Podcasts about chief people officer

Tiffany Stevenson, former Chief People Officer at WeightWatchers and Patreon, joined us on The Modern People Leader. We talked about this being the CHROs toughest chapter yet, how AI is reshaping HR, and what HR brings to the boardroom.---- Sponsor Links:

What happens when your company's executives become the stars of a viral kiss cam moment — and not in a good way? In this episode, Miller Johnson employment attorneys Rebecca Strauss and Sarah Willey break down the now infamous Astronomer CEO and Chief People Officer scandal, sparked at a Coldplay concert and amplified by the lead singer himself.

In this short segment of the Revenue Builders Podcast, Kara Gilbert, executive coach, startup advisor, and former Chief People Officer at Turbonomic, unpacks the transformative role of coaching—not as a remedial tool, but as an accelerator for growth, leadership, and personal clarity.She explains how elite performers unlock their potential by pausing, reflecting, and holding themselves accountable. From processing feedback to balancing life trade-offs as a working executive, Kara reveals how leaders can connect deeply with their own story to become more effective in business and life.Whether you're a sales leader, startup founder, or executive navigating high-pressure environments, this episode will help you understand why self-awareness, accountability, and honesty are the real cornerstones of leadership success.KEY TAKEAWAYS[00:01:00] Coaching is not remedial—it's an accelerant to growth, leadership, and opportunity.[00:01:47] The power of pausing: Why slowing down helps leaders gain clarity on goals, teams, and personal direction.[00:02:15] Accountability in coaching: How check-ins create discipline and progress.[00:02:46] Life trade-offs for executives: Outsourcing and prioritizing to focus on what truly matters.[00:03:07] Processing feedback effectively: Choosing what to embrace and what to discard.[00:03:28] Owning your story: The cornerstone of leadership, happiness, and strong relationships.[00:04:55] Honesty in coaching: Why vulnerability and raw truth unlock real breakthroughs.QUOTES[00:01:00] “Coaching is not remedial. Coaching is actually an accelerant to growth and opportunity.”[00:01:47] “When leaders pause, they can be thoughtful and break through things they just haven't had time to think about.”[00:03:28] “The most elite people—the happiest people—are the ones who know their story and have owned it.”[00:04:55] “In coaching, you have nothing to lose. Just be honest.”Listen to the full conversation through the link below.https://revenue-builders.simplecast.com/episodes/achieving-excellence-in-leadership-with-kara-gilbertEnjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox:https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0Check out John McMahon's book here:Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/1K7DDC4Check out Force Management's Ascender platform here: https://my.ascender.co/Ascender/

Send us a textSome people command a room without saying a word.They're not loud. They're not flashy. But somehow… all eyes go to them.What if that kind of presence wasn't just a lucky trait—but a learnable skill?In this unforgettable episode, I sit down with Richard Reid — behavioural psychologist, charisma coach, and author of Charisma Unlocked — to explore the psychology behind magnetic presence, quiet influence, and authentic confidence.We unpack:Why charisma is not about charm or performanceHow shy, introverted people can become unforgettableThe science behind influence, trust, and connectionThe tiny cues that shape how people see youAnd how to stop feeling invisible in any room, conversation, or stageRichard has coached leaders, founders, and professionals across the globe — and in this conversation, he'll show you exactly how charisma is built from the inside out.✨ Whether you're building a brand, leading a team, or just tired of being overlooked — this episode will flip the script on how you show up in the world.

In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Tracey Pierce, Chief People Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), to discuss the transformative work happening within one of the largest municipal utilities in the U.S. Tracey takes us behind the scenes on how LADWP is navigating change, innovation, and workforce development during a time of rebuilding for the city. From adapting to climate challenges to harnessing new technologies like AI, Tracey shares the strategies that are helping LADWP build a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready workforce.   You'll learn: How LADWP is preparing for the future through workforce training and development The role of AI and automation in transforming the water and power sectors How disaster recovery and emergency preparedness are integrated into workforce strategies Why LADWP prioritizes community involvement and values its civil service employees The importance of partnerships with community colleges in developing a workforce ready for tomorrow's challenges About the Guest: Tracey Pierce is the Chief People Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the largest municipal utility in the U.S. She joined LADWP in August 2024, after serving as Senior VP of Learning & Development at CommonSpirit Health. With over 30 years of experience in Human Resources across healthcare, solar energy, semiconductors, and publishing, Tracey has led large-scale transformations, talent development, mergers, and crisis management initiatives. She oversees all HR functions at LADWP, focusing on workforce innovation, strategy, and union relations. Originally from England, she holds an MBA in International Relations and Marketing, a Master of Public Administration, and is a seasoned executive coach.   Engage with us: LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com Visit: PCC EWD website   More from Tracey Pierce & Los Angeles Department of Water and Power LinkedIn: @traceypierce Website: https://www.ladwp.com/ Facebook & Twitter/X: @LADWP YouTube & Instagram: @LADWP1     Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: scummo@pasadena.edu Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking    Find the transcript of this episode here   Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!  

Michael Fass, co-founder and CEO of Slide, discusses the company's focused approach to backup solutions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Unlike many companies that aim to be all-encompassing platforms, Slide is dedicated solely to being the best backup provider in the market. Fass emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique needs of MSPs, who protect data across various environments, including on-premise servers and cloud services like Azure and Google Drive. This commitment to specialization is a strategic choice to avoid the pitfalls of being a "jack of all trades, master of none."Fass shares insights from his previous experience at Datto, where he served as Chief People Officer and General Counsel. He highlights the significance of maintaining high expectations and creating a strong partnership with MSPs. By offering direct-to-tech support and flexible month-to-month pricing, Slide aims to foster trust and empower its partners. Fass believes that these choices, while bold, are essential for building a sustainable and effective business model that prioritizes quality service over short-term profits.The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of the managed services industry, particularly the impact of private equity investments and the increasing complexity of technology for small to medium businesses. Fass argues that despite the advancements in technology, the need for skilled IT professionals remains critical. He asserts that MSPs play a vital role in helping businesses navigate these complexities, and as such, the demand for their services is only expected to grow.Looking ahead, Fass expresses confidence in Slide's potential to become a global leader in backup solutions for MSPs. He acknowledges the challenges posed by industry consolidation but believes that new companies like Slide, which prioritize quality and partner relationships, will thrive. As he prepares for future discussions, Fass emphasizes the importance of measuring success by Slide's ability to lead the market in backup services, reinforcing the company's commitment to its mission. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

“If you think your people aren't using AI, you would be in denial.”   This is a special episode only available to our podcast subscribers, which we call The Mini Chief. These are short, sharp highlights from our fabulous guests, where you get a 5 to 10 minute snapshot from their full episode. This Mini Chief episode features Kate Newey, HR Chief of Adaptalift Group. Her full episode is titled The secret life of HR professionals, having it all and AI in the workplace. You can find the full audio and show notes here:

In this episode of Small Town Big Business, hosts Jennifer Olson and Russ Williams interview Sherry Barter Hamlin and Kim Barr from The Voyage Senior Living, a senior living organization in Southern Illinois. Sherry, the CEO, and Kim, the Chief People Officer, discuss their mission to provide quality assisted living, independent living, and memory care services for seniors. They highlight the organization's focus on person-centered care, the importance of community involvement, and the unique challenges and rewards of operating in a non-profit model. They also delve into their staff training, recruitment strategies, and the passionate commitment to serving residents and employees alike.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:49 Meet Our Guests: Kim Barr and Sherry Barter Hamlin02:38 The Voyage Senior Living: Services and Locations03:37 Fundraising and Charitable Programs07:54 Employee Recruitment and Training09:40 Creating a Positive Culture and Values13:28 Volunteer Opportunities and Community Engagement17:15 Handling Difficult Situations and People21:32 Challenges and Delegation26:25 Employee Dedication and Hands-On Leadership27:37 Future Plans: Independent Living and Memory Care31:05 Community Engagement and Support32:36 Resident and Employee Satisfaction40:47 Personal Stories and Passion for Senior Care46:19 Volunteer Opportunities and Fundraisers48:39 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsRecorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://voyageseniorliving.com/

Anne Marie Hoey, Chief People Officer of the HSE, discusses incidents of racist abuse and assaults on international healthcare workers.

