Future of HR

In this discussion, DJ Casto, Executive Vice President and CHRO at Synchrony, shares his unique journey into HR and emphasizes the importance of active listening in shaping a trusting workplace culture. He reveals how adopting agile methodologies transformed their HR practices and led to a flexible work model that respects employee feedback. DJ also highlights the creation of a frontline experience team that enhances both employee and customer journeys, advocating for continuous, real-time listening over outdated annual surveys.

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 wrongWhy managing up is a core leadership skill that every HR leader needs to learnPractical 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 workEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR 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.

Highlights from 2025 bring together top HR leaders sharing vital insights. Monique Harenna emphasizes the need for enterprise leadership with consumer-grade experiences. Wanda Wallace and Darren Overfield challenge outdated team dynamics. Riina Hellström advocates for a product mindset in HR. Lisa Chang discusses the evolving role of Chief People Officers towards strategic initiatives. AI's role as an empowering force is explored by Christy Pambianchi. Brian Miller highlights the shift from engagement to belonging as a driver of performance.

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 transformativeConnecting with Ian, Lori, and Bill: Learn more or buy Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons From Special SomebodiesConnect with Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, and Bill BakerEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR 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 businessMy 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 ManagementThe unforgettable advice that Marshall Goldsmith gave to MarcThe one question that will help advance your careerWhat differentiates the best HR leaders from the restConnecting with Marc: Connect with Marc Effron on LinkedIn or at Talent Strategy GroupEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR 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 leaders redesign work to boost both engagement and well-being?Why is “fit for purpose” more important than “best practice” when it comes to designing work?My guest in this episode is Rachel Cooke, Founder of Lead Above Noise & Host of the Modern Mentor podcast. During our conversation Rachel and I discuss:Why today’s leaders are under greater pressure than ever before, especially with expanding spans of control and higher expectations.How leaders can increase engagement and embed wellbeing directly into how work actually happensThe importance of asking those closest to the work to redesign the workHow to create custom solutions for your team by seeking “right practices” rather than following industry “best practices.”Connecting with Rachel: Connect with Rachel Cooke on LinkedInLearn more about Rachel and Lead Above NoiseEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR 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.

Ani Huang, President of Policy and Practice at the CHRO Association, and Charlie Tharp, Senior Advisor at the same organization, explore the vital role of executive compensation in shaping company culture and performance. They discuss how compensation serves as a strategic communication tool and impacts employee perceptions of fairness. The conversation delves into aligning pay with business strategy, the evolution of compensation practices, and the importance of transparency. They emphasize that understanding metrics and developing deep business acumen are crucial for CHROs.

How can you build learning into how work gets done?Why should organizations think of learning as a system, not as a function?My guest in this episode are Kati Clement-Frazier, Director, School of Leadership at DaVita and Michele Graham, President of Intel and Learn at AmplityDuring our conversation Kati, Michele, and I discuss:Why learning must be treated as an organizational capability, not a set of programs.How psychological safety and reflection accelerate meaningful learning and behavior change.Why “flow of work” learning is about team routines, relationships, and work design—not microlearning.Why the future of learning requires new metrics and new mindsets.Why compliance-driven cultures limit experimentation, agility, and capability building.Connecting with Kati & Michele:Connect with Kati Clement-Frazier on LinkedInConnect with Michele Graham on LinkedInLearn more about The Learning Forum’s CLO LIFT InitiativeEpisode Sponsor:Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR 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 organizations balance people, profit, and purpose?Why do the most effective HR leaders focus on both intention and impact?My guest in this episode is Michelle Nettles, Global Chief People and Legal Officer at ManpowerGroupDuring our conversation Michelle and I discuss:How HR leaders can balance people, profit, and purpose to drive performance and impact.What it means to be a values-driven leaderWhy organizations should be focusing on capabilities over credentials.Why human skills: curiosity, adaptability, empathy, will define the future of work.Why outdated work models and ideas will be challenged by the next generation of HR leadersConnecting with Michelle: Connect with Michelle Nettles on LinkedInEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaderHR 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 are CEO expectations for CHROs changing?Why are more CEOs looking for CHROs with non-HR backgrounds?My guests on this episode are Jennifer Wilson and Brad Warga, Partners and Global Co-Heads of the Human Resources Officers Practice at Heidrick & StrugglesDuring our conversation Jennifer, Brad and I discuss:Why CEOs are rethinking what great HR leadership looks like.Why CEOs are prioritizing candidates from strategy, finance, and other non-HR backgrounds.The growing expectation for CHROs to lead enterprise-wide AI strategiesThe widening gap between CHROs and their succession-ready direct reportsPractical and actionable career advice for aspiring CHROsConnecting with Jennifer and Brad: Connect with Jennifer Wilson on LinkedInConnect with Brad Warga on LinkedInRead the Chief People Officer of 2030 report by Heidrick & StrugglesEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR 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.