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Welcome to Work in Progress with Chris and Keyanna, your weekly workplace news hit, but with less corporate waffle, more real talk, and the occasional “wait… are we allowed to say that?” moment.All in under 10 minutes.No jargon. No doom-mongering. No pretending everything is fine when clearly… it is not.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, I had an inspiring conversation with Kelly Costanza, Chief People Officer at CAVA, to unpack how one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands is turning culture, hospitality, and frontline careers into a real business advantage.Kelly shares why culture cannot just be a word on a wall. At CAVA, culture is operationalized through values, competencies, recognition, career pathways, frontline listening, stock grants, mental health benefits, and leadership rituals that make the employee experience feel just as intentional as the guest experience.Most importantly, Kelly explains how CAVA is building a place where people can have a career, not just a job, from hourly team members growing into general managers, to leaders staying connected to the restaurants through shoulder-to-shoulder service, town halls, and practical feedback from the frontline.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Anju Choudhary, Chief People Officer at Xoxoday, to unpack why burnout is not just a wellbeing problem, but a work design and change design problem.Anju explains why organizations often treat burnout as an individual resilience issue, when the real problem is often the way teams are overloaded with unclear priorities, constant change, weak manager support, and poor recognition systems. She shares why leaders need to stop rewarding unsustainable hustle and start designing cultures where people can perform, grow, and recover without burning out.Most importantly, Anju breaks down the practical ways HR leaders can reduce burnout, build trust, and create healthier performance cultures, from clearer feedback and better change management, to manager enablement, recognition, AI coaching, team playbooks, and reward strategies that actually connect to the lived employee experience.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Allwyn Dsilva, VP HR & Global Head of L&D, Future of Work & Business HR at Tata Communications, to unpack why the future of learning must be built around business outcomes, skills, internal mobility, and AI-enabled career growth.Allwyn shares how Tata Communications moved beyond disconnected learning platforms and traditional course libraries to build a more connected ecosystem, linking skills, career aspirations, hiring, learning, coaching conversations, and AI-powered recommendations into one joined-up employee experience.Most importantly, he explains why learning teams must stop leading with the beauty of their programs and start proving behavior change, business impact, and real outcomes. From AI literacy and dark network operations to internal hiring, AI interview practice, and skills-based career pathways, this episode shows what it looks like when L&D becomes a true business engine.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Khadija Ben Hammada, Member of the Executive Board and Chief People Officer at Merck Group, to unpack how HR can lead through AI transformation without losing the human heart of the organization.Khadija shares why leaders cannot run global organizations from an ivory tower, and why being close to employees on the ground creates the trust, safety, and pride people need to speak up. She explains how field visits, human connection, and a strong sense of global community help Merck stay united across regions, even as the world outside becomes more fragmented.Most importantly, she breaks down how Merck is building AI capability across the business, from AI literacy for everyone, to leader upskilling, internal AI tools, hackathons, flagship use cases, and HR agents that can improve employee experience at scale. Through it all, Khadija is clear: AI should take tasks, not humanity, and HR must stay at the intersection of business, technology, and empathy.
In this episode of our On The Road series, we sit down with Amy Coleman, Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer at Microsoft, to explore how leaders can scale AI transformation without losing the human connection at the center of work.Amy reflects on stepping into the Chief People Officer role at Microsoft, the humility of becoming a beginner again, and why leaders do not need to pretend they have all the answers in moments of uncertainty. What matters is being honest, learning fast, and bringing people with you.Her message is clear: AI and humans cannot be separated. As work changes, HR leaders have to help people understand what is shifting, what still matters, and how AI can unlock more creativity, curiosity, innovation, and human potential.
In this episode of our On The Road series, we sit down with Laura Mattimore and Lucia Suarez from Procter & Gamble to explore how one of the world's most iconic companies is redesigning talent for the AI era.Laura leads global talent across P&G's enterprise talent systems, including hiring, learning, leadership development, workforce planning, and talent strategy. Lucia leads talent development, talent management, analytics, insights, employee experience, and transformation within that broader talent agenda.Their message is clear: AI is not just a technology shift. It is a work, culture, skills, and employee experience shift. For P&G, the opportunity is not to replace the human, but to build around human plus AI, with HR playing a central role in redesigning how work gets done.