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Robyn Djelassi, founder of Impact People Solutions. After a 25-year corporate HR career and a top role at Vinomofo, Robyn launched Impact People Solutions in 2022 to give growing Australian businesses access to top-tier people leadership without the full-time cost. Their flagship service, CPO Connect, embeds a fractional Chief People Officer into your business. Bootstrapped from day one, Robyn has grown the business from a solo consultancy into a cash-positive team of eight. This is a story of building a business on clarity, commerciality, and treating adults like adults. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Robyn, the hardest thing in growing a small business is time. Finding enough of it to get everything done, especially when you're wearing multiple hats as a founder. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Robyn's favourite business book is Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson. Despite being an oldie, she finds it incredibly relevant and continues to refer to it even today. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? One of Robyn's go-to podcasts for professional development is How I Work by Amantha Imber. She appreciates Amantha's insights on productivity and building habits that stick. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Robyn recommends using Microsoft To Do List as a simple yet powerful tool to manage daily tasks. Despite using more advanced tools like HubSpot, she finds this one still does the best job of helping her stay on track and productive. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? If she could go back to day one of starting her business, Robyn would tell herself: “Be patient.” Success doesn't happen overnight, and learning to breathe and enjoy the journey is key. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Good people help good people. Kindness in business always comes back around – Robyn Djelassi You don't need funding to succeed. You need grit, trust, and a hell of a work ethic! – Robyn Djelassi Success is doing the work you love with people you respect, not just chasing numbers. – Robyn Djelassi      

In this episode of the Cohesion Podcast, Miriam Connaughton speaks with Jim O'Gorman, Chief People Officer at Included Health, about designing belonging and connectedness in a distributed healthcare workforce. Jim shares how his team reinvested office savings into ERGs and in-person experiences, how they separate orientation from onboarding, and why psychological safety matters more than ever in a dispersed workforce. From playlists and Slack channels to leadership development and DEI strategy, this episode offers practical guidance on how to build a people-first culture—with intention. Episode Segments: 1. Getting to Know Jim 00:00: From Hulu to healthcare—Jim shares career highlights, personal stories, and a favorite show. 2. Rethinking Belonging 04:53: Why employees feel lonelier than ever—and how we've misunderstood engagement. 3. Leading a Remote Culture 08:09: How Included Health uses travel, ERGs, and curated moments to foster connection. 4. Generational Diversity in the Workplace 18:06: What really divides (and unites) different generations—and how to focus on what matters. 5. Onboarding with Purpose 21:31: Why onboarding and orientation should be separate—and how to create early connection. 6. Inclusion & Performance 28:04: Beyond checkboxes—how DEI connects to performance, safety, and true belonging. 7. Equipping Leaders 32:00: Why junior managers are under pressure—and how to support them in a remote world. 8. Tech That Connects 35:11: Using tools like Slack, playlists, and walk-on songs to scale human connection. “We need to stop running from connectedness. Remote work requires more—not less—humanity in how we lead.” – Jim O'Gorman

As AI reshapes how work gets done, one thing hasn't changed: leadership rooted in values. In this episode, Carl and Ashley will sit down with Chris Ernst to share how they're partnering to lead through AI-driven change, while staying true to Workday's human-centric core values. They'll explore what it means to lead a digital workforce, and why Workday believes human skills still matter most in an AI-powered future.

On this special episode of HR Works, HR Daily Advisor editor Griffin Cobb sat down with Peter Lynch, Chief People Officer at Cardinal Group Companies and speaker at SPARK Talent, to discuss the "Human Advantage" and how AI is helping the workplace be more human, not less.

Alix shares her experience leading people strategy at a global professional services company with 90,000 employees, discussing the challenge and excitement of integrating acquired businesses across Europe with a strong employee value proposition rooted in purpose and belonging. Describing how her passion for responsible business has shaped her career - from tackling food insecurity to championing women's economic inclusion as Chair of the Women's Advisory Board in Northeast England, Alix shares her experience on a race equity commission, a powerful reminder that inclusive leadership requires courage and truth.  Alix reflects on leading with compassion and the role of HR in shaping a more human world of work. Her parting message: compassion is the secret sauce in transformational leadership. References: RED report: Building inclusive places - Anti-racism in North East businesses – published July 2024 - North East Chamber of Commerce / Newcastle University Thank you to How HR Leaders Change the World - Live! 2025 - brought to you by Uplifting People for sponsoring this episode   This episode is brought to you by HR's boldest moment yet - How HR Leaders Change the World Live. Today's HR leaders are navigating extraordinary demands, balancing short-term business performance with shaping long-term, purpose-driven strategy. Yet despite holding the key to sustainable commercial success, HR is often undervalued, under-supported, and expected to play it safe. That's exactly why we created How HR Leaders Change the World - Live! - an extraordinary event bringing together pioneering HR leaders who believe our profession can be a transformative force for both business growth and social good. This year's event is the boldest yet, featuring candid, strategic conversations and powerful insights from global CHROs. You'll leave with actionable takeaways and a renewed sense of the power of your role, with 100% of profits donated to support vulnerable children - meaning your impact starts before you even walk through the door. Tickets are now available. Take a look at the agenda and our first speaker announcements, including keynote Bob Geldof KBE. Don't miss out - secure your place today and join fellow HR change makers to enhance your influence and impact. We can't wait to see you there!   

How do you attract the best talent? What are new ways to improve employee engagement? And how will AI impact HR best practices?Introducing HRO Today's Leaders of Distinction, a podcast that gets inside the minds of HR's game changers. In this podcast series, host Amanda Cupido brings conversations that will shape the future of HR and explain how you can help lead the way. This is the podcast both you and your team will not want to miss. Be sure to hit that follow button now so you catch every episode!Episode 1: Amanda speaks with Leaders of Distinction Terilyn Juarez Monroe, Chief People Officer of Guardiant Health and Dan Chappell, CHRO at Seacoast Bank.

