Inspiring the next generation of HR Leaders

How does executive compensation shape company culture, performance and deliver shareholder value? Why should CHROs think of executive compensation as a communication tool? My guests in this episode are Ani Huang, President of Policy and Practice at the CHRO Association and Charlie Tharp, Senior Advisor for Research & Practice at the CHRO Association and the Center On Executive Compensation During our conversation Ani, Charlie, and I discuss: Why executive compensation is a strategic communication system that signals culture, priorities, and long-term value. How executive compensation aligns to the business strategy and drives long-term value. Why effective executive compensation starts with developing deep financial and business acumen. What builds fairness and transparency in pay systems. How executive compensation can impact the broader pay philosophy.

How can you build learning into how work gets done? Why should organizations think of learning as a system, not as a function? My guest in this episode are Kati Clement-Frazier, Director, School of Leadership at DaVita and Michele Graham, President of Intel and Learn at Amplity. During our conversation Kati, Michele and I discuss: Why learning must be treated as an organizational capability, not a set of programs. How psychological safety and reflection accelerate meaningful learning and behavior change. Why “flow of work” learning is about team routines, relationships, and work design—not microlearning. Why the future of learning requires new metrics and new mindsets. Why compliance-driven cultures limit experimentation, agility, and capability building.

How can organizations balance people, profit, and purpose? Why do the most effective HR leaders focus on both intention and impact? My guest in this episode is Michelle Nettles, Global Chief People and Legal Officer at ManpowerGroup During our conversation Michelle and I discuss: How HR leaders can balance people, profit, and purpose to drive performance and impact. What it means to be a values-driven leader Why organizations should be focusing on capabilities over credentials. Why human skills: curiosity, adaptability, empathy, will define the future of work. Why outdated work models and ideas will be challenged by the next generation of HR leaders

How are CEO expectations for CHROs changing? Why are more CEOs looking for CHROs with non-HR backgrounds? My guests on this episode are Jennifer Wilson and Brad Warga, Partners and Global Co-Heads of the Human Resources Officers Practice at Heidrick & Struggles During our conversation Jennifer, Brad and I discuss: Why CEOs are rethinking what great HR leadership looks like. Why CEOs are prioritizing candidates from strategy, finance, and other non-HR backgrounds. The growing expectation for CHROs to lead enterprise-wide AI strategies The widening gap between CHROs and their succession-ready direct reports Practical and actionable career advice for aspiring CHROs

How can belonging unlock performance? Why should we focus on activation, not empowerment to drive innovation? My guest on this episode is with Brian Miller, Chief Talent and D&I Officer at Levi Strauss & Co During our conversation Brian and I discuss: How belonging drives performance by creating cultures where people feel valued, heard, and stretched. Why he believes activation is more important than empowerment Why believability is becoming a critical measure of modern leadership. How AI-driven talent analytics will unlock HR’s next big opportunity. What it means to intentionally build belonging, not just measure it.

How can you identify and reframe your limiting beliefs? Why is awareness not enough to get unblocked? My guest on this episode is with Muriel Wilkins, Founder & CEO of Paravis Partners and author, “Leadership Unblocked.” During our conversation Muriel and I discuss: Why leaders are often their own biggest obstacle How limiting beliefs quietly undermine our leadership and how to spot them The hidden blockers successful people carry and how they can stall your progress The myth of “If I can do it, so can you”—and why true leaders meet people where they are Muriel’s practical three-step roadmap: uncover, unpack, and unblock your limiting beliefs

How can culture become an operating system that drives business performance? Why does leadership behavior matter more than systems in driving culture? My guest on this episode is Paulo Pisano, CHRO, Booking Holdings & Chief People Officer, Booking.com During our conversation Paulo and I discuss: Why culture is an operating system and how it connects directly to business performance. The three levers that shape culture: behaviors, symbols, and systems—and how to align them with strategy. The importance of experimentation culture for AI adoption and innovation. Why HR leaders must understand business drivers first before designing their programs. How to position HR as "chief simplifiers" who reduce complexity rather than add to it.

How can you develop leaders that have future-ready skills? Why is HR critical to rethinking leadership in the age of AI? My guest on this episode is Brian Glaser, VP & Chief Learning Officer at Google During our conversation Brian and I discuss: Why leadership today requires curiosity, courage, and the willingness to be wrong. How Google uses next practices to develop leaders who can navigate unprecedented complexity. The role of HR in shaping culture and driving organizational reinvention. How AI can amplify human leadership skills instead of replacing them. Why personalized and in-the-flow learning is essential for high-impact leadership development.

How can leaders build an AI-first mindset that drives real culture change? Why is AI adoption more about people than technology? My guest on this episode is Tina Gupta, SVP, Talent Management for New York Life Insurance. During our conversation Tina and I discuss: Why AI adoption is more about people than technology How New York Life is scaling AI across 12,000 team members What happens when employees are empowered to innovate with AI Why managers need to rethink their roles in an AI-driven world

How can you bring your best self to work while being strategically authentic? Why can being your authentic self backfire at work and in life? My guest on this episode is Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, International authority on talent and leadership and author of “Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated and What to Do Instead.” During our conversation Tomas and I discuss: Why being authentic is overrated  The four traps leaders fall into when they decide “just be themselves.” How reputation, not self-perception, determines career success Why you are always a work in progress and what happens when you stop evolving. Why feedback is the key to self awareness and personal growth.