Digital HR Leaders with David Green

Performance expectations are rising - but the systems designed to support people haven’t kept up. In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders Podcast, host David Green is joined by Parker Mitchell, CEO and Founder of Valence, to explore how AI is transforming the way organisations think about performance.  Tune is as they explore:  Why traditional performance management still feels broken How AI coaching can support real-time performance improvement at scale How trust, context, and timing make the difference in effective AI tools What changes when every employee has access to a personal coach  The signals that show AI coaching is driving real performance impact How HR leaders can start small - but smart - when exploring AI coaching This episode is sponsored by Valence. Imagine if every employee had a world-class coach in their pocket. That’s exactly what Valence has created with Nadia - the AI-powered coach helping Fortune 500 companies scale development, boost performance, and support leaders at every level.   Learn more at valence.co/insight222  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, Katarina Berg - CHRO at On, former CHRO at Spotify, and author of Bold: A New Era of Strategic HR - joins David Green to explore what modern, strategic HR leadership truly requires. Together, they dive into the evolving partnership between the CHRO and CEO - a relationship that has never been more critical as organisations navigate AI, workforce transformation, culture, and business growth. Katarina shares how HR leaders can bring both insight and humanity to the executive table, shape decisions that drive business outcomes, and intentionally design a culture that empowers people to perform. The conversation covers:What a genuinely strategic CHRO-CEO relationship looks like - and how to build itHow Katarina approached her first 100 days as CHRO at On, and the lessons she’s bringing into the next phase of growthWhy “putting the H back in HR” is essential in the AI eraHow people analytics teams can evolve into true insight and decision-driving partnersWhy intentional leadership - not just tools or trends - will define the next era of HR This is a must-listen for HR leaders who want to elevate their strategic influence and lead with courage, clarity, and humanity. This episode is sponsored by Valence.Imagine if every employee had a world-class coach in their pocket. That’s exactly what Valence has created with Nadia - the AI-powered coach helping Fortune 500 companies scale development, boost performance, and support leaders at every level. Learn more at valence.co/insight222 Links referenced in the conversation:Bold: A New Era of Strategic HR2025 HR Predictions: Looking Into the Crystal Ball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do some teams click while others struggle, despite having top talent? That’s exactly what our host David Green explores in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, with guest Dr. Colin Fisher - PhD Programme Director at UCL School of Management and author of The Collective Edge. With a background in organisational behaviour, Colin brings a fresh lens to one of the most critical - and misunderstood - aspects of modern work: how teams are structured, and how that structure shapes everything from communication to creativity to performance. Join them and learn more about: Why the seeds of team success - or failure - are planted before Day One The 60-30-10 rule for high-performing teams (and why most leaders focus on the wrong 10%) How to design work that kills free-riding and boosts engagement Why psychological safety is a non-negotiable - and how to build it fast How AI and team design intersect, and what leaders need to do right now This episode is sponsored by Valence. Imagine if every employee had a world-class coach in their pocket. That’s exactly what Valence has created with Nadia - the AI-powered coach helping Fortune 500 companies scale development, boost performance, and support leaders at every level. Learn more at valence.co/insight222 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Be yourself.” “Bring your whole self to work.” It sounds empowering -  but what if it’s actually bad advice? That’s exactly what our host David Green explores in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, with returning guest Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic - Professor of Business Psychology at UCL and Columbia, and author of Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity is Overrated (and What to Do Instead). Together, they challenge popular leadership tropes and explore why being real doesn’t always lead to being effective - especially in today’s fast-changing, AI-driven world. So, join them as they explore:  Why authenticity is misunderstood, and when it becomes a liability The leadership traits that actually build trust and influence How AI is transforming the employee experience The risks of eliminating early-career jobs in pursuit of productivity What inclusion really requires beyond buzzwords and optics The three ingredients every AI strategy needs to succeed This episode is sponsored by Valence. Imagine if every employee had a world-class coach in their pocket. That’s exactly what Valence has created with Nadia - the AI-powered coach helping Fortune 500 companies scale development, boost performance, and support leaders at every level. Learn more at valence.co/insight222  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The HR technology market is booming - but with so much innovation (and noise), how can HR leaders and investors tell what’s truly transformative from what’s just trendy? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders Podcast, host David Green sits down with Thomas Otter, General Partner and Venture Capitalist at Acadian Ventures - a firm dedicated to investing in groundbreaking companies that make work better. With decades of experience spanning SAP, Gartner, and now venture capital, Thomas brings a rare 360-degree view of the HR tech ecosystem - from building and leading product teams to backing the next generation of innovators. Together, David and Thomas explore: Whether HR tech is going through a true transformation or simply evolving Where AI is actually making a difference,  and where the hype is getting ahead of reality Why AI adoption remains slow for many organisations, and what leaders can do about it The traits and technologies that make HR tech startups stand out to investors The trends and breakthroughs shaping the next five years of HR technology and the future of work If you’re an HR or people analytics leader, tech founder, or investor looking to cut through the noise and understand where HR tech is really headed, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. This episode is sponsored by TechWolf. TechWolf helps enterprises get fast, accurate, and actionable skills data—without surveys. From identifying the skills your workforce has to mapping what they need, TechWolf’s AI integrates seamlessly with your existing systems to turn messy data into strategic advantage.   Learn more at techwolf.com    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The future of work won’t wait - and neither can your people analytics strategy. On today’s episode of the Digital HR Leaders Podcast, Rob Etheridge, Global Head of Workforce Strategy and Insights at HSBC, joins the Digital HR Leaders podcast with host David Green to reveal how the bank is building a forward-looking people analytics function - grounded in skills, AI, and trust. Join them, as they explore: The evolution of people analytics at HSBC and across the industry How to design and scale an operating model that delivers business value Why skills are a strategic priority - and how HSBC is addressing them Building governance frameworks for AI in people analytics The leadership behaviours that embed analytics into decision-making This episode is sponsored by TechWolf. TechWolf helps enterprises get fast, accurate, and actionable skills data—without surveys. From identifying the skills your workforce has to mapping what they need, TechWolf’s AI integrates seamlessly with your existing systems to turn messy data into strategic advantage.   Learn more at techwolf.com   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders Podcast, host David Green is joined once again by Mikael Wornoo, Co-Founder of TechWolf - a company at the forefront of skills intelligence. Bringing fresh insights from the frontlines of AI and workforce strategy, together they explore where leading companies are heading, and what HR needs to do to stay ahead of the curve. From adoption challenges to ethical concerns, in this episode, you can expect to learn more about:  How the conversation around AI and skills is shifting—and what’s driving the change Why skills-based workforce planning is becoming a business-critical priority The human side of AI: navigating adoption, mindset shifts, and ethical concerns The data and insights HR needs to lead meaningful transformation How to build a fair, skills-powered future—and avoid a “winner-takes-all” dynamic This episode is sponsored by TechWolf. TechWolf helps enterprises get fast, accurate, and actionable skills data—without surveys. From identifying the skills your workforce has to mapping what they need, TechWolf’s AI integrates seamlessly with your existing systems to turn messy data into strategic advantage.   Learn more at techwolf.com   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the most valuable business strategy starts with workforce planning? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, David Green is joined by one of the world’s most respected voices on strategic workforce planning, Ross Sparkman, Global Head of Workforce Planning at Nutrien and author of the recently released second edition of Strategic Workforce Planning. With a career leading workforce strategy at companies like Meta, GE, Nike, and Walmart, Ross brings rare insight into how to turn workforce planning into a true lever of transformation. Join their conversation as they explore:  Why traditional workforce planning is no longer fit for today’s pace of change How to integrate AI into workforce planning without falling for the hype What it really takes to make workforce planning stick inside large organisations The critical partnership between people analytics and SWP for future-ready strategies This episode is sponsored by TechWolf. TechWolf helps enterprises get fast, accurate, and actionable skills data—without surveys. From identifying the skills your workforce has to mapping what they need, TechWolf’s AI integrates seamlessly with your existing systems to turn messy data into strategic advantage.   Learn more at techwolf.com    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the reason HR isn’t influencing strategy… is because it’s looking in the wrong direction? That’s the powerful idea Jenny Dearborn - Chief People Strategy Officer at BTS and co-author of The Insight-Driven Leader - unpacks with host David Green in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast. Drawing on her experience as a senior HR leader in some of the world’s biggest companies, Jenny makes the case for a bold shift: from reactive, rear-view reporting to forward-looking, insight-driven action. Join them, as they explore: Why “data-driven” HR often falls short, and what insight-driven really means The risks of relying on outdated metrics that don’t influence business decisions What CEOs should be demanding from HR leaders How top organisations are transforming HR into a strategic, insight-generating function What it looks like when HR operates like a product organisation How CHROs can build trusted partnerships with CFOs and CIOs If you’re ready to unlock the true strategic potential of your HR function, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. This episode is sponsored by TechWolf. TechWolf helps enterprises get fast, accurate, and actionable skills data—without surveys. From identifying the skills your workforce has, to mapping what they need, TechWolf’s AI integrates seamlessly with your existing systems to turn messy data into strategic advantage.   Learn more at techwolf.com    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you reconnect learning with business outcomes in a world where skills are evolving faster than ever? That’s what Vincent-Pierre Giroux, Global Learning & Talent Development Director at Alstom, explores in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast. Host David Green speaks with Vincent-Pierre about the lessons he’s learned from leading resets across industries, his perspective on why skills volatility is reshaping mobility and retention, and the leadership qualities that matter most in today’s environment of constant change. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why reconnecting learning with business outcomes is key to driving real impact How skills volatility is transforming mobility, engagement, and retention What leadership qualities are most critical in a world shaped by disruption How to think about ROI in learning and skills, and measure it meaningfully Practical advice for HR and people analytics leaders to keep their organisations future-ready This episode is sponsored by 365Talents. 365Talents takes a flexible, tailored approach to skills and talent management—because no two businesses are the same. Their adaptive talent intelligence solutions empower HR teams to move faster, build skills-based strategies, and deliver real impact at scale. Want to learn more? Visit www.365talents.com  And don't forget to explore the latest thinking on skills and job architecture in this in-depth playbook: The Skills and Job Architecture Playbook   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the star performers you celebrated yesterday are the very people holding your organisation back today? That’s what Toby Hough, HR Director for Europe at HiBob, unpacks with host David Green in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast - a must-listen for anyone rethinking how to build performance cultures that last. Join them, as they explore: Why definitions of high performance need to evolve as businesses grow Why traditional change management is no longer fit for purpose - and what should replace it How to build mental health and employee wellbeing into the foundation of performance What career paths and leadership may look like when people are managing both humans and AI systems Whether you’re scaling a business, supporting leaders through change, or preparing for the impact of AI on performance and careers, this episode is worth a listen.  This episode is sponsored by HiBob. HiBob is the all-in-one HCM platform built for HR leaders who need connected data, flexible workflows, and a user experience people actually want to use. Learn more by visiting hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What defines leadership in a modern organisation? And how do you find and support the people driving culture, clarity, and change?  That’s what Olena Bondareva, Global HR Director at airSlate, unpacks in this episode of Digital HR Leaders – a must-listen for anyone rethinking how we define and measure leadership. Host David Green speaks with Olena about how she built a people strategy from scratch during a time of extraordinary uncertainty - navigating the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and rapid global scale. Olena shares how she prioritized the right systems, embedded people analytics into decision-making, and uncovered the hidden influencers shaping culture and performance. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to identify the informal influencers shaping culture and driving change What truly defines leadership effectiveness in a fast-scaling business Why data literacy and human fluency are the twin skills HR leaders must master How airSlate is using AI to enhance performance, hiring, and employee support Whether you’re scaling a people function or rethinking leadership development, this episode will challenge assumptions – and leave you with actionable insights. This episode is sponsored by HiBob. HiBob is the all-in-one HCM platform built for HR leaders who need connected data, flexible workflows, and a user experience people actually want to use. Learn more by visiting hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Microsoft announced an update to its flexible work guidelines.  As Amy Coleman, Chief People Officer at Microsoft, explained: “We’ve looked at how our teams work best, and the data is clear: when people work together in person more often, they thrive – they are more energized, empowered, and they deliver stronger results.”   As such, I’m delighted that my guest on this week’s episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast is Dawn Klinghoffer, Global Head of People Analytics at Microsoft. As she explains in our conversation, Dawn and her team conducted the analysis that informed this decision - revealing a causal link between office presence and employee thriving.   In our conversation, Dawn and I discuss: What the data shows about the ideal balance between office presence and flexibility Why "moments that matter" are key to in-person collaboration and connection How Microsoft's people analytics team is evolving its composition and strategy in the age of AI The impact of deep vs. broad AI adoption on employee thriving How AI is transforming employee listening, from sentiment analysis to real-time feedback loops The creation of Microsoft’s new Analytics Innovation team—and what it signals about the future of HR This episode is packed with data-backed insights, practical examples, and a forward-looking perspective on how HR can lead through complexity and change. This episode is sponsored by HiBob. HiBob is the all-in-one HCM platform built for HR leaders who need connected data, flexible workflows, and a user experience people actually want to use. Learn more by visiting hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HR is standing at a defining inflection point. AI is transforming how work gets done, stakeholder capitalism is reshaping expectations, and the pressure to deliver tangible business value with less has never been higher. So what does HR need to do now - not just to stay relevant, but to lead? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green sits down with three of the profession’s most respected thinkers to discuss this very topic: Dave Ulrich, Co-Founder of the RBL Group; Dick Beatty, Professor at Rutgers and the University of Michigan; and Patrick Wright, Chair in Strategic HR at the University of South Carolina. In their conversation, you’ll learn: Why HR is at a historic inflection point, and what makes this moment different How AI is forcing a rethink of jobs, value creation, and organisational design What it really means to move from HR activity to business impact How HR can better serve external stakeholders like customers, investors, and communities Why CHROs must lead from the outside in - or risk being left behind How a new leadership development initiative, the Global HR Leadership Experience, is preparing future-ready HR leaders If you’re rethinking the role of HR in your organisation, navigating transformation, or preparing your team for what’s next, this is a must-listen conversation packed with wisdom, challenge, and practical insight. This episode is sponsored by HiBob. HiBob is the all-in-one HCM platform built for HR leaders who need connected data, flexible workflows, and a user experience people actually want to use. Learn more by visiting hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

bp is undergoing one of the most complex transformations in its more than 100-year history — powered by a focused strategy reset, a leaner operating model, and a global scale-up of digital and AI capabilities. But behind all of this is a fundamental reset of how people experience work - and what it means to lead through change.In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green sits down with the person leading this transformation, Kerry Dryburgh, Executive Vice President for People, Culture and Communications at bp. In their conversation, you’ll learn: How bp is using AI and automation to simplify work and unlock capacity  Why performance culture is being redefined to balance accountability and development What skills and mindsets are essential for the future of work How to keep people engaged and supported through uncertainty and change And why HR has a critical role to play in shaping transformation If you’re leading transformation, scaling HR innovation, or simply curious about what the future of HR looks like at enterprise scale, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. This episode is sponsored by HiBob. HiBob is the all-in-one HCM platform built for HR leaders who need connected data, flexible workflows, and a user experience people actually want to use. Learn more by visiting hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The future of HR isn’t about collecting more data - it’s about knowing exactly what to do with it. In this special bonus episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by David Barrett (CEO) and Katarina Coppé (Chief Commercial Officer) from Welliba for a conversation about changing the way we listen to and understand employees. Join them to learn more about:  Why traditional surveys are no longer enough to understand your workforce How passive listening and AI can surface richer, faster, and more actionable insights Practical ways to connect employee data to business outcomes at scale Strategies to navigate data privacy and regulatory challenges without slowing innovation Real-world examples from industries including retail, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing If you want to understand your employees more deeply, act faster on insights and deliver measurable impact, this episode, sponsored by Welliba, is your playbook for the future of HR. Welliba, winner of the 2024 HR Unleash Global Startup Award, is redefining people, culture and organisational insights.  Using the latest AI technologies combined with behavioural science, their EXcelerate solution, instantly analyses all available public data, delivering deep insights into people and organisations - without the need for surveys. Discover how you can elevate your talent strategy, transform your workforce, and stay ahead of your competitors.  Learn more at offer.welliba.com/insight222   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can your digital footprint reveal about how work really gets done? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, David Green sits down with Brydie Lear, VP of People Analytics & Insights at Expedia Group, to explore how her team is harnessing people data at scale to understand performance, influence, and organisational effectiveness in real time. Tune in as they discuss: The key differences in how industries approach people analytics Why influence, not just insight, is the real game-changer in people analytics How Expedia uses digital signals and ONA to track how work flows The art of prioritising what really matters in a sea of data This episode, sponsored by Worklytics,  is packed with lessons for anyone building, leading, or rethinking people analytics in a digital-first world. Worklytics helps leaders understand how work actually happens with data-driven insights into collaboration, productivity, and AI adoption. By analysing real work patterns - from meetings to tool usage - they empower teams to work smarter, not harder. And here’s something special: Worklytics is offering Digital HR Leaders listeners a complimentary AI adoption assessment to understand how your teams are really using AI - and where untapped potential lies. But don’t wait - spots are limited. Learn more at worklytics.co/ai  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If people really are our greatest asset, why is wellbeing still treated like a perk instead of a priority? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green explores this very question with Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Professor of Economics and Director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at University of Oxford, co-editor of the World Happiness Report, and co-author of Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters. Tune in as Jan shares eye-opening insights from a massive global dataset of over 25 million workers, revealing why employee wellbeing is a business-critical priority. You’ll hear: The real drivers of happiness at work (and why most companies get it wrong) How employee wellbeing directly impacts performance, retention and recruitment The role of AI in shaping the future of meaningful, human-centered work This is a must-listen for HR and business leaders ready to shift from wellbeing-as-an-initiative to wellbeing-as-a-strategy. This episode is sponsored by Mercer. To thrive in an AI-augmented world, organisations must rethink how work gets done. Mercer’s Work Design solution uses AI to deconstruct jobs, redeploy tasks, and redesign work for greater agility, productivity, and impact. Unlock your team’s full potential. Learn more at mercer.com/wfdemo Links to resources:  World Happiness Report Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're looking for honest lessons from the frontline of skills transformation, this episode is for you. Picking up from last week’s strategic deep-dive with Ravin Jesuthasan and Brian Fisher at Mercer, this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast takes a practical turn, exploring what it really looks like to bring a skills-powered strategy to life inside a global organisation. Joining host David Green is Amy Baxendale, Global Future of Workforce Director at Arcadis, who has spent the past three years leading a bold transformation to embed skills-based thinking across the company. From reimagining workforce planning to enabling talent mobility and cultural change, Amy shares a rare, unfiltered view into the challenges and breakthroughs that define real progress. What you’ll learn in this episode: What triggered Arcadis' shift to a skills-first model, and how they got started How to navigate early implementation hurdles and complex change dynamics Approaches to gaining executive buy-in and aligning with business strategy Why governance and structure are key to sustainable transformation Ways to track progress - beyond ROI - to include engagement and agility Unexpected lessons and eye-opening moments from the journey What the future holds as skill demands continue to evolve rapidly Whether you’re planning, piloting, or scaling a skills-based approach, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and grounded advice from someone who’s done the work. This episode is sponsored by Mercer. To thrive in an AI-augmented world, organisations must rethink how work gets done. Mercer’s Work Design solution uses AI to deconstruct jobs, redeploy tasks, and redesign work for greater agility, productivity, and impact. Unlock your team’s full potential. Learn more at mercer.com/wfdemo  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your workforce strategy stuck in the past? As AI accelerates and traditional job structures show their age, more companies are asking a fundamental question: Are we organising work the right way? Which is why, in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, David and his guests explore why skills-based workforce planning has surged to the top of the HR agenda - and what leading companies are doing to turn intent into action. Joining David are Ravin Jesuthasan, Senior Partner and Global Leader for Transformation Services at Mercer, and co-author of The Skills-Powered Organization, and Brian Fisher, Global Solutions Lead for Skills, Jobs and Careers at Mercer, and co-author of Mercer’s Skills Snapshot Survey. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why jobs are no longer the ideal unit for workforce planning, and why skills are taking centre stage How to align mindset, skillset and toolset to drive lasting transformation The role of pilots and internal marketplaces in delivering measurable business impact What AI is changing about the definition, demand and shelf life of skills The three core capabilities every organisation must build to sustain a skills-powered strategy How leading companies are connecting skills to ROI, workforce agility, and employee growth This episode is sponsored by Mercer. To thrive in an AI-augmented world, organisations must rethink how work gets done. Mercer’s Work Design solution uses AI to deconstruct jobs, redeploy tasks, and redesign work for greater agility, productivity, and impact. Unlock your team’s full potential. Learn more at mercer.com/wfdemo Links to resources discussed in the episode: Work Without Jobs The Skills-Powered Organisation The Global Skills Technology and Adoption Survey Report   The 2024/2025 Skills Snapshot Survey report    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.