Jason Walker: Why Empathy is Crucial in HR
Fri Feb 06 2026
#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner.
Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast
For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com
Takeaways
- Jason Walker's journey into HR was influenced by his dyslexia and strong people skills.
- Empathy is crucial in HR, especially for those who have faced challenges.
- AI has disrupted traditional job searching methods, making networking more important.
- Job seekers need to adopt a warrior mentality to compete in the current market.
- Companies are hesitant to hire due to uncertainty about future needs.
- AI tools can help streamline hiring processes but may lead to a competitive environment.
- Job hugging reflects employees' fears of job security and market instability.
- Hybrid work models present challenges for employee engagement and development.
- HR leaders must focus on maintaining culture and employee appreciation during tough times.
- Fractional HR services provide cost-effective solutions for companies needing specialized support.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jason Walker and ThriveHR Consulting
02:32 Jason's Journey into HR and Empathy Development
05:01 The Changing Talent Landscape and AI's Impact
11:14 The AI War: Job Seekers vs Employers
12:18 Positive Uses of AI in Hiring Processes
18:45 Understanding Job Hugging in Today's Market
20:47 The Hybrid Work Model: Pros and Cons
23:42 Culture, Burnout, and Compliance Risks in HR
27:02 Practical AI Adoption in HR
32:37 Fractional HR: A Growing Demand
37:47 Actionable Advice for Job Seekers
40:42 Optimism in the HR Landscape
More
#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale. To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner. Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com Takeaways - Jason Walker's journey into HR was influenced by his dyslexia and strong people skills. - Empathy is crucial in HR, especially for those who have faced challenges. - AI has disrupted traditional job searching methods, making networking more important. - Job seekers need to adopt a warrior mentality to compete in the current market. - Companies are hesitant to hire due to uncertainty about future needs. - AI tools can help streamline hiring processes but may lead to a competitive environment. - Job hugging reflects employees' fears of job security and market instability. - Hybrid work models present challenges for employee engagement and development. - HR leaders must focus on maintaining culture and employee appreciation during tough times. - Fractional HR services provide cost-effective solutions for companies needing specialized support. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jason Walker and ThriveHR Consulting 02:32 Jason's Journey into HR and Empathy Development 05:01 The Changing Talent Landscape and AI's Impact 11:14 The AI War: Job Seekers vs Employers 12:18 Positive Uses of AI in Hiring Processes 18:45 Understanding Job Hugging in Today's Market 20:47 The Hybrid Work Model: Pros and Cons 23:42 Culture, Burnout, and Compliance Risks in HR 27:02 Practical AI Adoption in HR 32:37 Fractional HR: A Growing Demand 37:47 Actionable Advice for Job Seekers 40:42 Optimism in the HR Landscape