Want to know what’s at the heart of every successful organization?

Connection, gifting, recognition, and appreciation!

All four of these are so core to making somebody feel seen and heard at work.

So in today’s episode, we're discussing connection-building because let's face it, loneliness is hitting hard and it's an epidemic that is creeping into our workplaces. 

Join me and Ross Langley from Snappy as we unpack innovative and personalized ways to foster connections with anybody in the office. 

We’re diving deep into creating meaningful experiences, leveraging personalization in gifts, and ensuring everyone in your organization feels truly seen and appreciated.

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!

00:01:35 - What Topic Has Been Interesting to Ross Lately?

00:05:07 - How We Define Meaningful Connections at Work and Why It Matters

00:08:17 - The Biggest Challenges Orgs Face Trying to Build Authentic Connections

00:13:41 - How Unique Gifts Build Genuine Relationships at Work

00:21:59 - Leveraging Personalization to Create Emotional Impacts

00:25:35 - The Impact of Experiential Vs Physical Gifts

00:30:37 - Creative Ways for HR to Integrate Gifting Into Engagement Programs

00:37:07 - Potential Pitfalls With Using Gifts to Build Connections

00:41:14 - Advice for HR Leaders Incorporating Gifting Into Their Connection-building Efforts

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 Ross:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-ross-langley/

Follow Hebba: 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

If there is one silver bullet for connecting with other people, it’s storytelling!

Last episode, my friend Georgia Clark and I unpacked the lessons HR can glean from romance novels about character development and storytelling. 

Today, I’m pushing that conversation forward with Tara Turk-Haynes.

Tara isn't just any guest—she’s a powerhouse in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and DEI, with a vibrant background in the arts like playwriting and screenwriting. 

With her at the helm of DEI initiatives and her roots in creative storytelling, Tara will share how authentic narratives can be the perfect bridge to deeper connections within the workplace.

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!

00:02:48 - What Topic Has Been Interesting to Tara Lately?

00:07:24 - Why Storytelling is Critical for Building Connections

00:10:45 - What Makes Stories Truly Resonate With People?

00:25:20 - A Story That Has Stuck With Tara Over the Years

00:31:43 - How Story Revelations Apply to the Workplace

00:41:02 - How can HR Professionals Become Better Storytellers?

00:44:39 - Storytelling Mistakes People Make, and How to Avoid Them

00:50:01 - How Tara Would Change How Stories are Told in Corporate Spaces

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 Tara:

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

Follow Hebba: 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Beyond the typical day-to-day activities in HR…

I’m just a mega-dorknerd with a fierce love for books, especially when they whisk me away to worlds filled with fantasy, sci-fi, and heart-stirring romance!

And today, we're exploring how the twists and turns of romance novels can actually offer fascinating insights into HR. 

I'm thrilled to have Georgia Clark with us to guide us through these narrative mazes!

She’s not just any novelist—she’s a storytelling wizard who’s penned titles like Most Wonderful and Island Time, and she lights up New York's iconic Joe's Pub with her storytelling night, Generation Women.

During our chat, we discuss how romance and the hero's journey in novels can uniquely resonate within the corridors of HR, enhancing empathy and understanding, which are crucial for anyone in this role.

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!

00:02:12 - A Topic Georgia is Interested in Right Now

00:05:50 - Georgia’s Favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode

00:09:47 - How Georgia Became a Writer

00:16:24 - How Georgia Develops Her Characters

00:21:29 - The Approach Behind Character Transformation

00:30:30 - How Georgia Thinks About Conflict While Creating Characters

00:39:15 - Uncovering Character Motivations in a Natural Way

00:45:58 - How to Make a Story Truly Captivating for People

00:48:28 - What is Generation Women?

00:53:35 - Why the Hero Journey in Romance Novels Resonates With People

01:00:07 - Making Stories Reflect Diverse Perspectives and Experiences

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 Georgia:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-clark-b451412/

Follow Hebba: 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Welcome to a brand new season of the podcast, where I’m flipping the script and diving deep into more diverse topics!

I’ll be challenging myself (and my guests) to rethink what we think we know about the world of work, and how seemingly unrelated topics still tie back to HR.