“It's really important to keep a sense of humour, especially if you're in a stressful environment. Show people that you're human.”   This is a special episode only available to our podcast subscribers, which we call The Mini Chief. These are short, sharp highlights from our fabulous guests, where you get a 5 to 10 minute snapshot from their full episode. This Mini Chief episode features Linda Carroll, Chief People Officer, G8 Education. Her full episode is titled Driving business success through the development of your people. You can find the full audio and show notes here:

By now, we've all heard the story of the Coldplay kiss-cam, the exposed affair and impact it had on the (now) former CEO and Chief People Officer. But we're using the story as a case study on the importance of including reputation management in your resilience strategies.   Hello everyone and welcome to Episode 195 of the Resilient Journey Podcast, presented by Anesis Consulting Group!   This week, we're happy to be joined by the President of Kith Consulting, Stephanie Craig. Stephanie uses her expertise to analyze business operations to produce a clear path to navigating crisis. We'll tap into her expertise to analyze Astronomer's response to the kiss-cam incident, including whether executives are "always on the clock". Stephanie reminds us of the value of a company's reputation.  She and Mark talk about Gwyneth Paltrow, how to know when to break ties with an executive and so much more. Join us now for this fresh take on a familiar story.   Be sure to follow The Resilient Journey!  We sure do appreciate it! Want to learn more about Mark? Click here or on LinkedIn or Twitter. Special thanks to Bensound for the music.

What happens when you combine cutting-edge technology with a more human approach to airline service? Jeff Weber, Chief People Officer at Breeze Airways, reveals the fascinating intersection of high-tech innovation and high-touch customer experience in this engaging conversation about the future of work in the aviation industry.Jeff, who joined Breeze after successful HR leadership roles at forward-thinking organizations like Ancestry.com, explains why CEO David Neeleman specifically sought someone outside the airline industry to build Breeze's unique culture. "He said 'I don't really want someone who has been in the airline industry before. I want someone that's going to bring a culture like you had at the software companies you built,'" Weber shares, highlighting Breeze's distinctive positioning as a "tech company that flies."Rather than replacing human workers with technology, says Jeff, Breeze focuses on augmentation – using AI-enabled tools like "Harper," their virtual HR generalist, to provide immediate support for team members on the go while maintaining the irreplaceable human element of their service. "We're not seeing roles getting replaced," Weber emphasizes. "We're seeing more of being augmented by technology. Pilots and flight attendants will be needed in the future, but how do we make their job easier?"Perhaps most impressively, Jeff spent his first month at Breeze working frontline positions – cleaning planes, packing bags, assisting ground crew – to truly understand operational challenges. This hands-on approach exemplifies his leadership philosophy of aligning talent strategy with business objectives through three key pillars: acquisition, engagement, and development.For HR professionals looking to future-proof their careers, Jeff offers clear guidance: "We should no longer be the police or compliance department. We should be the 'how do we help you deliver on your business plan' department." By staying current with emerging technologies while maintaining a focus on human connection, HR leaders can position themselves as essential strategic partners in any organization's success.Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

Story of the Week (DR):​​Mark Zuckerberg just shared his vision for 'personal superintelligence."But perhaps even more important is that superintelligence has the potential to begin a new era of personal empowerment where people will have greater agency to improve the world in the directions they choose,"'Mark Zuckerberg is pouring billions of dollars into AI ‘superintelligence'—so why does his Instagram pitch feel so underwhelming?Mark Zuckerberg Looks Like He's Been Taken Hostage as He Explains Plan for Deploying AI SuperintelligenceAnthropic's CEO says massive salary changes could 'destroy' company culture"If Mark Zuckerberg throws a dart at a dartboard and hits your name, that doesn't mean you should be paid 10 times more than the guy next to you who's just as skilled."Amodei said such massive salary changes could "destroy" a company's culture by treating people "unfairly."Many of his employees have rejected the outside offers, and some "wouldn't even talk to Mark Zuckerberg."Wells Fargo board to appoint CEO Scharf as chairman and grant $30 million award MMSpecial CEO Equity Awardone-time equity award consisting of Restricted Share Rights with a grant date value of approximately $30 million and 1.046 million Stock Options (Exercise Price: $82.65)the Board approved and adopted the Company's By-Laws:The amendments remove the requirement that the Chairman of the Board be an independent director.The Board also amended the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines to require a Lead Independent Director if the Chairman of the Board is not independentConsistent with this change, the independent directors of the Board intend to appoint Mr. Scharf as Chairman of the Board, and to appoint a Lead Independent Director of the Board.$30M last year, including $20M in equityWhat happens to existing chair Steven Black?Scharf was former CEO and CHair of The Bank of New York Mellon, when current Chair Black was appointed to the Mellon boardBlack on Pay CommitteeWith Committee Chair Ron Sargent, former CEO/Chair of Staples and current interim CEO of KrogerWall Street returns to work after Manhattan shooting that killed Blackstone executiveThe investigation is ongoing, but authorities found a note on the gunman suggesting Shane Tamura, who had a history of mental health issues, appeared to blame the National Football League (NFL) for a brain injury (CTE) he believed he had from playing football. His intended target was likely the NFL headquarters, which is also located in the building.The investment firm's offices were closed on Tuesday after it said senior Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner was among those killedReport: NFL will acquire up to 10 percent of ESPN as part of NFL Media dealJust to tweak Matt: ‘Woke is officially dead at Brown,' Trump says, after Ivy League school settles with federal govGoodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Women Now Occupy Almost a Fifth of Top Venture Roles, Study FindsThe share of women in high-echelon postsThat share, which counts those in partner roles and above, has doubled since 2018 to 18.6%, according to nonprofit All RaiseMM: ‘Shame on them': Standard Chartered CEO decries banks that drop climate pledges DRBill Winters criticised banks that had jumped on the climate bandwagon when it was “fashionable”, but had since rolled back on their green ambitions or gone quiet on the subject.“Shame on them,” he said, without naming individual firms.Assholiest of the Week (MM): Brown UniversityTrump: Woke Is Dead at Brown University$50m extortion paid to Trump to restore funding“Brown will adopt the government's definition of “male” and “female,” for example, and must remove any consideration of race from the admissions process.”“Brown will no longer perform gender reassignment surgeries on minors or prescribe them puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones,” Leavitt added, calling it “chemical castration of children.”Barclays DRBarclays Reports £500 Million in Sustainable Finance RevenuesIn a report released YESTERDAY, the bank said it made $500m on sustainable finance44 page report detailing how amazing their work on climate is, how sustainable they are, and all the benefitsBarclays latest British lender to quit climate banking alliance"After consideration, we have decided to withdraw from the Net Zero Banking Alliance," the bank said in a statement on its website. "With the departure of most of the global banks, the organisation no longer has the membership to support our transition."MicrosoftMicrosoft CFO calls for 'intensity' in an internal memo, after blowout earningsThe chief financial officer, Amy Hood, sent an email to employees on Wednesday after the company reported a $27 billion quarterly profit, telling them the year ahead would require "intensity, clarity, and bold execution."The adult in the room just joined the middle schoolers in talking about “growth mindset” and “intensity” in a race to the bottom where we gut employees but executives keep their jobsThe enigma of adulthoodHood I'm sure is very worried about her job at MSFT… although she already has a job for life on the board of 3M, so why worry?Not for nothing, but Amy Coleman got the role of Chief People Officer in March, just in time to fire everyoneShe also cashed in more than $24m in options in the last 3 months, and despite being an NEO in the 10k, her contract was not disclosed in an 8K - curious how much she was paid to dispose of employees? Or is that the “enigma of disclosure”?Cowering employees37% of employees have wondered if emojis are professionalYour employees are worried about emojis being professionalYour research team is worried about buying the best governance data on earth because of a podcast with a segment called “Assholiest”Your rank and file, after years of wages that don't keep the pace of inflation, have to deal with a Walmart exec saying “nobody” will want to hire you if you're a “Debbie Downer”Meanwhile…Elon Musk Amplifies Bizarre Claim That 'Women Are Built To Be Traded' CEO Brags That He Gets "Extremely Excited" Firing People and Replacing Them With AILiterally, every week Jamie Dimon says something and Sam Altman is afraid of the apocalypse he's made… and your employees are so tenuous they're worried about improper emoji useHeadliniest of the WeekDR: Elon Musk Amplifies Bizarre Claim That 'Women Are Built To Be Traded' ANDElon Musk Pushes View That Women Are 'Anti-White' Because They're 'Weak'DR: U.S. Women in Coffee welcomes Mark Inman to its Board of DirectorsMM: Tesla Robotaxi Gets Stuck in Infinite Loop as Support Tries to Break It OutMM: Starbucks CEO: The company was 'mismanaged for a couple years'—here's his plan to 'bounce back'Who Won the Week?DR: King ChuckMM: Chainsaw Charlie! Cue memory reel:Charlie Scharf steps down as Visa CEO in 2016 because he said he couldn't spend enough time in San Francisco to do the job “effectively”Becomes CEO of Wells Fargo in 2019 and… commutes to San Francisco from NYCImmediately cuts staff, gets nicknamed “Chainsaw Charlie”... then complains he can't find enough black workers because they're not qualifiedJoins board of Microsoft where he can oversee record profits and simultaneous staff cuts, a personal joyJust got this news, he must be stoked: Wells Fargo board to appoint CEO Scharf as chairman and grant $30 million awardPredictionsDR: As part of of its 10% ownership of ESPN, the Disney board refuses to add an NFL player to its board but agrees to attend all board meetings wearing spandex and shoulder pads MM: Wells Fargo's investors are unhappy with Scharf's new chair appointment and retention grant, vote 73% approval of Scharf's pay but 99.6% in favor of everyone on the pay committee who set the pay and voted to make him chair

