Shows
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHow to do Reference Checks (with James Lord)Reference checks: the hiring step everyone does but most recruiters think is dumb. In this episode, James Lord breaks down what HR professionals can do differently to actually learn something meaningful about candidates when they do reference checks.James (of RefApp) shares insights from years working with reference checking companies, including the uncomfortable truth that 8% of references are fraudulent. We need to protect ourselves! We explore practical strategies for determining who to actually call, whether or not you should call, and navigating problems.We discuss:Why requiring supervisors from the...
2025-12-1628 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHow to Hire Good Employees - in the Age of AIWe all want to hire the right person, but what if the skills you're looking for today won't matter in six months because AI is changing so much? In this episode, I talk with Matt Alder, a talent acquisition futurist and host of the top-ranked Recruiting Future podcast, about how rapidly changing skill requirements are forcing us to rethink everything about hiring.Matt breaks down the "half-life of skills" - why technical abilities are becoming outdated faster than ever, and which human capabilities will actually endure. We discuss hiring...
2025-12-0923 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsVirtual Team Events - What Works (And Doesn't Suck)Virtual team building could make anyone cringe. The invite shows up, eyes roll, and half the team is suddenly googling "how long does food poisoning last". And most of us in HR were never actually trained for this. We're just handed the task on top of everything else.So I talked with Lee Rubin, co-founder of Confetti, about what makes virtual events work (and what makes them flop). We talked about what events can't fix (e.g. bad management). And we discuss the humanizing effect of seeing your intimidating boss laugh during a...
2025-12-0227 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsPayroll Basics For HR ProfessionalsIf you're in HR and deal with payroll - or just need to work closely with them - getting this wrong can damage your career. Steven Van Alstine from the National Payroll Institute walks us through what HR professionals need to understand about payroll to avoid costly mistakes. And to be more effective in that critical relationship!We cover what payroll actually does beyond "paying people," the critical information you need to provide for new hires and employee changes, and why payroll professionals can seem so inflexible. Steven explains the real compliance risks, the staggering financial responsibility...
2025-11-2522 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsRestructuring and Job Loss: The Impacts of Market Trends (with Dr. Nita Chhinzer)Why can't employers find workers when talented people can't find jobs??Dr. Nita Chhinzer from the University of Guelph joins me to unpack what's happening in job markets right now. Employers are drowning in thousands of identical AI-polished resumes while qualified candidates are locked out of opportunities.So how do we fix that? Well part of it is assessments. Nita's research identifies four things employers actually hire for that never show up in job ads: professional maturity, attitude/coachability, willingness to work, and time management. Companies are going back to employee referrals and networking events, essentially crowdsourcing their recruitment...
2025-11-1228 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsGeneration Numb: Exhaustion and Overwhelm in the Workforce - with Josh CardozFeeling overwhelmed at work isn't the same as feeling burned out. What's happening right now might be worse.Josh Cardoz, Chief Creative and Learning Officer at Sponge, recently wrote a white paper called "Mobilising Generation Numb" that captures what's he believes is really going on in workplaces. And it resonates. People are showing up but they're detached. They're going through the motions without bringing their best selves. And it's not just a few people - it's happening at scale.We talk about the data showing that employees are cynical, exhausted, overwhelmed, and seeking...
2025-11-0424 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsWorking Mom Burnout: The Impact on Organizations (with Dr. Rosina McAlpine)Working moms are burning out at higher rates than almost any other group in the workforce. The reasons are complicated, but it will clearly impact organizations.In this episode, I talk with Dr. Rosina McAlpine about what's really happening with working parents and what might actually help.Dr. Rosina is a work and family wellbeing expert who works with HR leaders to build family-friendly workplaces. She runs Win Win Parenting and has developed workplace programs that help organizations support their working parents.We dig into why moms are more stressed than dads, why...
2025-10-2825 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsThe Impact of Generational Myths - With Cam MarstonToo often, people blame workplace problems on another generation. Baby Boomers won't change. Gen X is disengaged. Millennials are needy. Gen Z won't work hard. I have always wondered if this was mostly wrong. And... it is. Generational researcher Cam Marston has spent decades studying how different age groups work together, and he joined me to bust some myths. In this conversation, we get into what's actually true about generational differences versus what's just convenient stereotyping.The big revelation: most of what we label as "generational" is actually about *life stages*—and those li...
2025-10-2128 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsReference Checks in Recruitment: Is There Any Point?Are reference checks worth the effort?Most HR professionals have never actually changed a hiring decision based on a reference check. So are we wasting our time, or are we doing wrong?James Lord has spent 10 years in the reference checking industry and argues we're missing the point entirely. Instead of using references to confirm decisions we've already made, he explains how to turn them into a hiring tool that reveals information you can't get anywhere else.In this episode:Why most reference checks feel pointless (and how timing could fix this...
2025-10-1423 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsMergers And Acquisitions In HRM: How We Improve Company ValuationHow does HR impact a company's sale price? Lindsay Osmond, former VP of HR and current business optimization expert, discusses the role HR plays in making companies 'sellable'.From employment contract liabilities to cultural red flags that derail deals, Lindsay explains what buyers really look at when they are making a decision. The information she shares can help position you as a strategic business partner in the process.Key takeaways include the specific metrics buyers care about, why people are your only true competitive advantage, and how to navigate the complex post-merger integration process.
2025-07-2928 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsCoaching Culture: Why Yours Isn't Working and How to Fix ItYou've invested in coaching training for your managers. You've rolled out the initiative company-wide. So why does it still feel like you're pushing a boulder uphill?HR consultant Debbie Pearmain has spent 25 years watching organizations struggle with this exact problem. In this episode, she reveals the uncomfortable truth: most coaching cultures fail because companies are only training half the relationship.Debbie shares research showing that 82% of employees feel stuck "below the line of accountability" and explains how coaching becomes the vehicle for moving people above that line. But here's the kicker - it only works...
2025-07-2223 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsLessons for HR Pros - 7 tips from 100+ conversationsAfter 4.5 years of hosting the HR Hub and hitting nearly 10,000 subscribers, I'm sharing a few insights that have shaped how I think about HR practice. This solo episode breaks down seven critical lessons I've learned from interviewing over 150 HR experts - and some of these might challenge how you practice!From the hard truth about why HR programs get cut to the business development skills you actually need for consulting, these aren't your typical HR platitudes. I'm talking about real, practical wisdom that can change how you approach your career and daily work.You'll discover...
