The 7people Podcast: Your Guide to Creating Irresistible Organizations

“Can you build us a high-performing team?” It’s the #1 question People & Culture professionals get from leadership. Short answer: HR can coach, enable and guide. But high performance starts with - and must be owned by - the team’s managers.7people founder Ingeborg van Harten joins Flo to unpack what truly drives team performance - and why most organisations are measuring the wrong thing. Some of the topics we cover:What factors really drive performanceHR’s true role in performance management Performance vs Impact: Why most teams are measuring the wrong thingFrom forming to performing: Navigating (and accelerating) the stages of team development  How leadership behaviour makes or breaks teamsWhy team culture is the type of behaviour you accept - good or bad How to handle underperformance - and the importance of having the difficult conversations earlyBecause business performance = people performance. And high-performing teams start with leaders who model and manage the right behaviours…with HR as the coach behind the coach.CHAPTERS:00:00 Intro00:27 Why Performance isn’t HR’s Responsibility02:53 What Makes a High-Performing Team?05:58 Team Performance vs Individual Impact09:34 How to Measure Impact: Behaviour vs Output11:17 Performance is Contextual12:36 From Forming to Performing: Stages of Team Development15:37 How to Handle Underperformance20:17 HR’s Role: Coaching the Coaches22:02 Clarity is Key: Define Performance Expectations22:57 Managing Team Culture 25:41 Final TakeawaysLEARN MORE:www.7people.team

What does it actually take to build a successful remote-first organisation - one that scales, performs, and stays connected across continents? 🌐We sat down with Job van der Voort, CEO of Remote, the company helping thousands of organisations hire and operate globally without an office. He shares the lessons, tips and actual practices Remote uses to build its own global culture, trust and performance across 50+ countries.What you'll learn:Why most companies manage remote work wrong - and how to fix itThe essential communication and ways of working rules to minimise miscommunications, Slack chaos and unnecessary meetingsPractical tips for designing connection without an officeWhy culture is an “emergent property,” not something you enforceThe real reason companies push return-to-office mandates (hint: it's more about trust than productivity)How Remote redesigned performance reviews to achieve 1800 reviews in 48 hours!Managing timezones, salaries and benefits across bordersIrresistible organizations aren't built by accident.Whether you're a People leader, founder, HR professional or manager, this episode is your blueprint for building a remote team that performs and feels connected, wherever your employees sit.Enjoyed the episode? Leave a show rating or let us know in the comments! CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & today's guest02:15 Can you 'create' remote culture?04:41 Async-first principles 06:25 Remote's work communication rules (assume positive intent)10:11 Managing the Slack chaos12:18 1800 performance reviews in 48 hours?! 19:33 Why companies REALLY struggle with remote work24:22 Job's top remote work priority25:07 Top tips for building connection remotely28:22 Managing comp & ben globallyThank you Personio for making our podcast possible 💖

What's the REAL secret to being a great boss, according to People & Culture experts? The answer's simpler and more boring than you might think...but rarely done well in practice! HR expert and and author Roland Grootenboer (Google, Blendle, "Het boek waarvan je baas niet wil dat je het leest") joins us to break down the '3 beautiful basics' leaders need to help their people thrive: Clarity, Consistency and Empathy. When leaders get those basics right, everything else, from performance to engagement to wellbeing follows more naturally. Listen now to learn how!What you'll learn in this episode: What separates 'good' bosses from 'great' ones?Empathy: how to make it a competitive advantage, and why it doesn't just mean being 'soft'Assume good intent: how distrust poisons cultureThe importance of boundaries: You are not your employee's therapistWhy lack of clarity causes resentment and keeps you stuckThe hard truth about leadership: the boring basics are the most importantChapters00:00 - Intro01:02 - About today's topic and guest02:08 - Empathy: why & how to do it better05:47 - Empathy = key to engagement08:45 - Radical candor: Good empathy is not being 'soft'!11:12 - Bridging the People vs Business needs gap14:14 - Don't scar on the first cut16:08 - Underperformance: a system or person issue? 19:31 - Consistency & boundaries: Managers are not therapists!24:57 - Clarity: The importance of clear expectations28:58 - Adapting leadership styles to context35:01 - Final takeawaysUseful resources mentioned in this episodeHarvard Business Review study on Empathy: https://hbr.org/2004/01/what-makes-a-leaderKim Scott's 'Radical Candor' model: https://kimmalonescott.medium.com/what-is-radical-candor-learn-the-basic-principles-in-6-minutes-50391b3ad76a

