I Hate It Here Hebba Youssef
-
- Business
-
If HR is one of the most soul-crushing industries to work in, how come we’re not talking about it more? I Hate it Here is the unflinching podcast where People professionals to talk honestly and openly about HR, sharing best-in-class resources to make the hardest job in the world that little bit easier. Hosted by Hebba Youssef, Chief People Officer at Workweek and creator of the I Hate it Here podcast and newsletter, this show is for HR People who want to get things done right - even if they do feel a bit empty inside from time to time. You’ll hear from industry insiders, not just the same old voices, sharing all the things you’re secretly thinking but never said out loud, digging into real-life examples, and delivering practical solutions and strategies for your people team.
-
S4 E7: I Wish I Knew How to Quit You: RyanMae McAvoy on Leaving HR
In HR, quitting is a part of the job. But no one talks about what happens when HR is ready to quit HR.
RyanMae McAvoy, Senior Director of People Operations at Blackthorn.io, joins Hebba to unpack quitting from an HR-centric point of view. When is it time to call it quits? And what factors are the primary motivators behind discontentedness in HR?
RyanMae and Hebba break down the emotional aspects of leaving a job, explain why community is pivotal in decision-making, and reveal the greatest challenges faced by HR professionals on a day-to-day basis. They also dive into the role of empathy, boundary-setting, and personal acknowledgment in creating a happier workplace.
Why are so many HR professionals contemplating quitting? And why does it so often feel like HR is on an island of its own? Together, Hebba and RyanMae shed light on the often neglected aspect of HR professionals contemplating leaving the field.
Reach every worker with Firstup’s intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit firstup.io to learn more.
00:00:37 - Accidental HR Career Leads to Leadership
00:03:27 - Improving Employee Retention Through Acknowledgement
00:08:03 - AI vs. Human Touch in HR
00:09:27 - Reasons People Want to Quit
00:12:34 - Coping Through COVID
00:17:44 - Focusing on Mental Health in Workplace
00:21:51 - How to Prioritize Family Time
00:22:09 - Empathy in HR
00:27:40 - Why Setting Expectations is Key for Mental Health
00:31:49 - How to Handle Employee Resignations
00:36:37 - Understanding the Emotional Toll of HR
00:40:56 - Navigating Relationships When Leaving a Job
00:42:53 - Struggling with Authenticity in Workplace
00:48:12 - Balancing Humanity and Work Demands
00:52:17 - Advice for Dealing with Burnout
And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.
https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/
And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!
Follow RyanMae:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rm80920/
Follow Hebba:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef -
S4 E6: Is Constant Change Why Employees Quit?
Change doesn’t come easy— in fact, it can be downright disruptive, And worse yet, it’s often at the forefront of employee turnover. So how can HR leaders prevent change from becoming an unmanageable force?
Keynote speaker Tiffany Lanier drops by to chat with Hebba about the widespread impact of organizational change, and to explain how massive restructuring can impact employee well-being.
Having helped thousands of leaders develop systems of support during intense change, Tiffany reveals why change management is a core skill for HR professionals. She explains how, by embracing change, employees can improve their personal well-being and implement practical strategies for creating space for future disruptions.
Tiffany also addresses the different needs and personalities of employees during times of change, from therapy and counseling to the prioritization of spending time alone and sticking to common rituals and routines.
Whether you're undergoing organizational restructuring or dealing with other consequences of change, you won’t want to miss out on these actionable tips to help you prioritize employee well-being.
Reach every worker with Firstup’s intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit firstup.io to learn more.
And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.
https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/
And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!
Follow Tiffany:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanylanier/
Website: https://livewithtiffany.com
Follow Hebba:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef -
S4 E5: Dear Hebba: HR’s Juiciest Questions Answered, with Erica Spitale
How can you help employees when a company is small and has limited growth opportunities? What happens when an employer insists there’s a dress code… but only for curvier employees?
Hebba and talent strategist/culture connoisseur Erica Spitale tackle some super juicy questions submitted by listeners. From navigating terminations without legal repercussions to encouraging CEOs to offer more health benefits, they’re tackling a wide range of topics that any HR professional or leader can relate to.
Tune in as Hebba and Erica break down the importance of trust in the workplace, go over the challenges of unrealistic expectations, and explain the value of seeking consistent feedback.
Plus, how can you handle dress code policies, toxic leaders, and professional development opportunities in small companies? You won’t want to miss this expert-level advice—tune in now!
Reach every worker with Firstup’s intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit Firstup.io to learn more.
00:01:51 - Avoiding Values Misalignment in Companies
00:03:29 - How to Handle Unhappy Employees
00:09:01 - How to Handle Toxic Leadership
00:13:24 - Regaining Trust in the Workplace
00:17:03 - When Details for a Promotion are Fabricated
00:22:17 - Managing Professional Development in Small Companies
00:27:03 - Encouraging CEOs to Offer Health Benefits
00:33:31 - Considerations for Transitioning from Operations to HR
00:39:06 - Navigating Employee Relations in Nonprofits
00:41:49 - Setting Realistic Expectations and Seeking Feedback
00:47:39 - Curvier Woman Faces Dress Code Dilemma
And if you love HR Therapy, sign up to I Hate it Here, the newsletter for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.
https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/
And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!
Follow Erica:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-j-spitale-psyd/
Follow Hebba:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef
-
S4 E4: Top Tier Retention Strategies, with Stephen and Daniel Huerta
Retaining top talent looks easy on paper. So why then, do so many companies have difficulty with their retention strategies?
Hebba chats with “Modern People Leader” podcast hosts Daniel and Stephen Huerta about personalization in the age of information, the rise of AI, and the best ways companies can boost their retention strategies. Having spoken to over 200 people leaders on their pod, Daniel and Stephen understand a thing or two about the importance of a great people ops team.
