The ROI of Kindness in the Workplace

Replay: The ROI of Kindness in the WorkplaceHosts: Steve Boese & Trish SteedGuest: Tara May, CEO of Aspiritech SummaryOn this At Work in America episode, Trish and Steve sat down with Tara May, CEO of Aspiritech, a nonprofit with 95% autistic employees, to discuss neurodiversity and the ROI of kindness. Tara shared her journey into neurodiversity after her son's autism diagnosis and spoke about the importance of creating supportive work environments for neurodivergent individuals. We covered multiple practical steps for inclusivity, such as adjusting office environments and communication styles. We also learned more about Aspiritech's services, including software testing and creative services, and encourage businesses of all sizes to embrace neurodiversity for better organizational success. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Neurodiversity and Aspiritech04:09 Expanding Opportunities for Autistic Employees06:65 The Importance of Understanding Neurodiversity10:24 Shifting Focus to Skills in Hiring12:32 Creating Inclusive Workplaces17:48 Cultural Norms and Acceptance19:09 Practical Tips for Inclusivity22:08 The ROI of Kindness in Business Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.What if your wins at work didn’t have to stop there? Workhuman’s employee recognition platform is built on the world’s largest rewards marketplace – tying recognition for great work to the things people love outside it. Crush a project: snag that baking dish you’ve been eyeing. Hit a milestone: Celebrate with a weekend getaway. With over one million gadgets, gift cards, and experiences, something is redeemed for in Workhuman’s in-house store every 3 seconds. Each reward deepens connections, boosts engagement, and helps fuel a culture that knows their work matters, and has the receipts to prove it. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman – a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Thanks for joining us.

What AI and Economic Shocks Mean for Work in EuropeHosts: Mervyn DinnenGuest: Julius Probst, Senior Economist at Appcast SummaryIn this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, Mervyn explores the latest European labor market trends with Julius Probst, Senior Economist at Appcast. Together, they cover economic shocks, AI impact, wage dynamics, and strategic HR responses. Chapters00:00 Navigating the Complex European Labour Market02:14 Impact of Oil Prices on the Economy05:16 Understanding the Current Economic Slowdown10:09 The Role of AI in Shaping Job Markets14:10 Job Seekers' Responses to Market Changes18:20 Wage Trends and Their Implications21:53 Negotiating Power in a Changing Market27:05 Emerging Trends in Employee Benefits Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. What if your wins at work didn’t have to stop there? Workhuman’s employee recognition platform is built on the world’s largest rewards marketplace – tying recognition for great work to the things people love outside it. Crush a project: snag that baking dish you’ve been eyeing. Hit a milestone: Celebrate with a weekend getaway. With over one million gadgets, gift cards, and experiences, something is redeemed for in Workhuman’s in-house store every 3 seconds. Each reward deepens connections, boosts engagement, and helps fuel a culture that knows their work matters, and has the receipts to prove it. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman – a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Thanks for joining us. 

Mastering Influence in Small Business HR: 4 Proven StrategiesHosts: Sabrina Baker and Marie Rolston SummaryThis episode of HR Connection isolates the core constraint in small business HR: lack of influence. Workload is misdiagnosed as the problem; it is the downstream effect. The discussion breaks down why HR is structurally positioned to be ignored in SMBs and outlines specific behavioral shifts that convert HR from reactive support into a driver of business decisions. Marie and Sabrina provide 4 shifts that HR practitioners can make to raise their influence inside their org. But a word of warning, this does take time. The defining difficulty in SMB HR is not execution load. It is operating without a voice that drives action. Influence is not positional; it is constructed through repeated, strategic interactions. Key TopicsInfluence from the middle in HRChanging perception of HR rolesConnecting HR work to business outcomesBuilding relationships before you need themUsing storytelling and data to influence Find out more about the upcoming cohort designed for HR Departments of One HERE Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you’ll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It’s why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That’s HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

Why “Love” Is the Missing Metric in Employee ExperienceHost: Steve BoeseGuest: Marcus Buckingham, Leading Researcher on Strengths, Engagement, and Human Performance SummaryOn the latest At Work in America podcast episode, Steve Boese and Marcus Buckingham discusses the transformative power of love in the workplace. They explore how designing experiences rooted in love can drive productivity, loyalty, and human flourishing. Discover practical strategies to operationalize love and create environments where people thrive. Listen in! Chapters01:54 The Importance of Designing Positive Experiences05:40 Understanding Love as a Business Driver10:37 The Curvilinear Relationship of Experiences and Outcomes17:52 The Language of Love in HR20:18 The Future of HR23:58 Measuring Employee Sentiment29:44 The Five Feelings that Lead to Love34:50 Creating Flourishing Work Environments  Learn more about Design Love In HEREThank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word. Thanks for joining us.