New leadership, new investors, M&As...most orgs will face changes in their journeys. But why do so many big changes fail, even when the strategy was solid?Because most leaders ignore the human side of change. This episode we're joined by org change expert Toni Cairns (fractional Chief People Officer and founder of YellowBox), to learn how we as HR professionals can help guide orgs to survive and thrive through big changes. What you'll learn:The top 3 mistakes orgs make in managing changesThe importance of (over)communicationHow to build a change plan 101 (using ADKAR*)What actually causes the friction during change clashesManaging emotional responses with the 'change curve'Common change scenarios - and how to do them better*ADKAR: Awareness / Desire / Knowledge / Ability / ReinforcementWhether you’re in HR, a founder, or a leader facing big changes, this episode is packed with expert insights, real case stories and practical tips to help your next change run smoother.Let us know in the comments if you enjoyed this episode!Chapters00:00 Coming up…01:05 Toni Cairns: Change expert03:12 Top 3 Change Do’s & Don’ts04:22 Change Curve model (Kubler-Ross)07:08 Change plans & commsChange cases11:59 Leadership changes: Founder to CEO15:59 Always ask “why”18:30 Leadership changes: Old vs new (more corporate) guard23:09 After investment27:15 M&A, mergers, takeovers - overcommunicate!32:08 When M&As go wrong34:22 Managing the emotional falloutIntermezzo39:11 1 big change vs lots of little ones over year?Proudly pragmatic41:58 Making Change Plans 101 (ADKAR)43:33 Key takeaways

Gen Z in the workplace: lazy, entitled…or huge untapped potential? Gen Z expert Laura Bas helps us bust the myths and explore what the new generation really wants from work - and why HR leaders and managers need to pay attention.Every new generation entering the workforce gets labelled "difficult". But despite the stereotypes, Gen Z employees aren't here to break the workplace - they're updating it (maybe for the better). Are they really lazy and entitled...or are we overlooking what really drives them?💡 What you'll learn:Decoding the Gen Z stereotypesThe "4 C's" Gen Zers value most at work Where Gen Zs can make the biggest impact Effective Gen Z managing and coaching Practical tips to attract, motivate and retain Gen Z talentHelping your Gen Zers thrive is not only good leadership, it's essential to the future of work and your org's success.CHAPTERS00:00 Coming up…01:18 Laura Bas - Gen Z expertGen Z decoded03:00 Gen Z’s generational ‘updates’06:56 Lazy - or strategic?08:18 Delusional - or craving clarity?09:58 Gen Z’s #1 work priority12:05 Appreciation, celebration, connection13:56 The ‘3 shame’ of criticism15:48 Feedback, Gen Z style18:11 Gen Z leadership20:33 Greedy for money - or living reality?Getting the best out of your Gen Zs24:03 Top 4 focus areas for retention28:30 Rethinking recruitment31:46 Managing and leading Gen Zs34:00 Final takeaways: The 4 C'sWANT TO LEARN MORE? 7people:🌐 Website | 🔗 LinkedIn | 📸 Instagram 👤 Paul Butler | 👤 Florentine van LingenLaura Bas:🌐 Website | 🔗 LinkedIn | 📸 Instagram📖 Pre-order Laura’s upcoming book “De GenZclopedie: Alles over het aantrekken en beouden van jong talent"

KPIs…OKRs…WTF?! 🤯Organisational goal setting sounds simple - until you try it. Most teams end up with vague goals, confusion and zero connection to what people do day to day.So where does it go wrong? And how do you fix it?This episode, we’re joined by Koen Veltman (Organisation Builders, ex-McKinsey), to learn what it really takes to set effective goals - especially in growing teams.You’ll learn:The biggest goal-setting mistakes teams make (and what to do instead)The “goosebump test” for writing goals people care aboutRethinking goal setting as a communication and alignment toolKPIs, OKRs, OGSM, moonshots, rocks...what's the difference? Which works best when?How HR teams can turn vague strategy into real, people-focused outcomesActionable tip to make org goals work, no matter your size, stage or chaos levelWhether you're in HR, People & Culture, ops, or leadership, this episode will help you rethink how your company sets and tracks what matters.If you enjoyed this episode, please rate us 5 stars and follow the show! It helps us create great new People & Culture content and reach new audiences who might find it helpful 😉CHAPTERSGoal setting mistakes00:00 Why goal setting is hard (Choices)01:15 Today’s guest: Koen Veltman02:12 Defining ”goals” vs purpose, vision etc04:18 Strategic pillars to goals: bridge the gap06:45 Aligning org structure to goals08:22 Choose your focus > doing it allDecoding Goal Methodologies10:30 Why multiple systems can work!11:48 KPI vs OKR: What’s the difference?13:28 Goals = communication tool15:11 OKRs: “Goosebump” objectives18:42 OKRS: Measurable outcomes20:50 Creating good Key Results24:30 OGSM - too vague25:16 Rocks - keep it simple27:53 Koen’s favourite goal system?Intermezzo29:04 Meaningful vs measurable goals?Making it practical30:33 Aligning HR KPIs + company strategy36:27 Start off simple: Skip OKRs for now?39:35 Final takeaways

