The HX Podcast with Stacie Baird

I am putting out this episode, a first in a brief series before the end of the year (and end of the season), and before a wonderful change to the podcast that will begin at the start of 2024. Each of the episodes will be a small exercise - each can be as easy or involved as you want them to be. This one is about looking backward. Think about a week in 2023 where you felt your very best - work week...

On this episode we have Sally Loftis, an expert in supporting humanity in the workplace. Sally has worked in the industry for 25 years, and runs her own consulting firm called  Loftis Partners . She specializes in strategy pieces of human resources, including pay equity and building trust and transparency within the workplace. During the episode, we discussed the steps organizations can take to fo...

I'm so excited to share this episode with you! Meredith Fish. We talked about her extensive experience in HR, and how she's tackling the new post COVID culture when it comes to the workplace. Meredith's approach starts with Work 2.0 and using this new time as an opportunity to build trust by encouraging open dialogue. We talk about the day-to-day personalization experience in the workplace, and pr...

"Now I know exactly what beautiful looks like". Those were the words from a dear friend in one of the hardest times of my daughter's life (and mine). This is a second episode of a 2 part series on our daughter's journey battling cancer. If you haven't heard the first episode, click here . I talk about her decision to shave her head, her bravery throughout the last eight months, and what the lesson...

As we've just gone in to have my daughter's port removed and traveled this scary journey of cancer, I thought it might be a good idea to share some of my journal notes along the way.  We experienced a life-changing, gut wrenching experience - one we'll all never forget. One of the incredible things about this journey is what we all collectively learned about ourselves and each other. As often as I...

Jessica Corral and I continue our conversation from last week and expand into more of giving ourselves permission to take space and the value of setting boundaries. First, if you haven't heard that episode, you can check that out here . Jessica Corral is an incredible mentor and co-founder of Headfarmer . She brings a wealth of life experience to the conversation. Jessica talks about how the gifts...

Today's guest is one of my favorite people. Jessica Corral is the co-founder of Headfarmer , but her story and journey is the center of this story. Whether it's about grief and loss, dysfunction growing up, addiction, or shame, the amazing journey that Jessica shares is all at once chilling and beautiful.  We talk about Brene Brown and how her work has shaped so much of both of our growth, both pe...

Kathleen Duffy is president and CEO of Duffy Group, Inc., one of the most respected recruiting firms in the country. She and I have worked together many times over the years, and she has built and established more than just a reputation - a place as a leading name in the human experience. She and I talk about her beginnings, and how came to be in this space. We examine some interesting experiences...

On this episode I travel down the path with one of my oldest colleagues and a huge influence on my life - Brad Holliday, Director Of Human Resources at SkillPath. We dive deep - and it's a very real and honest conversation about positive and negative learning experiences.  Brad and I go back to the CVS Caremark days (when it was still AdvancePCS), and we talk about where Brad got his start in HR,...

Hello, it's Stacie Baird, and today I'm taking a breather between these amazing interviews to look back on our recent episodes with some of those fantastic HR leaders, and I wanted to share my own reflections with you. Lately, one theme has been echoing in my mind and in the stories of my guests: boundaries. Those lines we draw in the sand to protect our space, our sanity, and our time. It's a sub...

In this episode, I had a wonderful conversation with Nathan Williams, who is part of the municipality leadership team in Gilbert, Arizona. We discussed the challenges of HR in a rapidly growing city like Gilbert. Nathan shared his journey into the HR field, highlighting the importance of embracing authenticity and humility in leadership. We explored the need for diverse perspectives at the table,...

In this episode, I dive into a heartfelt chat with a dear friend and professional, Shannon Teixeira . We go way back, having worked together and shared life's twists and turns for over a decade. Shannon talks about her unconventional journey to HR leadership. Along the way we unravel the power of setting boundaries, trading the "doing" mentality for "being," and the importance of self-compassion....

