By HR for HR

WRKdefined Podcast Network

By HR, For HR is a podcast hosted by VirgilHR CEO Jocelyn King that brings practical insights from HR leaders on recruiting, performance management, compliance, leadership, AI, and more. Each episode shares real-world lessons you can apply immediately to elevate your organization and strategy.

  1. Kara Kelley: Building Sustainable Revenue: Why HR Solopreneurs Can’t Go It Alone#19 - Kara Kelley: Building Sustainable Revenue: Why HR Solopreneurs Can’t Go It Alone

    3d ago

    Kara Kelley: Building Sustainable Revenue: Why HR Solopreneurs Can’t Go It Alone#19 - Kara Kelley: Building Sustainable Revenue: Why HR Solopreneurs Can’t Go It Alone

    In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King connects with Kara Kelley, a fractional HR business partner, entrepreneur, and founder of the HR Consultants Mastermind Community. Kara shares her journey of launching her firm, Clinical HR, in the medical and dental compliance space right at the onset of the pandemic, navigating the chaotic waves of early COVID-19 compliance mandates, and scaling her business into a highly visible industry authority. The conversation breaks down the fundamental mistakes new HR professionals make when transitioning from corporate roles into independent consulting. Kara offers a masterclass in the power of "niching down," explaining why trying to serve every small business ultimately dilutes your message. She provides an insider perspective on escaping traditional time-for-money pricing traps, shifting instead toward value-based models that reflect the peace of mind and tangible financial risk mitigation a specialized advisor delivers. Listeners will learn what it truly means to step out from behind the laptop and evolve from a "hidden helper" into a "visible authority" through highly intentional, industry-focused networking. Kara shares practical mindset shifts for moving past layers of imposter syndrome, using a "face-it-till-you-make-it" framework built on continuous execution and pipeline consistency. Finally, she delivers a piece of brutally honest advice for anyone aspiring to build a sustainable, recurring-revenue practice: you cannot do it alone, and finding a dedicated, objective peer community is your ultimate key to long-term success. Kara Kelley is a seasoned fractional HR consultant, business advisor, and speaker specializing in culture and compliance advisory within the healthcare sector, particularly dentistry. Passionate about empowering fellow practitioners, she is the founder of the HR Consultants Mastermind Community, which supports over 3,500 aspiring and independent consultants globally. You can connect with Kara directly via email at kara@clinicalhr.com or join her thriving professional network by searching for the HR Consultants Mastermind on Facebook and LinkedIn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min
  2. Steve Browne: HR Without Boundaries: Leading People First over Policy

    Jun 4

    Steve Browne: HR Without Boundaries: Leading People First over Policy

    In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Steve Browne, a 40-year human resources veteran, to explore the profound evolution of the profession from the restrictive, top-down days of "Personnel" to modern organizational design. Steve reflects on his expansive career and shares why he is presenting on "HR Without Boundaries" and "The Heart of HR" at the upcoming SHRM conference. The conversation dives deep into how forward-thinking companies are shifting from enforcing rigid manuals to applying purposeful, directional structures. Steve discusses his unique approach at his company, where they have completely bypassed high-potential ratings, decoupled compensation from traditional performance management, and eliminated departmental silos in favor of highly collaborative "areas of work." Listeners will also gain tactical insights into navigating technology advancements like AI. Rather than building policies out of fear or managing to the exceptions, Steve explains how leveraging tech can actively engage a modern workforce, including the youngest generations. Finally, Steve delivers a powerful reminder for anyone looking to step into a leadership role: get away from your desk, get out with your staff, and treat every workplace challenge as a human situation first. Steve Browne is a globally recognized HR leader, speaker, author, and practitioner with four decades of experience in the profession. Known for his hands-on, people-centric philosophy, he is a passionate advocate for lifting others up and driving connective communities across the global HR landscape. You can find and connect with Steve across all major social platforms, including LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and BlueSky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min
  3. Elles Skony: Building Community and Confidence in HR Entrepreneurship

    May 14

    Elles Skony: Building Community and Confidence in HR Entrepreneurship

    In this episode of HRHR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Elles Skony, a dynamic leader in the HR space, to explore the journey of transitioning from in-house HR leadership to entrepreneurship. Elles, who has a rich background in high-growth startups, shares her experience of founding her own business and creating Fractional People People, a thriving community for HR entrepreneurs. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of becoming an HR entrepreneur, as Elles discusses the importance of networking, building confidence, and pricing services correctly. She also delves into the creation of a supportive community for HR professionals, emphasizing the value of peer support and shared experiences in overcoming the hurdles of entrepreneurship. Join us as we uncover the nuances of starting a business in the HR field, learn how to navigate the tricky waters of client acquisition, and discover the strategies Elles employs to maintain a thriving business while nurturing a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR is an HR compliance software designed by practitioners to deliver automated, instant compliance answers regarding federal, state, and local employment laws. To discover how to shield your organization from legal risk while freeing your team up for strategic initiatives, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min
  4. Tony Buffum: The Human Cloud - Driving the Future of Flexible Work

    Mar 26

    Tony Buffum: The Human Cloud - Driving the Future of Flexible Work

    Tony Buffum, co-founder of The Human Cloud, joins host Jocelyn King to discuss the inevitable shift toward flexible work and the "freelance economy". Reflecting on his time at Upwork and Stanley Black & Decker, Tony explores why many HR professionals resist non-traditional staffing—citing fears of compliance, loss of control, and the "status quo" of full-time headcount. He encourages HR leaders to view themselves as the "change management function" of the organization, helping managers move from "order taking" to strategic workforce planning. Tony highlights business acumen as the key differentiator for HR professionals looking to move from administration to strategic influence. By understanding the balance sheet and partnering closely with finance, HR can transition into a "trusted advisor" or "consigliere" for the CEO. Looking ahead to the challenges of 2026, Tony advises HR practitioners to stay relevant by upskilling in agentic AI and staying hyper-aware of macroeconomic conditions to react with speed and agility. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min
  5. Tami Nutt: Rethinking the Blank Page - How Analysts Bridge the Gap in HR

    Mar 12

    Tami Nutt: Rethinking the Blank Page - How Analysts Bridge the Gap in HR

    Tami Nutt, Vice President of Research and Insights for Aspect 43, shares how her 20-year career as an HR practitioner informs her current work as an industry analyst. She explains how analysts provide unbiased evaluations of technology and market trends, helping busy HR professionals connect the dots between global economics and workplace tools. Tami emphasizes that in the age of AI, HR must act as the "human experts," identifying which tasks are uniquely human and which can be handled by technology. A major theme of the discussion is the critical importance of HR compliance and change management. Tami describes compliance as the "foundation of the building"—essential for stability but often ignored until something fails. She challenges listeners to view compliance maturity not just as passing an audit, but as creating systems that make the right behaviors easy and consistent every day. Finally, she provides tips on avoiding implementation failures by making no assumptions and gathering rigorous data. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min

About

By HR, For HR is a podcast hosted by VirgilHR CEO Jocelyn King that brings practical insights from HR leaders on recruiting, performance management, compliance, leadership, AI, and more. Each episode shares real-world lessons you can apply immediately to elevate your organization and strategy.