Shannon Talbot - Human Connection Expert

Early in my career, I left a job rather than tell my boss I was trying to get pregnant.

Made up a vague excuse about wanting broader experience. He said no. I didn’t push it. A few weeks later I handed in my resignation and completely blindsided someone I’d worked with for a while.

A few years later, new job, still the same instinct. I was taking half a Gravol before big meetings to manage my anxiety. Not a full one. A full one and they’d have caught on.

Two different situations. Same logic.

If I just hold it together, I won’t have to say the hard thing.

I told both stories this week to 300 HR professionals in Toronto. The Gravol got the laughs. The quiet after the other one is what stayed with me.

Most people in that room had their own version.

The credibility gap isn’t about competence. It’s the distance between who you are and who you’ve decided you’re “supposed to be” at work.

What’s the conversation you’ve been avoiding?

What makes people actually trust HR?

Not policies.
Not titles.
Not perfectly worded emails.

Excited to be speaking at the HRPA 2026 HR Law Conference on something I see come up again and again:

The credibility gap between what leaders say… and what employees believe.

Looking forward to a real conversation about what builds trust and what quietly breaks it.

Thank you for this opportunity HRPA ☺️