HR Mixtape

Building Trust and Boundaries with Jessica Miller-Merrell

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson welcomes Jessica Miller Merrill, the founder of Workology and CEO of Exceptional HR. Jessica shares her insights on the importance of psychological safety in the workplace and how technology can both support and hinder this crucial aspect of employee well-being. With her extensive experience in HR strategy and digital recruiting, Jessica emphasizes the need for open communication and boundaries to foster a psychologically safe environment.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Psychological Safety: Learn what psychological safety means in the workplace and how it allows employees to be their authentic selves without fear of judgment or repercussions.

2. Technology's Role: Discover how technology can be leveraged to enhance communication and support psychological safety while also recognizing its potential drawbacks, such as constant notifications and surveillance.

3. Building Trust and Boundaries: Gain insights into the importance of establishing trust and setting boundaries as a manager and how these practices can lead to a healthier work environment for all employees.

Tune in to this enlightening episode to explore how HR professionals can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

Guest(s): Jessica Miller-Merrell, Founder, Workology

 

The Cost of Incivility: Understanding Its Impact on Productivity with Jim Link

In this episode of "HR Mixtape," host Shari Simpson sits down with Jim Link, the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). They delve into the pressing issue of workplace civility, especially in the context of today's polarized society. Jim shares alarming statistics about the prevalence of incivility in the workplace and its significant impact on productivity and employee morale. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of civility and inclusivity within organizations to drive better business outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Civility's Impact: Listeners will learn about the staggering statistics related to workplace incivility and its financial implications, including $1.2 billion in lost productivity per day.

2. Practical Strategies for HR Professionals: Jim outlines actionable steps HR leaders can take to promote civil conversations and establish a culture of respect, including setting clear expectations and providing training.

3. The Role of Leadership: The episode highlights the critical role that managers and leaders play in modeling civil behavior and fostering an inclusive workplace environment.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on how to navigate the complexities of workplace dynamics and promote a culture of civility in your organization.

Guest(s): Jim Link, CHRO, SHRM

Rethinking Talent Matching: Bridging the Gap Between Skills and Opportunities with Alexandra Levitt

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape," host Shari Simpson sits down with Alexandra Levitt, the founder and CEO of Inspiration at Work, to discuss the future of work, leadership, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. Alexandra, a workforce futurist and Wall Street Journal columnist, shares her insights on how organizations can prepare for upcoming workforce trends and the unique challenges faced by the emerging Gen Z workforce.

Key Takeaways:

1. Upskilling for the Future: Alexandra emphasizes the importance of applied technology skills and technological curiosity for women in the workforce, highlighting how these skills can enhance their unique strengths in emotional intelligence and creative problem-solving.

2. Understanding Gen Z: The episode explores the expectations of Gen Z employees, who are entering the workforce with different experiences and challenges, particularly in communication and mental health. Organizations need to adapt their onboarding and training programs to meet these needs.

3. The Role of Technology in DEI: Alexandra discusses how technology can help level the playing field in the workplace, particularly for underrepresented groups, and the necessity for organizations to embrace pay equity and transparency to foster a more inclusive environment.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on how to navigate the evolving landscape of work and empower diverse talent in your organization!

Guest(s): Alexandra Levit, Workforce Futurist, WSJ Columnist, CEO at Inspiration at Work, Int'l Bestselling Author of Humanity Works

Motivation Mastery: Enhancing Workplace Culture Through Psychological with Aaron Robbins

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson welcomes Aaron Robbins, president of Intrinsic First, to discuss the critical topic of motivation in the workplace. With nearly 20 years of experience in leadership, HR, and process improvement, Aaron shares his insights on the difference between increasing motivation and improving the quality of motivation. He emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation and the psychological needs of autonomy, relatedness, and competence in fostering a thriving organizational culture.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Motivation Quality: Learn the distinction between low-quality external motivation and high-quality internal motivation, and why the latter is essential for employee well-being and performance.
2. The Role of Psychological Needs: Discover the three basic psychological needs—autonomy, relatedness, and competence—that are crucial for enhancing motivation in employees.
3. Creating a Supportive Environment: Gain insights into how leaders can cultivate a motivational environment by recognizing individual preferences for rewards and recognition, ultimately leading to a more engaged workforce.

