Magic in the Room #153: Are We Square Every Two Weeks?
June 20, 2023
What are people really looking for from work? Do they want to get paid and be even every two weeks, or does work bring a more profound sense of meaning? In this episode of Magic in the Room, Chris and Luke dive into the intersection of values, purpose, business, and compensation. The things leaders value, and the ethical decisions they make, directly impact how a company structures compensation, culture, and the engagement level of employees. If leaders are not intentional and explicate about values, many vital outcomes are left to chance.
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Find Luke on TikTok at tiktok.com/@luke_free_man
Credits:
- This episode of Magic in the Room was recorded at Story Catcher Studio in Tulsa, OK
- Music by Evan Grim. Find his music on
Apple Music
In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Luke, Hannah, and Chris unpack the difference between being busy and being truly impactful, exploring why organizations often get stuck in high-activity, low-impact cycles. They identify five common contributors: compliance-heavy environments, resistance to change, disconnected decision-makers, fear-driven “CYA” cultures, and firefighting systems that reward heroics over long-term strategy. From there, they highlight what creates real impact: clarity of purpose, agency, curiosity, intentionality, and the discipline to question assumptions and align action with a meaningful “why.” The conversation encourages leaders to build awareness of their strengths, design systems that support healthy impact, maintain congruence between their public and private influence, and cultivate the kind of presence that can genuinely move a room.
In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Chris interviews board members from the National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) discussing the power of purpose-driven leadership within tribal organizations. Recorded at the NNAHRA annual conference, they explore themes like courage, vulnerability, accountability, community service, and fostering environments where all employees feel valued and able to contribute. They share how NNAHRA builds a supportive professional network for tribal HR leaders, encourages alignment between individual roles and tribal purpose, and creates space for courageous conversations across governance and enterprise structures. They also discuss future initiatives, including new certifications and the 2026 conference at the Hilton Village in Hawaii. The overarching message: lead with purpose, support one another, and build cultures rooted in respect, courage, and shared responsibility.