🧹 What's the messiest HR legal issue you've had to clean up? Misclassified contractor? Regrettable indefinite extension? Settlement talks gone 🤯? Chances are, some better documentation, clearer expectations, or stronger grip on the rules could've saved you some serious headaches (or avoided the problem altogether). This episode, Paul and Flo are joined by Frank Penders: employment lawyer at OTIS Advocaten, with 15+ years experience advising both employers and employees.Together, they'll unpack the most common legal blind spots they see in their everyday work - the pitfalls that can trip up even seasoned HR teams, especially in the complex maze of Dutch employment law. Packed with expert insights and practical tips from both legal and strategic HR angles, you'll learn how to spot early red flags, mitigate issues before they blow up, and fix issues fast if they do. 🧠 Just a few of the topics we cover:Job offer changes: What's binding, what's fixableSettlements (VSOs): Building strong cases and fair offersContract renewals: Managing risk, uncertainty and regretsContractor misclassification: Common misunderstandings and workaroundsBig thanks as always to our friends at Personio, for powering the 7people podcast 💜CHAPTERS00:00 About today’s guest and topicCase 1: Contractor misclassification - employee vs freelancer?02:55 Case 1: Contractor misclassification04:43 Grey area: Friendployee or Freelancer?06:53 Control over work06:43 Pay arrangements08:40 Working hours/full time 9-510:08 Risks for getting it wrong11:39 Overseas freelancers13:38 Check (or adjust) the contract15:08 Easier to become employees?Case 2: Contract renewals - employee uncertainty17:35 Case 2: Fixed vs indefinite contracts18:07 POV: HR’s business POV19:48 POV: Employment lawyer’s POV20:26 Indefinite first - fix with settlement later?Case 3: Settlement/VSOs25:11 Case 3: Building a strong VSO case27:50 Settlement offers: What and how much?32:12: More ‘expensive’ cases33:35 The road to court…Intermezzo - true or false35:30 Dismissal during probation36:33 Employee legal advice during settlements37:52 Pulling back accepted job offerFinal tips: proudly pragmatic40:47 Be clear + transparent

Ever thought of the People Experience at work as a product, just like Netflix or Uber Eats?Enjoy this bonus clip from our last episode with Luke O'Mahoney from SapienX, where we dive even deeper into how to really start thinking of People Experience as a Product, with a worked case example of a Work From Home policy. Just like Netflix or Uber Eats, an organization's employee experience is a central shared product, used by multiple user groups, in different ways with differing needs to ensure their success. And similarly, you can also use agile product/UX thinking to solve your organizational people problems. With way more efficiency, effectiveness and strategic impact than in traditional HR!If you're new to Product PX, we suggest starting with our full episode with Luke for the full context to this bonus clip (linked in shortcuts).Happy listening, and let us know what you think!

Bonus clip from our recent episode on Product-Led People Experience, with Luke O'Mahoney! Employee engagement surveys are a staple of traditional HR cycles, but are they actually effective? How can we do employee research better - particularly by using the 'problem-first' approach from Product principles? www.7people.team

