Why Hard Work Still Beats Talent at Work

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Michael Burgess, Chief People Officer at Amey, to unpack what it really takes to build credibility, influence, and impact in HR when you don’t start with privilege, pedigree, or permission.Michael shares his journey from leaving school at 16 and working as a farm labourer, to becoming a CPO responsible for people, culture, safety, and operations at scale. Along the way, he explains why hard work consistently beats talent, and why enjoying the work itself is the most underrated driver of long-term performance.Most importantly, he breaks down a deeply practical view of modern HR, why getting the basics right earns you the seat at the table, why listening without action destroys trust, and how widening the talent pool through second-chance hiring, apprenticeships, and prison-to-work pathways is not charity, but smart, future-ready leadership.🎓 In this episode, Michael discusses:Why listening without action trains employees to disengageHow getting the HR basics right earns trust and credibility at the top tableWhy hard work and enjoyment of work outlast talent, ambition, and opportunityWhy HR fails when it overloads the business with initiatives instead of running a clear planHow Amey builds real career pathways through apprenticeships and prison-to-work programs🙏‍ Thank you to our series partner - atlas copilotMeet the AI-native adaptive learning platform that builds the course, teaches the skill, and proves the impact, while work is happening, not weeks later → https://www.atlascopilot.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 sit down with Jason Bloomfield, Global Head of Talent Acquisition Transformation at Ericsson, to unpack how a 149-year-old company is rebuilding HR by putting people before technology.Jason explains how a failed global HR tool rollout, what he openly calls the “tool of doom,” became the catalyst for a complete reset. Instead of adding more systems, Ericsson built a global feedback loop that turns employee sentiment into action, investment, and prioritised roadmaps.Most importantly, Jason shares why five-year plans no longer work, why the shelf life of strategy is now six months, and how HR, TA, and change leaders must build change agility, skills intelligence, and authentic empathy to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.🎓 In this episode, Jason discusses:Why authentic empathy will separate leaders in the AI eraHow a global feedback loop now drives roadmaps and prioritisationWhy Ericsson moved from technology-first to people-first HR designHow skills, AI, and internal mobility connect TA, learning, and retentionWhy five-year strategies are obsolete and speed matters more than certainty🙏‍ Thank you to our series partner - atlas copilotMeet the AI-native adaptive learning platform that builds the course, teaches the skill, and proves the impact, while work is happening, not weeks later → https://www.atlascopilot.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 sit down with Kristin Trecker, Chief People Officer at Visteon Corporation, to unpack what it really takes to build talent at the speed of disruption in a 100-year industry going through a 100-year change.Kristin explains why HR has to stop acting like an order taker and start operating like a product line manager, with a clear roadmap, clear customers, and a clear point of view. She shares how Visteon runs a six month product roadmap and pairs it with a capability and capacity plan, so talent decisions keep pace with the business.Most importantly, she breaks down the cultural shift behind it all, from calibrating performance around impact, to out-rewarding star performers, to rewriting HR’s role entirely, replacing “business partner” with performance coach, and building a team that can debate, challenge, and drive change without politics.🎓 In this episode, Kristin discusses:Why HR’s job is to improve the business through talent, not “support” itHow Visteon runs a six month product roadmap with a parallel talent capability planThe culture shift from performance to impact, and why calibration takes years to get rightHow to redesign roles using a 2 by 2 by 1 matrix (two outcomes, two metrics, one change)Why “business partner” is out, and HR must become performance coaches who drive real outcomes🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - atlas copilotMeet the AI-native adaptive learning platform that builds the course, teaches the skill, and proves the impact, while work is happening, not weeks later → https://www.atlascopilot.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 sit down with Ayaskant Sarangi, CHRO at Mphasis, to explore how HR is shifting from a support function to a business-first, tech-enabled growth engine. Ayaskant shares why HR leaders must deeply understand P&L, business language, and customer problems to earn a real seat at the table.He breaks down how Mphasis is using AI-powered hyper personalization across learning, internal mobility, onboarding, and performance. From their in-house TalentNext platform to a unified talent marketplace and AI-driven appraisals, Ayaskant explains how tech connects skills, projects, careers, and business demand into one continuous loop.If you care about the future of HR, this episode is essential. It shows how listening, personalization, and change orchestration are reshaping employee experience, why onboarding is now about assimilation, and how HR must become the conscious keeper of culture in an always-on change environment.