The HR Huddle

Welcome to This Month’s Edition of The HR Huddle

How is it already Q3? The second half of the year is officially here—and the pressure’s on. Whether you’re rethinking strategy, tightening up hiring practices, or wondering how to keep your top performers from jumping ship, now’s the time to get serious.

This month, we’re looking at how the Total Rewards function is rising to the executive level, why trust in leadership is slipping, and what’s driving candidates away in your interview process. Plus, I’m sharing a book every leader should read and how you can access exclusive jobs we’re filling behind the scenes.

Where Total Rewards Leadership Is Headed

Total Rewards is heading to the executive level. SHRM just published a deep dive into where this role is going—and it is not just an HR function anymore. It is becoming a strategic pillar of the business.

Here is what stood out:

• The title Chief Reward Officer is already starting to take hold

• Total Rewards leaders are now working directly with chief executive officers, chief financial officers, and compensation committees

• Artificial intelligence, data, and personalization are reshaping compensation strategy

• Executive presence and the ability to influence at the highest level are now core requirements

The role is evolving fast—and the companies who recognize that will be the ones leading the next decade.

The question is: will you be leading that change—or catching up to it?

Read the full article here.

Summer Burnout Is Real—Here’s How to Handle It

Summer might feel like the season to slow down—but for a lot of professionals, it’s when burnout creeps in the most. Between team members juggling PTO, year-end planning starting early, and personal responsibilities piling up, the pressure adds up fast.

This article from SHRM dives into practical strategies for recognizing and addressing burnout—both as an employee and as a leader. It covers why perception vs. reality often fuels exhaustion, how self-talk plays a role, and what leaders can do to create a culture that supports rest and realistic expectations.

If your team seems stretched thin—or you’re feeling it yourself—it’s worth the read.

Read the full article here.

Are too many interviews turning candidates away?

We’ve all heard the stories: candidates going through six, seven, even nine rounds—only to receive no offer and no feedback.

This article explores why interview processes are getting longer, what candidates are really saying, and how employers can tighten things up without sacrificing hiring quality.

You’ll learn:

• What’s driving extended hiring timelines

• How a poor candidate experience impacts your brand

• What a more effective, respectful interview process looks like

If you're serious about attracting top talent, it’s worth the read.

Read the full article here.

Trust in Leadership Is Declining — and Total Rewards Leaders Are on the Front Lines

Only 1 in 4 employees say they fully trust their employer. The reason? Layoffs, forced return-to-office policies, unclear artificial intelligence rollouts, and broken promises around flexibility and pay.

This is no longer just a culture issue—it is a Total Rewards issue.

Why? Because trust is built (or broken) by what employees see and experience every day:

• Is their pay transparent?

• Do leaders follow through on benefits and flexibility?

• Are recognition programs meaningful—or just for show?

• Are surveys acted on, or ignored?

When those things fail, trust erodes. When done well, Total Rewards can be the reason employees stay, engage, and perform.

This article offers a clear look at what is driving the trust gap—and what Total Rewards leaders can do about it.

Read the full article here.

Book of the Month: Fanatical Prospecting

This one’s a go-to for me—and honestly, it should be required reading for anyone in sales or leadership.

Fanatical Prospecting is all about building the kind of consistent habits that drive real results. It covers the tough part of the job—the calls, the follow-ups, the part most people avoid. Jeb Blount lays out practical strategies for staying disciplined and focused, even when it’s uncomfortable or easier to push it off.

The book dives into how to structure your day, manage your time, and keep your pipeline full without burning out. It’s direct, no-nonsense, and something I’ve come back to more than once.

If you’re leading a team, managing a book of business, or just want a reset on the basics—this one delivers.

The HR Huddle: Open Jobs & Exclusive Opportunities

Looking for your next move? Visit our career portal to explore all open opportunities.

🚨 Exclusive Insider Tip!

By subscribing to this newsletter, you gain access to some valuable information—over 30% of the jobs my team and I fill at Search Solution Group are confidential. This means we’re working on many high-level positions that you won’t find published on our job board due to NDAs and confidentiality agreements. Want to learn more about these exclusive roles? Reach out to me and my team directly!