Mastering Influence in Small Business HR: 4 Proven Strategies episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 27, 2026 · 31 MIN

Mastering Influence in Small Business HR: 4 Proven Strategies

from HR Happy Hour Network

Mastering Influence in Small Business HR: 4 Proven StrategiesHosts: Sabrina Baker and Marie Rolston SummaryThis episode of HR Connection isolates the core constraint in small business HR: lack of influence. Workload is misdiagnosed as the problem; it is the downstream effect. The discussion breaks down why HR is structurally positioned to be ignored in SMBs and outlines specific behavioral shifts that convert HR from reactive support into a driver of business decisions. Marie and Sabrina provide 4 shifts that HR practitioners can make to raise their influence inside their org. But a word of warning, this does take time. The defining difficulty in SMB HR is not execution load. It is operating without a voice that drives action. Influence is not positional; it is constructed through repeated, strategic interactions. Key TopicsInfluence from the middle in HRChanging perception of HR rolesConnecting HR work to business outcomesBuilding relationships before you need themUsing storytelling and data to influence Find out more about the upcoming cohort designed for HR Departments of One HERE Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you’ll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It’s why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That’s HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

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Mastering Influence in Small Business HR: 4 Proven Strategies

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This episode was published on March 27, 2026.

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Mastering Influence in Small Business HR: 4 Proven StrategiesHosts: Sabrina Baker and Marie Rolston SummaryThis episode of HR Connection isolates the core constraint in small business HR: lack of influence. Workload is misdiagnosed as the problem;...

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