Pulse by HRBench

HRBench
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS

Getting a pulse on your workforce in high-stakes environments is a challenge few talk about, but it’s the reality for HR leaders today. Pulse brings you real conversations with HR leaders navigating the pressure, pace, and potential of operating in high-stakes environments. From post-acquisition chaos to boardroom reporting, these unfiltered stories reveal how people leaders drive impact through data, strategy, and grit. Brought to you by HRBench, the people analytics platform for high-performance HR teams.

  1. The HR AI Playbook Nobody's Talking About: Automate Before You AI

    5D AGO

    The HR AI Playbook Nobody's Talking About: Automate Before You AI

    Everyone's being told to "use AI." But most HR teams don't have a flight plan, a pilot, or even a destination. In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, we sit down with Kristin McDonald and Dani Woods, two seasoned HRIS and HR tech leaders, to talk about what AI adoption looks like inside HR departments today. They get into the real challenges: why AI tools still can't handle system-specific work like Workday configurations, how to measure AI impact beyond headcount reduction, and why automation should come before AI in most cases. Kristin and Dani share what's working in their day-to-day, where they've seen AI fall short, and how HR professionals can future-proof their careers without freezing up. If you're an HR leader trying to figure out where AI fits without blowing up your processes, this one's for you. Topics we covered: Leading AI without a roadmapMeasuring AI ROI beyond headcountPractical ways to start with AI todayCareer advice for HRIS professionalsWhy "exposure therapy" might be the best AI adoption framework Episode Chapters: 00:00 | Meet Kristin and Dani: HR tech nerds and proud of it01:37 | Leading AI when there is no roadmap03:01 | Where AI actually helps (and where it completely falls short)04:20 | Co-Pilot, ChatGPT, and Mando: tools HR teams are actually using06:44 | How to measure AI impact beyond headcount08:55 | Mapping workflows before layering on AI10:35 | Why SaaS workflows were already hard before AI entered the picture11:47 | Practical ways HR leaders can start using AI today15:10 | "Are you going to take my job?" Managing AI fear in your team16:40 | Career advice: which HRIS skills are future-proof19:42 | Exposure therapy for AI: just start playing with it21:15 | One thing HR leaders should remember about AI in 2026 🎙 Pulse by hrbench.com Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinmcdonald1/ Connect with Dani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellejwoods/

    26 min
  2. How FirstKey Homes Turned HR Data Into Manager Coaching, and Built Credibility Across the Business

    MAR 9

    How FirstKey Homes Turned HR Data Into Manager Coaching, and Built Credibility Across the Business

    John Youngkrantz, Payroll & HRIS Manager at FirstKey Homes, spent years watching HR hand managers spreadsheets and call it reporting. On this episode, he breaks down exactly how his team changed that — building dashboards that give HR business partners real turnover trends, open rec data, and headcount context to bring into manager walkthroughs across 29 markets and 16 districts nationwide. John also walks through how HRBench became the single source of truth that finally got HR and Finance in the same room — and what that's done for HR's credibility across the business. In this episode: Why headcount definitions cause conflict between HR and Finance — and how to fix it The 3 metrics every HRBP should bring into manager walkthroughs How to use trend data to coach managers instead of overwhelming them What changed when HR stopped being the report-on-request team The next frontier: actuals vs. forecast inside HRBench If your HR team is still building reports in Excel and hoping managers figure out what to do with the numbers, this episode is for you. Episode Chapters 00:00 | Introduction: Meet John Youngkrantz, FirstKey Homes 03:07 | Why HR-Finance alignment matters in budgeting season 04:29 | Building a single source of truth with HRBench 05:34 | How headcount definitions create conflict between HR and Finance 06:46 | What changed this planning cycle vs. previous years 08:42 | The next step: pulling finance forecasts into HRBench 09:14 | Building manager coaching dashboards from scratch 10:32 | How HRBPs use data in their manager walkthroughs 12:32 | Key metrics: headcount, open recs, and turnover 14:52 | Why less metrics is more: focusing on decisions, not data 16:01 | How data dashboards elevated HR's credibility company-wide 18:32 | Before and after: from spreadsheet dumps to trend conversations 20:26 | Managing frontline worker turnover in real time 21:20 | John's closing advice: ask the right questions, give context not panic 🎙️ Pulse by HRBench — practical people analytics for HR leaders who tie their work to business outcomes. Connect with John Youngkrantz on LinkedIn. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

