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

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

Molly Graham, a seasoned exec, builder, and widely-read writer in tech, joins the hosts to discuss her lessons from working on different challenges in hyper-scaling companies, career building, assembling strong leadership teams, and managing emotions of zero-to-one startups. Topics include building high performing teams, embracing uncertainty, exploring career paths, and the controversy surrounding LinkedIn's 'Open to Work' feature.

Tom Tunguz, General Partner at Theory Ventures and writer of one of the best blog/newsletters in tech, joins the podcast to discuss the relationship between boards, founders and People leaders, navigating M&As, and the evolution of hiring in startups. They also cover the challenges of managing people, the role of middle managers, and provide tactical advice for HR and founders in the new year.

Colleen McCreary, a seasoned Chief People Officer (Zynga, Credit Karma, EA, Twilio) -turned-venture capitalist at Ribbit Capital, sits down with Kelli Dragovich and Nolan Church. This insider conversation covers tactical advice for navigating Mergers and Acquisitions (she’s been through multiple), layoffs, recruiting top talent, and transitioning from an HR leader into the world of the board room. Before the interview, Nolan and Kelli also discuss the recent negative press for Carta's CEO Henry Ward, and offer listeners a behind the scenes understanding of executive departures and settlement packages. If you’re looking for HR software that drives performance, check out Lattice https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics–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: HR Heretics listeners get 15% off of their first month using this link (https://bit.ly/40hlRa9)Have 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. HR Heretics listeners get 15% off–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 COLLEEN, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINColleen:https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenmccrearychiefpplofficer/Nolan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/–LINKS:- Ribbit Capital: https://ribbitcap.com/- Henry Ward’s blog post about negative press: https://henrysward.medium.com/what-i-tell-employees-about-negative-press-7c134e7a601c  –TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Episode Preview(01:43) The Carta story: executive terminations and lawsuits(05:15) Rolling Layoffs(13:45) Setting expectations after a layoff event(17:49) Sponsors: Lattice | Continuum(19:23) Employee accountability and RTO debate(21:00) CHRO/CPO’s responsibility to be the voice for the company(26:20) Moral challenges and breaking up with a CEO - infamous Zynga story(31:28) Colleen’s experience being an advisor for Silicon Valley, the HBO series(34:25) Recruiting lessons from Silicon Valley(36:20) Colleen’s tactical lessons from multiple M&As(43:30) Most important ‘gotchas’ to watch out for in M&A process(47:08) Transitioning from HR to VC(50:40) Being a long date in the interview process to create opportunities(53:15) Navigating the choice between CPO at a big company, COO, and VC (55:40) Colleen’s best hire(s): Mike Vernal and his crew(58:28) Colleen’s best interview question–HR Heretics is brought to you by Turpentine www.turpentine.co Producer: Natalie TorenProduction: Graham Bessellieu, Michelle PorehFor inquiries about guests or sponsoring the podcast, email Natalie@turpentine.co 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

Former Chief Talent Officer of Netflix, Patty McCord, joins the hosts to discuss innovating from the HR role, building high-performance teams, and the power of honesty and feedback. They also explore the value of gaining new experiences, the role of management in building great teams, and the power HR professionals hold over engineers. Additionally, they address concerns about salary equality and reflect on the impact of the pandemic on work relationships.