Future of HR

How does active listening build a culture of trust?
Why is the employee experience as important as the customer experience?

My guest on this episode is DJ Casto, CHRO, Synchrony

During our conversation, DJ and I discuss the following:

How adopting an agile mindset and methodologies transformed Synchrony's approach to HR
How Synchrony bucked the “return to office” trend by listening to employee feedback and maintaining a flexible, performance-based work model.
Why they created a frontline experience team to invest in and improve the employee journey and customer experience.
How Synchrony uses active listening to co-create the employee experience and shape the culture.

Connecting with DJ:
Connect with DJ Casto on LinkedIn

Episode Sponsor:
Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can “managing up” help you to have more impact and influence?
Why is managing up a critical leadership skill for all HR leaders?

My guest on this episode is Melody Wilding, author of “Managing Up”, keynote speaker, and executive coach.

During our conversation, Melody and I discuss the following:
The biggest misconceptions about managing up and why they are wrong
Why managing up is a core leadership skill that every HR leader needs to learn
Practical tools and questions HR leaders can use to help clarify priorities and expectations with leaders.
The four main communication styles leaders need to recognize to build trust and influence across the organization.
How to structure upward feedback for your boss to ensure it lands diplomatically and productively.

Connecting with Melody:
Connect with Melody Wilding on LinkedIn
Learn more about Managing Up and Melody’s work

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

The "Best of 2025" episode features fourteen don't miss moments from HR executives and thought leaders who…

So, who can you expect to learn from on this episode?

Monique Herena, Chief Colleague Experience Officer, American Express
Wanda Wallace, Managing Partner, Leadership Forum & Darren Overfield, EVP, Coaching & Consulting at Kaiser Leadership Solutions
Riina Hellström, Founder, Agile HR Community
Dave Ulrich, Partner at The RBL Group
Marcia Avedon, 3X CHRO, Board Director, Human Capital Expert, and Executive Coach
Lisa Chang, EVP & Chief People Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Christina Norris-Watts, Head of Assessment & People Practices, Johnson & Johnson
Anita Graham, EVP & CHRO, Labcorp
Christy Pambianchi, CHRO, Caterpillar Inc.
Ani Huang, Senior EVP, CHRO Association & Anthony Nyberg, Director, Center for Executive Succession at University of South Carolina
Brandon Sammut, Chief People & AI Transformation Officer, Zapier
Tina Gupta, SVP, Talent Management, New York Life Insurance
Brian Miller, Chief Talent and D&I Officer, Levi Strauss & Co
Jennifer Wilson & Brad Warga, Partners and Global Co-Heads of the Human Resources Officers Practice at Heidrick & Struggles

Episode Sponsor:
Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

My guests on this special holiday episode are Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, Bill Baker, lead author and co-contributors to “Lives Lost and Leadership Found.”

During our conversation, Ian, Lori, Bill and I discuss the following:
The inspiration behind the book "Lives Lost and Leadership Found" and how personal loss can serve as a foundation for personal growth.
The neuroscience behind grief: how loss rewires your brain and why that matters for leaders.
What research reveals about the role of intentionality in healing after loss and becoming a stronger leader.
The power of storytelling and reflection—why writing about a special someone can be transformative

Connecting with Ian, Lori, and Bill:
Learn more or buy Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons From Special Somebodies
Connect with Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, and Bill Baker

Episode Sponsor:
Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

What differentiates the best HR leaders from the rest?
Why isn’t enough to “know the business, you must love the business

My guest on this episode is Marc Effron, President, Talent Strategy Group.

During our conversation, Marc and I discuss the following:
Marc’s career journey and what led him to co-author One Page Talent Management
The unforgettable advice that Marshall Goldsmith gave to Marc
The one question that will help advance your career
What differentiates the best HR leaders from the rest

Connecting with Marc:
Connect with Marc Effron on LinkedIn or at Talent Strategy Group

Episode Sponsor:
Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.