Even though people are at the heart of business outcomes, HR leaders still struggle to be seen as essential voices at the executive table. In this episode, Karina Young , VP of People at 15Five, sits down with Jeff Smith , Chief Product and Marketing Officer at 15Five, to talk about how to show up in the boardroom with clarity and confidence. Jeff shares lessons from working closely with HR leaders over the years and offers practical guidance on how to present people strategy as business strateg...
Jul 01, 2025•37 min
HR leaders are feeling the squeeze. With limited resources and growing pressure to improve engagement, performance, and retention, many are tasked with building manager support systems from scratch, often without the time or tools to do it effectively. In this episode, Morgan Webb , Senior Strategic Advisor at 15Five, and Yen Tan , Evangelist, Expansion & Manager Products at 15Five, share how HR can take a more focused and sustainable approach to manager enablement. They discuss why blanket ...
Jun 17, 2025•43 min
HR teams are moving from external hiring to internal impact. Will Howard , Practice Lead at McLean & Company , shares the latest research behind HR’s shift in priorities, showing why retention and leadership now take the lead. David Hawthorne , Chief People Officer at AnchorPoint Managemen t, brings a real-world lens to the data. He explains how to move from reactive to strategic, why data literacy matters, and how to rethink people leadership from the ground up. Together, they explore how H...
Jun 03, 2025•31 min
Trends are everywhere, but translating them into real business impact takes more than reading a report. It takes HR leaders who understand their business and know how to turn insights into strategy. David Hawthorne , Chief People Officer at Anchor Point Management Group , shares how he brings 2025 HR trends to life by aligning people strategy with business goals. He breaks down how to scale leadership, strengthen culture, and improve retention in a high-growth environment, from hiring the right ...
May 20, 2025•44 min
Global teams give companies access to top talent and fresh perspectives, but managing them comes with challenges—time zones, cultural differences, and keeping everyone aligned. Alexandra Erman , Chief People Officer at BforeAI , knows what it takes to lead international teams successfully. In this episode, she shares how to foster connection across borders while respecting local cultures. She explains why businesses should move beyond country-centric mindsets and build people strategies rooted i...
May 06, 2025•43 min
Being data-driven doesn’t mean sacrificing the human side of HR. Data can be used to guide decisions while keeping people at the center. Brittany Rohde , Head of People at Monarch Money , believes that HR can be both analytical and people-focused. She shares how to scale sustainably by using automation wisely, bringing employees into key decisions, and building trust through transparency. Brittany also explains why data literacy is an essential skill for HR leaders—helping them make better decis...
Apr 22, 2025•44 min
What kind of leader do you want to be? Pause and really think about that. Or better yet, write it down on paper. Susannah Robinson , Founder and President of Partnership for Talent emphasizes the importance of defining your leadership vision. In this episode, she explains how self-awareness, trust, and consistency shape leadership and why your approach should evolve over time. Having guided countless leaders through this process, Susannah shares how authenticity builds trust and fosters accounta...
Apr 08, 2025•39 min
HR teams provide emotional, mental, and strategic support to their organizations, but who’s supporting them? As burnout among HR leaders reaches alarming levels, it’s clear that those responsible for employee well-being often struggle themselves. Recorded live at the 5th HR Superstars Summit, this episode features Brittany Fowler at Kickstarter and Stephanie Smith at Tagboard as they share their personal experiences with burnout, the warning signs to watch for, and the strategies they’ve impleme...
Mar 25, 2025•33 min
There is no magic formula for creating a happy and engaged workforce. Every employee has unique needs and values, and understanding those differences is the key to building thriving teams. Kelly Mackin , CEO of Motives Met , explains why a one-size-fits-all approach to engagement doesn’t work. Her firsthand experience in a toxic work environment inspired her to develop a framework for understanding the 28 human motives that drive well-being. By uncovering what matters most to each individual, bo...
Mar 11, 2025•36 min
All teams strive for stronger connections, better communication, and true alignment. Offsites can help make that happen—but only when designed with purpose. In this episode, Jared Kleinert , Founder and CEO of Offsite , shares what makes an offsite truly effective. He explains how to move beyond basic event planning and create experiences that deepen engagement, reinforce company culture, and boost retention. He also discusses how HR leaders can gain executive buy-in and ensure your offsite is m...
Feb 25, 2025•37 min
How do you create a workplace where employees feel valued, engaged, and inspired to stay? Mark Crowley , author of Lead From the Heart and a pioneer in human-centered leadership, believes it starts with cultivating a culture of care. Drawing on groundbreaking research and decades of experience, Mark explains how emotions, trust, and belonging shape employee well-being and performance. Mark also shares the science behind the heart’s role in decision-making, revealing how positive emotions, like s...
Feb 11, 2025•46 min
Burnout isn’t a sign of overwork—it’s a sign of internal misalignment. In this replay episode, leadership coach Jim Marsden reframes burnout as a powerful signal to realign with your values and purpose. He shares advice on how to combat burnout by embracing curiosity, reconnecting with nature, and finding small but meaningful moments of perspective. Jim also introduces his "street-of-life" metaphor, a framework for identifying stress states and shifting to a more grounded, intentional mindset. J...
Jan 28, 2025•38 min
This episode marks an exciting new chapter for HR Superstars as Adam Weber passes the mic to Karina Young , the new host and VP of People at 15Five. Adam reflects on his journey as the podcast's host, sharing highlights, lessons, and the incredible connections he’s made with HR leaders around the world. Karina steps in to share her vision for the future of the podcast, focusing on empowering managers, navigating organizational change, and exploring cutting-edge trends in HR. With a passion for c...
Jan 14, 2025•35 min
As we go into 2025, we must keep this in mind... Empathy isn’t a personality trait. According to Liesel Mertes , Founder of Handle with Care Consulting , it’s an essential workplace skill we need to hone. And at the same time, people who go through disruptions and hard times have to eventually return to the office and add value to the organization. There’s a balance between having empathetic conversations and being honest about the nature of the employer/employee relationship. In this episode re...
Dec 24, 2024•41 min
Your company’s mission and values can shape its culture globally. In this episode, Jignasha Amin , Former Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at DISCO , shares how organizations can create a consistent and unified culture across different locations and generations by embedding core values into every part of the business. Jignasha explains how this approach strengthens employee engagement and drives long-term success. By aligning everyone from leadership to new hires around...
Dec 17, 2024•34 min
How do you turn managers into mentors for a higher retention rate? Clint Pulver, Emmy Award Winner, Top Keynote Speaker, and #1 Bestselling Author, believes it starts with connection and setting high standards. Drawing from his research and over 11,000 undercover interviews, Clint reveals how having a “mentor manager” can be the secret to employee engagement and commitment. Clint shares how leaders can move beyond traditional management by implementing strategies like status interviews and foste...
Dec 10, 2024•30 min
How do you gain founders' trust and lead HR in high-growth companies? Kelli Dragovich , Former Chief People Officer at Pendo.io , believes it all begins with understanding who they are and what they care about. With over two decades of HR leadership, Kelli reveals how she’s built successful partnerships with visionary founders while navigating the complex world of company culture and leadership. She highlights the importance of adaptability and staying focused on long-term career growth while re...
Dec 03, 2024•28 min
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, ma...
Nov 26, 2024•32 min
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 remotel...
Nov 19, 2024•34 min
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 ...
Nov 12, 2024•10 min
It’s time to speak the language of the business while elevating the HR professional. And to do this, there must be a mindset shift. As the CEO of People Leader Accelerator, Andrew Bartlow draws on his experience to reveal how HR leaders can shift from traditional roles to becoming strategic business partners. He breaks down the critical importance of aligning HR goals with the company’s top priorities and how this alignment can redefine the value HR brings to the table. Andrew also offers clear,...
Nov 05, 2024•30 min
While HR leaders often juggle many challenges, Adam Weber, Host of HR Superstars, suggests that effective people management is one of the most critical issues they face. Adam shares that strategic HR is not about doing everything yourself but about leveraging the power of your managers. He introduces the fourth secret from the top 5% of HR leaders, highlighting the necessity of activating managers to drive organizational success. Adam also shares compelling statistics that underscore the impact ...
Oct 29, 2024•12 min
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 rejuve...
Oct 22, 2024•26 min
Ever felt like your career is stuck in a loop of rejection and frustration? @Adam Weber, Host of HR Superstars, offers insights for HR leaders facing constant roadblocks when pitching innovative ideas. In this episode, Adam shares the third secret of top HR performers:––how to show courage when pitching your ideas. Drawing on examples from his own experiences, Adam discusses the importance of confidently presenting, understanding the business context, and leveraging data to strengthen your pitch...
Oct 15, 2024•12 min
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 inclusi...
Oct 08, 2024•36 min
Can gut instinct alone guide strategic HR decisions effectively? Adam Weber doesn’t think so. In this episode, he discusses the second secret of the top 5% of HR leaders: the pivotal role of data and metrics in advancing bold initiatives. Adam highlights the transformation HR is undergoing, drawing parallels to the marketing industry's shift from intuition to data-driven strategies. He shares insights on how data empowers HR leaders to move from a reactive to a proactive stance, prioritizing wor...
Oct 01, 2024•11 min
A little bit of empathy makes a big difference in the workplace. In this episode, Adam Weber sits down with Wendy Sellers , known as "The HR Lady," to explore the power of empathy, the value of personality assessments, and the importance of clear communication. Wendy offers valuable insights into recognizing different personality styles and the often misunderstood concept that "common sense is not common" can improve employee performance and satisfaction. Wendy’s advice on creating a work enviro...
Sep 24, 2024•31 min
How do top HR leaders successfully pitch new ideas and gain executive buy-in? In this episode, Adam Weber reveals why the key lies in speaking the language of the business. Drawing from his experience with many HR leaders, Adam shares insights on tailoring HR strategies to align with overarching business goals. He explains the importance of understanding company priorities, incorporating business jargon, and building HR initiatives that executives view as logical extensions of the company strate...
Sep 17, 2024•11 min
What if the secret to extraordinary organizational success lies in being playful and fearless? Anita Grantham believes it does. A leading people leader and Head of HR at BambooHR, Anita shares her unique approach to building a company that outperforms the market. Her journey to running HR at a top SaaS company is filled with lessons in embracing curiosity, learning from pain, and maintaining positive energy. Anita emphasizes the importance of showing up consistently as a leader, viewing work thr...
Sep 10, 2024•35 min
Is it possible to create a high-performance culture without losing the human touch? Katie Burke believes it is. On this episode, Katie Burke, former Chief People Officer of HubSpot, shares how her unique journey from media relations to chief people officer shaped her view on progressive people operations. Reflecting on her 11-year journey at HubSpot, Katie discusses the critical importance of on-the-job coaching and regular feedback for team performance. Katie and Adam discuss the traits of top ...
Sep 03, 2024•36 min
