Trust in HR: Balancing Humanity and AI

In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram welcomes Sarah Katherine Schmidt, HR strategist and author of "Getting HR Unstuck", to explore the pivotal role of HR in modern workplaces. They discuss three core themes: rebuilding trust in HR, reimagining performance management, and leveraging AI for strategic HR transformations. Sarah shares actionable insights, from embracing agile performance management to conducting friction audits, helping HR professionals and leaders navigate the crossroads of human connection and technological advancement. Whether you’re in HR or simply passionate about creating thriving workplaces, this episode delivers thought-provoking takeaways and practical advice.

Key Takeaways
• Trust equity in HR is fragile and can be built or depleted through transparency, fairness, and human-centered change management
• Shifting from performance "management" to "enablement" fosters growth, minimizes risks, and empowers employees
• Embracing AI as a tool to simplify processes and provide data-driven insights allows HR teams to focus on strategic, human-centric initiatives
• Effective one-to-ones are not just tasks but rituals that build trust and belief in leadership