The Modern People Leader: Forward-Thinking HR

137 - Handling No’s from your CEO & Reminding fellow execs what HR is optimizing for: Melanie Naranjo (VP People, Ethena)

Oct 23, 2023

Melanie Naranjo, VP of People at Ethena, discusses handling no’s from CEOs, questions to ask when interviewing for top HR roles, and reminding executives about people optimization. Topics include agile approach for manager training, power dynamics for women of color in HR, and removing assumptions. Hosts explore difficulties faced by HR leaders, importance of community, advantages of working in HR tech, and building the modern people leader. They also highlight lack of communication and mentorship for HR leaders and conclude with traditions and recommendations.

52:46

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Episode guests

Melanie Naranjo

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

HR leaders need to handle rejections from CEOs and find a way to navigate through them.

When interviewing for the Chief People Officer role, it is important to ask targeted questions to the leadership team.

People leaders should consistently remind their fellow executives about the organization's focus on optimizing for people and aligning with business goals.

Deep dives

Challenges for CPOs

People leaders struggling to position themselves as true business leaders with their boards, CEOs, and leadership teams.

Introduction

3min

A conversation about HR and the significance of community for HR professionals

2min

The Unique Role of HR in an HR Tech Company and the Advantages It Brings

3min

Building the Modern People Leader

11min

First Impressions of Athena and What They Do

2min

Lack of Communication and Mentorship for HR Leaders

30min

Wrapping up with traditions, recommendations, and a closing word

3min

Melanie Naranjo, VP of People at Ethena, joined us on The Modern People Leader.

We talked about how to handle no’s from your CEO, the questions to ask leadership when you’re interviewing for the top HR role, and why you need to remind fellow execs what you’re optimizing for on the people side.

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This episode was brought to you by People Leader Accelerator. Learn more here.

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(3:22) Good news stories

(14:50) Melanie’s story

(20:38) Melanie was too rigid in her approach early on in her career

(23:33) CEOs need to invest time into their HR leaders

(27:05) How to handle no’s from your CEO

(31:26) Using an agile approach for rolling out manager training

(33:57) The power dynamics at play between CEOs and the women of color in HR

(36:50) Remove all assumptions and lead with curiosity

(39:15) The questions to ask the leadership team when you’re interviewing for the Chief People Officer role