“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies
HR Heretics
After a decade+ of “blitz-scaling” companies, HR, talent, and People leaders now face an uncertain economy that has already seen big booms and busts. What will it take to construct the next generation of incredible businesses – and where can people leaders have the most business impact?
Hosts Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich have been through it all, the highs and the lows – IPOs, layoffs, executive turnover, board meetings, culture changes, and more. With a lineup of industry vets and experts, Nolan and Kelli break down the nitty-gritty details, trade offs, and dynamics of constructing high performing companies. Through unfiltered conversations that can only happen between seasoned practitioners – Kelli and Nolan dive deep into the kind of leadership-level strategy that often happens behind closed doors.
This show is for those who are ready to ditch conventional wisdom and figure out from first principles what works for their culture, business model, and industry, with the goal of building a resilient and enduring company. You’ll come away with real guidance for seeing around corners, building enduring companies, and carving out an impactful career – plus a newly-honed bullshit detector.
Topics frequently touched on in this season include: building high performing cultures, compensation negotiation, performance reviews, company design, equity, M&As, recruiting the best talent, and how to manage your own psychology as a people leader. hrheretics.substack.com
Hosts Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich have been through it all, the highs and the lows – IPOs, layoffs, executive turnover, board meetings, culture changes, and more. With a lineup of industry vets and experts, Nolan and Kelli break down the nitty-gritty details, trade offs, and dynamics of constructing high performing companies. Through unfiltered conversations that can only happen between seasoned practitioners – Kelli and Nolan dive deep into the kind of leadership-level strategy that often happens behind closed doors.
This show is for those who are ready to ditch conventional wisdom and figure out from first principles what works for their culture, business model, and industry, with the goal of building a resilient and enduring company. You’ll come away with real guidance for seeing around corners, building enduring companies, and carving out an impactful career – plus a newly-honed bullshit detector.
Topics frequently touched on in this season include: building high performing cultures, compensation negotiation, performance reviews, company design, equity, M&As, recruiting the best talent, and how to manage your own psychology as a people leader. hrheretics.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 1, 2024 • 22min
When CEOs Bare Their Souls in 36 Pages with Colleen McCreary
Colleen McCreary, a seasoned Chief People Officer, joins the discussion to unpack the viral 36-page employee manual from Mr. Beast. The team dives into the manual's combination of survival guide and corporate manifesto, questioning if it's a bold new take on leadership or a path to burnout. They emphasize the critical importance of transparency in corporate culture, the necessity for clear expectations, and how authenticity can transform workplace dynamics, making it essential listening for anyone in management or HR.
Sep 26, 2024 • 18min
Realtalk: Feedback
Dive into the intricate world of giving feedback to friends at work without harming relationships. Explore how open communication can enrich professional bonds while overcoming the challenges of ego. Discover the delicate balance between honesty and the fear of straining relationships. Uncover the transformative power of constructive criticism and how it can spur personal growth. Embrace feedback as a collaborative dialogue, fostering a culture where honesty meets empathy.
Sep 24, 2024 • 16min
Amazon's Return To Office Policy
In this episode, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, a key figure in the tech industry, discusses the recent return-to-office policy and its potential fallout. The conversation delves into workplace culture shifts and employee morale as company dynamics shift post-COVID. Jassy's approach emphasizes reducing bureaucracy, but will it spark higher turnover rates? The hosts explore the complex implications for staff expectations and the labor market landscape, highlighting the delicate balance of empathy and business needs during a transformative time.
Sep 19, 2024 • 22min
Workplace Romance Power Dynamics
Delving into the complexities of workplace romances, speakers Kelli and Nolan discuss the risks of mixing power and passion. They highlight real-life cases, including the controversial terminations due to romantic entanglements. The conversation explores why dating within a reporting chain can lead to ethical dilemmas and conflicts of interest. Listeners learn about the need for clear company policies to navigate these tricky relationships while maintaining professional boundaries. It's a must-listen for anyone navigating romance at work!
Sep 17, 2024 • 19min
The First Team Trap: Avoiding Toxicity
Explore the delicate balance between team loyalty and executive alignment. The discussion highlights the dangers of putting immediate team goals over broader company objectives. Discover strategies for managing dissent while maintaining empathy and authority. Learn about the profound effects of toxic leadership and the importance of transparent communication in fostering collaboration. The episode emphasizes proactive succession planning to build a healthier workplace culture.
Sep 12, 2024 • 18min
Exec, Manager, Friend: CPO Trifecta
Context switching may be derailing HR productivity. The podcast explores how leaders juggle multiple roles and the necessity of authentic relationships in large organizations. Emphasizing tech tools, they discuss how advanced solutions can transform workforce planning and streamline hiring. Innovative communication strategies, like asynchronous updates and a shift back to phone calls, are examined to boost engagement. The conversation also highlights maintaining focus to enhance overall performance in today’s fast-paced environment.
Sep 10, 2024 • 17min
Promotions on Ice: Are you stuck?
Promotions have plummeted by 24% in early 2024, revealing a challenging job market landscape. The discussion highlights how tech roles are facing stagnation, with layoffs curbing traditional promotion paths. Employees are feeling dissatisfied and increasingly turning to side hustles for job security. The conversation also investigates the role of AI in HR and how it's reshaping hiring and retention strategies. As economic dynamics evolve, the importance of skill enhancement and professional networking has never been clearer.
Sep 6, 2024 • 48min
Equity: Cash or Carrot? With Guissu Baier of General Catalyst
Guissu Baier, a talent expert at General Catalyst, shares her insights from navigating equity compensation at Instacart. She challenges traditional refresh grant strategies and emphasizes the need for performance-driven models over outdated practices. The discussion delves into the balance between cash and equity compensation to boost employee retention, and the importance of aligning HR and legal perspectives for effective collaboration. Guissu also highlights customizable compensation options that enhance fairness and choice for employees.
Sep 5, 2024 • 22min
Everyone's Talking About Founder Mode
Paul Graham, a prominent YC founder who introduced the idea of 'Founder Mode,' joins Brian Chesky, the Airbnb visionary, for a deep dive into the challenges of effective leadership. They discuss the tension between control and delegation, emphasizing that founders should adopt a hands-on approach rather than feeling pressured to micromanage. The conversation highlights the importance of empathy in founder-team dynamics and stresses cultivating humility and transparency to build trust and foster productive relationships.
Aug 29, 2024 • 59min
DEI: Pushback or Paradigm Shift? With Vijay Pendakur
Vijay Pendakur, a DEI expert and founder of Vijay Pendakur Consulting, shares insights on the current pushback against diversity initiatives. He tackles the challenge of maintaining inclusion without divisiveness and emphasizes the need for measurable ROI in DEI efforts. The conversation explores the evolving corporate responsibility towards DEI, particularly in a hybrid workforce, and the tension between AI integration and commitment to diversity in hiring practices. Vijay's candid discussion reveals a call for courageous leadership and a paradigm shift in approach.
