True Stories at Work: fresh from HR Michelle Aronson

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

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

Did you know that HR professionals are the true crime detectives of the corporate world? From solving the case of the mysterious naughty photographs to catching protesting poopers, this True Stories at Work episode features jaw-dropping stories from Nicole as she shares her most memorable investigations and leaves no case unsolved.



Learn how Nicole landed her first HR job (as a director) without even applying. Gain insight into the unpredictable and often strange investigative work that HR conducts. Reflect on when it might be the right choice to bend or break the rules for the greater good.

00:00 Introduction

01:58 Stories at Work

10:16 Nicole's Story

16:02 More Stories at Work

30:24 Haiku for Nicole



Resources



Curious about great HR leadership + Bending the Rules at work, here are some links to get started:



What Separates Great HR Leaders from the Rest (hbr.org)



HR Ethical Dilemmas (shrm.org)



Bending The Rules | When it's Right to do the Wrong Thing | Rice Business Wisdom



When to Break the Rules at Work – And How to Do It (linkedin.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



 



Haiku for Nicole



Nicole proudly solves,



workplace mysteries with a



bit of rule bending

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live with your coworkers on the ocean for 8-months each year? In this True Stories at Work episode you get to meet Lauren. Who wanted to be a pirate, astronaut and is now an HR leader on a cruise ship.



Michelle Aronson hosts Lauren, who aspired to be an astronaut, however ended up in HR after a health issue crashed her aerospace engineering dreams. Lauren talks about her practices in addressing HR issues and the unique challenges she faces living and working on a cruise ship, including dealing with staff from 30-40 different nationalities, overseeing personal issues that become HR matters, and handling romantic relationships on board. HR is personal, as Lauren recounts a heart-wrenching incident of an immigration scam involving one of her potential hires. The episode wraps up as Lauren shares how she changed her approach to HR after laying off an entire hotel staff at the beginning of the pandemic… and how she makes HR personal and connected to improve her workplace.

00:00 Introduction

02:09 Lauren's Story

07:19 True Stories at Work

36:25 Workplace Confession

40:05 Haiku for Lauren

 



Resources



Curious about cross-culture challenges + how to connect more deeply with colleagues at work, here are some links to get started:



How Cultural Differences Can Impact Global Teams



Forming Stronger Bonds with People at Work



Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me



Tell a story!



Make a Workplace Confession



 



Host: Michelle Aronson



Editor: Bella Hutchins



 



Haiku for Lauren



Lauren is not a pirate.



But achieves her HR dreams...



as she sees (seas(;)) the world.

How does an HR professional build a connected, inclusive, and tech-forward culture? Find out in our latest podcast episode with Karen, who considers herself an accidental tourist in HR! #HRLeadership #InclusiveWorkplace #Podcast



In this episode, Karen shares her experience crafting a culture to support high-growth companies. She discusses the importance of creating an inclusive culture and how to align the executive team and care for the HR team. We discuss how to keep culture (and humans) in focus as you implement technology for your HR practices. Karen shares that “employees want to know that tomorrow will be better than today and that they have a say in it.”



00:00 Introduction



01:55 Karen's Story



05:45 Stories at Work



32:02 Workplace Confession



37:29 Haiku for Karen



Resources



Curious about culture and tech at work, here are some links to get started:



4 Ways AI Will Disrupt the HR Function in 2024 (shrm.org)



Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace (shrm.org)



Talent Management in the Age of AI (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



 



Haiku for Karen



Karen understands...



Connection is essential



in work and in life.



 



Host: Michelle Aronson



Editor: Bella Hutchins

What happens when you choose to face your fears and be vulnerable at the work? This episode of True Stories at Work shares how well these tactics worked for Adam, as he moved from a $10/hr contractor to running global programs in the London headquarters of a multinational insurance company within 8 years! Adam shares the importance of honest communication, sharing your half-baked ideas, and taking risks at work.



We discuss vulnerability, mentorship, radical candor and managing your fear at work. Adam shares his journey of falling-out of a PhD program and into human resources. You'll hear great stories of humility, risk-taking, continuous learning, and the importance of open communication. The Workplace Confession is from a coworker of Michelle's who used his knowledge from a sexual harassment training to avoid her investigation!



#CareerGrowth #AuthenticLeadership #Vulnerability



Timeline:



00:01 Introduction



01:22 Adam's Story



16:05 Stories at Work



33:09 Workplace Confession



38:50 Haiku for Adam



Curious about vulnerability at work or writing better job descriptions, here are some links to get started:



Want To Write A Better, More Effective Job Description? Follow These 14 Tips (forbes.com)



How to be vulnerable at work without spilling everything, from Brené Brown | (ted.com)



HBR: How to Build Confidence About Showing Vulnerability



 



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



Ask a question+ make a suggestion



 



Haiku for Adam



Adam knows that growth…



Comes with fear, risk and sharing...



Uncomfortable truths.



 



Host: Michelle Aronson



Editor: Bella Hutchins