“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies

A different kind of HR show that tackles some of the thorniest topics around scaling fast growing organizations head on.

Rippling vs. Competitors: The Ex-Employee Dilemma

In this episode of HR Heretics, Rippling is banning ex-employees who work at competitors from participating in a secondary stock offering. Is this ethical or a smart business move? Kelli and Nolan discuss the pros and cons of this controversial HR policy.*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.coHR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Discover Workvivo, Zoom’s employee experience platform, designed to delight your hybrid workforce. With dynamic and intuitive features people actually like using, Workvivo fosters a sense of belonging and boosts retention and productivity. Join Ryanair, Dollar General, and Virgin — head to https://bit.ly/hrhereticsworkvivo to book a demo (tell them Kelli and Nolan sent you).—KEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction(01:26) Initial Reactions and Previous Examples(03:07) Rippling's Justification and Cynicism(04:31) The Zero-Sum Game and Company Messaging(06:42) Openness vs. Pettyness & Employee Value(07:42) Future Implications and (08:50) Sponsor Break: Workvivo(10:25) Regulatory Implications and Cam's Argument(11:13) A More Brutal Form of Non-Compete & First Principles(13:00) Rippling's Perspective and Understanding the "Why"(13:58) Conclusion: Experimentation and Openness This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

06-14
14:54

Pendo CEO Todd Olson on Co-Founder Conflict, Hiring Slow, and Pushing Limits at a Software Unicorn

In this episode of HR Heretics, Kelli and Nolan engage in a heartfelt discussion with Todd Olson, CEO and founder of Pendo.Todd shares his personal and professional journey, from his early days as a developer to his current role as CEO. He provides deep insights into leadership, his unique hiring process, and why he believes HR is essential to business success where human connection and vulnerability are prioritized.*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.coHR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Discover Workvivo, Zoom’s employee experience platform, designed to delight your hybrid workforce. With dynamic and intuitive features people actually like using, Workvivo fosters a sense of belonging and boosts retention and productivity. Join Ryanair, Dollar General, and Virgin — head to https://bit.ly/hrhereticsworkvivo to book a demo (tell them Kelli and Nolan sent you).Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsLINKS:Pendo: https://www.pendo.io/HR Heretics podcast with JR Rettig: Building Legendary Teams: Trust, Transition, and Quality with JR Rettig of PendoLINKEDIN:Todd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddaolsonNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction(03:00) Typecasting and the importance of being the CEO(05:00) Co-founder dynamics at Pendo(09:00) The CEO card and cultural decisions(12:00) Blending human elements with leadership(16:00) The impact of personal life on leadership(17:13) Sponsors: Workvivo | Attio(19:47) Todd on Elon Musk(21:00) Building a culture of followership(24:00) Hiring practices(27:00) The "why" behind joining Pendo(31:00) Interviewing Senior SDRs(34:00) CEO involvement in offer review(37:00) Hiring executives(41:00) The first 90 days of an executive(45:00) The role of HR in 2024(50:00) Hiring a head of HR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

06-13
53:58

The Future of Management

In this episode of HR Heretics, Nolan and Kelli explore the rising trend of replacing managers with coaches, examining the pros and cons of this model and its potential impact on employee development.They also discuss the practicalities of implementing a coach-based management model, including the role of functional expertise and the need for rapid onboarding of coaches.*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.coHR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Discover Workvivo, Zoom’s employee experience platform, designed to delight your hybrid workforce. With dynamic and intuitive features people actually like using, Workvivo fosters a sense of belonging and boosts retention and productivity. Join Ryanair, Dollar General, and Virgin — head to https://bit.ly/hrhereticsworkvivo to book a demo (tell them Kelli and Nolan sent you).Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHeretics—KEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/—TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction & The Big Changes in Tech (01:40) Tweaking the System (02:52) The NVIDIA Model: Pros and Cons (04:14) One-On-Ones and The Middle Ground (6:00) The Importance of Spontaneous Communication (07:18) Sponsor: Attio (08:15) Skillset and Capability Considerations (09:09) Assessing Candidates for New Environments (11:07) The Canva Model: External Coaches (13:00) Executive Coaching vs Functional Coaching (13:53) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

06-11
14:59

How Big Should Your Org Grow?

In this episode of HR Heretics, Kelli Dragovich and Nolan Church welcome Michelle Delcambre, an operating partner at Felicis (and formerly of Stripe & Databricks), to discuss company growth trajectories, and strategic HR practices around talent, comp, and exits. Michelle shares the development of Felicis’ ‘Benchmark Your Org' tool — which you can access here — it’s a free platform utilizing data from 15,000 companies, updated monthly, to help founders benchmark organizational growth. This conversation, which is one of Nolan's favorite episodes of the year, covers common founder mistakes and offers insights around pre-negotiated exit packages, comp strategies, company attrition, and so much more.*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.coHR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Discover Workvivo, Zoom’s employee experience platform, designed to delight your hybrid workforce. With dynamic and intuitive features people actually like using, Workvivo fosters a sense of belonging and boosts retention and productivity. Join Ryanair, Dollar General, and Virgin — head to https://bit.ly/hrhereticsworkvivo to book a demo (tell them Kelli and Nolan sent you).Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsLINKS:Benchmark Your Org: https://www.felicis.com/benchmarkLINKEDIN:Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelledelcambre/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(04:30) Actually useful benchmarks for founders(07:25) What metrics do people care about now?Boomerangs(09:30) Missing people data metrics(10:30) The talent vortex(15:35) Sponsors: WorkVivo | Attio(18:15) The anxiety of the “Regrettable attrition” metric and boomerang employees(23:07) Compensation challenges in startups(25:52) Tender offers and secondary markets(28:13) Innovative solutions for employee equity(38:41) Pre-negotiated severance and employee retention(43:56) Common mistakes founders make(49:36) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

06-06
49:31

Toxic Managers

In this episode of HR Heretics, Nolan and Kelli dive into the devastating impact of toxic managers, featuring real stories of burnout, mental health struggles, and even suicide. They delve into the misconduct of a Baidu executive who displayed horrific behavior towards her employees and the extreme pressures leading to suicides among investment bankers, highlighted by a tragic case at Bank of America. From recognizing the signs of toxic management to building a strong support network, Kelli and Nolan offer actionable advice on navigating difficult workplaces and prioritizing your well-being. *Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.coHR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Discover Workvivo, Zoom’s employee experience platform, designed to delight your hybrid workforce. With dynamic and intuitive features people actually like using, Workvivo fosters a sense of belonging and boosts retention and productivity. Join Ryanair, Dollar General, and Virgin — head to https://bit.ly/hrhereticsworkvivo to book a demo (tell them Kelli and Nolan sent you).Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsRelated Articles:* Top exec at Chinese search giant Baidu tells workers ‘I’m not your mom’ — then loses job* Death of Former Green Beret (IB Associate at BofA)—KEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:37) Toxic Managers: Baidu Executive's Shocking Behavior(01:03) Toxic Managers: The Tragic Case of the iBanker(01:34) Kelli's Take on Toxic Management(04:26) Nolan's Perspective on Work-Life Balance(06:40) Sponsor Workvivo | Attio(09:19) The Impact of Fear-Based Leadership(11:15) Balancing Work Expectations and Employee Well-being(13:57) Encouragement and Community Support(16:17) An Element of EQ Is Necessary(19:19) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

06-04
17:02

The Future of Tech Operators with Casey Woo, Founder of Operators Guild

In this episode of HR Heretics, Nolan and Kelli sit down with Casey Woo, a former public market investor turned 7x high-growth executive (including WeWork). He is now the founder of Operations Guild and General Partner at FOG Ventures. Casey shares eye-opening experiences from his time at WeWork and describes working with Adam Neumann, and the dynamics of rapid business scaling. They also highlight the impact of AI on business operations, the rise of the business operator, and discuss what skill-based ‘‘specialist generalists” do.HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Share this with your friends, forward to your enemies. Hit subscribe now.Discover Workvivo, Zoom’s employee experience platform, designed to delight your hybrid workforce. With dynamic and intuitive features people actually like using, Workvivo fosters a sense of belonging and boosts retention and productivity. Join Ryanair, Dollar General, and Virgin — head to https://bit.ly/hrhereticsworkvivo to book a demo (tell them Kelli and Nolan sent you).Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH CASEY, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINCasey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseywoo/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:14) Casey's journey and WeWork experience(08:39) Lessons from WeWork(14:19) Current Climate and Operators Guild(19:48) Sponsor: WorkVivo |  Attio(20:45) Current pace of AI development(26:26) The Rise of the Operator(35:03) Importance of generalists in business(41:10) Building a Community: Lessons Learned(44:42) Future of operators and founding businesses(49:56) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-31
49:33

The Big Stay

In this episode of HR Heretics, Nolan and Kelli discuss an article from Business Insider about the ongoing white-collar recession, particularly affecting those earning over $100,000 a year. They discuss significant changes in the tech job market, including the influence of AI, global competition, and the shift from managerial roles to more individual contributor positions. The episode concludes with insights into personal fulfillment versus financial stability in career choices.Vanguard data reveals a hiring freeze for six-figure earners, impacting tech and finance. Is this the start of a white-collar recession?HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Discover Workvivo, Zoom’s employee experience platform, designed to delight your hybrid workforce. With dynamic and intuitive features people actually like using, Workvivo fosters a sense of belonging and boosts retention and productivity. Join Ryanair, Dollar General, and Virgin — head to https://bit.ly/hrhereticsworkvivo to book a demo (tell them Kelli and Nolan sent you).Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich—TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to the White Collar Recession00:30 The Dichotomy of Employment Data00:48 Challenges for High Earners01:56 The Big Stay and Trapped in Place Economy02:34 Industry-Specific Impacts05:21 Global Competition and AI's Role06:23 The Future of Tech Employment08:34 Personal Reflections and Career Changes08:43 Sponsor: Workvivo | Attio11:12: First-World Work Problems13:02: Self-Reflection and Assessment15:34: On Gratitude on Salaries and Roles16:11 Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-29
16:46

A Deep Dive Into Coaching as a Career with Nathan Tanner, author of The Unconquerable Leader

In this episode of HR Heretics, Nolan and Kelli sit down with Nathan Tanner, an executive coach, author of The Unconquerable Leader, and former HR leader at DoorDash, Neighbor, and LinkedIn. Nathan demystifies the black box of coaching as a career path for people leaders, getting into the nitty-gritty of setting up the business, getting clients, and the economics of coaching. They also discuss the fine line between the empathy required of an HR leader, an executive coach, and a therapist.HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Share this with your friends, forward to your enemies. Hit subscribe now.This episode is brought to you by AttioAttio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH NATHAN, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINNathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathantanner/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:58) Nathan’s journey into coaching(02:53) Impact and philosophy of coaching(05:25) Navigating the coach, HR leader, and client relationship(13:08) What makes a great coach?(15:52) Sponsor: Attio(16:49) Assessing client’s perspectives(21:49) Lifecycle of a coaching relationship(24:29) Balancing revenue and client success(26:03) Strategies and challenges of building a client base(30:38) Economics of coaching(35:33) Maximizing your coaching business(39:34) Essential tools for success(42:20) Value of transparency and resilience(44:13) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-23
44:14

What's the Deal at OpenAI?

Nolan Church breaks down what is happening over at OpenAI and what we know about three developing stories involving exec departures, equity, and transparency. Kelli is on vacation this week. He touches on:* The departure of Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and chief scientist, along with Jan Lieke* The journalistic investigation by Vox's Kelsey Piper, who broke the story of OpenAI's practice of requiring departing employees to sign life-long non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements, threatening the loss of vested equity for breach* The incident involving Scarlett Johansson being approached to voice OpenAI’s AI, without her consent, raising questions about ethical use of voice likeness in AI technologiesNolan debriefs with lessons for HR leaders and company founders.HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.SPONSOR:Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovichTIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:47) The Big Departures: OpenAI's Executive Shake-Up(03:31) OpenAI's Controversial NDAs(05:12) Sponsors: Attio(08:21) The Scarlett Johansson Voice Saga(10:04) The Future of OpenAI and HR Lessons(10:50) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-21
11:03

$3B Remote CEO on Killing the Return to Office

In this episode, Nolan and Kelli have an honest and transparent discussion with CEO and founder of Remote Job van der Voort (also the former VP of Product at GitLab) on the nuances of running an international remote company. Job strongly emphasises how trying to replicate the office environment in a remote setting doesn’t work and how giving small teams extreme autonomy with focus on outcome-based-management far outweighs surveillance and micro management. Kelli, Nolan and Job chat about early career growth and development in remote settings vs learning by osmosis in the office and how the company committed to developing new methodologies to mentor and train up juniors.Job also gives insights into the complexities of global hiring, geography-based compensation, and geographic mobility for remote workers and discusses the impact it has on contracts and mutual obligations.HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Share this with your friends, forward to your enemies. Hit subscribe now.SPONSOR: Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH JOB, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINJob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jobvo/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:53) Replicating Office Culture in Remote Settings(06:45) Embracing Asynchronous Work and Team Autonomy(09:48) Hiring and Training in a Remote-First World(13:51) Innovative Remote Work Practices and Tools(17:50) Addressing the Challenges of Remote Work (22:10) Remote's Approach to Documentation and Communication(26:00) International Employment and Expansion(26:54) Global Employment with Remote(28:10) Global Compensation Strategies(33:52) Equity and Performance in Global Teams(39:40) Mobility and Compensation In Employee Relocation(46:55) The Global Hiring Market and Future Trends(51.24) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-16
51:49

Career Decisions Round 2 with Janelle Lopez

In today's segment, Kelli welcomes back Janelle Lopez, discussing her recent career decision to take a second-in-command role at Coursera over the top Chief People Officer position elsewhere. She gives us an honest look into her decision-making, her networking efforts (75 meetings!), and how to assess a company for fit.HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.--SPONSOR:Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHeretics--KEEP UP WITH JANELLE, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINJanelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-lopez-29997a4/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovichTIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:27) Career Decision: Chief People Officer vs. Number Two Role(01:27) Networking(04:29) Evaluating Opportunities(08:04) The Real Power of Networking(12:01) Biggest Lessons From the Job Search(13:23) Janelle's Future Aspirations(14:20) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-14
14:44

Balancing Humanity and Numbers: A Michelle Weaver, CFO at Twitch

In this episode, Nolan and Kelli chat humanity in leadership with Michelle Weaver, CFO at Twitch (now part of Amazon). Michelle Weaver has 25 years experience including Hired (with Kelli), StitchFix, Axiom, Gap, Inc. and EA.Michelle emphasises the importance of a human-first leadership approach and that growth and learning can come from the projects you work on, not just promotions. The team all agree that building a strong relationship with the CFO builds a strong business foundation and knowing the business you’re in makes you a stronger leader. They also advocate for taking the wins from experiences with bad managers by being the outcome you want to see.Michelle also offers advice on selecting the company you want to work for and understanding the 'why' behind business numbers. She also goes deep on staying grounded through the M&A process and gives her own spin on personal growth and burnout in high-stress environments. HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Share this with your friends, forward to your enemies. Get new episodes straight to your inbox: HRHeretics.substack.com.SPONSOR:Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH MICHELLE, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINMichelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-weaver/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:45) The Human Side of Being a CFO(04:10) Rethinking Team Management and Development(06:20) Promotions and Organisational Changes(08:03) Sponsor Ad: Attio CRM(08:59) The Power of CFO and CPO Collaboration(12.18) Structural Alignments Within The Company(15.46) The CPO interviewing the CFO (17:16) Choosing the Right Company(21:10) The Expansion of Gaming(24:06) M&A Trends and Staying Grounded(27:37) The Role of a CFO in Navigating M&A Challenges(30:31) Deep Dive into the M&A Process(32:45) Red Flags and Deal Breakers in M&A(37:15) Addressing Burnout and Understanding What Your Passion Is(42:59) How to Discover Your Passion(48:00) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-09
48:16

Do Non-Competes Harm Tech & AI Progress?

In today’s segment, Kelli and Nolan discuss the recent FTC ruling to ban non-compete agreements nationwide in the US, the broader implications of the ruling for employers and employees, and the future of AI and tech post-ban.HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.SPONSOR: Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovichTIMESTAMPS:(00:00) FTC Bans Non-Competes Nationwide(00:53) Personal Takes on the Non-Compete Ban(01:13) The Surprising Impact of Non-Competes Across Industries(02:49) Freedom and Innovation(05:09) Balancing Trade Secrets and Employee Freedom(07:33) The Future of Tech and AI Post-Ban(10:41) Embracing Side Hustles and Innovation(11:56) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-07
12:16

Getting to the Bottom of Skill Shortages, Burnout & Engagement: Kristy McCann Flynn, SkillCycle CEO

In this episode of HR Heretics, Kelli and Nolan are joined by Kristy McCann Flynn, a seasoned HR professional with 25 years of experience, who shares her journey from working in traditional HR roles to founding SkillCycle, a company aimed at revolutionizing talent development and performance management.The lively debate covers the evolving role of HR,  why HR software purchasing power might be changing, why  HR practitioners are doing it wrong if the 50% of their time is spent hearing staff concerns, and as ever, the fundamental importance of aligning HR initiatives with business outcomes.HR Heretics is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.coThis episode is brought to you by AttioAttio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsLINKS: https://www.skillcycle.com/KEEP UP WITH KRISTY, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN Kristy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmflynn/ Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/ Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:41) The Genesis of SkillCycle: A Response to Industry Frustrations(01:17) Navigating Corporate America's Challenges and Changes(03:29) Revolutionizing Talent Development(04:20) Transforming HR and Talent Management(04:54) Addressing the Skills Gap: A New Approach to HR Tech(05:33) The Business Case for Investing in Talent Development(09:04) SkillCycle's Strategy: Performance, Engagement, and Learning(09:26) Skill Development vs. Hiring(13:20) Sponsor: Attio(16:31) Enabling Your Entire Workforce(17:39) Investing in Employees Without Bias(20:04) Burnout in HR(24:18) The Future of HR and Shifting Focus to Business Leaders(27:37) Strategies for Professional Development and Growth(29:04) Navigating Budgets and Building Relationships with CFOs(31:02) The Importance of Business Acumen in HR(32:12) Redefining HR's Role Beyond Being a Complaint Department(37:29) On Engagement and Pulse Surveys(43:26) Transitioning from HR to CEO: Insights and Reflections(47:31) Optimism vs. Pessimism in Leadership(50:00) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-03
50:27

Politics in the Workplace is Just Distracting

In today's segment, Kelli and Nolan discuss Google firing employees who barricaded themselves in the CEO of Google Cloud Thomas Kurian's office for nine hours, to protest Google providing cloud computing services to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Google CEO swiftly released a 'No Politics in the Workplace' message. The discussion explores the broader implications of protesting in the workplace, raises questions about protests and explores alternative ways to voice dissent without disruption.HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.SPONSOR: Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible, and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal, and more at https://bit.ly/attioturpentineKEEP UP WITH NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovichTIMESTAMPS:(00:00) The Google Protest Controversy: An HR Perspective(01:23) Analyzing the Protest: Tactics and Consequences(02:35) The Fine Line Between Protest and Workplace Disruption(06:13) Google's Response and the Shift in Tech Culture(07:48) Sponsor: Attio(11:31) Exploring Solutions and the Future of Workplace Politics(14:19) Thoughts on Politics in the Workplace This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

05-02
14:19

The Architect of the Paypal Mafia: Peterson Conway

This week Kelli Dragovich and Nolan Church sit down with Peterson Conway, headhunter, investor, and advisor who shares insights from his epic career working closely with Silicon Valley greats like Peter Thiel, Kevin Hartz, Keith Rabois, and Joe Lonsdale. Conway has assembled talent for the founding/early teams of Xoom, Palantir, Founders Fund, and 8VCStrap in for some crazy stories. Conway's journey highlights the significance of curiosity, optimism, and unconventional hiring practices in Silicon Valley. Conway reflects on the profile of talent he looks for and drills down to certain keywords he uses to search for seeking individuals with strong convictions and a "fight from the bottom" spirit.HR Heretics is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co--SPONSOR: Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHeretics--LINKS:Zero to 1 by Peter Thiel & Blake Masters: https://www.amazon.com.au/Zero-One-Notes-Startups-Future/dp/0804139296Butthole Notorious: https://pconway-73418.medium.com/butthole-notorious-e4ac4ff12db4Peterson Conway: https://www.petersonconway.com/KEEP UP WITH PETERSON, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINPeterson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petersonconway/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview(01:49) Intro(02:41) Peterson's Unconventional Path to Silicon Valley Success(09:23) Navigating Challenges and Learning from Silicon Valley Titans(16:18) Exploring the Magic of Silicon Valley and Beyond(18:56) Sponsor: Attio(24:46) The Dynamics of Connectivity, Safety, and the Future of Work(27:37) Exploring the Intersection of Fear and Love(27:55) The Therapeutic Journey: From Fear to Healing(28:13) On Guilt, Shame, and Vulnerability(29:55) Unfiltered Conversations: Embracing Discomfort(31:42) The Power of Silence in Communication(32:26) Team Construction and the Quest for the Right Hire(35:04) Recruiting: From Elite Schools to Keyword Searches for Grit and Determination(39:14) The Role of HR in Shaping Company Culture(43:36) On Unconventional Recruiting and Finding Hidden Gems(50:19) The Art of Asking for Forgiveness, Not Permission(50:41) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

04-26
51:15

Shopify's Zero Sum Mastery Program

In this segment , Nolan and Kelli discuss new information about Shopify's Mastery Program. Employees are assigned a mastery score, and if their score does not increase, they do not receive a raise. They cover the implications of this new approach, comparing it to previous systems used by other companies which also relied on ratings and algorithms to determine merit increases, and discuss the concept of creating a zero-sum game in the workplace. While not exactly new, internal competition is front and center in Shopify’s transparent new approach.HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.SPONSOR:Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsLINKS:Shopify Mastery: https://www.shopify.com/news/masteryInformation article: https://www.theinformation.com/articles/shopify-employees-go-head-to-head-for-raises-in-new-ranking-systemKEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Shopify's Mastery Program(04:34) Exploring the Broader Implications of Performance Review Systems(08:59) A New Era of Performance Management and Employee Evaluation(09:04) Sponsor: Attio CRM(09:57) Nolan’s Time at Carta(11:55) Commending More Experimentation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

04-23
13:20

Leadership Development: Can We Keep Up With AI?: A Conversation with Adam Weber, Chief Evangelist at 15five

In this episode, Nolan and Kelli discuss the audacious quest to change the HR market with Adam Weber, Chief Evangelist of 15Five.The team discuss the new reality of strategic HR business outcomes and the importance of developing and nurturing high-performance cultures and building great leaders, with the critical necessity of upskilling leadership development fast to adapt to new trends such as the addition of AI which will change the face of how we know HR today.Adam also advocates for having courage and standing up for what you believe is true in the business and valuing the role of the Individual Contributor.HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine. Subscribe to our substack: hrheretics.comSPONSOR:Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsLINKS:Adam wrote the best selling book Lead Like A Human on leadership and culture: how to bring your full self to work and unleash your full potential.HR Superstars podcast: https://www.15five.com/resources/podcast/KEEP UP WITH ADAM, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINAdam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetadam/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Intro(02:57) From Founder to Team Member(03:09) Role Power In Practice(04:51) HR Superstars Community(05:26) Autonomy and Decision Making Post-Acquisition(07:22) The Amplify Team's Integration and Evolution Within 15Five(09:33) Old HR vs New HR: Changes and Expectations(13:44) What CEO’s think(15.23) Sponsor Ad: Attio CRM(16:40) Showing Courage and Backing Yourself(21:11) Understanding the Business on A Deeper Level(24:40) Superhero Mentality vs Delegator Mentality(27:10) AI’s Impact on HR(28:38) Upskilling and the Future of Work(29:16) The Dichotomy of Company Strategies on Upskilling(35:00) Celebrating Individual Contributors (41:00) Rethinking Best Practices and Embracing Experimentation(43:32) Visibility and Sharing Wins and Losses (46.12) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

04-18
46:43

No Makeup, No Offer?

HR Heretics bestie Colleen McCreary joins Kelli Dragovich for today’s segment to discuss a recent viral post about a VP People candidate who was denied a job because she didn’t wear makeup. Colleen and Kelli discuss the expectations and norms about appearance in the workplace and the nuances of providing helpful feedback to candidates.—HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Share this with your friends, forward to your enemies. Subscribe at hrheretics.substack.com—SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by AttioAttio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH COLLEEN, KELLI + NOLAN ON LINKEDINColleen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenmccrearychiefpplofficer/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/—LINKS:Viral Post: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/woman-says-she-denied-job-because-didnt-wear-makeup-aywoe/Colleen’s Writing: https://medium.com/@colleenwheelermccreary—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Colleen Guests on Today’s Segment(00:19) The Case of Melissa Weaver & Workplace Appearance Standards(07:20) Sponsor: Attio CRM(08:18) The Legal Perspective: Can Appearance Influence Hiring?(10:18) Navigating Interview Feedback(15:22) Authenticity at Work(15:55) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

04-16
16:11

Lean Mindset, Business Impact and the New Era of HR: Jeff Diana, former CPO of Calendly

In this episode, Nolan and Kelli discuss “happiness police” overkill with Jeff Diana, former Chief People Officer of Calendly and Atlassian.They talk about the importance of being clear on who you are as a business to avoid massive swings and over-rotations in current HR programs. Jeff believes it’s driving shareholder value that creates employment and that HR pros need to think more like investors and shareholders with focus on business impact rather than focusing on employee satisfaction alone.Jeff also offers advice on being OK with saying no to a job that doesn’t “light you up”… and testing the alignment with HR philosophies and execution of business outcomes with the ones that do! He also offers advice on building a strong relationship with the CEO and is it better to report to a CFO or CEO if you’re aiming for that number 1 CPO role?!HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Share this with your friends, forward to your enemies. Hit subscribe now.SPONSOR: Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHereticsKEEP UP WITH JEFF, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINJeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-diana/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:24) The HR Market Today(02:37) The Shift in HR's Role(04:44) Understanding the Market Shift(05:05) Changes in HR's Role Amidst Economic and Cultural Shifts(09:23) Over-rotations in HR Programs including DEI and Employee Expectations(11.40) Sponsor: Attio CRM(14:19) Understanding Why Businesses Want To Cut HR(19:05) Embracing Business Model Changes as a Leader(23:00) Thinking Like an Investor(25:45) Employee-Employer Dynamics(26:52) Expectation Misalignment(29:24) Realigning Business Focus: Mission, Values, and HR Opportunities(33:23) Due Diligence in Career Moves and Hiring(36:51) Building Relationships With The CEO (45:43) Board Dynamics and CEO Feedback(49:39) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

04-11
50:02

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