2025-06-1012 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsData Driven Learning: Training that has an ImpactIs your L&D team flying blind? In this episode, I sit down with edtech strategist and author Lori Niles-Hofmann to unpack why data-driven learning design is a game-changer for HR professionals.Lori reveals how borrowing tactics from marketing can transform training effectiveness and explains her practical "duct tape approach" for organizations without perfect data systems. We explore everything from using digital body language to predict learning needs to her bold prediction about AI coaches replacing traditional courses.Whether you're struggling to measure learning impact or looking to modernize your training approach, this conversation delivers...
2025-04-2920 min
The Neuroscience of PR: How NLP & Psychology Drive Media Influence | The Red Carpet ConnectionBonus Episode: ResilienceIn this bonus episode, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller shares how resilience fuels success, helping leaders, brands, and public figures thrive through challenges and emerge stronger than ever.Want to learn more about The Red Carpet Connection?https://theredcarpetconnection.comWant to learn more about Dr. Andrea Adams Miller?https://theredcarpetconnection.com/about-dr-andrea-adams-miller
2025-03-0405 minThe Neuroscience of PR: How NLP & Psychology Drive Media Influence | The Red Carpet ConnectionBonus Episode: ConnectionIn this bonus episode, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller explores why authentic connection is the foundation of influence, business success, and lasting media impact.Want to learn more about The Red Carpet Connection?https://theredcarpetconnection.comWant to learn more about Dr. Andrea Adams Miller?https://theredcarpetconnection.com/about-dr-andrea-adams-miller
2025-03-0405 minThe Neuroscience of PR: How NLP & Psychology Drive Media Influence | The Red Carpet ConnectionBonus Episode: MindsetIn this bonus episode, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller shares why mindset shapes success in business, media, and life—and how mastering your thinking opens doors to influence and opportunity.Want to learn more about The Red Carpet Connection?https://theredcarpetconnection.comWant to learn more about Dr. Andrea Adams Miller?https://theredcarpetconnection.com/about-dr-andrea-adams-miller
2025-03-0404 minThe Neuroscience of PR: How NLP & Psychology Drive Media Influence | The Red Carpet ConnectionThe Future of PR – Why Neuroscience-Based Public Relations is the New StandardThe future of PR is scientific, strategic, and deeply psychological. In this bonus episode, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller of The Red Carpet Connection explores the next evolution of media influence and why neuroscience-based PR is the future of branding and public relations.What You’ll Learn:✔️ How neuroscience-driven PR will dominate brand influence✔️ The future of media influence, from AI to deep psychological targeting✔️ Why traditional PR tactics are becoming obsolete✔️ How The Red Carpet Connection is leading the new era of PR & brand psychology✔️ How to future-proof your PR strategy for long-term success
2025-02-1908 minThe Neuroscience of PR: How NLP & Psychology Drive Media Influence | The Red Carpet ConnectionReputation & Crisis Management – How to Rewire Public PerceptionPublic perception is emotional, not logical—and during a crisis, how you respond can make or break your reputation. In this episode, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller of The Red Carpet Connection shares neuroscience-driven PR strategies to shift narratives, regain trust, and reshape public perception.What You’ll Learn:✔️ Why public perception is based on emotion, not facts✔️ How NLP reframing techniques can change the story in a PR crisis✔️ The role of cognitive bias & linguistic positioning in crisis recovery✔️ Case study: How we’ve helped clients restore credibility after a media crisis✔️ The power of proactive vs...
2025-02-1907 minThe Neuroscience of PR: How NLP & Psychology Drive Media Influence | The Red Carpet ConnectionThe Neuroscience of Media – How to Secure High-Impact PlacementsMost PR pitches get ignored—but why? In this episode, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller of The Red Carpet Connection breaks down how the media actually works and reveals the neuroscience-backed strategies that secure high-value placements. Learn how to craft PR campaigns that capture attention, build authority, and drive real influence.What You’ll Learn:✔️ Why most PR pitches fail—and how to make yours brain-friendly✔️ The neuroscience of storytelling and how to structure brand narratives for instant impact✔️ Dr. Andrea’s insider media strategies for securing top-tier placements✔️ How social proof & authority bias influence media decision...
2025-02-1809 minThe Neuroscience of PR: How NLP & Psychology Drive Media Influence | The Red Carpet ConnectionThe Power of NLP in PR – Crafting Messages That ResonateTraditional PR messaging often gets lost in the noise. In this episode, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller of The Red Carpet Connection reveals how Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) transforms PR by making messages more memorable, persuasive, and emotionally engaging.What You’ll Learn:✔️ How the subconscious mind processes media messages✔️ The role of emotional triggers & sensory-based language in PR✔️ 5 NLP techniques that enhance PR: anchoring, mirroring, reframing, embedded commands, and pacing✔️ Real case studies of NLP-powered PR securing top media placements✔️ Actionable strategies to apply NLP to your messaging todayIf you want to craft...
2025-02-1806 minThe Neuroscience of PR: How NLP & Psychology Drive Media Influence | The Red Carpet ConnectionThe Science of Influence: Why Traditional PR Falls ShortTraditional PR tactics are outdated. In this episode, Dr. Andrea Adams-Miller breaks down why most PR firms fail and how neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and neuroscience can transform branding, media strategy, and public perception. Learn the psychology of trust, persuasion, and authority—and how to craft messages that truly resonate and convert.🔥 What You’ll Learn:✔️ Why mass PR tactics are ineffective✔️ How the brain processes media and messaging✔️ The power of NLP and subconscious influence in PR✔️ How to position yourself for lasting media impact👉 Subscribe for more PR & Influence insights!📩 Work with The Red Car...
2025-02-1805 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsUnderstanding MicroaggressionsMicroaggressions in the workplace continue to be hard to understand. I was involved in an investigation a while back alleging microaggressions and I was uncertain. So when I had the opportunity to clarify I did.
I spoke with Sara Taylor who has been a DEI expert for a long time. She started her company, deepSEE Consulting in 2002. She has authored two books including, recently, 'Thinking at the Speed of Bias'. She has been a Chief Diversity Officer. She was on my panel discussion around DEI and it was wonderful to talk to her about...
2025-02-0426 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsSkills Based Organization - Easier Upskilling & ReskillingThis episode was supposed to be about upskilling and reskilling exclusively... but we quickly talked about the skills-based organization because that is where upskilling and reskilling start.
You have to know what skills you are trying to build!
I had THE best person for this discussion IMO. My guest was Lori Niles-Hofman. Lori hosts an upskilling course on LinkedIn Learning. She describes herself as an EdTech and AI Transformation Strategist. She is an author having written The Eight Levers of EdTech Transformation which will be published this spring. She has also been an L&D...