Guest(s): Aaron Robbins, President, Intrinsic First

The Accountability Connection: Engaging Senior Leaders for Organizational Success with Dr. David S. Cohen

🤝 How do you build accountability from day one?

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape," host Shari Simpson sits down with Dr. David S. Cohen, a renowned author, keynote speaker, and consultant specializing in leadership, organizational behavior, and talent management. They delve into the critical topics of communication and accountability within organizations, particularly focusing on how HR leaders can effectively convey the importance of accountability to senior executives.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into fostering a culture of accountability, understanding the significance of psychological safety, and implementing effective onboarding practices that set new hires up for success.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Belonging: Dr. Cohen emphasizes that accountability is rooted in employees feeling a sense of belonging and inclusion within the organization.
2. Measuring Behavior: He discusses the need for organizations to measure behaviors consistently, rather than relying solely on performance metrics, to ensure accountability.
3. Onboarding for Success: The episode highlights the importance of having clear expectations and development opportunities from day one to enhance accountability among new hires.

Tune in to discover how to create a more accountable and engaged workforce!

Guest(s): Dr. David S. Cohen, Founder and Senior Consultant, DS Cohen & Associates

Navigating the Complex World of HR Law: Insights from Employment Lawyer Jim Reidy

✨ "Trust your gut and treat people decently." - Jim Reidy

In this episode of "HR Mixtape," host Shari Simpson sits down with employment lawyer, public speaker, writer, and artist Jim Reidy. They delve into the complexities of HR law, sharing bizarre case stories and discussing the balance between legal compliance and fostering a positive company culture. Jim emphasizes the importance of staying informed about legal changes and the role of HR professionals in navigating these challenges.

Key Takeaways:

1. Bizarre HR Cases: Jim shares intriguing stories from his 35 years of experience in employment law, highlighting the unexpected challenges HR professionals may face.
2. Navigating Legal Compliance: Listeners will learn practical strategies for managing legal risks while maintaining a progressive company culture, including the importance of proper messaging and leadership buy-in.
3. Trusting Your Instincts: Jim encourages HR professionals to trust their gut feelings and prioritize common sense when making decisions related to HR law and employee treatment.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of HR law and how to effectively manage compliance while creating a thriving workplace culture.

Guest(s): Jim Reidy, Attorney, Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green

Key Questions for Success: Insights on Interviewing from Lauraine Bifulco

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson sits down with keynote speaker and president of Vantaggio HR, Lauraine Bifulco, at SHRM 24. They delve into the complexities of interviewing and compliance in the HR landscape, highlighting the importance of avoiding protected categories and ensuring fair hiring practices. Lauraine shares valuable insights on how to coach managers in conducting effective interviews while maintaining compliance with evolving legislation.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Compliance: Learn about the critical compliance issues in interviewing, including protected categories and the importance of steering clear of inappropriate questions.
2. Effective Interview Techniques: Discover how to prepare for interviews with structured questions that focus on cultural fit and teamwork, rather than personal characteristics.
3. The Role of Assessments: Explore the benefits of using work style assessments to gain deeper insights into candidates' communication and management styles, and how to benchmark against your existing team.

Tune in to gain practical advice and thought-provoking insights that will help transform your interviewing process and enhance your HR practices.

Guest(s): Lauraine Bifulco, HR Expert | HR Consulting | Speaker, Vantaggio HR

Decoding Pay Equity: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions with Joanna Colosimo

In this episode of the HR Mixtape podcast, host Shari Simpson sits down with Joanna Colosimo, an IO psychologist and pay equity expert from DCI Consulting Group. They discuss the latest trends in pay equity, challenges in achieving pay equity, and the impact of pay transparency on organizations.

Key Takeaways:

1. Latest Trends in Pay Equity: Joanna highlights the global, state, and federal initiatives focusing on pay equity, emphasizing the importance of compliance with regulations.
2. Challenges in Achieving Pay Equity: The episode delves into the complexities of achieving pay equity, including historical salary disparities and the need for annual pay equity reviews.
3. Impact of Pay Transparency: The discussion explores how pay transparency laws are holding organizations accountable and empowering employees to ask strategic questions about their pay.

Guest(s): Joanna Colosimo, Vice President at DCI Consulting Group