HR Spot
HR Spot is a podcast for HR professionals and business owners who lack an HR person. Hosted by industry experts, it covers core challenges and trends in human resources, offering practical solutions and best practices. Topics include remote work, employee well-being, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Episodes
Episode #75 - Why Didn't You Fire Them Sooner?
Most problem employees didn't become a problem yesterday—so why do managers wait so long to address them? In this episode of the HR Spot Podcast, Linda Michaels and Gary discuss the real cost of holding onto an employee who isn't working out. From managers avoiding difficult conversations and coworkers picking up the slack to your best employees becoming frustrated and leaving, waiting t
Episode #74 - HR as a Business Partner: A Leader’s Guide to Using HR
Having HR and actually using HR effectively are two very different things. In this episode of HR Spot, Linda Michaels and Gary Nigh discuss how business owners and leaders can get more value from HR by treating it as a true business partner—not just the department that handles paperwork, policies, and employee problems. They break down when HR should be brought into business decisions, how HR can
Episode #73 - Your Manager Is the Problem — Now What
What happens when the problem isn’t the employee—it’s the manager? In this episode of HR Spot, Linda Michaels and Gary tackle one of the toughest challenges business owners face: dealing with a manager who gets results but may be driving good employees away. We discuss how to recognize the difference between a demanding manager and a damaging one, why great employees don’t automatically make great
Episode #72 - The Employee Isn’t Working Out — Now What?
You know an employee isn't working out—but can you just fire them? In this episode of HR Spot, Linda Michaels and Gary tackle one of the most uncomfortable situations business owners and managers face: what to do when an employee isn't meeting expectations. They discuss the difference between performance and behavior problems, when coaching makes sense, why documentation matters, whether
Episode #71 - The Why: The Leadership Conversation Most Managers Skip
Great leaders don’t just tell people what to do—they help them understand why it matters. In this episode of HR Spot, Linda and Gary explore one of the most overlooked leadership conversations: explaining the “why” behind decisions, changes, policies, and expectations. They discuss what happens when leaders leave an information vacuum, the difference between compliance and true ownership, and why
Episode #70 - They’re a 1099 Contractor…Or Are They?
You call them a contractor. You pay them as a contractor. They may have even signed an independent contractor agreement. But does that actually make them a 1099 contractor? In this episode of HR Spot, Linda Michaels and Gary tackle one of the most common—and potentially costly—mistakes businesses make: misclassifying workers. We break down the red flags that could mean your “contractor” should act
Episode #69 - How to Fire a Toxic Employee - Without Creating a Bigger Problem
A toxic employee can impact far more than one relationship — they can damage morale, drive away great employees, disrupt productivity, and create unnecessary risk for your business. In this episode of HR Spot, Linda and Gary discuss how to recognize different types of toxic employees, why leaders often wait too long to take action, the importance of documentation, when a PIP makes sense, and how t
Episode #68 - What Happens if your Key Employee Quits Tomorrow?