2025-01-2126 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsAccountability: What gets done and HOW it gets doneHR is often asked to help increase accountability in the workplace. Because people just aren't doing their jobs they way they are supposed to!
We often think it's because they don't care. Sometimes that's the case, but other times they just don't care about the impact they're having on others.
I spoke to Mitch Warner, Managing Partner of the Arbinger Institute. Things got a little uncomfortable for me - but I guess that's when the learning happens right?
He talks about an aspect of...
2025-01-1427 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsBuilding Relationships with Clients in HRAll of us in HR have to build relationships with clients. So how?
It is a skill and what happens when things go wrong?
I interviewed Tiffany Castagno, an HR consultant and leader, and I sensed had a gift for building relationships with clients. Because she was building a relationship with me so quickly! I could see she has a unique and effective way of balancing professionalism with authenticity. I concluded that we have a lot to learn from her.
Some thoughts and questions:
2024-11-1920 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsEmployee Value Proposition Tips And TricksDoes your EVP attract potential employees or push them away? Is it a bad thing if it DOES repell people?
You want your EVP to help you attract the RIGHT people.
EVP was the focus of a fantastic conversation with Bryan Adams of Happy Dance. Not Bryan Adams the singer of course. Our Bryan recently left the role of CEO of Ph.Creative which is an Employer Brand agency. He has written a few books - the most relevant of which is 'Give and Get: Repel the Many and...
2024-11-1226 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsIncivility at WorkThis episode on incivility at work was soooo welcome. It doesn't matter if you're on the left or the right, it might make you uncomfortable!
I love it when this happens! After well over 200 episodes, it's thrilling to be unexpectedly challenged!
Sara Taylor has been a DEI expert for a long time. She started her company, deepSEE Consulting in 2002. She has authored two books including, recently, 'Thinking at the Speed of Bias'. She has been a Chief Diversity Officer. She was on my panel discussion around DEI. So, in...
2024-10-1531 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsOwn Your Career GrowthSo you want career growth. But how do you make it happen?
You need to answer the question of 'what do you mean by career growth'. And the answer could be ANYTHING. Time with family. Travelling. Money. Praise. Promotions. Prestige. Specialization. Really it could be anything and an honest, personal answer will help you achieve it.
This was the focus of my conversation with Adam Pekarsky. He's had career growth, but not really of the traditional kind. He started out as a lawyer and now he is a leader...
2024-10-0124 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsMindset In The Workplace: The Importance, Power, and ApplicationMindset is harder than rocket science according to NASA scientists.
So all you HR people out there? Give yourselves a pat on the back! The people stuff is hard!
In this episode, I spoke with Mitch Warner, managing partner at the Arbinger Institute, which is responsible for the book "Outward Mindset". Mitch helped with the latest edition and shares his insight into mindset generally. He focuses particularly on the value of having an outward (rather than inward) mindset. He's worked with clients like NASA and this is how he knows what the rocket scientists think!
An "outward mindset" has...
2024-08-2725 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsBuilding A Strong Leadership Team - No Ropes Courses Involved"Without conflict, you don't have innovation. So I want to make sure people use their voices."
And use it effectively in a leadership team when there are a number of strong voices present.
I spoke with Tish Squillaro of CANDOR Management Consulting about the art of building leadership teams. This is something you'll do more as you progress, but the principles apply to any team. Tish, is a candid consulting expert who has worked with Salesforce and IBM. She knows her content inside and out and one of her core interests is team dynamics, a crucial aspect of scaling...
2024-07-2324 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsEmployer Branding ExplainedEmployer Brand: "Ultimately, it’s about reverse engineering. What does the business need? And getting to the point of ‘Now we understand that, how do we tell a story and talk about the strength, benefits, and opportunities balance with the harsh realities adversities to craft a proposition that’s both authentic and compelling.'"
I had a fantastic conversation with Bryan Adams, founder and former CEO of ph-creative and founder and CEO of HappyDance - a platform that means business when it comes to candidate experience. He has consulted to brands such as Apple and Ni...
2024-07-0923 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsUS Guide To Hiring Foreign WorkersHiring a foreign worker isn't guaranteed and it may take longer. But you may be better off in the long run.
One of my first jobs ever was as an immigration officer so maybe it was just me, but I loved this demystification of rules for hiring foreign talent. This is American content though - I'll find someone Canadian soon.
I spoke with an immigration attorney, Sergio Athanasso, of Sergio Law. He specializes in helping organizations with their foreign recruitment and gave us a bunch of tips on how...
2024-06-2523 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsCross Cultural Training: When Norms are Different"Celebrate all diversity."
In this case we were mostly talking about cultural diversity - as in from different countries. This used to be something we talked about a lot and then we stopped. It's still relevant though. Some peoples have different priorities or beliefs that come into our workplaces or we're part of a multinational firm.
So, with some personal trepidation that we might veer off into negative stereotypes, I spoke with with Sue Ingram. She's has a keen interest in what makes a great workplace and dealt with...
2024-06-0423 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsDebating Remote Work: How You Do It Matters"Being in person doesn't mean you are present."
On one hand, many employees love remote work while, on the other, many companies want employees in person. Where do you sit on the subject? The debate rages in my household. I'll state the obvious: it's hard for any of us to be objective.
I spoke with Kaleem Clarkson, COO of BlendMe, a consultancy focused on supporting remote and hybrid workplaces. Recently, he was listed as one of the top 50 experts around enabling remote work. He shared his insights on why...
2024-05-2825 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsTraining Employees In Small Business (SMB Series)In a small or medium business (or NFP) you need to do a little bit of many things - learning and development is no exception. So, as part of my series on HR for SMBs, we are talking about L&D in that environment.
Our expert guest for this episode was the exceptional James Aird, an L&D specialist with a Master's of Education from Harvard. James has a unique perspective, having honed his skills in conflict areas like Iraq and the Congo. He is down-to-earth with a lot of practical tips to help...
2024-05-1414 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsRecruiting in Small Business: Do it Yourself! (SMB Series)Battling uphill with recruitment for small and medium businesses or not-for-profits? Worried about competing with the big names and their resources? It's time to level up your HR game!
In this episode of The HR Hub, I dove into full cycle recruitment: all the steps in the recruitment process. I offered insights and strategies to help you attract great people even against larger and more well-known employers.
This is another episode I (Andrea Adams) did myself. I'm an HR consultant to small and medium businesses and distilled some of...
2024-05-0211 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsLabour shortage? Hire Older Workers!Are you worried about your labour supply? Well... there are places you might find it, if you're open-minded.
In this episode of The HR Hub, we dive into the world of older workers, their potential, and the myths surrounding them. I spoke with Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, Canada's national seniors advocacy organization. She is a researcher, teacher, speaker... and well qualified to participate.
We covered the gamut and I asked tough questions like: don't they cost more? Laura shared her insights on this and the good and bad news about the labour market...
2024-04-1625 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsThe Mind-Blowing Impact of Financial Accounting on HRIf I was going to listen to one episode of my own show this year, this would be the one. There is something I love about all of them, but this was next level.
It may be appropriate considering the guest: Dr. Peter Cappelli. He is a professor of Management and Director of the Center for Human Resources at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of numerous Harvard Business Review articles and, recently, the
author of a book on the topic of our discussion: Our Least Important Asset: Why the Relentless Focus on...
2024-04-0243 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsThe Process Of Performance Appraisal - And the DebateWhere do you stand on the performance appraisal debate? Some say it's just too hard to do well and, when not done well, it does more harm than good. Others say it's essential and we just have to get better at it. What do you think? I'm genuinely interested!!
Many companies still do them though so I was curious and reached out to Sue Ingram of Converse Well to talk about it. She is certainly a wonderful person to talk to! I'd recommend her anytime for a conversation.
She...
2024-03-1922 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsDealing with Problem Employees (SMB series)So do you have problem or underperforming employee? Can't quite pin it down? These are hard for anyone to deal with for so many reasons - complex laws, reasons, emotions running high... But I try to help you sort it out in this episode including clarifying when you really should get expert help.
This is the third in my series for small and medium business owners and NFP execs. I'm an HR consultant and helping you navigate these murky and frustrating waters!
In this episode, I review:
2024-03-0711 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsUse Storytelling In PresentationsAre you frustrated with your presentation skills? For some it's total fear. For others like me, I'll do it, but there are many other things I would rather do.
In this episode of The HR Hub, I explored how to use storytelling in presentations. My guest, Jilliane Yawney, is a speaking coach who turns scientists and engineers (and HR) into confident speakers and storytellers. Jilliane is not just a speaking coach. She's also the founder of the Calgary Story Slam, one of the biggest in Canada. Using her expertise, she helps professionals weave useful stories into their...
2024-03-0524 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHow To Setup HR For Your Business (SMB Series)Hey podcast listeners. I am adding something to my interview series... a series for small and medium sized businesses and not for profits (SMBs). And I'm doing them myself!
In this episode I am talking to anyone involved in HR for an SMB, but especially leaders who may not have in-house HR. I delve into how to starting your HR function. When you start HR is a passing thought. As you grow, you'll discover the importance of HR in managing your team more efficiently, and I'll shed light on how to strike the right...
2024-02-2212 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsDecision Making In HRM: Evidence-Based HRAre you tired of HR decisions being made on a whim or based on the latest trends? Me too - and many of the HR Hub guests as well!
Welcome to a moment where we ignore all fads and focus on the evidence! Where we debunk the myths and dig into the possibility of science behind effective HR!
This week we're talking about evidence-based HR with Dr. Salvatore
Falletta, who is the author of the upcoming book "Creepy Analytics." He works at Drexel University now, but used to work as a CHRO and
consultant. He makes a strong case...
2024-02-2025 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsAge Discrimination In The WorkplaceI don't know about you, but AGE is one aspect of DEI that I hardly ever hear anything about. And, yet the impact of ageist policies on older workers is profound.
Are you thinking something like "but it's time for those boomers to get out the way so I have a chance!"? Well, I asked Laura Tamblyn Watts, the CEO of CanAge about that. CanAge is Canada's Seniors Advocacy organization and, she says while a few older workers have a ton of privilege, many are shockingly disadvantaged. With 25 years of experience, Laura brings a...
2024-02-1324 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsLeadership Trends - Tips for HRThere's well over 60,000 books on Amazon about leadership. It sometimes feel like there's a new trend to concern ourselves about every time you go on LinkedIn.
My guest this week, Corina Walsh, is keeping it real! She's a
leadership coach and host of the People and Culture Success Show. She trains leaders and has a fresh perspective on the leadership trends and their implications for HR. In this episode, you'll learn about:🌐 The importance of HR professionals keeping abreast of leadership trends and how it influences decision-making at the executive table.
👥 Current leadership trends include remote work...
2024-01-1123 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsMission, Vision, Values: Alignment for HRThree questions: What makes your organization remarkable? How
does this connect to its mission, vision and values? Most important, how would you rate the alignment of your work and culture with the mission, vision and values?
This was what I spoke with Britni Eisenman, the founding principal of Stoke Fire about. Britni brings a unique perspective to the table, having transitioned from social work to advising CEOs on business strategy and organization development.
We explored how organizational alignment can and should significantly impact our HR practices and overall business success. Back to t...
2023-12-1920 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsAI In Hr: Don't Be A Cautionary TaleHow much have you thought about the ethical implications of AI in HR?
It’s not alarmist to think that AI will enable HR to discriminate more and in new ways! After all, Amazon had to scrap their recruitment and selection AI because it was biased against women.
This week I, again, spoke with Megan Marie Butler about AI in HR. She speaks plainly and is quite practical in her assessment of AI in HR. She is doing her PhD in the space, but is so frank and easy to...
2023-12-0523 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsWhat Is HR Strategy Compared To Tactics?There's an intersection between tactics and strategy in HR. As we want our work to matter more and as we move through our careers, we need to understand the transition.
The guest for this episode was Brittany Eisenman, the founding principal of Stokefire. With her unique career path from social work to advising CEOs, Brittany brought a fresh perspective to this! Some of that perspective includes:
🥵 Being busy busy busy will not get you involved in the strategy. See the video.
🎯 She thinks strategy when s...
2023-11-2825 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsSkills HR Professionals Should Have: Avoiding A Leader's WorkIn HR we have to navigate the boundaries between us and leadership. We want to provide good service, but we can't enable leaders to avoid their responsibilities.
This week's guest was Pam Schmidt. Pam, a leadership and organization development consultant, shared her experiences and insights on a common challenge in HR and offered some practical advice (and a little bit of spine!)
Pam discussed:
2️⃣ Two ways leaders may approach HR that may be misguided: role clarity and team function.
🚩Why she...
2023-11-1424 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsAI For HR: The Basics, Potential, and PerilsCurious about how AI is changing the game for HR? Or maybe you've been waiting for the hype to die down and the real story to come out. This discussion is super informative either way!
