Can AI revolutionize how we lead and manage teams?

On this episode of Punk Rock HR, Laurie sits down with Jim Barnett and Marc Maloy of Wisq to explore this question. From their successful stint with Glint, where they became leaders in employee engagement, to their current mission at Wisq, Jim and Marc share how AI is opening up continuous, personalized coaching to a broader audience. This episode uncovers the pivotal manager-employee relationship and how AI can create a more dynamic and thriving workplace.

We'll also unpack the practical applications of Wisq, a groundbreaking AI tool that provides managers with personalized coaching and expert advice within platforms like Slack and Teams. By focusing on soft skills like trust, authenticity, compassion, and empathy, Wisq aims to transform managers into more effective and people-centric leaders. Jim and Marc passionately discuss how these skills can be developed with the right tools and mindset, ultimately creating better workplace dynamics.

Don't miss this deep dive into the evolving landscape of AI in leadership and management!

In this episode, you will hear:

• AI-powered coaching for managers: continuous, personalized support
• The importance of manager-employee relationships and enhancing workplace dynamics
• Introducing Wisq, an AI tool integrated with Slack and Teams for managerial coaching
• An emphasis on soft skills: trust, empathy, and a service-oriented leadership approach
• A discussion on whether good management skills are innate or can be learned
• AI's role in making difficult conversations easier and encouraging honest feedback
• Insights on the ideal customer profile for Wisq
• The impact of AI on managerial effectiveness

Resources from this Episode

• Visit the Wisq website: wisq.com
• Connect with Marc Maloy on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marcmaloy
• Connect with Jim Barnett on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jim-barnett-a5312

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Have you ever wondered why so many hiring processes fall short of finding the best talent?

On this episode of Punk Rock HR, Laurie welcomes recruiter Carmen Hudson, author of The Corporate Recruiter’s Playbook, who shares the secrets behind effective hiring strategies. She challenges the outdated reliance on question banks, highlighting understanding core skills and behaviors needed for a role before crafting interview questions. It is a must-listen for recruiters, leaders, and HR professionals eager to attract and assess top candidates with a balanced approach that integrates both professional and personal insights.

Carmen Hudson shares her career path, from executive search to launching her own startup, reflecting on recruiting challenges. With market variability and economic shifts constantly altering the playing field, Carmen offers an optimistic perspective on the future. She discusses the impact of AI on job availability and provides foundational principles and best practices from her book to help recruiters and leaders navigate these changes successfully.

Laurie and Carmen’s conversation covers effective recruiting techniques and the complexities of diversity hiring. Carmen provides practical strategies for developing clear, jargon-free job descriptions and moving beyond superficial diversity measures to promote genuine inclusivity at all organizational levels. We explore how recruiters and hiring managers can reshape their approach to create a more inclusive and effective hiring environment in 2024.

Don't miss this discussion with one of the industry's leading voices.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Crafting interview questions based on core skills and behaviors and challenging conventional recruitment practices
• Carmen’s career journey from executive search to entrepreneurship
• The impact of AI and market changes on recruiting
• Clear communication with hiring managers
• Moving beyond outdated interview methods
• Focusing on essential candidate qualities
• Going beyond superficial measures and promoting genuine inclusivity at all organizational levels
• The importance of understanding the recruitment process
• Integrating technology with human elements
• Aligning recruitment strategies with organizational goals
• Carmen’s perspective on question banks
• The role of AI in job availability
• The importance of candidate experience in the recruitment process
• Misconceptions around meritocracy in diversity hiring
• Practical strategies for fostering a more inclusive hiring environment

Resources from this Episode

• Visit Carmen Hudson’s website: carmenhudson.com
• Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmenhudson
• Get The Corporate Recruiting Playbook book: amzn.to/3V3xKOr

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

When Laurie first stumbled into the HR world, what struck her was not just the depth of paperwork but the human stories behind each form and policy.

On this episode of Punk Rock HR, fast forward several decades, and Laurie is sitting down with Angela Cheng-Cimini, an HR expert with an enviable three-decade portfolio, to share those very tales that have shaped our careers and the field of human resources. Together, we unwrap the evolution of HR from a back-office function to a strategic powerhouse, reflecting on the times we had to stand our ground and the moments that taught us the true value of our professional worth.

Workplace dynamics are never static, and this episode peels back the layers on wielding influence without the crutch of rank or authority – a nuanced art in HR. Angela and Laurie swap stories from the trenches, discussing confrontations with workplace bullying and the leaps of faith in self-advocacy that propelled our careers forward. We also delve into how we've seen HR evolve, moving from policy enforcers to holistic partners in business strategy and the critical role of mentoring up-and-coming HR champions.

Peering into the crystal ball, Angela and Laurie discuss the future of work, tackling the burning question of whether the traditional nine-to-five is on its last legs. We unravel the implications of a global talent pool, the urgency for flexible work solutions, and the importance of doubling down on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in a world constantly reshaping its social contours.

This episode isn't just a walk down memory lane but a rallying cry for innovation in HR practices and an example of the irreplaceable human element in the workplace.

In this episode, you will hear:

• HR's transformation from administrative paperwork to strategic business partnership
• How HR professionals can exert influence without relying on hierarchical power
• Standing up against workplace bullying and advocating for self-worth
• Addressing generational differences in the workplace
• The urgency to enhance DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives amid shifting social dynamics
• The future of work, including the viability of the traditional nine-to-five workweek and the rise of remote work opportunities from a global talent pool
• The evolution of HR practices and the ongoing need for mentorship in developing strategic HR leaders
• Social media’s role in shaping employer branding, talent acquisition, and the challenges of fostering authentic dialogue in the digital age
• Committing to DEI efforts within organizations and “doubling down” despite potential societal and legislative backslides.

Resources from this Episode

• Connect with Angela Cheng-Cimini on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-cheng-cimini-160890a

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.