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Most executive teams like to say they are aligned. The truth is, most are not. What looks like unity is often a polite fiction hiding competing agendas, resource battles, and the quiet scramble for CEO attention. In this episode, Jackson and Scott pull back the curtain on how a CHRO builds peer relationships when collaboration feels more like competition.

They dig into why alignment and trust are not the same thing. You can agree on the goal and still fight over how to get there. Trust in the C-suite is not about friendship or loyalty. It is about predictability, candor, and keeping your word. Jackson shares how he handles “drive-by” executives who ambush meetings, and Scott explains how true trust starts with the willingness to disagree in public and admit mistakes in real time.

The playbook for CHROs working in sharp-elbowed cultures is simple but demanding. Map peers by motives, not titles. Make your rules of engagement explicit so no one has to guess. Trade value using the unique currencies HR owns: talent intelligence, early warning signals, neutral facilitation, and succession clarity. Then, make small but visible deposits of value with one or two allies each week.

If you are new in the seat or working in a low-trust environment, this episode will help you avoid the naïve assumption that collaboration will naturally emerge. You do not need universal harmony. You need two or three real allies, clear boundaries, and a reputation for being reliable and drama-free.

After you listen, choose one peer. Offer them one useful micro-gift. Set one clear rule for how you work together. Small moves build real power.

Keywords and Hashtags
CHRO strategy, HR leadership, executive alignment, peer dynamics, talent density, business transformation, future of work
#CHRO #HRLeadership #ExecutiveAlignment #TalentDensity #BusinessTransformation #FutureOfWork

00:00 — Introduction: Why Executive Teams Aren’t as Aligned as They Think

02:00 — The Myth of Collaboration: Competing Agendas Inside the C-Suite

04:45 — Diagnosing Alignment: Strategy vs. Resources vs. Personal Agendas

07:20 — Can You Have High Trust in a Centrally Directed Organization?

10:00 — Redefining Trust: Predictability Over Friendship

13:20 — How CHROs Build Trust in Political Environments

15:45 — Trading Value: The Hidden Currency of the CHRO 

20:00 — From Meritocracy to Savvy: Why Good Work Isn’t Enough

23:30 — Building Allies Strategically: Where to Invest First

27:00 — The CHRO Playbook for Surviving Cutthroat Cultures

30:00 — Summary: Trust, Alignment, and Micro-Deposits of Influence 

You can subscribe to this podcast on your platform of choice. Just go to https://talentsherpa.buzzsprout.com.

If you are a CHRO looking to start your AI transformation, please check out ⁠www.Getpropulsion.ai⁠. Scott and his team are creating a team of agentic teammates to enable your human capital leaders to focus on leading the business forward.

And don’t forget to visit ⁠www.mytalentsherpa.com⁠ where we have tools and coaching for CHROs to make an impact on day one, including the brand new CHRO Chronicles and the CHRO Ascent Academy. Also, if you want a Sherpa to guide your ascent, check out the work with me section.

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