What if staff could verify what they already know and save time on training they don't need? This week the Capability Crew are joined by special guest Ben Quartermaine, Product Manager who has been leading the Learning & Growth team building Ausmed's new Knowledge Verification feature. Ben unpacks what Knowledge Verification is — a short pre-assessment that lets staff demonstrate existing knowledge against a module's learning outcomes, so they only sit through the training they actually need. Then together, they revisit four of the sharpest moments from last year's mandatory training episode and see how KV impacts these issues. If you've ever had to sit through a module you wrote yourself, this one's for you. Contact the show at podcast@ausmed.com.au Follow us on Linkedin → Zoe, Michelle, Karen Follow Ausmed on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram Resources: Try the KV Savings Calculator | Knowledge Verification in Ausmed Learn™ KV Launch Webinar with Live Demo from Ben We've Been Measuring the Wrong Thing | KV Article by Zoe "New software aims to cut unproductive aged care training by 40%" | The Weekly Source Capability Through High-Value Training Systems | KV Article by Karen Learn More About Ausmed: https://lnk.bio/ausmed/organisationsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Send us Fan MailIn this second bonus episode of That Workplace Experience Podcast, host Dan Moscrop is joined by psychologist, author and workplace learning expert Nick Shackleton-Jones for a wide-ranging conversation about work, learning, identity and the future of the workplace.Known for his hugely popular commentary on return-to-office culture and corporate life, Nick brings humour, honesty and a healthy dose of scepticism to the realities of modern work. Drawing on experiences spanning Siemens, the BBC, BP, Deloitte and beyond, he explores how workplaces shape behaviour, identity and learning — often in ways organisations fail to recognise.Together, Dan and Nick discuss why challenge — not information — is what truly drives learning, the unintended consequences of remote work on social development, and why so many offices unintentionally communicate control, uniformity and hierarchy before anyone even sits down at their desk. They also unpack neurodiversity in corporate environments, the emotional mechanics behind human learning, and why small acts of recognition matter far more than expensive reward schemes.The conversation also dives into the future of AI and work, exploring everything from cognitive outsourcing and workplace surveillance to what happens when technology becomes better than humans at the very things we once considered uniquely ours.Part workplace critique, part philosophical exploration, this special bonus episode offers a provocative and thought-provoking look at how organisations can create more human, engaging and meaningful experiences at work.Download the Workbook to find out more about Nick Shackleton-Jones.Video production and camera: Calum LindsayCamera: Miguel Santa ClaraIllustration: Phoebe Gitsham
In this episode of our On The Road series, we sit down with Kalifa Oliver, Ph.D. Senior Director of Technology - People Analytics at Lowe's Companies, Inc. to explore why HR needs to stop chasing AI tools and start solving the right business problems.Kalifa now sits in technology, not HR, leading teams across engineering, product, analytics, and people data. That gives her a very different view of what HR transformation actually requires.Her message is clear: AI is not magic. It will only be useful if HR asks better questions, understands the problem it is trying to solve, and stops adding technology on top of broken or unnecessary work.
In this episode of our On The Road series, we sit down with Jennifer Reimert, SVP, Consulting Practice at Workhuman, to explore how organizations can make recognition reach the people who are often hardest to reach: frontline and deskless workers.Jennifer spent 20 years as an HR practitioner and total rewards leader before joining Workhuman. She was also a Workhuman customer back when the company was Globoforce, using recognition to help bring two merged companies together when culture, identity, and belonging were under real pressure.Her message is clear: recognition cannot only work for people at a desk. If most of the work that defines your culture happens on the floor, in the field, in hospitals, in plants, in stores, or across customer sites, then recognition has to meet people where they actually work.
In this episode of our On The Road series, we sit down with KeyAnna Schmiedl, Chief Human Experience Officer at Workhuman, to explore how organizations can identify future leaders before they are already in the obvious succession pipeline.KeyAnna shares how Workhuman's Future Leaders technology is helping companies spot the people giving off strong leadership signals across the business, including those who may not be visible through traditional talent reviews, manager nominations, or proximity to senior leaders.Her message is clear: the best future leaders are not always the most obvious names in the room. If HR can use better signals to see talent earlier, organizations can retain, develop, and invest in people before they walk out the door.
