Nico explores the evolution of HR and the future of work, sharing his vision for moving from a transactional, industrial mindset to a system-shaping function. He discusses his concept of The Great Leap, a framework for the Fusion Age where humans and machines work together, and reflects on the shift from advising on outcomes to owning them, ensuring HR drives real organisational impact.

Nico emphasises the importance of naming architectural failures, focusing on next practices rather than best practices, and designing systems that recognise human potential. Nico challenges traditional approaches to productivity and capability, highlighting that legacy systems were built for a linear age and now require fundamental rethinking to make work meaningful, equitable and future-ready.

The conversation also explores the ethical and social dimensions of HR, with integrity and responsibility at the centre. Nico introduces the human delta - the gap between current capabilities and future potential - and encourages HR leaders to take ownership. By designing systems that invest in people and make equity inevitable, HR can step onto the field and truly change the world.

References:

Rewiring the Human Delta by Nico Decock

Independent IT Research & AI Insights | Bloor Research UK

How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode.

If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment.

Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

We're easing into February with Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker as our Book of the Month – a fascinating guide to understanding the power of rest and the profound impact sleep has on our health, mood, and performance.

Walker draws on decades of research to show why sleep is essential for our body, mind, and wellbeing – a gentle reminder to prioritise rest after a dark and tiring January. It's a perfect read for nurturing yourself and reclaiming energy for both your personal and professional life.

Let this month's book inspire you to make self-care a priority, because even small changes to our sleep habits can transform the way we feel, think, and show up each day.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

Michelle reflects on her career from 20 years in the Royal Navy to the legal sector, highlighting how her military background instilled leadership qualities founded on trust and how modelling compassionate leadership improves team engagement that also creates meaningful change.

Discussing how military lessons translate to professional services, Michelle emphasises the importance of developing leadership skills at every stage of a career, sharing the concept of an 'accountability ladder' to encourage every colleague to demonstrate leadership in their role. Michelle also explores the intersection of AI and human experience, highlighting how curiosity, critical thinking, and neurodiverse perspectives can differentiate organisations in ways data alone cannot measure.

Michelle shares her passion for supporting the veteran and military spouse community, illustrating how inclusive talent strategies can unlock overlooked potential. She reflects on initiatives from her past roles, including improving female retention in the Royal Navy and resolving NHS pay differentials through collaborative, transparent approaches and shows how small, thoughtful interventions can have profound impact.

How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode.

If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment.

Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

We're easing into February with Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker as our Book of the Month – a fascinating guide to understanding the power of rest and the profound impact sleep has on our health, mood, and performance.

Walker draws on decades of research to show why sleep is essential for our body, mind, and wellbeing – a gentle reminder to prioritise rest after a dark and tiring January. It's a perfect read for nurturing yourself and reclaiming energy for both your personal and professional life.

Let this month's book inspire you to make self-care a priority, because even small changes to our sleep habits can transform the way we feel, think, and show up each day.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

References:

The Armed Forces Covenant – The official UK‑wide pledge that organisations can sign to demonstrate support for members of the Armed Forces community, committing to treat them and their families fairly and without disadvantage. Sign the Armed Forces Covenant (UK Government)

Forces Employment Charity – A charity providing lifelong support, training, mentoring, and employment opportunities for service leavers, veterans, reservists, spouses and partners, helping connect military experience with civilian careers. Forces Employment Charity

The queen is the most powerful player on a chessboard – a queen can move anywhere - just like HR. Ewen shares why HR practitioners need to stop staying in their square and start thinking like a queen on a chessboard.

He explores how meaningful change comes through sustained commitment to human-centred approaches and shares the example of The Havas Platform, demonstrating how HR can create impact both within organisations and society.

Ewen champions transparency as foundational to trust and equity and discusses his approach to reward, including opportunities to personalise pay and benefits according to need. Framing reward as an opportunity to target support, he emphasises that social impact isn't only external and reminds us that employees may be experiencing the same issues that we see in society.

Encouraging you to "be a queen", Ewen's wish is for everyone in HR to appreciate how powerful your position is, and use that power to drive positive change.

How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode.

If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment.

Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

We're starting 2026 with Brene Brown's new book, Strong Ground, as our Book of the Month - a thoughtful guide to building resilience, connection, and clarity in a fast-moving world.

Brené draws on decades of research into courage and vulnerability to help us navigate uncertainty in both our professional lives and personal lives.

Strong Ground is perfect for the start of a new year - a reminder that small shifts in perspective can make a big difference, and it highlights the power of curiosity and intentional action.