Product-Led People Experience (PX). It’s a fresh, practical approach to HR, based on treating the employee experience like a product, and applying Product/UX thinking to solve organizational challenges and design, test and improve their People Experience.The results: smashed HR silos, faster, more impactful business wins, and a shift in HR’s traditional role from admin support to strategic business growth driver.It’s a hot topic for many progressive People leaders, including today’s guest star Luke O’Mahoney. Luke is founder of SapienX, creator of the PX Espresso newsletter/podcast and an all-round Product-Led PX guru.He joins 7people People & Culture consultants Paul and Florentine to:💡 Bust the PX Product jargon (it’s really just a mindset shift)💡 Share his best tips for working product-based NOW💡 Outline the step-by-step Product-Led PX process cycleIn Luke’s words: If we want to think differently about HR, we need to think differently IN HR. With this episode you can start today!Want more PX?Things got so nerdy, we didn’t have enough time to cover it all in 1 episode. FOLLOW the show for 2 upcoming extra mini bonus episodes, deep diving into:Product-based alternatives to engagement surveysPX as a subscription product: How does it work in practice?Other PX people and books mentioned in the show:Megan TrotterJessica ZwaanMatt LernerEric Reese (The Lean Start-Up)Patrick Lencioni (Seven Dysfunctions of a team)CHAPTERSBackground00:00 About today’s guest - Luke O’Mahoney02:19 What IS “PX as a product”?Basics: What is Product-Led thinking05:01 Product-Led thinking: Problem vs Solution-first07:21 The 5 Whys & minimising wastePX in practice09:07 Case study: create a flexible work policy11:45 Research phase12:38 Identify the why (double 🔹)14:51 Build the Min Viable Product15:48 Design & iteration: Validation learning loop17:12 Tricks: Smokescreen MVP & A-B testing19:08 Moving from MVP → pilot20:09 Design for the worst affected user21:17 Step 1 = MINDSET 22:08 How long to test?26:36 Boosting strategic impact30:33 Shifting HR admin to enablementIntermezzo: Would you rather have…32:36 HR specialists vs product managers?Practical tips35:31 Easy ways to work product-led NOW38:18 Summary: Our key takeaways

Love it or hate it, AI is an undeniably hot work topic right now, and it's not slowing down anytime soon. But what does it mean for working in HR? Join People & Culture Consultants Paul, Florentine, and guest star Leandro Gomes da Silva (Loop Earplugs, YOU.BUT.AI, MondAI newsletter) as we dive into all the practicalities and potentials of AI, including:AI's actual impact on our HR jobsPrompting like a pro (and what most people get wrong)Why there’s never been a better time to start experimenting with AICool real-use P&C customGPT cases The best AI tools for each purpose (sorry ChatGPT, we’re playing the field 😘)Because while AI's not replacing your job just yet...it might not be long until someone using it well 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 👀.Chapters00:00 Intro and today’s guest01:50 Automation vs AI03:05 Why the AI hype now?04:54 How does AI impact HR and recruitment jobs?06:17 Will AI take our jobs?? “The Agentic Age”09:41 AI: reallocating > saving your working hours11:18 Why to adopt to AI NOW! (For people & orgs)13:06 Generative AI: limitations & hallucinations15:03 AI as a search engine? (Deep Research)17:07 Boost reliability by making disagreeable18:25 “Act as a HR professional…”19:32 Leandro’s favourite AI tools (per HR workflow)22:44 Next gen tech: Computer use (mimic human behaviour)24:04 Case study: recruitment sourcing/reachouts25:57 Custom GPTs 10127:02 AI & privacy concerns29:42 Enterprise account = secure30:47 CustomGPT case study: meeting recording/summary tools33:30 Dilemma: 100% AI or human for hiring decisions35:14 Effective prompting 101 (our best hack!)37:38 Conclusion: AI = our new HR intern or not?

A great benefits package isn’t just about throwing some trendy perks at employees, and hoping for the best.They can significantly help attract, retain and amplify talent to drive business success.But, ONLY when they're strategically designed to meet your specific workforce's needs, and align with your business goals.Join 7people People & Culture professionals Paul and Flo as they discuss: Benefits 101: Benefits vs perks vs ways of working. What’s the difference, and how should each be handled? Common benefits pitfalls: Why lack of benefits flexibility, inclusivity and personalization to your org = time and money killers. And how to solve them! Maximizing impact: We explore trending benefits topics like wellbeing and parental leave, using benefits as behavioural incentives, and building leadership buy-in. Making it practical: Where to start with picking the right benefits? Plus, we share our favourite low-cost, high-impact benefits strategy!Packed with fresh insights, actionable takeaways and engaging real-life scenarios to mull over, this episode offers a great crash course on the world of benefits, and how to make them work for your org.CHAPTERSBenefits 101
00:00 Intro00:34 Why do benefits matter?
02:48 Changing needs over time
04:07 Benefits vs compensation
05:40 Benefits vs perks
09:36 Benefits vs ways of workingAvoiding common pitfalls
10:25 Tailor to your org
12:37 Always ask why (not just go with the loudest voice)
13:26 Not REALLY a benefit…
14:10 Flexibility is key (pensions, holiday allowance)
16:09 Keeping commuting allowance fairDeep dives
18:18 Trending: wellbeing
19:34 Missed opportunities
21:26 Convincing leadership
22:20 Trending: parental leave
24:06 Where to start impact analysis?
24:50 Tax considerationsDilemma case study breakdown
25:15 Higher salary or better benefits?
26:48 Benefits as a behavioural toolPractical toolkit
28:34 Our best budget benefits hack
30:40 Linking benefits to valuesKey takeaways
31:38 Audit, analyse, be flexible, adapt
32:47 Focus on foundations + impact, not just fun