Kahina Ouerdane, Chief People Officer at Workleap, joined us on The Modern People Leader.We talked about her journey from international human rights law to tech, how software is the new workplace, why AI is forcing a rethinking of learning and org design, and more.---- Sponsor Links:

Organizations face a critical AI inflection point: the pressure to implement quickly conflicts with uncertainty about the right approach. While some companies are still cautiously experimenting with basic AI tools, others have fundamentally reimagined how work gets done. What separates the companies achieving remarkable results from those stuck in endless pilots? Often, it's not the technology itself but the culture and approach to adoption. So how exactly are companies at the cutting edge getting to the cutting edge? My guest this week is Brandon Sammut, Chief People Officer at Zapier. Ever since Zapier's"CEO issued a 'Code Red" on AI back in March 2023, Zapier has been undergoing an AI transformation in every part of its business.. In our conversation, Brandon shares how their AI strategy is boosting both productivity and employee engagement, why and how every new hire must demonstrate AI fluency, and why it is critical to keep the human touch in talent acquisition and throughout the employee journey. In the interview, we discuss: Competing in an AI-first world AI is a tool, not an outcome in itself. AI in People Operations Increasing personalization and connection in talent acquisition Understanding the moments that matter Using the human touch as a competitive advantage The critical importance of psychological safety and experimentation  Why culture beats skills The four levels of fluency in Zapier's AI Fluency Framework Bias & ethics Where is AI transformation heading, and what will the future look like Recruiting Future helps Talent Acquisition teams drive measurable impact by developing strategic capability in Foresight, Influence, Talent, and Teyou'regy. If you're interested in finding out how your TA function measures up in these four critical areas, I've created the free FITT for the Future Assessment. It'll give you personalised insights to help you build strategic clarity and drive greater impact immediately. Just head to mattalder.me/podcast to complete the assessment—it only takes a few minutes. Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.

What if there's no Chief People Officer role in your organisation - but you know it needs one, and you think you're the right person for it?In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Victoria Pounder, Chief People Officer at Moore Kingston Smith - a multi-disciplinary firm providing audit, accountancy, advisory and tax services to a diverse range of clients. Victoria shares her inspiring journey of growing with the firm over 14 years - from being the first Head of HR to HR Director, and eventually making the case for a brand-new Chief People Officer role that she then stepped into.She talks openly about what the step up has been like so far, how she's built influence and trust over time, and how she's stayed focused on culture during rapid growth and change. There's plenty to take away - especially if you're aiming for a CPO role yourself, or want to lead with more impact and confidence in your current one.Chapters From This Episode[00:00] Welcome and introduction to Victoria Pounder[01:00] Creating a CPO role from scratch[03:20] Building the business case and going through the panel interview process[04:03] The differences between being an HRD and a CPO[06:40] The importance of influence in the CPO role[08:51] How trust helped her lead behind the scenes[12:32] Key skills and habits that have helped her succeed[14:45] How a non-HR project changed her perspective[18:17] Culture, growth and protecting values under pressure[23:06] Balancing career, family and mental wellbeing[25:19] The role of HR communities[27:08] Advice for aspiring CPOs[28:22] Final advice for new CPOs[37:16] Book recommendation and conclusion Useful LinksConnect with Fay Wallis on LinkedInVisit Fay's websiteLearn about Fay's Inspiring HR leadership development programmeConnect with Victoria Pounder on LinkedInEvolving HR – ‘Getting the Board on Board' webinarThe HR Ninjas on LinkedInThe HR Ninjas Facebook Group Book Recommendation From This EpisodeHR Disrupted by Lucy Adams (Amazon affiliate link – Fay will earn a small commission from Amazon if you choose to purchase the book via this link)Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 18: Future-Proofing Your Career, with Karen MoranEpisode 136: How to Shape a Winning Workplace Culture When You Work in HR, with Annabelle Lawson & Paula BrockwellBuild Your Confidence Playlist: A collection of HR Coffee Time podcast episodes to help you overcome self-doubt and...

