Reframing for Resilience, Dr. Frank L. Douglass interviews Marcus Holmes, General Manager of the City of Detroit

Reframing for Resilience

In this insightful episode of Reframing for Resilience, Dr. Frank L. Douglass sat down with Marcus Holmes, an HR strategist and General Manager of the City of Detroit, to explore the vital role of human resources in building resilient organizations. Marcus shares his unique approach to HR, coined "HR Passion Dial," which emphasizes the synergy between people, processes, passion, and purpose. We dive into the importance of employee engagement, empathy, and leadership in shaping a thriving workplace culture, and Marcus recounts several experiences that demonstrate how addressing employees' emotional and psychological needs can lead to greater collaboration and trust.

We also touch on critical moments from Marcus’ career, including navigating complex labor negotiations, handling grief in the workplace, and managing large-scale organizational change. Marcus explains how he's learned to embrace challenges by focusing on building relationships, understanding business operations, and fostering a culture of collaboration. This episode is packed with practical insights on resilience, leadership, and organizational development—perfect for anyone looking to enhance their HR strategies or leadership approach.

Key Highlights:

• [2:12] – Marcus explains the origin of his "HR Passion Dial" and why passion drives success in human resources.
• [8:35] – A "day in the life" of Marcus as an HR leader overseeing policy, planning, and operations for the City of Detroit.
• [13:47] – Marcus shares a powerful story of handling grief in the workplace and how it fostered trust and collaboration among employees.
• [25:04] – The importance of learning the business side of HR and how it shapes a successful career in human resources.
• [35:18] – Managing change within organizations and strategies to help employees navigate transitions while maintaining resilience.
• [45:10] – The role of empathy in leadership and empowering employees to overcome personal and professional challenges.
• [54:34] – Reflecting on Marcus' key career milestones and lessons learned from managing large-scale HR projects.

Links & Resources:

• Marcus Holmes’ book: The Gratefulness Journey Every Day
• Dr. Frank L. Douglas’ book: Until You Walk in My Shoes

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