In this engaging episode of 'We Are Only Human,' host Ben Eubanks converses with Larry Kelly, an experienced HR leader and storyteller. Larry shares his journey from leading HR at Intel and Pfizer to founding his own consulting business, Attract Wonder, which focuses on integrating awe and curiosity into organizations through storytelling. The discussion covers the significance of storytelling in leadership, the emotional impact of sharing personal and organizational stories, and the innovative methods Larry employs in his workshops, including the transformative power of unscripted narratives. Highlights include Larry’s experiments with blank jigsaws and puppets in team-building exercises, demonstrating the importance of playfulness and emotional connection in corporate environments. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of effective communication and team dynamics.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:35 Larry Kelly's Background
01:11 The Power of Storytelling
01:33 Family and Personal Life
02:20 Storytelling in Care Homes
03:57 Magic Wand Session
04:39 Collaborative Projects and Spontaneity
05:57 Storytelling Workshops in Organizations
08:51 The Importance of Stories in Leadership
12:01 The Origin of Larry's Storytelling Journey
16:05 The Power of Storytelling
16:34 Larry's Transformation
18:00 Celebrating Leadership Stories
18:56 Human Moments in Leadership
22:01 Taking Risks in Recruitment
23:02 Innovative Workshop Techniques
27:01 The Puppet Experiment
29:02 The Importance of Playfulness
29:54 Connecting with Larry Kelly
30:22 Conclusion and Farewell

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In this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks converses with Louise Willoughby, Chief People Officer at Beekeeper, to explore the groundbreaking strategies Beekeeper has employed to enhance employee retention. The discussion underscores the importance of aligning company and employee values, and introduces impactful initiatives such as 'frontline days', mental health support platforms, and flexible learning budgets. Louise highlights programs like paid sabbaticals for personal learning projects, proactive business continuity planning, and fostering a people-centric culture through regular check-ins and manager involvement in comprehensive career conversations. These insights offer actionable advice for HR professionals aiming to cultivate supportive and effective workplace environments.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:42 Meet Louise: Career Journey and Role at Beekeeper
04:09 The Big Resignation and Retention Strategies
07:47 Innovative Benefits for Employee Retention
11:45 Addressing Business Continuity Challenges
12:20 Learning Opportunities and Coverage Plans
12:59 Customer-Facing Team Challenges
13:48 Impact on Attrition Rates
14:12 Proactive Culture and Team Support
14:41 Breaking Down Stereotypes Through Proximity
15:50 Creating a People-Centric Culture
17:51 Approachability and Empathy in HR
18:41 Building Trust with Managers and Employees
20:40 Practical Tips for HR Professionals
21:23 Connecting with Louise and Beekeeper
21:50 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

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Building Trust in HR: Kathy White on Compensation and Communication
In this episode of 'We're Only Human', host Ben Eubanks talks with Kathy White, VP of HR for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, about the critical aspects of compensation and communication in the workforce. Kathy shares her experiences from the World at Work conference and her role in developing a transparent compensation strategy at her organization. The conversation covers the importance of making HR work tangible, the necessity of clear communication and building trust, and discusses methods for enabling managers to effectively handle compensation discussions. Kathy also highlights the need for continuous refinement and learning in HR processes, emphasizing the significance of patience, dedication, and alignment with organizational values.

00:00 Introduction and Preview
01:26 Meet Kathy White: HR Leader at Habitat for Humanity
03:41 The Role of Compensation in HR
05:00 Communicating Compensation Strategies
09:36 Training and Supporting Managers
16:36 Lessons Learned and Best Practices
19:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Check out the FREE HR Summer School replay for 7.5 HRCI/SHRM Credits

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In this episode of We Are Only Human, host Ben Eubanks is joined by Poornima, Chief Product Officer at Rival. Together, they discuss the latest research in Talent Acquisition, focusing on the importance of flexibility and agility within organizations. They delve into the challenges employers face in forecasting hiring needs, the necessity of personalized onboarding processes, and the evolving role of AI in talent acquisition. The conversation highlights the significance of having integrated systems to maintain data accuracy and compliance. They also touch on the evolving landscape of ATS and the critical role of skill development in maintaining an adaptable workforce. Poornima emphasizes the importance of engaging deeply with vendors and understanding the real capabilities of their solutions.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:43 Guest Introduction: Poornima from Rival
01:20 Research Insights: Workforce Agility and Flexibility
02:22 Challenges in Talent Acquisition and Onboarding
03:16 The Importance of Data Integration and Accuracy
06:50 Personalized Onboarding: Best Practices and Examples
14:02 The Role of ATS in Talent Acquisition
20:57 AI and Skills in Talent Management
26:08 Final Thoughts and Advice

