What does it mean to be an “Essential Leader” in the future of work?

What is a “gray collar” job and why are they the future for many industries?

My guest on this episode is Kelly Monahan, Managing Director, Research Institute @ Upwork, Christie Smith, Founder of The Humanity Studio

During our conversation Kelly, Christie, and I discuss:

• Why designing "unicorn jobs" is hurting both candidates and organizations - and what to do instead.
• The rise of "gray collar" jobs jobs—a blend of white and blue-collar skills and what this means for the future of work.
• Why employee agency and autonomy are non-negotiable elements for building high-performing cultures in today's workplace.
• Why leaders need to spend more time identifying the work that needs to be done by a human and what work should be done with AI
• Why “Essential Leaders” of the future will have to focus on their teams, not themselves.

Connecting with Kelly and Christie:

Connect with Kelly Monahan and Christie Smith on LinkedIn

Learn more about their new book, Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership

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.

How can you build a culture where employees feel valued and heard?

Why is acting on feedback critical to building trust and improving business performance?

My guest on this episode is Carolyn Roach, Chief Human Resources Officer, XPO

During our conversation Carolyn and I discuss:

• How XPO aligns its HR strategy to support and drive business strategy.
• Why XPO's approach to listening, actioning, building trust, and recognition creates a culture where employees feel valued and heard.
• How XPO translates employee feedback into concrete action plans, creating a culture where team members know their voices drive real organizational change.
• How XPO is leveraging communications and recognition to strengthen their company culture.
• Carolyn's advice to HR leaders whose organizations are undergoing transformational change.

Connecting with Carolyn:

Connect with Carolyn Roach 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.

How will AI shape the future of hiring from a candidate and company perspective?

How can AI to help us assess skills and human potential in the hiring process?

My guest on this episode is Lindsey Zuloaga, Chief Data Scientist, HireVue

During our conversation Lindsey and I discuss:

• Why she calls herself a techno-realist and what that means.
• Why it is a misconception that AI, not humans make the final hiring decisions
• How evaluating and testing AI tools can prevent falling prey to overhyped, ineffective solutions.
• The potential of AI to remove traditional biases in the hiring process.
• How focusing on potential and assessing skills over past experience can transform hiring practices.

Connecting with Lindsey:

Connect with Lindsey Zuloaga 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.

The “Best of 2024” episode features sixteen don’t miss moments from HR executives and thought leaders...

So, who can you expect to learn from on this episode?

• Rhonda Morris, CHRO, Chevron
• Jeffrey Pfeffer, Professor Stanford University and Author of 16 books including the “7 Rules of Power
• Kerrie Peraino, Chief People Officer at Verily
• Kevin Wilde, Executive Leadership and Talent Development Expert & Author
• Kelly Monahan, Managing Director, Research Institute at Upwork
• Dave Ulrich, Bob Eichinger, and Allan Church
• Lybra Clemons, a C-Suite executive with experience leading talent, culture, and DEI
• Shaun Mayo, Chief People Officer, Arizona Cardinals Football Club
• Amy Kates, Organization Design Expert, Consultant, Educator, and Author of Five Books
• Kevin Cox, Founder and President of LKC Advisory & Anthony Nyberg, Director, Center for Executive Succession at University of South Carolina
• Jordana Kammerud, SVP & CHRO, Corning
• Lucien Alziari, EVP and CHRO of Prudential Financial, Inc
• Ginger King, CHRO, Kohler Co.
• Tim Richmond, EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, AbbVie
• Stephanie Lilak, EVP & Chief People Officer, Mondelez International
• Prasad Setty, Lecturer, Stanford GSB, Advisor, Former VP at Google, People Ops and Workspace

Episode Sponsor:

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

Why do HR leaders need to be talent mavens, employee advocates, and company defenders?

How can you shift from a cost mindset to a return on investment mindset?

My guest on this episode is Jackson Lynch, CHRO at Sunnova and founder of the “Talent Sherpa” newsletter

During our conversation Jackson and I discuss:

• Why you need to meet the business where it is and not where you wish it would be.
• Why CHROs and CEOs need to be aligned on 'what good looks like' for an effective partnership.
• The three essential 'hats' HR leaders must wear: Talent Maven, Employee Advocate, and Company Defender.
• The role of business acumen in enabling HR leaders to predict outcomes and shape future work strategies.
• Why HR leaders need to shift from a cost to a return on investment mindset.

Connecting with Jackson:

Connect with Jackson Lynch on LinkedIn

Learn more or subscribe to Jackson’s newsletter, Talent Sherpa

Episode Sponsor:

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

How can HR advocate and support their front-line leaders?

Why is it a smart investment to develop your front-line leaders and team members?

My guest on this episode is Monica Rothgery, Friend of the Frontline Leader, Speaker and Author of “Lessons from the Drive-Thru.”

During our conversation Monica and I discuss:

• Monica's unique career journey at Yum Brands, progressing from restaurant manager to training leader to Chief Operating Officer for KFC in Thailand and the U.S.
• Her mission to help elevate, support, and develop front-line leaders across the world
• The importance of organizations developing management training programs that emphasize leadership, decision-making, and team empowerment
• The critical role of face-to-face training and mentorship for frontline leaders
• How HR leaders can ensure frontline leaders' voices are heard, even when they are not in the room.

Connecting with Monica:

Connect with Monica Rothgery on LinkedIn

Learn more about Monica and her work elevating front-line leaders

Episode Sponsor:

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

How can you balance the three roles of being an HR leader?

What does it mean to be a servant HR leader?

My guest on this episode is Angela Cheng-Cimini, CHRO, Board Director, AAPI Champion, & Keynote Speaker

During our conversation Angela and I discuss:

• How Angela transformed an experience early in her career into a lifelong leadership lesson.
• Why she believes the best HR leaders are technical experts, business focused and change agents.
• Her vision for "hyper-personalization" in employee experiences and how HR can practically implement this.
• Why she is passionate about paying it forward and helping others in their careers.

Connecting with Angela:

Connect with Angela Cheng-Cimini on LinkedIn

Episode Sponsor:

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

Are you flourishing at work, or could you be languishing?

What creates true wellbeing in the workplace?

My guest on this episode is Corey Keyes, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Emory University and Author, “Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down.”

During our conversation Corey and I discuss:

• How "languishing" represents a state between depression and flourishing, characterized by feelings of emptiness and emotional numbness
• The six domains of human excellence and their role as foundations for flourishing
• Why actively engaging in the "Five Vitamins of Flourishing" is essential for mental wellbeing
• The critical role of quality workplace relationships in preventing invisibility and promoting flourishing
• How leaders can create conditions that support wellbeing and flourishing in the workplace

Connecting with Corey:

Learn more abut Corey Keyes and his book, Languishing

Episode Sponsor:

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