Whether we like it or not, office politics are an unavoidable part of corporate life.

But don’t worry—you’re in for a TREAT today because one of my absolute favorite humans, Jessica Winder, is back on the pod, and we’re diving into the BS of corporate life in detail! 

You know, the kind where you’re expected to read minds, kiss ass, and perform miracles while leadership acts like promotions are some kind of Da Vinci Code situation. 

We’re talking about why “being liked” often beats “being right,” how LinkedIn is just one giant performance of corporate cringe, and why trust is literally cheaper than surveillance (but somehow, companies still don’t get it). 

There’s value in learning how to play the corporate game without compromising your integrity, so let’s get into it!

Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠SixFifty.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more!

Whether you’re scaling fast or filling a critical role, Oyster helps you tap into the global talent pool and navigate international hiring with confidence. Hire full time talent or work flexibly with contractors- hire remotely, manage payroll, and ensure compliance ethically, with real employment experts by your side. Visit oysterhr.com to learn more!

0:03:17 - One Truth Jessica Wishes More Leaders Understood

0:04:16 - What Does Kissing Ass Mean in the Workplace?

0:06:02 - When Good Work Isn’t Enough to Get Ahead

0:08:57 - Unwritten Rules of Career Advancement That Nobody Talks About

0:12:06 - Is Playing Office Politics Part of the Job, or is There Another Way to Succeed?

0:15:01 - How Race and Gender Tie Into Unspoken Rules of Advancement

0:24:23 - Hebba’s Round of Spicy Questions

0:35:11 - How Jessica Would Rewrite the Rules of Career Advancement

0:38:44 - Employees Who Feel Stuck Because They Refuse to Kiss Ass

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:

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

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

This should come as no surprise anymore, but your employees aren’t just asking for certainty these days, they’re BEGGING for it! 

And yet, most workplaces still operate like a Magic 8 Ball: "Ask again later," "Outlook not so good," and my personal favorite, "Cannot predict now." Cool, cool. 

So why do we keep acting shocked when people quit over unclear expectations, bad leadership, and the soul-crushing weight of "figure it out yourself" culture?

Joining me today is Kat Kibben, recruiting expert and professional truth-teller, to drag the leadership myths we’re all tired of and drop some real talk on how to actually make work WORK for people! 

We’re breaking down why humans would rather deal with a known disaster than unknown chaos, how bad managers create generational trauma in the workplace, and the one thing leaders always get wrong about certainty.

Lots of gems in here, so buckle up!

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between investing in people programs and consolidating your tech stack. With Lattice, you can have both. Visit ⁠⁠⁠lattice.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠⁠⁠SixFifty.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more!

0:03:51 - One Truth About Work Kat Wishes More Leaders Understood

0:05:05 - Why Do Humans Crave Certainty So Much?

0:08:25 - How Leaders Can Make Employees Feel Safe

0:19:43 - Why Not Every Good Employee Needs to Be a Manager

0:24:38 - What Does Creativing Clarity Actually Look Like?

0:31:58 - How Good or Bad Communication Shapes Teams Over Time

0:38:34 - Bouncing Back From a Toxic Boss/Environment

0:46:13 - One Thing Leaders Often Get Wrong About Providing Certainty

0:49:33 - One Message Leaders Should Repeat to Their Teams During Uncertain Times

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 Kat:

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

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: MONEY. 💸

And who better to talk about money with than compensation guru Matt McFarlane?

In this episode, we’re ripping apart everything you think you know about fair pay. 

Why do employees feel stiffed? Are pay gaps accidental or systemic? And why the hell is talking about salary still taboo?

We’ll also be discussing why fair pay is still a myth at most companies, how to handle founders who treat compensation like a dark art, and what actual pay transparency looks like (hint: it’s not just publishing salaries).

Choosing the wrong HR platform is rife with regrets: losing a top performer, promoting the wrong person, or failing to engage your team when the business needs it most.

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between investing in people programs and consolidating your tech stack. With Lattice, you can have both. Visit ⁠⁠lattice.com⁠⁠ to learn more.

Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠⁠SixFifty.com⁠⁠ to learn more!

0:01:57 - One Truth About Work Matt Wishes More People Understood

0:03:20 - What Being Paid Right Actually Means, and Why Companies Get it Wrong

0:06:58 - What “I Don’t Feel Like I’m Being Paid Fairly” Really Means

0:08:50 -  Why is Talking About Pay Such a Taboo Topic at Work?

0:11:49 - Should Employees Know What Their Coworkers Make?

0:14:36 - Are Pay Gaps Intentional, or a Result of a Broken System?

0:19:56 - If Matt Could Change One Thing About Compensation, What Would It Be?

0:22:36 - Dealing With Founders Who Don’t Want to Define Anything Compensation-related

0:27:50 - What Role Should Managers Play in Pay Equity?

0:34:03 - What Does a Truly Fair, Inclusive, and Modern Compensation Philosophy Look Like?

0:39:47 - One Thing Matt Nerds Out About When It Comes to Compensation

0:41:25 - How Matt Would Rewrite the Unwritten Rules About Money at Work

0:47:45 - A Conversation About Money That Matt Wishes He Had Earlier in His Career

0:52:00 - What Workplace Money Utopia Could Look Like in the Future

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 Matt:

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

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Let’s get one thing straight: People Leaders are tired of companies pretending they care about equity while quietly rolling back DEI initiatives and gaslighting employees into thinking they’re the problem. 

So I brought in someone I admire DEEPLY, Cierra Gross, Founder of Caged Bird HR and Wrk Receipts, to drag corporate America’s favorite lies—and yes, it got spicy!

We’re discussing why “accountability” is a corporate buzzword for “we’ll investigate ourselves and find no wrongdoing,” how Gen Z is forcing much-needed change at work, and the invisible barriers that sabotage equity. 

Cierra’s app, Wrk Receipts, is also about to be a problem, in the absolute best way possible!

Choosing the wrong HR platform is rife with regrets: losing a top performer, promoting the wrong person, or failing to engage your team when the business needs it most.

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between investing in people programs and consolidating your tech stack. With Lattice, you can have both. Visit ⁠lattice.com⁠ to learn more.

Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠SixFifty.com⁠ to learn more!

0:02:22 - One Truth About Work Cierra Wishes More Leaders Understood

0:04:42 - Why Accountability and Equitable Outcomes are Top Priorities Right Now

0:12:31 - What Accountability and Equity ACTUALLY Means in the Workplace

0:15:24 - What Happens if Companies Don’t Care About Adapting?

0:23:10 - The Gap Between What Employees Expect and What Companies Deliver

0:25:12 - Why Don’t Companies Have an Incentive to Live Up to Their Ideas?

0:41:03 - Invisible Systems and Habits That Quietly Sabotage Equity and Fairness

0:49:55 - A Necessary Shift to Make Accountability and Equity Non-negotiable at Work

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 Cierra:

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

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Employees aren’t just asking for feedback—they’re begging for it. 

So why are we still serving them stale, twice-a-year performance reviews like it’s 1999?

This week, I’m sitting down with Jessica DeVlieger to unpack why your team is secretly screaming, “Just tell me if I’m doing a good job!”—and how leaders keep missing the mark.

We’re digging into:

🔥 Why employees ALWAYS know who’s underperforming before managers do (and the awkward truth about what happens next)

🔥 The #1 reason managers avoid tough feedback 

🔥 How to fix performance convos so they actually help people grow

🔥 Why your fancy new HR tech might be making things worse, and how to use it right

At the end of the day, employees just want to know where they stand!

Choosing the wrong HR platform is rife with regrets: losing a top performer, promoting the wrong person, or failing to engage your team when the business needs it most.

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between investing in people programs and consolidating your tech stack. With Lattice, you can have both. Visit lattice.com to learn more.

Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit SixFifty.com to learn more!

0:01:53 - One Truth About Work Jessica Wishes More People Understood

0:07:32 - How Jessica Became a Performance-focused CEO

0:10:18 - Why “Traditional” Performance Management Doesn’t Work Anymore

0:13:12 - When Employees Want to Know Where They Stand, What Does That Mean?

0:16:52 - One Thing Leaders Often Misunderstand About Performance Conversations 

0:21:02 - How to Create a Culture Where It’s Normal to Talk About Performance and 

0:27:35 - The Performance Gap Jessica Wants to Fill, and Why It Matters

0:33:13 - Jessica’s Take on a Ratings System Approach to Performance Management

0:34:14 - The Biggest Mistake Companies Make in Implementing Performance Management Software

0:38:34 - How Jessica Would Redesign Performance Management, From Scratch

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:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-devlieger-7623305/

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Let’s talk about fairness—or, more accurately, let’s talk about how your company is probably failing at it!

You know the drill: the ‘neutral’ policies that somehow always disadvantage the same people, the DEI initiatives that start and end with a Slack emoji, the performance reviews that feel more like a lottery than actual feedback. 

This week, Zach Nunn (founder of Living Corporate and certified corporate truth-teller) joins me to rip apart the illusion of fairness at work! 

We’re talking remote work double standards, the sneaky policies that keep marginalized employees stuck, and why ‘transparency’ is often just corporate code for ‘we’ll tell you the rules but not how to win.’ 

If most workplaces were actually fair, we wouldn’t need this episode! 

But since that’s not our reality yet… press play and let’s get figure it out together.

Choosing the wrong HR platform is rife with regrets: losing a top performer, promoting the wrong person, or failing to engage your team when the business needs it most.

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between investing in people programs and consolidating your tech stack. With Lattice, you can have both. Visit lattice.com to learn more.

Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit SixFifty.com to learn more!

0:03:43 - One Truth About Work Zach Wishes More Leaders Understood

0:11:30 - What is Living Corporate and What Inspired Zach to Start It?

0:17:02 - What Most Companies Get Wrong About Fairness at Work

0:25:42 - Defining a Fair Workplace and How It Feels to Employees

0:38:52 - Policies That Seem Neutral, But Actually End up Being Unfair

0:52:54 - One Thing HR Should Stop Doing Immediately to Build Fairer Workplaces

0:53:50 - What Gives Zach Hope?