I found a fantastic guest to talk to about AI for HR! Megan Marie Butler is doing her PhD on the topic and, since she is not affiliated with any software company, we get a fairly unfiltered point of view! And Megan is pretty funny as speaks her mind on the potential and perils of AI. Like:
2023-10-3122 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHR Strategy vs Business StrategyBusiness strategy is not the strategic plan. And the business strategy has considerable implications for HR strategy.
In this episode with Len Nanjad, we talk about the impact of business strategy on HR. Len is a guy who thinks deeply about HR, is the guest in one of my most popular videos, and doesn't accept the easy explanations that many of us have come to accept as truth.
Some of his insights about business strategy:
4️⃣ Business strategy has 4 pieces.
＝ HR strategy could also f...
2023-10-2424 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsCredibility Assessment - Who's Telling the Truth?People do dumb, mean, or even evil things at work and so we have to do investigations in HR. And the following is pretty common:
"He did this terrible thing to me!" 😭
"I did no such thing. She's lying!" 😡
It's 'he said she said'. Who do you believe????
While it would be tempting to stop there, that's the wrong thing to do. You need to do a CREDIBILITY ASSESSMENT.
Credibility assessments were the subject of my conversation with Bob Stenhouse in response to a question from someone who watched an earlier video. Bob leads Veritas Solutions and they d...
2023-10-1724 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsBuild a mentoring program at workIt's a bit shocking how few workplaces have mentoring programs when we all know how powerful it is for ourselves personally.
Look at the learning and development model that says 70% of learning is on the job, 20% is through relationships and 10% is in training. We work pretty hard at on the job opportunities and formal training... what happened the relationship piece???
Why not formalize mentoring? You CAN do it well. This is the expertise of my lovely guest this week Laura Lundsford. She's written a book on the topic (which is how I found her) and was super insightful.
❌We as...
2023-10-1025 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsMindset for WorkSuccess at work isn't solely determined by your skills or
qualifications. Your mindset also plays a pivotal role in shaping your
professional journey and achieving your career goals.
Mindset has quite a few facets: growth mindset and attitude are a
couple. It has an enormous impact on your resilience and mental health.
It's the mental health connection that I focused on a bit more in this
episode with Laura Terrell. Laura is a coach and was a former special
advisor to the US President. She's also a lawyer. I figure she probably
knows a thing or two about mindset...
2023-10-0323 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHR Risk ManagementThere's a sexual harassment complaint and it ends up front page news.
It's our worst nightmare, but it's absolutely avoidable by doing the
right thing. By *managing risk*.
We rarely think of HR situations in risk management terms i.e.
probability and consequence, but that's the expertise of this week's
guest.
Bob Stenhouse of Veritas Solutions is a former undercover police officer
who understands the consequences intimately. He's taken his
investigative and risk management skill into HR. His insight is unique!
🤔While PR may be a part of an organization's risk mitigation that is
not HR's role. Our role is...
2023-09-2625 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsMentoring: An Intro For HRMHave you had a great mentor? It was really helpful right? And if it
was helpful to you, wouldn't it be powerful for organizations?
So, finally, I have covered mentoring - and with a global leader in
mentoring! It's been on my list for quite a while and so I was
delighted to talk to Dr. Laura Lunsford. She wrote the book "Handbook
for Managing Mentoring Programs" and she was a pleasure to talk to! She
knows it inside and out and some of what she shared includes:
🌱🤝 We think mentoring needs to be organic, but programs DO work. Even
...
2023-09-1221 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsGetting A Promotion At WorkEver wondered how to get promoted? 🤔 Don't wait for someone else to do
something about it! You will have to put yourself 'out there' and
advocate for yourself!
This week's guest, Laura Terrell is a coach and advises her clients on
how to make partner or get promoted. Before this her promotions include
a trip as special advisor to the President in the White House so she
knows a thing or two! 🌟 Her wisdom in this episode includes:
🔹 Question Everything: Want that promotion? You've got to ask the right
questions of the right people.
🔹 Ladies, Listen Up: Apply for the job even...
2023-08-2923 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHow To Conduct An HR AuditSo don't do an HR audit if you think anything less than an A+ is failure. We don't assign grades, but an absence of suggestions leave no opportunity for growth. I suppose you might want an A+ for the purposes of a certification, but that's not what I explored this week with Elissa Lok.
Elissa has one of the most diverse skillsets of any HR person I know. She is an HR Consultant with HR Wests, a facilitator of Spacemakers and a trainer. She also does audits. She says:
🤭 Don't be embarassed! We all have our own journeys including our...
2023-08-1517 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsTips To Improve Public Speaking SkillsThe cliche (probably true) is that most of us are terrified of public speaking. This is likely true in HR too and yet the skill will increase our effectiveness, improve support for our work and help us advance. But how? And how can we avoid the same tired tips we were taught inhighschool?
Enter Brenden Kumarasamy. He has a his own YT channel called MasterTalk and, at a relatively young age, is a public speaking coach! I see why (and need to take a lot of his suggestions to heart).
🗣️ He shares three impactful exercises that, with consistent practice, would...
2023-07-1824 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHow to retain employees: Support managersI am a bit tired of how HR uses retention to justify everything from benefits and employee relations to our budget and training. And... I might be somewhat out-of-line. :/
This is why I went looking for someone to talk to about turnover and retention and found Cara Silletto, Chief Retention Officer at Magnet Culture. She is a retention expert and speaker, and wrote a book on it. She says:
🥱"People join organizations and quit their bosses." The tired cliche (or at least it's 'tired' in my mind) is at least partly true. What might be mor...
2023-07-1123 minThe HR Hub by Andrea Adams5 Steps To Improving Your Employee ExperienceImproving the employee experience can be done in 5 steps. I didn't say easy - but it also isn't that hard considering that step 1 is simply to CARE.
I interviewed Prem Bhatia from Cooleaf this week. He's the cofounder of a platform designed around improving the employee experience (EX) and they live and breathe it. He said:
1️⃣ Recognition has an outsized impact on employee engagement. So don't forget that piece - it can go a long way for relatively little cost.
2️⃣ As I said at the beginning of this, you need to truly care. It's not something that will work if you'r...
2023-06-2023 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsWhy Good Employees Leave (And How to Keep Them)I have been to sooooo many presentations where the presenter says "and this will increase retention!!!" as a selling feature for their product or initiative. But will it?
Actually, it might if it improves management quality. This was the main point of my conversation with Cara Silletto, Chief Retention Officer of Magnet Culture. She wrote a book called "Staying Power" and helps companies address retention. She said:
🤑 Too many leaders conveniently attribute employee departures to the character flaws of their employees: "They just want a buck more an hour!" Sorry. Not true. Their own behaviour has a much bigger imp...
