In this episode, Kelli Dragovich and Nolan Church are joined by Lucy Adams, founder of Disruptive HR. Adams critiques traditional HR's rigid policies, advocating instead for judgment-based approaches that treat employees as grown-ups. The conversation explores challenges facing HR business partners, the evolution of DEI initiatives, and how organizations can create environments where people thrive through high-trust cultures, rather than compliance-driven systems.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

Support HR Heretics Sponsors:

Thatch makes it easy to give your team great healthcare. Save ~$1620 per employee yearly while giving them customizable plans. Visit https://thatch.AI/HR for a demo and receive a $100 gift card.

Planful empowers teams just like yours to unlock the secrets of successful workforce planning. Use data-driven insights to develop accurate forecasts, close hiring gaps, and adjust talent acquisition plans collaboratively based on costs today and into the future. ✍️ Go to https://planful.com/heretics to see how you can transform your HR strategy.

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH LUCY, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Lucy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucykadams/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

—

LINKS:

Disruptive HR: https://disruptivehr.com/

Lucy’s article “HR Business Partner: The toughest role in HR?”: https://disruptivehr.com/hr-business-partner-the-toughest-role-in-hr/

—

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:17) Lucy's Background and BBC Experience

(03:08) Personal Connection and BBC Stories

(04:25) Origins of Disruptive HR

(07:00) Evolution of HR and Post-COVID Workplace Changes

(11:39) Trust and Autonomy in Workplace Decisions

(16:56) Trust as Foundation for Business Success

(17:32) Sponsors: Thatch | Planful

(20:27) Progressive HR Policies and Examples

(23:53) HR Business Partner Role Challenges

(25:13) Sponsor: Metaview

(27:55) Messy Reality of Great HR Work

(31:00) HR's Focus on Process vs. Real Impact

(33:26) Current HR Trends and Community Concerns

(35:56) DEI Evolution and Conversation Approaches

(45:53) Wrap

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com