Episode Summary
In this episode, Phil is joined by Dr. Tiffany Slater, a seasoned Human Resources professional and the CEO of HR TaylorMade. Tiffany is passionate about helping small business owners create HR systems and policies that support the whole company, driven by her philosophy: “Work Joyfully, Live Fully”.
The conversation begins, as always, with the “innocuous question.” Tiffany shares her love for cooking breakfast for her family—specifically pancakes, eggs, and a special “monkey bread” biscuit dish—which sets the stage for a discussion on family, connection, and joy.
Tiffany then opens up about her personal journey from a miserable corporate existence to entrepreneurship. She shares a vulnerable story about how health scares and a spiritual calling pushed her to leave a job where she was unhappy, eventually leading her to build a business that allows her to live her life to the fullest .
Phil and Tiffany dig deep into the practicalities of creating a joyful workplace. They discuss why HR policies shouldn’t read like a “prison handbook,” but instead should be clear, kind, and effective. They also explore the vital distinction between being “nice” (surface level) versus being “kind” (compassionate candor), and why frequent feedback is essential because, as Tiffany jokingly puts it, “people suck and it’s our fault” when leaders fail to set clear expectations.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The Innocuous Question: Why breakfast is the meal that brings Tiffany’s family together
- The Pivot: How Tiffany moved from professional misery to joyful entrepreneurship through faith and resilience
- Overcoming Fear: The importance of cataloguing past successes to get through the scary moments of running a business.
- Joyful HR: Creating employee policies that are punitive only when necessary, but supportive and flexible by design
- Feedback Loops: Why annual reviews aren’t enough and the need for quarterly touchpoints.
- Nice vs. Kind: Understanding why clear, direct feedback is kinder than polite ambiguity.
- The Three Big Questions:
- What impact do you want to make?
- How do you want to improve the lives of others?
- What do you want your story to be?
Guest Bio
Dr. Tiffany Slater is a human resources professional with over 20 years of experience. She is the CEO of HR TaylorMade, where she focuses on inspiring others to reach their highest level of achievement. Tiffany is known for having real conversations about success, failure, and the joy of a well-lived life.
Connect with Dr. Tiffany Slater:
- Website: hrtailormade.com
- Email: support@hrtaylormade.com
If you prefer to read the podcast click here: Transcription – Episode 86 – Emotion at Work in Working Joyfully and Living Fully