The People Managing People Podcast

Kelly Meerbott, CEO of YOU: Loud and Clear, dives into the growing disconnect between the C-suite and everyday employees, exposing how middle managers become "human shock absorbers" caught between corporate pressures and workforce realities. She calls out performative leadership and urges executives to prioritize coherence over charisma, advocating for leaders who genuinely embody their values rather than just posting them online.

Kelly also challenges traditional ideas around gender and leadership, encouraging women to replace "niceness" with "ferocious kindness" — honest, empathetic communication that fosters trust and drives results. This candid conversation offers powerful insights for leaders ready to move beyond outdated paradigms and build authentic, courageous connections with their teams.

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• Check out Kelly’s website

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Many leaders still cling to outdated management styles focused on visible productivity rather than actual outcomes, despite a dramatic shift toward distributed teams. Brian Elliott, CEO of Work Forward, explains how the rise of hybrid work and AI tools highlights the need for outcomes-based management, rather than "productivity theater."

Brian also points out that return-to-office mandates often miss the mark, as workplace flexibility remains essential for attracting and retaining top talent. This conversation challenges traditional views on managing distributed teams and offers practical advice for fostering effective, outcome-driven organizations in today’s hybrid work environment.

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• Check out this episode’s sponsor: Oyster HR, Inc.
• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn
• Check out Brian’s newsletter on Substack: Work Forward

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Steve Cadigan, a talent advisor and former CHRO of LinkedIn, joins us to discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into today’s workplace. We explore how the AI revolution stands apart from past technological shifts due to its unpredictability and ongoing development, leaving even its creators both excited and uncertain about its future.

We also dive into the key question: How is your organization embracing AI? Are you fostering a culture of experimentation and innovation, or just focusing on cost-cutting? The way businesses approach AI could be the difference between leveraging it as a competitive advantage or letting it slip by as a missed opportunity.

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• Join the People Managing People community forum
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• Check out this episode’s sponsor: Oyster HR, Inc.
• Connect with Steve on LinkedIn
• Check out Cadigan Talent Ventures

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The shift from managing individual contributors to overseeing other managers is one of the toughest transitions in leadership. Chris Williams, former Microsoft HR VP, explores why this change is so challenging and how organizations can better support these key leaders.

Chris dives into the unique struggles faced by second-level managers, including finding mentorship and translating vague strategic objectives into actionable plans. He emphasizes the importance of building influence across organizational boundaries through genuine connections with colleagues, which proves invaluable during tough decisions. This episode offers practical advice for those navigating this difficult leadership transition.

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• Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
• Check out Chris’ website

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Workplaces have become battlegrounds for political ideologies, with DEI initiatives at the center of controversy. In this episode, host David Rice speaks with Enrique Rubio, founder of Hacking HR, about the dangers of political polarization in organizations and why leaders must take a stand.

Enrique challenges listeners to move beyond acronyms and see DEI for what it truly represents—fair treatment and opportunity for all. He provides practical advice for HR professionals on setting boundaries, fostering community, and creating workplaces where civil discourse thrives. As political pressures mount, this conversation asks an essential question: What values will define your leadership?

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• Connect with Enrique on LinkedIn
• Check out Hacking HR

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DEI has become a polarizing topic, making it harder to have meaningful conversations about building truly inclusive workplaces. In this episode, host David Rice speaks with Amri B. Johnson, founder of Inclusion Wins, about shifting the focus from divisive debates to practical systems that create lasting change. 

Amri challenges traditional DEI approaches, advocating for inclusion-first strategies that move beyond representation to ensure people can meaningfully contribute. Whether you're skeptical or deeply invested in DEI work, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on making inclusion a sustainable reality.

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• Connect with Amri on LinkedIn
• Check out Inclusion Wins
• Amri’s book: “Reconstructing Inclusion”

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The hiring process is broken, and both employers and job seekers are feeling the frustration. In this episode, host David Rice talks with Jessica Smith, founder and CEO of Savant Recruitment, about the unrealistic expectations plaguing talent acquisition today. From the "Goldilocks syndrome" of rejecting great candidates to drawn-out hiring processes, Jessica exposes the missteps that are costing companies top talent.

Jessica also unpacks why the hunt for "unicorn candidates" is setting companies up for failure and why scaling businesses need to rethink their hiring strategies. She offers practical solutions for streamlining recruitment, making decisive hires, and creating a process that actually attracts—not repels—top talent.

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• Join the People Managing People community forum
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts
• Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
• Check out Savant Recruitment

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Trust is the foundation of a thriving workplace, but how do you build and sustain it in uncertain times? In this episode, host David Rice sits down with Greg Hawks, leadership trainer and creator of the Ownership Mindset, to explore practical strategies for fostering trust and accountability at work.

Greg shares his "Maybe Mindset" framework for navigating uncertainty and reveals how leaders can cultivate an ownership culture using his "owners, renters, and vandals" model. Tune in to learn how to keep employees engaged, shift mindsets, and prevent workplace trust from eroding.

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• Connect with Greg on LinkedIn and Instagram
• Check out Hawks Agency

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The workplace is evolving rapidly, with one-third of job skills changing every three years. In this episode, host David Rice speaks with Cole Napper, VP of Research at Lightcast, about how AI, automation, and demographic shifts are reshaping the labor market. As blue-collar industries face worker shortages while knowledge jobs undergo disruption, organizations must rethink skills development and workforce strategies.

Cole shares insights on the future of work, from shifting career paths to the rising importance of critical thinking. With mastery giving way to adaptability, how can workers and businesses stay ahead? Tune in for a deep dive into the changing world of skills and employment.

Related Links:

• Join the People Managing People community forum
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• Connect with Cole on LinkedIn and Substack
• Check out Lightcast
• Cole’s podcast - Directionally Correct

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