Germany's Tech-Driven Warfare & Ethical ImplicationsGermany is integrating AI, robotics, and human-machine teaming into its military, deploying tech like robotic cockroaches for surveillance and mini-robots for urban combat. These innovations aim to enhance decision-making and minimize human risk. Yet, critics warn of ethical and legal concerns, especially around loss of human oversight in lethal decisions. Despite official claims that humans will remain in control, the autonomy debate continues.Astronomer's "Kiss Cam" ScandalA viral Coldplay concert “Kiss Cam” captured Astronomer's CEO and Chief People Officer—both married—trying to avoid public display. The clip, viewed over 127 million times, sparked privacy concerns and led to their resignations. In a PR twist, Astronomer hired Gwyneth Paltrow (ex-wife of Coldplay's Chris Martin) as a temporary spokesperson to steer attention back to the company's data automation services.Tea App's Privacy BreachesThe women's dating safety app “Tea” was compromised twice. First, 72,000 private images, including IDs and selfies, were leaked due to an unsecured Firebase database. A second breach exposed over a million sensitive messages containing personal info and taboo topics. Despite promises of anonymity, users' names, social links, and phone numbers were often easily traceable—defeating the app's core promise of safety.WhoFi and the Future of SurveillanceWhoFi, a surveillance system developed at La Sapienza University, uses Wi-Fi distortions (Channel State Information) to uniquely identify individuals based on their body's impact on signal patterns. Achieving up to 95.5% accuracy, it can track people without phones or devices, raising serious privacy concerns about ubiquitous, passive surveillance with no opt-out.ChatGPT Agent Bypasses SecurityOpenAI's ChatGPT Agent demonstrated it can bypass Cloudflare's anti-bot “I am not a robot” checks. Operating in a sandboxed browser environment, it navigated multi-step verifications without CAPTCHAs. This challenges the efficacy of current web security protocols and signals that anti-bot measures may be obsolete in the face of advanced AI agents.AI-Driven Pricing Controversy in AirlinesAmerican Airlines' CEO slammed Delta for using AI in airfare pricing, labeling it “bait and switch.” Delta claims uniform pricing across channels and denies tailoring fares per customer. While Delta plans broader AI deployment, competitors like Southwest and American reject AI pricing, citing privacy concerns and potential fare manipulation.Clorox Hack & Vendor NegligenceA 2023 cyberattack cost Clorox $380 million due to a security lapse by its IT vendor, Cognizant. Hackers impersonated Clorox employees and tricked service desk agents into resetting credentials—no identity checks were performed. Now, Clorox is suing Cognizant for damages stemming from this avoidable breach.North Korean Espionage via Remote WorkNorth Korean operatives used stolen identities to land remote IT jobs at major U.S. firms like Nike and Chick-fil-A. Aided by VPNs and paid stand-ins for interviews, they funneled salaries to the regime. A U.S. woman received 8.5 years in prison for facilitating this scheme, which exposed sensitive company data and posed national security risks.

This week, we look at the potential restoration of a quorum at the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”), the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL's) deregulatory initiatives, and lessons from a high-profile workplace incident at a Coldplay concert. NLRB May Regain Quorum Lacking a quorum, the NLRB is currently unable to issue decisions affecting workplace policies and disputes. On July 17, 2025, President Trump nominated two Republicans to fill vacant seats on the Board. Senate confirmation of the nominees is required to restore the Board's authority and ensure continued guidance for employers. DOL Begins Deregulation Push The DOL's deregulatory agenda could reshape compliance priorities for employers. Plans include 63 actions to roll back regulations and align with federal mandates. Coldplay Concert Exposes Workplace Romance  A viral “kiss cam” moment at a recent Coldplay concert led to the resignations of a CEO and a Chief People Officer and heightened legal exposure for their company. This is a reminder that employers must implement and consistently enforce relationship policies to prevent risk and uphold workplace credibility. --  Download our Wage & Hour Guide for Employers app: https://www.ebglaw.com/wage-hour-guide-for-employers-app. Visit our site for this week's Other Highlights and links: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw398 Subscribe to #WorkforceWednesday: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw-subscribe Visit http://www.EmploymentLawThisWeek.com This podcast is presented by Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. All rights are reserved. This audio recording includes information about legal issues and legal developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances, and these materials are not a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. The content reflects the personal views and opinions of the participants. No attorney-client relationship has been created by this audio recording. This audio recording may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

High performers are often seen as the ones you don't have to worry about. But behind consistent output and quiet competence, there can be early signs of burnout and disengagement. In this episode, Melanie Naranjo joins Karina Young to challenge how companies define top talent and why performance without support leads to retention risk. Melanie, Chief People Officer at Ethena, shares a candid perspective on why high performers need more than praise. They need space to grow, permission to speak up, and help rewiring habits that no longer serve them. Together, they explore how over-reliance on top talent can backfire, why traditional engagement strategies often miss the mark, and what managers can do to spot red flags before it's too late. Melanie also offers clear strategies for re-engaging high performers and building a culture where expectations, accountability, and care go hand in hand. For HR leaders working to retain their best people, it's a compelling reminder: performance doesn't mean immunity. It means opportunity. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Melanie Naranjo (01:14) The hidden costs of quiet disengagement (03:28) Rethinking what “high performer” really means (06:26) Debunking the myth of passion and performance (10:19) Building flexible perks that actually engage people (12:58) Early signs your top talent is burning out (15:19) Questions managers should ask but usually don't (20:03) How to coach overwhelmed team members (22:30) Why surveys won't help you retain your best people (24:17) High performers suffer when underperformers go unchecked (31:19) Re-engaging talent through targeted development plans (35:25) What to do when a high performer is a jerk (38:23) Questions every manager should ask top talent   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's The HR Leader's Guide to Reducing Regrettable Turnover:  https://www.15five.com/guide-to-reducing-regrettable-turnover?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Reducing Regrettable Turnover eBook For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Melanie Naranjo's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-naranjo/

Alex Buder Shapiro, Chief People Officer at Jasper, joined us on The Modern People Leader.We talked about how AI is reshaping organizational design, the shift from early-career jobs to early-career talent, and how HR teams can lead through experimentation and workflow innovation.---- Sponsor Links:

Nolan and Kelli dive deep into the viral Astronomer scandal where the CEO and Chief People Officer were exposed having an affair during a Coldplay concert kiss cam moment. They examine the hypocrisy of executive leadership, the responsibilities that come with high-profile roles, and how this incident damages trust in HR leadership across the industry.*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.coFor coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Support HR Heretics Sponsors:Planful empowers teams just like yours to unlock the secrets of successful workforce planning. Use data-driven insights to develop accurate forecasts, close hiring gaps, and adjust talent acquisition plans collaboratively based on costs today and into the future. ✍️ Go to https://planful.com/heretics to see how you can transform your HR strategy.Metaview is the AI platform built for recruiting. Our suite of AI agents work across your hiring process to save time, boost decision quality, and elevate the candidate experience.Learn why team builders at 3,000+ cutting-edge companies like Brex, Deel, and Quora can't live without Metaview.It only takes minutes to get up and running. Check it out!KEEP UP WITH NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:13) Opening & Context(01:51) Initial Reactions(05:11) The Hypocrisy Factor(08:23) Leadership Responsibility(10:00) Work-Life Integration(15:58) Modern Visibility(18:00) Hypothetical Solutions(21:26) The Gwyneth Paltrow Response(25:00) Impact on Employees(26:00) Industry Implications(30:14) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

Louisa reflects on shifts in gender imbalance in the construction industry, and shares how her career transition from engineering into HR has enabled her to drive culture transformation, providing practical examples on values-led leadership such as ‘mood mountains'. Louisa explores the future of work, highlighting HR's role in leading digital change and creating inclusive, trust-based workplaces, advocating for offices as collaborative destinations. With a call to action for HR to ‘be the challenge' in business, Louisa urges HR leaders to ask bold questions and embrace cognitive diversity to unlock progress. Cecilia echoes the message, encouraging listeners to step into their influence and lead change with purpose. References: None Thank you to How HR Leaders Change the World - Live! 2025 - brought to you by Uplifting People for sponsoring this episode   This episode is brought to you by HR's boldest moment yet - How HR Leaders Change the World Live. Today's HR leaders are navigating extraordinary demands, balancing short-term business performance with shaping long-term, purpose-driven strategy. Yet despite holding the key to sustainable commercial success, HR is often undervalued, under-supported, and expected to play it safe. That's exactly why we created How HR Leaders Change the World - Live! - an extraordinary event bringing together pioneering HR leaders who believe our profession can be a transformative force for both business growth and social good. This year's event is the boldest yet, featuring candid, strategic conversations and powerful insights from global CHROs. You'll leave with actionable takeaways and a renewed sense of the power of your role, with 100% of profits donated to support vulnerable children - meaning your impact starts before you even walk through the door. Early bird tickets are now available, saving you £100 if you book before 30th July. With only 50 discounted tickets on offer, once they're gone, they're gone. Take a look at the agenda and our first speaker announcements, including keynote Bob Geldof KBE. Don't miss out - secure your place today and join fellow HR change makers to enhance your influence and impact. We can't wait to see you there!   

