Culture matters. Leadership matters. But neither exists without the right people. That is why recruiting is the single most important thing a small business or startup can get right when it comes to its talent.

Hiring the wrong person for any role is expensive. Hiring the wrong person for HR is a different kind of expensive entirely. Here's what most leaders miss about the real cost of getting that hire wrong.

HR leaders don’t need more dashboards—they need more influence. The best ones already spot patterns others miss. They know when a team is misaligned or a policy’s falling flat, often before the data confirms it. But insight alone isn’t enough. To lead with impact, you need to validate your instincts, connect them to business outcomes, and act. That’s where real influence begins. If you’re ready to close the gap between what you sense and what you can prove, I can help. Let’s talk about how to build the systems and confidence to lead with head, heart, and guts.

If you need an extra pair of hands, hiring a full-time employee is not your only option. Here are five alternatives and what to consider before choosing one.

Learn how an 80 year-old chrome coating leader uncovered and resolved compliance risks and operational inefficiencies after completing a comprehensive HR audit.

Got a tricky HR problem? Ask Lisa.

With the US. Department of Labor’s Final Rule, which went into effect on March 11, 2024, employers should ensure that their independent contractors are properly classified.

What HR should do so they are prepared when an employee shares their firing stories publicly.