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Beating the Odds: Experts Share Secrets to Landing Top Talent

Beating the Odds: Experts Share Secrets to Landing Top Talent

With 71% of businesses struggling to find qualified candidates, innovative recruitment strategies are critical for success. 

This HR Spotlight article gathers insights from business leaders and HR professionals on how their organizations are beating the odds. 

From leveraging AI-driven job postings to fostering strong cultures and tapping personal networks, these experts share actionable approaches. 

Emphasizing attitude over experience, clear expectations, and internal growth opportunities, their strategies expand talent pools, boost retention, and align hires with organizational goals, offering a roadmap for businesses to thrive in a competitive hiring landscape.

Read on!

At Achilles Roofing and Exterior, I’ve seen firsthand how tough it can be to find the right people. Roofing isn’t an easy trade—it’s demanding work, the conditions are tough, and it requires both skill and discipline. What’s helped us beat the odds is that we don’t just look for “qualified” candidates on paper. We look for people who are willing to learn, show up consistently, and take pride in doing the job right.

When I was younger in this business, I thought the only way to grow was to hire people who already had years of experience. What I learned is that experience doesn’t always equal reliability. Some of our best team members started with little background in roofing but had the right attitude. We invested time into training them, pairing them with seasoned crew leaders, and giving them clear paths to grow. That’s built loyalty because they see a future here, not just a paycheck.

We also put a lot of focus on culture. Roofing crews spend long days together, often in extreme heat, dealing with physically exhausting work. If you don’t create an environment of respect, accountability, and teamwork, good people won’t stay. We make sure everyone knows their role, feels valued, and understands that cutting corners is never an option. Homeowners trust us with their biggest investment, and that responsibility has to be shared by the whole team.

Another thing that’s worked for us is hiring from our own network. Many of our best workers came through referrals from current employees. If someone is willing to vouch for a friend or family member, that usually means they trust the person to keep up the standard we expect. It creates a team that’s built on trust from the start.

Beating the odds hasn’t been about luck. It’s about taking the long view—finding people with the right mindset, giving them the tools and training to succeed, and building a culture that makes them want to stay. That’s how we’ve been able to staff reliable crews while so many others are struggling.

Culture and Training Build Loyal Roofing Teams

Mark Hirsch
Co-founder & Personal Injury Attorney, Templer & Hirsch

At Templer & Hirsch, we beat the 71% hire problem by making our employees better. Many of the law clerks I work with now started as students, and I personally invest in their growth. More than 60% of our lawyers started out working for the company.

We also use the Prime Time Business Network, which I started, to get recommendations from people we trust. Thanks to this network, we’ve found outstanding candidates whose ideals match our own.

We look at grit, empathy, and courtroom sense instead of just resumes, because those are things you can’t teach from a transcript. That’s how we make a team that wins cases and puts our clients first.

Law Firm Grows Talent From Within

Finding qualified candidates is definitely one of the biggest challenges businesses face today. At Fasterdraft.com, we’ve tackled this by being very intentional about how we define and attract talent.

First, we focus on clarity in contracts and job descriptions—making sure expectations, responsibilities, and growth opportunities are crystal clear from the start. That helps attract candidates who truly understand the role and are motivated by it.

Second, because I run my own company and know how vital flexibility is, we offer remote and flexible working arrangements, which broadens the talent pool beyond local limits. This is especially appealing to contract lawyers and specialists who want autonomy.

Finally, we invest in ongoing training and mentorship, helping team members develop skills aligned with both their interests and company needs. This creates loyalty and reduces turnover.

By combining clear legal frameworks with a people-focused culture, we’ve been able to beat the odds and build a strong, qualified team despite the market challenges.

Clear Expectations Attract Perfect Contract Matches

We shifted focus from resumes to aptitude and attitude.

Instead of filtering strictly by past experience, we created short skills assessments and emphasized cultural fit during interviews.

Pairing new hires with mentors accelerated training, which expanded our candidate pool. This approach reduced hiring gaps and improved retention significantly.

Aptitude Over Experience Expands Candidate Pool

The first thing we ask clients when they tell us they can’t find qualified candidates is how they’re defining “qualified.” Often, the root of the problem is that they’re holding out for a perfect professional, someone who checks every technical box and is an ideal fit for their culture. These candidates do exist but they’re few and far between, especially in the current hiring landscape.

My top advice for employers right now is to look for ways you can broaden your pipeline. Review your must-have qualifications to make sure they’re truly necessary for the role, not just “nice to have”s.

When you review applications, be willing to consider candidates who have the right core skills and attitude, and could be trained to fill any technical gaps.

The employers having the most success with filling roles right now are those willing to reskill workers from adjacent industries, or offer apprenticeships or on-the-job training for recent graduates.

When you build talent from within you don’t only fill openings faster but also foster loyalty in your workforce since they’re able to grow with your organization.

Hire For Potential, Not Perfection

My approach has been highly intentional and focused.

I prioritize building a strong company culture that attracts like-minded professionals who share our vision and values. This means engaging in thoughtful screening processes and fostering a supportive environment where clinicians feel valued and supported.

Also, I invest in consistent development opportunities for my team, which not only elevates the quality of care we provide but also helps retain motivated and skilled individuals.

By focusing on quality over quantity and creating an environment professionals want to be a part of, we’ve been able to distinguish ourselves and overcome hiring challenges.

Culture And Values Attract Top Talent

Stephen Yau
Owner & Head Math Tutor, DUX Tuition

I run a math tutoring company that hires math teachers.

Job posting platforms like SEEK or Indeed are flooded with candidates that are either unqualified or don’t feel like a great fit.

My solution was to look at my own social circles, such as church or Jiu Jitsu clubs, where I could spend a bit more time observing a potential candidate.

This allowed me to evaluate their character and fit for the company before I ever approach them. Luckily, I’ve found quite a lot of church goers are teachers (or lawyers!), so this method, although unorthodox, works!

