What if HR stopped being the department of “no” and became the heartbeat of transformation in your business?

Nikki is joined by Raina Fryer of Titus Talent Strategies to flip the script on what HR should be. Broadcasting live from the PeopleForward Network studio at CultureCon® 2025, this episode dives into how people leaders can ditch outdated playbooks and embrace a bold, modern approach to leading humans.

Raina challenges us to rethink everything, from the language we use to how we train, hire, and retain our teams. She brings fresh insights on cross-functional leadership, performance-based hiring, and how to actually treat HR as a strategic partner, not just a rule enforcer.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to building people-first cultures.

 

Additional Resources:

Connect with Raina

Learn more about Titus Talent Strategies

Reach out to Titus

Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube!

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

 

Key Takeaways:

• HR must shift from compliance to strategic partnership.
• Rethinking titles like "HR" can reflect a more modern role.
• Let go of control; embrace creativity and ambiguity.
• Hiring should focus on long-term performance, not just quick fills.
• Retention starts with great onboarding, mentorship, and purpose.