True Stories at Work: fresh from HR

Michelle Aronson
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
True Stories at Work: fresh from HR

Welcome to True Stories at Work, hosted by Michelle Aronson, a recovering HR executive, certified coach, and business school professor who knows that the BEST stories happen at work. True Stories at Work blends the interesting ways people end up working in HR with the best stories you’ve never heard. At the end, we share a workplace confessions… stories from people who didn’t get “caught”! Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me at www.cultureandstrategylab.com

  1. NOV 25

    HR Secrets Revealed: Imperfect Humans at Work: Leah Part 1

    In this episode of True Stories at Work, host Michelle Aronson introduces Leah, a management-side attorney with great insights and stories about the human side of work. Leah takes us through her journey from dreaming of being the boss to finding her path into employment law. We explore the imperfections of humans at every level of the workplace, including two executives caught in an intimate embrace after hours on a conference room table. We discuss some legal challenges of remote work (mouse jigglers, anyone?) and the evolving impact of AI on HR practices, while emphasizing the importance of keeping human connection at the heart of performance management. Don’t miss the workplace confession about a stairwell romance, brought to life by an AI voice. And stay tuned for the next episode where we discuss the off-limit dinner party trifecta of: sex, tech, and politics! 00:00 Introduction 02:33 Leah's Story 10:34 Stories at Work 30:18 Workplace Confessions 32:32 Culture + Strategy Lab 32:47 Haiku for Leah A bit about Leah: Leah Stiegler is a principal and management-side employment lawyer at the Virginia-based law firm Woods Rogers. She stars in her own YouTube series, What’s the Tea in L&E, where she and a colleague tackle – with good humor and straightforward advice – topics that HR leaders really need to navigate. What is your favorite piece of leadership advice? Strive for servant leadership. A manager who is willing to put on flame-resistant overalls on the manufacturing floor is going to be one with fewer complaints against him. A few favorite HR resources: Bloomberg Law helps me in my practice, local SHRM chapters are always incredible for networking. Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me Let's talk about your people strategy Tell a story! Make a Workplace Confession Host: Michelle Aronson

    33 min

  2. OCT 14

    From Forensic Finance to HR Heights: What Truly Impacts Numbers is People: Jolene

    Have you ever wondered about how your people and culture influence your business financials? In this True Stories at Work episode you get to meet Jolene who began in Financial Forensics on wall street to turning around companies through HR... using culture as her gateway drug into shaping companies for the better. You'll hear how moving 33 times during the grades K-12 impacted her ability to connect quickly and build trust. Jolene shares her union negotiation tactics, call to action for leaders to be authentic, and how to solve HR problems by looking at them from a different angle. You will also learn how she used those connection skills during her union negotiations. We discuss the challenge of entitlement, catty behavior at work and how incredible it can be when you don't do things the way you've always done them. And don't miss the workplace confession, read in an AI voice, to hear some of the more subtle ways that culture drives financials by reducing theft or sabotage at work. Timeline 00:00 Introduction 02:19 Jolene’s Story 08:07 Stories at Work 30:27 Workplace Confession 36:15 Culture + Strategy Lab 36:30 Haiku for Jolene Resources Curious about the cost of culture on your company + the value of authenticity at work, here are some links to get started: Not Just Soft Skills: Corporate Culture as a Key Company Value Driver | Columbia Business School Managing Authenticity: The Paradox of Great Leadership (hbr.org) What is Authentic Leadership? (The Theory and Model) (youtube.com)   Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me Let's talk about your people strategy Tell a story! Make a Workplace Confession Host: Michelle Aronson Editor: Bella Hutchins