What would happen to your business if one of your most important employees quit tomorrow? In this episode of The HR Spot, Linda and Gary are joined by AZ HR Hub’s Tony to talk about the hidden risks of relying too heavily on key employees. From lost institutional knowledge and disrupted customer relationships to overwhelmed teams and revenue at risk, they explore what can happen when a critical pe
Episode #67 - The Ghost and the General: Leading from the Middle
Most leadership problems don't come from one bad decision. They come from patterns that get repeated every day.In this episode, Linda and Gary look at two leaders who sit at opposite ends of the leadership spectrum: the leader who avoids almost every difficult conversation, and the leader who tries to control almost everything through authority, pressure and fear.Drawing on ideas from the S
Episode #66 - Strategic Thinking Series #10 - From Strategic Thinking to Strategic Leadership: Making It a Way of Operating
In the final episode of our Strategic Thinking Series, Linda and Gary bring everything together and tackle the most important question: How do you turn strategic thinking into the way you actually lead? They explore why being busy isn’t the same as making progress, how your calendar reveals your true priorities, and what it takes to move from constantly reacting to intentionally leading. You’ll le
Episode #65 - Strategic Thinking Series #9 - Building a Strategic Culture: How Great Leaders Get Everyone Thinking Beyond Today
In this episode of the Strategic Thinking Series, Linda and Gary explore why even the best strategic plans fail without the right organizational culture. They discuss the difference between reactive and strategic cultures, the leadership behaviors that shape workplace norms, and practical ways to empower employees to think beyond today's tasks. Listeners will learn how to create an environmen
Episode #64 - Strategic Thinking Series #8 continued - Strategic Prioritization Part 2
Every organization has more opportunities than it has capacity. Strategic leaders understand that their competitive advantage isn’t saying “yes” to everything—it’s having the discipline to focus on what matters most. When you intentionally choose your priorities, eliminate unnecessary work, and protect time for strategic execution, your team gains clarity, momentum, and better results. Remember, t
Episode #63 - Strategic Thinking Series #8 - Strategic Prioritization Part 1
Strategic leaders understand that focus is a competitive advantage. The goal is not to do everything—it is to identify what matters most and create the discipline to follow through. When leaders narrow their priorities, clearly communicate what matters, and protect time for strategic work, they create greater alignment, stronger execution, and better results. Before adding one more initiative to y
Episode #62 Strategic Thinking Series #7 - Why Even Great Strategies Fail: The Execution Gap
Most organizations don't fail because they have bad ideas—they fail because they struggle to execute consistently. In this episode, Gary and Linda discuss the hidden reasons strategic plans stall, why employees often don't understand the company's priorities, and the leadership habits that transform strategy into measurable results. You'll walk away with practical techniques to
Episode #61 - Strategic Thinking Series #6 - The 5 Questions Strategic Leaders ask before Making Big Decisions
In this episode of the HR Spot Strategic Thinking Series, Linda and Gary explore one of the most powerful tools great leaders possess—the ability to ask the right questions before making important decisions. Too often, leaders get caught solving immediate problems without taking the time to understand the bigger picture. Through five key strategic questions, this conversation will help business ow
Episode #60 - Strategic Thinking Series #5 - Why Great Leaders Build Leaders - Not Followers
Leadership is not about having all the answers or being involved in every decision. True leadership is about creating clarity, developing confidence in others, and building an organization that can grow beyond any one individual. We hope today’s conversation challenges you to step back, empower those around you, and intentionally develop the next generation of leaders. Thanks for listening to HR S
Episode #59 - Strategic Thinking Series #4: The Difference Between Busy Leadership and Effective Leadership
In this episode of HR Spot’s Strategic Thinking Series, Linda and Gary dive into the difference between being a busy leader and being an effective leader. Many leaders spend their days reacting to problems, putting out fires, and staying involved in every detail — but constant busyness does not always lead to organizational success. This conversation explores the hidden costs of reactive leadershi
Episode #58 - Strategic Thinking Series #3 - The Cost of Leading without a Plan
If your business constantly feels reactive, chaotic, or stuck putting out fires, this episode is a must-listen. In “The Cost of Leading Without a Plan,” Linda and Gary unpack the hidden impact that lack of strategic direction has on culture, turnover, leadership, and business growth. This conversation is filled with practical insights that will help leaders step back, think differently, and create
Episode #57 - Strategic Thinking Series #2: Three Habits of Strategic Leaders
If you’ve ever felt stuck reacting to problems instead of leading with intention, this episode is for you. In “3 Habits of Strategic Leaders,” we break down the simple but powerful habits that separate reactive managers from truly strategic leaders. Gary and I share practical insights, real-world examples, and leadership shifts that can help you think bigger, make smarter decisions, and create str
Episode #56 - Strategic Thinking Series #1: Why Most Leaders Stay in Reactive Mode