What if we studied what was right with people, rather than what’s wrong with them? 💪 Conversations around success and performance so often focus on fixing weaknesses and gaps. But what if we flip the perspective, and instead ask: "What went well? What should we keep investing in, to make good things GREAT?". Most likely: you can naturally start performing at a higher level, grow faster in these areas, and collaborate more effectively across people's different strengths, to become a high-performing TEAM (not just a group of high performers). Understanding our natural talents, and using them as productivity tools to achieve our goals, is the basis of the strengths-based approach from CliftonStrengths. This episode, we're thrilled to be joined by special guest and coach Eva de Meijer from Strengths Consultancy, to dive into this fascinating topic. It's a must-listen for all dedicated HR professionals, managers, and individuals who want to bring out the best in themselves or their people. Learn more about the strengths-based approach and turning your strengths into your superpowers at work, via the Strengths Consultancy website, and their new book "Unleash Your Superpower") 🌟. CHAPTERS Intro to strengths 0:00 Intro  0:39 Today’s topic and guest 2:04 Why focus on strengths > weaknesses? 3:53 HOW you achieve success, not complacency 4:27 Assessing strengths: Strengthsfinder tool 6:48 What are strengths (vs skills)? 8:12 Adapting strengths to your job Case studies: strengths 9:22 Our top 5! 10:13 Eg strengths: Developer + Positivity 10:38 Eg strengths: Arranger + Achiever  11:27 Your ‘normal’ = biggest strength? 11:58 Eg strength: Strategic thinking   Using strengths at work 13:17 Performance reviews + feedback 15:43 As a performance tool  16:48 Powerful pairs  19:33 Guilty pleasures: strength correlation? 21:11 Knowledge is power 22:07 High performing teams  24:19 Organizational benefits of strengths 25:19 Managing team blind spots  Practical tips to getting started  27:12 Top manager tips 29:47 Identifying our strengths  31:55 Compliments Wall (free idea!) 33:00 Reflecting as a team 33:42 Final takeaways  About this podcast Say hello to your favourite new HR podcast! 👋🏻 Join People & Culture professionals Flo & Paul from 7people as they dissect the weird, funny and strange topics they encounter in their day-to-day HR work. Each episode we'll focus on a variety of People-related topics and share our experiences, stories, tips and tricks, inspired by the many fascinating real-life "Have you got 5 minutes?" questions shared by our listeners. Thank you to our friends at Personio for sponsoring this podcast. About 7people 7people is a People and Culture consultancy based in Amsterdam. We're on a mission to create irresistible organizations, by providing practical and creative HR solutions for start-ups, scale-ups and innovative companies all across Europe (and beyond!).

