People Strategy Leaders Podcast

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the CEO of the Association for Project Management, Adam Boddison. Adam discussed how project management extends beyond its technical roots to play a crucial role in strategic execution. Adam emphasized that project management should not be viewed as a niche specialty but rather as a set of tools and techniques that can significantly enhance a leader's ability to implement strategy effectively. He pointed out that the misconception of project management as overly technical often prevents leaders from fully appreciating its value in driving major change.

Adam delved into the reasons why many strategic initiatives fall short of their intended impact. Adam highlighted a shift in leadership roles, with leaders increasingly tasked with delivering substantial change. This shift necessitates a strong command of project management skills to ensure successful strategy execution. He discussed the concept of "projectification" in leadership, noting that the focus on leadership development programs has sometimes overshadowed the critical importance of execution and management skills.

To learn more about Adam's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Human Resources Director, Tina Greer. Middle management often finds itself in the corporate shadow, outshone by the allure of top leadership and the frontline hustle. Yet, as Tina explored, these managers are the linchpin of any organization, directly influencing frontline teams and shaping the customer experience. It's high time we spotlight their pivotal role and prioritize their development.

The crux of the conversation centered on strategies for cultivating a strong middle management cadre. Tina underscored the critical need for senior management to support this endeavor actively. She highlighted essential skills for middle managers, such as problem-solving, effective feedback, communication, and relationship-building, all of which have a direct impact on employee retention.

To learn more about Tina's work, click HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the SVP, Talent, and CHRO of Harvard Business Publishing, Angela Cheng-Cimini. Angela shared her extensive knowledge gained from 30 years across various industries, including consumer product goods, professional services, and nonprofits. With her strong background in HR venture advising, Angela brought a wealth of information on the transformative power of personalizing the employee experience to the table.

Angela underscored the significance of understanding and catering to the individual needs of employees. She drew parallels between the personalized experiences offered by giants like Amazon, Netflix, and Spotify, and how such personalization can be mirrored in the workplace to create a tailored employee journey. The demand for hyper-personalization is not just a trend; it's a growing necessity.

Angela highlighted the various dimensions of the employee experience, from recruitment to offboarding, and the importance of personalization at each of these touchpoints. She dispelled the myth that personalization requires advanced technological tools, asserting that organizations already have the data they need to create a more personalized experience for employees.

To learn more about Angela's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Author, Speaker, Mentor, Trainer, and Podcast Host of The Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata. Drawing parallels between professional athletes and their coaches, Andy explained the critical role of mentors in guiding and training professionals. Andy emphasized that mentorship is not exclusive to the early stages of a career; even seasoned professionals can benefit from the fresh perspectives and wisdom a mentor brings. The concept of a "team of mentors" particularly resonates, as it suggests a more dynamic and multifaceted approach to mentorship, where different mentors address various aspects of one's professional journey.

To learn more about Andy's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Founder of Sand & Salt Escapes, Max Schneider. Burnout is a term we hear often, but what does it truly look like? For Max, it was a harrowing experience marked by anxiety attacks and physical manifestations like shingles. The root cause? There is a misalignment between his personal values and his work. This internal conflict, coupled with a disregard for the importance of rest, led him down a path of mental and physical exhaustion.

As a consultant with over a decade of experience, Max has witnessed the unique pressures that leaders face. They absorb the emotional weight of their teams, striving to meet high expectations while navigating complex interpersonal dynamics. This relentless pursuit of performance can be a one-way ticket to burnout, affecting not just the individual leader but the entire organization.

Max's advice to companies is unequivocal: prioritize the well-being of your talent, especially your leaders. It's not about superficial perks; it's about a fundamental shift in how we support high performers. Engaged employees who feel cared for are less likely to leave, making well-being a strategic investment.

To learn more about Max's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Speaker, Author, Coach, and Educator, Dr. Ruth Gotian. Ruth is not only the Chief Learning Officer and an Associate Professor of Education in Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine but also a former Assistant Dean of Mentoring and Executive Director of the Mentoring Academy. Her contributions to Forbes and Psychology Today, along with her weekly show and podcast, have made her a central figure in conversations about success and achievement.

Ruth's accolades are numerous, including her recognition on the Thinkers 50 Radar List, which names 30 influential thinkers globally, and as a semifinalist for the Forbes 50 Over 50 list. With a plethora of publications in prestigious journals and an upcoming book, "Financial Times Guide to Mentoring," she is a wellspring of knowledge on mentorship and leadership development.

To learn more about Ruth's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Founder and CEO of Two Rivers Partners, Barbara Spitzer. One of the most significant shifts Barbara discussed is the transformation occurring within the corporate sphere. The younger generations are exerting unprecedented pressure on corporate governance and leadership, demanding a level of transparency and authenticity previously unheard of. Companies are now expected to make public statements and take action on social issues that align with their values, and this expectation extends beyond mere words to genuine, impactful deeds.

Barbara underscored the importance of considering the ramifications of corporate decisions on a wide array of stakeholders. It's no longer just about shareholders; employees, customers, and the community are all part of the equation. This holistic approach to decision-making is crucial for companies that want to thrive in a world where social consciousness is on the rise.

To learn more about Barbara's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Chief Human Resources Officer of Naviant, Tricia Shields. Trisha's passion for HR technology is rooted in its potential to revolutionize the employee experience. She advocates for the strategic use of technology to handle tasks that machines excel at, such as data processing and workflow automation. This approach allows HR professionals to dedicate more time to what truly matters: providing a human touch in their interactions with employees and managers.

At Naviant, Trisha has been instrumental in digitizing documents and implementing workflow processing to deliver real-time information to the workforce. She shared how leveraging a platform like OnBase has been transformative in managing the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding to performance management, with automated reminders and notifications keeping employees engaged and informed.

Trisha stressed the importance of starting with digitizing processes and seeking out technologies that can cohesively address multiple HR challenges. She shared examples of how performance management systems and onboarding technologies have made a tangible impact on the employee experience at Naviant.

However, Trisha also pointed out common pitfalls organizations encounter, such as investing in technology without adequate support or failing to align technology adoption with a clear talent strategy. Her advice to HR professionals is to take incremental steps in adopting technology and to partner with vendors who possess a comprehensive understanding of the HR landscape.

To learn more about Tricia's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host, Author, and Founding Partner of Gray + Miller Agency, Scott Miller Scott explored the intricate process of building a career that's not left to chance but is instead carefully crafted and steered by intention. He delved into the core principles that are outlined in his book, principles that are essential for anyone looking to navigate their professional path with purpose and clarity.

Scott emphasized that understanding what you stand for is the bedrock of a deliberate career. It's about aligning your work with your core beliefs and ensuring that every step you take is a reflection of what matters most to you.

To learn more about Scott's work, click HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.

Your host, Sri Chellappa, talks with the Director of Total Rewards of Christian Care Ministry, Casey Sanders. Christian Care Ministry, a non-profit financial services organization with a workforce of 730 employees, has been under Casey's strategic leadership for six years. During the conversation, Casey illuminated the critical role of core values in shaping the culture of an organization. He described these values as the organization's heartbeat, influencing every interaction and decision within the workplace.

Casey's tenure at Christian Care Ministry, including his experience as interim head of HR and as the owner of an HR and benefits consulting firm, has cemented his belief in the power of intentional culture. He stressed that culture is a dynamic entity, constantly evolving, and it's up to leadership to steer it in the desired direction.

To learn more about Casey's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Sri's work at Engagedly? Check out his website at https://engagedly.com/.