Mastering Influence in Small Business HR: 4 Proven Strategies

Hosted by

Marie Rolston

HR Connection Podcast Host, HRBP with Acacia HR Solutions

Sabrina Baker

HR Connection Podcast Co-Host, Founder and CEO of Acacia HR Solutions

About this episode

Mastering Influence in Small Business HR: 4 Proven Strategies

Hosts: Sabrina Baker and Marie Rolston

 

Summary

This episode of HR Connection isolates the core constraint in small business HR: lack of influence. Workload is misdiagnosed as the problem; it is the downstream effect. The discussion breaks down why HR is structurally positioned to be ignored in SMBs and outlines specific behavioral shifts that convert HR from reactive support into a driver of business decisions. Marie and Sabrina provide 4 shifts that HR practitioners can make to raise their influence inside their org. But a word of warning, this does take time.  The defining difficulty in SMB HR is not execution load. It is operating without a voice that drives action. Influence is not positional; it is constructed through repeated, strategic interactions.

 

 

Key Topics

  • Influence from the middle in HR
  • Changing perception of HR roles
  • Connecting HR work to business outcomes
  • Building relationships before you need them
  • Using storytelling and data to influence

 

 

Find out more about the upcoming cohort designed for HR Departments of One HERE

 

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Download Transcript

The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you’ll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust.  It’s why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That’s HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word. 

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Published

March 27, 2026

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