In this episode of our On The Road series, we sit down with Ken Wechsler, SPHR, CCP, VP, Total Rewards at Akamai Technologies, to explore how AI is changing the conversation around rewards, recognition, performance, and the future of work.As a total rewards leader, Ken is now facing questions that would have seemed unlikely just a few years ago: What is our AI strategy? What outcomes are we trying to drive? How will AI change productivity, performance, and how people are rewarded?His message is clear: AI skills alone should not automatically mean higher pay. The real question is whether AI helps people deliver better outcomes, raise performance, create more value, and help the business move forward.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast On The Road, we sit down with Eric Mosley, Founder and CEO at Workhuman to explore how recognition data, AI, and human insight are changing the way organizations identify their future leaders.Eric shares how Workhuman's new Future Leaders capability uses recognition data, performance data, and AI to identify the people most likely to rise into senior leadership roles years before they are officially promoted.And this is where it gets really interesting.Eric says the strongest signals are not coming from a traditional succession planning form. They are coming from the language people use about each other, the recognition moments that describe how work actually gets done, and the patterns that emerge across billions of human interactions.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast On The Road, we sit down with Jorge Quezada, MBA (He.Him.His), Vice President, Culture & Performance at Granite Construction, to unpack what happens when culture stops being treated as a soft initiative and starts being run as a business driver.Jorge explains why culture is the operating system of an organization, shaping how people think, act, interact, and bring the company's mission, vision, and values to life every day.He shares how Granite is updating its culture for the next 100 years by preserving what makes the company strong, diagnosing what needs to change, and creating the conditions for people to grow, adapt, and perform.Most importantly, Jorge reveals why the future of culture belongs to leaders who stop copying best practices from other companies and start understanding what their own people, business, and operating system actually need.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast On The Road, we sit down with Khalil Smith, VP, Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement at Akamai Technologies, to unpack what it really takes to build a performance culture where people trust each other enough to speak up, challenge ideas, and grow.Khalil explains why culture is not what leaders say they want, but what the organization actually rewards, and why silence is often the clearest signal that trust has broken down.He shares how leaders can build stronger cultures by creating trust, encouraging healthy disagreement, aligning systems with values, and making recognition and feedback feel honest, specific, and useful.Most importantly, Khalil reveals why the future of culture belongs to organizations that close the gap between what they say and what they reward, creating environments where people can challenge respectfully, perform boldly, and speak up without fear.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast On The Road, we sit down with Peter Andrew Danzig, Senior Advisor, Foundation Culture at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, to unpack what psychological safety really means beyond the buzzword.Peter explains why psychological safety is not a checklist, policy, or one-time initiative, but a belief system that has to be co-created, practiced, and reinforced through everyday behavior.He shares how leaders can build safer spaces by embracing healthy friction, operationalizing empathy, and creating room for challenge, accountability, apology, repair, and growth.Most importantly, Peter reveals why the future of culture belongs to organizations that stop treating safety as comfort, and start building environments where more people can speak honestly, move through conflict, and still feel seen, heard, and valued.
Are you tired of feeling like the “trainer police,” constantly chasing down team members to complete mandatory training? Does your Learning & Development program feel like a source of stress, rather than growth, for your employees? If you’re ready to transform your training from a stressful obligation into a positive, eagerly awaited experience, then this episode is for you. Join us as we reveal the L&D secret to training success: Discover how to shift your approach from “push” to “pull,” eliminating the high-stress environment of deadline-driven training. Learn the power of just-in-time, responsive learning that listens to your team’s needs and delivers instant value. Uncover the key to building a culture of positive opt-in, where your staff is not only used to being upskilled but actively looks forward to it. Stop pushing training up a hill and start pulling your team toward success. Welcome back to the Juvo Hub Podcast.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast On The Road, we sit down with Julie A. Stone, Chief Learning Officer, Group VP at TTEC, to unpack what it really takes to bring AI into an organization without losing the human connection, trust, and coaching that actually drive performance.Julie explains why simply training people on AI tools is not enough, and how leaders must help employees understand where, when, and how AI fits into their actual work.She shares how TTEC is using AI to create more time for human coaching, improve guidance in the flow of work, measure coaching effectiveness, and give people safe spaces to practice, learn, and build confidence.Most importantly, Julie reveals why the future of AI transformation belongs to leaders who start with real business problems, bring people along transparently, and redesign work in a way that helps people perform better.
In this Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work Podcast, Michael Rochelle, Chief Strategy Officer and Principal Analyst at Brandon Hall Group, joins Anastasia Tsimiklis, Chief Marketing Officer at Explorance, to explore why this is a defining moment for learning and development and what L&D leaders must do to prove their impact, earn their seat at the table, and drive measurable business outcomes. This conversation offers a sneak peek at Michael's keynote, "Performance or Irrelevance: The Moment of Truth for L&D and Talent," taking place at Explorance World 2026 in Boston, June 16-19 at Boston University.
Dani Johnson is Co-Founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research, and returns to the show to unpack how learning and development is being reshaped in real time. Drawing on new research, she offers a different perspective on the centralized vs decentralization org structure and staffing model, and instead argues for more intentional, decision-based design. Dani also shares why Learning and Development's pursuit of having a “Seat at the table” may be fading and why that might not be a bad thing. From the rise of workflow-based learning to the growing importance of data and change management, she outlines what it means to be tactically strategic. Linkshttps://redthreadresearch.com/redthread-summit-2026https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-johnson/
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast On The Road, we sit down with Raúl J. Valentín, EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer at ABM Industries, live from Workhuman Live Orlando 2026, to unpack what it really takes to lead a frontline workforce through constant change, AI transformation, and rising employee expectations.Raúl explains why the future of HR is not about choosing between people and technology, but designing systems where people and AI work together to make work faster, fairer, and more human.He shares how ABM is building resilience across a workforce of more than 100,000 team members by focusing on fairness, recognition, manager capability, and helping employees feel seen, heard, and valued wherever they work.Most importantly, Raúl reveals why HR leaders must stop waiting for perfect answers before taking action, and instead create safe ways to launch, learn, improve, and lead transformation in motion.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Blair Bennett, Senior Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition at PepsiCo, to unpack how talent acquisition is being completely redefined in the age of AI, hyper-personalization, and constant change.Blair explains why simply adding AI tools into outdated recruitment models doesn't work, and how PepsiCo redesigned its entire talent acquisition operating model to move faster, stay agile, and deliver better outcomes for both the business and candidates.She shares how the function is shifting from execution to strategy, enablement, and intelligence, embedding design thinking, talent intelligence, and co-creation with recruiters to build systems that actually scale.Most importantly, Blair reveals why the future of talent acquisition belongs to leaders who embrace uncertainty, collaboration, and continuous iteration, replacing command-and-control leadership with a model built around problems, not predefined answers.
