Inspiring the next generation of HR Leaders

How can two simple words, “How so?” unlock a deeper conversation with any leader? Why is consistency more important than intensity when building new leadership habits? My guest on this episode is Dave Stachowiak, Host of the Coaching for Leaders podcast. During our conversation, Dave and I discuss the following: Why most "questions" aren't really questions. How defining success in advance makes behavior change measurable. Why high achievers are especially prone to feeling like they've failed. Why pushback when you go more coach is often a green light, not a red one. Why the future of leadership is “both/and."

How can we redesign our culture by redesigning our meetings? Why do well-designed meetings allow for more time for individual and value-added work? My guest on this episode is Rebecca Hinds, author of “Your Best Meeting Ever” and leading expert on organizational behavior and the future of work. During our conversation, Rebecca and I discuss the following: Deciding what deserves to be a meeting (and what doesn’t) is one of the most important decisions leaders can make. How poorly designed meetings become signals of busyness rather than drivers of real work. What meetings reveal about your organization's culture Why treating meetings like a product changes how leaders think about time, collaboration, and outcomes. How high-performing organizations design clear communication norms so meetings are a last resort, not the default.

Over the past 180 episodes, I've only been the one getting interviewed twice. I continue to get requests and questions from you saying, "JP, we'd love for you to answer more questions. We want to get to know you better. We've got some questions we would love you to answer." So, that is what I am doing today. This is a special Ask Me Anything episode. I am joined by my brilliant friend, Anne Gotte, who's the Senior Vice President, Global Talent and Organizational Effectiveness for Mondelēz International. Anne was kind enough to say, "Hey, JP, I want to interview you. I think this will be a lot of fun." And she was right. All the questions today were submitted by you — through the newsletter, on LinkedIn, and across the Future of HR community. I saw some of the questions as they came in, but Anne and I made a deliberate choice: no scripts, no prep, just a candid conversation. So what you're going to hear is Anne and I working through your questions in real time. I'm going to do my best to answer questions around: How I got my first big break Where I think AI will shape HR careers What I would do differently if I could go back in time and give myself the advice I give many next-gen HR leaders today

How can organizations make employee well-being a leadership responsibility, not just an employee responsibility? Why is belonging the number one driver of employee well-being? My guest on this episode is Mark C. Crowley, a pioneer in workplace leadership, speaker, and bestselling author of Lead from the Heart and The Power of Employee Well-Being. During our conversation, Mark and I discuss the following: Why leading with the heart is often misunderstood as being "soft" in business settings. How pulse surveys, when paired with real accountability systems, can transform manager behavior and team performance. Why belonging is the number one driver of employee well-being Why employee well-being is the leader’s responsibility, not the employee’s and the research that proves it. Why HR leaders need to challenge decisions that prioritize short-term financial metrics over long-term culture and people.

How can organizations use coaching to build leadership capability? Why should every organization have a clear coaching strategy? My guest on this episode is Brian Underhill, Founder and CEO of CoachSource During our conversation, Brian and I discuss the following: How the executive coaching industry evolved and matured over the past few decades. How organizations can design disciplined, scalable coaching systems that drive measurable behavior change. Why coaching works best when it is aligned to the talent strategy. How team coaching can improve trust and effectiveness when designed intentionally. Where AI can support coaching at scale and where it can’t.

How can HR lead with courage? How can organizations be both high performing and healthy? My guest on this episode is Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive and author of “Unlock Your Leadership Story.” During our conversation, Pat and I discuss the following: Why HR leaders must have the courage to challenge decisions that compromise the organization’s or their own values, even when it puts their role at risk. What it truly means to build a healthy company, not just a high-performing one. How can you partner with the business, so they own the initiatives and not HR Why HR needs to adopt a product mindset when designing employee experiences and strategic initiatives. Why should you have a “personal scorecard” that helps you navigate your career and personal life.

How do leaders develop cultural agility? Why is cultural agility an essential skill in the age of AI? My guest on this episode is Paula Caligiuri, Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University, Co-Founder of Skiilify, and Best-Selling Author. During our conversation, Paula and I discuss the following: Why cultural agility is becoming a critical leadership capability How leaders actually develop effectiveness across cultures Why vulnerability, curiosity, and perspective-taking build trust and adaptability. How individual behavior shapes team dynamics more than formal authority. How organizations can intentionally design experiences to develop global leaders.

How does active listening build a culture of trust? Why is the employee experience as important as the customer experience? My guest on this episode is DJ Casto, CHRO, Synchrony During our conversation, DJ and I discuss the following: How adopting an agile mindset and methodologies transformed Synchrony's approach to HR How Synchrony bucked the “return to office” trend by listening to employee feedback and maintaining a flexible, performance-based work model. Why they created a frontline experience team to invest in and improve the employee journey and customer experience. How Synchrony uses active listening to co-create the employee experience and shape the culture.

How can “managing up” help you to have more impact and influence? Why is managing up a critical leadership skill for all HR leaders? My guest on this episode is Melody Wilding, author of “Managing Up”, keynote speaker, and executive coach During our conversation, Melody and I discuss the following: The biggest misconceptions about managing up and why they are wrong Why managing up is a core leadership skill that every HR leader needs to learn Practical tools and questions HR leaders can use to help clarify priorities and expectations with leaders. The four main communication styles leaders need to recognize to build trust and influence across the organization. How to structure upward feedback for your boss to ensure it lands diplomatically and productively.

My guests on this special holiday episode are Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, Bill Baker, lead author and co-contributors to “Lives Lost and Leadership Found.” During our conversation, Ian, Lori, Bill and I discuss the following: The inspiration behind the book "Lives Lost and Leadership Found" and how personal loss can serve as a foundation for personal growth. The neuroscience behind grief: how loss rewires your brain and why that matters for leaders. What research reveals about the role of intentionality in healing after loss and becoming a stronger leader. The power of storytelling and reflection—why writing about a special someone can be transformative