Bringing the Human back to Human Resources

In this episode, Traci Chernoff talks with Jason P. Carroll, a leadership strategist and founder of Aptive Index, where they discuss the importance of psychometric assessments in hiring and team dynamics. They explore the challenges of hiring, the role of ego in leadership, and the significance of understanding different work preferences. This conversation pinpoints the need for engagement and retention strategies, the pitfalls of using assessments, and the value of diversity in the workplace. Jason also shares insights on how to leverage assessments to create stronger teams and improve organizational outcomes.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Leadership Strategy03:03 The Importance of Psychometric Assessments06:12 Hiring Challenges and Solutions08:54 Team Dynamics and Collaboration12:02 Understanding Different Work Preferences15:05 The Role of Ego in Leadership18:11 Engagement and Retention Strategies21:00 Pitfalls of Using Assessments24:00 Diversity and Inclusion in Hiring27:06 Conclusion and Call to ActionWe hope you enjoyed this deep dive on Leveraging Psychometric Assessments to Maximize Hiring and Retention. If you found our discussion insightful, we'd like you to take a moment to rate our podcast. Your feedback helps us grow and reach more listeners who are passionate about these topics. You can also leave a review and tell us what you loved or what you'd like to hear more of - we're all ears!Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe! Plus, leave a comment if you're catching this episode on Spotify or YouTube.About Our Guest: Jason P. Carroll is a leadership strategist and trusted advisor to businesses navigating growth and change. He’s the founder and CEO of Aptive Index, a company revolutionizing hiring and leadership practices with advanced psychometric assessments and strategic advisory services. Jason has guided leaders and organizations to achieve transformative results, including scaling Champion National Security from $24 million to $80 million. A Certified Executive Coach and Dare to Lead™ Facilitator trained by Dr. Brené Brown, Jason is deeply committed to personal development and building inclusive, high-performing organizations. His work reflects a people-first approach, integrating innovative tools and compassionate leadership to align talent with organizational goals. Guided by core values of courage and generosity, Jason’s vision is to empower leaders to create workplaces where collaboration and resilience thrive.Connect with Jason P. Carroll here:Website: https://jasonpcarroll.com/Follow Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonpcarroll/Tune in to Jason’s podcast Work Cultured https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-cultured/id1653494803https://open.spotify.com/show/0HeJOLtBHT0mqeQA7K7N8V Connect with Traci here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/HRTraci⁠Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.

Go to https://cozyearth.com and use code HUMANHR for 40% off their best-selling sheets, pajamas, towels, and more. And if you get a post-purchase survey? Let them know you heard about Cozy Earth right here. In this episode of the Bringing the Human Back to Human resources podcast, Traci Chernoff and Bryan Driscoll discuss pressing topics affecting employers and employees in the U.S. They delve into heightened immigration enforcement, the implications of new tariffs on imported goods, and the broader economic impacts these changes have on businesses and their workforce. The conversation emphasizes the importance of compliance, legal support, and transparency in navigating these complex issues, while also looking ahead to pending legal cases that could shape the future of employment law.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Policy Pulse Segment01:29 Heightened Immigration Enforcement and Its Impacts12:01 Understanding New Tariffs and Their Economic Effects21:29 The Human Impact of Economic Changes31:41 Looking Ahead: Pending Legal Cases and Their ImplicationsDon't forget to rate, review, and subscribe! Plus, leave a comment if you're catching this episode on Spotify or YouTube.We hope you enjoyed this month’s Policy Pulse episode. If you found our discussion insightful, we'd like you to take a moment to rate our podcast. Your feedback helps us grow and reach more listeners who are passionate about these topics. You can also leave a review and tell us what you loved or what you'd like to hear more of - we're all ears!Connect with Traci here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/HRTraci⁠Connect with Bryan: Website: https://bryanjdriscoll.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanjohndriscoll/ Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.

