How do you create a workplace where employees feel valued, engaged, and inspired to stay? Mark Crowley, author of Lead From the Heart and a pioneer in human-centered leadership, believes it starts with cultivating a culture of care. Drawing on groundbreaking research and decades of experience, Mark explains how emotions, trust, and belonging shape employee well-being and performance. Mark also shares the science behind the heart’s role in decision-making, revealing how positive emotions, like safety and appreciation, lead to innovation and loyalty. He shares actionable insights for managers and HR leaders on creating a thriving team dynamic—one that balances well-being and performance for long-term success. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Mark Crowley (01:25) How life shaped Mark’s leadership approach (04:28) The moment Mark recognized his leadership style (08:12) The heart’s role in leadership and performance (15:20) The “rule of four” for workplace emotions (16:53) Addressing resistance to heart-centered leadership (24:13) Tips for HR to drive meaningful change (28:28) HR needs both a heart and a backbone (31:26) Belonging’s impact on team performance (36:45) The power of one-on-ones for remote teams   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, Or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn. Click here to download 15Five’s Employee Engagement Playbook! For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here. Mark Crowley’s LinkedIn - click here!

Burnout isn’t a sign of overwork—it’s a sign of internal misalignment. In this replay episode, leadership coach Jim Marsden reframes burnout as a powerful signal to realign with your values and purpose. He shares advice on how to combat burnout by embracing curiosity, reconnecting with nature, and finding small but meaningful moments of perspective. Jim also introduces his "street-of-life" metaphor, a framework for identifying stress states and shifting to a more grounded, intentional mindset. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Jim Marsden (04:09) The deep roots of burnout (07:57) Why it’s important to find perspective (13:57) The street-of-life concept for navigating stress (19:45) Supporting others during burnout (24:07) Practical steps to regain balance (32:05) Avoiding big decisions during stress and finding small wins (34:42) Dare to imagine: Aligning your work with what truly brings you alive   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, Or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn. Click here to download 15Five’s HR Outcomes Playbook! And don’t forget to sign up for the HR Superstars Summit 2025 here. For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here. Jim Marsden’s LinkedIn - click here!

This episode marks an exciting new chapter for HR Superstars as Adam Weber passes the mic to Karina Young, the new host and VP of People at 15Five. Adam reflects on his journey as the podcast's host, sharing highlights, lessons, and the incredible connections he’s made with HR leaders around the world. Karina steps in to share her vision for the future of the podcast, focusing on empowering managers, navigating organizational change, and exploring cutting-edge trends in HR. With a passion for creating thriving workplaces, Karina aims to spotlight innovative strategies and foster meaningful conversations with today’s leading people leaders. Join us as we celebrate Adam’s legacy and welcome Karina’s fresh perspective on shaping the future of HR leadership.   Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Karina Young (00:52) Adam reflects on his journey with HR Superstars (02:11) Meet Karina: the new host of HR Superstars (03:08) Karina’s focus on scaling and manager empowerment (07:17) How early career experiences shaped Karina’s HR approach (10:28) What excites Karina in being the host of HR Superstars (19:13) Karina interviews Adam on favorite podcast moments (24:42) Adam shares proud memories and lessons learned (29:10) Adam’s parting advice on authenticity   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, Or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn. Here are Adam's favorite episodes from this season: HR Superstars LIVE From Austin! Amplifying Positivity in the Workplace with Claude Silver Finding Success in Results-Only Work Environments with Cali Ressler Finding Solid Ground Amidst Burnout with Jim Marsden Click here to download 15Five’s HR Outcomes Playbook! For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here.

Liesel Mertes, Founder of Handle with Care Consulting, is an expert in workplace empathy, helping organizations cultivate caring cultures. In this discussion, she emphasizes that empathy is a vital skill for leaders, not just a personality trait. Liesel introduces the concept of an 'empathy menu' to offer tailored support during tough times. She also addresses managing change fatigue and highlights the importance of self-care for HR leaders. Practical strategies for balancing empathy with workplace demands make this conversation both insightful and actionable.

Your company’s mission and values can shape its culture globally. In this episode, Jignasha Amin, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at DISCO, shares how organizations can create a consistent and unified culture across different locations and generations by embedding core values into every part of the business.  Jignasha explains how this approach strengthens employee engagement and drives long-term success. By aligning everyone from leadership to new hires around a shared mission, companies can build a culture that thrives worldwide.   Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Jignasha Amin (02:28) Key elements of a successful global workforce strategy (09:18) How Jignasha built a unified culture across a global, multi-generational workforce (13:41) Employee recognition programs that reinforce company values (16:55) How engaged employees boost productivity and business performance (18:20) Jignasha’s strategies for addressing disengaged employees and fostering re-engagement (25:06) Embracing the multi-generational workforce and its unique motivations (27:16) Tailoring development opportunities for all generations with HR technology   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, Or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Want to connect with thousands of other strategic HR leaders like you? Join the HR Superstars Community! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Adam’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following him on LinkedIn. Click here to download 15Five’s Employee Engagement Playbook! For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here. Jignasha Amin’s LinkedIn - click here!

