When HR Meets Art: Sara Yahia’s Journey as Cultural Commentator, Film & TV Critic, and Storyteller

You know, I used to think I had to pick a lane. HR? Check. Film critic? Uh… maybe that’s a different lane. But turns out, you can dance on all the lanes at once, and oh boy, it keeps life interesting!

Too often, we think of ourselves as “one thing” … boxed in by job titles, roles, or expectations. But the box has many sides, and we’re capable of exploring them all. I prove this every day. I’m not just an HR strategist; I’m also a cultural commentator, film and TV critic, and a storyteller who bridges worlds that most people see as separate. Curiosity, creativity, and analysis aren’t mutually exclusive, and thinking beyond the box can make us better at our jobs, our art, and life itself.

As Khalil Gibran wisely said, “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”

It’s a reminder that we aren’t defined by one role… we shape ourselves through the lens we choose to see life with.

This is why, I want to take a moment to address some of the questions you’ve been sending my way.

Q: HR and film criticism? How do those worlds collide?

Sara Yahia: Honestly, they collide more than most people realize! At first glance, HR is structured, analytical, and compliance-driven, while film criticism is interpretive, opinionated, and emotional. But both are really about understanding people. Plus, I get to judge people on screen without getting any HR complaints!

In HR, I analyze behavior, culture, and motivations. On screen, I dissect representation, relationships, and leadership dynamics. When I critique a character’s choices or how a company is portrayed in a film, I’m sharpening my lens for real-world workplace culture, because people are people, whether on camera or in the office.

Q: How do your film & tv critic articles influence your work in HR?

Sara Yahia: Here’s the thing: It keeps me curious and on my toes and spark ideas since what’s is on screen is a mirror for workplace behavior, showing lessons that can be missed by professionals. The handbook doesn’t run the culture; people do.

Q: It sounds intense to balance it all??

Sara Yahia: I treat it like a tango: structured, but with room for improvisation. HR establishes the framework; storytelling gives me freedom. Each informs the other. Sometimes I lead; sometimes I let the plot twist take the wheel.

Cultural critique helps me to notice subtleties I might miss in a business report, such as unspoken hierarchies, nuanced communication, or patterns of exclusion. Then I bring those insights back to HR, giving me a 360-degree lens, seeing both the policy and the human experience behind it.

Pop culture isn’t just entertainment; it’s a laboratory for understanding human behavior. Stories shape how we perceive the world. When leaders engage critically, they can spot cultural blind spots, spark empathy, and even inspire innovation.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone blending two seemingly unrelated fields, what would it be?

Sara Yahia: Be bold and trust the connections no one else sees. People told me HR and cultural critique don’t mix, but insights from one world make me sharper in the other. Stay curious, draw the parallels, and never underestimate the power of perspective. Your unique combination is your superpower.

Workplaces are stories in motion. Films and TV are stories frozen in time. Bridging them teaches us to read both carefully, question what’s missing, and amplify voices that matter. And if a plot twist in a series makes you rethink leadership, maybe that’s the lesson your office needed to.

Curious to see more of my cultural commentary? Dive into my work where pop culture meets insights that shape the workplace... Here.