If you feel like your days are spent constantly putting out fires, handling employee issues, reacting to problems, and struggling to get ahead, this episode is for you. In this powerful conversation, Linda and Gary break down why so many leaders stay stuck in reactive mode and how it quietly impacts culture, retention, growth, and overall business success. You’ll walk away with practical insights
Episode #55 - Why AI is Becoming Essential in the Day to Day of HR
In today’s workplace, AI is no longer a “nice to have” for HR — it is quickly becoming essential to staying efficient, strategic, and competitive. HR professionals are being asked to do more than ever before: manage compliance, support employees, recruit top talent, analyze workforce trends, and help leaders make smarter business decisions — often with limited time and resources. AI helps HR teams
Episode #54 - The Conversations Leaders Avoid and Why They Cost You Everything
Most leaders don't struggle because they lack strategy, they struggle because they avoid the conversations that actually drive results. In this episode of HR Spot, Linda Michaels and Gary get real about the tough conversations leaders put off—and the hidden cost of that silence. From performance issues and cultural misalignment to pay, accountability, and termination decisions, they break dow
Episode #53 - If We Took Over Your HR Tomorrow, Here's What We'd Fix First
What if you woke up tomorrow and someone took over your HR… what would they find—and more importantly, what would they fix first? In today’s episode of HR Spot, Gary and I are pulling back the curtain and walking you through exactly what we see when we step into an organization for the first time. From hidden compliance risks to unclear roles and overwhelmed managers, we’re sharing the first five
Episode #52 - HR Firefighter to Strategic Leader: How to Get Out of the Weeds
In this episode of HR Spot, Linda Michaels and Gary dive into one of the most common challenges facing HR professionals and business leaders today—being stuck in “firefighting mode.” They explore what it looks like when HR is buried in day-to-day issues, why even the most capable leaders get pulled into the weeds, and the real business impact of staying reactive. More importantly, they share pract
Episode #51 - Stop Managing HR. Start Leading a Business
If you’re a business owner or leader who feels pulled into the day-to-day challenges of managing people, this episode is for you. It will help you shift your perspective from reacting to HR issues to using HR as a strategic driver of business success. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how your people, leadership, and systems directly impact growth, performance, and profitability—and
Episode #50 - 7 Most Frequent HR Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
What if you could anticipate - and avoid - your next HR issue? Take a listen to this podcast as we share the seven most frequently HR mistakes we see business owners make.
Episode #49 - How to Master Conflict Resolution
Learning to navigate conflicts is not really a choice in today's organizations. It is an imperative. In this episode, I explain what conflict resolution is, why it's an essential skill and how to approach the conflict process. I offer four steps: 1) Try to see the situation from the other person’s point of view; 2) Pinpoint what the conflict is really about; 3) Think about your primary
Episode #48 - Tips on Strategic Thinking
When you are told you need to be more strategic, it's tempting to feel defensive. But it is more productive to take the feedback in stride and demonstrate your skill proactively. We will share how to make this integral part of your leadership more visible to others.
Episode #47 - The HR Checklist: Top Must-Haves Every Business Needs
Before we jump into the checklist, let’s talk about why HR matters. At its core, HR isn’t just about managing people—it’s about protecting your business and fostering growth.From compliance with labor laws to building a strong company culture, HR touches every part of your operations. If you don’t have the basics in place, you’re leaving your business exposed to risks like fines, lawsuits, or high
Episode #46 - Building Better Workplaces: How HR Services Drive Business Success
This podcast, "Building Better Workplaces: How HR Services Drive Business Success," highlights the critical role HR services play in empowering businesses of all sizes. It begins by addressing the importance of effective HR management in fostering employee satisfaction, ensuring compliance, and driving productivity.The podcast outlines common challenges, such as compliance issues, high t
Episode #45 - Why Every Business Needs HR
This episode addresses a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of running a business—human resources. Many small to mid-sized companies struggle to manage HR effectively, and this podcast highlights why outsourcing HR can be a game-changer. It provides actionable insights, real-world examples, and expert advice, all tailored to help business owners save time, reduce risks, and focus on growth.Whethe
Episode #44 - How to tell an employee they are not ready for a promotion
Discussing a promotion with an employee when you’re not ready to give them one is a delicate balancing act, but it’s also a golden opportunity. It’s a chance to turn a potentially negative situation into a constructive, forward-looking dialogue. By approaching the conversation with empathy, support, and a focus on the future, you set the stage for a collaborative relationship with your employee. T
Episode #43 - Employee Engagement
Employee engagement is an important topic. We definitely want our employees feeling passionate about their work. Don't let this become a check the box activity.We share 3 strategies to fix your employee engagement problem.