0:56:32 - Get in Touch With Zach

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 Zach:

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

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

I’m back in your ears with another banger of an episode, and this one’s the season finale!

I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap things up than by geeking out with my incredibly impressive friend Jeet Mukerji, co-founder and CEO of Kinfolk.

Whether you’re an AI skeptic or a full-on tech enthusiast, there is a lot of food for thought to digest.

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!

00:02:25 - A Topic Jeet Has Been Interested in Lately

00:03:57 - What Inspired Jeet to Build Kinfolk?

00:06:00 - The Biggest Challenges HR Teams Face With Employee Requests

00:11:01 - Why AI Complements the Human Piece of HR, Not Replaces

00:16:09 - The Biggest Misconceptions About AI in HR

00:21:10 - Using Data to Show Why AI Will Improve Efficiency in HR

00:28:58 - Can AI Handle the Nuances of Emotion in Text?

00:36:03 - Can AI be Used to Make a More Equitable, Inclusive Workplace?

00:42:00 - A Bold, Groundbreaking Thing Jeet Would Love to See in HR

00:44:49 - The Biggest Hurdle in HR Teams Adopting AI Tools

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 Jeet:

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

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

I’ve been on a mission this season to learn something new in every episode, and today? 

Buckle up, because we’re diving into the world of investing and retirement planning—and I promise, it’s way more interesting than it sounds!

It’s also an incredibly important topic that not enough people in our roles are talking about at length.

Unfortunately, financial stress is the #1 stressor for most people, and HR leaders are no exception. 

But here’s the thing: investing doesn’t have to be a jargon-filled nightmare!

So in this episode, Breene Murphy and I are breaking down what HR leaders need to know about investing—no fluff, no confusing terms, just practical insights to help you build a retirement plan that works for your company and your people!

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!

00:03:16 - A Topic Breene Has Been Interested in Lately

00:05:46 - One Thing Every HR Leader Should Know About Investing

00:09:52 - Why It’s so Important for HR Leaders to Understand Investing

00:13:17 - The Best Ways to Evaluate Your 401k Providers

00:25:46 - Why Newer Generations Contribute Less to Their Retirement Funds

00:42:12 - The Biggest Mistakes HR Leaders Make When it Comes to Offering Benefits

00:51:32 - What Breene Would Change About How Companies Approach Investing

00:53:17 - Tools and Resources to Learn About Investing

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 Breene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breene-murphy-climate-friendly-401k/

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Recruiting is rough right now.

Job seekers are frustrated, recruiters are overwhelmed, and everyone’s wondering, “Is it just me, or is this whole system broken?” 

In this episode, I sit down with Kiersten Greggs, founder of Trap Recruiter and a 24-year recruiting veteran, to unpack the chaos. 

Kiersten pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening in today’s job market, why recruiters are the unsung heroes of HR, and how both candidates and hiring teams can navigate this mess.

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!

00:02:19 - A Topic Keirsten Has Been Interested in Lately

00:05:03 - What is Happening in Today’s Market?

00:10:01 - How Will the Job Market Look in the Next Year?

00:14:06 - How to Stand Out During a Hiring Process

00:23:04 - Why Does Everybody Think You Need to Beat the ATS?

00:29:14 - Using AI for Resumes or Job Searching

00:36:39 - The Biggest Inefficiencies in the TA Process Right Now

00:44:16 - How Long Should the Overall Interview Process be?

00:51:46 - What is the Most Important Part of the Candidate Experience? 

00:57:03 - The One Tip Kiersten Would Give Recriuters

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 Keirsten:

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

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Work is changing FAST. 

Between global pandemics, remote work, and the Great Reshuffle, it’s no wonder we’re all feeling a little unhinged!

Nothing like building a deep work connection to help you adjust to it all, eh?

That’s why this week’s episode is a fun (slightly wild) ride with Chris Hagood, CEO of AstutEdge and all-around HR powerhouse. 

We’re covering everything from the role of work friendships to whether you’d take $10,000 to return to the office (spoiler: Chris has thoughts). 

Plus, we’re throwing in some HR raps courtesy of ChatGPT because why not?!

Whether you’re here for the laughs, the insights, or just to feel less alone in your corner of chaos, this episode has it all. 

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!

00:03:00 - A Topic Chris Has Been Interested in Lately

00:08:04 - What the F&*%$ is Going on in the World?

00:11:34 - Does Christ Have a Best Friend in Life That he Met at Work?

00:13:52 - Should HR Play an Active Role in Fostering Friendships at Work?

00:17:19 - Would You Take $10,000 to Return to the Office?

00:23:00 - Professional Myths or Facts

00:33:35 - Yes or No?

00:37:08 - HR Raps From ChatGPT

00:42:12 - 3 Things HR Definitely Shouldn’t Say

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/

Follow Hebba: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Hostile Government Takeover Song 

Gallup Best Friend at Work survey