🎓 In this episode, Ayaskant discusses:How internal talent marketplaces drive real mobilityWhy change orchestration is now a core HR capabilityWhy onboarding has shifted from joining to assimilationHow HR must build deep business and P&L understandingUsing AI to power hyper personalized learning and careers🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - atlas copilotMeet the AI-native adaptive learning platform that builds the course, teaches the skill, and proves the impact, while work is happening, not weeks later → https://www.atlascopilot.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 sit down with Sharon Doherty, Chief People and Places Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, to explore how Lloyds is preparing its leaders for a world where AI and culture change are happening at the same time. Sharon shares how Lloyds focuses on substance over noise and why leadership behaviour matters more today than ever.She breaks down how the company is helping senior leaders go all in on AI, using global learning trips, reverse mentoring, and safe spaces where executives can learn without fear. Sharon explains how AI, used well, can strengthen culture, improve feedback, and give people better insights instead of overwhelming them.If you care about leading people through constant change, this conversation is for you. It shows why purpose, honest leadership, and real learning are the foundations that keep a culture strong when everything else is moving.🎓 In this episode, Sharon discusses:How Lloyds develops leaders who are “all in” on AIThe three cultural “evergreens” every company must protectHow AI can supercharge culture, feedback, and personalisationHow purpose and honest leadership build trust during uncertaintyWhy reverse mentoring and “AI ninjas” change executive behaviour🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - WorkhumanDiscover how to Build Human-Centred Workplaces which Thrive! → https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/the-human-centred-workplace-building-organisational-cultures-that-thrive-emea/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 sit down with Emilee F. DeMartino, SVP and Chief People Officer for McDonald's International Operated Markets, to explore how one of the world’s biggest employers keeps a people first culture alive across more than 120 markets. Emilee shares how values like serve, inclusion, integrity, community, and family guide everyday decisions in a world of constant change.She breaks down how AI is fixing real problems for restaurant teams. Hiring that once took 3 days now takes 3 minutes, applications have nearly doubled, and managers get 5 to 6 hours back each week to focus on their crew and customers instead of chasing admin.If you care about building a workplace people actually want to be part of, this episode is worth your time. It shows what happens when culture is not a slogan but a system, and why teams that listen, learn, and adapt will always outrun the ones stuck in old habits.🎓 In this episode, Emilee discusses:How AI cut hiring from 3 days to 3 minutesWhy candidate experience nearly doubled applicationsHow McDonald’s keeps its values alive across global marketsWhy listening and data shape the future of work at McDonald’sHow cultural norms help teams move faster and collaborate better🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - WorkhumanDiscover how to Build Human-Centred Workplaces which Thrive! → https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/the-human-centred-workplace-building-organisational-cultures-that-thrive-emea/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 sit down with Kent Frederiksen, Vice President and Head of Rewards at the LEGO Group, to unpack how one of the world’s most beloved brands is preparing for the EU’s 2026 pay transparency rules. Kent breaks down why this shift is far bigger than compliance and why it will fundamentally reshape how companies handle data, structure roles, build trust and communicate with employees.He shares LEGO’s six-year journey with global equal pay analyses and explains why the hardest part isn’t legislation but the organisational mindset shift. Kent reveals the hidden challenges most companies underestimate, including the operational burden, the cultural implications and what it really means to “prove” pay equity in a legally defensible way.Finally, he explores how pay transparency is forcing companies to move from secrecy to partnership, why trust is the real currency in this transition and what HR leaders should be doing right now to get ahead before regulations hit.