    24 min
  3. How HR Leads in an AI-First Company

    FEB 23

    How HR Leads in an AI-First Company

    AI has officially moved past experimentation. In 2026, the real challenge is how to embed AI into your business strategy, while keeping humans firmly in the loop. In this episode of Pulse, we chat with Melissa Lemberg, VP of Digital Transformation & AI Strategy at LogicMonitor, to unpack what responsible, measurable AI adoption looks like inside complex organizations. Melissa brings nearly 30 years of experience leading large-scale, human-centered transformation across Fortune 100 and high-growth companies. Together, we explore AI through an executive and HR lens, especially for private-equity–backed companies where value creation timelines are tight and metrics matter. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why AI shouldn’t live in a standalone “AI strategy” How to tie AI directly to business metrics like revenue per employee and EBITDA What human-in-the-loop AI looks like in real workflows How HR can partner with executives, IT, and the board to lead adoption How to build an AI-curious culture that drives experimentation and results If you’re an HR leader being told to “go do something with AI,” this episode gives you a practical framework to lead with confidence. Episode Chapters 00:00 | Introduction01:30 | Experience-Led, Human-Centered Transformation03:39 | Embedding AI Into Business Strategy & PE Metrics05:01 | Practical AI Use Cases That Drive Growth07:00 | What Human-in-the-Loop AI Looks Like09:58 | Beyond Lift-and-Shift: Big T vs Little t Transformation12:59 | Measuring AI Impact Beyond Headcount16:00 | HR’s Role in Leading AI Adoption18:50 | Building AI Champions & an AI-Curious Culture30:17 | The Future of AI at Work (Next 12–18 Months) Connect with Melissa Lemberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissalemberg/ LogicMonitor: https://www.logicmonitor.com/

    34 min
  4. The Path to HR Leadership That No One Talks About

    FEB 16

    The Path to HR Leadership That No One Talks About

    HR professionals are told the same thing: Work hard. Gain experience. Wait your turn. But, that’s not how careers accelerate. In this episode of Pulse, Dani Woods shares what helped her move from HR assistant to director before 30, and why the title alone is not what defines success. This conversation breaks down the career moves most HR professionals overlook: Why you need to “do the job” before you have the title How to move from HR operations into more strategic roles When leaders should stop being the technical expert How to build executive credibility early in your career What to do when your boss blocks your growth How to justify building and scaling an HR function What success actually looks like at the leadership level If you work in HR, HRIS, People Analytics, or HR Operations and you want to grow into leadership faster and with intention, this episode is for you. And the biggest takeaway: Do not let someone else define your career path. Episode Chapters 00:00 | Introduction03:12 | From HR Assistant to Director Before 3008:05 | Do the Job Before You Get the Title09:47 | Tactical Ways to Level Up in HR12:23 | When Leaders Should Stop Being the Technical Expert14:34 | Moving from HR Ops into Strategic Roles16:30 | What to Do If Your Boss Blocks Your Growth18:00 | How to Think Like an HR Leader24:59 | What Success Really Looks Like in HR Leadership26:49 | Final Advice: Use Setbacks as Fuel Connect with Dani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellejwoods/ Subscribe to Dani’s Newsletter: https://lotuswelle.beehiiv.com/