As workforce dynamics continue to shift, organizations investing in employee development are better positioned to compete. In this month's HR podcast, Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss how employers can strengthen internal talent, adapt to evolving employee expectations around growth, and build more resilient teams through upskilling, cross-training, and increased AI literacy. For support with employee development programs, workforce planning, and HR strategy, contact hr@employco.com.
About the guest: Megan Torrance is a workplace learning and development leader who helps organizations create better systems for growth, performance, and skill development. In this conversation, she brings together practical insight from her work in learning design, her perspective on AI as an augmentation tool, and her own lived experience as an athlete, coach-supported leader, and endurance hiker.About the episode: In this episode, Steve sits down with Megan Torrance to unpack what it really means to be growth ready. Megan reframes growth as what we learn from a leap, not just the leap itself, and explains why readiness is less about feeling fully prepared and more about having the mindset, tools, support, and willingness to step into the next challenge anyway.Megan shares how real growth happens when people are clear on the goal, supported with the right systems, and willing to reflect in the middle of discomfort.Key topics and themes discussedWhat “growth ready” really meansWhy growth comes from learning through the leapThe difference between being a teacher and teachingWhy workplace learning should focus on performance, not completionReflection as a critical part of the learning loopThe role of AI in personalized learning and leadership developmentReadiness, uncertainty, and the “gulp” before the next challengeBuilding systems that make the next right action easierCuriosity as a driver of long-term growthExpanding capacity inside and outside of workLessons from ice hockey, coaching, and endurance hikingResources mentionedMegan Torrance on LinkedInTorrance Learning — torrancelearning.comAI Implementation Guide for L&D by Megan TorranceKhan AcademyMagicSchoolSend us Fan MailSupport the showConnect with Steve MellorStay connected and keep growing with Steve:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReadyJoin the community and keep your growth journey going:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/----This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Stary, Vice President Global Head of People and Organisation and Internal Communications at Swisslog Healthcare. Sarah breaks down what it really takes to lead transformation in a complex global business. She explains why standardizing the basics, especially onboarding and recruiting, became a high-impact priority, how her team built global consistency with local nuance, and why too many leaders still get distracted by innovation before fixing the fundamentals.Sarah also shares a more important leadership lesson. Do not rush to prove your value in the first 90 days. Instead, she argues that credibility is built by listening, traveling, understanding culture, and making changes that fit the business you are actually in, not the one you just left. The conversation also explores clear communication, trust-building, team autonomy, shared services, AI adoption, and culture integration inside the broader KUKA group.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Frederic Patitucci, Chief People & Culture Officer at Philip Morris International, to unpack how one of the world's largest organizations is transforming both its business model and its workforce capabilities at the same time.Frederic explains how PMI's bold shift toward a smoke-free future forced the company to rethink its operating model, moving from a single-product cigarette business to a complex multi-category innovation company spanning consumer technology, healthcare, and new consumer experiences.He shares how this transformation required new skills, new operating structures, and a completely redefined company culture, including codifying the PMI DNA and embedding it directly into hiring, performance management, leadership development, and everyday decision-making.Most importantly, Frederic reveals why the future of HR lies in managing skills instead of jobs, preparing employees for the skills that are rising, and helping people avoid career dead ends before disruption makes those roles obsolete.
What is learning and development really responsible for in today's organizations? And why do so many L&D initiatives struggle to create measurable business impact? In this episode of Learning at Large, Peter Manniche Riber shares a candid view on the current state of L&D, why the function often defaults to content creation instead of solving real problems, and how teams can rethink their role in a fast-changing workplace. Ep. 81 Brought to you by Elucidat. Want more insights? Get the latest tips, expert advice, and best practices from top L&D leaders - delivered straight to your inbox. The Learning at Large newsletter brings you monthly insider content to help you create and scale impactful learning. Subscribe now and never miss an edition!
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Andre Heinz, Chief People and Culture Officer at Celonis, to unpack what HR leadership really looks like inside a company scaling at rocket speed.Andre explains why growth has no mercy in fast scaling organizations, and why HR must constantly think two to three years ahead while still managing the intense operational demands of today. He shares how Celonis went from 800 to over 3,500 employees, and what it takes to build systems, culture, and talent strategies that actually scale with that kind of speed.Most importantly, he breaks down why HR must act as the guardian of organizational health, protecting the cultural DNA of the company while ensuring talent quality, operational efficiency, and leadership maturity keep pace with the speed of growth.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Carlo Steenvoorden, EVP HR People Services, Analytics & HR AI at KPN, to unpack how a 100+ year old telecom company is moving from legacy HR systems to a fully conversational AI powered employee experience.Carlo explains why KPN made a bold decision to declare that the future of HR interactions is conversational, with systems pushed to the back end and one intelligent interface in front. He shares how reducing human led HR queries from €15–20 per case to cents per prompt unlocked both massive efficiency gains and a better employee experience.Most importantly, he breaks down the real transformation behind the technology, from rebuilding HR team capabilities, to adopting product thinking, to deciding where AI belongs and where humans must stay firmly in the loop.
