It's no surprise that I think HR and people leaders have one of the hardest roles at any organization.For me, it feels like sometimes we're not seen as true organizational partners. Or our role is so diminished and viewed as not important, yet everyone else in a business performs better because of the work that HR does. Coincidence? I think not!So, how can we finally be seen as key drivers to company growth, instead of the employee who puts out fires and pushes paperwork?My guest, Chris Haygood of Astute Edge, is here to shine a light on just how pivotal HR is when it comes to tackling big organizational challenges, not just the compliance stuff. We’re diving into how the view of HR is changing, its strategic importance, and some hands-on tactics to help HR pros cement their role as key business influencers.Our chat also touches on the next decade of HR, including the role of AI and the need for HR leaders to be considered for CEO positions. It’s time for HR leaders to finally be seen as strategic partners, because the success of our teams depend on it!00:01:03 - Chris Hagood’s Introduction and Credentials00:03:20 - What is the Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work?00:05:19 - Why HR Leaders Struggle to Be Seen as True Partners00:12:40 - Common Misconceptions Other Executives Have About HR00:16:34 - How Does Organizational Structure Impact HR Influence?00:22:38 - When Do You Need a Senior People Leader?00:31:49 - The Legal Misconceptions Around HR Duties00:38:12 - The Exciting Potential of HR in the Next 10 Years00:45:15 - How Organizations Should Perceive and Integrate HR Leaders00:53:19 - Advice For HR Leaders Struggling to be Seen as Strategic PartnersAnd 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/chrisrhagood/X/Instagram: @chrisrhagood @astutedgeNewsletter: https://astutedge.beehiiv.com/subscribeCompany LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/astutedge/ Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Tori Lazar, a strategic storyteller and executive coach, joins Adam, a CEO known for his insights on leadership, in a revealing discussion about the pitfalls of employee retention. They explore the alarming reasons behind HR professionals quitting, from unacknowledged efforts to stifling company cultures. The guests emphasize the critical need for fair compensation and respectful communication in fostering job satisfaction. Personal anecdotes and expert observations highlight how toxic work environments can lead to burnout and resignations.

Get ready for a trip down memory lane as we relive some of the hottest, juiciest, takes from the last season of guests!Jessica Winder, author of "The Hidden Gem Within," kicks things off discussing the issue of lack of growth opportunities and how HR teams can address this concern. She emphasizes the importance of data and people analytics in understanding and addressing employee needs.Next, Tori Lazar shares insights on the value of facing challenges head-on and the rewards that come with it.Adam Ryan, CEO of Workweek, shares his insights on the relationship between CEOs and Chief People Officers (CPOs). He emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in resolving tensions and ensuring HR stays connected to the pulse of the company.Steven and Daniel Huerta, hosts of the Modern People Leader podcast, share their insights and lessons learned from over 200 conversations with people leaders. Finally, Erica Spitale closes the conversation, highlighting the role of HR in promoting growth and development within organizations. She challenges the traditional hierarchy and advocates for rebranding organizations as hubs for growth and development.00:00:38 - Jessica Winder, one of the most honest voices in HR, highlighting why transparency for growth opportunities is so important00:03:01 - Tori Lazar shares how to turn career stalemates and challenges into personal growth00:06:57 - Adam Ryan breaks down the complicated relationship between CEOs and CPOs00:09:55 - Stephen and Daniel Huerta discuss the unique challenges facing HR today, using insights from 200 HR leaders00:12:22 - Erica Spitale joins me for one of my favorite segments—answering audience-submitted questionsAnd 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 Jessica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinder/Follow Tori: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tori-lazar/Follow Adam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtryan/Follow Stephen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenhuerta/ Follow Daniel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-huerta-mpl/Follow Erica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-j-spitale-psyd/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Guest Q Hamirani, an executive coach, discusses why employees stay in jobs they dislike, offering insights on workplace relationships and the value of candid communication. They also explore the importance of self-care after a career transition and managing employee exits with empathy and understanding.

Nicole Alvino, Ex-Enron employee, turned CEO of Firstup, discusses the power of personalized communication in boosting employee engagement. She shares insights on authentic leadership, preventing burnout, and creating meaningful interactions. The conversation touches on leveraging technology, video messages, and omnichannel communications to improve workplace culture and create a culture of connection and authenticity.