March Madness: Who Will Rise To Cut The NetHosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer SummaryIn this episode of The Play By Play, hosts Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer dive into the excitement of March Madness, sharing their top players, upsets, Cinderella teams, and bracket predictions. This conversation is perfect for basketball fans eager to get insights and have some fun with bracketology. Thanks for joining us. Listen in! Chapters01:11 Introduction to March Madness02:24 Player Spotlights08:50 Upsets and Strategies for Bracket Picks12:22 Cinderella Stories and Surprises17:21 Final Four Picks18:55 Champion Predictions and Reasoning22:56 Early Upset Predictions27:29 Quote of the Show  Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you’ll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It’s why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That’s HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word. 

Replay: Championing Diversity and Empowering People with DisabilitiesHosts: Steve Boese, Trish SteedGuest: Lloyd Lewis, CEO, Arc Thrift Stores SummaryThis week we met with Lloyd Lewis from Arc Thrift Stores in Colorado to talk about embodying inclusion by employing persons with intellectual and development disabilities. Discover how inclusive hiring boosts business success, enhances morale, and creates community impact.– Arc’s mission– How to implement your own IDD/DEI program– Supporting people with disabilities in your organization– Importance of skills that people with intellectual disabilities bring to the workplace  Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word. Thanks for joining us. 

AI, Trust, and the Human Role in the Future WorkplaceHosts: Mervyn DinnenGuest: Kyle Forrest, Future of HR Leader at Deloitte SummaryIn this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, Mervyn speaks with Kyle Forrest, a future of HR leader at Deloitte Consulting, about the key trends highlighted in Deloitte's 2026 Human Capital Trends Report. They discuss the importance of AI and automation, the evolving expectations of Gen Z and millennials in the workplace, and the challenges organizations face in fostering adaptability and trust during transformations. The conversation also touches on the concept of culture debt, the accountability gap in AI decision-making, and the need for organizations to break down silos to enhance collaboration and innovation. Chapters00:00 Introduction toFuture of HR Trends02:06 Key Priorities for Business Leaders04:33 Insights from Gen Z and Millennials07:36 Understanding Adaptability in Organizations14:36 Trust Deficit in AI Decision Making19:52 Shift from Change Management to Changefulness23:43 Breaking Down Silos in Organizations28:29 The Role of Humans in an AI-Driven WorldThank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word. Thanks for joining us. 

Building Resilient Workplaces in Politically Divisive TimesHosts: Steve BoeseGuest: Kevin Rockmann, Asst Dean for Research, Professor of Mgmt, and the CGI Corporate Partner Faculty Fellow at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University SummaryIn this episode of the At Work In America show, Steve met with Kevin Rockmann to explore how workplaces can navigate political and social tensions. They talk about the importance of intentional relationship management within teams and creating inclusive cultures at work. They also discuss the role of leadership in fostering psychological safety amidst divisive issues. Join us for real talk that everyone can learn from! Chapters00:00 Navigating Political Tensions in the Workplace03:07 The Complexity of Political Conversations05:59 The Impact of Identity and Beliefs11:59 Creating a Safe and Respectful Workplace14:57 Proactive Steps for Managers17:55 Recognizing and Rewarding Kindness20:44 Building Relationships in the Workplace23:52 The Role of Deep Questions in Understanding27:06 Fostering a Collaborative Environment Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.  Thanks for joining us. 

Building Resilience and Mental Fitness in High-Pressure WorkplacesHosts: Mervyn DinnenGuest: Alexandra Kafka, Founder of Oxyzn & Mental Fitness Advocate SummaryIn this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, Mervyn speaks with Alexandra Kafka to explore how organizations can proactivetly support mental fitness to prevent burnout and sustain high performance. Alexandra shares practical strategies, insights into early warning signs, and the importance of nervous system regulation for leaders and teams navigating today's digital overload and complex work environments. They touch on the honeymoon phase of burnout and how to recognize the early signals before breakdown as well as the role of leadership in modeling mental fitness and creating supportive work rhythms. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mental Fitness02:09 Why Proactive Mental Fitness Support Matters04:20 Patterns of Stress and Burnout07:20 Understanding the Honeymoon Phase of Burnout12:05 How Organizations Often Midunderstand Recovery16:38 Aligning HR Strategies for Mental Fitness22:07 Measuring Mental Fitness24:06 Can High Performance and High Wellbeing Coexist? Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.  Thanks for joining us. 

Workplace Movie Hall of Fame - SpotlightHosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed SummaryIn this episode of the At Work In America show, hosts Steve and Trish discuss the 2015 film 'Spotlight,' which explores the investigative journalism that uncovered widespread abuse within the Catholic Church. They look at themes of ethics, leadership, and the responsibilities of organizations, drawing parallels to contemporary workplace dynamics. The conversation highlights the importance of truth in journalism, the emotional labor involved in reporting sensitive stories, and the impact of organizational culture on addressing ethical issues. They also reflect on the historical context of workplace norms and the ongoing challenges faced by HR professionals in navigating complex situations. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Workplace Movie Hall of Fame03:06 Exploring the Movie Spotlight05:56 Ethics and Responsibility in Organizations08:54 The Role of Leadership in Addressing Issues11:47 The Importance of Journalism and Truth15:01 Emotional Labor in the Workplace20:55 Institutional Reputation vs. Truth  Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.