HR Coffee Time 169 | A Brilliant Example of What ‘Being Strategic’ in HR Actually Looks Like (with Harriet Mewis)
Have you wondered what ‘being strategic’ actually looks like? In this episode, you’ll hear a real, step-by-step example of what being strategic can look like in your day-to-day work.
Host, Fay Wallis, is joined by Harriet Mewis, Head of People and Development, who shares how she spotted a small pattern in employee behaviour – and used it to uncover a much bigger issue affecting the business.
What makes this conversation so powerful is how practical it is. You’ll hear how being strategic doesn’t require a big budget, a senior job title, or complicated frameworks. It starts with curiosity, observation, and asking thoughtful questions.
By the end of the episode, you’ll have a much clearer sense of how you can apply this way of thinking in your own role – in a way that feels realistic and achievable.
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction with guest host Sarah Archer
[01:00] Why “being strategic” can feel vague and frustrating
[01:24] Introducing Harriet and her approach to strategy
[02:14] What being strategic actually means in practice
[03:02] Beginning of the interview with Harriet & Fay
[04:18] Defining what ‘being strategic’ means
[05:48] Why you can be strategic in any role
[07:22] Harriet’s example of being strategic in her role
[21:30] Learning about other departments & building trust
[23:39] Becoming an ‘apprentice’ for the day
[27:35] Introducing Lean Six Sigma thinking
[34:46] Harriet’s book recommendation
[37:12] Final reflections & close
Useful Links from This Episode
- Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
- Connect with Harriet Mewis on LinkedIn
- Connect with Sarah Archer on LinkedIn
- Listen to Sarah’s Podcast – Unstuck & Unstoppable
- Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner
- Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme
- Take Fay’s freeHR Leadership Impact Assessment.
Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next
- Ep 166:The Biggest HR Strategy Mistake – And How to Fix It, with Dean Corbett
- Ep 164:Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team – 3 Ways OKRs Can Help
- Ep 163:3 Ways to Prove You’re Strategic in Your HR Leadership Job Interview
- Ep 108:HR Leadership – How to Create a Powerful One-Page Strategy, with Dr Max McKeown
- Ep 98:HR Insider Insights – How to Create a Powerful People Strategy for an SME, with Kelly Vincent
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