Clint Pulver, an Emmy Award-winning keynote speaker and bestselling author, dives into the transformative impact of mentorship in leadership. He emphasizes how managers can become mentors to foster employee engagement and retention. Drawing from extensive research, Clint reveals four manager archetypes and highlights key strategies like 'status interviews' to cultivate meaningful connections. He discusses the importance of self-awareness and introduces the role of a 'Director of Happiness' to enhance workplace culture, ensuring employees feel valued and supported.

Join Kelli Dragovich, former Chief People Officer at Pendo.io, with a rich background in HR leadership at giants like Google and GitHub. She shares insights on building trust with founder CEOs by understanding their values and navigating company culture. Kelli discusses her journey into executive coaching and emphasizes the evolution of HR into a strategic partner in business. Her advice for mid-level HR leaders includes the importance of networking and aligning personal values with organizational culture for long-term career success.

In a world filled with cynicism, one force stands stronger: optimism. In this episode, Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, offers a refreshing perspective on amplifying positivity while steering clear of toxic positivity. She shares how an unexpected meeting with Gary Vaynerchuk led her to New York and to a role tasked with building "the single greatest human organization." Drawing from her past in hospitality and advertising, Claude shares insights on transforming traditional HR, managing a large organization with empathy, and leading by example. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Claude Silver (02:23) Claude’s journey to leadership and authentic optimism (09:55) Why optimism is crucial for leadership (15:06) Top performers focus on the present, not the past (20:20) Making fast decisions and building trust at scale (22:41) Building a service-oriented HR team (27:04) The power of HR communication in shaping culture (30:12) Owning your space and initiating change without waiting Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, Or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo.  Want to connect with thousands of other strategic HR leaders like you? Join the HR Superstars Community!  Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player.  Hear Adam’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following him on LinkedIn. Click here to download 15Five’s HR Outcomes Playbook!  For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here. Claude Silver’s LinkedIn - click here!

Can a strong HR-COO partnership transform employee engagement and company culture? Jon Rosenson and Molly Perenic believe it absolutely can. As leaders at Expedient, Jon and Molly share how their close collaboration has led to a thriving work environment where employees are engaged and aligned with the company’s goals. They discuss the power of clear communication, the impact of small but meaningful changes, and the importance of meeting employees where they are—whether in the office or remotely. Jon and Molly also provide insights into scaling tribal knowledge and fostering a culture of continuous feedback, demonstrating how a united leadership team can drive significant positive change across an organization.   Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Jon Rosenson and Molly Perenic (03:52) Defining employee engagement and its impact on organizational success (06:14) Encouraging feedback and creating a culture of psychological safety (07:25) The impact of small changes (09:50) Scaling tribal knowledge across a growing organization (13:01) Adapting engagement strategies for different worker types (19:54) Flexibility in a 24-hour work environment (23:47) Leadership reflections and the importance of cross-team collaboration   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, Or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Want to connect with thousands of other strategic HR leaders like you? Join the HR Superstars Community! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Adam’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following him on LinkedIn. Click here to download 15Five’s Employee Engagement Playbook! For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here. Molly Perenic LinkedIn - click here! Jon Rosenson LinkedIn - click here!

Share your impact to instill belief across the company.  As an HR leader, you can inspire your team and create a culture of trust by consistently showcasing the meaningful work you're doing.  In this episode, Adam Weber, host of HR Superstars, explores how the best HR leaders build company-wide confidence through transparency and storytelling. He shares practical steps for communicating successes in a way that resonates with every level of the organization. From crafting compelling narratives to using every available medium, this episode will guide you on making your initiatives not just seen but truly believed in.   Join us as we discuss: (00:00) An introduction to the fifth secret   (01:33) An overview of the Five Secrets (03:01) The fifth and final secret that differentiates top HR leaders (03:50) Balancing optimism with transparency   (04:39) The power of repetition in communication   (06:42) Three steps to inspire company-wide change   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, Or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Want to connect with thousands of other strategic HR leaders like you? Join the HR Superstars Community! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player.* Hear Adam’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following him on LinkedIn. Click here to download 15Five’s HR Outcomes Playbook! For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here.