Reframe for Resilience: Dr. Frank L. Douglas on Cultivating Growth and Resilience with Thomas Teles

Reframe for Resilience

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Reframe for Resilience, Dr. Frank Douglas is joined by Thomas Teles, HR Manager at Walmart Distribution Center, who shares his inspiring journey from retail operations to becoming a leader in the people space. Thomas reflects on his early career, how he reframed challenges into growth opportunities, and the importance of equity, inclusion, and honest feedback in building resilient workplace cultures.

Key topics include:

• Transitioning from retail to human resources and embracing the people space.
• How equity and inclusion ignite opportunities for both individuals and organizations.
• Building workplace cultures that foster growth, fairness, and open communication.
• Practical strategies for resilience, including honest feedback, direct communication, and big-picture thinking.

If you’re looking for actionable insights on leadership, culture-building, and personal growth, this episode is a must-listen.

Timeline Summary:

[00:00]: Dr. Frank Douglas introduces the podcast and uses the metaphor of shattered glass to illustrate resilience.

[01:00]: Welcoming Thomas Teles, who shares his journey from retail to HR at Walmart.

[03:00]: Thomas discusses how reframing his career led him to pursue HR and complete his degree later in life.

[05:00]: The transition from operations to HR and becoming a “keeper of culture.”

[07:00]: Insights on equity and inclusion as pillars of organizational success.

[09:00]: The role of leadership in developing individuals, even if they eventually leave the organization.

[11:00]: Thomas shares three key strategies for resilience: honest feedback, direct communication, and big-picture thinking.

[13:00]: Closing reflections on reframing challenges and fostering inclusive workplaces.

Link & Resources:

● Learn more about Walmart Distribution Center: Walmart Careers

● Explore leadership and resilience topics: Safe Haven Dialogues

● Connect with Thomas Teles: LinkedIn Profile

Closing Remarks:

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Reframe for Resilience. Thomas Teles shared invaluable insights on leadership, resilience, and the power of creating equitable and inclusive workplace cultures. If you found this conversation inspiring, please share it with your network, rate and review the podcast, and follow us for more episodes. Together, let’s continue to reframe challenges into opportunities.