There's so much we can learn from the sports that we love.So lace up your sneakers and pull up your socks, because this episode is a full-court press of insights, laughs, and way too many basketball metaphors!Today, Chris Henrichs is giving a masterclass on how the lessons from the court can transform the way we think about HR, leadership, and building a workplace that doesn’t just survive, but thrives.From Michael Jordan’s killer competitiveness to the art of drafting the right players (or employees), Chris breaks down all the interesting parallels between basketball and HR. We’re talking leadership styles, creating a winning culture, handling competition, and why HR is basically the coach, GM, and referee of the workplace.Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or someone who thinks a “pick-and-roll” is a bakery order, you’ll still hae actionable takeaways that’ll make you rethink how you lead, collaborate, and bounce back from setbacks.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:03:45 - One Topic Chris is Really Interested in Right Now00:06:00 - The Connection Between Basketball and HR00:08:07 - How Competition Helped Shape Chris’s Career 00:13:22 - Who Inspires Chris in Sports, and How it Translates to HR Leadership00:18:31 - How This Famous Michael Jordan Quote Plays Out in the Workplace00:21:22 - Lessons Chris Learned About People Ops From Playing Basketball00:27:26 - Different Leadership Styles and How They Compare to Leaders on the Court00:31:24 - Balancing Top Perfomers With the Rest of the Team00:34:45 - HR’s Equivalent of Drafting the Right Players00:42:02 - Creating a Workplace Where People Challenge Each Other But Still Collaborate00:43:57 - Bouncing Back From a Rough Patch00:46:57 - Creating a Competitive But Healthy Work Environment00:53:13 - Chris’s Dream Basketball Team RosterAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Chris:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishenrichs/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

On today’s episode, you’re going to hear one word a million times…And that is strategic.Let’s be real, we’ve all heard the word “strategic” thrown around a million times, but what does it ACTUALLY mean? And why does it feel like everyone has a different definition? It’s probably because they do. Joining me today is the incredible Morgan Williams, CEO and founder of Peak HR. Morgan’s resume is basically the HR equivalent of a mic drop—she’s handled everything from massive layoffs to reopening retail stores for giants like Macy’s, Casper, and Topshop. She’s been in the trenches, and she’s here to help us unpack the myths, misconceptions, and realities of what it means to be strategic in HR.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:01:25 - Something Morgan is Interested in Right Now00:04:52 - What Being Strategic Means to Morgan as an HR Leader00:08:00 - Why the Word Strategic is Often Misunderstood in HR00:14:58 - How to be Seen as More Strategic and Less Operational00:22:11 - Why HR Teams Struggle to Align Their Work With Business Goals00:30:37 - Making Sure Your Initiative Have Measurable Impact on Business Outcomes00:34:50 - Skills That Will Make You More Strategic00:33:30 - Barriers HR Leaders Face Trying to Implement Strategic Initiatives00:43:00 - Key Differences Between Operational and Strategic Thinking in HR00:46:24 - How HR Leaders Can Advocate for Resources to Execute on Plans00:50:41 - Some of the Risks of Focusing TOO Much on StrategyAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Morgan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganbwilliams/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Today we’re going to embrace the messy, imperfect, and downright hilarious side of learning from making mistakes.Kim has seen it all, done it all, and definitely messed it all up a few times too! It’s part of the growth process, as you know.From compensation catastrophes to performance management mishaps, she has the stories (and the scars) to prove that sometimes, the best lessons come from the biggest blunders.Besides, who doesn’t love a good “I can’t believe I did that” moment?Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:03:23 - Something Kim is Insanely Curious About Right Now00:06:16 - The Time Kim F&%$#d up Compensation00:23:25 - Kim’s Performance Management Mistakes, Explained00:29:51 - The Real Purpose of Performance Management Reviews00:36:53 - How AI Might Impact Performance Management00:45:50 - Kim’s Advice on How to Prepare for the Future of HRAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Kim:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-minnick/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Want to know what’s at the heart of every successful organization?Connection, gifting, recognition, and appreciation!All four of these are so core to making somebody feel seen and heard at work.So in today’s episode, we're discussing connection-building because let's face it, loneliness is hitting hard and it's an epidemic that is creeping into our workplaces. Join me and Ross Langley from Snappy as we unpack innovative and personalized ways to foster connections with anybody in the office. We’re diving deep into creating meaningful experiences, leveraging personalization in gifts, and ensuring everyone in your organization feels truly seen and appreciated.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:01:35 - What Topic Has Been Interesting to Ross Lately?00:05:07 - How We Define Meaningful Connections at Work and Why It Matters00:08:17 - The Biggest Challenges Orgs Face Trying to Build Authentic Connections00:13:41 - How Unique Gifts Build Genuine Relationships at Work00:21:59 - Leveraging Personalization to Create Emotional Impacts00:25:35 - The Impact of Experiential Vs Physical Gifts00:30:37 - Creative Ways for HR to Integrate Gifting Into Engagement Programs00:37:07 - Potential Pitfalls With Using Gifts to Build Connections00:41:14 - Advice for HR Leaders Incorporating Gifting Into Their Connection-building EffortsAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Ross:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-ross-langley/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