Social Circles: The New Hiring Pool

As a SaaS founder and CRO expert, addressing the talent challenge requires a proactive and strategic approach.

First, we refine job descriptions to be clear, enticing, and reflective of the specific skills needed. Leveraging data-driven recruitment tools helps us identify top candidates effectively. We also tap into niche communities and professional networks to find specialized talent that aligns with our goals.

Additionally, fostering a strong employer brand and offering growth opportunities ensures we attract and retain the best professionals. Lastly, maintaining a culture of learning and adaptability allows us to nurture talent internally, filling gaps as they arise.

Strategic Recruitment Attracts and Retains Talent

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

The Candidate Crunch: Strategies for Hiring Success

The Candidate Crunch: Strategies for Hiring Success

In the fiercely competitive tech, SaaS, and AI industries, securing top talent requires innovative strategies that go beyond traditional hiring. 

This HR Spotlight article compiles insights from business leaders and HR professionals, revealing how to attract and retain exceptional candidates. 

From tapping global talent pools and prioritizing impact over titles to leveraging real-world assessments and fostering community ties, these experts share proven approaches. 

By focusing on mindset, transparency, and candidate experience, they demonstrate how to build teams that thrive. 

Discover actionable strategies to redefine hiring, reduce turnover, and create a culture that draws high-caliber professionals in today’s dynamic market.

Read on!

Margaret Buj
Principal Recruiter, Mixmax

Global Hiring, Impact Focus Boosts Talent

At Mixmax, we’re hiring in one of the most competitive spaces – tech, SaaS, and AI – and yet we consistently find exceptional talent by focusing on three strategies:

Casting a Global Net: We don’t limit ourselves to one geography. By hiring across Europe, LATAM, and beyond, we access a much broader talent pool – which allows us to find specialists who might not exist locally.

Prioritizing Impact Over Title: Instead of filtering candidates based solely on job titles or rigid years of experience, we focus on what they’ve achieved – their measurable impact, adaptability, and ability to solve complex problems. This lets us uncover “hidden gem” candidates others might overlook.

Building an Outstanding Candidate Experience: Today’s top candidates evaluate you as much as you evaluate them. We invest in clear communication, transparent processes, and personalized outreach, which strengthens our employer brand and helps us close highly sought-after candidates faster.

In short, we beat the odds by hiring globally, assessing impact over pedigree, and creating a candidate experience people actually talk about.

Kiara DeWitt
Founder & CEO, Injectco

Hire for Mindset, Train for Skills

I only ever hire for my mindset. Everything else can be taught.

The mistake is thinking talent is hiding. In reality, most employers are fishing in the same pool using the same bait. I tap into attitude first.

Reliability, hunger, willingness to learn, those are the filters. I do not care where someone trained if they cannot stay consistent. That being said, I do make space to train them myself if the grit is there.

So to be fair, I do not beat the odds, I just ignore them. I am building a business that rewards character over credentials. I train internally, stay involved, and remove fluff from the hiring process. If someone has integrity and fire in their belly, they will win. You just have to give them the room to show it.

Real-World Tasks Beat Resumes in Tech Hiring

We stopped hiring solely based on resumes and started giving candidates real-world tasks during the interview process.

A few years ago, we had a technician role open that we struggled to fill. Everyone looked good on paper, but when it came to actual problem-solving, the results didn’t match.

So we built a simple lab environment and gave candidates a common client scenario to troubleshoot. It filtered out the guessers from the doers instantly.

That shift changed our hiring game. We started finding solid, coachable people who may not have had the perfect certifications but could think critically and work under pressure.

It’s not about finding “unicorns”—it’s about seeing how someone approaches a problem when Google isn’t right in front of them.

That’s how we’ve kept our talent pipeline strong, even when everyone else says there’s a shortage.

Automate Tasks, Hire Builders, Not Managers

We’ve found the best way to beat the hiring odds is to change the game entirely.

Instead of focusing on finding more qualified candidates, we focus on building a business that needs fewer of them.

We aggressively automate repetitive tasks, from lead generation to initial follow-up, using systems that handle the operational drag that bogs down most companies. This fundamentally changes who we look for. We don’t need someone to just manage a process.

We need someone who can build and improve the process itself. We hire for an operator’s mindset, not just a list of skills on a resume.

This lets a very small, lean team accomplish what would normally take a much larger staff, and it naturally attracts the kind of entrepreneurial talent that thrives on impact, not just task completion.

Cycle Time Consistency: The Best Remote KPI

One reliable, non-invasive signal of remote team effectiveness is cycle time consistency. At Trep DigitalX, we track how long it takes for a task—once assigned and clarified—to reach completion.

This KPI reflects not just speed, but clarity, collaboration, and ownership. If cycle times stay predictable across sprints or weeks, we know communication is flowing, blockers are being resolved, and priorities are clear—without the need to monitor every move. It’s outcome-focused, not activity-based, and helps build a culture of trust where performance is visible through results, not surveillance.

James Myers
Sales Director & Office Manager, VINEVIDA

Hire For Potential, Not Just Perfection

At VINEVIDA, we have turned the script and concentrated more on potential than perfection.

Rather than looking to hire unicorn candidates, we find transferable skills.

My experience in retail management has shown me that a person with a good sense of customer service can be trained on technical processes more quickly than to teach an emotionless technically inclined employee how to be empathetic.

We have cut down our hiring process by 30% with the help of structured behavioral interviews and skills based assessment instead of using traditional qualification alone.

Personally, I have recruited three employees who did not fulfill all the criteria but demonstrated the best problem-solving skills during our working tasks.

Community Ties, Flexibility Win Talent

In Spokane, I’ve had the most success by leaning on community ties.

I reach out through local chambers, neighborhood events, and even past clients who often know someone who’d be a perfect fit. That way, the people who come to me already share our values.

I also make flexibility a priority—whether that’s offering remote-friendly admin roles or family-first schedules. It shows candidates that we’re invested in their lives, not just their work.

That combination—local relationships and a people-first approach—has helped me find and keep qualified team members even when others are struggling.