Let it inspire you to step into the new year ready to create positive impact - because change starts with each of us, one choice at a time.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book!

Fabiola explores how real change often comes from small, human moments - conversations, deep listening and creating spaces where people can bring their whole selves. Drawing on her international career and psychotherapy studies, she shows how engaging with people relationally forms the foundation for sustainable organisational transformation.

Fabiola also highlights the power of human-centred design in organisations. By fostering improvisation and curiosity, and giving employees a voice, teams build resilience, creativity and stronger connections. Concepts such as 'the fertile void' create space for insight and innovation to emerge.

Looking ahead, Fabiola urges HR leaders to see human-centred ways of working as essential, not optional. Her wish for HR is for leaders to recognise that the health and wellbeing of their people is at the heart of everything they do.

How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode.

If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment.

Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

We're starting 2026 with Brene Brown's new book, Strong Ground, as our Book of the Month - a thoughtful guide to building resilience, connection, and clarity in a fast-moving world.

Brené draws on decades of research into courage and vulnerability to help us navigate uncertainty in both our professional lives and personal lives.

Strong Ground is perfect for the start of a new year - a reminder that small shifts in perspective can make a big difference, and it highlights the power of curiosity and intentional action.

Let it inspire you to step into the new year ready to create positive impact - because change starts with each of us, one choice at a time.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book!

Samantha cuts through the AI hype to discuss what businesses are really experiencing, including thoughts on why investment in AI is high, yet value remains elusive - highlighting challenges with legacy technology, data, governance and workforce readiness.

Emphasising the crucial role of HR in shaping the future of work, working alongside tech and data leaders and the importance of cross-functional collaboration, Samantha highlights a striking insight from Slalom's research: empathy and communication are being deprioritised, even as these human skills become more important for trust, adoption and sustainable change.

Introducing the concept of AQ and the SHIFT framework, Samantha shows how organisations can build human and cultural foundations adept at dealing with continuous change, including AI adoption.

Her practical call to action for HR leaders: connect with your CTOs and CDOs, learn from each other, and help lead a future of work that balances technology with human needs.

How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode. Slalom is a business and technology consulting firm that believes meaningful change starts with people, helping organisations turn change into outcomes that actually last.

If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment. Download your free summary here:

Get Slalom's latest AI research

Thanks again to Slalom for supporting the podcast, and thank you for being a brilliant HR Changemaker, we're excited to create more positive change together this year.

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

We're starting 2026 with Brene Brown's new book, Strong Ground, as our Book of the Month - a thoughtful guide to building resilience, connection, and clarity in a fast-moving world.

Brené draws on decades of research into courage and vulnerability to help us navigate uncertainty in both our professional lives and personal lives.

Strong Ground is perfect for the start of a new year - a reminder that small shifts in perspective can make a big difference, and it highlights the power of curiosity and intentional action.

Let it inspire you to step into the new year ready to create positive impact - because change starts with each of us, one choice at a time.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book!

Kicking off the new year Nigel reflects on the human impact of HR, sharing his working principles: focus on what is within your control, particularly the 'how' of decision-making, and approach people with empathy and care.

Looking to the future, Nigel explores the opportunities and challenges HR faces in a world shaped by AI. He highlights the importance of human skills - relationships, empathy, connection - and shares how HR can unite purpose, people and performance to positively impact work and society.

Nigel challenges HR leaders to move from people operations to 'purpose operations', contributing to a fairer society and fostering kindness, curiosity and compassion.

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this episode

Slalom is a business and technology consulting firm that believes meaningful change starts with people, helping organisations turn change into outcomes that actually last.

They partner closely with leaders across HR, technology, and the business to move beyond experimentation and ensure real adoption, building the skills, data foundations, and ways of working that make change stick.

What makes Slalom different is their approach: they lead with context rather than tools or hype. By taking the time to understand what truly matters in your organisation, they connect strategy to delivery in ways that people can trust, use, and scale effectively.

To ground this work, Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to explore how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, and what this means for leadership, skills, and cross-functional alignment. HR leaders navigating AI can draw on this research for practical insights to move from ambition to adoption today.

Find out more and download Slalom's AI Research Outlook 2026: https://www.slalom.com/gb/en/insights/ai-research-outlook-2026

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

We're starting 2026 with Brene Brown's new book, Strong Ground, as our Book of the Month - a thoughtful guide to building resilience, connection, and clarity in a fast-moving world.

Brené draws on decades of research into courage and vulnerability to help us navigate uncertainty in both our professional lives and personal lives.

