Shows
The Simplifiers PodcastHow to network + build strong working relationships, internally - with Seth McColley Let's be honest: networking gets a bad rap. For many, it feels forced, awkward, and a little "icky." But here's the thing — the best networking you'll ever do might not be at an industry happy hour… it's inside your own company. The relationships you build internally can be the rocket fuel for your career growth, your influence, and even your day-to-day happiness at work. My special guest today is Seth McColley and he's simplifying how to network + build strong working relationships, internally. Because when you understand how to connect across departments, build trust with your peers, and be s...
2025-09-0943 min
Backstage Pass: The HR Rock StarCulture, Connection, and Career: A Conversation with Seth McColleyIn this engaging conversation, Seth and Jay discuss the multifaceted world of Human Resources, exploring Seth's extensive career journey, the essential qualities of effective HR leaders, and the evolving challenges faced by HR professionals today. They delve into the importance of flexibility, mental health, and the impact of AI on the workforce, while also
sharing personal anecdotes and insights on leadership and employee engagement. The discussion wraps up with a light-hearted comparison of KISS to HR practices, emphasizing the need for creativity and connection in the field.
Connect with Seth
https://www.linkedin.c...
2025-06-251h 00
6 Degrees or LessEpisode 27: A Conversation with Mike PierceHe's here! He's there! He's everywhere! Mike Pierce!
I sat down recently with my good friend and HR colleague, Mike Pierce, to talk about relationshiping, the power of our networks and the great work he's doing with DallasHR, one of the largest SHRM chapters in the Unites States. Mike is a lot of things, but I think of him as an educator. He's incredibly knowledgeable about his craft (employee benefits) and he shares his knowledge readily and makes it easy to consumable in language that's easy to understand. I hope you'll enjoy the conversation as much as...
2022-10-1436 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 26: A Conversation with Albert PontI spent time with my friend and former colleague, Albert Pont, recently to talk about networking, how building strong, effective relationships has helped his career and to share some fun stories of how we met and working together at Pizza Hut years ago.
Albert Pont is the Regional Vice President of Operations for the Southeast part of the country for Wingstop. Over a 30 year career, Albert has held progressive roles in the QSR industry with global brands including Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Subway.
2022-09-2332 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 25: A Conversation with Jennifer CongdonI recently spent time with my friend and fellow HR colleague to talk about relationshiping, the job search, pet peeves and what networking means to her. What started out as fun, competitive banter (Texas vs. OU) has blossomed into a great friendship and trusted HR colleague that I can rely upon as a sounding board. I hope you'll tune in for this fun, lighthearted conversation about networking and the importance of building relationships.
Jennifer “Jenn” L. Congdon most recently served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Ecobat from September 2020 through December 2021. Ecobat is a world leader in the...
2022-09-0731 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 24: A Conversation with Todd CohenI sat down this week with Todd Cohen to talk about #networking, the power of creating and cultivating meaningful work relationships (aka #relationshiping), his unique spin on sales, and much more. Although we've never met in-person, we share a bond and philosophy around networking and its importance in business and work life today. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we enjoyed having it!
About Todd
A dynamic, engaging, and motivational keynote speaker, Todd’s message is relevant to EVERY organization striving to increase revenue, strengthen relationships and improve client sa...
2022-08-1738 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 23: A Conversation with Kyle KillingsworthAfter a 2.5 year hiatus, I'm excited to crank up this podcast again, record conversations with some incredible people and share the message of relationshiping with others!
I recently sat down (virtually) with Kyle Killingsworth - a friend, mentor and fellow HR colleague of mine here in Oklahoma City. Kyle has more than 25 years of strategic HR experience under his belt, both in corporate HR roles and independent HR consulting. He has been, and continues to be, a SHRM volunteer, having served in numerous leadership positions over the years. He is the Past President of the Oklahoma City...
2022-08-0338 min
The D.O.P.E. ExperienceEpisode 5: Head of Human Resources Kirby-Smith Machinery, Seth McColleyOn this episode of The D.O.P.E. Experience Javiar, Sal & Romby sit down with Head of Human Resources Kirby-Smith Machinery, Seth McColley. Learn tips to navigate the world of networking and Seth's take on "Relationship-ing" at networking events.