2023-06-1324 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsDeveloping Executive Presence - It's Necessary For HR TooIn this video, I dive into a topic that is often discussed but not always fully understood: executive presence. You might want to get promoted! And As gatekeepers of talent and culture, HR plays a pivotal role in identifying and developing leaders who have this quality. We can also help others develop it because it's a competency (or a collection of competencies).
This was the focus of my conversation with Stephan Weidner, CEO of Noomi and Zarango. With his team, they have developed a way of measuring it and then helping leaders develop it. I discovered I...
2023-06-0623 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsBasics Of Agile HRNo. Agile HR is not agile project management OR piloting by another name. But what exactly is it, and how can it help you?
During my discussion with Elissa Lok, HR Consultant, she says that, at its core, Agile HR is all about flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Rather than relying on rigid, slow, top-down management, agile HR empowers employees to take ownership and collaborate with their colleagues to achieve common goals.
Some of the key principles of Agile HR include:
- Rapid iteration: Agile HR processes are flexible and adaptable, allowing teams to quickly test and refine new...
2023-05-3020 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsDecolonization For HRM: How To StartThis episode on decolonizing HR and indigenous inclusion was by request! I was totally on board. I recently took the Indigenous Canada MOOC (massive open online course) and it was fascinating and inspiring.
So I reached out to Gillian Hynes who works for Rise, an indigenous-owned consulting group advancing reconciliation and indigenous inclusion. Here are a few highlights:
- Decolonization is about inclusion and truth through reconciliation and relationships.
- It starts with the individual.
- There are many colonial practices in HR. For example, many benefits are based on Western...
2023-05-1626 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHow To Manage Crisis At WorkThis video explores the complex nature of managing a crisis at work. Maybe there's a catastrophe, but maybe it's a smaller event that has emotionally impacted many employees. Both are crises.
I spoke with John Robertson who wrote Run Toward the Roar and advises on crisis preparation and response. The name of his book is derived from the behavior of lions where the older ones position themselves on one side of the prey and roar, while the younger ones wait on the other side for the prey once they have been spooked. We tend to behave similarly during a...
2023-05-0920 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsBuilding Trust In The Workplace - An IntroTrust is KEY to how the organization perceives HR according to a recent presentation I went to by McLean and Company. Specifically they said "non- HR respondents with high trust in their HR Departments are 2.9x more likely to also rate them as highly effective."
This made a strong impression on me so I went looking for someone to talk to. Who better than Ila Edgar, the co-host of a podcast called "Trust on Purpose"? Ila is a coach and, in a past life, was a recruiter too so she understands HR. She said:
✅ Trust is an emotion AND a...
2023-05-0224 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHow to fire someone nicelyFirst of all, don't use the word 'fire'. That's the first key rule in terminating someone's employment in a kind and professional manner.
Terminating someone's employment is not easy. It's clearly not easy for the employee, but it's not easy for HR or the Manager either. (If it is, find a new job.) If you are like most people and it makes you anxious, this video shows you how to can accomplish this difficult task with empathy and respect.
This was the focus of this discussion with Kim Spurgeon. She has worked with LHH Knightsbridge...
2023-04-2524 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsWorkplace Inclusion - Moving Beyond DiversityWhile diversity is almost a fad for some companies, we also know that having a diverse team adds bottom-line value. As long as diversity is accompanied by inclusivity.
The video with Dr. Helen Turnbull CSP highlights that diversity positively impacts the bottom line - but only when everyone feels included and valued. She's been working in the field a long time and did a TEDx in 2013. She says:
😬 It's not enough to simply hire a diverse group of people and pat yourself on the back. You need a culture where everyone feels included and can con...
2023-04-1818 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsBuilding Trust In The Workplace - tips for HRI read something recently saying that organizations who trust HR are 2.9x more likely to rate them as highly effective. This would make it so much easier to get ALL our work done so I knew I had to do some episodes on trust.
I reached out to ILa Edgar who is co-Host of a show called Trust on Purpose with Charles Feltman. She is also a coach and was a recruiter for years, so she has insight into HR:
1) The first thing is we need to care. About the client and the business.
2023-04-1222 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsThe Duty To Accommodate - How Far Do You Have To Go?The question: Is it undue hardship or is it a regular hardship? Those of us in HR in Canada need to consider this. And we can always brush up on the duty to accommodate so check out this video.
This was the focus of my conversation with Dylan Snowdon. Dylan is an Employment Lawyer and Instructor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary. This is something he is asked about a lot and here are some of his insights: ✅ You have to accommodate, but can consider those accommodations that have the least impact on the employe...
2023-04-0422 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsCareer Transition / Outplacement - Strategies For HRCareer transitions are an inevitable part of anyone's employment journey. It can be a promotion but also termination. The termination side is typically where career transition or outplacement comes in.
This week's guest, Kim Spurgeon, is Sr VP Canada, Transition and Mobility with LHH Knightsbridge. LHH Knightsbridge is one of the leaders in helping employers navigate career transitions. She has been in that business much of her career and has an impressive depth of knowledge and experience. She shares: ☺️ Terminations can be done with empathy. ⚡️ Elon Musk and Twitter are a master class on what NOT to do. ⚖️ Career trans...
2023-03-2818 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsUnderstanding Unconscious BiasWe all have biases and you might not be aware of yours. It's part of our most primitive brains so we aren't going to get rid of it. The only thing we can do is be aware and manage it.
In this video I speak with Dr. Helen Turnbull CSP. She has been digging into the topic for a long time - long before it (and DEI) became such a key HR issue. She did a TEDx on inclusion in 2013. So props to her! Here are some of the things she shared:
🏳️ If you've ever been rude to an overs...
2023-03-2126 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsEmployee Wellness Programs - ImplementationAs more companies prioritize employee wellbeing and the employee experience, they start to think about a wellness program. It's not as easy as hiring a yoga instructor, but maybe you could start there?
I spoke with Reena Vokoun (again). She's the owner of Passion Fit which works with employers to build meaningful wellness programs. She also wrote The Wellness Empowered Woman.
Here are a few of Reena's tips to keep in mind as you develop your program: 💰 Make sure you have the money and support before you start. 👯♀️ Consider how to offer individualized content: Not all employees have the sa...
2023-03-1423 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsEmployee Wellness Programs - An IntroEmployee wellness programs are nearly a required feature of employer value propositions. However, designing a cost-effective, meaningful program that provides value to employees AND the employer is challenging.
