HR Spot

Episódios

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  Episode #72 - The Employee Isn’t Working Out — Now What? 14.09.2026 24min

  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 you really need a PIP, and how to recognize when it's finally time to part ways. You'll also hear about on...
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  Episode #71 - The Why: The Leadership Conversation Most Managers Skip 08.09.2026 28min

  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 employees are more likely to trust and support a decision when they understand the context behind...
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  Episode #70 - They’re a 1099 Contractor…Or Are They? 02.09.2026 35min

  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 actually be a W-2 employee, why “they wanted to be a 1099” isn't enough, and why having an LLC or si...
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  Episode #69 - How to Fire a Toxic Employee - Without Creating a Bigger Problem 24.08.2026 37min

  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 to handle termination professionally. If you’ve ever known an employee was hurting your team but w...
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  Episode #68 - What Happens if your Key Employee Quits Tomorrow? 21.08.2026 26min

  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 person suddenly walks out the door. You’ll learn how to identify the roles your business can’t affo...
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  Episode #67 - The Ghost and the General: Leading from the Middle 17.08.2026 33min

  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 Strategic Thinking Series, along with research on leadership and team culture, Linda and ...
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  Episode #66 - Strategic Thinking Series #10 - From Strategic Thinking to Strategic Leadership: Making It a Way of Operating 10.08.2026 28min

  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 learn a practical rhythm for strategic leadership, five powerful questions every leader should be a...
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  Episode #65 - Strategic Thinking Series #9 - Building a Strategic Culture: How Great Leaders Get Everyone Thinking Beyond Today 04.08.2026 22min

  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 environment where accountability, innovation, and strategic thinking become part of everyday work—building an or...
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  Episode #64 - Strategic Thinking Series #8 continued - Strategic Prioritization Part 2 28.07.2026 17min

  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, the goal isn’t to accomplish more. It’s to accomplish what matters most.
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  Episode #63 - Strategic Thinking Series #8 - Strategic Prioritization Part 1 06.07.2026 31min

  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 your list, ask yourself what you are willing to pause, delegate, or stop. Because every meaningful...
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  Episode #62 Strategic Thinking Series #7 - Why Even Great Strategies Fail: The Execution Gap 30.06.2026 20min

  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 close the execution gap and build an organization that actually accomplishes what it sets out to do.
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  Episode #61 - Strategic Thinking Series #6 - The 5 Questions Strategic Leaders ask before Making Big Decisions 22.06.2026 17min

  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 owners and executives move beyond quick fixes, consider the long-term impact of their decisions, st...
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  Episode #60 - Strategic Thinking Series #5 - Why Great Leaders Build Leaders - Not Followers 16.06.2026 21min

  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 Spot, and we look forward to bringing you more practical strategies to help you become a more inte...
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  Episode #59 - Strategic Thinking Series #4: The Difference Between Busy Leadership and Effective Leadership 10.06.2026 23min

  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 leadership, the warning signs leaders may be stuck in survival mode, and the practical shifts needed to bu...
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  Episode #58 - Strategic Thinking Series #3 - The Cost of Leading without a Plan 01.06.2026 22min

  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 stronger alignment across their organization. Whether you lead a small business or a growing tea...
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  Episode #57 - Strategic Thinking Series #2: Three Habits of Strategic Leaders 28.05.2026 21min

  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 stronger business outcomes. Whether you lead a team, run a business, or want to grow as a leader, th...
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  Episode #56 - Strategic Thinking Series #1: Why Most Leaders Stay in Reactive Mode 19.05.2026 19min

  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 on how to shift from survival mode into strategic leadership, create stronger systems, develop be...
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  Episode #55 - Why AI is Becoming Essential in the Day to Day of HR 13.05.2026 22min

  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 get out of the weeds by automating repetitive tasks, streamlining communication, improving hirin...
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  Episode #54 - The Conversations Leaders Avoid and Why They Cost You Everything 05.05.2026 20min

  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 down how avoidance quietly impacts morale, retention, and the bottom line. If you’ve ever hesitated to ad...
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  Episode #53 - If We Took Over Your HR Tomorrow, Here's What We'd Fix First 01.05.2026 15min

  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 things we tackle to bring structure, clarity, and real business impact. If you’ve ever wondered w...