The Humanity Practice Weekly: Talent, Tiaras & Tender Moments
Published 13 days ago • 6 min read
The Humanity Practice Weekly:
Change Your Workplace One Story, One Conversation, One Action at a Time
Workplaces don’t change because we talk about change. They change because people practice it, in small, consistent ways that add up to something bigger.
Every Friday, The Humanity Practice Weekly brings you:
3 simple actions you can try right now to make your workplace more human, inclusive, and high-performing
Free resources that help you build your Humanity Practice
A Humanity Practitioner Spotlight + Humanity Practitoners on LinkedIn so you can learn from leaders and peers doing the work in real time
It’s for anyone who believes a better workplace is possible, and is willing to take the next step to build it.
Better workplaces start with practice. Let’s get started.
Join the November Humanity Practice Challenge to Win
How human-centered is your workplace — really?
This is your chance to find out — and to win a full Humanity Practice Index™ valued at $5,000.
Join the leaders and practitioners who have already taken the Humanity Practice Snapshot™ to see how humanity shows up where they work.
It’s free. It takes two minutes. And it gives you a clear view of trust, belonging, and performance in your culture.
The November Humanity Practice Challenge ends soon — and every participant is entered to win a full Humanity Practice Index, a 15-page diagnostic that uncovers behavioral patterns, connects them to performance, and gives you a path to progress.
What does it mean to lead with humanity when the world of work is being rewritten by algorithms, automation, and ambiguity?
At this year’s TALiNT PartnersTalent and Tiaras conference, that question echoed through every panel, workshop, and hallway conversation. What emerged was more than a tech update—it was a call to re‑center humanity in how we hire, lead, and build culture. Here are a few of the humanity-centered themes I picked up:
1. The Tension Between Speed and Soul
As AI accelerates decisions and data drives metrics, we’re faced with a choice: chase efficiency or build meaningful, equitable systems. Sessions explored how AI can empower—not replace—human judgment. But only if we resist the temptation to automate empathy out of the process.
“Blank‑page thinking” reminded us: if we were designing from scratch, would we still build the same systems?
2. Rewriting the Script on Skills
A passionate debate asked: Can we organize work around skills instead of jobs? One side championed flexibility, equity, and mobility. The other warned of losing the structure that enables accountability. The Humanity Practice takeaway? Structure and soul must coexist. Skills reveal potential; jobs provide purpose.
3. Storytelling as Our Superpower
Metrics alone won’t inspire change. Several speakers emphasized that data needs context—and context needs story. If we want to influence the C‑suite or shift systems, we must translate complexity into narrative clarity.
4. Leading with Care in the Face of Constant Change
In a world of unending transformation, emotional sustainability matters. The mental health of recruiters, hiring teams, and leaders came forward as a critical issue. It’s time to invest in psychological safety as deeply as we do in tech stacks.
🤝 The Best Part of the Conference? Human Connections
Rocki Howard, Esther Maria Swaty, Jennifer JJ Thompson, Rachel Allen
Rocki Howard and Angela Jones
So many more amazing people I met who’ve now joined my circle. I really hope I don't forget to mention anyone, so many of you are on my mind and heart.
These connections are the living proof of what happens when humans show up—fully, boldly, authentically.
🎤 My Moment on Stage: Beyond DEI: Why Humanity Is The New Recruiting Advantage
Rocki on Stage
I was honored to do the Day 2 Keynote and talk about the competencies human centered workplaces and recruiters should be doubling down on. We had fun, there are moments I thought we were going to church!!! Jennifer “JJ” Thompson did an amazing recap that you can check out. Thanks JJ!!
🙏 Gratitude
Deep thanks to Ken B. and Ray Culver, CCWP for creating a space that was both inspiring and intentional—bringing together industry leaders for conversations that truly matter.
We're helping you build your humanity practice. Here are three ways to start. Humanity Practice #1 Say Why Before What
Clarity lowers anxiety, speeds alignment, and builds confidence in leadership.
If you say you'll follow up, do it. If you say you’ll advocate, show your receipts. Trust isn’t built by grand gestures. It’s built by the quiet consistency of doing what you said you would.
Humanity Practice #3 Break the Quiet with Curiosity
When someone shares something personal, don’t let silence be the last word. Ask a respectful question. Make space. Even a simple "Thanks for sharing that. Can I ask you more about it?" can open the door to real connection.
You Can’t Improve What You Don’t Measure: Humanity by the Numbers
We talk a lot about belonging, trust, and inclusion, but do we actually know how they’re showing up in our workplaces? This week’s blog breaks down how to measure humanity. Because here’s the truth: you can’t improve what you don’t measure—and you can’t measure what you refuse to see. Read the full blog.
Humanity Practitioner Spotlight: Tameka N. Allen
Tameka is the founder of PidaHR, a coaching and learning platform designed to support HR and TA leaders who are serious about building neuroinclusive and compliance-conscious organizations. With live coaching, real-world microlearning, and practical guidance, she’s helping leaders build the future of inclusive work.
"It's not about checking boxes. It's about building high-performing, inclusive teams while managing compliance and driving retention."
Humanity Practitioner Perspective: Humans will Human
My recent #GrownWomanWednesday post had me asking the question, What do you do on days like this so you don’t cuss the world out and throw up a big middle finger on your way out the room?
I purposed lived out this frustrating day publicly as a reminder that:
Vulnerability isn’t a liability. It’s a pathway to connection. We don’t have to hide the messy, the raw, the human.
When we bring our whole selves, we give others permission to do the same. And that builds belonging—not because we all fit in—it’s because we all show up.
Leading with humanity isn’t soft. It’s strategy. Because when dignity, trust, and story anchor us, we bring more than compliance or process—we bring meaning.
Here’s the question I keep carrying: How do we build workplaces where being fully human is a given, not a caveat?
Have an awesome, productive, and impactful week. —Rocki
🚀 Upcoming Events That Center Humanity
Humanity at Work | December 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM EST | Free Virtual SessionPresented by Transform and The Humanity Practice Join me, Christopher Bylone , and Stacey A. Gordon, MBA for a bold conversation on the future of DEI — and how it's evolving into something deeper: Humanity at Work.
We’ll explore:
The shifts reshaping DEI and leadership today
What employees truly expect — and what leaders must change
Simple, everyday behaviors that build inclusive, high-performing cultures
Evolve 2026 – Waitlist Now Open. Led by the amazing Anna Morgan , Evolve 2026 is a powerful experience designed for HR and Talent Acquisition professionals ready to recharge their passion, reconnect with industry leaders, and reignite their career momentum. Gain actionable insights, build meaningful connections, and walk away with the confidence and strategies to thrive in an ever-evolving workplace.