This was the focus of my chat with Reena Vokoun. She's the owner of Passion Fit which works with employers to build meaningful wellness programs. She also wrote The Wellness Empowered Woman.
Some of her key points: ⏱️ Timeless but Flexible: A wellness program should be designed to stand the test of time, but still be flexible enough to accommodate the changing needs and interests of employees. Broader societal changes wi...
2023-02-2117 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsInstructional Design: Tips for SuccessYou don't have to be a subject matter expert to create an amazing course. Instead, it's about being dedicated to the process of course development. Think about that - it's liberating!
This was my second chat with Irina Ketkin and it was as good as the last. She's a prof on Udemy and has her own YouTube channel @TheLnDAcademy. She's truly a learning and development expert. She discusses some of the following: 🚗 One acronym that can help you in your course development journey is ADDIE: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. 🥵 But it's important to note that course development...
2023-01-3122 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHR Reporting (And Focusing your Effort)HR reporting and metrics are key tools for driving organizational success, and it's up to us to use them effectively. It's good for the organization, your career and our profession.
I conducted this follow-up interview with David Simmonds for HCM Metrics to discuss data, metrics and reporting. He helped develop the ISO standards for HR reporting an said the following: 🪑 It's essential that we become proficient in reporting and metrics if we want to earn or maintain our seat at the table. But it's not just about impressing higher-ups - effective HR reporting can benefit the entire organization. ⁉...
2023-01-2419 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsRecognition In The Workplace - Programs That WorkRecognition is a cheap and powerful tool to drive a positive culture, the employee AND customer experience, and a true sense of connection between employees and with the organization. Yet we don't do it or we don't do it well.
Organizations create expensive rewards programs meant to recognize employees. But, let's be clear, long service awards don't do a lot to motivate great employee performance. So how do we do it better?
That was the subject of this week's interview with Sarah McVanel - recognition expert! Well, of course she has thoughts: 😾 Everyone does something well. Don't avoid...
2023-01-1723 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsTips For Negotiation In Business & HRWe all have different relationships with negotiation. It might make some of us uncomfortable but it's a powerful everyday skill if we can practice and apply the elements.
And it's relevant to HR beyond contracts. Have you ever seen the necessity of an approach or project but your clients hadn't bought in? We often have little formal power in HR to mandate projects so negotiation skills can be very helpful!
When I discovered that Susie Tomenchok had written a book about it, of course I had to talk to her about it. And I learned a lot. Some...
2023-01-1016 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsWhy Measure Human ResourcesWill it make a difference if you can say "time-to-hire has improved 2.5% compared to this time last year"? Of course we can create more complex or creative metrics like 'retention rate per manager' or 'HR cost per employee'. Still... are they really helpful?
The thing is, metrics measure the past. We track these things to make sure we are efficient and accountable. They rarely tell us about the strategic things we should be doing.
This is what I spoke with David Simmonds about. He is the Chairman of HCM Metrics and an early supporter of the HR ISO stan...
2022-12-2019 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsEmployee Wellness In The Workplace - This Isn't What You ExpectTelling your employees to get well through nutrition, sleep and exercise and demanding they work extra every day is like telling them to eat cake and only giving them celery. You aren't serious.
The work environment has a huge impact on wellbeing - particularly asking too much of people.
Linda Duxbury is Canada's leading expert on employee wellbeing. She's done national studies involving tens of thousands of people. She has a lot to say on the subject and it does not include telling employees to get more sleep. As the video below says, she refuses employers...
2022-12-1325 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHR Membership Benefits - For StudentsThis episode is for students! Membership in your HR association has benefits and, if you can capitalize on them, it can be very helpful in landing your first HR job after university.
I spoke with Ioana Giurca who is the CEO of CPHR Alberta. Even if you don't live in Alberta... check out what your own association has to offer students! After all, you are the future of the profession and we've all been in your shoes trying to get that first job. Chances are that support is offered - look for some of the following:
🙋♀️ Mentors...
2022-12-0619 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHow To Implement Career Pathing or Ladders. Or Should We Say Lattice?!We all want to move forward in our career path and sometimes that is up. Sometimes that is sideways, which is why 'lattice' is better term for how to view careers. I am definitely on the lattice path! 😅
Dianna Dempsey is an expert in career pathing/ladders/lattices. She gives us advice on how to do it although, truthfully, many times... it depends. We also talked about how to make use of the phrase in HR and development. Some tips:
👆We need to stop talking about 'moving UP the ladder' and reinforcing the idea that only up is moving f...
2022-11-2223 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsReducing Dysfunction At Work - Tips & Strategies🥱 Leadership is stagnating... they got successful and stopped learning. (Stagnation)
🤬 Structure and rules are four-letter words. (Chaos)
🙊 People in one department don't talk to people in another. (Silos)
🤷🏻♀️ "Work on what you think is important." (Permissive Leadership)
These are all forms of dysfunction at work and usually aren't helpful to organization success. Often they start at the top with senior leadership! Which makes it that much harder to address. Anne Dranitsaris and Heather Dranitsaris-Hilliard from Caliber Leadership Systems like helping organizations with their dysfunctions and have tips and strategies on what to do about it.
➡️ You...
2022-11-1522 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHR Technology - Tips for Selecting, Negotiating and Buying It!HR Tech seems like a big decision. Get the wrong tech and you might be 'that person'. 😬 Get the right tech and you'll get more and better opportunities. Fortunately there are steps to success!
I spoke with Phil Strazzulla of Select Software Reviews which specializes in HR tech. I don't usually plug my guests too much, but his site gives us free advice on how to navigate the process of buying HR tech! The quality of advice is so good too! Like:
💸 You can and should negotiate. Prices are almost always negotiable.
🔠 Make sure the vendors know yo...
2022-11-0923 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsTelling the Story of Your People DataPresenting data is harder than it looks. Bar charts may not cut it. But, maybe in HR we have an advantage because our data is about people. We can tell stories! We can humanize the data!
For example, change ' 20% of employees are planning on leaving within 6 months' to '1 out of 5 employees want to leave by Easter'. It's even better if, after that, you draw the line between the fact and the business impacts.
Presenting people analytics was the subject of this week's episode with Kevin Campbell. Kevin is an Employee Experience Scientist with Qualtrics and has...
2022-11-0322 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsWhen Employees Complain to HREmployees complain to HR because they hope we can fix it. Sometimes it's more than hope... they KNOW it's our job to solve the problem. And it's easy for us to be drawn in. After all, HR is ALSO supposed to be empathetic and supportive and many of us buy into that idea.
But stop. Yes you can and should hear the complaint and there likely is something on. But before you make the determination, get all the facts. And don't get drawn in personally!