In this episode of Leadership Bites, I sit down with Gary Clarke, Group Head of Learning and Development at Qatar Airways, based in Doha. Gary leads group wide learning across a 65,000 person organisation, with a team of around 80, covering everything from operational training that keeps aircraft flying, to leadership and capability, learning tech, digital content, and vendor partnerships. Along the way, we get into what it really takes to run an internal learning function like a business, build credibility fast, and become the supplier of choice inside a complex, high pace, multi subsidiary organisation. We talk about leading in a multicultural reality, the tension between standards and psychological safety, why bland harmony is a risk, and how to create a community of practice that pulls people together without forcing compliance. We also touch on AI and learning, not as a shiny distraction, but as a tool, while the real edge remains human connection, trust, and leadership craft. If you care about culture in the real world, not the poster on the wall, this one will land. Connect with me at livingbrave.com Subscribe for more episodes and share this with someone who cares about doing leadership properly. Chapters 00:00 Intro and welcome 00:29 Gary Clarke and Qatar Airways context 02:51 Scale, growth, and operational pace 05:03 What learning covers in an airline 08:57 Supplier of choice mindset for internal L and D 10:43 Quality, credibility, and Brandon Hall Awards 12:14 Centralised vs federated learning models 14:19 Building community through internal conferences 21:17 Multicultural leadership, standards, and integration 33:04 Clear standards, clear intention 34:03 Human centred leadership and psychological safety 49:13 AI, generational gaps, and learning strategy 57:12 The next few years and what matters most To find out more about Guy Bloom and his award winning work in Team Coaching, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching click below.The link to everything CLICK HEREUK: 07827 953814Email: guybloom@livingbrave.com Web: www.livingbrave.com
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Ilja Bitterling, VP Skills Intelligence & Performance Management at Deutsche Telekom, to unpack how large organizations can finally make skills data usable, trusted, and decision ready.Ilja explains why skills intelligence is not about inventories, but about creating a shared language that connects workforce decisions, performance outcomes, and future readiness. He breaks down how Deutsche Telekom moves from fragmented skill signals to clear, comparable insights leaders can actually act on.Most importantly, he shares why performance management and skills cannot live apart anymore, and how organizations that connect them move faster, allocate talent better, and avoid betting the future on outdated role assumptions.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Vincent Lecerf, Executive Vice President, Human Resources at Orange, to unpack how purpose, diversity, and skills become real business levers inside a fast moving telecom and technology environment.Vincent explains why serving communities is not brand marketing, it's an operating model, from safer phones for children to digital education for seniors, and why HR must integrate DEI directly into strategy, governance, and incentives, not treat it as a side initiative.Most importantly, he shares how skills expiration, inclusive leadership, and AI acceleration are forcing CHROs to rethink reskilling cycles, leadership accountability, and how change happens with people, not to them.
Learning and development remains a top priority for HR, yet many professionals still struggle to see a clear path forward. Elizabeth S. Egan, Director of Talent Management and Organizational Development at Cerence AI, joins host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to explore how personalized learning and development strategies can better support career growth, engagement, and retention. Get guidance for HR leaders focused on building sustainable, people-centered development strategies. This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires March 1, 2027. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM's all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
What is the future of AI in Learning and Development? How will the role of learning designer evolve? Get a big-picture view in this episode.