They break down why trust is so important in the workplace and explain how it can help to improve employee retention rates. They also explore the ways that AI is changing the nature of work and how it might change the way we view HR.
Plus, will the constant in-fighting in HR ever stop? Will it be HR’s ultimate downfall? Daniel, Hebba, and Stephen discuss the ways remote work has changed retention strategies and explain why it’s causing so much bickering within company lines. Is it time to rethink the system?
Reach every worker with Firstup’s intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience.
Visit Firstup.io to learn more.
00:00:00 - Retaining Top Talent
00:07:55 - Maintaining Trust in the Workplace
00:11:28 - Navigating Remote Work Accountability Challenges
00:15:44 - Causes of Employee Turnover Explored
00:17:49 - HR's Identity Crisis: Retaining Talent
00:25:04 - How AI is Fundamentally Changing the Way We Work
00:27:14 - Retaining Employees Through Clear Communication
00:30:21 - Embrace Remote Work for Success
00:38:57 - Power Dynamics in Retention Strategies
00:44:12 - Improving Talent Mobility in Companies
00:49:43 - Maximizing Employee Retention Through Referrals
00:54:38 - The Hardest C-Suite Job
And if you love HR Therapy, sign up to I Hate it Here, the newsletter for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.
https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/
And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!
Listen to the Modern People Leader Podcast here.
Follow Stephen:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenhuerta/
Follow Daniel:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-huerta-mpl/
Follow Hebba:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef -
S4 E3: In the Hot Seat: A CEO’s Perspective on People Ops, with Workweek’s Adam Ryan
Oil and water. Fire and ice. CEOs and CPOs.
Some things just don’t go together like they should. But does it always have to be that way?
In this super candid conversation, Hebba chats with her IRL CEO at Workweek, Adam Ryan, to discuss the complex relationship between CEOs and CPOs. Adam opens up about the CEO’s perspective on HR and shares his thoughts on how HR leaders can build a better relationship with their CEO.
What role can honesty, vulnerability, and empathy play in building a better path forward for both sides? And does there always have to be a conflict of interest between the two departments? Adam reveals what it’s like to hold the weight of an entire company on his shoulders and explains the role that ego can play in conflict.
Plus, what’s the best way to capture the attention of a reluctant or stubborn CEO? Adam shares his best tips for effective communication strategies and opens his playbook for successful HR/CEO relations.
And later, find out the top warning signs and red flags of when a CEO/CPO relationship is about to turn sour and Adam’s super juicy take on why employees leave.
00:00:00 - Navigating the Tension Between HR and CEO
00:01:13 - When Company Values Clash: Reasons to Leave
00:08:57 - CEO and CPO Relationship Dynamics Unpacked
00:13:58 - The Importance of Consistent Communication with CEOs
00:16:56 - Navigating Tensions in Company Communications
00:23:25 - Understanding Your CEO's Perspective in Decision Making
00:28:44 - HR and Finance Roles: A Balancing Act
00:34:37 - Building Strong Working Relationships at Work
00:38:01 - Strengthening HR-CEO Relationship with Empathy
And if you love HR Therapy, sign up to I Hate it Here, the newsletter for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.
https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/
And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!
Follow Adam:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtryan/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n
Podcast: Perpetual
Follow Hebba:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef -
S4 E2: Should I Stay or Should I Go? What to Do When You Feel Stuck in Your Career, with Tori Lazar
Feeling stuck in your career?
You’re not alone. Join Hebba and special guest Tori Lazar, a strategic storyteller and executive coach, as they discuss how to recognize career quagmires and turn stalemates into personal growth.
What are the top three warning signs of career unhappiness, and how can leaders be more personally aware of their own internal red flags? Tori shares insights on tapping into your inner child, overcoming fear, and pinpointing the source of unhappiness in your current career.
Tori and Hebba also discuss the fine art of not giving @#$! about what people think of you. How can you get over the fear of not being liked and still advocate for the employees who may view you as public enemy #1? They dive into the role of HR professionals in advocating for employees and explain how to maintain a positive work culture and persevere through the constant barrage of criticism that’s synonymous with the job.
00:02:37 - Tori Lazar: Strategic Storyteller and Executive Coach
00:03:13 - Optimizing Your Time
00:07:13 - Top 3 Signs of Being Stuck in Your Career
00:21:51 - Gen Z Challenges Workplace Norms
00:27:24 - Advocating for Every Employee
00:34:57 - Overcoming Fear in Unfulfilling Careers
00:41:23 - Harnessing Childhood Experiences to Build Confidence
00:43:17 - How Practice Builds Confidence in Overcoming Fear
00:47:23 - Why Great Leaders Need Great HR Departments
00:51:40 - Identifying Unhappiness in HR Careers
And if you love HR Therapy, sign up to I Hate it Here, the newsletter for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.
https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/
And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!
Follow Tori:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tori-lazar/
Take the Course: https://course.girlboss.com/courses/spark-your-career-renaissance
Follow Hebba:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef
Customer Reviews
Love!
I found Hebba’s newsletter a long time ago and was blown away by how genuine, charismatic, and funny she is. And her podcast is no different! SHE SAYS WHAT ALL OF US HR PEOPLE ARE THINKING!
Amazing podcast!
I work in employment law and love the different perspectives the host and guests provide. I learn something knew every week and have greater empathy for People professionals.
Great podcast, great newsletter
I just wanted to take a second to write a review on this podcast especially because I know how important they are for content creators. Hebba’s newsletters are wonderful and so valuable and the podcast is such a great additional tool. I don’t even do HR anymore but the morsels of wisdom help me personally and help others who have HR elements in their roles navigate the difficulties that we encounter. The Managing Relationships episode has been cathartic in a time when I needed it most. Thank you, Hebba!