I loved this conversation with Heather Dranitsaris-Hilliard and Dr. Anne Dranitsari...
2022-10-2622 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsImplementing HRIS - How To PrepareImplementing an HRIS is a big endeavour which could garner you much support and credibility in the organization. Or it could do the opposite. Let's try to make sure you it helps your career?!
Phil Strazzulla helps advance HR by sharing information about HR tech on his site, Select Software, and he gives all his advice to us for free!! And it's pretty darn good advice. Frankly, it applies to a lot more than just HRIS implementation.
🤬 Just about everyone uses the HRIS, so everyone is likely to have an opinion about what they like and hate. ...
2022-10-1122 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsWorkplace MicroaggressionsMicroaggressions are exhausting for the people who experience them. But what are they exactly and how do you know? And, for HR, what do you do???
Well they're subtle so, yah, it might not be easy to be certain. Honestly I struggle to identify what is a microaggression and what is truly an innocent comment. This week's guest, Emily Williams, suggests that if someone accuses you of microaggressions, you need to do some self-reflection. She specializes in supporting women of color and organizations address microaggressions and create psychological safety.
Other things she share:
3️⃣ There are three ty...
2022-10-0421 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHow to write a good job adWrite a kick ass job ad!! It matters!
It can be tempting to think that your effort is pointless, after all it's an OCEAN of postings and they look the same. So it's even more important that your posting appeals to the ideal candidate.
This episode with Shelley Billinghurst of the Recruitment Flex Podcast has very high utility:
🖊 There are websites to help all those awkward writers out there!
💡Write for the ideal candidate - not the hiring manager.
🙄 Don't make the process awkward unless you're happy with a 'C' candidate.
2022-09-2723 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsThe Steps Of Organization DesignGood organizational structure can boost the effectiveness and performance of an organization as well as the lives of employees doing the work. But how do you get there?
This episode talks about the steps to organization design. Before drawing lines and boxes you want to understand the organization's strategy and operating model. Strategy, in this context, includes: goals, the value proposition, core activities, product markets, etc. It's pretty clear that if you design with those things in mind then you can create a structure that drives achievement.
Len Nanjad is a consultant for MNP with a career focu...
2022-09-2023 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsPsychometric Testing Explained - And AppliedIt's very hard to predict if a person will succeed after they've been promoted. Sorry but your awesome interview, or the opinion of someone's manager is not reliable. Fortunately there is a more effective alternative!
Psychometric testing may be one of the most valid and reliable tools to assess employees potential. The only down side is you need a psychologist to do it. I spoke with Marina Kolesnikova of Stefan, Fraser and Associates about how to make the best use of psychometric testing. She has a PhD in psychology and has worked in the field a long time.
2022-09-0722 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsTransformational Change ProcessIn many things 1-2% improvement is good enough especially year after year - you don't always have to do something dramatic. But when the future of your company is at stake or there's some other big factor at play, you need transformational change.
I spoke with Jordan Ludwig of Stack'd Consulting which specializes in transformational change. He has led many of these projects and said
💪Transformational change needs conviction and courage
😕If a client is using phrases like "we just need..." they're probably not ready for transformational change.
🏄♀️Don't try to control all the details...
2022-08-2321 minThe HR Hub by Andrea AdamsHR as an ImmigrantI was reading something on the Linkedin a while back about an HR professional from Afghanistan who was driving a taxi. Usually we hear this about doctors and engineers, but HR?
So what does it take to succeed in HR in Canada? While we talk about Canada this would apply to other countries as well! This episode is for immigrants. Bina Kamath is an immigrant and founder of Orion's Reach and has established a successful HR career - she also started out in accounting so that is a double-feat!
Find Bina at https://www.orionsreach.com
2022-08-1621 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsPsychometric Tests For Recruitment - The Science!Psychometric testing, performed by trained psychologists, is the BEST predictor of job success of any recruitment or selection tool. It's a science and teaches you: 😄 Extraversion is not the same as social skill. It also isn't going to predict success in a job. 👯 Personality tests (think Myers Briggs) are a typology. They might help you understand people on your team but the results aren't correlated with job success. ⁉️ Interviews are, to some degree, a measure of intelligence. Intelligence IS correlated with job success.
There were so many facts in this interview with Marina Kolesnikova of Stefan, Fraser and Associates. It provide...
2022-07-2622 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsAllyship at work: Take action!Let's get a bit real. Chances are if you are white in the workplace you think you are an ally e.g. ~75% of white employees think they are allies to women of colour. But (BIG but)... when did you DO something in support of someone with a marginalized identity?
Allies take action and this was a key point in this interview with Emily Williams of Forward Ever Global. Emily is a DEI expert and coach to women of colour so they might address microaggressions and other common workplace challenges.
Acts of allyship might make you uncomfortable...
2022-07-1920 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsConducting Job Evaluation: Job SIZEHEADS UP! This episode is better on YouTube. Robert has illustrations to help you better understand the content. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/ewO6QCBws0Q
Compensation is possibly the most important thing HR has to get right. Underpay people and they'll be unhappy or leave. It's also wrong. Overpay people and EVERYONE is going to want a raise to match and your compensation costs are going to rise.
Job evaluation is how we make sure employees are paid fairly and equitably based on some rational means of comparing. It's not about how the wind is b...
2022-07-1224 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsPrinciples of Organization DesignWhen was the last time your organization went through a re-org? Have you seen a department designed for an individual and been baffled?
Frequent re-orgs or designing for a person may or may not be a good idea. It depends on whether or not it’s aligned with good organization design principles. These basic questions and principles of organization design was the subject of this episode.
This amazing episode with Len Nanjad was *full* of interesting insights. I know – you might not think so but honestly:
🔺 Hierarchy is natural
➕ ➕ ➕ Bureaucracy is hierarchy plu...
2022-06-2825 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsBuilding Resilience At Work - in You and in the WorkforceHow long does it take you to bounce back after some failure? Do you stay sad and ruminate for a long time or dust yourself off, incorporate some lessons and keep going? The latter is resilience and it's pretty obvious that it would be helpful.
I was also curious about the origins of resilience. Is it something we develop in childhood or is it something we can learn as adults? And, for HR, how can we help our workforces become more resilient so, that when individuals or teams fail, they learn and keep going? This is what this episod...
2022-06-2122 min
The HR Hub by Andrea AdamsReorgs in a CompanyReorgs can seem like a painful exercise. And in some cases they might be. What can HR do to make sure they go right? What should we avoid? I talk to Don Adams about the good, the bad, and HR's role.
2021-03-1010 min