In episode 156, Coffey talks with Dee Maddox about the business impact of “putting people first.” They discuss the meaning of a “people-first” approach; balancing people-first practices with business objectives; common mistakes companies make in implementing people-first strategies; the consequences of neglecting people in favor of processes; the concepts of reboarding and retooling employees; and the importance of trust and open communication in organizations. Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com. If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com. About our Guest: DeAdrian "Dee" Maddox, the Chief Excellence Officer (CEO) of DMX Consulting, LLC, is a skilled human resource professional with over 20 years of experience. She is passionate about putting the 'H.U.M.A.N.' back into human resources to assist businesses in achieving their objectives. Dee is not only a consultant but also an accomplished trainer, sought-after public speaker, published author, and regular podcast guest.  She has received recognition for her achievements, including being named one of the 2023 Your Hour, Her Power Women's History Month Honorees, the 2022 Junior League of Collin County Volunteer of the Year, and graduating from Leadership Frisco Class XXIV in 2021. She is an active member of NSA North Texas and DallasHR. Dee holds a bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an MBA from George Washington University. Her personalized approach to her work is well-known, and her clients and colleagues describe her as a skilled and knowledgeable professional who always strives to understand each business's unique needs and prioritize people over processes to enhance the employee experience. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Dee lives in Frisco, Texas, with her family. She enjoys serving the community, traveling, and watching old movies. Dee Maddox can be reached at: https://deemaddoxconsulting.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/deemaddox  https://twitter.com/dmxconsulting1  https://www.facebook.com/dmxconsulting1  https://www.instagram.com/dmxconsulting About Mike Coffey: Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant. In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year. Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association. Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council. Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know. Learning Objectives:  Implement active listening and understanding practices to align individual needs with organizational goals. Develop strategies for regular reboarding and retooling of employees to keep them updated on organizational changes. Foster a