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Dear HR Diary - The Unfiltered Truth You Wish They Taught in Management School
Welcome to "Dear HR Diary," the unfiltered truth you wish they taught in management school. This podcast hosted by, ME, Dawn Hart, a seasoned HR and management professional with over 28 years of experience in the corporate world. Join me and some fantastic guests on a thrilling journey through the trenches of human resources and management, where expertise meets snark, sass, and a plethora of captivating stories.
Drawing from my extensive background in various industries, I will bring you a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of the workplace. Each episode is a rollercoaster ride filled with humorous anecdotes, jaw-dropping tales, and invaluable insights. Whether you're an HR professional, a manager trying to decode the complexities of office dynamics, or simply someone who appreciates a good story, this podcast is your go-to destination.
I love to apply my wealth of experience and some valuable tips to the "Dear HR Diary" podcast by diving deep into the nitty-gritty of HR, revealing the human side of human resources and the managing side of managing people. Expect laughter, enlightenment, and a healthy dose of snark and sass. Subscribe now and tune in to uncover the secrets, strategies, and scandals of the corporate world, all narrated with my fun, and sassy signature style. Your weekly dose of HR and management brilliance awaits!
Dear HR Diary - The Unfiltered Truth You Wish They Taught in Management School
S. 2 Ep 18: Startups Are People Too with Isar Bhattacharjee
Startups are sexy—until you realize they run on caffeine, chaos, and people who are trying to do five jobs at once. In this episode of Dear HR Diary, I chat with the brilliant Isar Bhattacharjee, startup whisperer, culture builder, and people strategist, about the beautiful, messy, fast-paced world of startups—and the very real people challenges they face.
Isar and I unpack the realities behind startup hype, from the invisible organizational debt that builds up faster than your Slack notifications, to why feedback without follow-through is just noise. If you’ve ever been in a startup, supported one, or even dreamed about launching your own—this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed.
🔥 What We Covered:
- The unique people challenges in startups—and why HR can't be an afterthought
- What the heck is organizational debt and how it quietly kills culture
- Creating a delivery culture that doesn’t burn people out
- Why employee engagement is critical even when you're building the plane while flying it
- The role of feedback, follow-through, and psychological safety
- Learning and development when your entire team is learning on the job
- How to drive recognition and motivation in high-growth, high-pressure environments
💡 Quote from Isar:
"Startups think speed is the advantage—but trust, clarity, and culture are what make speed sustainable."
🎯 This episode is for HR leaders, startup founders, and anyone navigating the wild ride of early-stage growth. Grab your coffee, and let’s get real about the people side of startups.
📎 Resources & Links:
- Connect with Isar Bhattacharjee: https://www.uncover.business/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isar-bhattacharjee/
- Explore Manage With Hart’s support for startups: managewithhart.com
📲 Like what you heard?
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share! Tag a startup leader who needs to hear this. Your people will thank you (eventually, when they stop putting out fires).
#DearHRDiary #StartupCulture #PeopleStrategy #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalDebt #HRInStartups #FeedbackCulture #RecognitionMatters #ManageWithHart
Connect with Dawn:
Website: www.managewithhart.com
Instagram: @managewithhart