2026 HR Trends Shaping the Workplace with David Noe

Burnout is rising, trust is fragile, and the old playbook of perks over people is running out of steam. In this episode, we sit down with David Noe, a trusted voice in HR, to unpack what actually drives engagement today, and what leaders must rethink as we head into 2026.

We name the tension leaders feel every day: caring for people while still hitting targets. David shares the reset question every manager should ask, what makes your job harder than it needs to be, and how it quickly surfaces fixable blockers. From there, we explore why middle managers burn out first, how bloated spans of control erode trust, and why hybrid and flexible work are now baseline expectations, not perks. The throughline is clear: culture isn’t built by systems alone. Leadership behavior, clarity, and consistency set the tone, and when people feel seen, supported, and empowered, performance follows.

Topics Discussed

Disengagement and burnout data framing today’s workplace reality
The top HR trends shaping 2026
Why trust and clarity are breaking down at work
Balancing care for people with performance expectations
Lessons from losing—and rebuilding—company culture
The power of asking: what makes work harder than it needs to be?
Manager span of control and why middle management burns out first
Hybrid and flexible work as a baseline expectation
Return-to-office pressure, tradeoffs, and role realities
Using surveys effectively: cadence, follow-through, and transparency
One-on-one questions that unlock insight and motivation
Empathy, EQ, and tailoring feedback to different people
Peer recognition and the ripple effect of saying “thank you”
Why behavior beats systems—and what gives hope for the future of work

David Noe Bio

David brings nearly 20 years of experience across HR, payroll, operations, and leadership, helping organizations value people as much as performance. He is the founder and host of SpeakEasy HR, a live podcast centered on real conversations that challenge leaders to build cultures where people want to show up. Grounded in faith, family, and leadership development, David is actively involved in the HR community through SHRM, DisruptHR, and regional partnerships, while also co-owning a small business with his wife. He believes that when people feel seen, supported, and empowered, organizations win.