Welcome to "Workplace Weirdness," the podcast that takes a deep dive into the delightful oddities of office life. Ever wondered why the break room smells like a science experiment or why your boss insists on using 'synergy' in every meeting? We've got you covered!
Join Maya and her revolving door of guest hosts as they unravel the mysteries of cubicle culture and decode the cryptic behaviors of your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle.
Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer listener questions and dissect an awkward workplace theme, all while keeping things light, fun, and packed with HR humor. Tune in, because in the world of work, the only thing you can count on is the unexpected!
So, grab your coffee, put your feet up on that ergonomic footrest, and let's get weird at work together. Trust us, it’ll be a productivity boost like no other!
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Welcome to "Workplace Weirdness," the podcast that takes a deep dive into the delightful oddities of office life. Ever wondered why the break room smells like a science experiment or why your boss insists on using 'synergy' in every meeting? We've got you covered!
Join Maya and her revolving door of guest hosts as they unravel the mysteries of cubicle culture and decode the cryptic behaviors of your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle.
Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer listener questions and dissect an awkward workplace theme, all while keeping things light, fun, and packed with HR humor. Tune in, because in the world of work, the only thing you can count on is the unexpected!
So, grab your coffee, put your feet up on that ergonomic footrest, and let's get weird at work together. Trust us, it’ll be a productivity boost like no other!
Why Ace Hardware Should’ve Failed (But Doesn’t) with Kane Calamari | Workplace Weirdness S2 E8
Workplace Weirdness
29 minutes
2 weeks ago
Why Ace Hardware Should’ve Failed (But Doesn’t) with Kane Calamari | Workplace Weirdness S2 E8
If your workplace runs on “vibes” and surprise criticism in Q4… congrats, you’ve unlocked the bad timeline.
In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Kane Calamari breaks down what real leadership, employee engagement, and HR strategy look like inside Ace Hardware, a company he says “should be failing,” and yet keeps winning.
We cover retail culture, co-op business models, leadership development, succession planning, retention strategy, and how to build trust with ongoing feedback instead of annual blindsides. Kane also shares how AI tools are already changing frontline work and why human leadership still matters most when cultures collide, teams merge, and communication breaks down (looking at you, Slack screenshots).
Hit the like, share and subscribe buttons for more conversations about workplace culture, HR leadership, management, career growth, and the weird stuff that makes you say: “there’s no way this happened at work.” But it did.
In This Episode
[00:00] A Special Connection at a Hardware Store
[01:13] Introduction to Kane Calamari
[02:13] Ace Hardware's Unique Business Model
[05:05] The Role of CHRO at Ace Hardware
[06:07] Lessons Learned in Leadership
[09:10] Weirdest Workplace Moment: The Drunk Futurist Incident
[13:06] Week in Work: AI's Impact on Retail Jobs
[17:07] Listener Question #1: Performance Review Blindsides
[19:53] Listener Question #2: Company Culture Fusion
[23:06] Cringeworthy Question: Slack Message Mishap
[27:10] Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes
Resources and Links
Kane Calamari
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kane-calamari-53268014
Website - https://newsroom.acehardware.com/kane-calamari/
Maya Kadar Kovalsky
Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/
Workplace Weirdness
Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com
SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness
Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/
Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.
Workplace Weirdness
Welcome to "Workplace Weirdness," the podcast that takes a deep dive into the delightful oddities of office life. Ever wondered why the break room smells like a science experiment or why your boss insists on using 'synergy' in every meeting? We've got you covered!
Join Maya and her revolving door of guest hosts as they unravel the mysteries of cubicle culture and decode the cryptic behaviors of your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle.
Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer listener questions and dissect an awkward workplace theme, all while keeping things light, fun, and packed with HR humor. Tune in, because in the world of work, the only thing you can count on is the unexpected!
So, grab your coffee, put your feet up on that ergonomic footrest, and let's get weird at work together. Trust us, it’ll be a productivity boost like no other!
