Episode 8: Recruiting in a Competitive Job Market
Recruiting today is no longer about posting a job and hoping for the best—it’s about attracting the right match in a crowded, candidate-driven market. In this 10-minute episode of HR Essentials with Charles Duke, we explore why recruiting has become more challenging and how HR professionals must shift from filling vacancies to telling a compelling employer story. From speeding up hiring decisions and improving candidate experience to using employee ambassadors and community partnerships, this episode breaks down practical strategies HR can use right now. If you’re feeling the pressure to recruit faster, smarter, and with fewer resources, this episode offers real-world guidance to help you compete for talent and build stronger teams.

Episode 7: Building a Positive Workplace Culture
Workplace culture doesn’t happen by accident—it’s shaped every day by what leaders allow, reinforce, and model. In this episode of Real HR Talk for People Professionals, we break down what “positive culture” really means beyond buzzwords and perks. You’ll learn how HR influences culture through policies, communication, accountability, and leadership behaviors, and why trust, fairness, and consistency matter more than slogans on the wall. Whether you’re rebuilding culture or protecting what’s working, this episode offers practical insight on how HR can lead culture intentionally and make it stick.

Theme: How small actions create big culture shifts.
Key Points:

• Transparency builds safety.
• Keep promises, even small ones.
• Celebrate progress publicly, correct privately.
  Takeaway: Trust is HR’s real currency — protect it like your job depends on it (because it does).

Theme: Confidence and composure when emotions run high.
Key Points:

• Prepare with facts, not feelings.
• Use “I” statements and curiosity, not accusations.
• End every tough talk with clear next steps.
  Takeaway: The conversation you avoid often becomes the problem you can’t fix.

Theme: Understanding disengagement and how to fix it.
Key Points:

• “Quiet quitting” is often unmet expectations.
• Managers drive engagement more than perks do.
• Recognition and clarity re-ignite purpose.
  Takeaway: When people stop caring, leadership must start listening.

Episode 3: Performance Conversations That Work Theme: Turning evaluations into growth moments.
Key Points:

• Frequent, informal check-ins beat once-a-year reviews.
• Start with strengths, end with next steps.
• Document, don’t debate.
  Takeaway: Feedback is a gift — give it thoughtfully and consistently.

Episode 2: What Makes a Great Hire Theme: Going beyond resumes to hire for character and fit.
Key Points:

• Skills can be taught, values can’t.
• Ask behavioral questions that reveal attitude.
• Culture add > culture fit.
  Takeaway: Hire who you can grow with, not just who can do the job today.

Theme: Rediscovering empathy in the people business.
Key Points:

• HR is more than policies and paperwork — it’s about people.
• The power of listening and emotional intelligence.
• Balancing compassion with compliance.
   Takeaway: HR’s credibility grows when employees know you care and know the rules.