In this episode we're embarking on a series of conversations with various guests, often those who've been in my life for extended periods. Our guest today, Rose Grande, and I share a unique journey through the Arizona HR ecosystem, where you sometimes know "of" people before you truly meet them. Rose and I haven't directly worked together, but our parallel paths have intertwined for most of our ca...

Hello, Stacie Baird here, and today's episode is all about authenticity, or as I like to call it, "All the Reals. " It's inspired by Jordan Peterson 's concept of reducing chaos and increasing calm, I've embarked on a journey to share the lessons I've learned over my 25 years in HR. Authenticity is a topic that's been discussed extensively, but it's at the core of my 12 rules for thriving in HR. F...

I'm so excited to talk to my first guest in this series! I sat down with Jack W. Milligan, a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and as a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR), who I met in 2003. I was taking a class taught by Jack, who throughout his career certified over 1,400 HR professionals.  Jack is an inspiring leader in the HR space, and he shares his backgroun...

Welcome back to HR to HX! This ongoing series is all about the "no rules" rules, guidance, and lessons learned from my over 25 years in the human resources space.  I have some incredible guests with even more experience right around the corner, but today's episode is all about the inside-out job of HR and the power of building strong habits. I recently did a webinar with Verified First , and it go...

Welcome to another exciting episode of HR to HX! In this new series, we're diving into the rules—or maybe the no rules—guidance, and gifts of the human resources practice. I'm your host, Stacie Baird, and after 25 years in this field, I've learned so much about what works for me, my teams, and the personal growth I've undergone to get where I am today. And guess what? I'm still growing every day!...

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to "HR to HX." In this episode I have some exciting news to share! We're embarking on a special series inspired by my 25-year journey in the HR field. It all began back in 1999 when I took on my first official role in human resources. But I'll actually rewind a bit further to my time in college, where I initially aspired to become a doctor. Fate led me to recruiting a...

In this, our third of a three part mini series of episodes on trust, we explore the multifaceted nature of trust and how to rebuild it when it's been fractured within teams. Trust is not an all-or-nothing concept; it has dimensions and conditions. Understanding this is crucial as we embark on the journey of rebuilding trust. One key insight is that trust can be fractured or conditional. Fractured...

Today in our part 2 of 3 of the small series on trust, I dive into a bit more of the technical lessons that are important to consider when learning about trust. I've got some things to give you that might help on your journey as well!  I'll cite four authors throughout this brief conversation.. Charles Feltman, Stephen Covey, Paul Zak, and of course, Brené Brown. And I've broken out four key facto...

Welcome to another episode of HR to HX. In this (and the next two) episodes we dive into the essential topic of building greater self-trust. I talk about three key components that are crucial for developing a strong foundation of self-trust. I'll address the detrimental impact of negative self-talk. and examine how these internal dialogues can undermine our confidence and self-belief. I also discu...

In this continuing series with Kathleen Gramzay, we delve deeper into the crucial topics of trust, self-compassion, and building resilience within organizations. Join us as we explore how HR leaders can support leaders and teams in developing resilience and fostering a resilient culture. Resilience has become an essential skill in today's fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, and as we'...

Welcome to another episode that explores the importance of trust, self-compassion, and resilience in the workplace! Over the next few weeks, we'll be delving deep into the topic of trust, starting with trusting oneself. To help us bridge the gap and connect the mind and body in this journey, I'm thrilled to introduce today's guest, Kathleen Gramzay. Kathleen and I first crossed paths around four y...

On today's part 3 of the three part series on self-compassion, I'll take a closer look at some of the key things that you can use to improve upon it in your daily lives. I "try" to use these constantly.  They're derived from a few different authors, and I find that some are fairly simple, but all require a consistent effort. A lot of it comes from the in-depth work by Brené Brown on the subjects o...

In this second of a three part short series on self compassion, I will dive a bit deeper, referencing the insights of two incredible authors - experts on the subject. I'll talk about some of the key takeaways from their books, and maybe provide some helpful strategies to use for yourself.  Self-compassion is a way of relating to ourselves with kindness, understanding, and acceptance. It is about r...