    37 min

  3. SEP 11

    Bring The Zing: The Art of Building a Strong Culture: Stella

    In this episode of True Stories at Work, host Michelle Aronson sits down with Stella, an HR executive, who shares her journey from sales to Human Resources during the 2009 housing crisis. Stella opens up about the art of building a strong company culture, highlights the core values driving her employees, and reflects on her career journey across three different industries. Don’t miss the workplace confession to find out what happens when three people try to hide in the same closet—for very different reasons! 00:00 Introduction 03:12 Stella's Story 09:12 Stories at Work 22:22 Workplace Confession: The Closet Incident 24:48 Culture + Strategy Lab 25:04 Haiku for Stella   Resources Curious about the importance of culture or where to begin building one, here are some links to get started: Corporate Culture In A New Era: Views From The C-suite (harvard.edu) Changing Company Culture Requires a Movement, Not a Mandate (hbr.org) Stella drops some wisdom: Stella’s favorite resources? Other HR professionals. Building a network of experts as a sounding board is essential—especially if they’re smarter than you! And don’t forget to offer support in return. Stella’s best friend, a labor & employment attorney, is a prime example of how handy these connections can be. Nurture your network so you're always one connection away from the answer or advice you need. Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me Let's talk about your people strategy Tell a story! Make a Workplace Confession Host: Michelle Aronson Editor: Bella Hutchins

    25 min

  4. JUL 30

    From Smoothie Bar to HR Star: Luck, Timing and Hard Work

    Have you ever considered how luck and timing impact your career? In this episode of True Stories at Work, meet Norah, who worked VERY hard but also showed up in the right place at the right time with the right skills. From her serendipitous encounter at a smoothie shop to landing her first formal HR role at a bank during the 2008 financial collapse - she shares the moments that changed her career. We also discuss the challenges of office romance, return-to-work strategies, and how assuming positive intent could transform your workplace. At the end, you'll hear a workplace confession about the awkward moment when you accidentally send a text message complaining about a co-worker directly to that annoying co-worker, and how to recover if that ever happens to you. From Smoothie Bar to HR Star: Luck, Timing and Hard Work 00:00 Introduction 02:14 About Norah 14:58 Norah's Stories 30:39 Workplace Confession 40:14 Culture + Strategy Lab 40:48 Haiku for Norah Resources Curious about finding or being a good mentor + how to apologize, here are some links to get started: What’s the Right Way to Find a Mentor? The best way to apologize (according to science) (youtube.com)   Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me Let's talk about your people strategy Tell a story! Make a Workplace Confession   Host: Michelle Aronson Editor: Bella Hutchins

    41 min

  5. JUN 13

    Accidentally HR: From Car Sales to the C-Suite: Keri-Lynne

    In this episode of 'True Stories at Work,' Michelle Aronson interviews Keri-Lynne (KL), a seasoned HR professional who transitioned from sales and marketing to human resources by accident. KL shares her unique journey from selling cars to becoming a Chief People Officer, highlighting the importance of career ownership, empathy in leadership, and navigating challenges during the pandemic. She also discusses her experiences with global HR projects and the critical role of culture in organizations. The episode concludes with KL's perspectives on career growth, a listener's workplace confession, and advice for taking charge of one's career.   Accidentally HR: From Car Sales to the C-Suite: Keri-Lynne 00:00 Introduction 02:39 About KL 12:34 Stories at Work 30:59 Workplace Confessions 34:16 Haiku for KL Haiku KL's a baller. Wants you hustling for big dreams, you're the shot caller.   Resources Curious about career development + having essential conversations at work, here are some links to get started: What’s Holding Back Your Career Development? (hbr.org) A Managers Guide to Having the Most Essential Conversations With Your Employees Wanna be a Baller - for your listening enjoyment :) About our guest: Keri-Lynne Shaw is a Fractional Chief People Officer who started in the trenches and learning the hard way, KL has mastered the nuances of compensation dynamics and is dedicated to empowering people to recognize their market and negotiate with intent. Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me Let's talk about your people strategy Tell a story! Make a Workplace Confession Host: Michelle Aronson Editor: Bella Hutchins

