How to Build High-Performing Teams in 2026

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we speak with Michael D'Ambrose, Board Director at SHRM and former EVP & CHRO at Boeing, about why traditional performance management is failing today’s workforce. Michael exposes the flaws of annual reviews, rigid rating systems, and outdated HR processes that demotivate employees and prevent real growth. He shares how empowering managers with real-time feedback, flexibility, and practical leadership can transform company culture, drive business results, and create workplaces where people truly thrive.🎓 In this episode, Michael discusses:Why annual performance reviews demotivate employeesHow real-time feedback drives better results and engagementWhy HR must simplify performance management to stay relevantHow empowering managers to make smart exceptions builds trustThe danger of rigid rating systems like 5-point scales and 9-box grids🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today andsee how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we speak with Dina Yorke, VP Learning Excellence at Schneider Electric, about how AI is transforming workforce learning through personalization at scale. Dina shares how Schneider Electric is building a skills-based organization where employees drive their own development, supported by AI-powered learning pathways that adapt to individual needs. She explains how breaking down silos, enabling collaboration, and leveraging AI allows Schneider to upskill faster, keep content relevant, and prepare for future workforce challenges.🎓 In this episode, Dina discusses:Why skills-based learning beats rigid job titles in today’s marketBreaking silos to unlock organizational knowledge and expertiseHow AI helps keep learning content fresh, relevant, and adaptiveHow Schneider uses AI to personalize learning for every employeeHow calculated career risks unlock new personal and professional growth🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today andsee how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we speak with Alexander Nicolaus, Chief People Officer at Paysend and author of Startup Culture, about how to intentionally design company culture as you scale. Alex shares how his global career shaped his approach to building high-performing teams, why behavior-based hiring beats resumes, and how Paysend is scaling to a billion-dollar business with a lean team. He unpacks how founders can embed values from day one, use clear behaviors to drive performance, and avoid retrofitting culture after growth creates dysfunction.🎓 In this episode, Alex discusses:Leadership habits that prevent burnout and sustain long-term resilienceWhy founders must build culture early rather than fixing dysfunction laterHow startups can intentionally architect culture using behavior-based principlesThe global people journey and lessons from leading teams across Europe and AsiaBuilding talent systems with bar-raiser hiring, performance management, and equity incentives🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today andsee how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we speak with Jelena Djordjevic, Chief People Officer at Thumbtack, about building true business partnerships as a People leader in today’s unpredictable world.Jelena shares how HR leaders can balance empathy with business rigor, navigate rapid change, and create real accountability at the leadership table. She also reveals how Thumbtack is approaching AI adoption with both excitement and caution, building a culture that’s ready for the future.🎓 In this episode, Jelena discusses:Why hard conversations are the true job of HR leadersHow HR can build deep trust with CEOs and executivesBalancing empathy and business rigor in people strategyHow Thumbtack is approaching AI experimentation and adoptionThe importance of growth mindset and humility in adapting to rapid change🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today andsee how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we speak with Brandon Roberts, Group VP, People Analytics and AI at ServiceNow, about how AI is transforming talent management as we know it.Brandon shares ServiceNow’s Four Point Plan for building AI-first organizations, highlighting how real-time skills data, agile workforce allocation, and reskilling are changing how companies attract, develop, and deploy talent. He explains how HR must build strong partnerships with IT, invest in AI fluency, and completely rethink talent management for the age of AI.🎓 In this episode, Brandon discusses:The future of talent managementTalent management in the age of AIWhy HR must reskill itself for the AI eraServiceNow’s Four Point Plan for becoming an AI-first organizationHow implementing AI requires the right mix of people and processes🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today andsee how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we speak with Hannah Awonuga, Founder & CEO of Illume Executive Consulting, about how to unlock executive potential through inclusive leadership and authentic executive coaching.Hannah shares the biggest challenges HR leaders face when developing senior leaders, and why inclusion must be more than a program, it must be a mindset shift. This episode will reshape how you think about power, privilege, and the future of leadership development.🎓 In this episode, Hannah discusses:Why authenticity is critical to leadership influenceHow to create psychologically safe coaching spacesWhat HR gets wrong when working with senior leadershipReframing privilege and power as part of inclusive developmentHow executive coaching changes when inclusion becomes a non-negotiable🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today andsee how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we’re joined by Quilco Hasemann, Chief People & Culture Officer at OUTFITTERY, to explore how HR can build better leaders by focusing on strengths, not weaknesses. Quilco shares what most companies still get wrong about people development, why culture is the true performance lever, and how experimenting with AI is reshaping HR operations. The conversation also dives into how leadership teams can work better together, and why now is the time to rethink development from the inside out.🎓 In this episode, Quilco discusses:Why HR must experiment boldly with AI and automationWhat most companies get wrong about people developmentHow to shape a company culture that actually drives performanceHow leadership teams can align better in fast-moving environmentsWhy leadership development must focus on strengths, not weaknesses🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today andsee how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we’re joined by Keith Ferrazzi, Author of Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship and Founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight, to unpack the 10 powerful shifts every leader must make to thrive in the age of teamship.Keith shares the core idea behind his book, why traditional leadership is broken, and makes a bold case for moving from command-and-control to a more co-elevating, collaborative way of working.🎓 In this episode, Keith discusses:The 10 core shifts from Never Lead AloneCo-elevation as a new model for transformationWhy HR must lead the shift from leadership to teamshipWhy teamship outperforms solo leadership in today’s worldHow to foster psychological safety that leads to high performance🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today andsee how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we’re joined by Adam Lancaster AIECL, Founder & Chief Learning Officer at Alkemy, to unpack what it really takes to build effective leaders in high-growth, high-change environments.Adam shares powerful lessons from his time at Meta and Coupang, reveals the hidden struggles of first-time managers, and explains why L&D must shift from programs to conversations if it wants to drive business impact.🎓 In this episode, Adam discusses:Global leadership lessons from Facebook and CoupangHow to build learning ecosystems using product thinkingWhat L&D teams must unlearn to truly impact performanceWhy conversations, not programs, build leadership at scaleSupporting first-time leaders in high-growth, high-change environments🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today andsee how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we speak with Liam Reese, Head of People at ClickOut Media, about how HR leaders can navigate the complexities of remote, hybrid, and in-office work. Liam shares practical insights on balancing performance with flexibility, building strong cultures in remote-first companies, and aligning executive vision with employee expectations. He also busts common myths about hybrid work and explains why your work model might be your most powerful talent attraction tool.🎓 In this episode, Liam discusses:Busting myths about remote, hybrid, and office setupsUsing your work model as a strategic brand and talent toolAligning executive and employee expectations in model decisionsHow to build culture and performance in a remote-first environmentWhy there’s no “best” work model—and what HR’s role should really be🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Deel.Ready to streamline how you manage your global workforce? Book a demo today and see how Deel can help improve your HR processes: https://www.deel.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=hrleaders&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_hrleaders_podcast_hr-hrleaders-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_hr-midroll-h125script_enSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.