Transparency And Projects Attract Long-Term Talent

After more than ten years in Hudson County real estate, I’ve realized that finding the right people isn’t just about scanning resumes—it’s about connecting skills with the bigger story of what we’re building.

For me, the process starts with transparency. When I talk about our digital reach and how we’re changing the way people see the condo market, the right candidates light up—they already imagine themselves being part of it. From there, I use practical, project-based tasks instead of generic tests. It gives me a clear view of how someone works while letting them show off their creativity.

That mix of culture, data, and real-world evaluation has consistently brought in people who not only fit but stick around.

Dorian Menard
Founder & Business Manager, Search Scope

Hire Capability, Not Just Credentials

Most firms are hunting for unicorns — we focus on building them.

In SEO and AI-driven marketing, waiting for a “perfect hire” can leave roles unfilled for months. Instead, we hire for raw capability and train aggressively.

“It’s faster to upskill a curious mind than to deprogram bad habits.” We also use project-based hiring first; it lets us test fit and gives candidates a chance to prove themselves without endless interviews.

This reduces turnover and creates a pipeline of loyal, skilled talent we can trust long-term.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

Influence with Integrity: Revelations from HR’s Ethical Playbook

Influence with Integrity: Revelations from HR’s Ethical Playbook

The way leaders and HR teams influence behavior in the modern workplace has evolved dramatically, thanks to tools like gamification and motivational psychology.

Yet, with this new power comes a critical dilemma: when does constructive encouragement cross over into unethical manipulation?

The boundary is a fine one, and it’s easily breached when an initiative lacks clear intent or transparency, posing a direct threat to employee trust and morale.

To navigate this delicate balance, a new framework for ethical engagement is required.

How can leaders ensure their strategies are both effective and genuinely aligned with company values, protecting the well-being of their people?

This HR Spotlight article brings together invaluable insights from industry leaders, who reveal their best practices for building an ethical culture where every influencing technique is grounded in transparency, fairness, and a sincere commitment to employee health and happiness.

Read on!

Ben Schwencke
Business Psychologist, Test Partnership

No Victims Means Ethical HR Interventions

In organizational psychology, we have a simple heuristic that determines whether interventions are ethical or not, and it couldn’t be simpler.

Ask yourself, “Who is the victim here?”

As a result of this intervention, who will be worse off having implemented it?

If you can’t identify a victim, if the impact of the manipulation has no net-negative effects on people, then you typically remain within ethical territory.

By the way, the term “manipulation,” from a researcher’s perspective, simply means to control variables. The goal of the HR team is to control variables and, hopefully, improve performance, retention, satisfaction, engagement, team dynamics, and so on.

It’s not the HR team’s fault that these variables are related to people. The finance team wouldn’t hesitate to implement interventions to cut costs, and the sales team wouldn’t hesitate to implement interventions to boost sales.

So why should HR feel guilty about doing the same thing within their purview?

Ultimately, as long as no one is victimized, and as long as the outcomes are expected to be neutral or positive for all involved, you should be ethically clear.

Niclas Schlopsna
Managing Consultant & CEO, Spectup

Feedback Loops Prevent Manipulative HR Practices

One thing I’ve seen work well—especially when companies start veering into that grey zone of influence—is establishing a transparent feedback loop.

At Spectup, when we started supporting a fast-scaling fintech client in building their hiring strategy, their HR lead was big on using subtle nudges to steer behavior: gamified KPIs, reward badges, social recognition.

It worked at first, but morale quietly began to dip. Turns out, people felt manipulated rather than genuinely motivated.

What we advised—and what I still stand by—is creating a structure where employees can openly question or opt out of certain “influence” programs without repercussions.

That means including neutral, anonymous feedback channels and being explicit about the intent behind any behavioural incentive.

If the goal is performance, say it. If it’s culture-building, say that. The moment HR hides intent behind feel-good language, people lose trust, and manipulation turns sour.

So it’s less about avoiding tactics altogether and more about ensuring employees remain active participants, not passive subjects.

John Mac
Founder, Openbatt

Open Communication Safeguards Ethical HR Tactics

One way an HR team can ensure they don’t cross into unethical territory when using positive manipulation tactics is by maintaining transparency and fostering open communication.

While it’s important to motivate and influence employees positively, it’s equally critical that these efforts are aligned with the company’s values and ethics.

For example, if HR is using incentives or rewards to encourage productivity, these incentives should be clearly communicated to all employees, with a focus on fairness and voluntary participation.

This transparency ensures that employees understand the reasoning behind these strategies and are not being coerced into conforming to expectations that may not align with their personal values.

Another key element is ensuring that any tactics used to influence behavior are done so in a way that respects employee autonomy.

Positive manipulation can be viewed as ethical if it involves motivating employees to make decisions that benefit both them and the company, but it should never feel manipulative or deceitful.

HR teams must avoid pressuring employees into decisions they aren’t comfortable with, especially if these decisions may compromise their personal well-being or professional growth.

Additionally, HR should continuously seek employee feedback to ensure that any tactics or strategies being implemented are working as intended.

Regular check-ins, surveys, or focus groups allow HR teams to gauge whether employees feel supported or if they feel the tactics are overstepping boundaries.

This feedback loop helps HR stay in tune with employee sentiment and adjust their approach to ensure it remains ethical and respectful.

By keeping the lines of communication open, being transparent about goals and tactics, and ensuring that employees have the autonomy to make their own choices, HR teams can effectively motivate employees without crossing ethical boundaries.

Honesty in Hiring Builds Trustful Reputation

It’s essential to set clear boundaries for yourself before using tactics like this.

One boundary that I’ve established is that I’m never going to lie to candidates, including by omission. I’m always going to give straight answers to any questions, and I’m never going to tell outright lies.

This is about protecting my own morals as well as our company’s reputation.

Authentic Leadership Shapes Ethical Workplace Culture

After a decent portion of my career time in the trenches of workplace dynamics, I have learned that leadership dictates the tone of all things, particularly in the area of ethics.