This week, Traci sits down with Stephen Flanagan to tackle one of the most persistent problems in growing organizations: the gap between strategy set in the boardroom and what actually gets executed on the ground.Stephen Flanagan is the founder of Seeks Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping lean, fast-growing companies scale leadership by turning mid-level managers into execution-ready leaders. He spent the last decade in learning and development across high-growth organizations, and his flagship program, the Performance Booster, has helped hundreds of leaders drive measurable business impact.What We Cover:Why 60% of strategic goals never translate into results, and what HR leaders say the real number isTranslation, communication, and adoption — the three forces driving or stalling executionWhy mid-level managers are the most critical leverage point in any organizationThe "when instead of I will" framework and how it turns strategy into simple, triggerable daily habitsWhy starting laughably small leads to a 75-85% habit adoption rateHow workplace habits spill into personal life, improving stress, presence, and performance at homeConnect with Stephen Flanagan: LinkedIn | Seeks ConsultingConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week, Traci sits down with James Warren, founder and CEO of ShareMore Stories, to explore how storytelling, emotional intelligence, and human experience research are reshaping the way organizations understand their employees, and themselves.James brings nearly 30 years across marketing, insights, and strategy, blending storytelling and AI through his company's SEEQ platform to help leaders listen more deeply and act with more impact.In this episode:The hidden truths your employees are carrying into work every dayThe fishbowl nobody warns leaders aboutThe power imbalance every employee feels but nobody talks aboutWhy failure is actually the belonging signal you've been missingThe one reframe that changes how your whole team takes risksWhy you're shaping your culture faster than you thinkConnect with James Warren: LinkedIn | ShareMoreStories.com | IG and YT: @warrenjwricConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week's greatest hits replay features generational researcher Dr. Meghan Grace breaking down who Gen Z actually is, what drives them at work, and how leaders can better engage and retain them.Dr. Meghan Grace is a leading generational researcher, host of the Hashtag Gen Z podcast, and co-author of three books on Generation Z. She co-leads the Institute for Generational Research and Education, where she's spent the last decade helping companies, universities, and associations around the world understand generations and work better together.- The Generation That Refuses to Be Scammed- Why They Question Everything (And Why That's Actually Good News)- The Trait Gen Z Values Most — And the One Thing That Unlocks It- Where the Real Tension Comes From- What HR Can Actually Do Differently- The 10-Minute Habit That Builds More Loyalty Than Any PerkKey Quote: "You don't find connection over spreadsheets. I'm sorry, you just don't." — Dr. Meghan GraceConnect with Dr. Meghan Grace: MeganmGrace.com | LinkedIn | Instagram/Threads: @meghangrace | institute4gens.com Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week, Traci sits down with Brett Hoogeveen, co-founder of Better Culture, to pull apart what culture actually is, why perks and benefits aren't it, and what organizations can do right now to build something that lasts.Brett shares the philosophy behind Better Culture's 20 Tenets of Culture, a research-backed framework built around the attitudes and behaviors that define high-performing, healthy teams, this episode gives you a practical, no-fluff roadmap for making culture something your whole organization actually feels.What We Cover:Culture is invisible, and that's exactly why we keep getting it wrongFoosball tables aren't culture (neither are your benefits)The iceberg problem: what's lurking beneath your company's surfacePride, appreciation, and investment, the three questions worth measuringWhy recognition events miss the point and what to do insteadThe 20 Tenets of Culture and why "be coachable" comes firstAssume positive intent: the two words that dissolve workplace dramaBottom-up culture building and how to reach every employee, not just leadersWhy your core values might be doing absolutely nothingThe Culture Kickstarter Pack, a free tool to get your team startedFREE GIFT: Visit betterculture.com/HRTraci to download Brett's free Culture Kickstarter Pack, which includes self-assessments, coaching videos, and team exercises built around two of the 20 Tenets of Culture.Connect with Brett Hoogeveen: LinkedIn: Brett Hoogeveen | betterculture.com | The Better Culture PodcastConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week on a replay episode, Traci welcomes Bianca Best to discuss what actually stops burnout and why values alignment matters more than sleep, exercise, or vitamins.Bianca Best is a globally recognized speaker, author, and strategist whose career includes collaborations with Google, Amazon, Deloitte, Barclays, and Unilever. She's dedicated to empowering professionals to achieve extraordinary results without sacrificing their health or happiness. Her book Big Impact Without Burnout offers actionable strategies to help leaders align purpose with performance while thriving sustainably.