Inside HR-X: Building High-Performing Workforces (Talent Optimization)

This week, host Jerry Won revisits impactful conversations from Season 2 of Tomorrowist through the lens of SHRM's HR-X framework. Drawing upon research from more than 1,200 organizations, SHRM's HR-X framework identifies the practices that distinguish high-performing HR teams and the business outcomes they deliver. This episode focuses on Organizational Impact — how companies can rewire themselves at the system level to navigate change, enhance innovation, and drive business outcomes.  Tune in for expert perspectives on organizational design, change leadership, and adaptability from leaders exploring what it takes to design organizations that are ready to evolve and shape the future of work.  Learn more about SHRM HR-X and assess where your organization stands: https://www.shrm.org/hr-x   Episodes mentioned in this week's episode -  Unlock Productivity and High-Performing Teams in a Distributed Future  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/unlock-productivity-high-performing-teams-distributed-future    The Death of Structured Ambition: How Leaders Can Fix Employer Dissonance  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/death-of-structured-ambition-how-leaders-can-fix-employer     The Corporation of the Future: Agile, AI-Powered, and Human-Centered  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/corporation-of-future-agile-ai-powered-human-centered     Reinvention Before Disruption: Leadership Lessons on Change Management  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/reinvention-before-disruption-leadership-lessons-on-change     The Myth of Resistance: Why Adaptability Is Your Biggest Advantage  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/myth-of-resistance-why-adaptability-is-biggest-advantage    Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

This week, host Jerry Won revisits impactful conversations from season two of Tomorrowist through the lens of SHRM's HR-X framework.  Drawing on research from more than 1,200 organizations, SHRM's HR-X framework identifies the practices that distinguish high-performing HR teams and the business outcomes they deliver.  This episode focuses on Market Discernment — the strategies that help organizations understand business and labor market dynamics, attract and reward top talent, and align talent practices with workforce expectations. Tune in for expert insights on evolving benefits, workforce wellness, pay transparency, demographic shifts, and the changing U.S. labor market from leaders exploring what it takes to compete for talent in a rapidly changing workforce.  Learn more about SHRM HR-X and assess where your organization stands: https://www.shrm.org/hr-x    Episodes mentioned in this week's episode -    The New Benefits Balancing Act: Affordability, Flexibility, and Retention  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/new-benefits-balancing-act-affordability-flexibility     Preventive Health, Food as Medicine, and What’s Next for Workforce Wellness  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/preventive-health-food-as-medicine-whats-next-workforce     The Pay Transparency Tipping Point: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/pay-transparency-tipping-point-from-compliance-to   The Longevity Wake-Up: Prepare to Recruit, Retain, and Reskill an Aging Workforce   https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/longevity-wake-up-prepare-to-recruit-retain-reskill-aging    What’s Next for Immigration and the U.S. Labor Market?  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/whats-next-immigration-us-labor-market     Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

This week, host Jerry Won looks back on standout conversations from season two of Tomorrowist through the lens of SHRM's HR-X framework.  Drawing upon research from more than 1,200 organizations, SHRM's HR-X framework identifies the practices that distinguish high-performing HR teams and the business outcomes they deliver.  This episode focuses on Talent Optimization — how top organizations drive performance, engagement, and retention through innovative approaches to talent management. Tune in for perspectives from leading experts on skills development, leadership, employee experience, and the strategies organizations need to build high-performing teams and unlock the full potential of their people.  Learn more about SHRM HR-X and assess where your organization stands: https://www.shrm.org/hr-x Episodes mentioned in this week's episode -    AI Is Rewiring Your Brain and Your Team’s Resilience  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/ai-is-rewiring-brain-teams-resilience    Protecting Productivity: How to Lead Through Disruptive Times  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/protect-productivity-how-to-lead-through-disruptive-times    How Second Chance Hiring Unlocks Untapped Talent  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/how-second-chance-hiring-unlocks-untapped-talent    Future-Proof Your Workforce: Retirement, Knowledge Transfer & Leadership Continuity  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/future-proof-workforce-retirement-knowledge-transfer    Designing a Meaningful Future of Work Through Purpose and Belonging  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/tomorrowist/designing-meaningful-future-of-work-through-purpose  Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

This week, host Jerry Won revisits some of the most insightful conversations from season two of Tomorrowist through the lens of SHRM's HR-X framework.  Drawing on research from more than 1,200 organizations, SHRM's HR-X framework identifies the practices that distinguish high-performing HR teams and the business outcomes they deliver.  This episode focuses on Functional Acceleration — the systems, strategies, and operational capabilities that help organizations maximize people and technology to drive measurable business value. Tune in for expert insights on AI adoption, digital transformation, workforce capability, and data-driven decision-making from leaders who are redefining the future of work.   Learn more about SHRM HR-X and assess where your organization stands: https://www.shrm.org/hr-x   Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

Disruption has become a permanent fixture in the business landscape, making resilience one of the most important drivers of long-term performance. In this episode, Tracey Walker, CEO of SHRM Linkage, explores why resilience has become a competitive differentiator in an era defined by AI acceleration, economic uncertainty, and constant change. From building agile teams to empowering decisive leaders, Walker shares practical strategies for creating organizations that can adapt, innovate, and perform when the future is anything but certain. Tune in to learn:    Why resilience is an offensive strategy, not just a response to disruption.  How agile teams, skill velocity, and leadership development drive organizational adaptability.  How leaders can separate meaningful signals from hype when evaluating emerging technologies and trends.  What decisive leadership looks like when certainty is scarce and change is constant.  Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

The organizations that thrive in a future shaped by AI won't be those with the most advanced technology — they'll be the ones that best cultivate uniquely human capabilities. In this conversation, Cisco Global Innovation Officer Guy Diedrich explores why skills like critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and learning agility are becoming essential drivers of innovation, leadership, and business success. From rethinking talent development to preparing employees for constant technological change, Diedrich shares practical insights for leaders building a workforce ready for what's next. Tune in to learn:  Why human judgment and creativity will become more valuable as AI becomes more capable.  How to identify, develop, and hire for skills that technology can't easily replicate. What leaders can do to build a culture of continuous learning and adaptability. Resources from this Week's Episode -   The State of AI in HR 2026  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/state-of-ai-hr-2026/full-report Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Traditional definitions of workplace success centered on titles, productivity, and performance are becoming outdated. As burnout, constant connectivity, AI adoption, and shifting societal values reshape the workplace, employees are increasingly seeking work that aligns with their values and provides a deeper sense of meaning and belonging.  In this episode, Charles Lee, Founder & CEO of Ideation and author of Design Your Good Life, explores why leaders must move beyond task management and intentionally design more human-centered work environments. From emotional connection in hybrid workplaces to the role of culture and leadership in the future of work, this conversation unpacks what it takes to build organizations where people truly feel they matter. Tune in to learn:  Why purpose-driven work and belonging are becoming business imperatives.  How leaders can create more human-centered cultures without sacrificing performance.  Why organizations that fail to prioritize values-driven cultures risk losing talent, trust, and long-term resilience in an AI-powered world.  Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Rising healthcare inflation, shifting workforce expectations, and increasing benefits complexity are challenging leaders to rethink how they design programs that support both employees and organizational performance. In this episode, Mercer’s Tracy Watts, Senior Partner and U.S. Leader for Healthcare Policy, explores the major forces reshaping employee benefits. She breaks down how leaders can build flexible, future-ready benefits strategies that improve access, strengthen workforce resilience, and adapt to a rapidly changing healthcare and policy landscape. Tune in to learn:  Why benefits strategy has become a critical business decision for leaders.  The forces driving rising benefits complexity — from affordability pressures and workforce demographics to AI-driven navigation tools and evolving employee expectations.  Ways to balance affordability, flexibility, and workforce resilience.   Resources from this Week's Episode -     Advocacy: SHRM’s Top Five Workplace Policy Issues for 2026  https://www.shrm.org/advocacy/2026-top-five-workplace-issues     Research: 2025 Employee Benefits Survey  https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/employee-benefits-survey    Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

In this special episode of Tomorrowist, Cal Engstrom, Senior Researcher at SHRM, and Kenny Pyle, HR Technology Lead Analyst at SHRM, explore the HR technology trends reshaping the future of work — and what they mean for organizations navigating rapid transformation. From the evolving role of AI and automation to the growing need for connected HR and IT strategies, this conversation unpacks how leaders can modernize responsibly while building more agile, future-ready workplaces.  Drawing from SHRM’s webinar “HR Tech Trends: Navigating Today and Shaping Tomorrow,” this episode equips business and HR leaders with actionable insights to stay ahead of accelerating change, strengthen workforce strategy, and drive business value in an increasingly tech-driven world of work.  Access the full webinar: https://www.shrm.org/events-education/education/webinars/hr-tech-trends-navigating-today-shaping-tomorrow#  Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

As change becomes more constant and less predictable, leading organizations are learning to design for change, rather than simply manage or contain it. This week, host Jerry Won speaks with futurist and bestselling author Heather McGowan about why adaptability is becoming a core strategic capability. McGowan challenges the belief that people resist change, arguing instead that the real barrier lies in how organizations lead, structure work, and define success. Tune in to learn:  Why adaptability is the ultimate competitive advantage.  The difference between flexibility and true adaptability.  How curiosity, empathy, and trust drive performance.  Why human connection is critical in the future of work.  Subscribe to Tomorrowist to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r