When it comes to motivating versus manipulating, the difference can be as simple as authenticity and integrity when it comes to HR considering using what is commonly referred to as positive manipulation (let us be honest, it is just influence in a fancy suit).

This is the one thing I always go back to “ Lead how you would want to be led”. You can not preach positivity, motivation, or culture and at the same time condone a double standard or turn a blind eye when bad things occur.

I have seen amazing leaders who have created low-turnover, loyal teams–not by offering perks or gimmicks, but by showing genuine respect. A thank you, a sincere compliment, a word of encouragement, these were not strategies; they were demonstrations of what they were.

Therefore, the surest means by which HR can avoid entering into the unethical waters in the attempt to steer culture is as follows: ensure that any attempt to influence behavior is based on the same behavior being modeled at the top.

When your leadership talks the talk but walks the walk, you are not influencing, you are manipulating and people know it. Culture is not a memo, it is a mirror.

Wynter Johnson
Founder & CEO, Caily

Fair Jobs Enable Ethical Candidate Encouragement

This starts with the quality of the job you’re offering.

If the position is a good fit for the candidate and the compensation package is fair, a little pressure is simply encouraging someone to make the right decision for them.

Carl Rodriguez
Founder & Marketing Head, NX Auto Transport

Transparency Builds Trust for Employee Growth

The only thing that differentiates deception from ethical persuasion is transparency.

If you as a leader are clear to your employees on why you are implementing the policies you are, you don’t have a reason to be guilty.

Conversely, if you are hoping they do not notice exactly why you’re calling the shots you are, you might want to turn inward at this point.

Employees want to feel involved, respected, and cared for. That’s what established trust. And it is this trust that is crucial for growth and innovation. Otherwise, they’ll stop at a very low ceiling since there won’t be any real incentive moving on.

This trust is built by communication, openness, and transparency which shows there are no skeletons in the closet.

R. Karl Hebenstreit
Organization Development Consultant, Perform & Function

Tailored Transparency Fosters Ethical Stakeholder Trust

My take on it is relationship-based.  

If we take the time to truly understand our stakeholders, their needs, concerns, pain points, challenges, values, and preferences, we can tailor our communications to meet them where they are and for what they are ready.  

This will prevent them from immediately putting up their defenses, and make them more open to hearing what we have to say or ask them.  

Manipulation implies trickery, however tailoring our communication style and message to the recipient will avoid any hints of being unethical.  

As long as we are completely transparent with our messaging, the tailored “how’ of our delivery will be well-received and not seen as manipulation or trickery.

Transparent Recognition Drives Ethical Motivation

In 20+ years of insurance sales, I’ve learned that transparency beats manipulation every time.

When our team at The Ephraim Group wants to motivate employees, we focus on genuine recognition rather than psychological tricks.

The key boundary is simple: would you feel comfortable if your tactic was printed on the company website?

We implemented peer nomination systems where team members recognize each other’s achievements publicly. This creates positive momentum without the manipulation aspect that can backfire.

I’ve seen HR teams get burned trying to “gamify” performance with hidden psychological triggers. Instead, we share real client success stories during team meetings – like when we helped a small business owner save $3,000 annually on their commercial policy. These authentic wins naturally motivate people because they see the direct impact of their work.

The insurance industry taught me that trust, once broken, is nearly impossible to rebuild. Keep your motivational tactics transparent and tied to genuine business outcomes rather than psychological manipulation.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

Keeping It Ethical: Tricks to Master Positive Workplace Influence

Keeping It Ethical: Tricks to Master Positive Workplace Influence

In the complex landscape of modern organizational behavior, leaders and HR professionals often employ techniques to positively influence employee actions—from gamification and wellness challenges to motivational framing.

However, the line between constructive encouragement and unethical manipulation is a thin one, easily crossed when the intent or transparency behind a tactic is compromised.

This pivotal challenge demands a new framework for ethical engagement.

How can HR teams and business leaders ensure their strategies are both effective and genuinely aligned with organizational values, without risking employee trust or morale?

This HR Spotlight article compiles invaluable insights from industry leaders, revealing their go-to strategies for navigating this delicate balance, ensuring that every influencing technique is rooted in transparency, fairness, and a deep commitment to employee well-being.

Read on!

Transparency Keeps Workplace Influence Ethical

Positive manipulation in the workplace can easily slip into unethical territory if the intent or transparency behind those tactics is compromised.

In my work consulting global e-commerce companies and advising HR leaders through the E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Association, I have seen that the key to staying ethical is to ensure that every influencing technique is both transparent and rooted in genuine alignment with organizational values.

One practical approach is to make intent explicit: whenever HR introduces a program or incentive designed to shape behavior, it is critical that employees understand both the purpose and the expected outcome. For example, if an HR team is using gamification to boost engagement or productivity, the rules, rewards, and reasoning should be communicated clearly.

Employees should never feel that recognition or feedback is being used to steer them in a direction that is hidden or manipulative. When I helped a multinational retailer launch a recognition program, we made it clear how achievements would be measured and why certain behaviors were being highlighted. This transparency removed any suspicion of hidden agendas and fostered trust across teams.

Another safeguard is to regularly test these tactics against the organization’s core values and code of conduct. HR should ask: if every employee saw the inner workings of this tactic, would it still feel fair and respectful? In my experience, the moment a tactic relies on withholding information, exaggerating benefits, or creating artificial competition, it risks undermining morale and long-term engagement.

Finally, ongoing feedback from employees is essential. At ECDMA, when we advise firms on cultural transformation, we recommend structured, anonymous feedback loops so that leadership can hear directly if people start to feel manipulated rather than supported. Adjustments can then be made quickly before trust erodes.

Ethical boundaries in positive manipulation are best upheld by ensuring transparency, genuine intent, and consistent feedback. HR teams that practice open communication and align their tactics with authentic values will not just avoid ethical missteps – they will build stronger, more resilient organizations.

