What does it really take to build a workplace people want to stay in? In this wide-ranging, story-driven conversation, Jeff Gould sits down with Wendy Alexander, an HR professional (“HR guru”) with 20+ years in talent acquisition, coaching, employee relations, and workplace culture.
#HR #Hiring #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #AI #Burnout #Recruiting #EmotionalIntelligence #TalentAcquisition #jeffgould #americasstoryteller #wendyalexander
They dig into the modern myth of “work-life balance,” why remote work isn’t everyone’s dream, and how today’s always-on world fuels burnout. Wendy shares what actually makes a great hire (it’s not just skills), why manager-fit can make or break a candidate, and the behind-the-scenes truth: great hiring is marketing + relationship-building.
They also tackle the big one—AI—from fear to practical use, plus how to keep trust, creativity, and humanity alive in the workplace. Expect memorable stories, sharp perspectives on generational dynamics, and a strong leadership message: coach to success—or you’re not ready to lead.
Topics covered:
- Why “balance” can feel impossible (and what helps anyway)
- The iPad story: boundaries, structure, and staying sane
- AI at work: helpful tool or trust-killer?
- The real formula for a great hire (role + manager + team dynamics)
- Generational diversity: strengths, friction, and how to train for it
- Leadership as coaching, not pushing
- Books that shaped Wendy (Jordan Peterson, Catcher in the Rye, Enneagram work)
- A candid closing question: Jeff’s biggest regret—and what saved him from it
👍 If you’re a leader, manager, recruiter, or just trying to navigate modern work without burning out—this one will hit.
Chapters
00:00 Intro + “zhuzh” in post-production
03:58 Work-life balance: real vs. ideal
05:51 The “office iPad” boundary story
08:59 AI: fear, usefulness, and trust
14:38 What makes a good hire
20:09 Generational diversity at work
27:04 Retention + genuine caring
29:15 Hiring / training / leadership
32:10 HR “secret sauce”: hiring is marketing
36:08 Karaoke pick + fun pivots
42:05 Books that changed Wendy’s life
54:46 Advice: “Don’t lose yourself”
1:05:20 Jeff’s biggest regret + timing
1:10:01 Bonus: Great Gatsby debate + deeper talk