S11 E6: Your Old Playbook Died and Nobody Told You with Various Guests

Feb 16, 2026

A rapid-fire revisitation of rethinking HR fundamentals. Topics include redesigning operations for equity, being honest about culture with candidates, and welcoming employees’ passions. Conversations cover clarifying and holding leaders accountable, treating HR as a creative team, and returning to operational basics to execute well.

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INSIGHT

Design Equity Into Operations

DeMario urges HR to redesign operations so promotions, pay, and evaluations are built with equity in mind.
Opaque processes advantage certain groups and erode fairness across the organisation.

ADVICE

Be Honest About Your Culture

Joel says be brutally honest and align cultural messaging with actual actions to avoid eroding trust.
Communicate real policies (e.g., remote vs office) clearly so candidates and employees can make informed choices.

ANECDOTE

Passions Fuel Team Connection

Justin describes letting people bring passions to work and how it powers connection and joy in small teams.
He gives examples like coworkers who run, do woodworking, or teach sound baths sparking real conversations.

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I'm doing something a little different today and revisiting Season 6 where I asked every single guest the same question:

“What's one thing HR folks should rethink?”

And honestly, I've been in this whole new and rethinking era lately, writing about it in the newsletter, talking about it nonstop on the pod, and it just felt like the right time to bring these answers back because, let's be real, we all need the reminder!

Work is changing faster than it's ever changed before, which means the cadence of how we think about things has to change too.

Sometimes I genuinely worry that the solutions I built six weeks ago don't even work for today, let alone six months ago!

So consider this your dose of inspiration, hearing from some of my favorite guests on all the things we should be rethinking.

Hopefully it sparks something in you, or at the very least, makes you feel less alone in the chaos.

Quantum Workplace helps leaders build thriving teams that fuel business success. We give leaders at every level a clear path forward—by unlocking critical talent insights across engagement, performance, and development. With clarity and confidence, people leaders can act decisively, scale leadership quality, and strengthen connection and performance.

Trusted by thousands of people-focused companies, Quantum Workplace makes it easier to keep teams aligned, empowered, growing, and valued on the path to business success. Visit ⁠quantumworkplace.com⁠ to learn more.

00:01:28 - Improving Equitable Operations in Your Org

00:04:01 - Just Be Honest About Your Culture to Candidates

00:13:35 - Embracing People’s Passions Outside of Work

00:16:42 - When Leaders Are a Common Blocker to HR

00:18:52 - Finally Holding Leaders Accountable

00:21:55 - Why HR Should be Thought of as a Creative Department

00:23:27 - Addressing Employee Turnover and Going Back to the Basics

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