Julie Collins
Marketing Director, The FruitGuys

Clear Intent Makes HR Tactics Ethical

One simple but effective way is transparency with intent.

If HR is using strategies like gamification, nudges, or framing incentives in a certain way, they should make sure the purpose behind it is clear and fair.

For example, if you’re nudging employees to complete wellness challenges or take part in upskilling programs, don’t hide the business motive—like improving productivity or reducing healthcare costs. Be upfront about how it benefits both sides.

That balance—between employee value and company goals—is what keeps the tactic ethical. The second it feels one-sided or deceptive, it crosses the line.

Transparency Preserves Ethics in HR Strategies

One critical way HR teams can avoid crossing into unethical territory is to maintain complete transparency about their motivational strategies. If you’re implementing gamification, wellness challenges, or recognition programs to boost performance, tell employees exactly why you’re doing it.

Don’t disguise business objectives as purely employee benefits. For example, when introducing a peer recognition system, openly explain that it’s designed to increase engagement and retention while also making work more enjoyable. Employees can then choose to participate with full knowledge of both what they’ll gain and what the company expects to achieve.

The ethical line gets crossed when you manipulate people without their awareness, but transparency preserves their ability to make informed choices about participation.

Authentic Storytelling Boosts HR Influence

Let’s be honest with ourselves, most teams across a myriad of industries are inherently dysfunctional. HR teams poorly executing positive manipulation tactics will, of course, add to existing team dysfunction. Being intentionally authentic and influential is the leading ethical way to move employees to action in a positive way.

Storytelling is a powerful tool in HR communication. Find ways to use storytelling to get points across quickly. Using narratives, HR professionals and managers can create authentic connections that employees will relate to because stories evoke emotions, making messages more relatable and memorable.

When trying to influence employees to accept a task or do something you need them to do, share relevant personal anecdotes to make employees more receptive to your recommendations. Such storytelling fosters a sense of community and belonging, reminding individuals that they are part of something larger than themselves while also motivating them to action.

Ethical Influence Prioritizes Transparency, Fairness

When it comes to positive manipulation in the workplace, intent and transparency matter most.

HR teams should keep checks in place to make sure any influence strategy—whether it’s motivational framing or goal setting—is aligned with the employee’s best interest, not just the company’s.

One approach: set up internal review systems where tactics are pressure-tested by multiple perspectives (managers, employees, compliance). This helps eliminate bias and maintain ethical standards.

Bottom line: if you’re using psychology to nudge behavior, make sure it’s for everyone’s benefit—not just bottom lines.

Ethical HR Prioritizes Transparency, Consent

One effective way HR teams can remain ethical is by prioritizing transparency and informed consent.

Positive manipulation, such as incentivizing behavior or guiding decisions, should never involve deceit or withholding critical information. For instance, companies like Google emphasize open communication and employee autonomy even when using motivational strategies, ensuring employees understand the intent behind certain initiatives.

By fostering an environment of trust and empowerment rather than control, HR can ethically harness positive influence. Regular ethics training and clear guidelines also help in maintaining these boundaries.

Diana Babaeva
Founder & CEO, Twistly

Ethical AI Nudges Boost Productivity

Nudges are effective until they become invisible.

We have developed AI nudges to remind users to finish certain tasks, celebrate small victories, or suggest improvements in real-time. One such popular feature is the progress bar for document completion, which surprisingly increased productivity during internal trials.

We draw a clear line at emotional nudging. No guilt-trips. Nothing about “others are doing better.” Every nudge must be opted in to, easily disabled, and clearly explained. The instant a nudge becomes invisible or feels as if it is watching without permission, it is no longer helpful but starts manipulating.

People really get their moral strength from support, rather than from silent pressure.

Transparent HR Persuasion Ensures Ethical Clarity

If HR wants to use persuasion without crossing the line, they need to pressure-test the tactic with a single question: Does this give the employee more clarity or more confusion?

Positive manipulation can be framed as encouragement or nudging, but the second it muddles someone’s understanding of their options or reality, it goes sideways. You are no longer helping; you are gaming the outcome. That line is thin. It is the difference between telling someone “this will help your career” and “this will look good to the execs.” One is honest incentive. The other is bait.

The fix is simple: add transparency to every tactic. Say what you are doing and why. If your influence method cannot survive daylight, it probably should not be used at all.

Every message should pass the “could this be said in a public Slack thread” test. If the answer is no, scrap it. You can steer behavior without hiding the wheel. The intent matters, but the clarity matters more.

Magda Klimkiewicz
Senior HR Business Partner, Live Career

Ethical HR Prioritizes Employee-Centric Benefits

One way an HR team can avoid crossing into unethical territory when using positive manipulation is by asking a simple question: Would this still benefit the employee even if the company gained nothing from it? This will help them stay focused on the well-being of their staff, not just company goals.

For example, HR might offer flexible working hours. If the real goal is to reduce stress and help employees balance work and life better, even if productivity doesn’t increase, then it is an ethical move. But if the flexibility is only there so they can be available longer or work outside normal hours, it becomes a selfish tactic disguised as support.

This mindset helps HR stay on the right side of ethics. When any strategy still adds real value to the employee, whether or not the company profits, it shows that the intent is honest. Positive influence becomes harmful only when it hides pressure behind kindness.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

A Connected Workforce: Strategies for Addressing Loneliness in All Roles

A Connected Workforce: Strategies for Addressing Loneliness in All Roles

In the bustling hum of a crowded workplace, loneliness can still cast a silent shadow over certain employees, dimming morale and productivity.

While a packed office might seem immune to isolation, specific roles—think remote IT specialists, night-shift supervisors, or high-pressure executives—can leave even the most dedicated workers feeling disconnected.

We posed a vital question to HR visionaries and business leaders:
Which roles are most vulnerable to employee loneliness, and what HR strategies can effectively combat this hidden challenge?

