
HR Leaders
Join host Chris Rainey on the HR Leaders Podcast, where he sits down with top Chief People Officers, CHROs, and leading HR experts to uncover the strategies, trends, and insights shaping the future of human resources. Each episode dives into best practices in people management, leadership challenges, and transformative HR innovations that impact both business success and society at large. Whether you're an HR professional or simply passionate about modern workplace strategies, this podcast delivers expert advice, real-world experiences, and the latest trends in HR, making it your go-to resource for all things human resources.
Latest episodes

27 snips
Apr 24, 2025 β’ 58min
How Apple Designed Its Learning Culture
In this engaging discussion, Joel Podolny, CEO of Honor Education and former Dean of Apple University, delves into the fascinating world of learning cultures. He reveals why collaboration should be treated as a "contact sport" and shares insights on building an effective learning environment at Apple. Joel also discusses the shift to asynchronous learning and the innovative use of AI for creating personalized learning pathways. His experiences highlight the importance of trust, feedback, and active engagement in driving organizational success.

13 snips
Apr 17, 2025 β’ 42min
Coaching Tools Every HR Leader Needs in 2026
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Carmen Barboza, PHR, CPCC, Chief Human Resources Officer at Crowell & Moring, to explore how clarity, curiosity, and courage are shaping the future of HR leadership.Carmen shares how her coaching background influences her leadership style, how she builds trust during uncertainty, and why direct conversations can transform workplace culture.π In this episode, Carmen discusses:How radical candor and trust fuel innovationLeading through uncertainty with transparencyWhy clarity is kindness in leadership communicationBuilding resilience through self-awareness and reflectionCreating safe, curious cultures with strong coaching practicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 snips
Apr 8, 2025 β’ 32min
How to Launch AI in the Workplace
Jenni Kovach, Chief People Officer at IGS Energy, and Adam Luck, Senior Director and cybersecurity expert, dive into the world of AI in the workplace. They advocate for a human-first approach to AI governance, emphasizing comfort and voluntary adoption over mandates. The duo discusses building psychological safety during AI rollouts and the significance of cross-functional AI steering committees. They also reveal how internal tools, like ChatGPT, can enhance productivity and foster employee engagement amidst technological change.

Apr 3, 2025 β’ 39min
How to Lead Across Different Cultures
Helene Hasselskog, Chief Human Resources Officer at Sweco, is a leader in tackling the challenges of talent management in engineering. She discusses how Sweco is refining its leadership philosophy to bridge cultural gaps and balance empathy with performance. Helene highlights innovative strategies for addressing the talent shortage and fostering a cohesive culture amidst a decentralized organization. Their journey emphasizes shared values, mentorship, and the importance of aligning HR with business goals to navigate the complexities of global workforce dynamics.

Apr 1, 2025 β’ 33min
How McDonaldβs Builds a Strong Workplace Culture
Emilee F. DeMartino, the International Chief People Officer for McDonald's, oversees HR for 750,000 employees across 15 markets. She discusses fostering a culture of care and the significance of meaningful recognition in the workplace. Emilee highlights the use of predictive analytics for optimizing workforce planning and shares insights on how digital innovations are reshaping employee experiences. Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership and building strong community connections while navigating corporate challenges.

12 snips
Mar 28, 2025 β’ 44min
How to Balance Empathy and Strategy in HR
Anisha Thomas, the Head of People at Inscribe AI, dives into the complex dance of empathy and strategy in HR. She discusses the emotional challenges of conducting reductions in force while maintaining transparent communication. Anisha illustrates how AI can enhance workforce efficiency and emphasizes the importance of trust within leadership teams. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of HR and the balance needed between innovative technology and the human touch in nurturing workplace culture.

16 snips
Mar 27, 2025 β’ 42min
How to Earn Employee Trust in 2025
Join Jeanette Winters, Chief Human Resource Officer at 8x8, as she shares her expertise on building resilient HR strategies. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and authenticity, particularly during uncertain times, to foster employee trust. Jeanette also highlights the significance of consistent leadership and lifelong learning as critical components for competitive advantage. Discover how to create meaningful connections that enhance engagement and integrate HR strategies with business objectives for long-term success.

13 snips
Mar 25, 2025 β’ 51min
How to Use Predictive Analytics for Employee Retention
Neeraj Tandon, Head of People Insights and Analytics at Syngenta Group, shares his wealth of experience in people analytics from Novartis and Philips. He discusses how transitioning from PowerPoints to actionable predictive models can significantly enhance employee retention strategies. Neeraj highlights a case study showing a 27% turnover reduction through innovative bonus structures. He also explores the critical role of governance in analytics and the importance of adapting to hybrid work dynamics to foster employee engagement and collaboration.

Mar 20, 2025 β’ 47min
How to Create Psychological Safety at Work
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Udayan Dutt, Vice President of HR at Reckitt, to discuss how leadership, culture, and employee wellbeing can coexist effectively in an entrepreneurial and high-performance environment. Udayan shares insights from his extensive HR career, detailing Reckitt's journey of cultural transformation and how key leadership behaviors drive sustainable growth and innovation.π In this episode, Udayan discusses:Reckittβs cultural transformation journeyEssential leadership behaviors: Own, Create, Care, DeliverBalancing entrepreneurial mindset with employee wellbeingBuilding psychological safety within a high-performance cultureLeveraging meaningful employee benefits to drive engagementSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 snips
Mar 18, 2025 β’ 50min
How to Build a Skills-Based Organization Using AI
In this discussion, Ying Li, Head of People Analytics at PepsiCo, uses her expertise in AI and data analytics to explain how organizations can thrive by becoming skills-based. She shares her journey from engineering to people analytics and highlights methods for accurately assessing employee skills and understanding skills scarcity. Ying dives into the importance of continuous skill enhancement and the role of curiosity in reskilling. She also discusses how AI can create personalized learning pathways, helping to align individual growth with organizational goals.
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