What if HR stopped being the “principal’s office” and became your most trusted partner? In this episode, Shana Scales discusses transforming HR into a relationship-driven business partner at Lake Charles Memorial Health System. She explains how trust, transparency, and frontline engagement reshape HR's support for leaders and employees. She also shares how cultural influencers and continuous feedback loops create real organizational change. Finally, she introduces the “Five C’s” framework that anchors culture and strategy. Tune in to learn how HR can drive culture, trust, and real business impact. About Shana Scales: Shana Scales is the Chief Human Resource Officer at Lake Charles Memorial Health System, where she leads people and culture strategy with a strong focus on relationships, trust, and transparency. With experience spanning healthcare and beyond, she has driven initiatives in employee wellness, diversity education, and long-term talent planning. Shana is known for championing a partnership-driven HR model and elevating employee engagement through innovative programs such as cultural influencers and frontline rounding. She is also a passionate advocate for exposing young people to careers in healthcare and fostering strong, connected teams. What You’ll Learn In This Episode: Relationships form the foundation of an effective HR partnership. HR maintains visibility and presence by actively engaging with frontline staff. Trust and transparency establish credibility across the organization. Data and organic conversations jointly inform better decision-making. Culture is a shared responsibility, owned by every employee and guided by strategic frameworks like the Five C’s. Links & Resources: Connect with and follow Shana Scales on LinkedIn or reach out via email! Follow Lake Charles Memorial Health System on LinkedIn and visit their website! Get a copy of Shana’s book, The Fairy Healthmother, here! Check out the 33 Scripts Guide to Address Disruptive Behaviour here! Buy Renee Thompson’s book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility here! Grab a copy of Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! here. Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here! Have a question for Renee? Email us at [email protected] to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode! Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases. Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.

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