    29 min
  5. 3 HR Analytics Pitfalls That Kill Credibility w/ Emily Granholm

    FEB 4

    3 HR Analytics Pitfalls That Kill Credibility w/ Emily Granholm

    HR leaders have reports, but still struggle to drive action. In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, Emily Granholm breaks down what it takes to make HR a strategic business function, especially inside PE-backed companies, where the board expects clear financial impact. You’ll learn the three most common analytics pitfalls that derail HR credibility, plus a practical approach to turning reports into decisions executives will fund. Emily also shares how to make insights board-ready, how to frame retention and time-to-fill in financial terms, and why psychological safety and employee listening are critical leading indicators before turnover spikes. Join us for how to make HR a revenue enabler. Chapters 00:00 | Introduction 03:00 | The 3 HR analytics pitfalls that kill credibility 06:30 | Finance vs HR data: headcount, severance, and alignment issues 09:00 | From dashboards to decisions: making data actionable 12:45 | Making HR insights board-ready 16:45 | Retention is a lagging indicator: what to measure earlier 20:45 | HR, AI, and the shift from reactive to proactive 23:45 | Closing: positioning HR as a revenue enabler Connect with Emily Granholm: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilygranholm/

    27 min
  6. Scaling in 90 Days: The HR Playbook for Efficiency, AI, and Leadership w/Kelly Oliver

    12/15/2025

    Scaling in 90 Days: The HR Playbook for Efficiency, AI, and Leadership w/Kelly Oliver

    What does it take to lead people in high-stakes, private-equity-backed environments, where efficiency matters, managers are underprepared, and AI is reshaping how work gets done? In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, Kelly Oliver, a veteran HR and business leader whose career spans leadership roles at Microsoft, Oracle, HP, Salesforce, and most recently as Head of HR at a PE-backed cybersecurity company. In this episode we explore: Why scaling efficiently now requires HR to understand how the business makes moneyWhy most managers are unprepared for today’s environment, and what effective manager enablement looks likeHow HR can use data, QBRs, and performance visibility to influence executive decisionsWhy AI should live behind the scenes, not between people, and how HR must lead AI strategy without losing the human connectionWhat it means to “be better than a bot” in an AI-driven workplace This is a practical, executive-level conversation for HR leaders navigating growth, profitability pressure, and rising expectations from boards and PE sponsors. Episode Chapters 00:00 | Intro: Leading HR in PE-Backed, High-Pressure Environments01:58 | Meet Kelly Oliver: From Engineering to Head of HR.04:00 | The Real Question: How Do You Scale an Organization Efficiently?06:07 | Why Everything Is Now a 90-Day Window08:56 | HR’s Role in Revenue-Driven Execution11:35 | Performance Heat Maps and HR’s Early Warning Signals12:31 | Why Every HR Team Should Run a QBR17:56 | Managers Are Unprepared & Here’s Why19:28 | Manager 101: What Leaders Actually Need to Learn21:36 | Managing the “What” vs. the “How”27:27 | How AI Is Already Changing the Manager Role29:08 | Where AI Belongs: Back-End Efficiency, Not Front-Line Humans32:14 | Why HR Must Be Central to AI Strategy35:02 | AI Literacy for HR Leaders: Lean In or Fall Behind38:02 | Human Connection Still Matters More Than Ever40:46 | Final Challenge: Be Better Than a Bot Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-oliver/ Good Signs Consulting: http://goodsignsconsulting.com/ HRBench: https://www.hrbench.com/