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In this episode of We're Only Human, Ben Eubanks interviews Marcus Thorpe, Global Head of Talent Acquisition (TA) at ThoughtWorks, during the Starcircle Supernova Conference in Cork, Ireland. Marcus shares his experiences and strategies for scaling TA functions across 20 countries, centralizing recruiting processes, and leveraging data to make informed hiring decisions. Key topics include the importance of calibration, data-driven decisions, and building a cohesive global TA strategy. Marcus also provides actionable advice for TA leaders facing similar challenges in alignment and data utilization.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:03 Overview of the Conference 
00:57 Conversation with Marcus Stuart Begins
01:17 Marcus Thorpe's Background at Google and other companies
01:50 Challenges and Strategies in Talent Acquisition
04:05 Centralization of Talent Acquisition
05:15 Importance of Data in Talent Acquisition
08:32 Advice for Talent Acquisition Leaders
16:54 Connecting with Marcus Thorpe

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In this episode of We're Only Human, Ben Eubanks discusses with Jessica Teitjen about her journey from law to executive leadership in HR and IT. Jessica shares her personal experience of burnout and her subsequent deep dive into the neuroscience of human performance. They explore the disconnect between current workplace practices and positive human outcomes, emphasizing the need for practices that balance both business and human results. Jessica outlines practical steps for HR professionals to align and optimize the nervous system for better performance, advocating for balanced breathing and a holistic approach to integrating creativity, compassion, and courage in the workplace.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:28 Jessica's Career Journey
01:26 The Disconnect in Work Design
04:02 Impact of Performance Reviews
06:56 Human Body and Workplace Stress
10:09 Aligning Neural Networks for Better Performance
13:32 Practical Tips for HR Leaders
16:53 Connecting with Jessica
17:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of 'We Are Only Human,' host Ben Eubanks is joined by Amy Mosher, Chief People Officer at isolved. They discuss the crucial elements of building a company culture where employees are eager to join and reluctant to leave. Amy shares insights from her experience transforming isolved's culture, emphasizing high trust, transparency, and a focus on diversity and inclusion. The conversation also covers practical advice for HR leaders on driving business success through culture and excellent leadership. Ben and Amy share laughs and personal stories, making for an engaging and insightful discussion.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:05 Meet Amy Mosher from isolved
00:31 Exciting Plans and Personal Stories
01:07 HR Summer School Replay
02:10 Creating a Workplace People Love
02:35 Building a Strong Company Culture
04:16 Challenges and Strategies in HR
09:16 Transforming Established Companies
17:05 Encouragement for HR Leaders

See the HR Summer School replay for free

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In this engaging episode of 'We Are Only Human', host Ben welcomes Paul Norman, a seasoned TA leader and consultant. Paul shares his extensive experiences in talent acquisition across diverse industries like financial services, technology, and healthcare. The discussion covers TA strategy, aligning recruitment with business goals, user experience in recruiting, and building credibility with hiring managers. Paul also emphasizes the importance of listening, contracting during intake meetings, and simplifying the hiring process to be successful at scale. Tune in for practical tips on enhancing your talent acquisition function.

Key moments
00:41 Paul Norman's Career Journey
02:00 Challenges and Success in Talent Acquisition
03:50 Aligning TA with Business Goals
06:51 Strategies for High Volume Hiring
13:57 Improving Candidate and Hiring Manager Experience
19:37 Building Credibility and Effective Processes
31:34 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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In this episode of 'We're Only Human,' host Ben Eubanks converses with James Galvin, founder of Starcircle. They discuss key aspects of talent acquisition, including being data-driven, understanding market dynamics, and achieving internal alignment within organizations. James introduces Starcircle’s 12-component Hiring Friction Model, which addresses various elements such as demand alignment, candidate experience, and technology enablement. The discussion emphasizes proactive planning and continuous improvement in hiring practices to meet business objectives successfully.

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Rebroadcast note: For the first time in We're Only Human's 8-year history, we're rebroadcasting some of our most popular episodes to share them with new listeners. That means sometimes the speakers will have moved to a new company in the interim, but the lessons they shared are still relevant, topical, and valuable. Enjoy!

In this episode of We're Only Human, Ben Eubanks talks with Kristi Jones, a former Talent Acquisition leader at H&R Block, about their innovative approaches to seasonal recruitment and workforce planning. Kristi shares insights on building strong hiring manager relationships, the transition from recruiter to manager, and the importance of data and metrics in talent acquisition. She also discusses how H&R Block uses technology, including AI tools, to improve recruiting processes and stay ahead of industry trends. The conversation explores the challenges of high-volume recruitment, the importance of strategic planning, and the need for transparency and collaboration between recruiters and hiring managers.

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This episode of We're Only Human features a keynote panel discussion with Ben Eubanks, Broc Edwards, and Dana Ullom-Vucelich. The panel focuses on the importance of creating cultures centered around giving, seeking, and receiving feedback regularly. The discussion highlights how performance reviews should be routine and uneventful if feedback has been consistently shared throughout the year. The episode stresses the need for regular communication to avoid the pitfalls of ineffective performance reviews.

Speakers:
1. Ben Eubanks

2.  Broc Edwards, Director of Learning and Leadership at Baylor University
3. Dana Ullom Vucelich, CHRO of Ohio Living

Three Takeaways:
1. Establishing a culture of regular feedback is crucial for effective communication and growth.
2. Performance reviews should merely encapsulate ongoing discussions, making them less daunting.
3. Regular feedback prevents performance reviews from becoming painful experiences.

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