How Wingstop Turns Hourly Workers into 70% of Its Leaders

In this haunted edition of the HR Leaders Podcast, behavioral scientist and Founder & Host at Influencers: Jon Levy joins us to reveal the chilling science behind why some teams rise from the dead and others crumble into dusty skeletons.We explore what truly drives high-performing teams in a world where hybrid work can feel like a ghost town 👻Jon explains why organizations must stop obsessing over lone “superstars” and instead invest in glue people, belonging, and intentional connection.We also unpack how psychological safety, shared rituals, and team norms bring culture to life, and how to protect your organization from “energy vampires” that drain morale 🎃🎓 In this episode, Jon discusses:How belonging and trust fuel performanceWhy teams outperform superstar individualsRituals leaders can use to bring culture to lifeThe impact of glue people vs energy-drainersWhy hybrid work fails without intentional connectionSee 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, Anoop Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO at SeekOut, joins to discuss how AI is redefining recruiting, roles, and the future of work.Anoop shares his journey from Stanford professor and Microsoft executive to leading one of the fastest-growing AI talent platforms in the world. He explains how AI agents are already transforming recruiting - automating 70% of repetitive tasks - while freeing humans to focus on relationships, creativity, and strategy.He also unpacks how CHROs must prepare for a future where AI and humans collaborate as equals, why recruiters will evolve into true talent advisors, and how to experiment safely with AI to stay ahead of the curve.🎓 In this episode, Anoop discusses:How to use AI to make hiring faster and more humanHow AI agents are changing the recruiter’s role foreverWhy CHROs must redefine work before AI does it for themWhat the future of AI-human collaboration will look like in HRWhy every company should start experimenting with agentic AI nowSee 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, Sam Schlimper, Managing Director at Randstad Enterprise, shares how to reimagine work and unlock human potential in the age of AI.Sam explains why transformation shouldn’t start with systems or processes, but with people - their motivations, values, and sense of purpose. She discusses how AI can be a powerful catalyst for creativity and growth when designed with intention, and why the real challenge isn’t technology, but rediscovering what makes work meaningful for humans.The conversation dives deep into how to redesign jobs, rethink emerging talent, and rebuild organizations around joy, curiosity, and connection - not just productivity.🎓 In this episode, Sam discusses:Why joy and curiosity drive real performanceWhat sustainable transformation really looks likeHow AI can amplify, not replace, human creativityHow to rethink emerging talent for the next generationWhy work should start with people, not processes or toolsSee 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 Mark Lobosco, VP of Talent Solutions at LinkedIn, about the launch of LinkedIn’s new Hiring Assistant and how AI is transforming recruiting. Mark reflects on his 17-year journey at LinkedIn, where he leads global client-facing teams and helps organizations hire faster and smarter. He breaks down how AI is reshaping recruiting workflows, freeing recruiters from administrative work, and helping them find hidden talent with unprecedented precision. Mark also explains how LinkedIn built the tool responsibly, with transparency and trust at the core, and shares what’s next for recruiters as skills evolve faster than ever.🎓 In this episode, Mark discusses:Launching LinkedIn’s new AI-powered Hiring AssistantWhy AI fluency is the #1 skill for recruiters in 2025 and beyondHow trust, transparency, and change management drive adoptionHow recruiters save 4 hours per role and get 69% better candidate responsesWhy 70% of job skills will change by 2030 - and what HR leaders must do nowSee 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 Bryan Power, Head of People at Nextdoor, about leading through transformation, building a “founder’s mentality” culture, and why HR must take the lead on AI adoption. Bryan shares lessons from scaling Google, Square, and Yahoo before joining Nextdoor, where he helped navigate an IPO, COVID, and now AI disruption. He introduces Project NAI-BOR (Nextdoor Artificial Intelligence Building Operational Readiness), explains how to unleash safe experimentation, and why HR can’t afford to be a passenger in the AI shift. The conversation also covers mental health, hybrid work, and the next frontier of employee experience.🎓 In this episode, Bryan discusses:Mental health as today’s workplace injuryHow to manage the uncomfortable truths of hybrid workHow Project NAI-BOR helps HR lead AI adoption at scaleWhy a founder’s mentality creates urgency and frontline focusBalancing experimentation with structure in AI policy and rollout🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Greenhouse.Get measurably better at hiring with smarter, more efficient solutions – powered by built-in AI: https://www.greenhouse.com/ See 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 Heidi Barnett, President of Talent Acquisition at isolved, about how AI is reshaping recruiting and why candidate experience now matters more than ever. Heidi shares her journey from marketing into HR tech leadership and explains why the best recruiters today act more like growth leaders. She discusses the shift from sourcing to screening, why resumes are becoming obsolete, and how AI exposes broken hiring processes. The conversation explores how TA teams can reduce burnout, partner better with CHROs, and reimagine hiring from the ground up in the age of AI.🎓 In this episode, Heidi discusses:The shift from sourcing to screening in hiringWhy resumes and degrees are becoming less relevantHow AI frees recruiters to focus on human connectionHow CHROs can reduce TA burnout and drive hiring successWhy recruiters must now design marketing-style candidate experiences🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Greenhouse.Get measurably better at hiring with smarter, more efficient solutions – powered by built-in AI: https://www.greenhouse.com/ See 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 Donnie Upshaw, Chief People Officer & Senior Vice President at Wingstop Restaurants Inc., about scaling one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands while protecting culture and developing frontline talent. Donnie shares how 70% of Wingstop’s general managers started as hourly employees, why the GM role is the most important in the company, and how intentional development, micro-learning, and recognition fuel growth. He also explains how Wingstop uses storytelling, internal podcasts, and community giving to connect 47,000+ team members worldwide.🎓 In this episode, Donnie discusses:Why 70% of Wingstop GMs started as hourly employeesWhy the GM is the single most important role in the businessHow to scale culture across 2,800 restaurants in 15 countriesBuilding connection through storytelling, recognition, and community givingUsing micro-learning, gamification, and mobile tools for frontline development🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Greenhouse.Get measurably better at hiring with smarter, more efficient solutions – powered by built-in AI: https://www.greenhouse.com/ See 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 Elle Lebourg, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Hilti Group, about transforming TA to hire 55,000 people in six years while protecting culture and experience. Elle explains why classic change models fall short, how authentic communication sustains engagement, and why TA must adopt a product mindset. She shares how Hilti maps candidate journeys, balances global standards with local nuance, and keeps people, not tools, at the center of transformation.🎓 In this episode, Elle discusses:Using raw, authentic communication to build trust in transformationBalancing global standards with local cultural nuance in every marketRunning TA like a product team with journey mapping and key momentsWhy focusing on how people feel sustains change better than old modelsHiring 55,000 people in six years and what it takes to scale TA responsibly🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Greenhouse.Get measurably better at hiring with smarter, more efficient solutions – powered by built-in AI: https://www.greenhouse.com/ See 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 KeyAnna Schmiedl, Chief Human Experience (People) Officer at Workhuman, about reimagining recognition in the age of AI.KeyAnna shares how Workhuman is using AI to enhance - not replace - human connection, from just-in-time recognition to personalized career support. She explains why recognition must go beyond rewards, how to build cultures where people feel truly seen, and why strategic investment in recognition is a business imperative, not a nice-to-have.🎓 In this episode, KeyAnna discusses:The ROI of recognition and its cultural impactWhy recognition is more than just rewards and bonusesCreating just-in-time, personalized employee experiencesHow AI enhances human connection instead of replacing itWhy trust, authenticity, and care should anchor HR strategy🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Greenhouse.Get measurably better at hiring with smarter, more efficient solutions – powered by built-in AI: https://www.greenhouse.com/ See 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 Jon Caldwell, SVP & Chief People Officer at Valvoline Inc., about leading people strategy during rapid growth and transformation. Jon shares how Valvoline, a 160-year-old brand, has doubled its retail footprint and plans to nearly double again by 2030, all while maintaining a strong “family” culture. He explains the company’s grow-from-within model where 95% of managers start as technicians, the importance of scalable HR processes, and how traditions like the “Oil Olympics” reinforce teamwork and pride. The conversation highlights how culture, leadership, and data-driven HR fuel both business growth and employee success.🎓 In this episode, Jon discusses:Maintaining culture and inclusion while doubling store countHow 95% of leaders grow from technician to management rolesValvoline’s transformation into a pure-play retail growth businessUsing training, data, and scalable HR to prepare for 20,000+ employeesWhy traditions like the “Oil Olympics” and Family Reunion fuel engagement🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Greenhouse.Get measurably better at hiring with smarter, more efficient solutions – powered by built-in AI: https://www.greenhouse.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.