2020-10-2142 min
Leaders & LagersSpecial Guest: Seth McColley, VP of HR at Kirby-Smith and Host of the Six Degrees or Less Podcast/Rad Hombre LagerOn this week’s podcast we have special guest Seth McColley, vice president of human resources at Kirby-Smith machinery, and host of the six degrees or less podcast. We talk about the importance of empathy and “relationshiping.” I share a glass of rad hombre mexican lager from Anthem Brewing in Oklahoma City, OK.About Seth: by trade, he's an HR professional with more than 20 years of action-packed, diverse experience in varied industries such as telecommunications, restaurant/hospitality, distribution, software, retail, and construction. He has worked for some of the largest fortune 500 companies and been able to apply those learni...
2020-10-0251 min
Life in the Leadership Lane5. Seth McColley Vice President of Human Resources on Life in the Leadership Lane - Leadership and Mentoring!Life in the Leadership Lane w Bruce Waller Episode 5 Guest Seth McColley
Welcome to Life in the Leadership Lane where I am talking to leaders making a difference in the workplace and in our communities. How did they get to where they are and what are they doing to stay there! Buckle up and get ready to accelerate in the Leadership Lane!
This week we are talking to Seth McColley, VPHR Kirby Machinery, Inc.
What is Relationshiping?
How did Seth find his lane to HR?
What are some common...
2020-05-1638 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 22: A Conversation with MeAm I talking to myself? Why, yes. Yes, I am.
A year ago today, I launched this podcast and published my very first episode. I thought it would be good to take a few moments and reflect on the lessons learned, where I've come from, how my podcast has evolved and where I want to take it next. I have loved every moment of this journey and I'm excited to see where it will take me and the new people that I'll meet along the way. Creating content like this has stretched me in ways that I...
2020-02-0519 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 21: A Conversation with Sal Vergara, Jr.Sal is a relatively new connection of mine, but we have developed a solid relationship based on the shared understanding of networking, sound HR principles and practices, trying to give more than we take and doing what we can to elevate ourselves and those around us. I'm thankful for the opportunities that Sal's given me, to share the story of my transformation and personal branding with his in-transformation groups. I'm excited about the great work he's doing in the Dallas HR community and proud to call him a friend.
With more than 25 years of consultative business development a...
2020-01-0643 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 20: Unplugged with Lesha ReeseI hired Lesha back in June of 2005 to join my HR team at Cingular/AT&T Wireless. To this day, she is still the best HR pro that I've ever hired. I think the world of her as a professional and as a friend. Her infectious energy, quick wit, positive attitude and straight-shooting style make her fun to work with and a pleasure to be around. I'm glad that we were finally able to make this conversation happen. Sit, back, relax and enjoy some fun conversation as I interview Lesha Reese!
Lesha is a...
2019-12-2341 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 19: Unplugged with Morag BarrettWhen I first met Morag Barrett several years ago I felt an instant connection with her. She has a passion for people that is infectious and inspiring. She truly understands the power of our relationships, how they work for us (and against us) in our work lives, and the importance of cultivating our relationships. I always walk away from our conversations encouraged and better off. I know you’ll enjoy this conversation!
Morag Barrett is the author of Cultivate. The Power of Winning Relationships and The Future-Proof Workplace. As a sought out keynote speaker and leadership development exp...
2019-12-0336 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 18: Unplugged with Dirk BeveridgeDirk is a new relationship of mine, but a kindred spirit. His passion for people, for innovation and for change are infectious and explains why I felt so connected to him when we recently met through some work that he's doing for Kirby-Smith Machinery. Dirk will be speaking at our annual sales meeting in January and I'm excited to see how he is going to stretch our salespeople and push Kirby-Smith to do more, be more and ultimately sell more. I hope you're enjoy the conversation as much as we enjoyed having it!
Dirk...
2019-11-1947 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 17: A Conversation with Jim PriestJim Priest is a great example of why I created this podcast and why I have such a passion for networking (i.e. relationshiping). I first met Jim about two months ago, as he was the guest speaker at the Oklahoma City Human Resources Society (OCHRS) chapter meeting in late August. I felt an immediate connection to Jim as he talked about culture and the C suite's (not just HR) role in defining corporate culture. I introduced myself after the meeting and suggested we get together soon for coffee. Shortly after that breakfast meeting, we sat down and had...
2019-11-0742 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 16: A Conversation with Jackie ChabotI met Jackie Chabot years ago and we've stayed connected across time, different roles (for both of us) and space. Tune in as we talk about hot topics like ageism, VSCO girls, college football and staying relevant as a job-seeker. This is a fun conversation that took some twists and turns that I never saw coming!
