosion of liberal arts programs. These changes have created a wellbeing crisis for faculty and transformed the student

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00:37:04

A Conversation about Institutional Gravity and the...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/22

This research explores institutional absorption, a phenomenon where organizations hire external change agents but inadvertently neutralize their disruptive impact through entrenched cultural and political forces. The research details how cultural gravity, misaligned rewards, and informal power structures trap reformers in a rhetoric-reality gap, leading to organizational stagnation and individual professional burnout. To combat this, the research argues that success requires architectural

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00:34:35

A Conversation about the Relational Architecture of...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/21

This research explore the critical link between knowledge-sharing networks and employee retention, specifically within high-pressure technology sectors. The research argues that retaining top talent depends less on digital tools and more on creating psychological safety, which allows staff to share ideas without fear of judgment. While professional isolation in remote or hybrid settings can weaken an employee's desire to stay, informal collaboration acts as a powerful bond that strengthens

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00:55:23

A Conversation about Participative Leadership and...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/17

This research explores how participative leadership serves as a vital driver of employee creativity and organizational resilience in volatile markets. By involving staff in decision-making and sharing information transparently, leaders foster a sense of psychological safety, which acts as a bridge for innovation and risk-taking. The research indicates that while structural changes like delegation and open communication are necessary, the true catalyst for creative performance is an interpersonal

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00:54:13

A Conversation about Architectural Compression:...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/14

Modern corporate structures are undergoing a radical architectural compression, moving away from traditional vertical career ladders toward flatter, horizontal models. Driven by artificial intelligence and economic pressures, this shift often fails when companies simply cut management layers without redesigning work processes. Effective organizations are instead utilizing AI to handle administrative coordination, allowing human leaders to focus on strategic development and complex problem-solving

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00:58:38

A Conversation about Experience Without Empathy: The...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/13

This research argues that technical expertise is no longer enough to establish leadership credibility within human resources. While HR professionals often possess impressive credentials, a lack of interpersonal competence frequently leads to employee distrust and organizational disengagement. The research emphasizes that interactional justice and psychological safety are essential for fostering a healthy workplace culture and successfully managing sensitive transitions. By neglecting these human

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01:02:15

A Conversation about Restoring Trust: Strategies for...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/11

Public confidence in American higher education has dropped significantly due to rising costs, perceived political bias, and doubts regarding career readiness. These systemic issues are further complicated by the rise of artificial intelligence, which many believe will reduce the necessity of traditional degrees. To combat this erosion of trust, institutions must move beyond surface-level messaging to implement transparent data sharing and operational reforms. Successful strategies include freezing

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00:48:12

A Conversation about Truth vs. Indifference:...

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: Research Deep Dive ·

2026/08/08

This research examines the emergence of organizational bullshit, defined as workplace communication that shows a fundamental indifference toward the truth. Unlike lying, this behavior involves making assertions or using jargon without regard for factual accuracy, often to project confidence or hide ignorance. Such communication patterns significantly damage employee wellbeing, erode institutional trust, and lead to poor decision-making and reduced organizational performance. To combat this issue,

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