How do leaders develop cultural agility?

Why is cultural agility an essential skill in the age of AI?

My guest on this episode is Paula Caligiuri, Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University, Co-Founder of Skiilify, and Best-Selling Author.

During our conversation, Paula and I discuss the following:

• Why cultural agility is becoming a critical leadership capability
• How leaders actually develop effectiveness across cultures
• Why vulnerability, curiosity, and perspective-taking build trust and adaptability.
• How individual behavior shapes team dynamics more than formal authority.
• How organizations can intentionally design experiences to develop global leaders.

Connecting with Paula:

Connect with Paula on LinkedIn

Learn more about Paula’s company, Skillify

Check out my conversation with Paula on International Business Today podcast where we discuss The Future of HR

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How does active listening build a culture of trust?

Why is the employee experience as important as the customer experience?

My guest on this episode is DJ Casto, CHRO, Synchrony

During our conversation, DJ and I discuss the following:

• How adopting an agile mindset and methodologies transformed Synchrony's approach to HR
• How Synchrony bucked the “return to office” trend by listening to employee feedback and maintaining a flexible, performance-based work model.
• Why they created a frontline experience team to invest in and improve the employee journey and customer experience.
• How Synchrony uses active listening to co-create the employee experience and shape the culture.

Connecting with DJ:

Connect with DJ Casto on LinkedIn

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can “managing up” help you to have more impact and influence?

Why is managing up a critical leadership skill for all HR leaders?

My guest on this episode is Melody Wilding, author of “Managing Up”, keynote speaker, and executive coach.

During our conversation, Melody and I discuss the following:

• The biggest misconceptions about managing up and why they are wrong
• Why managing up is a core leadership skill that every HR leader needs to learn
• Practical tools and questions HR leaders can use to help clarify priorities and expectations with leaders.
• The four main communication styles leaders need to recognize to build trust and influence across the organization.
• How to structure upward feedback for your boss to ensure it lands diplomatically and productively.

Connecting with Melody:

Connect with Melody Wilding on LinkedIn

Learn more about Managing Up and Melody’s work

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

The "Best of 2025" episode features fourteen don't miss moments from HR executives and thought leaders who…

So, who can you expect to learn from on this episode?

• Monique Herena, Chief Colleague Experience Officer, American Express
• Wanda Wallace, Managing Partner, Leadership Forum & Darren Overfield, EVP, Coaching & Consulting at Kaiser Leadership Solutions
• Riina Hellström, Founder, Agile HR Community
• Dave Ulrich, Partner at The RBL Group
• Marcia Avedon, 3X CHRO, Board Director, Human Capital Expert, and Executive Coach
• Lisa Chang, EVP & Chief People Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
• Christina Norris-Watts, Head of Assessment & People Practices, Johnson & Johnson
• Anita Graham, EVP & CHRO, Labcorp
• Christy Pambianchi, CHRO, Caterpillar Inc.
• Ani Huang, Senior EVP, CHRO Association & Anthony Nyberg, Director, Center for Executive Succession at University of South Carolina
• Brandon Sammut, Chief People & AI Transformation Officer, Zapier
• Tina Gupta, SVP, Talent Management, New York Life Insurance
• Brian Miller, Chief Talent and D&I Officer, Levi Strauss & Co
• Jennifer Wilson & Brad Warga, Partners and Global Co-Heads of the Human Resources Officers Practice at Heidrick & Struggles

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

My guests on this special holiday episode are Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, Bill Baker, lead author and co-contributors to “Lives Lost and Leadership Found.”

During our conversation, Ian, Lori, Bill and I discuss the following:

• The inspiration behind the book "Lives Lost and Leadership Found" and how personal loss can serve as a foundation for personal growth.
• The neuroscience behind grief: how loss rewires your brain and why that matters for leaders.
• What research reveals about the role of intentionality in healing after loss and becoming a stronger leader.
• The power of storytelling and reflection—why writing about a special someone can be transformative

Connecting with Ian, Lori, and Bill:

Learn more or buy Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons From Special Somebodies

Connect with Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, and Bill Baker

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

What differentiates the best HR leaders from the rest?

Why isn’t enough to “know the business, you must love the business

My guest on this episode is Marc Effron, President, Talent Strategy Group.

During our conversation, Marc and I discuss the following:

• Marc’s career journey and what led him to co-author One Page Talent Management
• The unforgettable advice that Marshall Goldsmith gave to Marc
• The one question that will help advance your career
• What differentiates the best HR leaders from the rest

Connecting with Marc:

Connect with Marc Effron on LinkedIn or at Talent Strategy Group

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can leaders redesign work to boost both engagement and well-being?

Why is “fit for purpose” more important than “best practice” when it comes to designing work?

My guest in this episode is Rachel Cooke, Founder of Lead Above Noise & Host of the Modern Mentor podcast.

During our conversation Rachel and I discuss:

• Why today’s leaders are under greater pressure than ever before, especially with expanding spans of control and higher expectations.
• How leaders can increase engagement and embed wellbeing directly into how work actually happens
• The importance of asking those closest to the work to redesign the work
• How to create custom solutions for your team by seeking “right practices” rather than following industry “best practices.”

Connecting with Rachel:

Connect with Rachel Cooke on LinkedIn

Learn more about Rachel and Lead Above Noise

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How does executive compensation shape company culture, performance and deliver shareholder value?

Why should CHROs think of executive compensation as a communication tool?

My guests in this episode are Ani Huang, President of Policy and Practice at the CHRO Association and Charlie Tharp, Senior Advisor for Research & Practice at the CHRO Association and the Center On Executive Compensation

During our conversation Ani, Charlie, and I discuss:

• Why executive compensation is a strategic communication system that signals culture, priorities, and long-term value.
• How executive compensation aligns to the business strategy and drives long-term value.
• Why effective executive compensation starts with developing deep financial and business acumen.
• What builds fairness and transparency in pay systems.
• How executive compensation can impact the broader pay philosophy.

Connecting with Ani and Charlie:

Connect with Ani Huang on LinkedIn

Connect with Charlie Tharp on LinkedIn

Learn more about CHRO Association

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.