HRDQ-U In Review

Welcome to The HRDQ-U in Review Podcast, where we bring you the latest insights and practical tools for enhancing soft-skills training in your organization. As a learning community for trainers, coaches, consultants, managers, and anyone passionate about performance improvement, we interview subject matter experts and thought leaders from recent webinars they presented with us to take a deeper dive into the content they shared and answer all your questions. Join us as we explore new ideas and industry trends, share success stories, and discuss challenges faced by professionals in the soft-skills training field. Our podcast is sponsored by HRDQ, a leading provider of experiential learning resources for soft-skills development. From communication and leadership to team building and conflict resolution, we cover a wide range of topics to help you improve people skills in your workplace. Subscribe to The HRDQ-U in Review Podcast today and take your training and development skills to th

HRDQ-U In Review is a education podcast hosted by HRDQ-U, with 85 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

HRDQ-U hosts HRDQ-U In Review, a education show with 85 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #85

  Episode 85: Disconnected, Burned Out, Checked Out: Fixing Workplace Culture

  Jul 20, 202616 min

  Employee engagement is sitting near decade lows, and 1 in 5 employees worldwide say they feel lonely at work, according to Gallup. But the real problem isn't just burnout — it's disconnection. Long before someone hands in their resignation, they've already checked out mentally. In this episode, organizational culture expert Devin C. Hughes joins us to unpack what's actually driving workplace disconnection today, why traditional engagement tactics (surveys, snacks, team-building days) fall short, and what leaders can do instead to rebuild trust, psychological safety, and real belonging on their teams — especially in hybrid and high-pressure environments. Devin has worked with organizations ranging from Disney to the Department of Defense, is ranked the #23 Top Global Guru for Organizational Culture, and serves as Adjunct Faculty at San Diego State University's Fowler College of Business. What We Cover Why engagement initiatives often become “expensive wallpaper” instead of real culture change What's really driving workplace loneliness and disconnection right now The early warning signs of disengagement that don't show up in performance reviews How to rebuild trust and psychological safety on a team, starting day one What holds true about belonging across very different industries and cultures Practical shifts for improving communication in hybrid and high-pressure teams Why culture is a leadership responsibility, not just an HR initiative One thing every leader can do tomorrow to make people feel like they matter Resources Mentioned Free resource: Building a Positive Workplace After a Culture Crash — blog post from HRDQ-U Full webinar recording: Available at HRDQU.com with HRDQ-U membership Connect with Devin C. Hughes: Website: devinchughes.com LinkedIn: Devin C. Hughes Share This Episode If this conversation hit home, share it with a manager who needs to hear it. Tag us @HRDQ and use #HRDQU — we'd love to see it.

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  Episode #84

  Episode 84: 25+ Training Activity Ideas to Beat the Summer Blues

  Jun 15, 202627 min

  Say goodbye to eye-roll-worthy icebreakers. In this episode of the HRDQ-U In Review Podcast, host Sarah sits down with Lenn Millbower — the Mouse Man™, Learnertainment® trainer, and former Walt Disney World training team member — to unpack the highlights from his popular webinar, 25+ Training Activity Ideas to Beat the Summer Blues. Lenn shares why most training activities fall flat (hint: it's not the activity itself, it's where and how you use it), and how trainers can design experiences that learners actually want to engage with — even when the sun is shining and everyone's mentally halfway out the door. In this episode, you'll learn: Why icebreakers create resistance — and why Lenn calls them "ice melters" instead The Disney leadership philosophy that shaped his entire approach to training design The four "E-z" placement spots — Engage, Explain, Explore, and Embrace — and why putting the right activity in the right spot makes all the difference How to open a program with a strong content hook that pulls learners in before you've said a single instructional word The "New Door" activity you can literally use next week Why orientation programs are broken — and what they should actually be about The one thing Lenn wants every trainer to ask themselves before their next session Whether you attended the live webinar or are discovering Lenn's work for the first time, this episode is packed with creative, practical ideas you can bring back to your training room right away. 🎧 Watch the full webinar recording at HRDQU.com — available exclusively for HRDQ-U members.

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  Episode #83

  Episode 83: Make More Money at Work: How to Ask for a Raise or Negotiate a Higher Starting Salary at a New Job

