Cher Murphy, Partner and Head of People+Talent Practice at ON Partners, shares insights on the evolving nature of leadership. She highlights the essential blend of human traits, like empathy and communication, alongside technological advancements. Cher discusses the erosion of trust and how transparency can rebuild it. She introduces leadership as a system that transcends individual traits and reflects on the critical balance between data and human intuition in decision-making. Ultimately, she makes a compelling case for the deeply human essence of strong leadership.
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insights INSIGHT
Speed and Trust in Leadership
Leadership now demands speed combined with trust in a rapidly changing environment.
Leaders must shift from a mindset of control to one of clarity and adaptability.
insights INSIGHT
Rebuilding Trust Requires Transparency
Trust erosion began before the pandemic and worsened due to overuse of company purpose.
Transparent communication of leadership's logic rebuilds trust despite unmet promises.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Communicate Uncertainty Openly
Leaders should communicate honestly about what they don’t know and involve employees in problem-solving.
Open dialogue fosters trust and shared ownership during uncertainty.
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In this episode of Workplace Stories, Dani Johnson talks with Cher Murphy, Partner, Head of People+Talent Practice at ON Partner, founder of The Murphy Advisory, and faculty member at Pepperdine and the University of Michigan. Drawing from her deep experience in executive coaching and leadership development, Cher shares how leadership is evolving in response to rapid technological, political, and organizational change. She emphasizes that while AI and data can enhance decision-making, human traits like discernment, empathy, and the ability to communicate clearly remain irreplaceable. Leaders today must move from a mindset of control to one of clarity, especially as strategic planning windows shorten and collaboration across functions becomes essential.
Cher also reflects on the erosion of trust in organizations and how leaders can rebuild it through transparency, consistency, and shared logic. She introduces the concept of leadership as a system—not just a set of traits—which, when embedded across all levels of an organization, can outlast any one individual. The conversation touches on the future of leadership development, the convergence of people functions, and how leaders can balance data and intuition to make better decisions. Ultimately, Cher makes a compelling case that strong leadership is still—at its core—a deeply human endeavor. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
(00:00) — Intro & Cher’s background
(04:00) — Leadership mindsets, speed, and trust
(12:00) — Rebuilding trust & communication challenges
(20:00) — Structural shifts and cross-functional collaboration
(26:00) — AI’s role, human skills, and decision-making
(32:00) — Universal leadership traits & leadership as a system
(39:00) — Succession, culture fit, and final reflections on meaning
Workplace Stories by RedThread Research 