🎓 In this episode, Kent discusses: How LEGO built six years of global equal pay scans Why structure and job architecture suddenly matter again The shift from company-owned pay data to employee-owned rights Why EU pay transparency will transform HR far beyond compliance Why trust and communication determine whether transparency works🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - WorkhumanDiscover how to Build Human-Centred Workplaces which Thrive! → https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/the-human-centred-workplace-building-organisational-cultures-that-thrive-emea/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 sit down with Raj Verma, Chief Culture, Inclusion and Employee Experience Officer at Sanofi, to explore how culture, trust and co-creation became the foundation of one of the most ambitious AI transformations in the industry. Raj breaks down why culture is a verb, not a vibe, and how Sanofi intentionally shaped behaviors and values to support AI at scale. He explains how Sanofi began its AI journey before the ChatGPT wave, driven by a visionary CEO and a bold ambition to become the first pharma company to use AI at scale. Raj details how recognition, inclusion, and data-driven insights became critical levers for building trust, strengthening decision-making, and ensuring AI adoption across 100,000+ employees worldwide. The conversation also dives into psychological safety, bias detection, global recognition platforms, and why culture, inclusion and employee experience must be tightly integrated if companies want AI to stick and deliver real transformation.🎓 In this episode, Raj discusses:Embedding psychological safety so employees felt safe adopting AILeveraging global data to detect bias and guide leadership decisionsCo-creating culture, EX and inclusion practices to make transformation stickUsing recognition and belonging to strengthen performance and engagementStarting Sanofi’s AI journey early and why culture had to be intentionally rebuilt🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - WorkhumanDiscover how to Build Human-Centred Workplaces which Thrive! → https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/the-human-centred-workplace-building-organisational-cultures-that-thrive-emea/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 sit down with Frederic Patitucci, Chief People & Culture Officer at Philip Morris International, reveals the inside story of PMI’s decade-long transformation, from a traditional tobacco company to a science-driven, smoke-free business.Frédéric explains how PMI rebuilt its business model, operating model, and culture while navigating one of the most ambitious shifts in corporate history. He shares how the company co-created its cultural framework, PMI DNA, with more than 350 employees across backgrounds, levels, and regions, ensuring it wasn’t a top-down exercise but a true grassroots movement.From redefining values like We Care, Better Together, and Game Changers, to enforcing “license to operate” behavioral expectations, Frédéric shows how culture became PMI’s ultimate accelerator for radical change, responsible AI adoption, and leadership accountability.🎓 In this episode, Frédéric discusses:Why defining undesirable behaviors was essentialThe creation of PMI DNA, co-built with 350+ employeesThe “license to operate” and how culture drives accountabilityHow PMI uses culture as a first line of defense for responsible AI scalingHow PMI redesigned its culture during a massive business transformation🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - WorkhumanDiscover how to Build Human-Centred Workplaces which Thrive! → https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/the-human-centred-workplace-building-organisational-cultures-that-thrive-emea/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 sit down with Michiel van Duin, Chief People Technology, Data and Insights Officer at Novartis to discuss how the company is building a human-centered AI ecosystem that connects people, data, and technology.Michiel explains how Novartis brings together HR, IT, and corporate strategy to align AI innovation with the company’s long-term workforce and business goals. He shares how the team built an AI governance framework and a dedicated AI and innovation function inside HR, ensuring responsible use of AI while maintaining trust and transparency.From defining when AI should step in and when a “human-in-the-loop” is essential, to upskilling employees and creating the first “Ask Novartis” AI assistant, Michiel shows how Novartis is making AI practical, ethical, and human.🎓 In this episode, Michiel discusses:Deciding where AI ends and the human beginsDeveloping “Ask Novartis,” the company’s HR AI assistantUpskilling HR with AI-first capabilities and new hybrid rolesBuilding AI governance and responsible-use frameworks at NovartisPartnering across HR, IT, and strategy to align AI with business goals🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - WorkhumanDiscover how to Build Human-Centred Workplaces which Thrive! → https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/the-human-centred-workplace-building-organisational-cultures-that-thrive-emea/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.