Today, we’ve got the one and only Sarika Lamont, aka my Comp Guru Queen, joining us!

If you want to understand pay transparency and total rewards in a way that actually makes sense, Sarika is here to break it all down. 

Spoiler alert: pay isn’t as simple as it seems—and neither is the communication behind it. 

We talk about why employees often misunderstand compensation, how we can improve the conversation, and why education is the key to getting pay transparency right.

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!

00:05:45 - One Topic Sarika is Interested in Right Now

00:16:05 - Explaining Compensation and Total Rewards in Simple Terms

00:19:07 - How do you Decide What Employees Should be Paid?

00:36:22 - What Makes Creating Good Pay Packages so Challenging?

00:53:55 - What do Employees Misunderstand About Pay, Benefits, and How They’re Determined?

01:13:55 - Should Companies be Open About How Much They Pay Employees?

01:16:02 - Non-money Rewards That Companies Can Offer to Make Employees Feel Valued

01:17:36 - How Pay and Rewards for Employees Will Change 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 Sarika:

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

Follow Hebba: 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

As we wrap up 2024, it's time to start thinking ahead to 2025—and let’s be honest, it’s about time we take our place as the experts in the room. 

From fixing the broken candidate experience to building stronger bridges with other teams, it’s time for HR to show up and show out!

This episode features a series of friends/leaders sharing their bold wishes for the future, and why 2025 is our year to make real change happen. We’re not holding back!

Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.

00:00:55 - Tara Turk-Haynes’s Wish for HR in 2025

00:10:01 - Sarika Lamont’s Wish for HR in 2025

00:16:02 - Cassidy Edwards’s Wish for HR in 2025

00:19:35 - Noah Warder’s Wish for HR in 2025

00:26:52 - Cassandra Babilya’s Wish for HR in 2025

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 Tara:

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

Follow Sarika:

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

Follow Cassidy:

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

Follow Noah:

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

Follow Cassandra:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-babilya/

Follow Hebba: 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

As People Leaders, we love our people, but sometimes we miss how the two worlds of business strategy and people strategy need to work together to drive results. 

Joining me is the brilliant Halai Shukran, COO at Pluribus Digital, who’s built her career around understanding exactly how people and business strategy intersect. From leading talent functions to overseeing operations, IT, and comms, Halai’s insight is next level. 

She’s breaking down how to speak the language of other business units, why you should get your seat at the table, and how to prioritize when resources are tight.

Plus, we talk about the big picture—how seeing the whole organization helps shape better leadership and decision-making.

So, if you’ve ever felt stuck in the HR bubble, today’s episode is your guide to breaking out and making a real impact. 

Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.

00:02:27 - One Thing People in HR Should Rethink

00:06:10 - How Halai Discovered Her Zone of Genius

00:10:43 - Keeping Business and People Strategies Aligned

00:18:10 - The Process for Diagnosing Organizational Challenges

00:23:30 - Prioritizing When Resources are Limited

00:37:18 - Approaching Prioritization When Working Across Multiple Teams

00:42:57 - How Seeing the Bigger Picture Influences Leadership and Decision-making

00:48:14 - Advice for Leaders who Want to Cultivate the “Big Picture” Mindset

00:50:58 - What Excites Halai About the Future of 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 Halai:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halai-shukran-sphr/

Follow Hebba: 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

If HR should be anything it’s these two things: creative and curious.

This week’s guest is as delicious as the bagels her company makes (and that’s saying something). 

Nikki Rappaport, Chief People Officer at Call Your Mother—aka my go-to for stress-eating bagels—is here to share her creativity and wisdom!

With a decade of experience in creative marketing and employee experience design, Nikki shares how curiosity and creativity drive exceptional HR practices. 

From storytelling to culture-building, we’re exploring how HR can learn from marketing to build trust, align teams with company values, and create meaningful employee experiences.

Also, yes, we talk a little bit about bagels. Obviously.

Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.