(00:00) Meet Bianca and What This Episode Is Really About(03:11) From Side Hustle to Entrepreneurship: How the Burnout Cycle Started(08:14) Why Your Last Burnout Happened in 2015—And What Changed(10:30) The Missing Piece Nobody Talks About(15:10) That Feeling in Your Gut That Something's Wrong(22:08) Energy Management as Your Foundation(24:16) Why Where You Work Actually Matters(26:24) How Gender Changes the Burnout Equation(30:32) What the Workforce Is About to Look Like(34:27) The One Question That Changes Everything About Your CareerThis conversation will change how you think about your career, your values, and what burnout really costs you. If you're feeling stuck between ambition and exhaustion, this is for you. Connect with Bianca Best: Website: BiancaBest.com  Book: Big Impact Without Burnout (endorsed by Arianna Huffington)Connect with Traci: https://linktr.ee/HRTraci Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen. Share this with someone on your team who's running on empty.Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week on the Traci explores what it really means to be cynical at work with Hywel Berry, CEO and founder of Alicorn Learning. A veteran of corporate leadership, sales, and organizational training, Hywel challenges the narrative that cynicism is inherently toxic—and argues that some of the most valuable people in your organization might just be the ones asking tough questions.Throughout this conversation, you'll discover how to harness skepticism as a leadership tool, understand why tone matters more than words, and learn what "realistic optimism" actually looks like when everything feels impossible.What we cover:The cynic paradoxChallenging without being dismissiveTone as strategyRealistic optimism in actionThe role of the natural cynicSpeaking up safelyFeedback meets cynicisIIntention versus impactCode switching for leadersMoving the needle forwardConnect with Hywel Berry:Website: alicornlearning.com | LinkedIn Connect with Traci:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week, Traci welcomes Karen Worthy, an executive career transition coach who helps leaders accelerate their job search and land their dream roles often in half the time of their peers.Karen unpacks why building community and leveraging your network is the most powerful tool in your career transition toolkit. What We Cover:Your personal "champions list" and how it opens doors across companies, not just within themWhy the person you talked to three years ago at a training class can be your secret career weaponThe three communities you should be part of at any given timeHow to network when you're terrified of reaching out to someone you barely rememberThe transferable skills framework that helped Karen go from engineering to HRBreaking into HR (or any new field) when job postings require experience you don't have yetWhy "applying off the street" is only 5-10% successful and what actually worksThe gym buddy, the neighbor's son, and other weak ties that landed real interviewsHow to identify and articulate your transferable skills in a new careerThe difference between having one amazing mentor and building multiple supportive communitiesConnect with Karen Worthy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenworthy/Website: https://www.worthycareerp­aths.com/Connect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This episode is all about taking control of your own career development instead of waiting for your manager to hand you opportunities. Traci shares personal lessons learned from influential leaders and her own journey as both an HR professional and podcast founder. You'll walk away understanding that career growth—whether vertical promotions or horizontal skill-building—is ultimately your responsibility, not your manager's.As part of our greatest hits replay series, we're revisiting this powerful solo episode that continues to resonate with our audience about owning your career destiny.Spoiler alert: The best way to get promoted isn't to ask your manager to promote you. It's to demonstrate you're already ready for more.What We Cover:– Your development is your own—taking ownership as the first step toward growth– Why managers can't (and shouldn't) solve your career problems for you– The distinction between vertical growth and horizontal growth—and why you need both– How to shift from "I want more" to "Here's what I'm doing to get there"– The role of self-awareness and honest feedback partners in identifying your gaps– Mentorship, stretch assignments, and seeking feedback as accelerators– Why advocating for yourself matters—especially when negotiating salary– Setting boundaries without sacrificing your value or contribution– Aligning your career vision with your life goals so they work together, not against each other– How filling your own tank outside of work fuels your performance inside of workKey Quote: "Our development is our own. We own every stage of our development. If I want to do more, I can do more. If I want to go beyond the scope of my role, I can go beyond the scope of my role."Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Traci sits down with Chris Hamilton, a benefits consultant who specializes in helping employers cut through the noise of rising healthcare costs, to dig into what's really driving the hardest insurance market in 15 years.  