    43 min
  7. Why HR Must Lead the AI Conversation w/Kristin McDonald

    12/08/2025

    Why HR Must Lead the AI Conversation w/Kristin McDonald

    AI is reshaping how we work, and HR should be at the forefront. In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, we sit down with Kristin McDonald, a veteran HR tech strategist and self-proclaimed “HR tech nerd,” to unpack what it means for HR to lead in the age of AI. Kristin shares: Why AI literacy is now table stakes for HR leaders How to build an AI roadmap that drives business value What traps to avoid during tech implementations How to evaluate AI vendors (and when to build vs. buy) The role HR plays in AI governance, data readiness, and org-wide enablement Whether your exec team is pushing AI adoption or you’re simply trying to modernize your HR tech stack, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to lead from the front. Chapters 00:00 | Intro: Why AI in HR is a Strategic Imperative01:39 | Meet Kristin: A Self-Proclaimed HR Tech Nerd02:11 | AI Overload: Trends, Buzzwords & Real Questions04:05 | Strategic Tech Stacks: It’s Not About the Shiny Tools06:32 | Before You Buy: The Internal Questions HR Must Ask08:54 | Integrations & IT: Don’t Buy Without These Partners10:25 | Point Solution vs. All-In-One: What Actually Works13:12 | Implementation Pitfalls: What HR Gets Wrong17:12 | Where Should HR Tech Live, IT or HR?21:07 | The Case for a Single AI Agent Experience22:12 | Why HR Must Lead AI Adoption (and How to Start)27:57 | How to Become AI Literate as an HR Leader30:24 | Getting a Seat at the AI Table: HR’s Influence Playbook35:43 | How to Build an AI Roadmap That Actually Works38:15 | Quick Wins vs. Long-Term AI Strategy39:42 | AI Governance: The Hot Topic No One Wants to Own42:18 | Final Advice: Learn Together, Lead with Confidence Connect with Kristin McDonald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinmcdonald1/

    44 min
  8. Trauma, Growth & Performance: Why HR Must Lead the Change

    11/30/2025

    Trauma, Growth & Performance: Why HR Must Lead the Change

    What if the performance issues you’re seeing are really signs of trauma? In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, Dr. John King shares his powerful story, from surviving childhood trafficking and losing everything at age 45, to building a framework for growth, healing, and leadership in high-performance environments. This isn’t just John’s personal story. It’s a roadmap for HR. We explore: Why trauma isn’t just something that happens to you,  it lives in you Small physiological shifts that can spark recovery and performance: from cold showers to grounding mats The “second question” leaders must ask to build trust and safety How HR can walk with employees through life’s hardest seasons, and why doing so drives long-term loyalty and growth If you want to create a workplace that supports growth, this conversation is your starting point. Episode chapters: 00:00 | Intro: Dr. John King’s Turning Point at Age 4504:33 | It Started with a Snickers Bar: The Moment He Realized Trauma Lives in the Body07:03 | Tree Hugging, Sunlight & Cold Showers: Tools from the Trauma Toolbox10:30 | The 1% Rule: Why Micro-Habits Matter More Than Big Fixes13:24 | Daily Tactics for Leaders: Helping Teams Stay Clear, Calm, and Productive15:50 | Culture vs. Policy: How to Build a Trauma-Aware Workplace That Works18:07 | Grace in Action: Authentic Leadership, Missed Meetings, and Halloween Costumes20:04 | The Authenticity Check: When to Call It Out and When to Coach Through23:02 | Late Shifts and Childcare: What HR Misses When We Don’t Ask “Why?”25:12 | Walking with the Wounded: Supporting Grief, Divorce, and Life’s Disruptions29:31 | Trading Health for Hustle: Why HR Must Help Teams Re-Evaluate Success32:04 | Choosing Authenticity Over Gordon Gekko: A Lesson in Self-Awareness33:05 | Soft Skills Aren’t Soft: Why HR Needs More Training in Human Tools35:53 | Care for the Caregivers: The Hidden Burnout Inside HR36:56 | Final Word: You Can’t Heal What You Ignore 🔗 Connect with Dr. John A. King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnaking/ 🔗 Visit Dr. John A. King’s website: https://drjohnaking.com/ 🔗 Learn more at HRBench.com

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Getting a pulse on your workforce in high-stakes environments is a challenge few talk about, but it’s the reality for HR leaders today. Pulse brings you real conversations with HR leaders navigating the pressure, pace, and potential of operating in high-stakes environments. From post-acquisition chaos to boardroom reporting, these unfiltered stories reveal how people leaders drive impact through data, strategy, and grit. Brought to you by HRBench, the people analytics platform for high-performance HR teams.

Information

  • Creator
    HRBench
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © HRBench
  • Show Website
    Pulse by HRBench