Introducing HR TV “Let’s Talk HR with Dr. Deneen”

Let’s Talk HR with Dr. Deneen

Launching February 18, 2022

Have you ever thought about the idea of HR TV? Well, it’s here! Dr. Deneen Lester has launched HR TV featuring the talk show, Let’s Talk HR with Dr. Deneen, slated to launch on February 18, 2022. With a career spanning over 30 years in the Human Resources, Dr. Lester is the first African American female elected as President of the SHRM-Memphis Chapter, and currently serves as the West Tennessee District Director of the SHRM Tennessee State Council. Dr. Lester continues advancing the profession through technology, social media, and television outlets.

Human Resources is not just a profession, it’s Deneen’s passion! Dr. Lester says she navigates her career and leadership roles with integrity and what she calls “principled influence”. Principled Influence is being intentional about managing relationships with the purpose of building trust and operating in honesty and truth. Dr. Lester exercises “principled influence” in the way she treats others, in the words she speaks, and in the action she takes, even in difficult situations. “Much like trust, influence is not bought, it is earned,” says Dr. Lester. She feels this is an important principle to have as a HR professional and especially for organizational leaders. Employees do not typically follow leaders they cannot trust. Lack of trust can polarize the manager/ employee relationship and can impair workplace morale. When teaching emerging leaders, Dr. Lester instructs that you don’t have to hold a company “title” to have influence in the workplace. Professionals can use their influence at any level to create positive outcomes and build better work cultures and teams. Dr. Lester plans to discuss these topics on the talk show to bring awareness and help professionals strengthen their social and emotional intelligence. Dr. Lester often says HR is worth talking about! She believes there is not one day in any given organization where HR-related topics are not discussed or considered in business decisions. Dr. Lester says she has seen HR transition from “desiring” to be at the decisionmaking table in organizations to “being” at the table, to now, “we are the table”. HR is an undeniable force at the organizational business table. The talk show, Let’s Talk HR with Dr. Deneen, will demonstrate the importance of HR in the workplace and how vital the voice of HR is to successful organizations. In its fun, upbeat and informative episodes, the show will assist HR professionals and organizations stay abreast of the most relevant and compliance- based information important to the workplace today.

HR TV’s talk show, Let’s Talk HR with Dr. Deneen, promises to discuss and tackle challenging subjects facing HR today, such as the “Great Resignation”. Dr. Lester believes the “Great Resignation” dilemma will have to be solved one organization at a time. She states, “as we are experiencing top talent wanting incentives to come to our organizations,” we must also provide those incentives for them to stay. Dr. Lester’s research found there is a correlation between career pathing and employee satisfaction. Career pathing is not about focusing on filling jobs once they become vacant. Rather, career pathing is about organizations proactively providing clearly defined career paths for existing employees to advance as a means of promoting employee satisfaction and fostering employee retention. While there may be many workplace factors that have direct and indirect influences on the employee’s job satisfaction and retention, the absence of a clearly defined career path is one of the major reasons top performers leave an organization. Career pathing activities appear to be a major workplace factor as it relates to employee satisfaction and retention of top performers. Dr. Lester’s research involving municipalities, found there was a lack of operational strategies that include career paths and succession plans for all its employees. As a direct result of the lack of career pathing opportunities, over 33% of municipal employees often consider leaving their current jobs for better opportunities elsewhere.

Building and establishing career pathing and development programs to foster employee sustainability is significant. An employee’s impression of reality influences performance more so than organization policy. While early studies exploring employee attitudes focused on attitudinal factors such as organizational loyalty and job satisfaction, more current researchers have guided attention toward employee perception of organizational context. An employee’s perception or attitudes leads to organizational commitment. The future of organizations still heavily relies on the strengths of their employees. Providing career pathing opportunities is the hallmark of a healthy organization and one that demonstrates the value of career advancement on behalf of its employees. As a result of her research findings, Dr. Lester encourages organizations to implement more career pathing programs to attract potential candidates for employment and retain top talent. Traditional career pathing activities are often a component of career ladder programs, annual performance appraisals, or additional education, training or work assignments that have been designed to align with the employee’s advancement interests. However, Dr. Lester has very specific career pathing strategies organizations can adopt to foster a career pathing environment and to increase employee retention. Dr. Lester consults with groups and organizations about this topic. Stay tuned for Let’s Talk HR with Dr. Deneen to learn more regarding career pathing solutions.

What’s most exciting and unique about the talk show is its format of highlighting the people “behind” the profession. The show will shine the spotlight on HR professionals and their journey in Human Resources. Dr. Lester will interview HR executives, professionals, emerging leaders, vendors, and others.

Let’s Talk HR with Dr. Deneen You Tube Channel will debut on February 18, 2022 and will expand to other venues in the days ahead. Stay Tuned! In essence, the purpose of the talk show is to discuss trending topics, highlight the “people” behind successful HR, and advance the profession through increasing awareness and frank discussions. Look for more in the days ahead from HR TV. Dr. Lester wants to “Talk HR” with you!

If you are interested in being a guest on the talk show, contact Dr. Deneen Lester at deneenlester@gmail.com.