Struggling to feel confident when Finance conversations come up at work? Been told you need to be "more commercial" but not sure what that actually means? In this practical episode, Commercial HR Coach Jo Bailey demystifies what it means to be commercial in HR and shares actionable advice to help you speak the language of business with confidence.

You’ll Learn

1. What "being commercial" actually means (and what it doesn't)
2. Key financial terms explained: P&L, EBITDA, balance sheet, and cash flow
3. How to approach setting an HR budget with confidence
4. Questions to ask when building a strong business case
5. How to position budget requests so you're more likely to get what you need
6. Real examples of how to demonstrate commercial thinking in your HR role
7. The cost of attrition and how to build the business case for retention initiatives

1. Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
2. Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner
3. Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme
4. Connect with Jo Bailey on LinkedIn
5. Visit Jo Bailey’s Website: Financial Empowerment

Excellence in People Analytics: How to Use Workforce Data to Create Business Value, by Jonathan Ferrar & David Green

1. Ep 147: How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights (with Kanika Mehra) - has a great explanation of storytelling with data
2. Ep 115: Why Negotiation Skills Can Help Your Career & How to Develop Them (with Simon Duncan)
3. Ep 158: 3 Simple Ways to Build Business Acumen in Your HR Role

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

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What does it really mean for an HR team to be “strategic” – and how can you make that shift without adding more to your workload?

In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explores a practical and accessible way to strengthen your team’s strategic focus: using OKRs – Objectives and Key Results.

If you’ve ever felt pulled between operational demands and the bigger picture, this episode will help you think differently about how HR goals connect to organisational priorities – and how to make that link clearer for your whole team.

Drawing on real examples (including a memorable orange analogy 🍊), Fay breaks down how OKRs can:

1. Create clarity and accountability
2. Connect HR activity to business impact
3. Help team members see how their work contributes to the wider strategy

You’ll come away with three practical ways to use OKRs to strengthen your strategic focus as a team – without overcomplicating things.

[00:00] Why HR struggles to be strategic

[01:10] What being strategic really means

[02:45] Shaping the future in HR

[03:50] Solving the biggest organisational problem

[04:55] What OKRs are and where they started

[06:10] Understanding objectives using a simple example

[07:40] How HR objectives link to strategy

[08:55] What good key results look like

[10:10] Moving from activity to impact

[11:25] How OKRs support prioritisation

[12:35] Books and next steps for HR leaders

1. "Measure What Matters. OKRS - The Simple Idea That Drives 10x Growth" by John Doerr
2. "Radical Focus: Achieving Your Most Important Goals With Objectives and Key Results" by Christina Wodtke
3. “Good Strategy/Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters” by Richard Rumelt
4. “The Strategy Book: How to Think and Act Strategically to Deliver Outstanding Results” by Max Mckeown

If this episode has made you reflect on your own strategic impact, you might enjoy learning more about Fay’s:

1. Inspiring HR Leadership Programme– designed to help existing and aspiring HR leaders build confidence, credibility and influence
2. HR Leadership Impact Assessment– a free self-assessment to help you reflect on your strengths and development areas
3. The Essential HR Planner– created to help HR professionals stay focused on what really matters

'Operate Strategically' HR Coffee Time Podcast Playlist

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have you ever been told you’re “not strategic enough” after an HR interview – even though you know you are?

In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis tackles one of the most frustrating pieces of feedback HR professionals receive when applying for Head of HR, HR Director, Head of People or People Director roles.

In this episode, Fay breaks down what 'being strategic' means in a practical, accessible way and shares three simple but powerful ways to prove you’re strategic in your next HR interview – without sounding corporate or forced.

1. What “being strategic” actually means in practice – and why it often feels so vague
2. How using one specific word can make interview panels see your thinking more clearly
3. A common mistake HR candidates make when answering interview questions – and how to fix it
4. How to turn everyday HR examples into clear, strategic stories with business impact
5. The types of interview questions that signal strategic thinking straight away

Fay also shares practical examples you can adapt for your own interviews, helping you move beyond listing what you’ve done to explaining why it mattered.

Whether you’re actively interviewing or simply want to feel more confident talking about your strategic contribution, this episode will help you articulate your value far more effectively.

1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
2. Visit Fay’s Bright Sky HR website
3. Learn aboutThe Essential HR Planner
4. Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme

'Operate Strategically' HR Coffee Time Podcast Playlist

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About HR Coffee Time's Sponsor - Personio

Personio

Do you ever leave a leadership meeting wishing you’d said something – only to replay it later and think, “Why didn’t I speak up?”

In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explores why speaking up in leadership meetings can feel so daunting (even when you know you have something valuable to contribute). She shares practical, realistic ways to build confidence in those moments.

