The Truth About Building High-Performing HR Teams

What does it really take to lead a successful HR team in today’s fast-changing world?

In this episode of The Plumm Pod, Georgia sits down with Lauren McDonagh, Head of People at Soho House, to reveal the realities of building high-performing HR teams.

From creating psychological safety to managing burnout and leading with authenticity, Lauren shares practical insights and personal lessons every HR professional needs to hear.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why HR leaders must lead by example (and why most don’t)

How to create a culture of trust and psychological safety within your team

The power of diversity of thought in driving real innovation

Why personal development and getting uncomfortable are non-negotiable for growth

If you want to be a better leader or build a team that thrives, this conversation is a must-watch.

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Chapters

00:00:00 – Welcome to The Plumm Pod

00:02:26 – Was HR Always the Plan?

00:04:55 – The Reality of HR Careers

00:07:01 – How Hospitality Changed My Leadership Style

00:08:45 – Inside Soho House’s People Team

00:09:56 – Leading by Example as an HR Leader

00:11:32 – How We Invest in Our HR Team

00:14:37 – What I Look for When Hiring HR Talent

00:17:53 – Why Discomfort Is the Key to Growth

00:19:56 – Managing Change & Building Trust

00:21:27 – The Biggest Shift in My Leadership Style

00:23:06 – Creating Psychological Safety for Teams

00:24:53 – Balancing Business Goals & People Needs

00:28:30 – Protecting HR Teams from Burnout

00:32:44 – The Truth About Being ‘Busy’ vs ‘Productive’

00:36:18 – Managing Different Personalities Effectively

00:38:55 – The Untold Emotional Load of HR

00:41:14 – Advice to My Younger Self