Episode #42 - Hiring Process
There's no better time to be hiring as a small or medium size business. This is a unique opportunity for businesses to rethink and revamp your hiring processes.Hiring assessments can help reduce costs during the hiring process. It can:Speed up the processHelp you navigate the employer's marketAttract and retain top talentReduce turnoverIf interested in learning more, click to visit our
Episode #41 - Onboarding Best Practices
Onboarding a new hire is crucial to any business. In this podcast we share best practices for businesses and HR professionals on how to create exceptional employee onboarding experiences. We set the stage and share the plan, talk about the importance of employee onboarding, and talk about some best practices to make your onboarding effective.
Episode #40 - Mental Health in the Workplace
In today's fast-paced and demanding work environments, the significance of mental health cannot be underestimated. We share why mental health in the workplace is so important.We will talk about how can business owners and HR professionals create a mentally healthy workplace as well as how business owners and HR professionals can break down barriers.#azhrhub #mentalhealth #healthyemployees
Episode #39 - Rethink your Employee Value Proposition
The great resignation and a highly competitive labor market have made attracting and retaining talent a major challenge for employers. Why not ask people what they want and try to give it to them.In this episode we will talk about designing and implementing an employee value proposition and talk about four interrelated factors.#business owners #employees #humanresources #hrconsulting
Episode #38 - How to Conduct a Great Performance Review
The purpose of performance reviews is two fold: an accurate and actionable evaluation of performance, and then development of that person's skills in line with job tasks. We will talk about rethinking performance reviews, what to convey during the review, and what to do after the review.#performance reviews #business owners, #hrconsulting #hr
Episode #37 - Arizona Employers
If you are setting up a business in Arizona and will be hiring employees, we wanted to share a few important things that you must have in place.As always, we can help you with setting up any of these items or handling them on your behalf.Feel free to learn more by booking time with us.#azhrhub #
Episode #36 - The Impact of Compensation Studies on Talent Acquisition and Retention
In the competitive landscape of today's job market, attracting and retaining top talent is a challenge faced by businesses of all sizes. One crucial factor that can make or break an organization's ability to secure and retain skilled professionals lies in its compensation structure. To ensure a fair and competitive pay strategy, more and more companies are turning to compensation studies
Episode #35 - The Interactive Process
Navigating the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) can be complex. The interactive process is a term most often associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law that requires organizations with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees who have a disability.We can help you navigate these waters. Book some time with u
Episode #34 - New Form I-9
Finally the new Form I-9 (Rev. 08/01/23) will be available for employers to use on or after August 1, 2023, and once released can be found on the USCIS website. Employers can also order paper copies if they don’t want to use the electronic version. The version date, noted in parenthesis, can be found in the bottom corner of the Form I-9.Please let us know if we can answer any questions: https://a
Episode #33 - 5 Priorities for HR
Executives must make decisions about what their company's priorities should be and HR professionals can and should influence those decisions.HR professionals need to be influential and not just an influencer to business leaders.Listen in as we share 5 priorities for HR and the future of work.
Episode #32 - How to Create Bulletproof Documentation
Most HR professionals recognize the importance of documenting employees' performance problems. Our challenge is to teach managers how to document those issues in an appropriate manner.We will share 7 tips for creating "bulletproof" documentation.
Episode #31 - The First 90 Days
It can take new employees time to settle in and learn the ropes of a new position. However, employers want to see productivity sooner than later. This is why developing a 30-60-90 day plan is a good idea. It’s a plan that outlines target milestones for employees to hit in the first 30, 60 and 90 days of employment. Take a listen as we share more about the 30-60-90-day plan and how to create your o
Episode #30 - How to Perfect Your Job Interview Questions
Well-designed interview questions help you figure out how candidates will perform as future employees, whether they will be great additions to the team and if they will thrive in the role.Ineffective interview questions, waste everyone's time and ultimately do not give the hiring team enough information to make a good decision. Take a listen as we share some helpful job interview question tip
Episode #29 - Five 2023 Legislative Proposals Having Negative Impact on California Employers
In this episode, we will discuss five troubling employment law bills that are pending in the California Legislature this year: SB 809, SB 616, SB 723, SB 627, and AB 1356.We will cover:Background checksPaid sick leaveRight to rehire (two bills)WARN act
Episode #28 - Reasonable Suspicion Testing
Maintaining a drug-free workplace is critical for preventing accidents, reducing turnover, and protecting the safety of your employees.Reasonable suspicion drug testing is a type of testing program employers use when they find evidence or make observations indicating an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work.Take a listen as we share helpful tips when it comes to suspecting an
Episode #27 - A Good Benefits Broker
Our experience with small business is that some brokers only push high commission products. Does your benefits broker truly care about you and your business.Take a listen as we share great questions to ask your current broker of if you are shopping for a new broker.
