True Stories at Work: fresh from HR Michelle Aronson
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- Business
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Welcome to True Stories at Work, hosted by Michelle Aronson, a recovering HR executive, certified coach, and business school professor who knows that the BEST stories happen at work.
True Stories at Work blends the interesting ways people end up working in HR with the best stories you’ve never heard. At the end, we share a workplace confessions… stories from people who didn’t get “caught”!
Stories are what we remember and how we connect, so please share yours with me at www.physicsatwork.com/podcast
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Rockstar to Recruiter: Living on the Talent Acquisition Treadmill: Travis
This episode of 'True Stories at Work' hosted by Michelle Aronson features a conversation with Travis, an experienced HR professional and Talent Acquisition leader. Travis shares his journey from aspiring to be in a rockstar to falling into Human Resources. Travis discusses the challenges, surprises, and emotional moments he has faced in his career. He reflects on a powerful moment with an executive coach that changed his outlook on leadership and his life. We discuss the importance of HR in business strategy, the value of coaching, and the need for companies to be transparent and aligned in their values and actions.
0:00 Rockstar to Recruiter: Living on the Talent Acquisition Treadmill: Travis
00:01 Introduction
02:05 Travis' Story
11:36 Stories at Work
28:41 Workplace Confession
33:11 Haiku for Travis
Resources
Curious about the benefits of coaching + how to set yourself up for success in college and life, here are some links to get started:
Leaders Need Professional Coaching Now More Than Ever (hbr.org)
The Secret Syllabus – A Guide to the Unwritten Rules of College Success
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 -
HR and Culture Shock, From the US to the UK: Dina
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 -
Paycheck Power Plays: From Commissions to Corporate Jets
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 -
Rules and HR: To Bend or Not To Bend: Nicole
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 -
Ahoy HR! Take a Journey into Human Resources on a Cruise Ship: Lauren
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. -
From HR Challenges to AI Opportunities: Karen
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
Customer Reviews
insightful and interesting
Really enjoy listening to this podcast.
Interesting, Entertaining and Educational
Michelle is a very easy going and thoughtful interviewer. She does a nice job of balancing questions and comments with allowing the person being interviewed to share just the right amount of content.