Crucial Conversations provides tools and strategies for handling difficult conversations where stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. The book focuses on creating a safe environment for candid discussions, using techniques like STATE (Share, Tell, Ask, Talk, Encourage) and CRIB (Commit, Recognize, Invent, Brainstorm) to ensure productive and respectful communication. It underscores the importance of shared understanding, mutual purpose, and active listening in achieving successful outcomes in crucial conversations.
In this book, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans apply the principles of design thinking to help readers design and build a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling. The authors, who are also educators at Stanford University, emphasize the importance of prototyping, experimentation, and iteration in life design. They provide practical exercises and tools to help readers navigate life's challenges and create a future that aligns with their values and aspirations. The book is based on their highly successful course at Stanford and has been widely praised for its empowering and practical approach to life design.
In this episode of HR Heretics, Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich talk to Cynthia "Baz" Shrauner, former Meta HR executive and current Head of People at Electric Capital. Baz discusses her unconventional career move of voluntarily demoting herself twice to focus on work she genuinely enjoyed rather than traditional leadership roles. She candidly explores the tension between ego and fulfillment, Meta's hiring excesses during COVID and subsequent layoffs, and the complexities of DEI initiatives in corporate environments, offering rare insider perspective on Silicon Valley's operational realities.
*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.
Support HR Heretics Sponsors:
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KEEP UP WITH BAZ, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN
Baz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-bazlamit-shrauner-683767/
Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/
Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/
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LINKS:
Electric Capital:
https://www.electriccapital.com/
Link to Baz’s LinkedIn post about getting demoted in Facebook:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cynthia-bazlamit-shrauner-683767_7-years-into-my-time-at-facebook-i-was-demoted-activity-7321208807441731587-8SYh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAWcjXgBb3Jw6dX16PD9lRJSsxfgqVAqZLw
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(01:59) The Demotion Story Begins
(04:00) The Emotional Reality
(06:00) Finding the Right Replacement
(07:59) Learning What You Love vs. Loathe
(10:58) Sponsors: Planful | Metaview
(13:58) Demoting Yourself Again: The Christine Ellis Story
(19:03) What Makes Great Leaders
(22:21) The Reality Check: Not Everyone Can Do This
(27:59) Self-Awareness and Ego Management
(35:24) Meta's COVID Hiring Spree
(42:08) The Layoffs: What Really Happened
(51:37) DEI Programs: From Helpful to Distracting
(57:41) 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
“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies 