This episode is especially for HR and People professionals who find themselves second-guessing their ideas, worrying about being challenged, or holding back because the meeting feels high-stakes or fast-paced. Drawing on her coaching experience, Fay unpacks strategies to help.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. Why imposter feelings often show up more strongly in leadership meetings – and why that doesnotmean you do not belong there
2. How your nervous system plays a big role in confidence, and simple ways to feel calmer and more grounded in the moment
3. Breathing, grounding, and physical techniques you can use before and during meetings
4. The different kinds of value you bring to leadership conversations – beyond having the “perfect” answer
5. Why you do not need to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact
6. Practical strategies to make speaking up feel more manageable, including:
7. Setting a small, realistic goal for your contribution
8. Shaping meetings in advance so you are not waiting for the “right moment”
9. Using professional phrases that buy you thinking time
10. How to zoom out and remember that one meeting does not define your credibility
11. Why confidence grows through familiarity and practice – not by forcing yourself to be someone you are not

1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
2. Visit Fay’s website
3. The Essential HR Planner website
4. Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR Leadership Programme

1. Ep 86: How to stop other people taking credit for your ideas in meetings
2. Build Your Professional Skills - HR Coffee Time Podcast Playlist

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

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The start of a new year is the perfect moment to pause and think differently about goal setting, especially when you work in HR or a people role where expectations, pressure and emotional load can be high.

In this episode, Fay Wallis shares her Triple Win Framework, a practical way to set goals that help HR and people professionals deliver real organisational impact, build career momentum and protect their wellbeing at the same time.

If you want goals that feel motivating, aligned and supportive of your long-term success, this framework offers a clear place to start.

You’ll Hear about:

1. The Triple Win Framework explained
2. Choosing impactful HR goals
3. Aligning goals to organisational strategy
4. Career-enhancing skills that matter
5. Why wellbeing must be a goal

1. The Build Your Professional Skills Playlist
2. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
3. Learn About Fay'sInspiring HR Leadership Programme
4. Learn More AboutThe Essential HR Planner

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

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Before we all sprint into 2026, I wanted to create this bonus episode to encourage you to pause and reflect on the year that's just passed. In it, I work my way through the 10 'Look Back to Look Forward' questions from the Essential HR Planner and share my own honest answers - including the achievements I'm proud of, the challenges I faced, what I learned, and the moments that shaped my year both personally and professionally.

This episode includes reflections on expanding the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, navigating the realities of running a business, experimenting with video, taking a long break from the podcast, and working through some unexpected moments of vulnerability along the way. My hope is that by sharing my experience, you'll feel encouraged to complete the exercise yourself and head into 2026 with more clarity and intention.

1. The Essential HR Planner
2. The free HR Leadership Impact Assessment
3. Read the full blog version of my reflections
4. Connect with me on LinkedIn
5. Learn more about theInspiring HR Leadership Programme

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About HR Coffee Time's Sponsor - Personio

Personio

5 Brilliant HR Books That Deserve a Spot Under Your Christmas Tree!

If you work in HR and you’re not sure what to ask for this Christmas – or you’d love to buy a thoughtful, genuinely useful gift for an HR colleague – this episode is for you.

Fay Wallis shares five brilliant HR book recommendations she’s read this year. Each one supports HR professionals in a slightly different way – from building resilience and confidence, to shaping culture, developing better people practices, and setting yourself up for a successful year at work.

All of the books recommended are practical, thoughtful, and grounded in real HR challenges.

1. The Little Book of HR Resilience: Practical Strategies for Busy People Professionals – Dr Felicity Baker & Dr Jo Burrell
2. The HR Confidence Playbook: The essential guide to being seen, heard, and respected in HR - by Kirsty Baggs-Morgan
3. Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead - by Laszlo Bock
4. Let’s Talk Culture: The conversations you need to create the team you want - by Shane Michael Hatton
5. The Essential HR Planner – by Fay Wallis

1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
2. Visit Fay’s website
3. Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme

1. Ep 35: Helping Teams Thrive with Personal User Manuals
2. Ep 123: Avoid Burnout - How to Spot Signs Of Stress & Take Action (with Dr Jo Burrell)
3. Ep 146: Lessons in HR Leadership: How to Succeed as a Chief People Officer: (with John Scrooby)

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About HR Coffee Time's Sponsor - Personio

Personio

What’s the best way to land your first Chief People Officer or CHRO role?

In this episode, Fay Wallis breaks down the four most common routes that real CPOs have taken to step into the top people leadership job for the very first time. You’ll also hear short clips from several CPO guests who generously shared their stories and insights.