Drawing on insights like Gallup’s 2024 report, which links workplace connection to a 20% boost in engagement, their innovative solutions—from targeted mentorship programs to inclusive team-building initiatives—offer a powerful playbook for fostering belonging and reigniting workplace camaraderie.

Join us as we uncover the roles at risk and the strategies that bring employees back into the fold.

Read on!

Lisa Lohmann
Founder, LáFora

Lisa Lohmann

‘All the lonely people, where do they all belong?’ sang the Beatles 60 years ago. Turns out, loneliness isn’t just about being alone. It’s just as real in remote work as it is in packed offices.

And one group feels it most: leaders. Managers and executives often report feeling isolated. Why? Leading teams, making tough calls—it’s not something you can easily share. Add to that the fact that most leaders don’t have managers to guide them, and the usual team-building events aren’t really built for them. Between workloads and maintaining authority, they rarely join the Friday drinks or trivia nights.

So what’s the fix? According to Harvard Business Review, company-sponsored activities can ease workplace loneliness. And for leaders specifically, there’s one standout solution: leadership offsites.

Offsites are 2-5 day retreats where leadership teams can step away from the office noise to strategize, connect, and actually talk. These aren’t about PowerPoints and packed schedules – they’re about creating space to connect. Space for real conversations, honest challenges, and (yes) even friendships. From workshops to team challenges to relaxed dinners, offsites break down the barriers that isolate leaders.

Investing in leadership offsites shows you care about your leaders. And when leaders feel supported, they show up stronger for their teams. Fixing loneliness isn’t just about wellbeing – it’s about creating a workplace where everyone thrives, starting from the top.

Tonya Ladipo, LCSW

Loneliness stems from a sense of disconnection. We can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely, which only intensifies our feelings.

Employees who report to multiple departments but lack their own dedicated team often feel isolated. Remote workers are also at a risk for loneliness, especially in organizations where other roles are hybrid or in-person.

Here are a three HR strategies to help combat loneliness in the workplace:

Schedule regular, casual check-ins with team members to foster connection beyond work-related conversations. A simple 30-minute coffee chat, guided by a few questions, can help bring people together. Ask people to share their favorite TV shows or play a work-friendly version of Two Truths and A Lie.

Create structured opportunities for roles that are inherently isolated. Have employees attend department meetings for adjacent departments and teams. This is another opportunity for connection that also allows a new perspective of the work, which will also likely generate new ideas.

Encourage participation in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Joining ERGs promotes a sense of community while enjoying company-sponsored events.

Creating connection is the key strategy to combat loneliness at work and in life!

Iqbal Ahmad

Certain positions such as leadership roles and senior managers, within an organisation, are naturally more prone to loneliness, even in a busy workplace. It is natural for them to feel isolated as they cannot share their challenges with their subordinates. Remote workers are also more likely to feel disconnected as there is no team interaction in their daily routine.

HRs can address these challenges with practical strategies to create a real connection. Regular check-ins or informal meetings regarding the current situation of projects can provide a space for employees to talk about the challenges they are facing.

Cross-departmental collaborations, or organising social events within the organisation also enhance the interaction between employees at the workplace. Regular team dinners and lunches will also help to bring the remote workers out from their dens to enjoy some time with colleagues.

Small actions like encouraging feedback, creating peer groups, or just making everyone feel included can make a big difference in reducing loneliness and building a stronger team.

Samantha Taylor
Business Consultant, LLC.org

Samantha Taylor

Loneliness in the workplace often impacts people who have jobs where they work by themselves or do not talk much with others. Remote tech workers, night shift employees, or team leaders handling individual projects can feel lonely even if the workplace is very active.

This I see many times in my over 12 years of helping businesses make strong teams.

HR can do something about this. They can implement a buddy system and pair workers with mentors to help get on a personal level. Organizing project collaborations from different departments is also a good idea. Managers should check how staff are doing with these projects. Social events, both online and in person, can help people feel included.

I always tell companies, they need to try hard so everyone feels like part of the team. Saying thanks for good work is a very important thing. Happy employees=higher output. Companies should value inclusion.

Dr Kevin Huffman

People who perform unique tasks in their job roles encounter specific difficulties when trying to connect with other employees.

For instance, a data scientist who studies advanced algorithms may find it hard to make connections with marketing and sales staff. Specialized knowledge and unique work may create social barriers meaning these professionals have trouble connecting with others at work.

Those who work remotely alongside office-based colleagues still feel disconnected from others. Technology helps us communicate but lacks the full depth of human interaction experience.

Employees who work remotely often fail to participate in casual employee bonding sessions and miss spontaneous team interactions that take place in shared offices.

Leaders in charge often feel disconnected from others despite their influential position. The demanding nature of their work separates them from their coworkers.

Gareth Hoyle
Managing Director, Marketing Signals

Gareth Hoyle

Communication is key: If you work predominantly from home, it’s important to remember to keep in touch to combat loneliness, however, even some people working in an office can experience loneliness. 

As a leader, being present helps you to create a workplace culture built on openness and collaboration, which is essential in any remote or in-person office to combat loneliness. So, celebrate everyone’s successes, no matter how big or small, keep everyone involved and remember to have your door perpetually open. 

While being present in day-to-day meetings reminds your team that you’re there to help, make sure you’re having dedicated check-ins too. This could take the form of a one-on-one video call if you’re a remote worker, a weekly team catch up or a monthly in-person review. All of which can help remote employees feel more connected. 

As remote workers, make sure that we have a face to face catch up with a coffee and/or lunch and spend the day working together at least once a month, wherever is convenient for those meeting up, to help us feel less lonely in a fully remote workforce. 

Encourage socialising: Encouraging your team to chat with one another outside of work hours can boost morale and combat loneliness. Whether it’s a night out, a team meal or simply a call that isn’t about work, I think it’s important for my team to feel like they know each other outside of the workplace. At Marketing Signals, we try to make sure we all meet up twice a year, once in winter and once in summer and then individual teams and managers try to meet up regularly too.

