Category: Learning & Development
Employees are valuing career development more than ever—it’s a sign that the company is willing to invest in their future. How are businesses approaching training today? What are their pain points, and what topics are being addressed in training?
As the global Return to Office (RTO) debate continues to heat up, HR leaders are caught in a “tug-of-war” between executive mandates for physical presence and a workforce that has redefined “security” as autonomy. While leadership often views the office as a tool for surveillance, employees increasingly see the commute as a tax on their […]
In the world of HR, “culture” is often a buzzword that feels hard to pin down. But for Nicholas Lawrence, Executive Director of People & Culture, local franchise for Chick-fil-A Indianapolis, culture isn’t a vague feeling—it’s a measurable standard. During a webinar ahead of his session at SPARK HR 2026, Lawrence shared how one of the […]
In a recent webinar conversation with Dr. Chrissy Roth-Francis, Ed.D., Director of Talent Development at LinkedIn, and SPARK HR 2026 speaker, she shared what human-centered leadership actually looks like in practice right now, based on what she’s seeing inside one of the world’s most influential technology organizations. During the webinar, three themes emerged on what human-centered leadership looks […]
In a recent webinar conversation with Nicholas Lawrence (Nicholas L.), Executive Director of People & Culture at Chick-fil-A Restaurants, local franchise – Indianapolis, and SPARK HR 2026 speaker, he shared how to be an organizational culture architect and how to make your organization a gold standard of service. During the webinar, three themes emerged on […]
Employees have been forced to deal with constant economic upheaval over the past few years. First, there was the surging unemployment and job displacement—as well as physical displacement—caused by a once-in-a-century pandemic. Then there was the explosion of post-COVID inflation. Now employees face a huge spike in healthcare costs, high levels of indebtedness, and a cooling labor market. While AI is […]
Many readers give presentations to all sorts of groups—the C-suite, staff, business partners—or they’re sought out for advice from colleagues on how to do so effectively. So an article in the January-February 2026 issue of the Harvard Business Review titled “Hand Gestures Make You More Persuasive” caught my attention. Data Doesn’t Lie The article points […]
In 2026, the traditional corporate ladder is being replaced by a desire for “ILWE”—Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity. Marissa Frois, CEO of The Entrepreneur’s Source, revealed this startling data during our recent webinar, “Why Isn’t This Working? The Great Career Pivot: Why Your Top Talent is Dreaming of Being Their Own Boss.” Frois also revealed […]
People decisions are some of the most scrutinized decisions organizations make. Pay adjustments, promotions, bonuses, and headcount choices are no longer quiet HR moments, they are visible, questioned, and often challenged. Employees expect fairness and transparency. Finance leaders expect discipline and predictability. Managers are asked to balance empathy, accountability, and cost often all at once. This shift matters because it […]
Engagement strategies are often treated as exciting, fun perks that help employees stay motivated and fulfilled at an organization. But Jenessa Disler, Senior Director of Talent Succession at McKesson, and speaker at SPARK HR 2026, turns that thinking on its head. The reality is, she says, “When engagement is done really well, it’s actually just […]
As organizations enter the new year focused on driving growth and elevating performance, a critical risk continues to go overlooked: the absence of psychological safety in the workplace. Psychological safety is a foundational requirement for effective compliance, sound decision-making and strong business performance. When employees don’t feel safe to speak up, organizations lose visibility into risk, culture erodes and innovation slows. […]