Episode #26 - Training and Development
Many employers have fears about training employees, believing the training will encourage employees to find other jobs. It's true training and developing employees for future roles, but not training employees can create stagnation and boredom and may ultimately hurt your business.Take a listen as we share more about the importance of training and development of your employees.
Episode #25 - Employee Conflict
We have two employees who don’t seem to like each other, and it is starting to affect their work. How do we help employees who don’t get along to work well together?Navigating these HR waters can be tricky. Take a listen as we help you with a few easy ways to address this.
Podcast #24 - Four Things Employers Should Know About Pay Transparency
Have you heard about pay transparency? It’s the idea that companies should be open with employees and applicants about pay and, more broadly, what factors they include when making decisions about compensation.It’s no secret that expectations around pay have changed, and employers need to pay attention. People on the lookout for a new opportunity want to see pay ranges on job postings, and some of
Episode #23 - What a Good Hiring Process Looks Like
The last few years have proved challenging for employers trying to fill positions. Low unemployment, among other factors, made the job market much more friendly to jobseekers than to employers keen to hire them. In this highly competitive environment, some organizations upgraded their compensation packages or experimented with other attractive perks, hoping to stand out as the best.
Episode #22 - Five Steps To Succession Planning
While succession planning sounds like an overwhelming task, it’s simply a method of considering who your organization’s potential leaders may be in the years to come and placing them on a path to be successful in those roles. Future leaders will most likely come through a combination of promotion from within and recruiting sources from outside the organization—succession planning focuses on that f
Episode #21 - Engage Every Individual in the Workplace
Everything DiSC Workplace® is a classroom training (in person or virtual) and personalized learning experience that can benefit every person in the organization— regardless of title or position—in building more effective relationships at work.To learn more or book a session, visit https://azhrhub.com/training/
Episode #20 - The Qualities of Great Managers and How to Develop Them
Think about your favorite manager. Now think about what made them your favorite. Was it the success you earned while working with them? Your employer may have evaluated them based on metrics like team productivity or turnover rates. Great managers are usually good at leading productive, low-turnover teams, but those aren’t the things their employees remember.So what about them left such an indelib
Episode #18 - How to Support a Grieving Employee
Everyone experiences grief at some point in their life, and yet for being such a common experience, it’s also one that few of us are fully equipped to navigate when it comes. In part, this is because grief is such an overwhelming and horrible experience. Nothing can prepare you for it. You just have to go through it and get through it. Grief is also a unique experience for each person. Everyone ha
Episode #17 - How to Make Good Use of Your Employee Handbook
This episode we talk about how to make good use of your employee handbook. Employee handbooks are a nifty communication and reference tool for the workplace, but only if they’re used and not collecting dust on some physical (or digital) shelf. A handbook is only as good as what it does. Listen as we share more about putting your handbook to good use.
Episode #16 - Three Tips for Effective Coaching
Coaching encourages communication, reflection, and self-correction. This helps your employees become more autonomous so that they can take ownership of their work. It also helps you develop a more confident workforce, as people believe they have the right skills to performWhen you manage through coaching, employees feel empowered to reflect on their own performance and find their own answers.
Episode #15 - The Basic Components of a Compensation System
Compensation is the combination of salaries, wages and benefits that employees receive in exchange for them doing a particular job. It can include an annual salary or hourly wages combined with bonus payments, benefits, and incentives. These could include group health care coverage, retirement contributions, and short-term disability insurance. A total compensation package usually includes several
Episode #14 - What is Discrimination?
