You've Got People Problems

Melissa Ortiz, Talent Optimization Expert
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MANAGEMENT

Let’s be honest. People problems aren’t just HR problems. They’re business problems. They show up as missed goals, unclear accountability, hiring mistakes, disengaged teams, and leaders carrying more than they should. Over time, they slow growth, create frustration, and make running a business feel harder than it needs to be. And they aren’t solved by another policy, personality test, or quick fix. Business would be simple… if it weren’t for people. That’s the reality behind You’ve Got People Problems, a podcast focused on the human side of running a business. Each episode explores how leadership behavior, hiring decisions, role clarity, engagement, and organizational structure directly impact performance, culture, and results. Through honest conversations with business owners, operators, HR leaders, EOS Implementers, and consultants, the show tackles real issues leaders face every day: why the “right hire” still isn’t working, how teams outgrow roles, when full-time isn’t the answer, why accountability breaks down, and what actually drives engagement beyond perks and pay. This isn’t about HR checking a box or leadership theory. It’s about helping leaders slow down, recognize patterns earlier, and make more intentional people decisions that support both the business and the people inside it. If you’re leading a team, building an organization, or trying to get out of the day-to-day firefighting that comes with people problems, this podcast is for you. Subscribe, listen, and start making sense of the people side of your business.

  1. 1D AGO

    Navigating the Layoff Landscape ​| Ep 37 | You've Got People Problems

    In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, host Melissa Ortiz is joined by author and speaker Steve Jaffe to explore layoffs from a perspective that is rarely discussed openly: the human experience after a job loss and the responsibility leaders carry on both sides of the table. Drawing from his book The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery and his own experience of being laid off four times, Steve shares how people move through the emotional stages of job loss, including shock, shame, and identity disruption. Melissa and Steve discuss why layoffs are no longer rare events, how unprepared most people are for them, and why leaders and HR professionals benefit from understanding what employees experience long after the moment of termination. Rather than focusing only on process or compliance, the conversation centers on empathy, perspective, and what helps people regain clarity and confidence during transition. Key topics covered in this episode include: The emotional stages people experience after a layoffWhy identity and self-worth often become tied to workHow shame and silence can delay recovery after job lossWhat leaders and HR teams often underestimate about layoffsHow empathy changes the way layoffs are handledWhat helps individuals move from dismissal to discoveryThis episode is especially valuable for leaders who have navigated layoffs, HR professionals responsible for delivering difficult news, and individuals facing career transitions. The conversation offers insight into how layoffs impact people beyond the moment itself and why leadership presence matters long after the decision is made. If you want a more human, thoughtful perspective on layoffs and how people move through them, this episode provides clarity and compassion without oversimplifying a difficult topic.

    44 min

  2. FEB 19

    Businesses and Life: A Constant Rebalancing Act ​| Ep 36 | You've Got People Problems

    In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, host Melissa Ortiz is joined by leadership advisor and author Carol Enneking for a candid conversation about the constant rebalancing act required in both business and life. Drawing from Carol’s decades of experience across corporate and entrepreneurial environments, the conversation explores why leaders struggle with priorities, decision-making, and clarity, even when they are capable, driven, and well-intentioned. Rather than chasing the idea of “work-life balance,” Melissa and Carol focus on agility, tradeoffs, and the ongoing process of rebalancing as conditions change. Throughout the episode, they discuss how leaders often overload themselves and their teams by treating everything as important, and how that lack of focus shows up as stress, misalignment, and stalled execution. Key topics covered in this episode include: Why “balance” is less realistic than continuous rebalancingHow unclear priorities create pressure for leaders and teamsWhy leaders struggle to name what matters most right nowThe connection between personal overwhelm and organizational overloadHow decision-making improves when leaders get honest about tradeoffsWhy leadership requires letting go, not just doing moreThis episode is especially valuable for founders, executives, and leadership teams who feel stretched thin or overwhelmed by competing demands. Rather than offering quick fixes, the conversation provides perspective on how clarity, focus, and intentional decision-making reduce both personal and organizational strain. If you’re leading a business and feeling pulled in too many directions at once, this episode offers a grounded reminder that leadership is not about perfect balance, but about making conscious choices in each season.

    1h 13m

  3. FEB 12

    Inserting AI Into the Org Chart ​| Ep 35 | You've Got People Problems

    In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, host Melissa Ortiz is joined by organizational leader Amy Perenon to explore how artificial intelligence is already changing leadership, management, and organizational decision-making. Rather than focusing on future predictions, Melissa and Amy discuss how AI is showing up in real workplaces today. They explore how leaders are using AI as a thinking partner, where it can reduce cognitive load for managers, and why AI should support leadership judgment rather than replace it. The conversation also addresses the challenges leaders face when introducing AI, including skepticism, ethical considerations, and the importance of transparency and trust with teams. Key topics covered in this episode include: How AI is entering the org chart and leadership workflowsUsing AI to support managers and reduce frictionWhere AI adds value without replacing human decision-makingTransparency, trust, and ethical considerations in AI useHow AI is reshaping leadership expectations and rolesWhat leaders should experiment with now versus approach cautiouslyThis episode is especially valuable for founders, operators, and people leaders who are navigating AI adoption and want practical, grounded insight rather than hype. If you are trying to understand how AI fits into your organization while maintaining clarity, trust, and strong leadership, this episode offers thoughtful perspective and real-world examples.

