“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
Jun 21, 2024 • 55min
Navigating Media, LinkedIn, and the HR Echo Chamber with Lars Schmidt
Lars Schmidt, a talent leader turned creator, discusses challenges and motivations in content creation. The conversation delves into AI in recruitment, enhancing employee engagement with WorkVivo, and maintaining authenticity in media. They explore the importance of diverse perspectives in the HR industry and the transition of leadership roles in the evolving landscape.
Jun 14, 2024 • 15min
Rippling vs. Competitors: The Ex-Employee Dilemma
Rippling's controversial HR policy of banning ex-employees from competitors in a secondary stock offering is debated. The podcast discusses the ethics and implications of this move, examining the zero-sum game, company messaging, and employee value. Regulatory implications, non-compete arguments, and the importance of understanding the 'why' behind Rippling's decision are also explored.
Jun 13, 2024 • 54min
Pendo CEO Todd Olson on Co-Founder Conflict, Hiring Slow, and Pushing Limits at a Software Unicorn
Pendo CEO Todd Olson shares insights on co-founder conflicts, unique hiring practices, and the importance of HR in business success. Topics include adapting leadership styles, CEO involvement in hiring, and elevating HR leadership for significant business impact.
Jun 11, 2024 • 15min
The Future of Management
Exploring the shift from managers to coaches in organizations, benefits of spontaneous communication, reevaluating traditional one-on-one meetings, and the importance of functional mentors in leadership development.
Jun 6, 2024 • 50min
How Big Should Your Org Grow?
Michelle Delcambre, operating partner at Felicis, shares insights on company growth trajectories, strategic HR practices, founder mistakes, pre-negotiated exits, comp strategies, and attracting top talent. They explore normalizing attrition, hiring challenges, embracing boomerang employees, and rethinking equity compensation. The podcast offers valuable advice for founders and the crucial role HR plays in building successful companies.
Jun 4, 2024 • 17min
Toxic Managers
Diving into toxic managers, they uncover shocking workplace incidents and mental health struggles, highlighting a Baidu executive's misconduct and suicides among investment bankers. They discuss signs of toxic management, prioritizing well-being, and building support networks in challenging workplaces.
16 snips
May 31, 2024 • 50min
The Future of Tech Operators with Casey Woo, Founder of Operators Guild
Casey Woo, Founder of Operators Guild and ex-WeWork CFO, discusses his experience at WeWork, rapid business scaling, the impact of AI on operations, and the rise of business operators. They also talk about the future of CRM, digital employee engagement, job uncertainty in the tech age, and transitioning to venture capital.
May 29, 2024 • 17min
The Big Stay
In this episode of HR Heretics, Nolan and Kelli discuss an article from Business Insider about the ongoing white-collar recession, particularly affecting those earning over $100,000 a year. They discuss significant changes in the tech job market, including the influence of AI, global competition, and the shift from managerial roles to more individual contributor positions. The episode concludes with insights into personal fulfillment versus financial stability in career choices.Vanguard data reveals a hiring freeze for six-figure earners, impacting tech and finance. Is this the start of a white-collar recession?HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Discover Workvivo, Zoom’s employee experience platform, designed to delight your hybrid workforce. With dynamic and intuitive features people actually like using, Workvivo fosters a sense of belonging and boosts retention and productivity. Join Ryanair, Dollar General, and Virgin — head to https://bit.ly/hrhereticsworkvivo to book a demo (tell them Kelli and Nolan sent you).Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich—TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to the White Collar Recession00:30 The Dichotomy of Employment Data00:48 Challenges for High Earners01:56 The Big Stay and Trapped in Place Economy02:34 Industry-Specific Impacts05:21 Global Competition and AI's Role06:23 The Future of Tech Employment08:34 Personal Reflections and Career Changes08:43 Sponsor: Workvivo | Attio11:12: First-World Work Problems13:02: Self-Reflection and Assessment15:34: On Gratitude on Salaries and Roles16:11 Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com
13 snips
May 23, 2024 • 44min
A Deep Dive Into Coaching as a Career with Nathan Tanner, author of The Unconquerable Leader
Nathan Tanner, ex-HR leader at DoorDash, Neighbor, and LinkedIn, delves into coaching as a career, discussing setting up the business, client acquisition, and coaching economics. He explores the line between HR leader, coach, and therapist empathy, and the traits of a great coach. The episode covers client perspectives, coaching lifecycle, revenue balance, and building strategies.
May 21, 2024 • 11min
What's the Deal at OpenAI?
Nolan Church discusses OpenAI's exec departures, controversies over NDAs and equity, and Scarlett Johansson's voice use. Lessons for HR leaders and founders on ethics in AI tech.
