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

When we talk about the "experience" at work, it’s usually focused on employees — but what about the people who advocate for them every day?
In this episode, we flip the script and take a closer look at the experience of HR itself. I’m joined by Jennifer DuPont, a passionate HR leader who shares her insights on what it really means to be the voice for employees, balancing organizational needs while championing people-first practices.
We dive into:
✅ How HR shapes the employee experience behind the scenes
✅ The challenges (and rewards) of being an advocate for employees
✅ Why the HR experience matters for building a strong, supportive workplace
It’s a real, honest conversation you won’t want to miss — full of takeaways whether you’re in HR, leadership, or just passionate about creating better workplaces.

Not every workplace disagreement or discomfort equals a "toxic culture." So how do we separate real toxicity from miscommunication, growth pains, or mismatched expectations?
In this powerful episode of SpeakEasy HR, Keith Wilson joined me for a real, no-fluff conversation about the overuse of the word "toxic," how it's impacting workplaces, and what leaders and employees can do to create clarity, accountability, and healthier work environments.
We dive into:
✅ Why labeling everything as toxic is a problem
✅ How to handle tough conversations and feedback
✅ The difference between a bad day and a bad culture
✅ Strategies to shift the workplace narrative—for good
Whether you're in HR, leadership, or just navigating your own work story, this one’s worth a listen

🎙️ SpeakEasy HR: Live from the 2025 HR Collaborative continues in the afternoon with a fresh round of impactful interviews featuring industry leaders who are shaking up how we think about recruiting, leadership, performance, and workplace culture.
At 2:25, Kim Dube of ReFlex Recruiting dives into how organizations can build a Recruiting Culture of Agility, sharing strategies for staying responsive and effective in a fast-changing talent landscape.

Then at 2:40, Kristie Dierig, founder of Every Spark, delivers an energizing conversation around her session It’s Time to Be Disruptive!—challenging traditional thinking and encouraging bold moves in HR.
At 2:55, leadership coach and consultant Todd Bertsch explores The Power of Discomfort and Small Shifts, offering practical insights into how stepping out of our comfort zones can fuel real growth—for ourselves and our teams.
After a brief break, the conversations ramp back up at 3:30 with Kathleen Snyder of Clark Schaefer Strategic HR, who shares how Targeted Skill Development can unlock higher performance and long-term retention.

Closing out the day at 3:45 is Becky Foster, also from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR, leading a meaningful discussion on Civility in the Workplace—why it matters now more than ever, and how to bring it back into our daily work culture.
These 15-minute episodes are fast, focused, and full of real-world value—perfect for today’s busy HR pros. Be sure to tune in and catch the bold ideas and authentic voices shaping the future of work.

🎙️ SpeakEasy HR: Live from the 2025 HR Collaborative is bringing you exclusive 15-minute interviews with some of the event’s most dynamic and thought-provoking speakers.
I sit down with each guest for quick, insightful conversations that dig deeper into their sessions, leadership philosophies, and real-time takeaways from the event floor.
At 11:00am, Andre Young, author and keynote speaker, kicks things off with a powerful look at the 7 Professional Languages of Leadership, sharing how leaders can improve connection and communication across teams.

At 11:15, Kathy Seidel from MRA breaks down the key to Mastering Retention in today’s ever-shifting workforce—exploring what loyalty looks like in 2025.
The momentum continues at 11:30 with Scott McGohan of one Morning, who explores why Culture is an Inside Job and how organizations can transform from the inside out.

At 11:45, Sammie Kelly, founder of Beyond Neurodiversity, shares lessons in leadership and training from the neurodiverse community—focusing on how to recognize and leverage the unique strengths of every team member.
Wrapping up the live lineup at 12:00, Jen Beck of Complete Health Revolution brings fresh insight on Redefining Corporate Wellness, balancing real employee well-being with results that matter to the bottom line.
These rapid-fire interviews are packed with energy, ideas, and inspiration—don’t miss this special edition of SpeakEasy HR, live from one of the year’s most impactful HR events!

🚀 Creativity in HR: Shattering Policies & Procedures 🚀
Is HR stuck in a policy-and-procedure mindset? 🤔 Or is there room for creativity, innovation, and bold new approaches?
This week on SpeakEasy HR, we spoke about Creativity in HR with the incredible Dr. Melanie Peacock, author of "HR Can Be Murder"! 🎙️
🔥 Are policies meant to be broken?
🔥 How can HR professionals rethink “the way things have always been done”?
🔥 What happens when innovation meets compliance?
Dr. Peacock shared fresh, fearless insights on balancing structure with creativity—and why breaking the mold might just be the best thing for today’s workforce.
💡 HR isn’t just about policies—it’s about people, adaptability, and evolution. Let’s talk about it!