HR Disrupted

Whenever we ask HR professionals about the biggest barriers to innovative people practices, they almost always mention leaders and managers - and this is particularly true in sectors such as engineering and technology. They tell us that, because engineers respond well to process, they struggle to move away from bureaucratic, people processes in favour of more fluid and agile approaches. In this ep...

Hear from Victoria Tomlinson, CEO and founder of NextUp, to explore the concept of "unretirement" and the evolving landscape of age diversity in the workforce. In this episode we challenge the outdated perceptions of older workers, particularly in light of a recent controversial post from a global recruitment company which labelled workers over 55 as being ‘in decline’! Together, we confront these...

In 2009 Netflix caused a huge stir in the HR and tech worlds with their 125 page slide deck that set out a new way of leading people. Whilst many companies have now adopted their concepts such as ‘freedom with accountability’, the rejection of the idea that businesses are a family, and the so-called Keeper Test, Netflix were the first major corporation to introduce them. In this episode, Kenny Tem...

As it's our last podcast of 2024, we thought it was a good idea to have a look at the key trends for HR for the coming year. There are lots of areas where HR is progressing and what works for you will depend on the nature of your business, the maturity of your leaders, and your HR function. But in this episode we're going to look at the key trends that might shape your plans. Join Disruptive HR’s...

In this episode we explore the crucial and often overlooked issue of supporting family caregivers in the workplace. Stephanie Leung, CEO and founder of Karehero, who shares her personal journey from a high-flying career at Goldman Sachs to becoming an advocate for caregivers. Stephanie opens up about her experiences as a family caregiver from a young age and the challenges she faced balancing work...

Discover the transformative journey of HR at NatWest through the innovative insights of Katherine O’Callaghan, Head of People Transformation. Katharine shares her experience of reshaping the HR landscape by drawing inspiration from customer experience strategies. We discuss how NatWest has innovatively adopted a "colleague goal and journey model" to enhance the employee experience.  Listen in as w...

This week, the co-founders of Disruptive HR (and ex-CPOs themselves), Lucy Adams and Karen Moran, tackle the unique challenges faced by Chief People Officers (CPOs). They explore the scepticism often directed at CPOs and the pressure to conform to a metrics-heavy approach. They talk about the benefits of embracing a human-centric design for HR strategies and how shifting from rigid, traditional pr...

What unique challenges do HR professionals face in the legal sector, and how can innovative approaches transform traditional practices? Join us as we chat with Emma Stevenson, Director of Partner Relations at Clyde & Co, who takes us through her fascinating 22-year journey in HR, navigating the intricacies of managing partner relations in a global law firm. Learn how she innovated a dedicated...

Join us on this episode of HR Disrupted as we explore the innovative creation of the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research in Wales, with our special guests James Owen, Chief Operating Officer, and Fran Hill, Director of People and Culture. Our conversation covers the birth of this innovative public body, its ambitious goals for enhancing the learner experience, and its commitment to fost...

What if your HR department could transform into a beacon of sustainability? Join us for an insightful conversation with HR Director Scott Sullivan as he shares his story on becoming a key player in making Bates Wells the first major law firm to achieve B Corp certification. Scott’s diverse experience across various industries and his roles as a magistrate and charity trustee provide a unique persp...

What happens when an interviewer falls asleep mid-interview or a receptionist actively discourages a candidate from joining? Join Lucy and Karen, co-founders of Disruptive HR, as they recount some shocking personal stories and explore the critical importance of enhancing candidate experiences during the recruitment process.  In this episode we dissect the pitfalls of traditional interview methods...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Michael Kienle, the Global VP of Talent Acquisition at L'Oreal, as he shares his unique journey to leading global recruitment for one of the world's most iconic consumer brands. Michael discusses his transition from marketing to HR, driven by his passion for understanding and working with people.  In this episode, we also explore the challenges and strat...

Ever wondered why those tough conversations at work seem to hit a nerve every single time? In our latest episode of the Disruptive HR podcast, Karen Moran and I unravel the complexities of difficult conversations using David Rock's SCARF model. From the pitfalls of saving up negative feedback for annual reviews to the power of continuous, in-the-moment feedback, we expose the flaws in traditional...

Join us for an illuminating conversation with Sarah Findlater, the People Director at Marks and Spencer, as she takes us through her incredible 23-year journey within the organization. From her beginnings as a personnel graduate to leading people plans for over a thousand stores and 47,000 colleagues, Sarah offers invaluable insights into building a high-performance culture. Hear how her diverse e...

Join us as we explore the concept of Agile HR and how it can revolutionise the way HR functions are delivered. Lucy Adams and  Karen Moran, founders of Disruptive HR, address the traditional pitfalls of HR being overly bureaucratic and slow, often perfecting processes at the expense of addressing real employee needs. They share personal anecdotes, such as a pay and grading exercise at the BBC, to...

Unlock the secrets to modern leadership with award-winning expert Dr Kirstin Ferguson as she shares game-changing insights from her latest book, "Head and Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership." Learn how to balance analytical skills with empathy and emotional intelligence through the Head Heart Leader Scale, and discover the critical attributes that define exceptional leaders today. From maintainin...

Is your organisation stuck in the quagmire of outdated succession planning? Lucy Adams and Karen Moran, founders of Disruptive HR share their personal horror stories from their time as HR Directors and shed light on the inefficiencies of traditional methods that often miss the mark. They discuss the pitfalls of over-engineering processes, making a case for the urgent need for agile succession plan...

Unlock the secrets to revolutionising performance management with insights directly from Gill Hunt and Uli Kirschner from tech company SUSE. Discover how SUSE transformed their performance evaluations into the innovative "SUSE Sync," a dynamic system that fosters personal accountability and continuous feedback. You'll learn how this major shift was driven by employee engagement surveys revealing a...

Lucy talks to Leatham Green from Oracle about making change happen

Lucy and Karen discuss the new ways HR teams and leaders are approaching talent management.

Lucy talks to Tope Sadiku from Kraft Heinz about creating a seamless digital experience for employees.

Lucy talks to Viv Leinster from Arqiva about their innovative approach to hybrid working

Disruptive HR founders Lucy Adams and Karen Moran answer your questions on how to make hybrid working work

Lucy talks to Tanuj Kapilashrami about the progressive work HR is doing at Standard Chartered, including HR product design and the employee experience.

The founders of Disruptive HR, Lucy Adams and Karen Moran, discuss new approaches to Performance Management