Nolan Church

Hiring executives can be daunting for founders. In this podcast, a16z talent partner and executive search process experts discuss assessing talent, measuring success in talent assessment, referencing, personal growth vs. mistakes, vetting EQ, hiring veterans for startups, talent landscape in 2024, recruiting top talent in a tight market, and the value of tough feedback.

Nolan Church, a thought leader in HR discussions, and Kelli Dragovich, an advocate for impactful organizational leadership, dive into a provocative New York Times article criticizing HR. They discuss the pervasive dissatisfaction between employees and HR, the increasing strain on HR professionals, and the importance of collaborative leadership. They also explore the transformative potential of AI in hiring and the need for nurturing relationships within organizations to enhance both performance and employee well-being.

Kelli Dragovich, an HR strategies expert, and Nolan Church, an innovative HR solutions professional, dive into the proactive role HR can play in organizations. They discuss the importance of visibility and showcasing HR's value beyond just reactive measures. Key topics include enhancing employee engagement through transparency, effective communication around compensation, and building trust in hybrid work environments. Their insights inspire HR teams to take charge and demonstrate their impactful contributions.

Nolan Church, CEO and co-founder of Continuum and former head of talent at DoorDash, shares his insights on the current wave of tech layoffs. He reflects on the hard lessons learned from his tenure at Carta and the importance of direct communication during layoffs. The conversation delves into Twitter's turmoil, the questionable advice of cutting 20% of staff, and the future of executive roles in the industry. Additionally, Church discusses the rise of fractional work and offers his take on the emotional toll of these decisions on employees.

HR experts Kelli and Nolan dive into the controversial topic of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), debating their true purpose and effectiveness. They advocate for alternative approaches like the 'fork method,' focusing on communication and empowerment. The episode challenges traditional HR practices and offers insightful solutions for addressing performance issues in the workplace.