AI is moving faster than any of us can keep up. Every week brings a new tool, every month a new disruption, and leaders everywhere are left scrambling to understand what this means for their people, their culture, and their future. In this episode, I sit down with Charlotte Eaton, Chief People Officer at Arm—the company powering almost every smartphone on the planet—to explore how AI is fundamentally transforming the workplace. We discuss the skyrocketing demand for AI talent, how companies like Arm are rolling out AI tools across their workforce, and the growing pressure on leaders to stay ahead of rapid technological shifts. Charlotte shares insights on building an AI-ready culture, the risks of outsourcing human thinking to machines, and how leadership mindsets must evolve to thrive in this new era. We also explore the future of work, from the rise of AI co-pilots and system-based thinking to changing views on education, hiring, and organizational design. If you're struggling to make sense of AI's rapid takeover, this episode is for you.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Nadia Rawlinson and Michael Alter are co-owners of the WNBA team, the Chicago Sky. Nadia was the Chief People Officer at Slack Technologies when the company was acquired by Salesforce in 2021 for $28 billion.  She is an advisor for Google Ventures, serves on the Stanford University Board of Trustees and is on the Board of Directors for J. Crew and Vail Resorts. Michael is President of the Alter Group, which was founded by his father and has become one of the largest private commercial real estate developers in the country.  He is also the founder and a board member of the non-profit organization City Year Chicago. In today's conversation, we will learn: (1:05) – What were Michael and Nadia's formative years like?(4:16) – How and why did Michael join the family business (Alter Group)?(8:39) – How did Nadia define her career path after the Slack acquisition?(12:23) – What makes for a good board member?(15:12) – What do entrepreneurs get wrong when building a business?(16:43) – Why did Michael decide to buy Chicago Sky?(21:08) – What does being a good “steward” of the Chicago Sky mean to Nadia?(24:35) – How does the organizational structure of a sports franchise work?(29:01) – What life lessons have Nadia and Michael brought home from Chicago Sky?(33:15) – What are Michael and Nadia's “why's”?  © 2025 Northern Trust Corporation. Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603. Incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Member FDIC.

“HR is such a diverse role. At any given time we see people at their worst, and people at their best. We're expected to be lawyers and are constantly making commercial decisions.”   In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, I speak to Kate Newey, HR Chief of Adaptalift Group, on The secret life of HR professionals, having it all and AI in the workplace.

What do you do when your CEO and Chief People Officer get caught canoodling—sans spouses—on a Coldplay kiss cam? If you're Astronomer, apparently you hire Gwyneth Paltrow to crack a few jokes and hope everyone forgets.It probably didn't work.In this episode of PR After Hours, Alex breaks down how a non-oppositional crisis can become an oppositional one overnight—all thanks to a tone-deaf attempt to “ride the zeitgeist.” We'll talk about what they should've done instead, why you can't Goop your way out of bad leadership, and the simple crisis comms rule they ignored.Then we shift gears into complexity creep—why tech, especially AI, keeps promising simplicity but somehow makes everything harder. If you've ever wondered why the “future of work” feels more chaotic than streamlined, this one's for you.

Allan Rhodes is Chief People Officer at teal-inspired insurance broker Konsileo. He shares what he's learned over the last three years about helping to design a self-managing organisation, including how to onboard people into a totally new way of working. We also talk about his favourite metaphor of organisational gardening. We can be inspired by other gardens and gardeners, but what will grow best in our unique soil and climate? Allan has dual nationality as a Mexican Englishman so he shares observations on the two cultures having experienced communities exploring progressive ways of organising in both Latin America and the UK. Resources: Konsileo's website: https://konsileo.com/ Allan's blogs about Organisational Gardening Latin American networks and organisations promoting self-management: Co-crealia: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cocrealia/  Pancho Mora's podcast, Autogestión: https://panchomora.life/  Organizaciones Brillantes: https://www.organizacionesbrillantes.com/el-movimiento  Brave Job: https://www.brave-job.com/home/ CultureSee: https://www.culturesee.com/  Outiopía: https://ouitopia.team/en/  Luis Salas - Polymath - Reinventando a tu Organización (newsletter): https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-salas-0b7b7135/  Encuentro Internacional Teal: https://www.congresointernacionalteal.com/  Related Leadermorphosis podcast episodes: Ep. 49 with Peter Koenig about Source Ep. 5 with Tom Nixon Ep. 82 with Mayden, another UK self-managing company Ep. 52 with Jorge Silva from 10Pines, Argentina Ep. 96 with Xavier Costa about the movement in Spain Ep. 33 with Margaret Wheatley

Leaders who are respected are 12x more likely to be seen as effective than those who are simply liked. This is because respect is tied to competence, fairness, and consistency.Respect in leadership isn't about titles or status, but about treating team members as capable adults rather than children. This helps avoid learned helplessness among teams, and creates environments where people feel safe to take risks, speak up, and even fail without fear of punishment.Robyn Djelassi is a Chief People Officer, non-executive director, and coach. She runs her own HR consultancy working with organisations across Australia, with a focus on helping organisations achieve business results through their people.Her approach to HR is a little different from the warm-and-fuzzy cliché that has permeated the industry, but is done with heart.Robyn's ADULTS leadership frameworkA: Accountability over approval. Don't lead to be liked; lead to be trusted.D: Debrief, don't rescue. When mistakes happen, resist fixing them for your team.U: Uncomfortable is useful. Don't smooth the edges; people grow through the stretch.L: Let go of control. Ask “Have I made it clear what success looks like?”T: Trust before proof. Trust people before they've earned it.S: Say less, ask more. Use questions to help people think for themselves.Episode highlights[00:09:03] What new leaders think leadership is[00:10:37] The "cool mum" approach to leadership[00:14:12] What we mean when we talk about respect[00:15:39] We're getting psychological safety wrong[00:20:07] Findings from Google's Project Aristotle[00:23:43] How to garner respect as a new leader[00:24:39] Robyn's ADULTS framework[00:30:32] Robyn's media recommendation[00:31:57] Takeaways from Pia and DanLinksConnect with Robyn via LinkedInWe Used to be Journos – Robyn's podcast recommendationTrack and improve your team performance with SquadifyLeave us a voice note

