HOST

Matt Poepsel, PhD

Vice President & Godfather of Talent Optimization

GUEST

Elena Agaragimova

Co-Founder, ShiftWell.ai

In this episode, Elena Agaragimova explores the evolving relationship between employee engagement and performance. She challenges the idea that traditional engagement strategies are enough and makes the case for shifting toward unlocking human potential through personalization, curiosity, and strategic clarity.

Elena shares how leaders can better align people with their strengths, create space for reflection, and build workplaces that support long-term growth. From outdated career ladders to the power of story, she offers fresh insights for any leader rethinking how to develop talent in today’s world of work.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Engagement is no longer the end goal—human performance is.
  2. People want clarity, purpose, and to feel like they’re growing.
  3. Personalization is key to unlocking individual and team potential.
  4. Reflection and storytelling help people understand and own their path.
  5. Leaders must rethink outdated systems and create space for what matters.

Additional Resources:

Elena Agaragimova, Co-Founder: 

ShiftWell.ai website: http://www.shiftwell.ai

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/