If you sat through open enrollment this year wondering why insurance premiums jumped 20% when you thought it would be single digits, this episode reveals why—and what you can actually do about it.Chris walks through the misaligned incentives that make traditional insurance companies profit when your costs rise, exposes waste hiding in your current plan (like medications available for $300 being charged at $1,000), and breaks down why Wells Fargo and Johnson & Johnson ended up in fiduciary duty lawsuits over benefits decisions. But the real value is the concrete timeline and strategy for what to do starting this month—not waiting until August—to completely reshape your 2026 renewal and actually improve coverage while reducing costs.Contact Information:Connect with Chris Hamilton: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | The Insider PlaybookConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Traci shares an exciting update about the podcast's production plans for 2026. What You'll Hear:A peek at the production schedule and what's planned for the coming monthsWhy Policy Pulse episodes will return in the summer with new contentAn invitation to share what topics and guests you want to hear aboutA sneak peek at next week's episode on insurance and benefitsConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraci Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This episode unpacks the real danger of a female-dominated profession being policed through male eyes, the seismic shift happening with NLRB independence, and what HR leaders need to prepare for as workplace regulation becomes a political ping-pong ball. Bryan breaks down why the next few years will be anything but predictable for your compliance calendar.What We Cover– The Michigan firefighter bra inspection case and why "professionalism" is being weaponized to keep workplaces male-dominated – Why this case matters even though it shouldn't exist—and how past court rulings could doom the firefighter's lawsuit – The NLRB's loss of independence and what it means when presidents can fire board members at will– How decades of stable labor policy will now swing with every election cycle – The real difference between independent agency oversight and direct presidential control – Why rapid policy reversals in employment law will crush compliance predictability – Union membership trends: will the NLRB chaos actually drive more unionization or accelerate decline? – Bryan's three bold bets for 2026: AI implementation, AI discrimination issues, and te blue state/red state divide – The impossibility of creating one handbook that works across incompatible state laws – Why HR is the only department in the room protecting the human impact of business decisionsConnect with Bryan here: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanjohndriscoll/⁠   Connect with Traci here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/HRTraci⁠ Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week, Traci sits down for a solo catch-up to address the elephant in the room: the influx of obviously AI-generated resumes and job applications flooding inboxes. Plus, this is our last episode of 2025, so you won't want to miss this episode!What starts as a cautionary tale about resume fraud becomes a deeper conversation about reputation, confidence, and why the "spray and pray" approach to your career is actually costing you more than it saves.Whether you're tempted to let AI write your resume from scratch, use automated job application services, or lean on generative tools during interviews, this episode challenges the all-or-nothing thinking that's driving so many job seekers to compromise their credibility before they even get in the door.What We Cover:– The telltale signs of AI-generated resumes (generic language, zero personality, missing data points)– Why perfect keyword matching actually hurts your chances despite what you think about ATS systems– The reputation damage that never really goes away in smaller industries– The interview nightmare scenario: claiming experience you don't actually have– How one hiring manager caught a candidate using AI mid-interview (spoiler: the camera angle was a dead giveaway)– Why automated job application services are just spray-and-pray without the actual effectiveness– The difference between using AI as a prep tool versus letting AI replace your thinking entirely– How to leverage AI ethically—workbook prep, question practice, resume critique—without faking your way through applications– The real thing that lands jobs: being prepared, being specific, being YOU– The competitive job market pressure that's driving candidates to abandon authenticityConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciFor resume support, interview prep, or career coaching, reach out: https://hrtraci.com/career-services Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Join Traci and Emily Erstad, author of It's Not That Deep, regional operations strategist, executive director in hospice, and soulful leadership coach, as they explore how to break free from the mental loops that keep us stuck—and still lead with heart.Spoiler alert: Being a deep thinker and deep feeler is a gift, but staying there indefinitely is the problem.Emily unpacks why so many high-achieving leaders and HR professionals get trapped in what she calls the "doom loop"—where perfectionism, overthinking, and taking ourselves too seriously becomes the very thing that blocks our progress. You'll discover how to leverage emotional intelligence without letting it become an excuse for avoiding accountability, and why boundaries and vulnerability aren't opposites—they're both essential to building trust.What We Cover:– The doom loop that keeps deep thinkers trapped in unproductive cycles– Perfectionism as a self-diminisher and team drainer– Trauma dumping versus authentically sharing hard things– Why "triggered" has replaced actual disagreement and conversation– Setting boundaries without sacrificing your authenticity or kindness– The difference between over-empathy and strategic compassion in leadership– Culture is about knowing your team's limits, not pizza parties– Using vulnerability strategically to build trust and transparency– The next frontier in leadership: moving beyond "emotions are valid" to action– Observation and reflection as the antidote to reactive leadershipKey Quote: "You are important, but you're not that important. You're adding a lot of responsibility to yourself that's so unnecessary, and it's just going to drive you nuts. And you being driven nuts is not productive." – Emily ErstadConnect with Emily Erstad:Website: https://eepublications.