S6 E2: How to Shift HR Toward More Connection & Curiosity with Demario Bell

What does it really take to make HR more human?   Today, we’re exploring that question by diving into the concept of the zone of genius—that flow state where you’re most creative and impactful.  Joining me is Demario, a powerhouse connector, community builder, and unofficial HR bestie.  We talk about everything from leading with authenticity to why curiosity is the key to shaking up HR (yes, we need more people asking “why”!).  Demario opens up about his journey in building inclusive spaces, fostering a genuine culture, and why the future of HR is all about connection.  Whether it’s building strong relationships with your team, manager, or broader community, Demario shows us how human connection is at the core of it all.  Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:04:14 - Something That HR Folks Should Rethink 00:06:23 - How Demario Became a Connector of People and What That Means 00:15:20 - How to Connect People From Different Backgrounds and Walks of Life 00:22:40 - Building an HR Community Without an HR Background 00:32:56 - Bridging the Gap Between Conceptual HR Ideas and Directly Practicing in the Field 00:41:55 - How Leading an HR Community for the First Time Influenced Demario’s Perspective 00:46:16 - Demario’s Culture First Community And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Demario: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demario-bell-7a510994/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef