Podcast Summary: From the Ground Up Episode: EXPERT EXCHANGE: Stop Grinding. Start Building Workplace Joy
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Host: Diana Ransom and Christine Lagorio-Chafkin, Inc. Executive Editor and Editor-at-Large respectively.

Introduction

In the August 6, 2025 episode of From the Ground Up, hosted by Inc. Magazine's Executive Editor Diana Ransom and Editor-at-Large Christine Lagorio-Chafkin, the focus is on transforming workplace dynamics to foster joy and engagement. The episode, titled "EXPERT EXCHANGE: Stop Grinding. Start Building Workplace Joy," features a conversation between Lauren Ashgari, founder and president of Alderson Loop, and Jose Herrera, CEO and co-founder of Horatio. Together, they delve into strategies for creating a more enjoyable and engaging work environment, moving away from the traditional grind-centered approach.

Building Trust in the Workplace

Lauren Ashgari opens the discussion with a powerful statement on trust, emphasizing its fragility and importance in maintaining strong relationships within a company:

"Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets."
– Lauren Ashgari [00:30]

She highlights the necessity of providing exceptional customer experiences and stellar service to retain both customers and employees. Trust serves as the foundation upon which workplace joy is built, ensuring that employees feel valued and respected.

Employee Feedback and Community Building

The conversation shifts to the significance of soliciting and acting upon employee feedback. Lauren commends Jose for incorporating employee input early in the company's development, particularly in designing the workplace environment:

"Asking employees for feedback and input is super valuable."
– Lauren Ashgari [00:30]

Jose Herrera elaborates on Horatio's approach to employee feedback. They conduct quarterly Employee Net Promoter Score (ENPS) surveys to assess the satisfaction with various benefits and adjust accordingly. With a workforce exceeding 1,500 employees, primarily Gen Z, Horatio emphasizes the creation of internal communities based on shared interests. Examples include a music club and other interest-based groups, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among employees.

"We wanted to build a community and we wanted to build communities within the company. So if you're passionate about music, then we decided to create a music club."
– Jose Herrera [01:03]

This strategy not only addresses the diverse interests of their workforce but also acknowledges the vocal nature of Gen Z employees, ensuring their needs and preferences are met to maintain high levels of engagement and satisfaction.

Aligning Employee Interests with Client Brands

Lauren stresses the importance of making work enjoyable, especially in client-facing roles, to prevent the perception of work as merely a grind:

"Let's make it as fun as we can, like in the office and for the people so that they can enjoy the work that they do."
– Lauren Ashgari [01:57]

Jose shares Horatio's innovative approach to recruitment, which involves aligning employees' passions with the brands they serve. By pairing agents with companies whose products or values resonate with their personal interests—such as dog lovers working with a dog food subscription service or individuals with a finance background supporting fintech companies—Horatio ensures that employees are genuinely engaged and motivated in their roles.

"If you're passionate about the brand that you're servicing, what obviously you're going to do a good job and you want to build a career there."
– Jose Herrera [02:10]

This alignment not only enhances job performance but also contributes to career growth, as employees feel a deeper connection and commitment to the brands they represent.

Fostering Workplace Joy and Engagement

The overarching theme of the episode centers on shifting the workplace culture from one of relentless grinding to one that prioritizes joy and engagement. By fostering trust, actively seeking and implementing employee feedback, building communities, and aligning employees' passions with their work, companies can create a more fulfilling and productive work environment.

Conclusion

The episode "Stop Grinding. Start Building Workplace Joy" offers valuable insights into creating an engaging workplace. Lauren Ashgari and Jose Herrera provide actionable strategies for building trust, leveraging employee feedback, fostering internal communities, and aligning employee interests with client brands. Their discussion underscores the importance of prioritizing workplace joy as a key driver of employee satisfaction and business success.

Notable Quotes:

• "Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets."
  – Lauren Ashgari [00:30]

• "Asking employees for feedback and input is super valuable."
  – Lauren Ashgari [00:30]

• "We wanted to build a community and we wanted to build communities within the company."
  – Jose Herrera [01:03]

• "Let's make it as fun as we can, like in the office and for the people so that they can enjoy the work that they do."
  – Lauren Ashgari [01:57]

• "If you're passionate about the brand that you're servicing, what obviously you're going to do a good job and you want to build a career there."
  – Jose Herrera [02:10]

This episode serves as a compelling guide for entrepreneurs and business leaders aiming to cultivate a workplace that not only drives success but also ensures the well-being and happiness of their teams.