HR Confessions

Culture Fit: When Your GM's Definition Differs from Everyone Else's

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In another jaw-dropping episode of HR Confessions, Rebecca and Kim tackle a Vegas offsite gone wildly wrong. When a general manager decides to "enhance" a sales training with an unexpected performance artist, HR is left to navigate the fallout. Join us for a masterclass in what NOT to do at company retreats, plus actionable advice on vendor vetting, protecting your team, and standing your ground when leadership crosses the line. Warning: This episode contains discussions of inappropriate workplace conduct.

Show Notes

  • The Setup: Mid-size company celebrates crushing their year with a week-long Vegas retreat
  • Day 3 Drama: External "sales training facilitator" arrives with suspicious props
  • The Incident: Professional presentation turns into inappropriate performance art
  • Key Players: Dana (HR hero), Rick (the GM who orchestrated it), and traumatized managers
  • The Fallout: 
    • Multiple managers walk out
    • No apologies or acknowledgment
    • Company culture permanently damaged
    • Lessons Learned: 
      • Always vet external vendors through HR
      • Document everything immediately
      • Create clear event/vendor policies
      • Partner with other executives for support
      • Check in with affected employees (carefully)
      • Never Again Rules: 
        • Don't plan retreats in Vegas
        • Run all content by someone different from you
        • Have vendor vetting policies in place
        • Consider the "Rick Rule" - make first violations count as three strikes

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