My Friend in HR
Njsane Courtney, MBA, SHRM-SCP, FCIPD·21 episodes
Quick Facts
Named Best Business Podcast at the 2026 Black Podcasting Awards. My Friend in HR is the mentor you call when work stops making sense.
Host Njsane Courtney has spent more than two decades leading HR for global organizations, and he tells you the things HR people usually only say to each other. Why the promotion went to someone else.
How raises really get decided. What to say when the offer comes in low.
When it's time to stay, and when it's time to go. Every episode leaves you with something you can use at work this week.
The exact words for a salary negotiation. A five-step plan for getting out from under a micromanager.
How to present to executives so they don't tune out in the first minute. How to lead a team when nobody trained you to.
You'll also hear from business leaders on the career moves that worked for them and the ones that didn't. If you're an employee who wants a fair shot, a new manager figuring it out as you go, or an executive who's tired of hearing what people think you want to hear, pull up a chair.
Streaming in 20+ countries. New episodes, the monthly newsletter, and more at .
Your job is meant to support your life. Your life is not meant to support your job.
Episodes
Latest Episode
October 4, 2026 · 22m
Send us Fan Mail You got the new title, the bigger scope, and the shout-out in the team meeting. Then you waited for the number, and it never came. That's a fake promotion, and it's everywhere right now. I walk through fresh 2025 and 2026 data. 69% of workers say they now handle responsibilities that used to be split among several people, and three quarters got nothing in return. Managers, I'm direct with you on this one. Consolidating roles after layoffs and calling it an opportunity is not leadership, and I give you four questions to ask first. Then I turn to employees, because there's another side nobody says out loud. Some of the best career moves don't come with a raise on day one. I share how saying yes to an assignment in Nigeria that nobody wanted shaped my whole career. I also explain why the ain't gunners keep getting passed over. In this episode: • What a fake promotion looks like, and why "opportunity" is doing so much work • The numbers on unpaid extra work after layoffs and consolidations • A four-question gut check for managers before handing one person three jobs • Nigeria, career bridges, and the research on who actually gets rewarded for stretch work • Five questions to tell a real career bridge from a fake promotion • The Ain't Gunner Scorecard, plus a little Karate Kid Subscribe or follow so you don't miss the next episode. Join the Water Cooler newsletter at and connect with me on LinkedIn at Your job is meant to support your life. Your life is not meant to support your job. Support the show Visit: Instagram: myfriendin_hr LinkedIn: Njsane Courtney Email: myfriendinhr@