But it’s not just social events that can build a sense of belonging and reduce the risk of feeling lonely. After the weekend, we all make sure we’re catching up on calls to ask how it went to develop a more personal connection. While it’s not always possible or practical to build small-talk into every single meeting, make sure you’re seizing the chances you have to make each other feel connected by simply asking how everyone really is.

Taking calls with the camera on: We tend to make sure that when we’re on calls, we’re using our camera so that we can see each other. This helps maximise communication, and engagement, reduces loneliness and ensures the team are all focused on the call rather than trying to multitask. Seeing the person you’re talking to encourages a more authentic human connection and with a remote team, can help them feel less alone. 

Don’t be an absent manager: In straightforward terms, don’t be an absent manager. There might be a lack of face-to-face contact for those working flexibly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t develop a formal structure that makes regular contact a priority. 

Ensuring every individual at each location has what they need to be successful, whilst making yourself available when they need additional support is essential. This will ultimately help keep remote employees engaged and ensure they feel supported and less alone, despite not working face to face all the time.

Michael Franco
Organizational Development Consultant, Quokka Hub

 

Michael Franco

In my experience with eNPS surveys, individual contributors and leadership roles are the most prone to feelings of loneliness.

The individual contributors feel loneliness due to the independent nature of their work.

Leadership can feel lonely due to the separation that occurs because of the decision-making duties and unique responsibilities.

The best solutions I have seen achieve results are mentorship programs, group leadership development programs, and informal coffee chats.

Mentorship programs foster connections, the L&D leadership programs create community among leaders, and the coffee chats encourage casual conversations across teams.

Shawn Boyer
CEO & Founder, goHappy

Shawn Boyer

Deskless workers often feel left out without access to things like company emails or regular updates from their employers. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, which impacts how engaged and motivated they are.

But HR leaders can change that through simple strategies like regular check-ins, celebrating wins, and asking for feedback can make a big difference.

Tools like goHappy make it easy to keep frontline workers in the loop, helping everyone feel connected, valued, and part of the team.

David Case

In general terms, I would say that middle managers are often prone to feeling isolated or lonely because of their unique position within a company’s hierarchy.

The people they work with most often will typically be their direct reports, which limits their access to colleagues they can confide in. Even if they generally get along with their teams and have a good rapport, the fact that they’re in a position of authority adds distance in these relationships.

On the other side, they’re not on a peer-to-peer level with upper leadership, either, and opportunities to engage and collaborate with other middle managers who could serve as workplace friends are often limited.

This creates an environment where these individuals are often at high risk for feeling isolated.

One strategy that can be very effective for combatting this isolation is to organize peer-to-peer groups where middle managers across the organization can connect. These could be organized meet-ups or something more like an online forum or chat group.

Another excellent option is to establish a mentorship program that partners middle managers with individuals from senior leadership, which can help to break down the barriers between leadership levels, providing more open communication and giving middle managers another source of support.

Rachel Tuma
Director, HR & Payroll Services, CESA6

Rachel Tuma

I believe the truth is no matter how many people are around us each day from a remote finance person to the outgoing salesperson who seems to know everyone, it’s possible for anyone in any position to feel lonely.

At CESA 6, a 2024 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner, we ask employees as part of our gallup engagement survey if employees have a best friend at work.

We use this data to support events like virtual pet day, wellness competitions, and a Souperbowl (soup competition) to encourage team building and foster a positive environment where employees can develop social connections based on their interests to eventually find that best friend at work.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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The Stay Interview Landscape: Implementation and Alternatives

The Stay Interview Landscape: Implementation and Alternatives

Organizations approach employee retention in a variety of ways, and the use of stay interviews is no exception. 

Some companies have embraced stay interviews as a core component of their talent management strategy, while others have opted for alternative approaches. 

In this post, we explore this diverse landscape, gathering insights from HR and business leaders across different industries. 

We asked them to share their experiences with stay interviews: those who conduct them detail their program’s objectives, frequency, core questions, and designated interviewers; those who don’t explain the factors that led to that decision. 

Their responses offer a valuable perspective on the strategic considerations involved in choosing the right retention strategies for your organization.

Read on!

Ashish Gaur
HR Consultant

Understand Employee Motivations Through Stay Interviews

We recognize the importance of employee engagement and retention. Stay interviews are valuable tools for understanding employee motivations, concerns, and expectations.

Why: They help identify factors that enhance job satisfaction and address potential attrition risks proactively.

When: Typically conducted annually or biannually, or when key talent shows signs of disengagement.

What: Discussions focus on career growth, work environment, challenges, and suggestions for improvement.

Who: Conducted by HR or direct supervisors to foster open and constructive dialogue.

If you’d like to explore best practices or implementation strategies, I’d be happy to share insights based on my experience in HRM and employee engagement.

Conduct Engagement Chats Regularly

Stay interviews are intentional conversations you have with your employees about what they like about your organization, what they may need changed in order to continue growing or staying motivated, and if they are feeling valued.

I like to encourage all people leaders to have them at least annually, rather than reserving them for when there is a turnover crisis or you think someone is about to quit. 

By scheduling them on a recurring basis (annual, biannual, or quarterly) and calling them something like “Engagement Chat,” “Career Check-in,” or “Touch-Base Conversation,” it becomes less focused on a checkbox and more focused on getting feedback from the employees to ensure that the environment continues as one in which they can engage and be challenged, as well as help them see how great they are doing and how well a match they are to the company so they don’t consider leaving. 

Whatever you call it, it should be clearly different from a standard one-on-one or a performance check-in.

Some great questions to consider are:

What have you felt really good about accomplishing so far this year?

How close does this role match your dream job?

What’s been your worst day so far this year and how can I make sure that’s not repeated for you?

What talent do you have that I can better leverage?

Integrate Stay Interviews Into One-On-Ones

Stay interviews are one of the most valuable yet underrated retention tools.

We don’t treat them as formal sit-downs but integrate them naturally into one-on-ones and key milestones. This way, employees feel comfortable sharing real insights rather than rehearsed answers.