Strong Ground is perfect for the start of a new year - a reminder that small shifts in perspective can make a big difference, and it highlights the power of curiosity and intentional action.

Let it inspire you to step into the new year ready to create positive impact - because change starts with each of us, one choice at a time.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book!

Celebrating an incredible milestone – this network of HR Changemakers has now donated over $1 million to vulnerable children - we bring you a special, live-recorded episode: Sir Bob Geldof, on stage with Cecilia Crossley at How HR Leaders Change the World – Live! for a fireside chat on purpose, people and harnessing your profession to drive change.

Discussing how HR can deliver people strategy for commercial businesses, and at the same time have positive impact, he reflects that "work has to be more than the exchange of effort for wages".

Sir Bob shares his story and doesn't shy away from the big issues – politics, tech, and the state of the world – but his message is clear: people have the power to drive positive change, and HR can play a pivotal role in making that happen.

From Live Aid to today, the scale of opportunity is enormous. Just as Sir Bob created a lobby that mobilised billions through music, HR has lobby of 3.5 billion – the number of employees there are in the world. Tune in for insight, humour, and a call to action for every HR leader ready to harness the power of their profession to drive meaningful, lasting change.

References:

Early Bird Ticket: How HR Leaders Change the World – Live! 11 November 2026

Thank you to Peak PEO for sponsoring this episode

Thank you to Peak PEO, your global employment and remote culture partner, for sponsoring this episode.

Peak makes international hiring simple, helping organisations overcome the barriers of entity setup, compliance and admin so global growth becomes an opportunity, not an obstacle. With real human experts - not chatbots - they handle contracts, payroll, tax filings and more, giving you the freedom to focus on growing your business.

Beyond compliance, Peak helps companies build remote cultures where global teams genuinely thrive. Their award-winning approach means they don't just advise from theory - they share what truly works in practice, supporting you to create strong connections, effective systems and brilliant employee experiences across borders.

If you're ready to hire globally with confidence and build a thriving remote culture, visit www.peakpeo.com

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

Each month we recommend a book that challenges, motivates and uplifts, every pick is selected to spark meaningful conversations and personal growth.

We're huge fans of social enterprises, which is why we're very happy that, Soup for Good is getting a second turn as our Book of the Month.

A heartwarming collection of delicious recipes and inspiring stories from the incredible team at Cook for Good, who combat food insecurity and social isolation. Soup for Good shares the community's favourite recipes and the stories of its much-loved characters - perfect for curling up with on a chilly winter's day.

This festive season, it's a feel-good gift for friends, family, clients, or colleagues - and every penny of Cook for Good's profit goes straight back into their community programmes. Take a look at our Soup for Good festive gift bundle and brand-new seasonal hampers, full of treats ideal for Christmas and end of year gifting.

Impact-led gifts that truly show you care. We wish we could show you just how beautiful they are! Tick off your shopping list with meaningful gifts by visiting UpliftingPeople.com today.

Mark McLane shares how curiosity, courage, and starting with small, human-centred actions have driven transformational change, from community initiatives in Michigan to the global This Is Me campaign, which began at Barclays.

Mark explains the principles that guide his work, emphasising listening, learning and evolving organisational practices to support a multigenerational workforce. Using examples from M&G, he shows how simple, thoughtful adaptations, for example embedding menopause guidance into broader policies, can shift culture and deliver meaningful, positive change.

He also reflects on how his personal passions inform his professional work, from creating opportunity through apprenticeships to advocating for LGBTQ+ equity, and demonstrates how inclusion can extend beyond the workplace to impact families, communities and society. His key message for HR and inclusion professionals: be proactive, and use your expertise to drive positive change across your organisation and beyond.

Thank you to Peak PEO for sponsoring this episode

Thank you to Peak PEO, your global employment and remote culture partner, for sponsoring this episode.

Peak makes international hiring simple, helping organisations overcome the barriers of entity setup, compliance and admin so global growth becomes an opportunity, not an obstacle. With real human experts - not chatbots - they handle contracts, payroll, tax filings and more, giving you the freedom to focus on growing your business.

Beyond compliance, Peak helps companies build remote cultures where global teams genuinely thrive. Their award-winning approach means they don't just advise from theory - they share what truly works in practice, supporting you to create strong connections, effective systems and brilliant employee experiences across borders.

If you're ready to hire globally with confidence and build a thriving remote culture, visit www.peakpeo.com

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

Each month we recommend a book that challenges, motivates and uplifts, every pick is selected to spark meaningful conversations and personal growth.

