HR In Action

Aaron Robbins
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The HR Leadership Podcast is a one-on-one interview series with HR leaders who are shaping the future of work. Each episode explores real challenges, hot topics, and innovative solutions in HR, covering leadership, culture, talent, employee experience, and the strategies that help organizations thrive. Practical, candid, and built for HR professionals who want ideas they can actually use.

Episodes

  1. 3D AGO

    HR In Action - Dr Lisa

    In this episode of HR in Action, I sat down with Dr. Lisa Marie Lee, Founder and CEO of Linked Results, for a deep conversation on the often-overlooked link between emotion, leadership behavior, and business outcomes. Dr. Lisa brings a unique perspective as an HR researcher, evaluator, and former U.S. Navy veteran, focused on helping organizations understand the return on investment of their HR initiatives. Rather than relying on surface-level “best practices,” she challenges leaders to look beneath policies, perks, and programs to examine the quality of relationships, trust, and motivation driving performance. The conversation explores why many organizations over-rely on control, mimic competitors without understanding their own culture, and mistake perks for progress. Dr. Lisa explains why emotions sit behind every action and decision at work—and how leaders can begin to assign tangible value to those human dynamics through thoughtful evaluation. We also discuss the limits of one-size-fits-all leadership recipes, the tension between speed and patience in large organizations, and why true performance improvement requires slowing down to understand root causes rather than reacting to symptoms. Throughout the episode, Dr. Lisa emphasizes the importance of assuming good intent, observing behavior with curiosity, and designing interventions that align with how people actually work. This episode is especially valuable for HR leaders, executives, consultants, and researchers who want to move beyond buzzwords and better connect leadership behavior, employee experience, and measurable outcomes. Looking to help leaders build real skill—not just follow best practices? Check out ProACTr, a leadership conversation simulator designed to help leaders practice difficult conversations and build confidence through evidence-based role-play learning. 👉 https://proactr.com #HRInAction, #HRLeadership, #HumanResources, #PeopleOperations, #LeadershipDevelopment, #WorkplaceCulture, #EmployeeExperience, #FutureOfWork, #HRCommunity, #CommunityOfPractice

    42 min

  2. JAN 28

    HR In Action - Susannah Robinson

    In this episode of HR in Action: Real Stories. Shared Practice., Aaron Robbins is joined by Susannah Robinson, Founder and President of Partnership for Talent, for a wide-ranging conversation on what effective HR and leadership really look like in small and mid-sized organizations. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience across corporate HR, nonprofit leadership, and consulting, Susannah shares why small and mid-sized companies need just as much strategic HR thinking as large organizations—but in a very different form. The conversation explores how leaders can be more intentional about culture, onboarding, and leadership development when every hire has an outsized impact. A central theme of the episode is the importance of intentional onboarding and belonging, especially in smaller organizations where culture can shift quickly. Susannah explains why onboarding is not just job training, but a shared responsibility across the organization—and how small, human details can dramatically shape an employee’s early experience and long-term commitment. The discussion also dives into leadership development in practice, including the role of coaching, role-play, and reflection in helping leaders build confidence with difficult conversations. Susannah shares powerful examples of how leaders can clarify their leadership vision, manage their impact (not just their intent), and adapt their style to better meet the needs of their teams. This episode is especially relevant for HR leaders, consultants, founders, and executives working in small or growing organizations who want to build strong cultures, empower managers, and treat leadership as a skill that must be practiced—not assumed.