In this episode of Workplace Stories, we sit down with Zane Zumbahlen, Chief People Officer at Wedgwood Veterinary Pharmacy, to explore how vulnerability in leadership can catalyze organizational change.With a 30-year career spanning IBM, CTCA, and global roles in Sweden and Japan, Zane shares candid stories that reveal the power of low-ego, high-confidence leadership. From active listening sessions that rebuilt trust among skeptical managers to structural programs that flipped the risk equation for women leaders, Zane's journey is a masterclass in how HR leaders can move from intention to impactful systems.His approach blends authenticity, experimentation, and a relentless drive to make things better, one conversation at a time.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(00:00) Intro(04:21) How vulnerability accelerates trust and change.(12:45) The real-life risks of emotional leadership.(18:50) Driving systemic transformation from the HR seat.(22:33) A roadmap for active listening that leads to measurable action.(35:10) Building female leadership pipelines in risk-averse cultures.(47:52) Examples of HR-led innovation across global contexts.(56:15) Rethinking how credibility and compassion coexist in leadership.Resources & People Mentioned:Wedgwood Veterinary PharmacyAdam Grant on Personal Branding and TrustConnect with Zane Zumbahlen:LinkedIn: Zane ZumbahlenConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

What happens when a leader blends deep operational structure with genuine human care? That's the question at the heart of my latest conversation on the Leadership with Heart podcast, where I'm joined by Sarah Mazzocco, Chief People Officer at Americare Senior Living. We first met when I was invited to speak at Americare's annual leadership conference. Even before I hit the stage, I could tell Sarah was a different kind of leader. She carried a quiet confidence rooted in clarity, process, and intention. What stood out most was her heart. She wasn't just focused on logistics or event outcomes; she was also concerned about the overall experience. She was focused on people, how they felt, what they needed, and how the experience could serve them long after the event ended. That same intentionality came through in this conversation. Sarah spoke openly about the tension between designing robust systems and remaining flexible when things do not go as planned. She shared a powerful example from her early days at Walmart, when she was tasked with redesigning cashier training across hundreds of thousands of employees.  The project seemed straightforward until feedback from frontline workers completely shifted her team's perspective. What they thought was high value turned out to be disconnected from the reality of day-to-day work. That insight prompted a redesign, but it also paved the way for deeper trust and improved outcomes. For Sarah, moments like that proved the value of staying curious and staying humble. Throughout the episode, we repeatedly returned to the importance of asking the right questions, not from a place of pretense or ego, but with a blank slate mindset. Sarah talked about how being wrong is not a threat to leadership. It is often the very thing that makes leadership real. By remaining open to new data, perspectives, and feedback, she creates space for her team to feel seen and heard. That sense of psychological safety is what allows innovation and transformation to take root. We also explored the myth that leaders have to choose between being results-driven or people-centered. Sarah pushes back on that narrative. For her, the numbers matter because they help validate whether the work is meaningful. They serve as a reflection of the lived employee experience. If people feel seen, supported, and inspired, the data should reflect that. But she is clear that you cannot just lead with numbers. You must start with a purpose, stay grounded in listening, and use data as a tool to guide rather than dictate the path forward. Sarah's leadership style is rare in its balance. She brings process and structure, but she also makes room for messiness. She values outcomes, but she centers people. She has the credentials and experience to lead from the top, yet she has never stopped asking questions like a student. This conversation was a reminder that caring leadership is not a sign of weakness. It is strategic. It is data-informed. It is rooted in values and made powerful through action. Sarah is a brilliant example of how leaders can hold both heart and accountability, as well as consistency and curiosity, and bring it all together to create workplaces where people truly thrive.  

In this episode of Elevate Care, host Keri Perez engages in an insightful conversation with Tomya Watt, Chief People Officer at AMN Healthcare, about the evolving role of Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs). Together, they explore how CHROs have transitioned from transactional roles to becoming strategic, solution-driven partners in the C-suite. The discussion highlights the power of data in driving workforce transformation, the importance of aligning talent strategies with business goals, and how holistic workforce solutions and technology integration can elevate patient care and organizational success.Chapters00:00 The Evolving Role of CHROs06:08 Holistic Workforce Solutions and Technology Integration09:23 Aligning Talent Strategies for Workforce TransformationWant to keep the conversation going?Join Tomya for an upcoming Becker's Healthcare webinar:Turn Workforce Risk Into Enterprise Value: The CHRO Playbook

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we're joined by Lauren Nunes, Chief People Officer at Twitch. Lauren breaks down how Twitch is intentionally building a mission-driven culture while supporting employees and streamers alike. From Amazon-powered AI tools to flash mentoring programs and creator-employee connections, Lauren shares how Twitch is shaping the future of work with empathy, innovation, and purpose. This episode is a masterclass on blending community, business impact, and scalable support at one of the world's most iconic platforms.

Alex Buder Shapiro is the Chief People Officer at Jasper AI, a company with more than 100,000 customers using its AI-first marketing platform and over $125M raised. She is a forward-thinking people leader with a unique perspective on the role of HR and the future of teams, having served in the same position for six years at Flatiron Health and as an HR Business Partner Manager for nearly eight years at Google. Alex studied Political Psychology and Theatre Arts at the University of Pennsylvania.In this conversation, we discuss:How Alex's early career at Google shaped her views on aligned incentives, experimentation, and building high-performing people cultures.Why the employer and employee relationship has shifted dramatically in the last five years, from shared incentives to trade-offs driven by economic and social change.Why AI adoption in the workplace creates both opportunities and anxieties, and how people leaders can design human-centered approaches to integrating AI.The concept of “practicing at the top of your license” and how it applies to redesigning work in an AI-driven future.How the next generation of employees will challenge and reshape workplace structures through their fluency with AI and new ways of learning, mentorship, and problem solving.What responsible AI means for people leaders, including addressing bias, conscious adoption, and collective accountability.Resources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Alex on LinkedInAI fun fact articleOn How To Build High Performance Organization with AI for the Tech ServicesPast episodes mentioned in this conversation:[With Dave Marchick, Dean of the Kogod School of Business] - On How AI is Changing Academia[Bryan Power, Nextdoor's Head of People] - On how AI is Reshaping Work and Job Loyalty 

Final headline of the week contender: Man arrested after allegedly chugging Tabasco sauce and challenging others to a fight, 44% of working adults now believe having an active social media presence is more likely to hurt someone's career than help, Married CEO is in quite the awkward spot after being spotted on 'Kiss Cam' at Coldplay concert embracing his also married 'CPO'...Chief People Officer (ironically, current day corporate speak for 'head of HR')

For today's essential Heretics 101 feature, Kelli and Nolan explore compensation testing, remote culture scaling, leadership transparency, and AI adoption challenges through the analytical lens of Christine Centa, HashiCorp's Chief People Officer.*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.coFor coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Support HR Heretics Sponsors:Planful empowers teams just like yours to unlock the secrets of successful workforce planning. Use data-driven insights to develop accurate forecasts, close hiring gaps, and adjust talent acquisition plans collaboratively based on costs today and into the future. ✍️ Go to https://planful.com/heretics to see how you can transform your HR strategy.Metaview is the AI platform built for recruiting. Our suite of AI agents work across your hiring process to save time, boost decision quality, and elevate the candidate experience.Learn why team builders at 3,000+ cutting-edge companies like Brex, Deel, and Quora can't live without Metaview.It only takes minutes to get up and running. Check it out!KEEP UP WITH PETER, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINChristine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-centa-0a809b7/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/—HashiCorp: https://www.hashicorp.com/en—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction & Christine's Background(01:15) The Compensation Specialist to CPO Transition(02:26) Current Compensation Landscape & Market Data(04:00) The Midpoint Experiment(05:28) Equity Strategy & New Grant Structures(06:20) Going Public: Private to Public Transition(07:28) Sponsor: Planful | MetaView (10:27) Remote Work Philosophy & Scaling Challenges(11:53) The Connection Crisis(13:00) Leadership Dynamics: The Professor & Accountant(13:51) Transparency as Strategy(14:40) AI Strategy & Implementation Reality(16:00) AI in Recruiting: The Future Frontier(17:17) The AI Arms Race(18:00) The Work Behind the AI Dream(19:25) Preparing Teams for AI Future(20:09) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

Helen Russell, HubSpot's Chief People Officer, believes the age of AI is making work more human, not less. In this episode, she shares how HubSpot is approaching our culture in the AI-first era, digs into relational intelligence and the human + AI workforce, unpacks how vision, empathy, and integrity are reshaping leadership—and why outcomes, not adoption, should guide how we measure success in the AI era.

