In this episode, Kelli Dragovich and Nolan Church are joined by Lucy Adams, founder of Disruptive HR. Adams critiques traditional HR's rigid policies, advocating instead for judgment-based approaches that treat employees as grown-ups. The conversation explores challenges facing HR business partners, the evolution of DEI initiatives, and how organizations can create environments where people thrive through high-trust cultures, rather than compliance-driven systems.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

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KEEP UP WITH LUCY, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Lucy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucykadams/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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LINKS:

Disruptive HR: https://disruptivehr.com/

Lucy’s article “HR Business Partner: The toughest role in HR?”: https://disruptivehr.com/hr-business-partner-the-toughest-role-in-hr/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:17) Lucy's Background and BBC Experience

(03:08) Personal Connection and BBC Stories

(04:25) Origins of Disruptive HR

(07:00) Evolution of HR and Post-COVID Workplace Changes

(11:39) Trust and Autonomy in Workplace Decisions

(16:56) Trust as Foundation for Business Success

(17:32) Sponsors: Thatch | Planful

(20:27) Progressive HR Policies and Examples

(23:53) HR Business Partner Role Challenges

(25:13) Sponsor: Metaview

(27:55) Messy Reality of Great HR Work

(31:00) HR's Focus on Process vs. Real Impact

(33:26) Current HR Trends and Community Concerns

(35:56) DEI Evolution and Conversation Approaches

(45:53) Wrap

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

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