You may be familiar with the word "discrimination." But do you know what it really means? The definition is to "discriminate" against someone means to treat that person differently, or less favorably, for some reason. Discrimination can occur while you are at school, at work, or in a public place, such as a mall or subway station. You can be discriminated against by school frie
Episode #13 - How to Handle Employee Resignations
All good things come to an end. As an employer, this can ring true when your favorite employee springs up without warning, and tables a resignation letter. No matter the work environment you provide, there are things beyond your control that can see your employee of the year want to leave.So, while you hope that you never have to come across an employee resignation announcement, the smart thing to
Episode #12 - 4 Ways Companies Can Avoid Payroll Mistakes
Inaccurate paychecks are bad for business, whether companies are overpaying or underpaying. Either they are cutting into their profit margin or short-changing their workforce, leaving themselves open to lawsuits. Obviously, neither is ideal. We'll share 4 ways you can avoid payroll mistakes.
Episode 11 - Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Harassment harms your workplace not only by creating risk for litigation but by undermining the well-being of employees—stifling creativity and career development. No one can completely control the actions of those working for them, but there are steps you can take to create a culture where harassment isn't the norm and if it does happen, it's handled effectively.
Episode #10 - Four Ways to Show Employees That You Appreciate Them
When you value your employees’ hard work and contributions to the company, it’s important to show appreciation. Showing your gratitude lets employees know when they’re excelling, and can increase engagement. Rewarding your employees can include anything from writing a note to providing financial incentives, and you can show your appreciation as often as you want.Showing appreciation and recognizin
Episode #9 - How to Improve your Job Postings
A job posting is often the first impression a prospective job applicant has with your organization. It’s important for that impression to be an informative one. Your job postings should convey why someone would want to work for your company, what distinguishes your workplace from others, what’s exciting about your mission and vision, what you have to offer, and what the job is and requires. Here a
Episode #8 - The Employment Laws Every Growing Organization Should Know About
Periods of growth are particularly exciting for small and midsize businesses, but they also bring new HR challenges. Along with adding employees—which may change the feel of your culture as well as your floorplan—your organization may become subject to federal and state laws that take effect once you have a certain number of employees.Most employment laws apply to organizations based on the number
Episode #7 - Putting At-Will Employment at Risk
In most states, at-will employment is the norm—protecting employers and employees from financial liability when an employment relationship ends for legal reasons.Even when terminating for legal reasons, make sure to document the decision in case it was ever challenged in court.I'll share 3 big exceptions to the employment at-will concept during this episode.
Episode #6 - FLSA Changes: Updating Your Policies and Practices
The FLSA regulates the minimum amount of money that employers are allowed to pay their non-exempt workers. These rules are important because they ensure that workers understand the minimum amount of money that they are guaranteed to earn.It's critical to understand how your employees should be paid and also having clear policies so employees understand expectations.
Episode #5 - Stay Interviews
In today's tough hiring market, it is important to get feedback from your employees. The goal of a stay interview is to learn what an employee likes, dislikes, and what keeps them from taking a job elsewhere. Furthermore, it helps to build trust and gives employees the opportunity to communicate their experiences, ideas, and needs.#stayinterview #hr #hrconsulting
Episode #4 - 8 Reasons Your Organization Should Have an Employee Handbook
The employee handbook can help protect your business against employee lawsuits and claims, such as wrongful termination, harassment and discrimination. The handbook is also a crucial introduction to your business for new hires, providing insights for new hires to understand your mission and values.
Episode #3 - Importance of Documenting Employee Performance Problems
Documentation about an employee’s performance can make or break your ability to discipline, terminate, or fairly promote, reward, and recognize employees.Documentation is essential for managers and HR staff because you need to make a serious effort to record all of the events in the employment history of your employees—both positive and negative incidents of performance.
Episode #2 - 6 Tips for Small Business on Conducting Background Checks
Background checks can help reduce risk for criminal activities such as violence, abuse and theft. They can also verify the information on an applicant's resume or job application and assist your organization in deciding if an individual is the right person for the job. I will share 6 tips on conducting proper background checks.
Episode #1 - Ten HR Tips for Small Businesses
In this episode we talk about the top 10 HR tips for small business owners.
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