The Manager Method: Practical Strategies to Lead with Empathy and Confidence

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Ashley Herd, Former Head of HR, Podcast Host and Author

Summary

In this episode of the At Work in America show, Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Ashley Herd, a former head of HR, podcast host, and author, to discuss the critical role of managers in the workplace. The conversation explores the challenges managers face, particularly regarding their mental health and the impact they have on employee experiences. Ashley shares insights from her book, "The Manager Method," emphasizing the importance of communication, empathy, and proactive leadership strategies to foster a positive work environment. They discuss the common pitfalls of management, such as the tendency to avoid difficult conversations and the pressure managers feel to have all the answers. The episode ends with practical advice for managers on how to navigate stress and burnout, both for themselves and their teams, while encouraging open dialogue and collaboration. This conversation serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their management skills and improve workplace culture.

Chapters

01:30 Welcome, updates, and introduction

04:13 The Importance of Managers

08:43 Communication Strategies for Managers

12:04 Empathy in Leadership

19:14 Managing Remote Teams

23:37 Addressing Burnout and Stress

36:23 Resources and Takeaways

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The workplace is changing fast—and the leaders who understand what's coming will have the advantage.

Workhuman's annual Trends Webinar returns January 29th with research-backed insights on the hottest trends shaping 2026. Discover how top organizations are navigating AI, psychological safety, performance, and equity to outperform their competition—plus exclusive findings from McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2026 report.

Featuring an expert panel from McKinsey and Workhuman, you'll get the intelligence you need to lead with confidence this year.

Join the Trends Webinar live January 29th at noon Eastern, or catch the replay on demand. Register for free at Workhuman.com

Improving Employee Engagement and Retention Through Analytics

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Curtis Forbes, Founder & CEO at MustardHub

Summary

In this episode of the At Work in America show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Curtis Forbes, founder and CEO of MustardHub, to discuss the critical issues of employee retention and engagement, particularly in small to mid-sized businesses. Curtis shares his unique journey from a music background to creating a workforce engagement platform aimed at reducing turnover and strengthening company culture. The conversation looks at the challenges of identifying turnover issues, the costs associated with employee disengagement, and the importance of predictive analytics in understanding employee behavior. They emphasize the role of technology in making company culture visible and the necessity of building habits that reinforce organizational values. The episode concludes with insights on MustardHub's freemium model, making it accessible for small businesses to enhance their employee engagement strategies.

Chapters

01:07 Understanding Employee Retention and Engagement

09:04 Identifying and Addressing Turnover Challenges

11:52 The Importance of Predictive Analytics in Retention

16:36 Building a Culture of Engagement

21:38 A Solution for Small Businesses

28:32 Freemium Model and Accessibility of MustardHub

33:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The workplace is changing fast—and the leaders who understand what's coming will have the advantage.

Workhuman's annual Trends Webinar returns January 29th with research-backed insights on the hottest trends shaping 2026. Discover how top organizations are navigating AI, psychological safety, performance, and equity to outperform their competition—plus exclusive findings from McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2026 report.

Featuring an expert panel from McKinsey and Workhuman, you'll get the intelligence you need to lead with confidence this year.

Join the Trends Webinar live January 29th at noon Eastern, or catch the replay on demand. Register for free at Workhuman.com

Enhancing Human Experience in the Digital Workplace

Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

Guest: Martin Jackson, Future Experiences and Innovation Manager at Insights

Summary

In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnon discusses the evolving landscape of HR technology with Martin Jackson, the Future Experiences and Innovation Manager at Insights. They explore how technology can enhance the human experience at work, the importance of personalization in AI, and the relevance of the Insights Discovery model in today's workplaces. The conversation delves into the challenges HR leaders face in maintaining engagement and communication amidst rapid technological changes, and how behavioral intelligence can inform better decision-making and employee experiences.

Chapters

00:00 The Future of Work and Technology

05:06 Understanding Insights Discovery Model

07:32 Digitizing Personality Insights with API

11:22 Enhancing Employee Experience through Technology

15:36 Addressing Engagement and Change Fatigue

20:32 Cultural Considerations in Tech Adoption

22:46 The Future of AI and Personalization

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The workplace is changing fast—and the leaders who understand what's coming will have the advantage.

Workhuman's annual Trends Webinar returns January 29th with research-backed insights on the hottest trends shaping 2026. Discover how top organizations are navigating AI, psychological safety, performance, and equity to outperform their competition—plus exclusive findings from McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2026 report.

Featuring an expert panel from McKinsey and Workhuman, you'll get the intelligence you need to lead with confidence this year.

Join the Trends Webinar live January 29th at noon Eastern, or catch the replay on demand. Register for free at Workhuman.com