HR can guide the climb, but leaders must own it. HR professionals are often expected to solve every employee’s complaint, difficult conversation, and team conflict. When HR repeatedly steps in, managers miss opportunities to build confidence and accountability, while HR loses valuable time for strategic work.

In this practical session, Kim Laughlin introduces the APEX Method: Awareness, People, Execution, and eXcellence. Participants will learn how to recognize when they are rescuing rather than coaching, determine whether an issue belongs to HR, the leader, or both, and guide managers with questions instead of simply providing answers. Attendees will explore practical tools, scripts, and follow-up practices that help leaders take ownership of expectations, feedback, conflict, communication, and performance. 

Get ready to understand how to communicate for results! 

This program is valid for 1.25 PDCs for the SHRM-CP^® or SHRM-SCP^® and 1.25 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).

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Presented by Kim Laughlin, CC 

Cultural Apex Coaching

Kim Laughlin helps leaders have the conversations they avoid, address the behaviors that derail teams, and build the trust that drives performance. As the founder of Cultural Apex Coaching, a former Director of HR, and a leadership coach with more than two decades of experience, Kim translates complex workplace challenges into practical skills audiences can use immediately.

With more than 13 years in business, Kim brings firsthand insight into the communication breakdowns, accountability gaps, and team dynamics that cost organizations time, talent, and money. Her ongoing work with leaders across industries keeps her content relevant to today’s workplace, connecting fresh perspectives with strategies grounded in real leadership situations.

Through her signature APEX Method (Awareness, People, Execution, and eXcellence), Kim equips participants with tangible tools: frameworks for difficult conversations, techniques for adapting to different communication styles, and clear steps for setting expectations and following through. Her approach helps leaders take ownership of people challenges and strengthens the partnership between leadership and HR.

Kim’s keynotes and workshops make audiences active participants through candid conversation, realistic scenarios, and guided reflection. Participants examine their own habits, explore different responses, and identify specific actions to bring back to their teams. Whether speaking to executives, HR professionals, or emerging leaders, Kim delivers a clear path from understanding the problem to knowing what to say and do next, helping organizations turn tension into retention.

“HRMA of Central Massachusetts is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP^sm or SHRM-SCP^sm. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.”

“HR Certification Institute's® (www.HRCI.org) official seal confirms that HRMA of Central Massachusetts meets the criteria for pre-approved recertification credit(s) for any of HRCI’s eight credentials, including SPHR® and PHR®.”