We're huge fans of social enterprises, which is why we're very happy that, Soup for Good is getting a second turn as our Book of the Month.

A heart-warming collection of delicious recipes and inspiring stories from the incredible team at Cook for Good, who combat food insecurity and social isolation. Soup for Good shares the community's favourite recipes and the stories of its much-loved characters - perfect for curling up with on a chilly winter's day.

This festive season, it's a feel-good gift for friends, family, clients, or colleagues - and every penny of Cook for Good's profit goes straight back into their community programmes. Take a look at our Soup for Good festive gift bundle and brand-new seasonal hampers, full of treats ideal for Christmas and end of year gifting.

Impact-led gifts that truly show you care. We wish we could show you just how beautiful they are! Tick off your shopping list with meaningful gifts by visiting UpliftingPeople.com today.

Elli shares how Vanquis combines purpose with people strategy, supporting customers historically underserved by mainstream banking, while building a culture that empowers colleagues to thrive.

Elli reflects on the organisation's focus on financial inclusion, wellbeing and future skills, highlighting opportunities ahead for AI and technology to free colleagues for meaningful work, rather than replace them.

Looking ahead, Elli shares her vision for the future of work: workplaces where people feel supported and empowered to grow. She reflects on the ongoing journey of inclusion and the role of leaders in responding to societal challenges, offering practical insights and inspiration for HR leaders to create positive change inside and outside their organisations.

References:

· Hey Girls – Social Enterprise tackling period poverty and providing sanitary products in workplaces

· Women in Finance Charter– promoting gender balance in financial services

Thank you to Peak PEO for sponsoring this episode

Thank you to Peak PEO, your global employment and remote culture partner, for sponsoring this episode.

Peak makes international hiring simple, helping organisations overcome the barriers of entity setup, compliance and admin so global growth becomes an opportunity, not an obstacle. With real human experts - not chatbots - they handle contracts, payroll, tax filings and more, giving you the freedom to focus on growing your business.

Beyond compliance, Peak helps companies build remote cultures where global teams genuinely thrive. Their award-winning approach means they don't just advise from theory - they share what truly works in practice, supporting you to create strong connections, effective systems and brilliant employee experiences across borders.

If you're ready to hire globally with confidence and build a thriving remote culture, visit www.peakpeo.com

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

Each month we recommend a book that challenges, motivates and uplifts, every pick is selected to spark meaningful conversations and personal growth.

Our November Book of the Month is Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman.

Bregman gently challenges the belief that people are inherently selfish and divisive, showing instead that at our core we are kind, generous, and ready to help one another.

For anyone looking for an antidote to today's unsettling headlines, this is a brilliant, feel-good read - full of optimism, hope, and truly soothing for the soul.

Head to upliftingpeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book!

Alex discusses the progressive people practices that have shaped his leadership and powered Peak PEO's growth. He shares his unconventional journey from stand-up comedy to international employment, revealing how creativity and adaptability helped him build a business that enables companies to hire talent anywhere in the world and support distributed teams.

Alex describes how and why he introduced bold ideas including a four-day work week, emphasising that change begins with passion, conviction and thoughtful experimentation. He encourages HR leaders to take small steps that build momentum and help shift organisations towards more progressive models.

With AI offering opportunities to give people more time for community, connection and wellbeing, Alex champions designing policies that enable people to thrive - trusting employees, fostering purpose and creating workplaces that benefit both people and society.

Thank you to Peak PEO for sponsoring this episode

Thank you to Peak PEO, your global employment and remote culture partner, for sponsoring this episode.

Peak makes international hiring simple, helping organisations overcome the barriers of entity setup, compliance and admin so global growth becomes an opportunity, not an obstacle. With real human experts - not chatbots - they handle contracts, payroll, tax filings and more, giving you the freedom to focus on growing your business.

Beyond compliance, Peak helps companies build remote cultures where global teams genuinely thrive. Their award-winning approach means they don't just advise from theory - they share what truly works in practice, supporting you to create strong connections, effective systems and brilliant employee experiences across borders.

If you're ready to hire globally with confidence and build a thriving remote culture, visit www.peakpeo.com

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?

Each month we recommend a book that challenges, motivates and uplifts, every pick is selected to spark meaningful conversations and personal growth.

Our November Book of the Month is Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman.

Bregman gently challenges the belief that people are inherently selfish and divisive, showing instead that at our core we are kind, generous, and ready to help one another.

For anyone looking for an antidote to today's unsettling headlines, this is a brilliant, feel-good read - full of optimism, hope, and truly soothing for the soul.

Head to upliftingpeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book!