On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Oksana Lukash, an inspiring people strategist with over 20 years of HR experience. We dived deep into what it really means to build workplace cultures where employees truly matter—and how that drives better customer experiences and business success. Oksana shared actionable tips on hiring for true value alignment, creating environments that ignite performance, and why embracing who you are is the key to great leadership. If you want to elevate your team and lead with heart, this conversation is a must-listen!

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 Journey to HR Advocacy

04:38 Cultural Work Norms and Expectations

08:01 "Prioritize Employees for Better Service"

11:03 Balancing Mission and Employee Focus

13:19 "Balancing Employee Passion and Business"

17:24 "Interview Alignment and Company Values"

20:43 "Recruiting Challenges and Culture Fit"

25:44 "Redefining Workplace Policies Respectfully"

29:39 Uncovering Employee Potential

33:01 Cost of Living Adjustment Process

37:14 "Authenticity Over Chasing Trends"

40:35 "Be Yourself at Work"

42:51 Prioritize Basics in Education Funding

45:42 "AI: Creating Capacity, Not Efficiency"

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Top 3 takeaways

🔹 Culture Fit Starts Early: Oksana emphasized that companies should be unapologetically clear about their culture and values—not just during onboarding but throughout the entire recruiting process. This helps attract talent who will truly thrive in your environment.

🔹 Investing in Employees Pays Off: Treating your team as your most valuable asset isn’t just good for morale—it’s good for business. Companies that go above and beyond for employees naturally see those same employees deliver outstanding service to customers.

🔹 Personal Growth is Key: Oksana’s approach to development puts the responsibility on both leaders and employees. Encourage team members to own their growth, then support them with projects and experiences that align with their goals—even if that sometimes means helping them grow beyond your organization.

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Links

Oksana's LinkedIn

Oksana's Website

Book Recommendation