    39 min

  3. JAN 20

    HR In Action - Margaret Spence

    In this episode of HR in Action, Aaron Robbins is joined by Margaret Spence, founder of the Inclusion Learning Lab and a nationally recognized expert in HR, risk management, and AI governance. Margaret brings a unique perspective shaped by nearly three decades of consulting experience at the intersection of talent, compliance, and risk. The conversation explores how AI is already reshaping the talent lifecycle—from hiring and selection to development and succession—and why HR leaders can no longer afford to treat AI as a “black box” owned solely by IT or vendors. Together, Aaron and Margaret unpack what AI governance really means for HR, why algorithmic discrimination is emerging as a serious legal and ethical risk, and how cases like Mobley v. Workday signal a shift in accountability back to employers. Margaret explains why AI doesn’t create bias on its own—but instead amplifies the patterns and assumptions already embedded in organizational data and decision-making. The discussion also highlights the critical role of human-in-the-loop safeguards, AI literacy for HR leaders, and the need to balance governance with upskilling—so organizations don’t unintentionally limit learning while trying to manage risk. Throughout the episode, Margaret emphasizes that effective governance isn’t about piles of policies, but about visibility, evaluation, and intentional leadership. This episode is especially valuable for HR leaders, talent professionals, and executives who are navigating AI adoption, workforce equity, and compliance in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving landscape. Looking for an innovative way to develop your leaders? Check out ProACTr, a leadership conversation simulator that leverages modern technology to deliver evidence-based, role-play learning—helping leaders build real skills through practice. 👉 https://proactr.com #HRInAction, #HRLeadership, #AIinHR, #AIGovernance, #FutureOfWork, #TalentManagement, #LeadershipDevelopment, #HRCommunity, #CommunityOfPractice

    45 min

  4. JAN 13

    HR In Action - Christina Cota-Donovan

    In this episode of HR in Action, Aaron Robbins sits down with Christina Cota-Donovan, founder and principal consultant at Cota Coaching and Consulting, to explore what it really looks like to build effective people practices in small and mid-sized organizations. Christina brings decades of hands-on HR experience across organizations of all sizes and now partners with leaders who need strategic HR support—but don’t have it in-house. From navigating post-COVID workforce shifts to designing people strategies that actually support growth, this conversation dives deep into the practical realities HR leaders and business owners face every day. Key topics include: -Building people strategy alongside business growth strategy -Why many organizations struggle with HR infrastructure—and how to fix it -Culture by design vs. culture by default -Turning values into observable, actionable behaviors -Improving recruiting and onboarding to reduce early turnover -Using employee listening (surveys, focus groups, stay interviews) to uncover real issues -Creating growth, purpose, and clarity through skill and career pathways -Helping leaders take ownership of the employee experience Throughout the conversation, Christina shares concrete examples, common patterns she sees across organizations, and practical ways leaders can move from “winging it” to building intentional, scalable people practices. This episode is especially valuable for HR leaders, consultants, and executives working in smaller or growing organizations who want to strengthen culture, leadership capability, and employee experience—without overcomplicating it. Looking for an innovative way to develop your leaders? Check out ProACTr, a leadership conversation simulator that leverages new technology to bring proven role-play learning to life. 👉 https://proactr.com

    51 min

  5. JAN 3

    HR IN ACTION - Frida Chavez

    In the first episode of our new one-on-one HR leader series, Aaron Robbins sits down with Frida Chavez, Senior HR Manager at Angry Chickz, a fast-growing restaurant brand expanding rapidly across California. Frida shares what it’s really like to lead HR in a high-growth, high-turnover, frontline-heavy organization—where new locations are opening at a rapid pace and HR is often a department of one. From navigating evolving immigration concerns and attendance challenges, to standardizing processes at scale, to reshaping how HR is perceived across the organization, this conversation dives into the real-world complexity HR leaders face every day. Key topics include: Managing HR during rapid growth and frequent store openingsNavigating immigration-related fear, compliance, and cultural impactStandardizing HR processes without losing humanityReducing risk through documentation and consistencyShifting the perception of HR from “corporate police” to true support partnerBuilding culture through service, empathy, and leadership modelingSupporting managers with practical, proactive HR guidanceFrida also shares how Angry Chickz reinforces culture by leading from the top—where executives roll up their sleeves, HR acts as a service center, and collaboration is the norm. This episode is an honest, practical look at modern HR leadership in action and a great starting point for HR professionals looking to learn from peers facing similar challenges. 🎧 Whether you’re an HR team of one, leading through growth, or rethinking how HR shows up for employees and managers, this episode offers insights you won’t want to miss. Looking for an innovative way to develop your leaders? Check out ProACTr, a leadership conversation simulator that leverages new technology to bring proven role-play learning to life. 👉 https://proactr.com

    45 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

The HR Leadership Podcast is a one-on-one interview series with HR leaders who are shaping the future of work. Each episode explores real challenges, hot topics, and innovative solutions in HR, covering leadership, culture, talent, employee experience, and the strategies that help organizations thrive. Practical, candid, and built for HR professionals who want ideas they can actually use.

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron Robbins
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 ProACTr LLC
  • Show Website
    HR In Action