In this insightful episode of SpeakEasy HR, we welcome Erich Kurschat, a respected voice in the HR community, to dive into the power and importance of diverse communication styles in the workplace. As the founder of Harmony Insights and HRHotSeat, Erich brings a wealth of experience helping individuals and teams better understand themselves—and each other—through the lens of personality and communication.
Get ready to push yourself beyond your comfort zone as we challenge assumptions, embrace differences, and uncover what it really takes to lead and connect in today’s workplace.
Whether you're an HR pro, a team leader, or someone looking to grow in emotional intelligence, this episode offers practical takeaways and thoughtful reflections to help you build stronger connections at work—one conversation at a time.

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sat down with Sean Luitjens from Salary.com to explore how the role of payroll has evolved—and why it’s becoming a more strategic player in the total rewards conversation.

Gone are the days when payroll was seen as purely transactional. Today, it’s a critical part of how organizations attract, retain, and engage their workforce. Sean broke down how technology, data, and transparency are transforming payroll into a powerful lever for compensation strategy, internal equity, and employee satisfaction.

🔍 Topics We Covered:

• The intersection of payroll and total rewards strategy

• How pay transparency is shifting expectations

• Why payroll teams should have a seat at the table

• Trends shaping compensation and HR tech

• Actionable advice for HR leaders and payroll professionals

If you’re in HR, payroll, or total rewards—or simply trying to understand how pay drives performance—this episode was packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

This week on SpeakEasy HR, I was joined by the incredible Neil Thompson — engineer, Inc. Magazine contributor, children’s book author, speaker, and founder of Teach the Geek.

We got into why strong communication skills are a game-changer for leadership, career growth, and especially for those in technical fields. From boardrooms to classrooms, Neil shares how mastering your message can elevate your impact.
If you're looking to grow your influence, lead with clarity, or simply speak with more confidence — this one's for you