How would you handle an employee that calls in sick after a bad performance review? Or unexpectedly goes on a yoga retreat abroad, while on long-term sick leave? 🤔 Sick (leave) happens 🤒. It's part of being human, and working in HR. So how can we handle absenteeism cases effectively, with kindness and confidence? Join Paul & Flo as they break down this complex area, and share their best tips and tricks to: 💊 Navigate the sick leave regulations maze 💊 Spot the 'yellow flags' - when to intervene? 💊 Rethink how we approach sick days and culture 💊 Best support an employee's recovery and reintegration 💊 Work smarter with the wider sick leave team 💊 Use data to refine absenteeism processes, and target key company issues Packed with tons of practical tips for how to implement these principles in practice, this episode is essential listening for all HR professionals, managers, founders...or really anyone looking to improve the absenteeism culture and numbers at work. Chapters 0:00 Before we start... 0:49 About today's topic Data-based processes 1:40 1 in 20 people: The data you can't ignore 3:26 Short vs long-term absence 5:25 Spotting yellow flags: when to intervene 7:33 Rethink sick days & culture 8:38 Complex rules to practical policies Who's who in a sick leave case 10:53 The 'Golden Triangle': Employee, Manager, HR 12:17 The company cost of absence 13:57 What HR can('t) ask? 15:26 Company doctors & Arbo: make them work for you 17:04 Reintegration: Don't rush it! Employee case: "LT absentee is on a yoga retreat abroad!" 18:18 Holiday during sick leave? 20:50 Clear policies are key 22:00 Leading with kindness Employee case: "LT absentee suddenly wants to return before a salary cut!" 23:12 "Suspiciously convenient" timing? 26:08 Creative policies to push the right buttons 27:43 Trust & autonomy wins ❤️ Employee case: Sick after a bad performance review 28:28 Sick after performance review 30:34 A judgement call 31:14 Consultation vs Mediation 32:16 Final takeaways About this podcast Say hello to your favourite new HR podcast! 👋🏻 Join People & Culture professionals Flo & Paul from 7people as they dissect the weird, funny and strange topics they encounter in their day-to-day HR work. Each episode we'll focus on a variety of People-related topics and share our experiences, stories, tips and tricks, inspired by the many fascinating real-life "Have you got 5 minutes?" questions shared by our listeners. Thank you to our friends at Personio for sponsoring this podcast. About 7people 7people is a People and Culture consultancy based in Amsterdam. We're on a mission to create irresistible organizations, by providing practical and creative HR solutions for start-ups, scale-ups and innovative companies all across Europe (and beyond!).

Reorganizations: a phrase that terrifies HR professionals and employees alike. 😱 Contrary to popular belief, it's not 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 a code word for layoffs. And there's a lot of nuances around why they happen and how you can prevent them (or indeed, if they are always a bad thing 👀). But regardless of the why, they're rarely ever a simple or pleasant experience for anyone involved. So what's the 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗥 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, to ensure a smooth new chapter for ALL parties?  For those affected, those left behind, and the organization as a whole. Packed with tons of practical tips for how to implement these principles in practice, this episode is essential listening for all HR professionals, managers and founders...who will almost inevitably need to deal with this tricky people situation sooner or later. Chapters 0:00 Before we start... 0:49 About today's topic Data-based processes 1:40 1 in 20 people: The data you can't ignore 3:26 Short vs long-term absence 5:25 Spotting yellow flags: when to intervene 7:33 Rethink sick days & culture 8:38 Complex rules to practical policies Who's who in a sick leave case 10:53 The 'Golden Triangle': Employee, Manager, HR 12:17 The company cost of absence 13:57 What HR can('t) ask? 15:26 Company doctors & Arbo: make them work for you 17:04 Reintegration: Don't rush it! Employee case: "LT absentee is on a yoga retreat abroad!" 18:18 Holiday during sick leave? 20:50 Clear policies are key 22:00 Leading with kindness Employee case: "LT absentee suddenly wants to return before a salary cut!" 23:12 "Suspiciously convenient" timing? 26:08 Creative policies to push the right buttons 27:43 Trust & autonomy wins ❤️ Employee case: Sick after a bad performance review 28:28 Sick after performance review 30:34 A judgement call 31:14 Consultation vs Mediation 32:16 Final takeaways About this podcast Say hello to your favourite new HR podcast! 👋🏻 Join People & Culture professionals Flo & Paul from 7people as they dissect the weird, funny and strange topics they encounter in their day-to-day HR work. Each episode we'll focus on a variety of People-related topics and share our experiences, stories, tips and tricks, inspired by the many fascinating real-life "Have you got 5 minutes?" questions shared by our listeners. Thank you to our friends at Personio for sponsoring this podcast. About 7people 7people is a People and Culture consultancy based in Amsterdam. We're on a mission to create irresistible organizations, by providing practical and creative HR solutions for start-ups, scale-ups and innovative companies all across Europe (and beyond!).