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnotthatdeep_author/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-erstad-m-a-ccc-slp-381346135/Book: It's Not That Deep  Connect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week, Traci sits down with Dr. Greg Giuliano, founder of GA Ultra Leadership and executive coach to senior leaders worldwide. For nearly 30 years, Greg has been helping leaders understand that the way they lead directly impacts whether people show up engaged or just show up.Spoiler alert: That micromanaging leader you're frustrated with? Their anxiety is driving every decision—and you're probably doing the exact same thing to your team without realizing it.Greg unpacks why leaders accidentally slip into command and control despite genuinely wanting to empower their teams, and shares the coaching framework that transforms how managers lead. He reveals the drama triangle that plays out in every workplace, explains why anxiety masquerades as micromanagement, and gives leaders the tools to shift from managing and telling to coaching and empowering.What We Cover:– The drama triangle that runs every workplace– Why micromanagement is anxiety wearing a business suit– The mama bird trap leaders fall into– Coaching versus telling and why one actually works– How to create your own team culture inside a broken system– The question that reveals what kind of leader you really want to be– Why the post-pandemic workforce won't tolerate command and control– How to actually make the shift from managing to coaching– The 10-minute framework that proves coaching isn't complicated– When you stop coaching and start managing insteadKey Quote:"My job is to empower these people and the best way to empower people is to coach them." – Dr. Greg GiulianoConnect with Dr. Greg Giuliano:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/greg-giuliano Podcast: Ultra Leadership (new video every week) Website: ultraleadership.comBooks: Coaching for a Change, The Next Normal, Ultra Leadership, The Hero's JourneyConnect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraci Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week, Traci connects with Renaud Delaquis, Head of Product Marketing at Coastline Academy, the nation's largest driving school scaling across 500+ cities.Spoiler alert: What if your biggest hiring problem was actually a revenue problem in disguise?When Renaud noticed a tiny dip in quality metrics—just 1%—he could've ignored it. Instead, he discovered something most marketing leaders never see: the direct correlation between who you hire and what your customers experience. That realization led him to partner with recruiting and completely rethink how Coastline attracts, screens, and retains driving instructors.What We Cover:– The moment a marketing leader realized recruiting was his problem too– Why a 1% quality drop led to an entirely new hiring system– How to find people who don't know they want the job– The personality trait that actually predicts success (and it's not what you think)– Turning your best employees into organic brand ambassadors– Making the business case to leadership with numbers that stick– Why happy employees are literally your greatest productKey Quote:"The best product that you have are happy employees. When you invest in your best product, your employees, all of your other products will totally start to rise to the occasion." – Renaud DelaquisConnect with Renaud Delaquis:Website: https://www.instagram.com/coastlineacademy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastlineacademyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/coastlineacademyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPruykTxAWpwh8i1GK-U1kATikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coastline.academyRenaud on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renaud-delaquis/Connect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This month's Policy Pulse episode with Traci and co-host Bryan Driscoll is packed with the compliance updates every HR leader needs heading into 2026. With new EEOC leadership officially in place, federal enforcement is shifting, state protections are becoming more critical, and workplace culture decisions are getting harder to navigate.Spoiler alert: You're about to feel major whiplash as protections from the past four years (DEI initiatives, pregnancy accommodations, gender identity policies, and more) face rollbacks. But state laws might be your lifeline.This conversation covers everything from DEI audits and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to religious and gender identity protections, reverse discrimination claims, and a cultural reality check about office returns. You'll hear why one company's Halloween costume mishap revealed their broken culture, what managers actually need to know about anti-harassment training, and the single question every HR leader should ask before mandating people back to the office. Plus, Bryan walks through the most pressing questions he's getting from clients right now about navigating these changes without losing employee trust.What We CoverNew EEOC leadership and the anticipated rollbacks to DEI programs, pregnant