HR Spot

Hosted by Linda Michaels

Business

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Introducing HR Spot Podcast Looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of Human Resources? Look no further than HR Spot, the ultimate podcast destination for HR professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge, skills, and career and business owners who don’t have an HR person. Hosted by industry experts, HR Spot offers a fresh, insightful, and engaging approach to all things HR. Each episode delves into the core challenges and trends shaping the HR landscape, providing practical solutions, best practices, and thought-provoking discussions. Why should you tune in to HR Spot? Here are a few reasons: 1. Expert Insights: HR Spot brings you firsthand insights from seasoned HR leaders, consultants, and thought influencers. Get a glimpse into their experiences, triumphs, and lessons learned, empowering you with the knowledge to tackle today's toughest HR issues. 2. Cutting-Edge Topics: From remote work and employee well-being to diversity and inclusion initiatives, HR Spot covers a wide range of relevant topics. Stay in the loop with the latest HR practices, strategies, and emerging trends that can make a real impact on your organization's success. 3. Practical Guidance: HR Spot focuses on actionable takeaways that you can implement immediately. Discover practical tips, tools, and resources designed to streamline your HR processes, foster employee engagement, and drive positive change within your organization. In a world where HR practices are constantly evolving, HR Spot is your trusted compass, guiding you towards excellence in HR management. So, don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to broaden your HR horizons. Tune in to the HR Spot podcast and unlock the path towards HR success!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 24, 2026Episode 6937 min

Episode #69 - How to Fire a Toxic Employee - Without Creating a Bigger Problem

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 weren’t sure what to do next, this episode is for you.

August 21, 2026Episode 6826 min

Episode #68 - What Happens if your Key Employee Quits Tomorrow?

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 afford to lose, protect important knowledge and relationships, cross-train your team, and start building a succession plan before you actually need one. If there’s someone in your organization who makes you think, “We’d be in trouble if they left,” this episode is for you.

August 17, 2026Episode 6733 min

Episode #67 - The Ghost and the General: Leading from the Middle

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 Gary break down why both extremes can quietly drive away good people - and more importantly, what leaders can actually do differently.

August 10, 2026Episode 6628 min

Episode #66 - Strategic Thinking Series #10 - From Strategic Thinking to Strategic Leadership: Making It a Way of Operating

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 asking, and how to develop a team that brings solutions—not just problems. Linda and Gary also challenge listeners to reclaim just 10% of their time for strategic work and share a simple seven-question leadership checkup. If you’ve followed the series from the beginning, this episode brings it all together. And if you’re just joining, it’s a powerful reminder that your job as a leader isn’t simply to solve today’s problems—it’s to build an organization capable of handling tomorrow’s opportunities. Because the future of your organization deserves more than whatever time is left over.

August 4, 2026Episode 6522 min

Episode #65 - Strategic Thinking Series #9 - Building a Strategic Culture: How Great Leaders Get Everyone Thinking Beyond Today

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 organization that can grow and succeed for years to come.

July 28, 2026Episode 6417 min

Episode #64 - Strategic Thinking Series #8 continued - Strategic Prioritization Part 2

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.

July 6, 2026Episode 6331 min

Episode #63 - Strategic Thinking Series #8 - Strategic Prioritization Part 1

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 priority needs more than good intentions—it needs room to succeed.

June 30, 2026Episode 6220 min

Episode #62 Strategic Thinking Series #7 - Why Even Great Strategies Fail: The Execution Gap

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.

June 22, 2026Episode 6117 min

Episode #61 - Strategic Thinking Series #6 - The 5 Questions Strategic Leaders ask before Making Big Decisions

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, strengthen their people and culture, and ensure their choices align with the future they are building. If you want to lead with greater intention and make smarter decisions that drive sustainable growth, this episode is for you.

June 16, 2026Episode 6021 min

Episode #60 - Strategic Thinking Series #5 - Why Great Leaders Build Leaders - Not Followers

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 intentional and strategic leader.