  Oct 27, 202522 min

  In this episode of HRDQ-U in Review, host Sarah sits down with negotiation expert Laura Browne to talk about one of the toughest, and most important,career skills: asking for more money. Laura shares the story of her first, unsuccessful attempt at requesting a raise—an experience that sparked her mission to help others confidently advocate for their worth. Since then, she’s authored Increase Your Income and A Salary Cinderella Story, guiding professionals (especially women) to approach salary conversations strategically and fearlessly. Together, Sarah and Laura unpack the key principles behind effective salary negotiations, including how to research market rates, build a solid business case, and understand the timing of company raise cycles. Laura also offers practical advice for keeping the conversation professional, even when the answer is “not yet,” and explains how to turn that into a roadmap for future success. Key Takeaways: Why you can’t assume good performance alone will earn you a raise How to prepare months in advance for salary discussions Tips for framing negotiation as collaboration, not confrontation Steps for researching pay ranges and company priorities What to do after a “no” to set up your next opportunity Action Items: Listen to the webinar on hrdqu.com . Start sending weekly updates to your manager summarizing your accomplishments and results. Research salary data using salary.com and Indeed to understand your market value. Confirm your company’s priorities and performance expectations regularly with your manager. Begin preparing for raise discussions at least four months before formal review cycles. Use code HRDQU for 25% off Laura’s classes and coaching at careercoffeebreak.com . 🎧 Tune in to learn how to confidently ask for what you deserve—and get it. Episode Sponsors: HRDQ-U: Unlock your potential with HRDQ-U memberships! Gain exclusive access to top-tier training resources, webinars, and tools that elevate your team's performance. Use code HRDQUSAVE10 at checkout for 10% off your first year of your annual membership. Visit hrdqu.com to learn more and join the HRDQU community. HRDQ : Providers of research-based, soft skills, training resources since 1977. Assessments, online learning, experiential hands-on games, customizable course content. Over 200 resources to improve performance, increase job satisfaction, and cultivate essential skills in your organization. Use code HRDQUPOD10 for 10% off your purchase today at hrdqstore.com .

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  Episode #82

  Episode 82: Gossip in the Workplace: How to Spot It, Stop It, and Shift Culture

  Oct 20, 202535 min

  In this episode of HRDQ in Review, host Sarah, Learning Events Manager at HRDQ, sits down with Marsha King to discuss one of the most relatable workplace challenges—gossip. Based on her webinar “Gossip in the Workplace: How to Spot It, Stop It, and Shift Culture,” Marsha shares insights into how gossip starts, why it spreads, and how leaders can take steps to shift workplace culture. She also opens up about her own experiences with gossip—why it can feel good in the moment but ultimately harms trust, morale, and mental health. Drawing on her background in human resource and organization development, Marsha explains how emotions and communication dynamics drive gossip behavior and what organizations can do to address it effectively. Action Items: Subscribe to the HRDQ-U newsletter for exclusive updates and resources. Follow and review the HRDQ-U in Review podcast on your preferred platform. Episode Sponsors: HRDQ-U: Unlock your potential with HRDQ-U memberships! Gain exclusive access to top-tier training resources, webinars, and tools that elevate your team's performance. Use code HRDQUSAVE10 at checkout for 10% off your first year of your annual membership. Visit hrdqu.com to learn more and join the HRDQU community. HRDQ : Providers of research-based, soft skills, training resources since 1977. Assessments, online learning, experiential hands-on games, customizable course content. Over 200 resources to improve performance, increase job satisfaction, and cultivate essential skills in your organization. Use code HRDQUPOD10 for 10% off your purchase today at hrdqstore.com .

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  Episode #81

  Episode 81: Coaching for Accountability: Beyond Discipline and Compliance

  Sep 22, 202518 min

  In this episode of HRDQ In Review, host Sarah sits down with leadership expert Guy Harris to explore coaching for accountability beyond discipline and compliance. Guy shares his journey from chemical engineering and naval nuclear service to a 24-year career in leadership development, focusing on conflict resolution, communication skills, and coaching new frontline leaders. Together, Sarah and Guy dive into the challenges leaders face with negativity bias—why we often notice what’s going wrong before what’s going right—and how shifting to a positive, future-focused coaching approach can create more accountable, high-performing teams. This conversation is full of practical tools and quick wins, from recognizing and reinforcing positive behaviors to building coaching strategies that inspire growth and engagement. Guy emphasizes that effective coaching goes beyond correcting mistakes—it encourages behaviors that drive success and fosters stronger team dynamics. Whether you’re a manager, team leader, or aspiring coach, this episode will help you guide your team toward accountability and performance without relying on discipline alone. Chapters ‎00:00:00 – Introduction and Guest Background ‎00:00:45 – Guy’s Career Journey and Leadership Insights ‎00:01:44 – Understanding Negativity Bias in Leadership ‎00:03:12 – Coaching Beyond Discipline: Key Strategies ‎00:07:30 – Actionable Tips for Positive Reinforcement ‎00:10:55 – Closing and Resources Action Items for Listeners Subscribe to the HRDQU.com newsletter for exclusive updates and upcoming webinars. Follow and review the HRDQ In Review podcast on your preferred platform. Focus on identifying and encouraging positive behaviors in your team rather than just correcting mistakes. Watch the webinar here . Episode Sponsors: HRDQ-U: Unlock your potential with HRDQ-U memberships! Gain exclusive access to top-tier training resources, webinars, and tools that elevate your team's performance. Use code HRDQUSAVE10 at checkout for 10% off your first year of your annual membership. Visit hrdqu.com to learn more and join the HRDQU community. HRDQ : Providers of research-based, soft skills, training resources since 1977. Assessments, online learning, experiential hands-on games, customizable course content. Over 200 resources to improve performance, increase job satisfaction, and cultivate essential skills in your organization. Use code HRDQUPOD10 for 10% off your purchase today at hrdqstore.com .

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