Mental wellbeing is a critical topic for all of us, both as HR professionals and as human beings. 🧠❤️‍🩹 And with most of us spending an average 90,000 hours of our lives at work - it really is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace. (Fittingly, the exact theme for this year's World Mental Health Day on 10 October). This episode we're thrilled to be joined by special guest star Psychologist Emma White, from mental wellbeing platform OpenUp. Sharing her wide psychology and HR expertise, we discuss why and how we should be approaching this important (and sometimes overwhelming) topic. Just a few insights we'll cover... ✨ Flip the perspective: How can we focus on 'building resilience' by helping people thrive, rather than just better survive a negative threat like burnout? 🤸‍♀️ ✨ Psychological safety in the workplace: what does it actually mean, and how to build it? ✨ Boundaries: What does this actually mean, how to make them feel less awkward, and how to foster a culture that values them (for the collective good)! Packed with tons of practical tips for how to implement these principles in practice, this episode is essential listening for all HR professionals, managers, founders...or really anyone looking to improve mental wellbeing at their work. Chapters 0:00 Before we start... 1:04 About today's guest 2:25 Why is mental wellbeing such a hot topic right now? 4:09 Balancing the human vs business case for employee wellbeing 6:30 Leading (negatively) by example: Are we rewarding the wrong attitudes to mental health at work? 9:44 Connection over content: reducing the stigma around mental health discussions 14:05 Top tips for recognising and discussing team mental wellbeing concerns effectively 18:55 Consent is key: When an employee isn't ready to discuss your concerns 20:27 Preventing burnout: Stopping the water before it boils over 23:04 Preventing burnout: What can managers actually do to help? 25:43 Defining mental wellbeing: it's like a chair... 26:45 Is flexible working the solution? 28:08 Setting boundaries: What and how? 30:35 In defence of managers: we see your challenges! 32:22 'CPR' at work: Shift the focus on 'resilience' 34:57 Psychological safety: NOT just providing a comfort blanket 38:04 3 small steps you can take NOW About this podcast Say hello to your favourite new HR podcast! 👋🏻 Join People & Culture professionals Flo & Paul from 7people as they dissect the weird, funny and strange topics they encounter in their day-to-day HR work. Each episode we'll focus on a variety of People-related topics and share our experiences, stories, tips and tricks, inspired by the many fascinating real-life "Have you got 5 minutes?" questions shared by our listeners. Thank you to our friends at Personio for sponsoring this podcast. About 7people 7people is a People and Culture consultancy based in Amsterdam. We're on a mission to create irresistible organizations, by providing practical and creative HR solutions for start-ups, scale-ups and innovative companies all across Europe (and beyond!).

D&I - understandably complex and sensitive, it's probably the least '5 minutes' topic you can get! 😬 So we did things a little differently this episode, focusing less on the audience questions and inviting an awesome guest star, the self-proclaimed DEIB advocate AJ (@Ard-Jan Schinkelshoek on LinkedIn). Just some of the topics we discuss: ✨ Should D&I KPIs and quotas be a thing? Doesn't it risk 'positive discrimination'? ✨ D&I, DEI, DEIB - what's the difference? Why is 'Belonging' so significant? ✨ Do we really need to categorise people into separate 'boxes'? Isn't inclusivity about including everyone? Chapters 0:39 Episode intro 1:01 About today's guest star 1:33 How to be a DEIB advocate (even if you're not a professional) 2:46 Why is D&I important? (Top 3 actually tangible reasons) 4:13 D&I, DEI, DEIB - what's the difference? Do we need all 4 letters? 5:19 What do we actually mean by an "inclusive" workplace? 6:15 Do we really need to put people in 'boxes'? Isn't inclusivity about including everyone? 9:01 The bigger inclusivity challenges for smaller start-ups and scale-ups 10:12 The diversity 'vending machine': change what you put in, to change what you get out 11:05 Lead by example: the impact of a genuinely engaged leader 11:44 Where to start if you're trying to change an established team needing more diversity 12:54 Building a diverse team from scratch 14:55 Are you focusing on D&I for the 'right' reasons? 16:10 Recruitment tips & tools for unbiased hiring 19:18 Should we have enforced D&I KPIs and quotas? What about positive discrimination? 22:42 Not just an HR topic - what is the HR team's role vs what individual employees can do 26:11 If you are the one struggling in a less inclusive workplace... 27:36 Hiring for D&I vs retention: consider the whole employee journey 30:12 Can you have inclusion without belonging? 31:12 Top practical tips: show the business case for DEIB 34:02 Final points of wisdom Prefer your podcasts more visual? This episode is also on YouTube! Search "7people podcast" About this podcast Say hello to your favourite new HR podcast! 👋🏻 Join People & Culture professionals Flo & Paul from 7people as they dissect the weird, funny and strange topics they encounter in their day-to-day HR work. Each episode we'll focus on a variety of People-related topics and share our experiences, stories, tips and tricks, inspired by the many fascinating real-life "Have you got 5 minutes?" questions shared by our listeners. Thank you to our friends at Personio for sponsoring this podcast. About 7people 7people is a People and Culture consultancy based in Amsterdam. We're on a mission to create irresistible organizations, by providing practical and creative HR solutions for start-ups, scale-ups and innovative companies all across Europe (and beyond!). For more cool HR insights, follow us on LinkedIn (@7people), Instagram (@7people_team) or subscribe to our monthly newsletter through our website (www.7people.team). 

