HR Superstars

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.

In this insightful conversation, Andrew Bartlow, CEO of People Leader Accelerator, shares his expertise in transforming HR into a strategic powerhouse. He discusses the critical mindset shift needed for HR leaders to align their goals with business priorities. Bartlow emphasizes the importance of acting like management consultants and utilizing data-driven metrics. He also offers practical strategies to combat burnout and enhance productivity, highlighting how HR can become a vital driver of organizational success.

Discover the pivotal role of managers in driving organizational success. Effective people management is linked to employee engagement and performance. One-third of HR time is wasted on issues stemming from poor management. Learn practical strategies to empower managers, such as setting clear expectations and providing ongoing support. The discussion highlights the superhero mindset's drawbacks and emphasizes the need for proper skill development to enhance management effectiveness.

The key to retention lies in understanding why employees truly stay. In this episode, Adam Weber sits down with Dr. Sherry Woosley, Director of Analytics and Research at Elentra, to explore the surprising phenomenon of being "busy but bored" and how it impacts motivation and retention.  Sherry explains the difference between meaningful engagement and mere task completion. She shares insights on innovative solutions like Fun Day Friday initiatives that not only challenge employees but also rejuvenate their interest in their work.  Sherry also discusses why employees stay, from job adventure to skill development, and why personalized meaning is crucial for satisfaction. Her advice on balancing work loyalty and future career growth provides a comprehensive approach to fostering a thriving workplace. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) An introduction to the episode with Sherry Woosley (03:06) The impact of COVID-19 on employee retention (05:03) What motivates employees to stay at their jobs (07:49) What work-life balance mean to different employees (10:48) Exploring boredom in the workplace (12:53) Understanding the concept of "busy but bored" (15:04) Strategies for managing different types of boredom (22:33) How to combat boredom by focusing on the future of employees 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 Leader’s Guide to Reducing Regrettable Turnover! For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here. Sherry Woosley LinkedIn - click here!  

Feeling stuck in your career? Discover how to pitch ideas with courage! Learn the significance of confidently presenting proposals, understanding the business context, and using data to back your ideas. Transform rejection into opportunity with practical steps and motivational insights. Get ready to shift from seeking approval to effectively selling your vision and maximizing impact in the HR space. Tune in for inspiring examples and actionable advice!

Have you ever wondered if CEO favoritism can shape the culture of an entire organization?    According to Alex Seiler, it definitely can.    Alex, a seasoned Chief People Officer with over 15 years of global experience, shares the often-overlooked impacts of CEO favoritism on organizational culture and how it manifests in promotions, decision-making, and social dynamics.   Drawing from his experience, Alex discusses practical strategies for tackling these challenges and fostering a fairer, more inclusive workplace. He shares how intentionality, communication, and strategic thinking are the tools to transform your leadership approach.   Join us as we discuss: (00:00) An introduction to the episode with Alex Seiler (02:17) How CEO favoritism impacts company culture (07:12) Strategies for addressing CEO favoritism and fostering intentional leadership (15:42) How to find quick wins to impact the culture as a new Chief People Officer (21:10) How Alex transformed an entire HR department in 18 months (31:48) Alex’s visions of the future of HR with accountability, Four-Day Workweeks, and DEI   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 Performance Review Playbook!   For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here.   Alex Seiler LinkedIn - click here!

Relying on gut instinct for HR decisions is old news. A shift towards data-driven strategies is transforming how HR leaders operate. This approach focuses on boosting employee performance and engagement while minimizing turnover. Real-world examples, like the implementation of a four-day work week, demonstrate the practical benefits of using metrics. The discussion emphasizes the importance of aligning HR initiatives with critical business outcomes, showcasing how data empowers leaders to make informed, proactive decisions.