HR Works Podcast: Scaling Empathy—A People Leader’s Approach (Part 3)

In the final part of our three-episode series, Kyla Hanaway-Quinlan, Chief Operating Officer and Head of People at Feast & Fettle, highlights how ongoing training and reinforcement ensures empathy and emotional intelligence remain sharp skills for her entire team, and provides actionable steps HR leaders can take this week to begin embedding more empathy and emotional intelligence into their own daily operations.

Welcome back to HR Works! In part two of this episode, we continue our conversation on what it means to run a successful, rapidly growing business with a truly human touch. Kyla Hanaway-Quinlan, Chief Operating Officer and Head of People at Feast & Fettle, returns to discuss her commitment to leading with empathy and building environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Listen in as she shares how her organization leverages technology to support empathetic leadership, how Feast & Fettle measures emotional intelligence, and more.

In this episode, we're joined by an incredible leader who's redefining what it means to run a successful, rapidly growing business with a truly human touch. Joining us is Kyla Hanaway-Quinlan, Chief Operating Officer and Head of People at Feast & Fettle – one of the country's fastest-growing food brands. With years of experience witnessing both the magic and the tough realities of the food and hospitality world, Kyla brings a unique perspective. As a single mother of two and a senior executive, she's passionately committed to leading with empathy and building environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Since joining Feast & Fettle in 2021, Kyla has been pivotal in scaling the team from 30 to 300 employees. Today, she's here to share her insights on how she embeds empathy and emotional intelligence into every single aspect of operations – from how they hire, to how they serve customers, and even how they navigate tough times. It's about making sure these aren't just values, but operational mandates that drive real success.

In this episode, HR Daily Advisor Content Director Erika Randall chatted it up with Tyrese Manigault, Manager of Employee Engagement at NASCAR, at SPARK HR 2025, about creative ways to engage employees—whether they’re new and onboarding or seasoned and looking for career pathways. Manigault shares how NASCAR engagement initiatives are meeting employees where they are and engaging them in a modern and creative way. Learn also about NASCAR’s peer recognition program that’s embedded in this top-ranked motorsports organization of the world! Did you miss SPARK HR this spring? Not to worry! Join us live in San Antonio at SPARK TALENT 2025 and get practical strategies focusing on workforce planning, talent acquisition, and AI-driven processes! Discover proven solutions from top HR thought leaders from PepsiCo, Walmart, Staples, The Coca-Cola Company, Marriott, and GE HealthCare, and get ready to adapt your talent strategy for the future.

In this episode, HR Daily Advisor Content Director Erika Randall catches up with the delightful Ben Eubanks, author and Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory, at SPARK HR 2025 in Disney Springs. Eubanks’ research includes surveying thousands of workers each year to understand the latest workplace trends. In this podcast, Randall and Eubanks have a lively chat about Eubanks’ books, the workshops he led at SPARK, and how to help HR leaders solve workplace issues using “innovation sprints.” Eubanks’ books include: Artificial Intelligence for HR: Use AI to Support and Develop a Successful Workforce Talent Scarcity: How to Hire and Retain a Shrinking Workforce Payroll Promise: Trust, Not Just Transactions Did you miss SPARK HR this spring? Not to worry! Join us live in San Antonio at SPARK TALENT 2025 and get practical strategies focusing on workforce planning, talent acquisition, and AI-driven processes! Discover proven solutions from top HR thought leaders from PepsiCo, Walmart, Staples, The Coca-Cola Company, Marriott, and GE HealthCare, and get ready to adapt your talent strategy for the future.

Welcome back to part two of our conversation with Lawrence Armstrong, Chairman of Ware Malcomb and author of Layered Leadership. In today’s fast-paced business world, traditional leadership models often fall short. Tune in as we dive into the groundbreaking concepts of “Layered Leadership,” Armstrong’s holistic, humanist approach to leadership, which centers on developing well-rounded leaders within any organization. In this episode of HR Works, discover how to tap into both the creative and strategic sides of your brain to drive double-digit growth, build resilient teams, and cultivate a culture of innovation.

In today's fast-paced business world, traditional leadership models often fall short. Tune in as we dive into the groundbreaking concepts of "Layered Leadership" with Lawrence Armstrong, Chairman of Ware Malcomb and author of the new book of the same name. In this episode of HR Works, discover how to tap into both the creative and strategic sides of your brain to drive double-digit growth, build resilient teams, and cultivate a culture of innovation. This episode is a must-listen for any HR professional seeking to unlock their team's full potential and achieve sustainable success.

Regina Sheridan, with a background rooted in global philanthropy and now Executive Vice President, People & Culture at Libra Group, brings a unique perspective to the evolving workplace. She understands that the next generation, Gen Z and Gen Alpha, are not just seeking jobs, but purpose-driven experiences. This episode of HR Works dives into how companies can adapt to meet the expectations of these digital natives, who prioritize social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Regina shares insights on building a workplace that resonates with their values, fostering a culture of impact, and preparing for the future of work.

In the latest episode of HR Works, we're tackling talent attraction, development, and retention with Fran Maxwell, Managing Director at Protiviti. Attracting talent is only half the battle – retention is key. Losing staff costs a lot, especially entry-level at 50% salary. Fran reveals how understanding and meeting team needs boosts retention and drives business goals. With 25-plus years in HR and transformation, Fran's insights are a must-hear.

Welcome back to HR Works, and our ongoing 'Deconstructing DEIB' series. Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren't just buzzwords anymore—they're battlegrounds. We're seeing them play out in boardrooms and on the news, and it's leaving HR leaders wondering, 'How do we navigate this?' Today, we're cutting through the confusion with Amira Berger, a leading DEI expert and MSNBC Contributor. Amira reminds us that 'DEI is not a trend, it's a necessity,' and that now's not the time for half-measures, performative actions or fluffy initiatives that don't move the needle, telling us, 'Employee trust is currency.' So, what can HR leaders do? How can they build genuine belonging when the stakes are so high? Per my guest, the first step is to get smart about it. Listen in as we dive into how to reframe DEI as business resilience and risk mitigation, moving beyond defense to build for the future. As Berger emphasizes, 'Employees expect their companies and leaders to stand firm and not back pedal.' We'll learn how HR leaders can tell their teams, 'We’re not here to play defense, we’re here to build workplaces where everyone thrives, not just because it’s trendy, but because it’s good business and good for the humans that are entrusted for care.'