"Dear Ellie" is an advice column from someone "who’s been there, and done that". Navigating tough workplace dynamics? Feeling like your company’s not aligned with your values? Exhausted, overwhelmed, and in need of a fresh perspective? Ask a seasoned HR pro, Ellie.

The Latest includes a brief update on federal and state level news.

For most organizations, onboarding is a missed opportunity. We treat it like a frantic sprint through compliance paperwork and IT setups, leaving our newest team members feeling more processed than welcomed. When we treat onboarding as a checklist, we are not just creating a forgettable experience; we are actively contributing to early turnover.

HR touches every aspect of a company’s people strategy, and AI is, at its core, about people. But nearly half admitted HR leadership has little or no involvement. HR must first understand one of the most important distinctions in AI: the difference between public and private systems.

Managing is not about power; it is about responsibility. When leaders remember that their role is to guide, support, and grow the people around them, productivity takes care of itself.

The Latest includes a brief update on federal and state level news.

HR touches every aspect of a company’s people strategy, and AI is, at its core, about people. But nearly half admitted HR leadership has little or no involvement. HR must first understand one of the most important distinctions in AI: the difference between public and private systems.

Over the years, I’ve learned something powerful: a lack of budget isn’t a roadblock; it’s a creative constraint. It forces us to get back to what truly matters. It pushes us to build programs that are more authentic, human-centered, and impactful than any expensive, top-down initiative ever could be.

So much is outside of our control, but the real power is in what we choose to manage within ourselves. That is where the Let Them Theory becomes one of the most important tools for surviving HR.