If there is one silver bullet for connecting with other people, it’s storytelling!Last episode, my friend Georgia Clark and I unpacked the lessons HR can glean from romance novels about character development and storytelling. Today, I’m pushing that conversation forward with Tara Turk-Haynes.Tara isn't just any guest—she’s a powerhouse in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and DEI, with a vibrant background in the arts like playwriting and screenwriting. With her at the helm of DEI initiatives and her roots in creative storytelling, Tara will share how authentic narratives can be the perfect bridge to deeper connections within the workplace.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:02:48 - What Topic Has Been Interesting to Tara Lately?00:07:24 - Why Storytelling is Critical for Building Connections00:10:45 - What Makes Stories Truly Resonate With People?00:25:20 - A Story That Has Stuck With Tara Over the Years00:31:43 - How Story Revelations Apply to the Workplace00:41:02 - How can HR Professionals Become Better Storytellers?00:44:39 - Storytelling Mistakes People Make, and How to Avoid Them00:50:01 - How Tara Would Change How Stories are Told in Corporate SpacesAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Tara:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttaraturkhaynes/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Beyond the typical day-to-day activities in HR…I’m just a mega-dorknerd with a fierce love for books, especially when they whisk me away to worlds filled with fantasy, sci-fi, and heart-stirring romance!And today, we're exploring how the twists and turns of romance novels can actually offer fascinating insights into HR. I'm thrilled to have Georgia Clark with us to guide us through these narrative mazes!She’s not just any novelist—she’s a storytelling wizard who’s penned titles like Most Wonderful and Island Time, and she lights up New York's iconic Joe's Pub with her storytelling night, Generation Women.During our chat, we discuss how romance and the hero's journey in novels can uniquely resonate within the corridors of HR, enhancing empathy and understanding, which are crucial for anyone in this role.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:02:12 - A Topic Georgia is Interested in Right Now00:05:50 - Georgia’s Favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode00:09:47 - How Georgia Became a Writer00:16:24 - How Georgia Develops Her Characters00:21:29 - The Approach Behind Character Transformation00:30:30 - How Georgia Thinks About Conflict While Creating Characters00:39:15 - Uncovering Character Motivations in a Natural Way00:45:58 - How to Make a Story Truly Captivating for People00:48:28 - What is Generation Women?00:53:35 - Why the Hero Journey in Romance Novels Resonates With People01:00:07 - Making Stories Reflect Diverse Perspectives and ExperiencesAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Georgia:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-clark-b451412/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Sarika Lamont, a people executive at Vidyard, delves into the complexities of compensation and the importance of pay transparency. She explains why many employees misinterpret their paycheck and how effective communication can bridge that gap. The conversation touches on creating equitable pay packages and the need for tailored compensation strategies that resonate with today's diverse workforce. Sarika emphasizes that education is vital in fostering understanding and trust around compensation practices.

As we wrap up 2024, it's time to start thinking ahead to 2025—and let’s be honest, it’s about time we take our place as the experts in the room. From fixing the broken candidate experience to building stronger bridges with other teams, it’s time for HR to show up and show out!This episode features a series of friends/leaders sharing their bold wishes for the future, and why 2025 is our year to make real change happen. We’re not holding back!Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.00:00:55 - Tara Turk-Haynes’s Wish for HR in 202500:10:01 - Sarika Lamont’s Wish for HR in 202500:16:02 - Cassidy Edwards’s Wish for HR in 202500:19:35 - Noah Warder’s Wish for HR in 202500:26:52 - Cassandra Babilya’s Wish for HR in 2025And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Tara:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttaraturkhaynes/Follow Sarika:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarikal/Follow Cassidy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-edwards-yyom/Follow Noah:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahwarder/Follow Cassandra:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-babilya/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Halai Shukran, COO at Pluribus Digital, brings her expertise in managing people and operations to the discussion. She emphasizes the importance of aligning business and people strategies for optimal results. Halai shares her journey to understanding her 'zone of genius' and how to effectively communicate across departments. The conversation dives into HR's evolution post-COVID, the role of data in diagnosing organizational challenges, and the need for empathy in leadership decisions. This insightful dialogue provides actionable strategies for breaking out of the HR bubble.

Nikki Rappaport, Chief People Officer at Call Your Mother, brings a decade of expertise in creative marketing and HR. She shares how creativity and curiosity can transform traditional HR practices. Nikki emphasizes the importance of storytelling in building trust and aligning teams with company values. She connects employee happiness to customer experience, highlighting the impact of a vibrant workplace culture. Plus, they dive into integrating HR and marketing to elevate employee engagement, all while casually discussing delicious bagels!