workers protections, and gender identity policiesWhy auditing your DEI initiatives now isn't optional (it's survival)The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: expanded protections facing the axe and what state laws might save youReligious and gender identity conflicts: expect stronger protections for religious objections and narrower interpretations of gender identityWhen federal law disappears, state law is your safety net and some states have serious teethThe culture-killing move: mandating office returns without a legitimate business reasonHow convincing employees signals distrust and guarantees compliance theater instead of real engagementWhy one Halloween costume revealed everything wrong with a company's cultureAnti-harassment training for managers vs. company-wide training: why you need both and why most companies miss thisThe real question HR leaders should ask before sending that RTO mandate: would I come in for that reason?Key Quote"Your response or lack of response when someone crosses a line in your organization, that is your culture." - Bryan DriscollConnect with Bryan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanjohndriscoll/ Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week, Traci welcomes Laura Tolhoek, founder and principal consultant at Essential HR, where she leads a team delivering clear, results-focused solutions to businesses facing HR challenges across Canada. With her CHRL designation and over 20 years of experience, Laura specializes in helping companies navigate the complex world of Canadian employment law.Laura has built her career guiding managers through high-volume decision-making in fast-paced restaurant, food service, and retail environments. Her expertise becomes critical when US-based companies attempt to expand north of the border using American HR practices—a mistake that can cost tens of thousands in severance.Spoiler alert: That US employment contract you're using in Canada is probably null and void—and that might actually work in the employee's favor.Laura breaks down why expanding into Canada makes strategic sense—from accessing highly educated workers at a 30-35% exchange rate discount to tapping salary ranges significantly lower than US metropolitan areas. You'll also hear the critical legal pitfalls that can turn a cost-saving hire into an expensive nightmare, including the "dependent contractor" classification that's caught countless US companies off guard.What We Cover:– The Target Canada lesson – Why understanding operational and cultural differences before expansion matters, even for America's most successful retailers– Why at-will employment doesn't exist in Canada – Termination without a strong contract can cost months of severance instead of weeks– The contract clause that voids everything – One mention of drug testing invalidates your entire employment agreement– Dependent contractors aren't subcontractors – If someone gets 75%+ of their income from you, courts may deem them an employee with back taxes, vacation, and overtime owed– How to find strong mid-level managers for $60-80K CAD – The salary arbitrage that builds loyalty while expanding your talent pool– Quebec's French-first requirement – Why Montreal expansion means understanding distinct cultural approaches to business– The 18-month parental leave structure – How progressive family leave policies help balance workforce discrimination concerns– Why employees always get the benefit of the doubt – Understanding Canada's employee-first legal system where courts consistently side with workersKey Quote: "You can't get a subcontractor relationship clean in Canada. All is good till it's not. If your subcontractor gets more than 75% of their income from you, they're called a dependent contractor—and then the company says, 'You decide how much you think you owe them and we'll tell you if we think you're right.'" – Laura TolhoekConnect with Laura Tolhoek: Website: essentialhr.ca Instagram: @essentialhr.ca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-tolhoek/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/essential-hr-canada/Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

This week, Traci welcomed Wendy Sherry, Chief Executive Officer for Global Health Benefits within International Health at Cigna Healthcare, overseeing healthcare delivery to more than 3,700 clients in over 250 countries.With 30 years at Cigna spanning multiple leadership roles, Wendy is a strong advocate for inclusion and the advancement of women in leadership. She also serves as an advisor to Hello Heart and supports healthcare equity angels.Spoiler alert: 50% of millennial women are experiencing perimenopause symptoms right now, and by 2030, three-quarters of the global workforce will be millennials or Gen Z—meaning this isn't a women's issue, it's a business imperative.What We CoverThe inclusive leadership philosophyWhat perimenopause actually does to your body50% of millennial women have perimenopause symptomsWhich states mandate menopause workplace protectionsWhy this is a business imperative, not a nice-to-haveThe hidden cost of perimenopause stigmaHow Cigna connects employees to menopause specialistsThe talent war you're losing without these benefitsWhat to ask your benefits provider tomorrowKey Quote"If all the good ideas come from me, we are in trouble. You need to have a team that in many ways is smarter than you in certain areas, because it's all about perspective." – Wendy SherryConnect with Wendy Sherry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-sherry/ Website: https://www.cignaglobal.com/employers/na Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.