I Hate It Here

Why are leaders so damn difficult to deal with sometimes? 

It all comes down to "The Shadow of a Leader"—the unseen influence leaders have on workplace culture, performance, and relationships. 

In this episode, Dave Garcia joins me to unpack this concept. 

We dive into how every word, action, and decision from leaders impacts teams, often more than they realize. 

We’ll discuss why communication is a leader’s most important tool, the nonverbal cues that leaders send, and how HR can help leaders recognize their blind spots. 

Plus, Dave shares his personal experience with confronting his own leadership shadow.

00:01:41 - The Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work

00:04:50 - The Shadow of a Leader Concept, Explained

00:09:37 - How The Shadow of a Leader Impacts Culture and Performance at Orgs

00:20:30 - Common Positive/Negative Shadows That Leaders Cast

00:26:43 - Why is Information so Inaccessible at Some Orgs?

00:32:23 - Examples of Leadership Shadows That Strongly Influenced Teams

00:42:15 - How Leaders Can Be More Aware of the Shadows They Cast

00:46:07 - A Time Dave Had to Confront His Own Leadership Shadow

00:56:00 - How Orgs Can Encourage Leaders to be Mindful of Their Shadows

01:01:16 - Advice For Emerging Leaders and The Shadows They Cast

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!

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People are at the core of everything we do at HR, but let’s face it people—can be DIFFICULT. 

Not because they have difficult personalities, but because no two people you meet are the same.

Eventually, the things that make us different can create problems if we’re not aware of how to exist across differences. A lot of the conflict at work can simply be between people who are just different.

That complexity is exactly what we're unpacking today with Jennifer Laurie.

In this episode, we're exploring how the things that make us all different can sometimes lead to workplace conflicts, and what HR can do to help everyone not just coexist but truly thrive together. 

We’re talking about fostering inclusive, equitable environments and how HR can bridge gaps and manage conflicts when personalities and perspectives clash.

From discussing how to maintain strong relationships at work to handling power imbalances and supporting marginalized employees, we've got a lot to cover. 

Jennifer shares her insights on why recognizing differences is crucial and offers practical advice for HR professionals navigating the evolving landscape of workplace diversity.

00:01:45 - The Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work

00:04:08 - What Does Existing Across Differences Mean?

00:07:25 - Why Recognizing Differences is So Important Today

00:10:10 - How Does HR Help Employees Exist Across Their Differences?

00:12:50 - How to Learn Conflict Management, Even Without Resources

00:16:35 - How HR Can Address Power Imbalances Across Differences

00:20:00 - Supporting Employees Who Feel Marginalized

00:25:25 - Bridging the Gap Between Employees With Different Worldviews

00:29:42 - Common Obstacles With Building an Inclusive Environment

00:34:08 - Advice for HR Professionals New to Dealing With Diversity

00:37:42 - How Diversity is Evolving With the Addition of Global Employees

00:40:25 - What Initiatives Will Help HR With Diversity in the Coming Years?

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 Jennifer:

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Growing up, I heard about how often my sister was the only woman in some rooms. She is an electrical engineer and her field was heavily dominated by men.  

The lack of diversity isn’t just a numbers issue—it affects how tech solves problems and perpetuates existing biases.

So on today’s episode, we're diving into a hot topic with Marissa McNeelands: tackling gender diversity in tech and its impact on building equitable systems. 

Marissa is on the frontline, championing the push to level the playing field in tech. We're exploring why having a diverse team isn’t just good ethics, it’s smart business, sparking innovation and creativity. 

Join us as we discuss the challenges, the victories, and why every step toward diversity is a step toward better technology.

00:03:45 - The Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work

00:06:37 - The Origin Story Behind the Creation of Toast

00:11:24 - Transitioning From Project Management to Tech

00:14:37 - Common Challenges Women Face in the tech Industry

00:20:53 - Why Gender Diversity in Tech Creates a More Innovative Culture

00:24:03 - How to Motivate Companies to Prioritize Diversity 

00:31:20 - Trends Emerging Between AI and HR in the Next Few Years

00:35:25 - Advice for Women in Tech Who are Struggling to Integrate

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 Marissa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissamcneelands/

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Let’s be real, HR doesn’t exactly scream creativity to most people, right? 

But, are we selling it short by overlooking all of the hidden opportunities? 

Could HR actually be a secret powerhouse of creativity, ready to lead the charge in fostering a culture of innovation within organizations?

I’m here to tell you that is possible to carve out that creative space in your role as an HR leader, and Cassidy Edwards is here to break down the many ways HR can lead the charge in fostering a culture of creativity and innovation within your company.

Cassidy will also dig into how HR can work hand-in-hand with marketing to craft stories that resonate with employees, the role of curiosity in driving creative thinking, and tips for keeping team relationships vibrant and productive—you’ll also get her take on the coolest sneakers out there.

00:02:280 - Cassidy’s Current Favorite Pair of Sneakers

00:03:45 - The Key to Strong Work Relationships

00:04:48 - Defining Creativity in Work and Personal Life

00:06:34 - What Inspires Cassidy’s Creativity?

00:013:12 - Inspiring Creativity Through Photography Books

00:15:46 - Why Creativity Matters in HR Roles

00:19:11 - Creative Best Practices for Day-to-day Duties

00:25:33 - Fostering Creative Cultures to Keep Employees Satisfied

00:31:12 - Injecting Creativity into Employee Training

00:36:50 - How to Foster a Creative Environment in Your Team

00:41:47 - Cassidy’s Advice for Unlocking Creative Potential

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 Cassidy:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-edwards-yyom/

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We hate so much about things he chose to be.