You’ll hear about:

1. Four routes into first CPO roles
2. Internal discussions leading to job title changes
3. Being headhunted by executive recruiters
4. Strengthening your LinkedIn profile
5. Applying directly for senior HR roles
6. Preparing for high-level interviews
7. Pitching for promotion with a business case

1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
2. Visit Fay’s website
3. Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme
4. Buy a copy of The Essential HR Planner

1. Ep 31:3 little-known LinkedIn features which will help you get your next job
2. Ep 106:7 types of posts to share on LinkedIn that will help your HR career
3. Ep 149: The CPO Job Application That Worked, Strategic vs Operational HR, and Why Compassion Matters (with Funmi Onamusi):
4. Audio link:https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/149/
5. YouTube link:https://youtu.be/n-zYslILExc?si=dIJFbWDgo2SWlcUz
6. Ep 154: Step-by-Step Career Advice to become a successful CHRO/CPO (with Nicola Lyons):
7. Audio link:https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/154/
8. YouTube link:https://youtu.be/tdqjSSbKMmM?si=WpaKhorECI5-ieFk
9. Ep 147: How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider insights (with Kanika Mehra):
10. Audio link:https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/147/
11. YouTube link:https://youtu.be/R31JrBpT490?si=fikKsO8dJBahIRpx

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About HR Coffee Time's Sponsor - Personio

Personio

If the idea of improving your business acumen feels intimidating, this episode will help make it feel achievable and clear. Host, Fay Wallis, breaks down what business acumen really means for HR and why it has nothing to do with being “naturally commercial” and everything to do with curiosity, awareness and understanding how your organisation works.

To make building business acumen feel even more practical, Fay brings in insights from three recent Chief People Officer guests: Kanika Mehra, Jane Beeston and Dotty Day. Although each appeared on the show to share their experiences of becoming a CPO, their advice applies to every stage of an HR career.

By the end, you’ll walk away with clear, actionable steps you can start using straight away. And one of the three tips might surprise you.

Ready to make business acumen feel less daunting? It’s simpler than you think.

You’ll hear about:

• What business acumen really means
•  Why curiosity beats expertise
• Understanding customers and service users
•  Getting involved outside HR
• Learning from Finance colleagues
•  Questions to ask your finance team
• Ways to grow confidence with numbers

• Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
• Visit Fay’s website
• Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme
• Learn more aboutThe Essential HR Planner

• Ep 147 with Kanika Mehra:How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights(Audio version)
• Ep 147 with Kanika Mehra:How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights(Video version)
• Ep 148 with Jane Beeston:Skills That Shape a Great CPO: Communication, Coaching & Curiosity(Audio version)
• Ep 148 with Jane Beeston:Skills That Shape a Great CPO: Communication, Coaching & Curiosity(Video version)
• Ep 151 with Dotty Day:Could an Interim CPO/CHRO Role Be Your Perfect Career Option?(Audio version)
• Ep 151 with Dotty Day:Could an Interim CPO/CHRO Role Be Your Perfect Career Option?(Video version)

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About HR Coffee Time's Sponsor - Personio

Personio

If you’ve ever wondered what truly separates an HR Director from a Chief People Officer (CPO) or CHRO, you’re not alone. It’s a common question, and after months of speaking with incredible CPOs for this series, a powerful theme kept coming up again and again.

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis shares the one big difference that defines the step up, a shift that’s far more about mindset and perspective than job title. You’ll hear clips from Chief People Officers including John Scrooby, Dotty Day, Lorna Bains, Dr Andy Stephenson, and Nebel Crowhurst as they describe what changed for them when they made the move.

Fay also shares a monster truck analogy that brings this transformation to life, from leading your HR function to steering the entire business. Whether you’re already operating at that level or preparing for the next step, this episode will help you see what it really means to become a business leader, not just a people leader.

Join us for reassurance and advice on making that leap.

You’ll Hear about:

• The defining difference between HR Director and CPO roles
• Why the CPO role is about leading the business
• A monster truck analogy that brings the concept to life
• Insights from five experienced Chief People Officers
• How to start developing business acumen for your next step

• Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
• Visit Fay’s website
• Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR leadership development programme

• Episode 146 with John Scrooby - Lessons in HR Leadership: How to Succeed as a Chief People Officer
• Episode 151 with Dotty Day – Could an Interim CPO/CHRO Role Be Your Perfect Career Option?
• Episode 153 with Lorna Bains – Inside the Fractional CPO/CHRO Role – What It Involves & How to Succeed
• Episode 155 with Dr Andrew Stephenson – The Mindset, Skills & Plan to Become a Successful Chief People Officer
• Episode 156 with Nebel Crowhurst – Why Chief People Officers Need Strong Networks (And How to Build Yours)

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About HR Coffee Time's Sponsor - Personio

Personio