Regular feedback at work (both positive and constructive) is so important to employee well-being, development and performance. So why do people find it so awkward? And what's the best way to give negative feedback that is actually constructive and effective? Just a few of the hot topics we'll cover: ✨ How to adjust your feedback to the situation, relationship, cultural context and specific behaviours you want to enforce ✨ Helpful frameworks for sharing feedback and mediating conflicts (in as little as 15 minutes!) ✨ The 3 golden rules of deciding whether you should share a piece of feedback Let us know your thoughts!  Prefer your podcasts more visual? This episode is also available on YouTube! Search "7people podcast" Chapters 0:36 Today’s topic: Feedback and Difficult Conversations 1:29 Work dilemmas: Dealing with a colleague's body odor 2:09 The 'smell-er' needs to tell the 'smell-ee' (?!) 3:20 Adjust your feedback to different relationship/cultural contexts 4:02 High vs low context communication cultures: e.g. The Netherlands vs Brazil 5:13 Work dilemmas: Dealing with an overly-loud colleague or office 6:12 Do we need to embrace conflict? 6:54 Your problem is not everyone’s problem 7:38 Work dilemmas: Dealing with micromanagers 10:37 Useful feedback framework models (SBI, COIN) 12:57 How feedback impacts performance and productivity 13:50 Handling positive vs negative feedback: reinforcing vs redirective approaches 15:15 Watch out for your feedback debt! 17:32 Work dilemmas: Giving pushback to CEOs/higher leadership 20:01 Always, always show the data 23:08 Work dilemmas: Managing conflicts between other team members 24:03 How to resolve a conflict in 15 minutes? Try this mediation tool! 26:36 When is workplace conflict actually an HR problem? 29:30 The importance of timely feedback 30:22 Adapting your feedback to different situations 31:39 Top feedback and management tips for new managers 33:58 Should I give that feedback? 3 rules to follow 34:18 Why we don’t recommend the popular sh*t sandwich model 35:48 Concluding thoughts About this podcast Say hello to your favourite new HR podcast! 👋🏻 Join People & Culture professionals Flo & Paul from 7people as they dissect the weird, funny and strange topics they encounter in their day-to-day HR work. Each episode we'll focus on a variety of People-related topics and share our experiences, stories, tips and tricks, inspired by the many fascinating real-life "Have you got 5 minutes?" questions shared by our listeners. Thank you to our friends at Personio for sponsoring this podcast. About 7people 7people is a People and Culture consultancy based in Amsterdam. We're on a mission to create irresistible organizations, by providing practical and creative HR solutions for start-ups, scale-ups and innovative companies all across Europe (and beyond!). For more cool HR insights, follow us on LinkedIn (@7people), Instagram (@7people_team) or subscribe to our monthly newsletter through our website (www.7people.team). 

“Help! I feel like I’m stuck in my position and am not learning or growing anymore!”  Ever received this question, or perhaps thought this about your own work? It’s not always prioritised by companies, or seen as the most exciting part of the job benefits package. But you’d be surprised how often learning and growth potential (or lack thereof) is cited as a MAJOR consideration in employee job satisfaction, turnover and career progression decisions.  Who is really responsible for your career growth and development - you, your manager or your HR/L&D team? Could the best learning resources already be present within your workforce? And for those feeling stuck - what can you change to craft your future dream role? Join Flo & Paul from 7people as they dissect these questions and more, through the many fascinating real-life "Have you got 5 minutes?" questions shared by our listeners on this tricky topic. Thank you to our friends at Personio for sponsoring this podcast.

Salary and compensation. One of THE most important and emotionally sensitive HR topics for employees, yet also one of the least openly discussed and understood. What is a 'compensation philosophy' and why is it critical for senior management to define this? Is tying salary to performance really the best approach? And does it really benefit companies to talk more openly about their salary processes? Join Flo & Paul from 7people as they dissect these questions and more, through the many fascinating real-life "Have you got 5 minutes?" questions shared by our listeners on this tricky topic. Thank you to our friends at Personio for sponsoring this podcast.

Flo & Paul from the 7people team dive in to the topic of Company Parties. What is the involvement of the People & Culture team, and what to do if things don't go to plan?