HR Leaders

Chris Rainey
  • 4.7 (63)
  • Management
  • Daily

Join host Chris Rainey on the HR Leaders Podcast, where he sits down with top Chief People Officers, CHROs, and leading HR experts to uncover the strategies, trends, and insights shaping the future of human resources. Each episode dives into best practices in people management, leadership challenges, and transformative HR innovations that impact both business success and society at large. Whether you're an HR professional or simply passionate about modern workplace strategies, this podcast delivers expert advice, real-world experiences, and the latest trends in HR, making it your go-to resource for all things human resources.

  1. 2d ago

    Your HR Team Can’t Do Everything. How to Decide Which Projects to Cut?

    How do you decide which HR projects deserve your team’s time? Amanda Poole, Chief People Officer at Bristol Myers Squibb, shares why her team cut 40% of its planned work after an initial planning exercise produced 353 proposed projects. For Episode #5 of HR Leaders On the Road, Chris Rainey sits down with Amanda at UNLEASH World 2026 in Paris, with our series partner Workhuman. Amanda explains how BMS approaches prioritisation, internal mobility and AI adoption. She shares why managers need to lead experimentation, how AI tools can help employees find opportunities across functions, and why HR must consider the work its own processes create. The conversation also explores her move from HR into sales leadership, the demands of board-level people investment discussions and her advice for future Chief People Officers. IN THIS EPISODE Why Amanda’s team cut 40% of its proposed HR workHow BMS uses 3 priorities to focus attentionWhy HR should examine the work it creates for employeesHow AI-enabled career tools support internal mobilityThe manager’s role in AI adoption and work redesignHow CPOs balance business investment with care for people 🙏 Thank you to our series partner, Workhuman Learn what 21 million recognition moments reveal about skills, burnout, AI adoption and how work really gets done →https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/recognition-intelligence-report/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social_advertising&utm_campaign=1215515251063857&utm_content=null&utm_term=emea_events_forum-paris-26_prospecting~null_whforum-paris-event-hr-leaders-podcastad_1x1_10.20.2026 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  2. 4d ago

    How Lloyds Is Rethinking Work: 5 Questions Leaders Should Ask Before Adding More AI

    What comes after AI training? Sharon Doherty, Chief People and Places Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, shares 5 shifts in how leaders approach AI transformation, work redesign and the future of HR. For Episode #4 of HR Leaders On the Road, Chris Rainey welcomes Sharon back to the podcast at UNLEASH World 2026 in Paris, with our series partner Workhuman. Sharon explains Lloyds’ work to upskill 300 senior leaders, rethink how tasks are shared between people and AI agents, and connect employee services across functions. Her example of supporting customers worried about fraud makes the challenge clear: if AI frees up capacity, what should people have more time to do? 5 ideas you’ll take from this episode: Why leaders need ongoing, hands-on AI learningHow customer needs can guide work redesignLloyds’ approach to outcomes, tasks and AI agentsHow the CEO, HR and technology leaders contribute to transformationThe skills HR needs to help shape what comes next 🙏 Thank you to our series partner, Workhuman Learn what 21 million recognition moments reveal about skills, burnout, AI adoption and how work really gets done →https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/recognition-intelligence-report/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social_advertising&utm_campaign=1215515251063857&utm_content=null&utm_term=emea_events_forum-paris-26_prospecting~null_whforum-paris-event-hr-leaders-podcastad_1x1_10.20.2026 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  3. 6d ago

