
In this episode, behavioral neuroscientist Dr. Paul Zak explains how trust is rooted in oxytocin and how everyday actions—like granting autonomy, giving fast, personal recognition, and showing vulnerability—can boost it. He shows that moderate stress, the "adjective hack," and the 20‑minute rule create positive emotional contagion, while micromanagement and surveillance erode trust. Zak also outlines practical trust hacks for hybrid and remote teams, including peer‑driven recognition, celebrating failures, and forward‑looking reviews, and he warns against mistaking manipulation for trust. The conversation equips leaders of any size with neuroscience‑backed, actionable steps to strengthen connection and performance.

In this follow‑up interview, Gryphon co‑CEO David Andrews explains why his $11 billion firm invested in a 40‑person operations team, a scale of capability typically reserved for large enterprises. He outlines how this megafund‑level ops function delivers strategic planning, risk management,...

The episode explores a new research paper that introduces the Organizational Bullshit Perception Scale (OBPS), a tool for quantifying employees' perceptions of corporate dishonesty and empty rhetoric. The authors differentiate corporate "bullshit" from lying, defining it as statements made without...
In this episode, Andrea Iorio explains that AI is more likely to automate individual tasks than whole jobs, prompting leaders to rethink role design and workflow. He highlights a global HR survey showing 93% of HR leaders now prioritize soft...
The episode explores the pervasive myth that HR blocks managers from firing employees, arguing that the real issue is managers' reluctance to follow proper, ethical termination procedures. It explains that HR's role is to enforce thoroughness and fairness, preventing arbitrary...

In this episode, Ryan Hawk talks with Tom Hardin, the former "Tipper X" who helped the FBI dismantle the largest insider‑trading case in history. Hardin reflects on how ambiguous leadership (“do whatever it takes”) blurred ethical lines, leading him to...
In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explains how HR teams can become more strategic by adopting Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). She clarifies what "strategic" truly means for HR, then outlines three practical ways OKRs create clarity...

In this episode, psychologist and bestselling author Guy Winch explains why high‑performers are the first to burn out, debunking the myth that burnout only affects the disengaged. He explores how autopilot, procrastination, rumination, and after‑hours email habits hijack our lives,...
In this brief episode, Dr. Jonathan reflects on his own inclusion journey, emphasizing that progress often looks less glamorous than expected, illustrated by his lengthy viva and financial struggles. He highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people who...

In this episode, Greenhouse CEO Daniel Chait discusses a strategic shift to prioritize job seekers alongside employers, addressing the "AI Doom Loop" where AI-driven mass applications and filtering exacerbate hiring inefficiencies. He introduces new candidate‑focused features such as My Dream...

In this episode, Pulitzer‑winning journalist Charles Duhigg explores how to communicate effectively in a remote‑first world. He explains that all conversations fall into three categories—practical decisions, emotions, and identity—and that digital interactions often default to the practical, missing the emotional...

In this episode, University of Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck shares how he builds an elite, culture‑driven football program by "selecting" over traditional recruiting, emphasizing fit, internal drive, and a relentless practice intensity. He explains his 32‑second play‑clock, 95‑minute practice...

In this five‑minute episode, the host uses a pickleball ball‑feeding machine as a metaphor to illustrate the need for a steady cadence when implementing organizational change. He explains that bombarding teams with rapid, unpredictable shifts—like the machine’s erratic, high‑speed balls—leads...

John Sumser and George LaRocque discuss the rapid evolution of HR technology, emphasizing how market sizing, capital flow, and data-driven decision‑making are reshaping the industry. They highlight recruiting’s lack of accountability, the re‑evaluation of education’s value, and the disruptive impact...

The ILO’s 2026 Employment and Social Trends report shows that global labour markets appear stable, with unemployment projected at 4.9%, but this masks deep challenges to decent work, including rising extreme poverty, high informality (57.7% of workers) and stagnant productivity....