00:03:50 - One Thing People in HR Should Rethink

00:04:53 - How Nikki Found Her Zone of Genius

00:07:20 - How Creativity Translates into Exceptional Employee Experiences

00:10:50 - The Overlap Between Marketing and HR

00:15:38 - The Connection Between Marketing and a Strong Workplace Culture

00:18:53 - How HR Can Utilize Storytelling to Strengthen Culture and Branding

00:24:53 - How to Align Employees With Company Missions and Values

00:36:30 - Lessons From Customer Experience Design That HR Should Learn

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 Nikki:

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

Follow Hebba: 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Ever feel like recruiting is just herding cats—or maybe gremlins? 

And job searching? Let's call it what it is these days: a special kind of torture.

In this episode, I’ve rounded up some previous guests and we’re tackling the dual headache of being a recruiter and a job seeker in today’s chaotic market!

With 2025 shaping up as the “Year of the Personal Brand,” we’re dishing out the tea on trust, relationships, and why recruiters who don’t build a foundation are always playing defense.

Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.

00:02:22 - Shannon’s Biggest Piece of Advice for Recruiters

00:04:41 - What Job Seekers Should Consider in This Market

00:09:32 - Rhona’s Biggest Piece of Advice for Recruiters

00:11:42 - Tips for Job Seekers of Today

00:15:21 - Brandon’s Biggest Piece of Advice for Recruiters

00:17:34 - Brandon’s One Tip for Job Seekers

00:21:15 - Sean’s Biggest Piece of Advice for Recruiters

00:22:24 - Sean’s One Tip for Job Seekers

00:26:53 - Can you Beat the ATS?

00:34:58 - What is the Best ATS System to Use?

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 Shannon:

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

Follow Rhona:

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

Follow Brandon:

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

Follow Sean

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-page-capm/

Follow Hebba: 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Hot take: Nobody is inherently a good leader. Being a leader is a learned skill.

What does it really take to be a good leader? 

It’s not about being perfect, having all the answers, or walking in like a natural-born boss! Leadership is messy, vulnerable, and learned. 

In this episode, my unofficial co-host (and leadership guru) Jessica Winder is back to break it all down. 

We talk about why vulnerability is a must (not an option), how to lead when you have zero authority, and why leadership isn’t a natural-born trait—it’s a skill you grow over time.

Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.

00:01:35 - Jessica’s Background 

00:03:45 - One Thing That HR People Should Rethink

00:06:30 - What Does it Mean to be a Leader?

00:11:57 - How Jessica’s Leadership Style Evolved Over the Years

00:16:13 - When Jessica Realized Leadership as Her Zone of Genius

00:19:20 - Common Myths About Leadership, Debunked

00:23:38 - What Qualities Differentiate a Good Leader From a Great Leader?

00:30:40 - Balancing Empathy and Decision-making as a Leader

00:36:48 - Advice for People Stepping Into Their First Leadership Role

00:38:27 - What Leadership Could Look Like in 5-10 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 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

Just how different is a work environment that’s unionized versus one that isn’t?

Today, we’re diving headfirst into the world of unionized workplaces with the brilliant Morgan Williams! 

Spoiler alert: unions aren’t just about strikes and tension—they can actually make your organization stronger if you know how to play the game. 

Morgan’s expertise? Managing unionized environments, reducing conflict, and building collaboration that lasts. 

She’s here to drop some knowledge on how you can navigate union demands without breaking a sweat (or losing your mind).

Plus, why you should care about union negotiations—because, trust me, what they’re asking for today might just be what your employees are eyeing tomorrow.

Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.

00:02:15 - Something That HR Folks Should Rethink

00:04:20 - What Sparked Morgan’s Interest in Working With Unions

00:07:30 - How the Election Could Impact Unionized Work

00:10:47 - Working in a Unionized Environment VS a Non-unionized Environment

00:13:04 - Common Misconceptions About Unionized Workplaces

00:20:00 - Why Some People Don’t Support Unions

00:22:17 - Fostering Positive Labor Relations and Reducing Conflict

00:28:58 - How Employee and Union Relationships Have Changed Over the Years

00:38:10 - Where Can People Educate Themselves on Unions?

00:45:22 - Where to Get in Touch With Morgan

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 Morgan:

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

Follow Hebba: 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef