“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies

Friends of the podcast and experienced CPOs Colleen McCreary (CreditKarma, Zynga, Twilio, EA) and David Hanrahan (Flare, formerly EventBrite, Zendesk) join hosts Kelli Dragovich and Nolan Church for this roundtable discussion of where the puck is going for DEI in 2024. They offer their takes on the progress made over the years, the current camps in this debate propelled by the recent capitol hill hearings and Harvard controversy, and the necessity of founders and companies to better understand their own priorities and define their position on DEI.Check out our individual episodes with both Colleen and David who have both been former guests on the show!Colleen McCreary on Layoffs, M&A, and Recruiting the Best Talent - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WuLzUYeDaPIsOTbtTCZFD?si=aLgdLcjTR0eK6wBCv6KrGwDavid Hanrahan on High Performance, Comp Strategy, Performance Cycles, and New Norms - https://open.spotify.com/episode/46H0HSchsnl52DaP9aPsrG?si=jTZ9tTjzR36cNsdqPkjrAQHR Heretics is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co–SPONSORS: Lattice | Continuum✅ Discover HR software that drives performance with Lattice: https://www.lattice.com/hrhereticsHigh performance and great culture should never be at odds; they’re better together. With Lattice People Management Platform, companies efficiently run people programs that create enviable cultures where employees want to do their best work. Serving 1000s of customers of all sizes. Learn why companies from Slack to the LA Dodgers choose Lattice. https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics✅ Hire Fractional Executives with Continuum using this link: https://bit.ly/40hlRa9Have you ever had a negative experience hiring executives? Continuum connects executives and senior operators to venture-backed tech companies for fractional and full-time roles. You can post any executive-level role to Continuum’s marketplace and search through our database of world-class, vetted leaders. There is no hidden cost, you only pay the person you hire. And you can cancel at any time. www.Joincontinuum.com–KEEP UP WITH Q, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINColleen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenmccrearychiefpplofficer/David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhanrahan/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/–LINKS:Roxanne Petraeus, CEO of Ethena: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/harvard-dei-interview-question-best-avoided-roxanne-bras-petraeus-wzope/Joelle Emerson’s piece: https://fortune.com/2024/01/04/anti-dei-movement-fringe-mainstream-corporate-america-diversity-equity-inclusion-meaning-joelle-emerson/–TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(01:16) The current facts about DEI(04:50) The inability to have a real dialogue about what practices work and what practices matter(06:59) Current conversations move people out of the conversation on DEI to the detriment of an effort on diversity(09:07) The prerequisites of doing DEI the right way(11:08) The impossibility of measuring belonging in a company(14:19) Sponsor - Lattice | Continuum(16:05) The impossibility of measuring belonging in a company (continued)(17:57) Allocating resources and improving a company's DEI efforts and programs(31:50) Where do we see the puck going with DEI in the future?(41:05) When CPOs can't be everything for everybody and the importance of going back to who you are, your values and your culture(46:22) DEI in 2024 is going to be more of an expectation of leadership as opposed to standalone efforts 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

Q Hamirani, Chief People Officer at Paper and former employee at Airbnb, discusses the CPO seat under pressure, Airbnb's remote work policy, using design thinking to solve people problems, the role of AI in the people function, and tactical insights from Q's time at Airbnb and his current CPO role at edtech company Paper.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss the intricacies of terminating executives, including negotiation of severance packages and the use of terms like double trigger and garden leave. They also explore firing CEOs and the challenges of maintaining motivation in the tech industry. Additionally, they touch on topics such as equity negotiations, executive benefit plans, and navigating being fired as an executive with professionalism.

Dan Portillo, founder and GP of The General Partnership, talks about the role of VC and VC talent partners, backchannels, success as an advisor, and framing new ideas as experiments. They discuss the challenges of hiring, building relationships with exceptional recruiters, tools like Lattice People Management platform and Continuum, the journey of a talent partner in venture capital, finding undiscovered talent, the importance of reputation and career growth in the tech industry.

Kelli and Nolan discuss their different perspectives on the effectiveness of DEI initiatives and the temperature in tech businesses right now.–Feedback is welcome - send a note to Kelli and Nolan on LI to let us know what you think.Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/–SPONSORS: Lattice | Continuum✅ Discover HR software that drives performance with Lattice: https://www.lattice.com/hrhereticsHigh performance and great culture should never be at odds; they’re better together. With Lattice People Management Platform, companies efficiently run people programs that create enviable cultures where employees want to do their best work. Serving 1000s of customers of all sizes. Learn why companies from Slack to the LA Dodgers choose Lattice. https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics✅ Hire Fractional Executives with Continuum using this link: https://bit.ly/40hlRa9Have you ever had a negative experience hiring executives? Continuum connects executives and senior operators to venture-backed tech companies for fractional and full-time roles. You can post any executive-level role to Continuum’s marketplace and search through our database of world-class, vetted leaders. There is no hidden cost, you only pay the person you hire. And you can cancel at any time. www.joincontinuum.com 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

Cara Brennan Allamano, Chief People Officer at Lattice and previously at Udemy, Pinterest, and Adobe, discusses building relationships with CEOs, different career paths for people leadership, layoffs with dignity, and the importance of saying 'no' for the health of the organization.

Brett Queener is a partner at Bonfire Ventures, with a background extending to nearly every function as an operator at Salesforce, Smart Recruiters, and more. Brett is well-versed in the mechanics of early-stage companies and this conversation covers the death rate of startups, the point of board meetings, getting people to work outrageously hard for you, and more.Kelli and Nolan’s segment this week (54:00-01:09:30) discusses Jack Dorsey’s decision to eliminate PIPs and expands into a broader discussion of the right sized management layer, span of control, performance review systems and how businesses can change their approach towards feedback and evaluationsHR Heretics is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co--SPONSORS: Metaview | Continuum | Lattice✅ Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Robinhood, Quora, and Replit say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself for free on your first 5 interviews: https://www.metaview.ai/1000✅ Hire Fractional Executives with Continuum using this link: https://bit.ly/40hlRa9Have you ever had a negative experience hiring executives? Continuum connects executives and senior operators to venture-backed tech companies for fractional and full-time roles. You can post any executive-level role to Continuum’s marketplace and search through our database of world-class, vetted leaders. There is no hidden cost, you only pay the person you hire. And you can cancel at any time. Joincontinuum.com✅ Discover HR software that drives performance with Lattice: https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics High performance and great culture should never be at odds; they’re better together. With Lattice People Management Platform, companies efficiently run people programs that create enviable cultures where employees want to do their best work. Serving 1000s of customers of all sizes. Learn why companies from Slack to the LA Dodgers choose Lattice. https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics–RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Run The Numbers! Kelli and Nolan were guests on the most recent episode: a deep dive into FIRING CEOs and EXECS. This one's hilarious. Listen here, wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/runthenumbers–KEEP UP WITH BRETT, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINBrett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettqueener/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/–LINKS:Brett Queener’s exceptional (free) Guides and templates: https://www.bonfirevc.com/team/brett-queener–TIMESTAMPS:00:00) Preview(04:31) Insights on what's in store for investors, founders, and execs for 2024(09:06) Making that pivot in 2024(12:32) The economics of how a VC works(16:34) Sponsor - Continuum | Metaview(19:20 There's nothing that replaces the soul of a founder(23:11) On talent planning at the executive level(29:39) Sponsor - Lattice(30:50) Signs that how a company has the right people leader(35:50) Does Brett think HR leaders, founders, companies have gone a little soft?(41:51) How to get people to love working hard and appreciate it and the negative connotations of the 40-hour work-week(46:21) On the importance of the relationship between the CHRO and the founder for company health(50:20) Brett's best hire who has transformed a company(52:49) Brett's favorite interview question that gives the best signal on candidates?(54:00) Kelli & Nolan's segment on PIPs, Performance Reviews, and Managers vs ICs 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

Melanie Naranjo, VP, People at Ethena, discusses HR challenges, instilling a feedback culture, the importance of emotional intelligence in HR, silos in the industry, and giving direct and human feedback. They also explore back channeling in interviews and strategies for mitigating bias.

David Hanrahan, Chief People Officer of Flare, discusses the importance of high performance in companies, normalizing scorecards, transparent communication, and career progression as a CEO.

Steve Cadigan scaled LinkedIn from 400 to 4000 people in 3.5 years, and is now an author and consultant on global talent strategy. He joins Kelli Dragovich and Nolan Church to discuss lessons from working with LinkedIn’s CEO during hyper scale, recruiting talent, going public, and debate the future of work. If you’re looking for HR software that drives performance, check out Lattice https://www.lattice.com/hrhereticsAfter the interview, Nolan and Kelli discuss recent incidents of employees being fired for hate speech at work.–SPONSORS: Lattice | Continuum✅ Discover HR software that drives performance with Lattice: https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics High performance and great culture should never be at odds; they’re better together. With Lattice People Management Platform, companies efficiently run people programs that create enviable cultures where employees want to do their best work. Serving 1000s of customers of all sizes. Learn why companies from Slack to the LA Dodgers choose Lattice. https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics✅ Hire Fractional Executives with Continuum using this link: https://bit.ly/40hlRa9Have you ever had a negative experience hiring executives? Continuum connects executives and senior operators to venture-backed tech companies for fractional and full-time roles. You can post any executive-level role to Continuum’s marketplace and search through our database of world-class, vetted leaders. There is no hidden cost, you only pay the person you hire. And you can cancel at any time. Joincontinuum.com–RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Every week investor and writer of the popular newsletter The Diff, Byrne Hobart, and co-host Erik Torenberg discuss today’s major inflection points in technology, business, and markets – and help listeners build a diversified portfolio of trends and ideas for the future. Subscribe to “The Riff” with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg: https://link.chtbl.com/theriff–KEEP UP WITH STEVE NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINSteve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cadigan/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/–LINKS:Steve’s podcast: The Work Week After Hours hosted by Steve Cadigan and Shane Howard https://open.spotify.com/show/54IQnRsvb4pCPA0InnjV5uSteve’s book: Workquake https://stevecadigan.com/workquake/Incident at Apple: https://twitter.com/stopantisemites/status/1720380304073035906?s=46&t=DYK-BZSQG0qJD_0l2IU7fQIncident at Wix: https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-769922Kelli and Nolan’s discussion on Politics at Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oULeqedDFYM&t=2s–TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Episode Preview(05:24) Week one at LinkedIn(08:30) LinkedIn’s biggest problem was recruiting: Why would anyone want to work here?(18:49) Sponsors: Lattice | Continuum(21:13) Overcoming the resistance against boring HR foundations(23:27) How to navigate leadership’s expectations for HR(27:52) Steve’s take on HR leaders(28:30) How Steve led his team at LinkedIn(30:21) Stories from working with LinkedIn’s CEO Jeff Weiner(37:42) How to get other stakeholders to own comp(42:30) When LinkedIn went public(46:48) Counseling organizations on creating opportunities with a distributed remote nature(54:13) Blitzcaling at LinkedIn - what didn't go well and finding the right leaders for a billion dollar company(01:01:35) Would Steve return to the chief people seat?(01:04:03) Rapid fire: Steve’s favorite hire and interview question(01:12:20) Kelli & Nolan's segment: Hate speech at work 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