By the end of this session, attendees will:

1. Understand, and consider how to implement, a culture of “Radical Candor.”
2. Understand the CPR method of delivering a “Crucial Conversation”
3. Uncover a dignified manner of “dehiring” when the right fit for your employee may be outside of your organization.

People management is a privilege and an opportunity to invest into others. It also carries a responsibility to hold conversations that make many people want to “throw up a little.” Very few managers lust over the opportunity to have uncomfortable/tough” conversations with their employees. Most of these interactions don’t end with a high-five and “thank you” as you walk out the door. Yet these conversations could be the very interaction that provides clarity to help that employee keep their job and start fresh down a more productive path. What happens, however, when you find yourself engaging with an employee who is operating in the “gray” when it comes to work quality, emotional intelligence, team dynamics, or something else that you know is “off,” yet is elusive?

In Ryan Berardi’s session focused on building a culture of retention and accountability, he’ll discuss the danger of allowing poor cultural fits to remain in a company without intervention, with the tongue in cheek title, “When We Let the Stinkers Stink.” The great news is that no one is destined to be a “stinker” – there is always a choice. Even better news, there are assertive and dignified ways for managers to engage with these employees that lead to either improvement or separation – either outcome protecting the culture and future of your organization.

As the Senior Vice President of Training & Development and a member of CNS Companies’ Executive Team, Ryan leads the strategic and day-to-day operations of the Training & Development function for CNS Companies and their clients. His work focuses on crafting learning strategies that close competency gaps, enhance performance, facilitate change initiatives, and strengthen business outcomes.

With a career spanning education, human development, and organizational learning since 2006, Ryan has held leadership roles across both public education and private business sectors. He holds a BSED from Millersville University, an M.Ed. from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Doctor of Education from Immaculata University. Ryan has supported the development of hundreds of individual contributors and leaders working in schools and universities, distribution centers, hybrid and remote settings, office-based roles, and customer-facing environments.

He has had the pleasure of being invited to serve as a recurring guest lecturer at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, where he shares insights on leadership, organizational culture, and human performance to the undergraduate population. Ryan has also collaborated on The Behaviorist Podcast (https://www.thebehavioristpodcast.com) and shared insight on topics such as employee well-being, trust in the workplace, and executive presence. New learning and insights are regularly updated on his LinkedIn page – he invites you to follow and/or connect with him if interested!

Ryan is married to Melissa Berardi, an educator in Lancaster County, and together they are the proud parents of their daughter, Cella.