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. Silence Turned a Firing Into a $52M Verdict

    1D AGO

    Silence Turned a Firing Into a $52M Verdict

    A $52 million whistleblower verdict in LA. Six years of litigation. Attorney's fees not added yet. Susanne Kleveros, founder of Don't Tell HR, joins Pulse by HRBench to unpack why employee relations just exploded, why silence after a termination is the clearest signal a lawsuit is coming, and how HR leaders at fast-paced companies can handle the hardest conversations in a way that protects both the business and the people in the room. In this episode: Why employee relations cases tripled at many companies in the last yearThe $52 million LA whistleblower verdict every HR leader should know aboutHow employment councils are tightening what counts as a valid policy acknowledgmentWhy silence after a termination almost always means a demand letter is comingThe severance-offer mistake that invites the escalation you were trying to avoidHow to support managers through the emotional weight of investigations and firingsWhy HR should be trained like salespeople on open-ended questions For HR leaders at PE-backed and mid-market companies navigating more sensitive situations than ever. Episode Chapters: 00:00 | Why employee relations just exploded04:22 | Meet Susanne and Don't Tell HR06:28 | Where companies underfund the highest-risk HR work07:59 | The $52M verdict that started six years earlier08:36 | Policy acknowledgments that hold up in court10:42 | Adapt to AI. Don't just adopt it.12:59 | Recording laws and termination video calls13:40 | Employees are ambassadors for life17:30 | Bill Walsh and scripting hard conversations17:56 | Silence escalates emotion22:04 | How managers change after an investigation27:22 | Vicarious trauma and HR's emotional load29:20 | Train HR like salespeople, not interrogators31:13 | The post-mortem every HR leader should run34:53 | The story behind "Don't Tell HR" 🎙️ Pulse by HRBench. Practical people analytics for HR leaders who tie their work to business outcomes. New episodes every week. Connect with Susanne and Don't Tell HR on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-kleveros-914b7a71/ Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

    37 min
  2. Results Don't Happen. They're Designed. w/ Dr. Tim Williams

    APR 20

    Results Don't Happen. They're Designed. w/ Dr. Tim Williams

    Results don't just happen. They're designed. Dr. Tim Williams spent his career at P&G turning that idea into operating systems that HR leaders can actually run. He joins Pulse by HRBench to unpack what changes when HR treats outcomes like engineers treat problems. In this episode: Why most HR leaders are managing, not leading, and how to flip thatThe organizational design framework behind culture and performanceThe P&G Brockville safety story: why they rehired the workers they firedHow to plan for where your org needs to be, not where it isWhy finance isn't the gatekeeper to funding your programsHow to tie HR work to productivity, attrition, and bottom-line resultsThe BE, BECOME, and ACT model for career transitions Episode Chapters: 00:00 | Introduction: Tim's engineering roots and the science of HR03:42 | The rain analogy: every result has a process behind it05:17 | Why Tim's team is built from operators, not HR-only backgrounds07:38 | The shift from administrative to strategic HR08:25 | Making the decision to lead10:42 | Manager vs. leader: handling resources vs. envisioning outcomes12:05 | The 80 vs. 120 mph car: plan for what you need, not what you have15:55 | Organizational design produces culture, culture produces results18:06 | Where HR leaders should start pulling the thread21:17 | P&G Brockville: the safety turnaround story24:35 | People do what they value, not what you tell them25:42 | Funding your programs: influence beats finance29:21 | HR metrics are not soft. Productivity, attrition, and performance31:55 | Determining your BE, BECOME, and ACT For HR leaders at PE-backed and mid-market companies who want to move from administrative work to strategic influence. Connect with Tim Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothywilliamssr/ Connect with Organization: https://orgtransformgroup.com/ 🎙️ Pulse by HRBench. Practical people analytics for HR leaders who tie their work to business outcomes.

    36 min
  3. The HR AI Playbook Nobody's Talking About: Automate Before You AI

    MAR 30

    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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © HRBench
  • Show Website
    Pulse by HRBench