Let’s get into it once and for all: was Toby Flenderson the worst HR representative in the history of TV? Or was he just trying his best to preserve his mental health from the wild antics of Dunder Mifflin?

Hebba and special guest Kim Roher discuss some of television's best (and worst) portrayals of HR. Which fictional universes could have benefitted most from an HR rep (*cough* Silicon Valley *cough*)? And which real-life work sets were desperately in need of a decent CPO?  

Yeah, Joss Whedon we’re pointing a well-deserved finger at you. Maybe Buffy didn’t need to slay demons when the real monsters were the humans all along…

00:00:14 - Parenting and Pop Culture with Kim Rohr

00:07:04 - “The Office”- Uncanny HR Valley? 

00:18:32 - Michael Scott's Insensitivity in "The Office"

00:23:46 – Silicon Valley

00:37:15 - Exploring Buffy's Impact on HR

00:38:38 - Hollywood's Broken HR System Exposed

00:47:18 - Leadership in HR: Impactful Behind-the-Scenes Work

00:48:20 - Exploring Pop Culture in HR

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 Kim:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrohrer/

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There’s nowhere safe you can go to avoid politics anymore. Social media? Forget about it. Family holidays? Highly unlikely. Work? Definitely not.

So when, if ever, is talking politics at work a problem? And how should HR professionals handle the upcoming elections? Hebba and Jessica Winder (Senior VP of People at CoLab Software) break down how to handle the upcoming election season— how much is too much when it comes to allowing employees to talk about politics? And is there such a thing as workplaces not allowing employees to talk about politics enough?

From the impact of political decisions on HR practices to creating a more respectful and inclusive culture, Jessica and Hebba also explore how to handle differing political opinions and the importance of aligning with company values.

And stay tuned because later, they’re dishing out some of the juiciest stories about social media political posting gone completely haywire… You won’t want to miss this insanity!

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 Jessica:

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This weekend I was featured in the New York Times article, “So Human Resources is Making You Miserable.” And NGL… I may have ruffled a few feathers. But let’s face it— the CPO/CHRO role is one of the hardest jobs out there, and there’s going to be plenty of bad days to go around.

BUT that doesn’t mean HR can’t have a brat girl summer. 

Rebecca Taylor (Chief Customer Officer and Co-Founder of SkillCycle) joins me to discuss the state of HR and chat about how we’re fighting to battle old perceptions of HR on the daily. What lessons are worth taking away from the NYT article? And is it possible that this mutual frustration will eventually pave the way for innovation?

Yes. ENTHUSIASTICALLY YES.

So let’s channel that frustration with HR into positive change— don’t miss out on this super special bonus episode! And don’t forget to read the New Times article here.

Follow Rebecca:

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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.

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And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!

What shapes who we are at work?

Join Hebba and her guests, Catalina Colman (COO and Co-Founder of Peak HR), and Morgan Williams (CEO and Co-Founder of Peak HR), as they dive into the factors that shape our work personalities.

From upbringing and education to work experience and more, they discuss the challenges and lessons they've learned along their storied HR career paths. How has the immigrant experience shaped Catalina’s journey? She reveals the true effect of assimilating into American culture from a young age and explains how it shaped her HR career.

Catalina and Morgan also discuss how their backgrounds shaped their views on fairness and how they managed to navigate corporate America despite feeling like outsiders to the system. How did empathy and understanding help them to ultimately succeed in their careers and find happiness?

Tune in now to find out.

00:00:20 - Factors Influencing Identity in Workplace

00:01:24 - Supporting Growing Businesses with Progressive HR

00:02:39 - Empathy and Understanding Key Leadership

00:04:13 - Kat's Immigrant Journey to Success

00:07:04 - Transition from Psychiatry to HR Success

00:10:03 - How Immigrant Parents Influenced Their Philosophy

00:11:56 - Push Towards Education: A Personal Journey

00:21:09 - Navigating Life as a First-Gen

00:22:28 - Challenges in Corporate America

00:27:37 - Navigating Pressure to Conform at Work

00:32:14 - Career Challenges in Uncertain Times

00:40:19 - Impact of Upbringing on HR Leadership

00:42:46 - Equity in HR Leadership Strategies

00:46:26 - Navigating Workplace Fairness as an Immigrant Child

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 Catalina:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catalinaandradecolman/

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Do you wear sweatpants all day and night? Do you find yourself going days without leaving the house? Is binge-watching 7 hours of “Pride and Prejudice” the only thing that seems to give you life?

Good news— you may not be a full-on Depressed Barbie just yet! You might just be the average remote worker.

In this ep, Hebba chats with Austen Tully (the SVP Director of Integration and Culture at Guided by Good) about the struggles of creating strong connections and relationships at work in an increasingly more remote environment. What can we do to alleviate loneliness? Austen and Hebba share their best strategies for accommodating both in-person and remote interactions (without making things feel forced or super awkward).

They discuss the power of one-on-one conversations, the impact of leaders’ behavior on team dynamics, and the need for empathy and inclusivity in the workplace. Plus, how can you create a culture audit? Austen gives her best tips for creating a culture audit of your own and explains the significance of communication, connection, creativity, and recognition in creating a positive work environment.

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 Credentials

00:03:20 - What is the Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work?

00:05:19 - Why HR Leaders Struggle to Be Seen as True Partners

00:12:40 - Common Misconceptions Other Executives Have About HR

00:16:34 - 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 Duties

00:38:12 - The Exciting Potential of HR in the Next 10 Years

00:45:15 - How Organizations Should Perceive and Integrate HR Leaders

00:53:19 - Advice For HR Leaders Struggling to be Seen as Strategic Partners

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 Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrhagood/

X/Instagram: @chrisrhagood @astutedge

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