Shari Simpson, EdD, is the host of HR Mixtape and a senior thought leadership leader at Paylocity. With over two decades of experience across training, talent, payroll, and employee relations, she brings curiosity, candor, and real-world perspective to every episode. Shari holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation, along with an MBA, MHRM, and SHRM-SCP certification. 

For more than a decade, I trained and managed people with mental health recovery experience as they prepared for employment and workplace success.

What I learned surprised me: many workplace problems commonly attributed to motivation, resilience, or culture are actually problems of clarity.

When expectations, responsibilities, and decision-making authority are unclear, people struggle. When those things become visible, people can respond more effectively—even when the workplace itself doesn't change.

I also discovered that clarity wasn't just helpful for staff; it was a sustainable way to lead. Unlike reassurance, encouragement, or constant intervention, clarity helped people navigate challenges more independently while creating a more stable foundation for everyone involved.