Ready to transform your HR operations?Download Deel's free AI-powered HR guide and discover how to streamline processes, stay compliant, and scale globally with ease: https://www.deel.com/resources/ai-in-hr-global-organizations/?utm_medium=sponsored-newsletter&utm_source=nickday&utm_campaign=ww_engage_download_nickday_sponnewsletter_hrnewsletter-theroleofai-jun25_platfpod_all&utm_content=engage_platfpod_sponnewsletter_theroleofai-dedicated-hr_enWhat does it really take for an HR leader to make the leap to the boardroom?In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, Nick Day sits down with Andrea Wareham, former Chief People Officer at Pret A Manger and now a Non-Executive Director (NED) across multiple organizations. With 20+ years of experience shaping people strategy at one of the UK's most iconic brands, Andrea breaks down the real blueprint for HR leaders who want to operate at the highest level of business.Whether you're an aspiring CHRO or already operating at senior level, this episode will give you the tools to expand your impact, build influence, and shape the future of business from the top down.Listen now and unlock your path to board-level leadership.Andrea's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawareham/Nick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Preview (01:28) Introducing Andrea Wareham(05:39) Why HR Leaders Belong in the Boardroom (10:37) Managing Pressure and Building Trust at Executive Level (13:54) Becoming a Public-Facing People Leader (15:09) Pret's People-First Philosophy (18:23) The People Lens Boards Are Missing (21:34) What It Really Takes to Become a Non-Executive Director (25:03) How to Add Value as an NED (31:07) Why NED Roles Are So Rewarding (35:23) How HR Leaders Can Start Building Board Influence (38:40) Driving Board Diversity Through HR Perspective (41:12) Top Tips for Aspiring NEDs (46:29) Advice for Future HR Leaders

“HR has shifted towards partnering with the business as a trusted advisor to the executive team, as people have started to realise the value of human capital.” In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, I speak to Linda Carroll, Chief People Officer of G8 Education, on driving business success through the development of your people.  

Helen Russell, Chief People Officer at HubSpot, joined us on The Modern People Leader. We talked about how HubSpot is fostering an AI-first culture, why belonging is so important right now, and what HR leaders can do to move fast without losing their humanity.---- Sponsor Links:

In this thought-provoking episode of the Cohesion Podcast, Miriam Connaughton (Chief People Officer at Simpplr) sits down with Gianna Driver, Chief People Officer at Lattice. A serial CPO with deep experience in the tech sector, Gianna brings a fresh perspective to one of HR's most persistent questions: how should we really be measuring employee experience and performance? With engagement scores stagnating for decades and workforces becoming more distributed and diverse, Gianna challenges conventional wisdom on employee engagement—and explores what might come next. Drawing on data, lived experience, and her people-first philosophy, she shares what she believes leaders should be measuring, and why metrics alone can fail to capture belonging, mental health, and true organizational health. From rethinking engagement surveys to navigating the risks and opportunities of AI in the workplace, this episode is packed with strategic insights and human nuance. If you're reimagining how to support and measure your people in a hybrid, high-change world, this conversation is for you. Topics Covered: Why employee engagement scores have flatlined for 20 yearsWhat HR teams might measure instead of—or in addition to—engagementHow hybrid and remote work reshape connection and cultureThe generational shifts redefining what employees value mostInsights from the disengaged: what outliers can tell usBalancing AI, analytics, and human empathy in employee experienceMoving from individual-level fixes to systemic, structural solutions Connect with Gianna Driver: LinkedIn Subscribe to get the latest conversations on employee experience, change leadership, and internal communications.

Ever wonder what it's like to build a coworking space outside the U.S. from scratch, in another language, with a whole new playbook? Joel Ballew is the Chief People Officer at Coventus Space in Barranquilla, Colombia, and he's not your average operator. He moved his family from Georgia to Colombia, sold his dream business, learned Spanish from the ground up, and launched what is now the largest privately held coworking space in a city of nearly 2 million people. In this episode, Joel shares the highs, the lows, and the “wait, you did what?” moments of creating a thriving, purpose-driven business in an emerging market. We talk about: The cultural and operational curveballs of launching a coworking space in Colombia—including why recurring payments aren't really a thing. How Joel built lead volume through WhatsApp, Instagram, and literal flyers on car windshields (and why it's working). What it takes to educate a market on coworking while creating a strong local brand. How his space combines private offices, day passes, event rentals, and even a coffee shop run by a third party. Why doing good while doing well isn't just a tagline—it's a business model that fuels impact and sustainability. Whether you're a seasoned operator or dreaming of launching in a new market, this conversation is a masterclass in adapting, listening to your audience, and building community on your own terms. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Joel's LinkedIn profile Coventus Space website Everything Coworking Featured Resources: Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space Coworking Startup School Community Manager University Follow Us on YouTube

Lenke Taylor joined us on The Modern People Leader to talk about her path from engineering to HR, and what it means to be a true business partner. We discussed how HR can lead alongside CEOs and CFOs, building high-impact teams, and how working in Europe has shaped her leadership approach.---- Sponsor Links:

HR: part therapist, part referee, part corporate cleanup crew. This week, we're joined by Amy Lentz, Chief People Officer at TOMS and the creator behind HackYourHR, to answer the big question: what does HR actually do all day (besides read your Slack messages)? From her early days working for the Obama administration to landing at TOMS, Amy shares what it really takes to keep a workplace semi-functional. She also gets a front-row seat to some of the wildest corporate confessions we've ever collected and breaks down each scandal with her HR perspective. We dig into the secrets of anonymous feedback forms, the ethics of outing an STD at the office, and whether HR is quietly tracking your office romance. Plus, we debate job title upgrades, “Open to Work” etiquette, and whether you should ask for a raise while you're on a PIP. Go to ⁠https://cornbreadhemp.com/DEMOTED⁠ and use promo code DEMOTED for 30% off your first order Go to  ⁠https://zbiotics.com/DEMOTED ⁠and use DEMOTED at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. We want to hear from you! Send in your Corporate Confessions, Dear Demoted questions, and Shout-outs right here: ⁠https://forms.gle/nJc667dUL65Xh63C6⁠

We were joined by people leaders from Glassdoor, Asana, and Upstart. We talked about the fragmented burnout and how it's hitting people differently, how performance expectations have shifted in the last 6-12 months, and more.---- Sponsor Links: