If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to succeed as a Chief People Officer - or whether stepping into the role might be right for you - this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help.

Host Fay Wallis is joined by John Scrooby, Chief People Officer at tech company Masabi. John shares honest and thought-provoking insights about what the role really involves, the challenges it brings, and how to navigate them. From taking ownership beyond your remit, to managing your wellbeing in a high-pressure role, and showing up as a values-driven, emotionally honest leader - this is a must-listen for anyone aiming to grow their HR leadership career.

John also reflects on his journey from his tech career to HR, explains what helped him make the transition, and gives advice for anyone looking to lead with impact.

[00:00] Introduction

[00:54] Why this series of episodes exists

[03:25] Meet John Scrooby

[03:55] How John got his first CPO role

[08:41] What he thought HR was - vs what he discovered

[10:39] The difference between being a Head of HR or HR Director and a CPO

[14:37] Advice for HR professionals nervous about stepping up

[17:20] Why peer support matters

[18:10] Vulnerability, leadership and mental health

[25:07] How John maintains his mental wellbeing

[29:43] Skills and habits that have helped him succeed

[32:15] John’s advice for anyone who would like to be a CPO one day

[36:21] His biggest challenge as a CPO

[41:24] How to get invited in as an HR leader

[44:51] His top piece of advice for new CPOs

[46:38] Courses or qualifications—are they essential?

[49:08] Conclusion

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with John Scrooby on LinkedIn
• People Before Strategy: A New Role for the CHRO (HBR article)
• University of Cambridge Judge Business School – CHRO Programme

(Book links are Amazon affiliate links, which means Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them).

• HR Coffee Time’s top book recommendations to thrive in your HR/People career
• Work Rules! by Laszlo Bock
• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

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:

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Are you aiming for the top HR role - but not sure what being a Chief People Officer (CPO) actually involves, or how to get there?

In this special launch episode of the new series of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by David D’Souza, Director of Profession at the CIPD. Together, they demystify the CPO / CHRO role - exploring what it is, how it differs from other senior-level HR roles (like ‘Head of People’ and ‘HR Director’), and why it’s becoming more common across UK organisations.

David shares insight into:

Whether you’re already in a senior HR role or are simply curious about what it takes to reach the top, this episode is packed with practical insights and career guidance.

[00:00] Introduction to the new series

[01:47] Meet David D’Souza, Director of Profession at the CIPD

[04:03] What is the Chief People Officer (CPO) role?

[05:54] Why CPO roles are becoming more common

[07:21] How the role of the CPO is evolving

[10:04] Challenges and responsibilities of CPOs

[13:13] Work-life balance and C-suite expectations

[18:15] Skills for success as a CPO

[20:56] Understanding governance

[24:00] How to build knowledge and confidence for the role

[23:56] CIPD resources and support

[33:38] Wrap-up and useful episode links

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with David D’Souza on LinkedIn
• CIPD Membership
• CIPD Experience Assessment
• CIPD Learning Hub
• CIPD Local Branches
• CIPD Online Community
• CIPD Aspiring HRD Programme
• CIPD Mentoring Scheme

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

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:

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This episode is a little different from usual, as I’ll be sharing some exciting updates about the future of the podcast. After three and a half years of releasing episodes every week, I’m taking a short sabbatical to prepare for the next stage of

HR Coffee Time - and I’d love your input to help shape it!

[00:00] Why I'm taking a short break – Why now feels like the right time to pause and refresh.

[02:10] The two key challenges I keep seeing in HR careers – How a lack of confidence, clarity, and role models is holding HR professionals back.

[04:49] How conversations helped shape my next steps – The advice and insights that led to the idea of evolving the podcast.

[09:05] From book idea to podcast interviews – How an unexpected conversation with a fellow career coach changed my thinking.

[10:57] Why HR Coffee Time is evolving instead of stopping – A reassuring conversation that helped me realise I don’t need to start a whole new podcast.

[12:39] Batch recording & smarter time management – How I plan to make the podcast more time-efficient while improving the quality of content.

[15:02] I’d love your help! – How you can share your thoughts on the interview questions and suggest great Chief People Officers (CPOs) and Chief HR Officers (CHROs) to be guests on the show.

• HR Coffee Time episode 123: Avoid Burnout: How to Spot Signs of Stress and Take Action, with Dr Jo Burrell
• HR Coffee Time episode 32: Diversity & Inclusion at Work – 7 Mistakes to Avoid (& What to Do Instead), with Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey
• Nicola Semple's podcast: The Career Confidence Podcast
• Dr Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey's podcast: The Element of Inclusion
• Verena Hefti's podcast: Big Careers, Small Children

• Take the HR Coffee Time Next Chapter Survey – Help shape the podcast by sharing your thoughts on the questions I should ask my future guests. You can find the survey here: bit.ly/HRCTNEXTCHAPTER
• Recommend a Guest – Do you know an inspiring Chief People Officer or Chief HR Officer? Or are you one yourself? I’d love to hear from you!
• Get in Touch –
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Email me at [email protected]

If you’d like to be the first to hear when the new format of HR Coffee Time is live, sign up for the HR Coffee Time newsletter! You’ll also get career and leadership tips straight to your inbox, along with updates on new podcast episodes and helpful resources.

The podcast will be back at the end of April 2025 with a fresh new format. In the meantime, I hope my journey of refining this idea encourages you to explore your own. Sometimes, the best way to gain clarity is to start talking about it.

I can’t wait to bring you new conversations, and I look forward to hearing what you think. See you soon!

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out HR Coffee Time's sponsor!

Ready to unlock the power of your people? Join over 15,000 businesses at personio.com today.

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After completing your CIPD qualification, it can be hard to decide what training to invest in next. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis shares four valuable and perhaps surprising training options to help you develop skills that will elevate your HR career: mediation, coaching, negotiation, and facilitation.

You’ll hear extracts from earlier episodes featuring expert guests who explain each skill and its benefits. Fay has personally attended training with all the featured experts, so she can confidently recommend their insights and advice.

Whether you’re considering what to focus on for your professional development this year or just want to understand how these skills can help you, this episode is packed with ideas and inspiration to guide your next steps.

[00:00] Introduction and overview

[03:38] Mediation skills with Pete Colby (Episode 99)

[08:07] Coaching skills with Charlie Warshawski (Episode 53)

[13:59] Negotiation skills with Simon Duncan (Episode 115)

[21:23] Facilitation skills with Kirsty Lewis (Episode 110)

[26:43] Closing thoughts

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• The Essential HR Planner
• Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

• Connect with Pete Colby on LinkedIn
• Connect with Charlie Warshawski on LinkedIn
• Connect with Simon Duncan on LinkedIn
• Connect with Kirsty Lewis on LinkedIn
• Mediation skills - Pete Colby’s website: Pragmatism
• Coaching skills - Charlie Warshawski’s website: Love Your Coaching
• Facilitation skills – Kirsty Lewis’ website: School of Facilitation
• Gartner’s Model of a World-Class CHRO
• The CIPD’s Profession Map

• HR Coffee Time’s ‘Build Your Professional Skills’ Podcast Playlist
• Episode 99: How mediation skills can help you resolve conflict at work, with Pete Colby
• Episode 53: Why coaching skills can help your HR career (& how to develop them), with Charlie Warshawski
• Episode 110: Why facilitation skills can help your HR career & how to develop them, with Kirsty Lewis
• Episode 115: Why negotiation skills can help your HR career & how to develop them, with Simon Duncan
• Episode 130: Build managers’ confidence with ‘The Coaching Two-Step’, with Jude Sclater

(Book links are Amazon affiliate links, which means Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them).

• HR Coffee Time’s top book recommendations to thrive in your HR/People career
• ‘Think Like a Coach: Empower your team through everyday conversations’ by Jude Sclater

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

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:

Check out HR Coffee Time's sponsor!

Ready to unlock the power of your people? Join over 15,000 businesses at personio.com today.

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Do you want to set yourself up for success for the year ahead? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Dr Ben Levy, creator of the ABCME® framework, to explore the five key factors that can make all the difference when it comes to achieving your goals.

Dr Ben shares practical insights into how clarity, belief, motivation, and other essential elements influence success, helping you avoid common goal-setting pitfalls. Together, Fay and Ben discuss strategies for creating a clear vision, building motivation, and staying on track - even when the going gets tough.

Whether you're aiming to advance your career, tackle a challenging project, or introduce new initiatives in your organisation, this episode is packed with advice to help you achieve your goals with confidence and clarity.

[00:00] Introduction

[03:22] What is the ABCME® framework?

[07:03] The importance of clarity in goal-setting

[09:41] Practical tips for getting more clarity

[12:08] How to stay motivated with your goals

[20:13] Celebrating successes and why it matters

[28:43] Confidence-building tip: What would a role model do?

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Ben on LinkedIn
• Ben’s website: Make It Happen
• Ben’s free quiz to help you achieve your career goals
• Stickk.com website (mentioned in the episode to make a commitment to a goal)
• The Essential HR Planner

• Episode 141: Look back to look forward – how to reflect on 2024 to set goals for 2025
• Episode 39: Lost your direction & motivation at work? This one thing might help
• Episode 89: How to reach your HR career goals by understanding your ‘tendency’

(Disclosure: book links are affiliate links which means Fay will earn a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

• Tiny Habits: Why Starting Small Makes Lasting Change Easy, by BJ Fogg
• Think Big: Take Small Steps and Build the Career You Want, by Dr Grace Lordan

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

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:

Check out HR Coffee Time's sponsor!

Ready to unlock the power of your people? Join over 15,000 businesses at personio.com today.

Personio

As the year comes to a close, taking time to reflect on 2024 can be a wonderful way to celebrate your successes and uncover inspiration for your goals in 2025.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of focusing on what didn’t go to plan or overlooking achievements, thanks to the negativity bias we all experience. Add to that the recency bias—where only the most recent events stick in our minds—and it’s no wonder we often lose sight of the bigger picture.

In this episode, I’ll guide you through 10 powerful reflection questions from The Essential HR Planner to help you push past these biases, recognise all you’ve accomplished this year, and approach 2025 with confidence and clarity. And to show that I’m right there with you, I’ll share my own answers to the questions too.

Whether you’re using The Essential HR Planner or simply jotting down notes as you listen, this episode of HR Coffee Time is your chance to pause, reflect, and start shaping the year ahead with purpose and positivity.

[00:00] Introduction

[03:10] Question 1: What did you achieve? - Small wins are just as noteworthy as big ones

[09:06] Question 2: What did you do to help others?

[11:35] Question 3: What are you proudest of from 2024?

[13:02] Question 4: What did you do for your wellbeing during the past year?

[15:50] Question 5: What did you learn during 2024?

[21:35] Question 6: Which relationships did you develop and build?

[23:22] Question 7: What are you grateful for?

[24:22] Question 8: What did you find challenging this year?

[27:10] Question 9: What insights do you have from reading through your answers to questions 1-8?

[29:32] Question 10: How can these insights influence your goals for 2025?

[32:51] Conclusion

• The Essential HR Planner website
• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Fay's blog post: Reflecting on 2024 - looking back to look forward
• Fay's YouTube channel

(Disclosure: book links are affiliate links which means Fay will earn a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

• Neuroscience for Learning and Development: How to Apply Neuroscience and Psychology for Improved Learning and Training, by Stella Collins
• Think Like a Coach: Empower Your Team Through Everyday Conversations, by Jude Sclater
• Chatter: The Voice in Our Head and How to Harness It, by Ethan Kross

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

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:

Check out HR Coffee Time's sponsor!

Ready to unlock the power of your people? Join over 15,000 businesses at personio.com today.

Personio

Have you ever been asked to design or deliver a workshop and found yourself worrying whether it will be as good as it could be? Whether you’re preparing your first training session or looking to enhance your facilitation skills, this episode of HR Coffee Time is packed with ideas and resources to help you create training and workshops that are impactful, engaging, and memorable.

In this episode, host Fay Wallis reflects on her experience running the first in-person HR Planning Day and shares five brilliant resources that most inspired her when designing the event. You’ll discover practical insights and creative techniques to transform your workshops and training sessions, whether in-person or online.

[00:00] Introduction and Overview

[03:27] Resource 1: Kirsty Lewis’ online masterclass on workshop design

[11:45] Resource 2: The Two-Hour Workshop Blueprint book

[22:07] Resource 3: The Flipchart Facebook group

[23:37] Resource 4: Neuroscience for Learning and Development book

[28:01] Resource 5: The Ten-Minute Trainer book

[31:28] Conclusion

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Kirsty Lewis’ website: School of Facilitation
• The Flipchart Facebook group
• The Essential HR Planner (hardback & digital versions available)

Episode 110: Why facilitation skills can help your HR career & how to develop them, with Kirsty Lewis

(Disclosure: book links are affiliate links, which means Fay will earn a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

• The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: Design Fast. Deliver Strong. Without Stress, by Leanne Hughes
• Neuroscience for Learning and Development: How to Apply Neuroscience and Psychology for Improved Learning and Training, by Stella Collins
• The Ten-Minute Trainer: 150 Ways to Teach it Quick and Make it Stick, by Sharon L. Bowman

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

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:

Check out HR Coffee Time's sponsor!

Ready to unlock the power of your people? Join over 15,000 businesses at personio.com today.

Personio

As organisations work to create more inclusive workplaces, some aspects of diversity receive more attention than others. Being able to express religious beliefs at work is an area that often remains unexplored despite its significance to many employees. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Professor Binna Kandola, senior partner and co-founder of Pearn Kandola, to explore why religious expression matters to the people in your workplace and how organisations can better support this.

Binna shares insights from his firm's comprehensive research into religion at work, including findings from their largest-ever survey response. He explains the various aspects of religious expression, discusses both challenges and positive developments in workplace inclusion, and offers practical guidance for HR professionals looking to create more inclusive environments.

[00:00] Introduction and Overview

[02:02] Meet the Expert: Professor Binna Kandola

[04:19] Defining Religious Expression at Work

[10:03] Why Religious Expression Matters

[18:36] Benefits to Organizations

[21:01] Key Research Findings

[26:49] Examples of Good Practice

[31:23] Book Recommendation

[33:28] Conclusion and Resources

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Binna Kandola on LinkedIn
• Binna’s website: Pearn Kandola
• Pearn Kandola’s, “Religion at Work Report”
• Binna’s podcast, Making the World Fairer (on Apple Podcasts)
• Binna’s podcast, Making the World Fairer (on Spotify)

Create an Equitable, Diverse & Inclusive Workplace – Podcast Playlist (on the Bright Sky website)

Create an Equitable, Diverse & Inclusive Workplace – Podcast Playlist (on Spotify)

(Disclosure: book links are affiliate links which means Fay will earn a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

‘World Religions: The Great Faiths Explored and Explained’ by John Bowker

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

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:

Check out HR Coffee Time's sponsor!

Ready to unlock the power of your people? Join over 15,000 businesses at personio.com today.

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When you're in a busy HR or People role, finding time for strategic work can feel incredibly challenging. There are always urgent issues that need your attention and endless tasks on your to-do list. However, strategic work often has the greatest impact - helping you craft an organisation where people are proud to work, can thrive, and are empowered to drive the organisation forward.

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis shares five practical tips to help you carve out time for strategic work, even when you're incredibly busy. These tips will help you overcome common barriers and create the space needed to focus on work that drives meaningful organisational change.

• Introduction and welcome
• Tip 1: Build your confidence about being strategic
• Tip 2: Schedule dedicated time for strategic work
• Tip 3: Make the most of AI to free up time
• Tip 4: Remember that less is more
• Tip 5: Communicate your strategic priorities clearly

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• The Essential HR Planner
• elementsuite
• Angela Moyle's eBook: AI for HR
• Angela' Moyle's eBook: HR's role in AI adoption

• Operate Strategically or Create a Powerful HR/People Strategy Playlist
• Episode 102: Boosting Your Strategic Knowledge to Step Up in Your HR Role
• Episode 108: How to Create a Simple but Powerful One Page Strategy with Dr. Max Mckeown
• Episode 134: Creating an HR Strategy - How to Get Started When You're Feeling Stuck
• Episode 7: What to Do When You Don't Have Enough Hours in the Day
• Episode 92: Time Management Tips to Stay on Top of Your Busy Day
• Episode 58: How to Feel More Confident Using Data & Analytics in Your HR Role

• Good Strategy, Bad Strategy: The difference and why it matters, by Richard Rumelt
• The One Thing, by Gary Keller

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

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:

Check out HR Coffee Time's sponsor!

Ready to unlock the power of your people? Join over 15,000 businesses at personio.com today.

Personio

Are there lies you're telling yourself at work that feel like cold, hard facts? Whether it's believing you don't deserve a promotion, thinking you're not qualified enough to apply for a different role, feeling guilty about taking time off because everyone "needs" you, prioritising colleagues above your own wellbeing, striving for unrealistic perfection, or feeling you need to be available 24/7 to be seen as an effective HR professional – these self-imposed beliefs can significantly impact your career progress and wellbeing.

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Emma Djemil to help you identify and challenge these unhelpful beliefs that might be holding you back in your HR career.

[00:00] Introduction and Overview

[03:30] Meet Emma Djemil

[05:46] Common Lies in HR: Availability Equals Value

[08:29] Proving Your Worth in HR

[12:43] Recognising and Challenging Self-Lies

[17:11] Understanding Deep-Rooted Fears

[17:46] Challenging the Fear of Unavailability

[19:21] Recognising and Addressing Mistruths

[21:20] Empowerment Through Self-Questioning

[25:25] The Power of Internal Validation

[29:26] Book Recommendation and Wrap Up

[32:09] Final Thoughts and Farewell

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Emma Djemil on LinkedIn
• Emma’s HR Club
• Emma’s annual event: The HR Big Meet

HR Coffee Time Podcast Playlist: Build Your Confidence

• ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’ – Susan Jeffers
• ‘The Fix: How to Overcome the Invisible Barriers That Are Holding Women Back at Work’ – Michelle P. King
• All the book recommendations that have been given on HR Coffee Time

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

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:

Check out HR Coffee Time's sponsor!

Ready to unlock the power of your people? Join over 15,000 businesses at personio.com today.

Personio