About Jackie Chabot
Having spent over 25 years in Human Resources, Talent Acquisition & Development, and Executive Search, Jackie brings a unique perspective and keen eye for talent - believing that having the 'right person in the right...
2019-10-2143 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 15: Unplugged with Kristen HarcourtI recently connected with Kristen on LinkedIn and we both share the same passion for people, for learning and for empowering others. A virtual "coffee meeting" led to an invitation to be on my podcast, which in turn, led to this conversation here. I'm excited to introduce others to Kristen and hope that you'll enjoy the conversation as much as we had having it!
For the last 12 years Kristen has consulted with hundreds of organizations in various industries helping them create more positive and productive workplaces. Her specialties have been talent management, leadership development, organizational wellness, team...
2019-09-2438 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 14: Unplugged with Satyen PathakSatyen Pathak (aka Salt) is my oldest and dearest friend, as we grew up together in Sugar Land, Texas and lived through many of life’s highs and lows together. When we both found ourselves living in Dallas and going through the job search process together several years ago, we actually talked about memorializing our interviewing/networking experiences somehow and sharing with others...but it never happened. I never forgot that and those thoughts were a big part of how and why I created this podcast. I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation as much as we enjoyed having it!
2019-09-1148 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 13: A Conversation with Timothy WheelerI sat down recently with Timothy Wheeler, President and CEO of Wheeler Staffing Partners, a staffing firm based in Allen, Texas. We talked about how we got connected, shared stories about networking, and the importance of leveraging tools like LinkedIn as a job seeker and working professional. Timothy's easy demeanor and years of experience in the business made this a great conversation!
For Timothy, recruiting started at an early age as he was a sought after football recruit coming out of his high school near Oklahoma City. Early on, he saw the good, the...
2019-08-2638 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 12: Unplugged with Gregory TallI recently met Gregory Tall at a conference I was attending in Chicago. He was one of several speakers and I was instantly drawn to his high energy, positive personality. With several shared work experiences and a shared appreciation for networking and creating meaningful professional relationships, I knew that Greg was someone I needed to get to know and someone I needed to invite to be a guest on this podcast. Fortunately, he agreed and I'm glad to share our conversation with you here.
About Gregory Tall:
Gregory Tall is a high-energy s...
2019-08-1253 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 11: A Conversation with David AlexanderI consider myself fortunate to have a friend and mentor in David Alexander. Our relationship has spanned nearly 15 years, starting in Seattle, Washington and landed in the DFW area. I value his wisdom, his experience and his calming presence. David and I recently sat down (again) to talk about our connection, the value of networking, and the importance of putting others first when it comes to relationshiping.
David Alexander is a seasoned global human resources executive with extensive experience building organizational and people capability in top global firms including SAP, AT&T, Washington Mutual and Gateway Computers...
2019-07-2937 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 10: Unplugged with Jordan GrossJordan Gross is a new connection of mine and this conversation is a testament to the power or relationshiping and being open to saying, "yes". Jordan recently approached me on LinkedIn, inviting me to connect and sharing his quest to be on 90 podcasts in 90 days. I said, "yes" and I'm so thankful that I did. Not only do I have a new connection with shared values around networking, connecting with others, building relationships and positive thinking, but I've got a new friend in Jordan Gross. This conversation is the second conversation we ever had and I know you'll enjoy!
2019-07-1646 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 9: A Conversation with Ed WallaceI recently spent some dedicated time with Ed Wallace as we're partnering to create a leadership development program at Kirby-Smith Machinery, Inc. that will create "cultural ambassadors" within the organization who embody the "1KS" mindset and develop internal talent, creating future leaders of the organization. Ed and I took a break during our work session to have a conversation about relationshiping and the power of building relational capital. Ed also shared an abbreviated version of his "cab ride to destiny" story that changed his life and impacted his entire career. Ed is a trusted partner of Kirby-Smith and new f...
2019-07-0152 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 8: A Conversation with Alex JuI sat down with Alex Ju just weeks away from his graduation from the University of Texas at Austin to talk about networking, relationshiping, the job search process for a graduating senior, and how he managed to juggle multiple priorities during his time college career. Alex is a friend, a Texas Wrangler brother, and an all-around good guy who's got a very bright future ahead of him as he begins his career with Lockheed Martin in Littleton, Colorado. I especially appreciate his personal mantra - put yourself out there, stay humble, and be resilient.
...