It's estimated that organizations spend somewhere between 50% to 200% of an employee's annual salary to replace them, depending on the level and complexity of their role.Not only that, when someone leaves, it impacts morale, our organization, and ultimately our mission. So, it benefits nonprofits to keep our employees.In this episode, we talk to Rachel Platt, an HR leader and people strategist with over 20 years of experience who helps nonprofits think through their entire talent lifecycle from hiring to exiting.We are exploring the reasons behind the seemingly normal high turnover in the nonprofit sector, the role of learning and development in reversing this talent loss, how to use this to get buy-in, and low-cost ways to develop and engage your staff.▶️ The Real ROI of Reducing Turnover (and How Training Helps) with Rachel Platt ▶️ Key Points:0:00:00 From in-house HR to Plattinum Consulting0:08:45 What's really behind high nonprofit turnover0:12:59 Low-cost ways to develop your staff0:17:55 The far-reaching benefits of training your staff0:24:06 How to get training buy-in from a retention POV0:29:04 What the best learning leaders are doingResources from this episode:Catch up with Episode 103: 5 Low-Cost Leadership Development Activities for Organizations with Tight Budgets.Also listen to Episode 168: Create Environments Where People Stay, Grow, and Thrive with Julie Winkle Giulioni.Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveWas this episode helpful? If you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Vincent Dupuis, Vice President HR Digital & AI at Airbus, to unpack how organizations should decide what to automate, what to augment, and what must be protected as AI reshapes work at scale.Vincent explains why augmentation, not replacement, is the real story of AI at work, using powerful analogies to show how AI should extend human capability, not hollow it out. He breaks down how Airbus thinks about freeing people from low value tasks, while deliberately protecting deep expertise, critical thinking, and safety critical knowledge.Most importantly, he shares why ethical governance, human in the loop learning, and robust knowledge roots are non negotiable in environments where quality, trust, and safety define success.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Jayney Howson, SVP Global Workforce Skills & Talent Readiness at ServiceNow , to unpack why “talent readiness” has become a burning platform for companies trying to keep pace with AI, platform adoption, and customer transformation. Jayney shares how ServiceNow builds skills for both its 28,000 employees and the millions of practitioners who power ServiceNow implementations inside the world's largest enterprises, including 85% of the Fortune 500.She explains how ServiceNow built ServiceNow University, an AI powered, hyper personalized learning platform designed around the concept of the “University of You”, where every learner's journey adapts to their context, their role, their skills, and their career aspirations. Jayney breaks down why minimum viable duration, skills profiles, and embedded learning experiences are replacing traditional course catalogs, and why democratizing training (including making it free) unlocks capability at global scale.Most importantly, she shares why transparency, trust, and psychological safety matter more than ever as skills shift, roles evolve, and automation changes the nature of work, and why, if we do this right, the future of work becomes more human, not less.
It can be frustrating when nonprofit leaders and other stakeholders approach us demanding training to solve a problem. However, it's important to remember that people outside of learning and development don't always know which tools are available or which one is right for each situation, so they stick to the familiar. But it's our job as nonprofit L&D pros to diagnose the problem and offer the right solution.That's why in this episode, I'm sharing a quick diagnostic process to help you determine whether the issue brought to you is a training problem or if another solution will work better.▶️ Is This a Training Problem? A Quick Diagnostic Tool for Nonprofit Learning & Development Leaders▶️ Key Points:0:00:00 Why we often go for training as the solution0:04:19 Two questions to diagnose a training problem0:09:46 Navigating the diagnostic and stakeholdersResources from this episode:Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveWas this episode helpful? If you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!
In this episode of the Healthy Sleep Revolution podcast, we sit down with Dr. Leslie Pasco, a general dentist with over 25 years of clinical experience who has dedicated her career to early airway intervention in children. Our conversation explores why sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) often begin far earlier than most families and providers realize, and how modern lifestyle changes have contributed to what Dr. Pasco describes as a global "small jaw pandemic." We discuss why waiting until adulthood to address airway issues is too late, and how prevention-focused care can fundamentally change long-term health outcomes. We dive into the early signs and symptoms of pediatric SRBD, including chronic mouth breathing, snoring, bedwetting, poor sleep quality, and ADHD-like behaviors such as inattention, hyperactivity, and emotional dysregulation. Dr. Pasco explains how compromised breathing and sleep can impact a child's neurocognitive development, behavior, and ability to thrive both academically and socially. We also explore why crowded teeth and facial growth patterns are not merely cosmetic concerns, but important indicators of airway restriction and functional imbalance. Finally, we explore the role of myofunctional therapy and early, non-invasive intervention through MyoWay Centers for Kids, which Dr. Pasco founded to focus exclusively on airway-centered pediatric care. She shares how guiding jaw growth, correcting oral muscle function, and addressing mouth breathing during critical developmental windows can dramatically improve sleep, behavior, and overall health. This episode is a powerful reminder that children do not need to "grow out of" sleep and breathing issues — with the right awareness and collaboration, we can intervene early and change the trajectory of a child's life. What You Will Learn: Early signs and symptoms of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) in children How mouth breathing and poor jaw development affect sleep, behavior, and brain function The connection between pediatric SRBD and ADHD-like symptoms Why early intervention is critical for healthy neurocognitive development How myofunctional therapy supports airway health and facial growth The mission and model behind MyoWay Centers for Kids About Dr. Leslie Pasco With over 25 years of experience as a general dentist, healthcare consultant, and professional speaker, Dr. Leslie Pasco has witnessed firsthand the widespread impact of underdeveloped jaws and restricted airways. After treating hundreds of thousands of patients, she recognized a growing public health issue linked to mouth breathing, poor jaw development, and sleep-related breathing disorders. As a trained orofacial myologist and certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor, Dr. Pasco now dedicates her work to early, preventive care for children. Driven by research showing that airway dysfunction in childhood is connected to ADHD-like symptoms, poor sleep, and long-term health risks, Dr. Pasco founded MyoWay Centers for Kids. Her programs focus on non-invasive, early myofunctional therapy using FDA-approved appliances to guide healthy jaw and airway development during critical growth periods. Through both in-person and virtual care, Dr. Pasco's mission is to help children breathe better, sleep better, and build a healthier future from the very start. Connect with Dr. Leslie Pasco Website: https://myowaycenters.