    54 min

  4. FEB 5

    Do we Need a Partner or a Person? The FT/PT/Fractional Debate ​| Ep 34 | You've Got People Problems

    In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, host Melissa Ortiz is joined by organizational consultant Michelle Scribner to explore one of the most common, and costly, leadership questions: when to hire full-time, when to go part-time, and when fractional or outsourced support makes more sense. Using accounting and operational roles as real-world examples, Melissa and Michelle discuss how leaders often default to hiring before fully understanding the work that actually needs to be done. They unpack how compliance requirements, especially in states like California, add complexity and risk to hiring decisions, and why many organizations unintentionally overcommit too early. Key topics covered in this episode include: The difference between fractional, part-time, and outsourced rolesHow to evaluate capability needs before committing to headcountWhy some functions are better handled externally at certain stagesThe hidden costs of premature or misaligned hiresHow to think about scale, flexibility, and risk when building your team.This episode is especially valuable for founders, operators, and leadership teams navigating growth, compliance pressure, or uncertainty about their next hire. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all answer, the conversation helps leaders ask better questions before making long-term people decisions. If you’re wrestling with whether a role truly needs to be internal, or how to structure support without overextending your organization, this episode offers practical clarity.

    53 min

  5. 11/20/2025

    Executive Functioning in the Workplace ​| Ep 33 | You've Got People Problems

    In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz talks with Sarah Seitz and Kate Mathalone from The Enrichery, an organization dedicated to helping students discover how they learn, grow, and thrive—both in school and beyond. From early education to career readiness, Sarah and Kate share how The Enrichery empowers students and families to navigate challenges, set goals, and build confidence. Melissa draws powerful parallels between raising kids and managing people—because as she says, “It’s the same skill set.” You’ll learn how to: Foster growth mindsets in students and employees alikeBuild systems that support long-term successLead with empathy and clarity—at home and at workTranslate education principles into leadership practicesWhether you’re a parent, educator, or leader, this episode offers fresh insight into what it means to develop potential in others.

    1 hr

  6. 11/13/2025

    Clarity & Accountability: A Recipe for Success at Marco Technologies ​| Ep 32 | You've Got People Problems

    In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz sits down with Dustin Bonn, VP of Operations at Marco Technologies, to talk about the power of clarity and accountability in leadership. With more than a decade of experience integrating teams through acquisitions, Dustin has seen firsthand how strong communication, clear expectations, and trust drive lasting success. You’ll learn how to: Build alignment across newly combined teamsLead through change without losing cultureUse accountability to strengthen trust and performanceKeep clarity front and center in fast-paced growthWhether you’re navigating a merger, restructuring, or just trying to unify your team, this episode offers practical insight into what it really takes to lead people well.

    47 min

  7. 11/06/2025

    One Great Tool for Protecting Retention & Building Loyalty ​| Ep 31 | You've Got People Problems

    In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz sits down with Jenna Dillon, CEO of Visionology Coaching, to talk about self-awareness, blind spots, and how leaders can unlock the potential of their teams. As an executive coach working with senior leaders, Jenna helps people step into their best so their organizations can thrive. You’ll learn how to: Recognize and address leadership blind spotsDevelop self-awareness as a foundation for growthElevate team performance through better coachingCreate sustainable results by focusing on people, not just outcomesWhether you’re an experienced executive or an emerging leader, this conversation is full of practical ways to strengthen your leadership and support your team’s success.

    53 min

  8. 10/30/2025

    When Companies and People Don’t Grow Together ​| Ep 30 | You've Got People Problems

    In this episode of You’ve Got People Problems, Melissa Ortiz welcomes Katie McConnell-Olson, Founder of GrowthWise Search Partners, to talk about what it really means to have the right recruiting partner. Katie shares how her firm operates as a fractional recruiting arm—helping businesses find and screen top talent without the limitations of traditional hiring models. You’ll learn how to: Rethink recruiting as a long-term partnership, not a transactionBuild hiring processes that reflect your culture and valuesAvoid costly mis-hires by aligning people with purposeStrengthen your employer brand through candidate experienceWhether you’re scaling your team or struggling to fill key roles, this episode is packed with actionable insights on how to find the right people—and keep them.

    46 min
See All (37)

Ratings & Reviews

About

Let’s be honest. People problems aren’t just HR problems. They’re business problems. They show up as missed goals, unclear accountability, hiring mistakes, disengaged teams, and leaders carrying more than they should. Over time, they slow growth, create frustration, and make running a business feel harder than it needs to be. And they aren’t solved by another policy, personality test, or quick fix. Business would be simple… if it weren’t for people. That’s the reality behind You’ve Got People Problems, a podcast focused on the human side of running a business. Each episode explores how leadership behavior, hiring decisions, role clarity, engagement, and organizational structure directly impact performance, culture, and results. Through honest conversations with business owners, operators, HR leaders, EOS Implementers, and consultants, the show tackles real issues leaders face every day: why the “right hire” still isn’t working, how teams outgrow roles, when full-time isn’t the answer, why accountability breaks down, and what actually drives engagement beyond perks and pay. This isn’t about HR checking a box or leadership theory. It’s about helping leaders slow down, recognize patterns earlier, and make more intentional people decisions that support both the business and the people inside it. If you’re leading a team, building an organization, or trying to get out of the day-to-day firefighting that comes with people problems, this podcast is for you. Subscribe, listen, and start making sense of the people side of your business.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Ortiz, Talent Optimization Expert
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 You've Got People Problems
  • Show Website
    You've Got People Problems