Future of HR

In this solo episode, released on the fourth anniversary of the Future of HR podcast, I make the case that removing transactional work doesn't automatically make HR more strategic.
I share the story of two HR business partners who got the same time back after a transformation, why one rose to the moment and the other didn't, and what CHROs and HR leaders must do to turn time back into real business impact.
Here are a few key takeaways from the episode:
Why removing transactional work exposes HR's capability gap instead of solving it.
How AI and transformation raise the bar for HR business partners, shifting the value from assembling information to judgment, influence, and courage.
Why 30 years of building HR to execute has left many HR business partners unprepared for a more strategic role.
Why the step most transformations miss is being clear about what's changing in the role, and what's not.
How to test whether your transformation plan is as specific about new capabilities as it is about the work that's going away.

How does investing in people make an organization more agile and resilient?

Why is building talent a better bet than buying it, especially in the age of AI?

My guest on this episode is Alana Brandes, Chief People Officer at Guild.

During our conversation Alana and I discuss:
Why "follow your passion" is a trap, and why should follow your energy instead.
Why the employee journey should run "to, through, and beyond."
How treating people well on the way out builds trust, your brand and increases boomerang hires in the future.
Why build-versus-buy is a false choice
How upskilling insiders beats buying AI talent from outside.

Connecting with Alana Brandes
Connect with Alana Brandes on LinkedIn
Learn more about Guild and their programs.

Episode Sponsor:
Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can you apply proven frameworks to increase your impact as a HR leader?

Why does understanding the human mind matter more, not less, as AI becomes more capable?

My guest on this episode is Caroline Webb, Leadership coach, bestselling author of Leadership Intelligence and How to Have a Good Day.

During our conversation Caroline and I discuss:

How HR leaders can influence executive decisions without owning the decision.
Why leaders should coach for capability, not just solve the immediate problem.
How to create certainty when you don't have all the answers.
How to give feedback people can actually act on
How leaders can stay effective when the pressure builds

Connecting with Caroline Webb
Connect with Caroline Webb on LinkedIn

Learn more about Leadership Intelligence and Caroline’s work

Episode Sponsor:
Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can you drive a high performance culture with four simple questions?
Why is great execution more valuable than strategy?

My guest on this episode is Andy De Marco, CHRO, Fujitsu, Americas Region
During our conversation Andy and I discuss:

Why the best HR leaders focus on adding value in every interaction.
How Fujitsu drives a high performance culture with four simple questions.
Why execution is scarcer and more valuable than strategy.
Why a stable strategy frees the capacity execution requires.
What capabilities and skills best position HR leaders for the future.

Connecting with Andy De Marco
Connect with Andy De Marco on LinkedIn

Episode Sponsor:
Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can you “chase the butterflies” and take the stretch assignment that scares you?

Why do the best HR leaders learn to “porpoise” and flex between strategy and execution?

My guest on this episode is Allan Church & Janine Waclawski, Co-Founders and Managing Partners, Maestro Consulting LLC

During our conversation Allan, Janine, and I discuss:

Why you should never say no to a job you haven’t been offered.
How “meeting the client where they are” is the foundation of every HR relationship.
What it means to “porpoise” flexing between strategy and execution.
How “chasing the butterflies” unlocks your biggest growth.
How you can learn from every boss, even the ones you don’t like.

Connecting with Allan Church & Janine Waclawski

Connect with Allan Church & Janine Waclawski on LinkedIn

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.