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.

Melanie Naranjo, the VP of People at Ethena, shares her expertise on performance management and accountability. She discusses the high costs associated with tolerating underperformance, emphasizing the need for clear definitions and honest feedback. Melanie explores strategies for fostering a culture of experimentation rather than perfection, enabling teams to thrive. Additionally, she highlights the importance of engaging diverse learning styles for effective training and shares career insights that encourage community growth in HR.

In this engaging discussion, Melanie Naranjo, Chief People Officer at Ethena, brings her expertise to the forefront as she addresses the rising tide of employee litigation. She highlights the challenges HR faces amidst growing concerns around discrimination and retaliation, driven by social media and changing workplace values. Melanie shares strategies for fostering open dialogue and setting clear expectations during recruitment. The conversation emphasizes balancing employee rights with the need for effective HR practices to navigate the evolving landscape of workplace dynamics.