With grandiose job descriptions, and rose-tinted portrayals of the workplace, is it really any wonder there are a lot of problems in recruiting boiling underneath the surface??A lot of retention problems actually start in the recruiting process.. Is it that far of a stretch to understand why new hires are noping out of fresh jobs in the first six months?Def not. In the quest to find the perfect hire, job descriptions and interview tactics often portray a false image of what the position actually entails. So why aren’t recruiters being more honest about the roles they’re hiring for? Hebba chats with Talent Acquisition Consultant and Content Creator Rhona Pierce about how the recruitment system is broken and what HR can do to fix it. How can recruiters be more honest about job descriptions and work culture in their hiring practices?Hebba and Rhona debate if there’s a way to make employees understand the full scope of a job’s duties during the interview process before revealing some of the best practical strategies that can help retain, attract, and engage qualified talent. 00:00:10 - Recruiting Misconceptions: Valuable Talent Acquisition00:02:52 - Company Actions That Prompt Immediate Resignation00:05:01 - Navigating the Gap Between Job Expectations and Reality00:09:28 - Why People Quit00:15:14 - Is Recruiting Broken?00:19:26 - Truth in Interviews00:23:47 - Asking Questions Before Accepting a Job00:27:24 - Navigating the Current Job Market00:36:51 - Transparent Recruiting: Setting Clear Expectations00:39:35 - Aligning Job Expectations Through Communication00:44:15 - Maximizing Preparation for Successful HiringReach every worker with Firstup’s intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit firstup.io to learn more. And 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 Rhona:Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr?si=841dc4e5b2924a30LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

In HR, quitting is a part of the job. But no one talks about what happens when HR is ready to quit HR. RyanMae McAvoy, Senior Director of People Operations at Blackthorn.io, joins Hebba to unpack quitting from an HR-centric point of view. When is it time to call it quits? And what factors are the primary motivators behind discontentedness in HR? RyanMae and Hebba break down the emotional aspects of leaving a job, explain why community is pivotal in decision-making, and reveal the greatest challenges faced by HR professionals on a day-to-day basis. They also dive into the role of empathy, boundary-setting, and personal acknowledgment in creating a happier workplace. Why are so many HR professionals contemplating quitting? And why does it so often feel like HR is on an island of its own? Together, Hebba and RyanMae shed light on the often neglected aspect of HR professionals contemplating leaving the field. Reach every worker with Firstup’s intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit firstup.io to learn more. 00:00:37 - Accidental HR Career Leads to Leadership00:03:27 - Improving Employee Retention Through Acknowledgement00:08:03 - AI vs. Human Touch in HR00:09:27 - Reasons People Want to Quit00:12:34 - Coping Through COVID00:17:44 - Focusing on Mental Health in Workplace00:21:51 - How to Prioritize Family Time00:22:09 - Empathy in HR00:27:40 - Why Setting Expectations is Key for Mental Health00:31:49 - How to Handle Employee Resignations00:36:37 - Understanding the Emotional Toll of HR00:40:56 - Navigating Relationships When Leaving a Job00:42:53 - Struggling with Authenticity in Workplace00:48:12 - Balancing Humanity and Work Demands00:52:17 - Advice for Dealing with Burnout And 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 RyanMae: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rm80920/ Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Tiffany Lanier, a keynote speaker, discusses the impact of organizational change on employee well-being. She emphasizes the importance of embracing change, prioritizing rituals and routines, and personalized communication strategies for HR professionals to manage employee resistance and improve engagement.

How can you help employees when a company is small and has limited growth opportunities? What happens when an employer insists there’s a dress code… but only for curvier employees?  Hebba and talent strategist/culture connoisseur Erica Spitale tackle some super juicy questions submitted by listeners. From navigating terminations without legal repercussions to encouraging CEOs to offer more health benefits, they’re tackling a wide range of topics that any HR professional or leader can relate to.Tune in as Hebba and Erica break down the importance of trust in the workplace, go over the challenges of unrealistic expectations, and explain the value of seeking consistent feedback. Plus, how can you handle dress code policies, toxic leaders, and professional development opportunities in small companies? You won’t want to miss this expert-level advice—tune in now!Reach every worker with Firstup’s intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit Firstup.io to learn more. 00:01:51 - Avoiding Values Misalignment in Companies00:03:29 - How to Handle Unhappy Employees00:09:01 - How to Handle Toxic Leadership00:13:24 - Regaining Trust in the Workplace00:17:03 - When Details for a Promotion are Fabricated00:22:17 - Managing Professional Development in Small Companies00:27:03 - Encouraging CEOs to Offer Health Benefits00:33:31 - Considerations for Transitioning from Operations to HR00:39:06 - Navigating Employee Relations in Nonprofits00:41:49 - Setting Realistic Expectations and Seeking Feedback00:47:39 - Curvier Woman Faces Dress Code Dilemma And if you love HR Therapy, sign up to I Hate it Here, the newsletter 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 Erica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-j-spitale-psyd/ Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef 

Daniel and Stephen Huerta, hosts of 'Modern People Leader' podcast, discuss personalization in the age of AI, trust in the workplace, and the impact of remote work on retention strategies. They delve into HR's identity crisis, the changing nature of work with AI, and the challenges of maintaining employee engagement. Will the in-fighting in HR ever stop? Time to rethink the system.