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlesliepasco/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrLesliePasco/ About Meghna Dassani Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about promoting healthy sleep through dental practices. In following the ADA's 2017 guideline on sleep apnea screening and treatment, she has helped many children and adults improve their sleep, their breathing, and their lives. Her books and seminars help parents and practitioners understand the essential roles of the tongue, palate, and jaw in promoting healthy sleep. Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghna_dassani/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meghna-dassani
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with David Sperl, Head of HR for Advanced Visualization Solutions at GE HealthCare, to unpack how HR earns real business credibility by shipping outcomes, not PowerPoints, inside a heavily regulated, science driven environment.David explains why AI literacy must move from theory to hands-on practice, how microlearning and shared baseline tools help drive adoption, and why leadership advocacy is essential to scale change across technical, clinical, and commercial teams. He breaks down GE HealthCare's four stages of AI adoption, how communities of practice create demand pull, and why unlearning outdated mental models is now harder than learning new ones.Most importantly, he shares why user experience and friction removal are the real unlocks for AI in HR and business, and why the future of change isn't “change management”, it's change agility.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Kristen A. Pressner, Global Head of People & Culture at Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland, to unpack why neurodiversity may be the single biggest untapped advantage in the post-AI workplace.Kristen explains why most organisations are sitting on “free upside”, talented people already inside the business who are not thriving because work was designed for one type of brain. She shares why only ~25% of employees feel psychologically safe, and why the line manager is the biggest determinant of whether neurodivergent employees thrive or merely survive.Most importantly, she reframes neurodiversity away from labels and diagnoses, and toward practical, human questions, how do you work best, what gives you energy, and what conditions help you shine, and why asking those questions changes performance, engagement, and learning at scale.
Will Clive, Chief Human Resources Officer at LVT (LiveView Technologies), to unpack what it really takes to build high performing teams in fast growing, high pressure environments without burning people out or killing trust.Will breaks down why clarity beats control, and why the job of a leader is not to micromanage talent, but to make the destination so clear that teams can figure out the path themselves. He shares how outcome clarity, values driven leadership behavior, and removing low performance quickly are foundational to building real performance cultures.Most importantly, Will explains the hard trade offs leaders avoid, why keeping low performers quietly poisons teams, how recognizing and stretching top performers matters more than money alone, and why autonomy plus accountability is the only model that scales.
In this episode, we got some straight talk from Teresa Torres, learning how she incorporates her masters in Learning & Development from Northwestern into her design of product learning experiences. Teresa shares invaluable insights about when blogs and podcasts might be enough for your growth—and when training courses may really be what's needed to take you to the next level. Do you know if you have blind spots? Or are you navigating some unique and tricky contexts where a coach can help? This far-ranging episode explores all these concepts with the founder of Product Talk and author of 'Continuous Discovery Habits'. Teresa discusses the fundamental differences between coaching and training and highlights the importance of deliberate practice in skill development. She offers practical advice on advocating for discovery practices within organizations and provides tips for product leaders to enhance their teams' capabilities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of product development and improve their practice through structured learning.00:00 Introduction to Skill Building and Coaching00:35 Sponsored Segment: SuperInterviews01:26 Welcome01:32 Guest Introduction: Teresa Torres02:36 The Journey from Coaching to Training05:06 Understanding the Difference Between Coaching and Training09:57 The Role of Deliberate Practice in Skill Building14:54 The Importance of Community and Peer Coaching21:57 Understanding Business Outcomes22:23 The Challenge of Opportunity Solution Trees23:22 Effective Discovery Practices24:57 Choosing the Right Trainer or Coach27:29 Reflective Questions for Product Teams32:50 Advocating for Discovery in Organizations36:42 The Role of Product Leadership Coaching40:31 Aligning Sales and Product Teams45:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with comedian and corporate emcee Adam Christing, author of The Laughter Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead. If you have ever hesitated to use humor at work because you were unsure it would land, or worried it might backfire, this conversation offers both encouragement and a practical path forward. Adam shares how his early influences shaped his approach to humor and why he believes every human is also a "humor being." You will hear why humor is more than chasing chuckles, including how it can build trust, improve learning, and strengthen relationships on teams. Adam introduces the concept of "laugh languages" and walks through examples such as Surprise and Poke, along with guidance on how to tease without crossing the line. They also discuss tailoring humor across cultures and how leaders can bring the laughter factor home with their families. If you are looking for practical insights on leading with humor, building trust, and bringing more humanity into your projects and teams, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "If you're a human being, you are also a humor being, and I would say not only do you have a sense of humor, but a sense of humor has you." "The audience is actually, whether it's three people or 300, they're actually rooting for you." "They don't want to be bored. They want to be entertained." "When we think back on the things that have made us laugh the most, it's often the flops that are the funniest." "They won't trust your humor until you do." "There's a saying in show business, 'funny is money'." "I really believe that humor is a bridge that helps you connect heart to heart with other people." "You're a leader. You need to be the one building trust." "Humor is a shortcut to trust." "Leaders help their people learn with laughter." "Increase your LPMs: laughs per meeting." "If in doubt, leave it out." "Every meeting really should be a party with a purpose." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:43 Start of Interview 03:38 Adam's Backstory and Early Influences 05:23 "I'm Not Funny" and the Confidence Barrier 10:36 Why Humor Is More Than Just Chuckles 16:00 The Laughter Factor Explained 18:10 Laugh Languages and the Power of Surprise 21:09 Poke: Teasing Without Crossing the Line 24:42 Using Humor Across Cultures 30:14 How You Know the Laughter Factor Is Working 32:17 Developing a Laughter Factor at Home 34:25 End of Interview 34:55 Andy Comments After the Interview 38:02 Outtakes Learn More Get a copy of Adam's book The Laughter Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead. You can learn more about Adam and his work at TheLaughterFactor.com. While you are there, check out the short questionnaire to discover your laugh language. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 316 with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. They are completely on this theme of humor being a strategic ability for leaders and teams. Episode 109 with Peter McGraw. Peter breaks down what makes something funny based on his book The Humor Code, an episode Andy still calls back to today. Episode 485 with John Krewson, a conversation about lessons from sketch comedy that nicely reinforce ideas from today's episode. Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader, that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Humor At Work, Trust Building, Communication, Team Culture, Psychological Safety, Cross-Cultural Leadership, Meeting Facilitation, Emotional Intelligence, Influence, Learning And Development, People Management, Project Management The following music was used for this episode: Music: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Michael Burgess, Chief People Officer at Amey, to unpack what it really takes to build credibility, influence, and impact in HR when you don't start with privilege, pedigree, or permission.Michael shares his journey from leaving school at 16 and working as a farm labourer, to becoming a CPO responsible for people, culture, safety, and operations at scale. Along the way, he explains why hard work consistently beats talent, and why enjoying the work itself is the most underrated driver of long-term performance.Most importantly, he breaks down a deeply practical view of modern HR, why getting the basics right earns you the seat at the table, why listening without action destroys trust, and how widening the talent pool through second-chance hiring, apprenticeships, and prison-to-work pathways is not charity, but smart, future-ready leadership.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Jason Bloomfield, Global Head of Talent Acquisition Transformation at Ericsson, to unpack how a 149-year-old company is rebuilding HR by putting people before technology.Jason explains how a failed global HR tool rollout, what he openly calls the “tool of doom,” became the catalyst for a complete reset. Instead of adding more systems, Ericsson built a global feedback loop that turns employee sentiment into action, investment, and prioritised roadmaps.Most importantly, Jason shares why five-year plans no longer work, why the shelf life of strategy is now six months, and how HR, TA, and change leaders must build change agility, skills intelligence, and authentic empathy to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Kristin Trecker, Chief People Officer at Visteon Corporation, to unpack what it really takes to build talent at the speed of disruption in a 100-year industry going through a 100-year change.Kristin explains why HR has to stop acting like an order taker and start operating like a product line manager, with a clear roadmap, clear customers, and a clear point of view. She shares how Visteon runs a six month product roadmap and pairs it with a capability and capacity plan, so talent decisions keep pace with the business.Most importantly, she breaks down the cultural shift behind it all, from calibrating performance around impact, to out-rewarding star performers, to rewriting HR's role entirely, replacing “business partner” with performance coach, and building a team that can debate, challenge, and drive change without politics.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Ayaskant Sarangi, CHRO at Mphasis, to explore how HR is shifting from a support function to a business-first, tech-enabled growth engine. Ayaskant shares why HR leaders must deeply understand P&L, business language, and customer problems to earn a real seat at the table.He breaks down how Mphasis is using AI-powered hyper personalization across learning, internal mobility, onboarding, and performance. From their in-house TalentNext platform to a unified talent marketplace and AI-driven appraisals, Ayaskant explains how tech connects skills, projects, careers, and business demand into one continuous loop.If you care about the future of HR, this episode is essential. It shows how listening, personalization, and change orchestration are reshaping employee experience, why onboarding is now about assimilation, and how HR must become the conscious keeper of culture in an always-on change environment.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Sharon Doherty, Chief People and Places Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, to explore how Lloyds is preparing its leaders for a world where AI and culture change are happening at the same time. Sharon shares how Lloyds focuses on substance over noise and why leadership behaviour matters more today than ever.She breaks down how the company is helping senior leaders go all in on AI, using global learning trips, reverse mentoring, and safe spaces where executives can learn without fear. Sharon explains how AI, used well, can strengthen culture, improve feedback, and give people better insights instead of overwhelming them.If you care about leading people through constant change, this conversation is for you. It shows why purpose, honest leadership, and real learning are the foundations that keep a culture strong when everything else is moving.