Every manager in our organization is equipped with a framework to ask the right questions, listen actively, and identify patterns across teams.

The goal isn’t just to understand why people stay but to spot early warning signs before they consider leaving.

A few things that make these conversations effective: timing matters–we avoid scheduling them during high-stress periods or major deadlines. We also group insights across teams to implement meaningful changes instead of treating feedback in isolation.

The key? Undivided attention and follow-up. If employees take the time to share, they need to see action.

Stay interviews work when they lead to real improvements — not just another checkbox in HR’s playbook.

Gearl Loden
Leadership Consultant & Speaker, Loden Leadership + Consulting

Act on Stay Interview Insights

At our organization, we believe that listening to employees isn’t just good leadership–it’s smart strategy.

One of the ways we do this is through stay interviews.

Our team visits each campus and facility, meeting one-on-one with a select group of employees who have been with us for at least three years.

These candid conversations go beyond surveys, uncovering what truly matters to our employees–why they stay, what keeps them engaged, and where we can improve.

And we don’t just listen–we act.

Thanks to the insights gained from stay interviews and employee surveys, we’ve made meaningful, employee-driven changes.

We’ve revamped how we communicate our benefits program, introduced an employee gym, increased sick day payouts, and added bereavement days to better support our team.

These changes have made a difference.

Since implementing stay interviews, we’ve seen higher engagement, stronger retention, and a workplace culture that people want to be part of.

One long-term employee recently shared, “Knowing my feedback directly led to real changes makes me feel valued in a way I haven’t experienced elsewhere.”

If you’re not conducting stay interviews, now is the time to start.

Listening and acting on employee feedback isn’t just about retention–it’s about building a workplace where people thrive.

Max Shak
Founder & CEO, Zapiy

Foster Continuous Engagement

At Zapiy, we believe in open, ongoing conversations with our team, but we don’t conduct formal stay interviews in the traditional sense. Instead, we focus on continuous engagement through regular one-on-one check-ins and team feedback loops.

Why? Because we want to catch small frustrations before they become big reasons to leave.

We’ve found that when employees feel heard only once a year in a structured “stay interview,” it can feel like a formality rather than a meaningful dialogue. Instead, we foster an environment where feedback is always welcome, whether it’s in a structured meeting or a casual chat.

That said, if I were to implement stay interviews, I’d prioritize:

When: Every six months, to identify trends early.

Who: Every team member, with direct managers leading the conversation.

What: Honest discussions about job satisfaction, growth opportunities, and any roadblocks.

My biggest concern with formal stay interviews is that they can sometimes feel too little, too late.

If leaders are waiting until an interview to address engagement issues, they’ve already missed critical moments to listen, act, and retain great people.

Nikita Sherbina
Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen

Head Off Problems with Stay Interviews

We conduct stay interviews at our organization and they’ve become a big part of our employee retention strategy.

The “why” behind them is simple: we want to know why our employees stay with us, what motivates them and what could make their experience even better. This helps us head off problems before they become turnover.

We do stay interviews during performance reviews or after a big milestone like a year with the company.

The “what” is about job satisfaction, work environment, team dynamics and areas for improvement. We ask about growth opportunities and if they feel valued and supported.

As for the “who”, the interviews are usually conducted by the employee’s direct manager or HR depending on the individual’s comfort level. We make sure it’s a relaxed non-judgmental conversation so employees feel safe to share their feedback.

These have helped us reduce turnover by highlighting areas that needed attention like better communication or more development opportunities.

They’ve been huge in building our company culture and making employees feel heard and appreciated.

Austin Benton
Marketing Consultant, Gotham Artists

Use Casual Coffee Check-Ins

We don’t do traditional stay interviews–frankly, they feel too much like performance reviews in disguise.

Instead, we have casual “coffee check-ins,” spontaneous, low-pressure chats where employees can genuinely share what’s going well and what’s getting under their skin.

These happen every quarter, no forms, no formalities, just authentic conversations. Managers initiate these, but anyone can request one anytime.

We’ve found this method opens up honest dialog far better than scheduled, structured sit-downs.

The informal setting lets people relax, speak freely, and actually voice what matters–rather than checking boxes to satisfy HR.

Mohammed Kamal
Business Development Manager, Olavivo

Boost Retention with Stay Interviews

Stay interviews are proactive discussions aimed at boosting employee engagement and retention.

They help organizations enhance retention by identifying factors that keep employees satisfied, pinpoint areas for improvement in the work environment, and strengthen relationships to foster loyalty.

By gauging employee sentiment early, managers can address potential issues before they escalate, creating a more inclusive and committed workplace.

Michael Kazula
Director of Marketing, Olavivo

Enhance Engagement with Stay Interviews

Stay interviews are discussions between managers and employees aimed at understanding the reasons for employee retention and identifying areas for improvement.

Unlike exit interviews, which focus on departures, stay interviews seek to enhance satisfaction and engagement, particularly crucial in the affiliate marketing sector where retaining skilled professionals is vital.

These interviews not only help retain talent but also foster enhanced employee engagement through active feedback.

Retain Talent with Stay Interviews

Stay interviews have become a cornerstone strategy for our organization to retain talent and ensure employee satisfaction.

Essentially, these interviews serve as a preemptive strike against potential employee turnover by allowing us to address concerns and gather feedback in a constructive manner.

We typically conduct them annually, providing a comfortable space for employees and managers to discuss current job roles, career aspirations, and potential areas for improvement within the company structure.

The “who” of these interviews often includes department leaders and HR representatives who are trained to conduct these sessions effectively.

They’re particularly keen on understanding the employee’s personal engagement and commitment levels, gauging their feelings toward the workplace culture and career development opportunities available within the organization.

This open dialogue helps us to tailor professional development more accurately and enhance job satisfaction, fostering a more committed and content workforce.

In conclusion, incorporating stay interviews has markedly improved our employee retention rates and workplace morale, proving to be an invaluable tool in our HR practices.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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