768: Evolving from Business Partner to Value Creator, with JP Elliott

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Feb 2, 2026

JP Elliott, a Talent and HR leader who’s worked at DICK’S Sporting Goods, McAfee, and Lenovo and hosts the Future of HR podcast. He talks about shifting from business partner to value creator. Think like a CEO with HR expertise. Design talent strategies for the future, reward outcomes not bureaucracy, and build a 3–5 year leadership pipeline tied to business priorities.

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ANECDOTE

Wake-Up Pitch With Taco Bell CEO

JP Elliott told a story about pitching a leadership program to the Taco Bell CEO early in his career.
The CEO asked, "How does this drive revenue?" and JP realized HR needed to link programs to business outcomes.

INSIGHT

Strategy Is Business Differentiation

Strategy is about being different to create competitive advantage, not about tasks or tactics.
JP Elliott says HR must be a business leader with HR expertise to align talent with that advantage.

ADVICE

Align HR To Strategic Imperatives

Map HR initiatives to the CEO's strategic imperatives and deprioritize activities that don't align.
Ask, "Leadership for what?" and tie programs to measurable business goals to secure buy-in.

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JP Elliott: Future of HR

JP Elliott has decades of experience as a Talent and HR executive at companies like DICK’S Sporting Goods, McAfee, and Lenovo. He’s seen the challenges HR professionals face in growing their careers and increasing their impact. He is the host of the Future of HR podcast and on a mission to help HR professionals increase their business impact and accelerate their careers.

Leadership looks a little different if you head up a support role: human resources, IT, marketing, or finance. Often, we hear the term “business partner” used to describe what these leaders should be aiming for. In this conversation, JP and I explore how to shift from simply a “business partner” to a value creator.

Key Points

You’re not just an HR leader. You’re a business leader with HR expertise.
Think like a CEO even if you’re in HR. Do this to be moving beyond an execution-only mindset.
Design talent strategies based on the future, not on the past.
Build systems that reward outcomes, not bureaucracy.
Build talent strategies that differentiate your business.
Forecast leadership needs 3-5 years out and build a pipeline for critical roles.

Four questions that CEOs are asking:

Are we focused on the right strategic imperatives?
Are we operating effectively and efficiently?
Are we optimizing our business model to create competitive advantage?
Do we have a plan for sustainable and profitable growth?

Resources Mentioned

Future of HR podcast by JP Elliott

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

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