2019-06-1935 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 7: Unplugged with Marcos EfronMarcos and I have been friends since Fall 1993, when we were both attending the University of Texas and going through the Maverick program (www.texaswranglers.org) together. Despite time and space, we've managed to stay closely connected over the years and I've always been fascinated by the work he does writing and directing movies. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with him when he was on tour (literally, he was walking to dinner with the band when we did this interview) with In The Valley Below, promoting his new movie, "The Pink Chateau". We talked about his j...
2019-05-2031 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 6: A Conversation with Del KefferI sat down with Del Keffer, a Columbus, Ohio native and 40 year veteran of durable goods distribution to talk about relationshiping, the power of listening and investing in others, and our shared interest and commitment to making Kirby-Smith Machinery, Inc. a great place to work. Del is incredibly passionate about, and steadfastly believes that, trust-based business relationships and teamwork drive superior results. As Kirby-Smith's VP of Sales, I appreciate his leadership and ability to bring out the best in people.
www.sethmccolley.com
www.6degreesorless.com
www.kirby-smith.com
2019-04-0839 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 5: A Conversation with Brandy SchadeTune into my conversation with Brandy Schade as we talk about #relationshiping, #strengthsfinder and how one size does NOT fit all when it comes to #networking and building meaningful relationships.
Brandy Schade is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach who has been helping individuals and teams leverage their strengths to increase performance over the past five years. Her background spans statistics, programming, processes improvement, system analysis, speaking and coaching. She has spent time working in product, pricing, sales, development, delivery, operations, consulting and emerging technology across industries such as life and health insurance, actuarial consulting, fitness and travel technology. Reach out to B...
2019-03-2531 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 4: A Conversation with Sean SelfBe sure to tune into my conversation with Sean Self, Founder and CEO of Self Opportunity, a recruitment solutions company based in Lewisville, TX. I had the pleasure of working with Sean years ago (as a client) and we established a relationship of trust and respect that we need more of in today's business environment. Sean has a great story to tell about how his career got started, the value of putting yourself out there and saying "yes", and some great thoughts on how to prioritize your time as it relates to networking events and commitments.
2019-03-1135 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 3: A Conversation with Jan WatsonTune into my conversation with Jan Watson, Founder and CEO of Better Job Fit, Inc., as we talk about #networking, #relationshiping, finding a job versus creating a job, behavioral diversity, what it means to "play it small", and so much more!
www.betterjobfit.com
www.6degreesorless.com
www.sethmccolley.com
About Jan Watson
With over two decades of global business development and job-placement experience ranging from the corridors of Capitol Hill to the front lines of the healthcare industry, Jan is recognized as bei...
2019-02-2543 min6 Degrees or LessEpisode 2: A Conversation with Bruce WallerTake a ride with Bruce Waller and I in the "carpool lane"! In this episode, we talk about networking, vulnerability, the importance of showing up, three different types of networks (external, internal and social), and Bruce's book, "Find Your Lane". Tune in to find out why Bruce is one of the HR icons of our time!
You can find Bruce at www.brucewaller.com and you can find me at www.sethmccolley.com.
#6degreesorless
#relationshiping
#findyourlane
#networking
2019-02-1833 min
Big Girl Pants PodcastEpisode 28 - Leaving a legacy and the power of connecting people! Guests: Author, Bruce Waller and Podcast Host, Seth McColleyThe combination of Bruce Waller's book, Find Your Lane (about leadership, the power of networking/connectivity; a true career GPS) and Seth McColley's podcast, 6 Degrees or Less (building and cultivating relationships) is the perfect recipe for success! Feeling stuck, lost, or just uninspired, check out this episode. Don't miss it! About Bruce:Bruce Waller is the Vice President of Corporate Relocation for Armstrong Relocation and Companies in Dallas, Texas. Bruce has enjoyed many roles in relocation from operations to general management since 1995. Bruce is certified by WorldwideERC as a Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) and serve...
2019-02-111h 086 Degrees or LessEpisode 1: A Conversation with Mike CaracalasMike Caracalas is a friend, former boss, leadership coach and author. I sat down with Mike to talk about the importance of networking, pivotal networking moments in his career, and lessons learned along the way. Join us for a real, honest conversation about relationshiping and the power of being comfortable with yourself.
You can find Mike at www.caracalas.com and his book is "Corporate Life is Hell".
#6degreesorless
#networking
#relationshiping
#vulnerability
#microrelationships
2019-02-0434 min6 Degrees or Less6 Degrees or Less TrailerThis is a trailer for my new podcast, 6 Degrees or Less, which is focused on the art and power of networking.
2019-01-3006 min