SHRM All Things Work

Latest Episodes:

Dear Hiring Manager: Is the Cover Letter Dead? Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

Episode Blurb:

Generative AI can spin up a polished cover letter in seconds, so what are employers still using it to screen for? Kat Kibben, founder and CEO of Three Ears Media, unpacks why the cover letter isn't really dead — it's just misunderstood.

Diving into their personal experience working with recruiters in various industries, Kibben shares how better job postings, structured interviews, and skills-first scorecards help employers cut bias at the top of the funnel, define what "good" candidate actually means, and make hiring decisions grounded in evidence instead of gut instinct.

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Promoted but Unprepared: How AI Coaching Is Helping New Leaders Sep 16, 2026

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Episode Blurb:

New leaders often check every box: training, workshops, and even a coach. Yet many still feel unprepared for the moment real decisions land on their desk.

Alex Marcus and Jamie Albers, co-CEOs and co-founders of Mento, a member of SHRM’s 2026 WorkplaceTech Accelerator cohort, explain why traditional coaching models are hitting a wall — and how pairing certified coaches with AI-powered insights closes the gap between mindset work and measurable business impact. They break down their 80/20 coaching philosophy, share where AI strengthens the human connection instead of replacing it, and flag exactly where organizations need to move carefully.

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Recalibrate, Don't Retreat: The New Rules of Inclusion and Diversity at Work Sep 02, 2026

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Good intentions are no longer enough when it comes to supporting inclusion & diversity in your organization. In this new era shaped by shifting enforcement and rising incivility, the leaders who thrive treat I&D like any other core business process — measured, documented, and built to last.

Carolynn Johnson, president of SHRM's Center for I&D and acting CEO of SHRM Linkage, brings clarity to a topic buried in confusion. She explains what's really changing with I&D at the federal level, why the laws themselves haven’t moved, and how HR can respond with confidence instead of fear.

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Fixer Fatigue: Why Solving Everything Yourself Is Wearing You Out Aug 19, 2026

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Being the go-to problem solver might feel like strong leadership — until it quietly burns you out and stalls your team's growth. Middle managers especially feel this pressure, expected to be available, adaptable, and ready with an answer. But that always-on approach comes at a cost.

Julie Armstrong, founder of 3H Leadership Consulting, and Leah Marone, a mental wellness expert, unpack "fixer fatigue," middle manager exhaustion, and why an open-door policy can backfire on everyone.

In this episode, you'll learn how to set boundaries without pulling back from your team, spot the signs your limits are too thin, and ultimately make the critical mindset shift to: Support, Don't Solve.

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How to Keep Climbing the Career Ladder in the Age of AI Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

The career ladder used to be a straight climb. You build skills, get hired, get promoted, and repeat. Then AI reshaped the ladder itself — and the path forward is no longer clear.

This episode welcomes a panel of three experts to discuss this topic: Prudence Pitter from PEARRM Services, John Arms from Voyageur University, and Yogi Mueller from Craft Leadership LLC. Together, they discuss how psychological safety drives real AI adoption, the early warning signs that career paths are quietly compressing inside your organization, and the driving forces behind a decline in workplace mentorship.

Learn ways to build a genuine mentorship culture, an honest script for discussing growth when promotions aren't guaranteed, and a business case for psychological safety that speaks the language of the C-suite.

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Your Brain on Feedback: The Science of Belonging at Work Jul 21, 2026

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We call feedback a gift, yet our brains often experience it as a threat. That disconnect shapes who grows, who disengages, and who quietly gets managed out. And how does this impact people with invisible disabilities such as neurodiversity?

Ama Agyapong, principal training strategist and CEO of Inclusion Enterprises, and Beth Sirull, president and CEO of the National Organization on Disability, unpack the neuroscience behind feedback and belonging — and why some conversations spark growth while others trigger defensiveness.

This episode digs into the subtle, everyday bias that filters who receives developmental feedback, why it’s important for leaders to admit when they make mistakes, and the one change managers can make today to move the needle.
Shortened Blurb (for newsletter):
Why does feedback feel like a threat, and who pays the price? Ama Agyapong, CEO of Inclusion Enterprises, and Beth Sirull, president and CEO of the National Organization on Disability, explore the neuroscience of feedback, the subtle bias that shapes who gets developed and who gets managed out, and how to create a safe space for people with invisible disabilities. Learn the one change managers can make today to turn feedback into belonging.

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Stop Asking “How’s It Going?”: Coaching That Actually Moves the Needle Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

A motivated team can still miss the mark when direction is fuzzy.

Joe Rotella, chief value officer at Delphia Consulting, reveals how misalignment masquerades as progress and why status updates create a dangerous sense of security. Explore concrete tactics: Define “what it takes to win,” replace status checks with “What are you doing now, what’s next, and how can I help?,” and learn how to switch from feedback to feed forward.

Walk away with a script bank, a feedback framework, and a simple opening question that instantly improves results.

Shorter blurb (for newsletter):

Is your team busy but off target? Joe Rotella, chief value officer at Delphia Consulting, LLC, outlines clarity-first planning, future-focused feedback, and remote habits that support without smothering. Learn the value of a feedback framework, outcome-first agendas, and the phrase that instantly improves results.

Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d 

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Ditch the Dashboard: Career Growth That Actually Sticks Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Feeling stuck at work? It’s not always about effort or lack thereof. It's often about clarity, purpose, and the right people in your corner. Pete Schramm, career development expert and the founder of employee connection and retention platform, Lattitude, argues that better employee engagement comes from something far more human than what a new app or dashboard could offer.

Schramm walks through three practical tools: “Ikigai” to rediscover what makes your work meaningful, career maps to reveal options beyond your current role, and a personal board of advisors to take the pressure off finding one perfect mentor. It's a refreshing take on growth that puts people first.

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The Unicorn Dilemma: Hire for Talent, Not Perfection Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Searching for the “perfect” candidate may be doing more harm than good. Talent strategist and UnMuted Leader author, Trisha Zulic, SHRM-SCP, unpacks the “Unicorn Dilemma” – when hiring managers chase impossible wish lists and overlook high-potential talent.when hiring managers chase impossible wish lists and overlook high-potential talent.

Zulic shares how her UnMuted Intake Framework helps organizations rethink their hiring conversations, define a quality candidate more clearly, reduce bias, and make smarter talent decisions grounded in evidence rather than gut instinct.

Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d 

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The World's First Chief Heart Officer Says: Be More Authentic at Work! May 20, 2026

Show notes

The future of work belongs to leaders who lead with heart — but what does that really mean?

Claude Silver, chief heart officer at Vayner Media, a contemporary global creative and media agency, unpacks the power of empathy and authenticity in leadership. Sharing personal stories and career-changing insights, Claude reveals how shifting from “correction to connection” can spark innovation, boost retention, and drive growth no matter the role you play in your organization. Learn how leading with authenticity can transform your workplace – and how you can start making an impact today.

Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d 

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