Host Leah Cottham sits down with David Norman, global HR leader and employee coach at Bravely, to explore how organizations can maintain the human element in HR as they scale across borders. David brings insights from his extensive experience in global people operations and his current work coaching employees through workplace challenges.

The conversation tackles the tension between data-driven HR practices and authentic human connection in today's rapidly evolving workplace. David discusses why traditional engagement surveys often fall short, how cultural nuances impact everything from compensation discussions to diversity initiatives, and why the rise of AI makes human skills more valuable than ever. From management by walking around to building psychological safety across distributed teams, this episode offers practical strategies for leaders who want to create genuinely human-centered organizations without sacrificing business results.

Key topics covered:

[00:00] Intro

[04:16] How scaling puts human elements at risk

[08:01] Management by walking around concept

[11:35] DEI policies losing sight of people

[18:27] Why traditional HR struggles with empathy

[22:14] Problems with engagement surveys

[26:41] Building empathy into global programs

[28:33] Compensation through Maslow's hierarchy of needs

[33:16] Core common practices across regions

[35:40] Manager relationships drive engagement

[40:43] Biggest challenges for global leaders

[47:46] Cultivating belonging across cultures

[51:46] Creating authentic moments at work

[53:56] Vision for human-centric strategy 2026

A must-listen for HR professionals, people leaders, and anyone building global teams who want to keep empathy and authenticity at the heart of their people strategy.