    35 min

  6. MAY 23

    Rockstar to Recruiter: Living on the Talent Acquisition Treadmill: Travis

    This episode of 'True Stories at Work' hosted by Michelle Aronson features a conversation with Travis, an experienced HR professional and Talent Acquisition leader. Travis shares his journey from aspiring to be in a rockstar to falling into Human Resources. Travis discusses the challenges, surprises, and emotional moments he has faced in his career. He reflects on a powerful moment with an executive coach that changed his outlook on leadership and his life. We discuss the importance of HR in business strategy, the value of coaching, and the need for companies to be transparent and aligned in their values and actions. 0:00 Rockstar to Recruiter: Living on the Talent Acquisition Treadmill: Travis 00:01 Introduction 02:05 Travis' Story 11:36 Stories at Work 28:41 Workplace Confession 33:11 Haiku for Travis Resources Curious about the benefits of coaching + how to set yourself up for success in college and life, here are some links to get started: Leaders Need Professional Coaching Now More Than Ever (hbr.org) The Secret Syllabus – A Guide to the Unwritten Rules of College Success Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me Let's talk about your people strategy Tell a story! Make a Workplace Confession Host: Michelle Aronson Editor: Bella Hutchins

    33 min

  7. MAY 2

    HR and Culture Shock, From the US to the UK: Dina

    Did you ever think it would be easy to work in England, because you already speak the language?  Well tune into this episode of 'True Stories at Work' to meet Dina, an executive coach and former HR professional, shares her experiences working in human resources across different cultures and the unique challenges that come with it. She shares challenges with the English language and culture while working in the UK, New York City and Texas. You’ll learn why she quit a job to save herself from a bad boss. And how she stays adaptable, resilient, and trusts herself to always move toward a better version of herself. We wrap it up with a workplace confession involving a playful prank in the parking lot involving a squirty wiper washer and a boss. 0:00 HR and Culture Shock, From the US to the UK: Dina 02:21 Dina's Story 06:54 Stories at Work 30:15 Workplace Confession 33:24 Haiku for Dina Resources Curious about Culture Shock + How Damaging a Bad Boss is at work? Here are some links to get started: Helping Expatriate Employees Deal with Culture Shock (shrm.org) How Damaging Is a Bad Boss, Exactly? (hbr.org) Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me Let's talk about your people strategy Tell a story! Make a Workplace Confession Listen to the show   Host: Michelle Aronson Editor: Bella Hutchins

    33 min

  8. APR 16

    Paycheck Power Plays: From Commissions to Corporate Jets

    This episode of True Stories at Work features a conversation with Caroline, an executive recruiter who began her career in the tumultuous year of 2010, navigating the challenges of the recession-hit job market. Hosted by Michelle Aronson, a recovering HR executive and certified coach, this podcast dives into the human aspects of working in HR and recruitment, sharing anecdotes ranging from dealing with dress code violations to the intricacies of negotiating job offers, including unusual perks like private jets. Caroline's story transitions from her unexpected start in recruiting to her role in executive search, highlighting the evolving dynamics in recruitment, the importance of feedback, and practical advice for job seekers on negotiations. The discussion also touches on the profound impact HR professionals can have on individuals' lives, the changing power dynamics between employers and candidates, and the need for companies to adapt their recruitment strategies. Interested in learning more about some of the topics discussed on the show? Here are some links to get started: 9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2024 and Beyond (hbr.org) 2024 Talent Acquisition Trends Led by GenAI, Skills-Based Hiring (shrm.org) How to negotiate your salary according to an ex-Google recruiter (cnbc.com)   00:00 Introduction 02:34 Caroline's Story 04:17 Stories at Work 22:06 Workplace Confession 24:39 Haiku for Caroline   Haiku for Caroline Caroline asks for… the benefits and money… and the private jet.   Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me!   Let's talk about your people strategy Tell a story! Make a Workplace Confession Listen to the show Host: Michelle Aronson Editor: Bella Hutchins

    25 min
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Welcome to True Stories at Work, hosted by Michelle Aronson, a recovering HR executive, certified coach, and business school professor who knows that the BEST stories happen at work. True Stories at Work blends the interesting ways people end up working in HR with the best stories you’ve never heard. At the end, we share a workplace confessions… stories from people who didn’t get “caught”! Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me at www.cultureandstrategylab.com

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