Future of HR

Why is the single biggest barrier to having power…ourselves?

How can you, as an HR professional step into your power?

My guest on this episode is Jeffrey Pfeffer, Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University and Author of 16 books including his latest one the “7 Rules of Power”:

During our conversation Jeffrey and I discuss:

Why he believes the single biggest barrier to having power is ourselves
Why it is important that we own and tell our story, not let others tell it for us
Why he believes that being authentic and/or modest is terrible leadership advice Why networking is a super power and how to do it well
Why he believes HR needs to raise the bar and step into their power
His advice on how to deal with difficult leaders in positions of power

Connecting with Jeffrey Pfeffer
Connect with Jeffrey Pfeffer on LinkedIn
Learn more about the Jeffrey’s books, research, podcast and more

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 turn HR data into insights that drive decisions?

Why do leaders make decisions based on their experience and instinct, not just data?

My guest on this episode is Morgan Depenbusch, Data Storytelling & Influence Expert

During our conversation Morgan and I discuss:

How to tell what data is interesting from what data is decision relevant
Why one reason to say no can beat twenty reasons to say yes
Why you should see yourself as the guide and the leader as the hero
How to surface a leader's real objection before the meeting and name it first
Why AI gives HR more dashboards and signals but not more influence

Connecting with Morgan:
Connect with Morgan Depenbusch on LinkedIn
Learn more about Morgan’s HR Data Storytelling and Influence Playbook

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 HR transform meetings into a competitive advantage?
Why is the one-on-one the one meeting that leaders should never cancel?

My guest on this episode is Steven Rogelberg, author of “The Surprising Science of Meetings” and “Glad We Met: The Art & Science of 1:1 Meetings”

During our conversation Steven and I discuss:
Why a world without meetings is worse than a world with them
Why the person who called the meeting is usually the only one who thinks it went well.
Why measurement is the missing piece as engagement surveys almost never ask about meetings.
Why framing your agenda as questions to be answered clarifies who to invite, what success looks like, and whether you even need to meet.
Why the one-on-one belongs to the employee, not the manager

Connecting with Steven Rogelberg:
Connect with Steven Rogelberg on LinkedIn

Learn more about Steven, his books, and work to make meetings matter

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 does human capital create value in private equity?
What does it take to be a successful HR leader in private equity?

My guest on this episode is David Cohen, Partner, Human Capital at Kelso

During our conversation David and I discuss:
Why the role of the human capital partner in private equity is to unlock value through people, not to run HR for the firm itself.
What is takes to be successful as a CHRO in a private equity backed company.
Why human capital value creation comes down to org design, the right people in the right seats, and senior team performance.
How the "bullseye" model helps identify the right senior leader for a PE-backed company.
Why breadth of experience matters more than titles in your 20s and 30s.

Connecting with David Cohen:
Connect with David Cohen 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.

In this solo episode, I make the case that being a strategic business partner is no longer enough. I share the shift I believe is coming next, from business partner to business builder, and the three mindset shifts and behaviors that separate the two.

Here are a few key takeaways from the episode:

Why being a strategic business partner is no longer enough, and what the next evolution of HR asks of us.
How the move from business partner to business builder is a mindset, not a job title.
Why execution excellence has become the price of admission rather than the proof that HR is strategic and adding value.
Why the real AI risk to HR is being bypassed, not being automated.
Why making fewer, bigger bets turns HR priorities into business priorities.
How choosing one big goal a year that scares you can change the course of your career.