    Who Benefits When AI Changes Work? 5 Questions for HR Leaders

    How can employers use AI while continuing to build meaningful careers? Laurent Choain, Global Chief People & Culture Officer at Accor, joins Chris Rainey to discuss AI, internal mobility, frontline development and the future of workplace learning. Laurent shares that 49% of Accor’s general managers reported at least 5 promotions since joining the group. He explains why career opportunities need ongoing learning and operational support, and why employees’ own ambitions belong in the conversation. He also explores ideas for sharing AI productivity gains and using internal expertise to make learning more relevant. These proposals are discussed alongside examples of Accor’s existing approach. Welcome back to HR Leaders On the Road. This is Episode #3 from UNLEASH World 2026 in Paris, recorded in partnership with Workhuman. 5 ideas you’ll take from this episode: Why AI’s impact needs to be considered role by roleWho could share in the benefits of AI productivity gainsWhat makes career progression believableHow to support internal moves beyond a careers websiteHow employee expertise could shape the future of learning 🙏 Thank you to our series partner, Workhuman Learn what 21 million recognition moments reveal about skills, burnout, AI adoption and how work really gets done →https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/recognition-intelligence-report/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social_advertising&utm_campaign=1215515251063857&utm_content=null&utm_term=emea_events_forum-paris-26_prospecting~null_whforum-paris-event-hr-leaders-podcastad_1x1_10.20.2026 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  4. Nov 5

    How Sony Music Connects Creativity and Data: 5 Leadership Lessons

    What does collaboration look like when it’s built into the work, the strategy and what people get rewarded for? Andrew R. Davis, Executive Vice President & Global Chief People Officer at Sony Music Entertainment, joins Chris Rainey to discuss company culture, cross-functional collaboration and leadership through change. Andrew explains why data scientists work alongside the teams who find and develop artists, how Sony Music recognises collaboration, and why he sees culture erosion as a risk HR leaders need to watch. Welcome back to HR Leaders On the Road. This is Episode #2 from our studio at UNLEASH World 2026 in Paris, recorded in partnership with Workhuman. 5 lessons you’ll learn: → Why understanding business operations matters for HR → How creative teams and data scientists work together → How recognition and rewards reinforce collaboration → Why leadership behaviour sets the standard for culture → How HR can help organisations change without losing their values 🙏 Thank you to our series partner, Workhuman Learn what 21 million recognition moments reveal about skills, burnout, AI adoption and how work really gets done →https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/recognition-intelligence-report/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social_advertising&utm_campaign=1215515251063857&utm_content=null&utm_term=emea_events_forum-paris-26_prospecting~null_whforum-paris-event-hr-leaders-podcastad_1x1_10.20.2026 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  5. Nov 4

    Inside adidas’ Culture Turnaround: 5 Ways to Put Decision-Making Back in Your Teams’ Hands

    How do you change company culture when confidence is low and too many decisions travel to headquarters? Michelle Robertson, Executive Board Member, HR, People & Culture at adidas, joins Chris Rainey to explain the people decisions behind adidas’ turnaround, from honest leadership communication to giving local teams more authority. Welcome back to HR Leaders Podcast on the Road. For Episode #1 from UNLEASH World 2026, we brought our studio to Paris with our friends at Workhuman for unscripted conversations with CHROs and People leaders. Michelle shares why the CEO gave his mobile number to the workforce, how employees can question the board live, and what adidas changed in its structure to support a global brand with a local mindset. 5 takeaways from this episode: → How open leadership communication can help rebuild belief → Why local teams need decision-making power and accountability → How adidas shifted investment and reduced headquarters complexity → What respectful communication looks like during difficult change → Why Michelle sees AI transformation as a people challenge 🙏 Thank you to our series partner, Workhuman Learn what 21 million recognition moments reveal about skills, burnout, AI adoption and how work really gets done →https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/recognition-intelligence-report/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social_advertising&utm_campaign=1215515251063857&utm_content=null&utm_term=emea_events_forum-paris-26_prospecting~null_whforum-paris-event-hr-leaders-podcastad_1x1_10.20.2026 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  6. Nov 2

    How SAP Is Preparing Its People for AI: 5 Takeaways for HR

    Gina is Chief People Officer and Labor Director, and a Member of the Executive Board at SAP. An organisational psychologist who previously led HR at Siemens Energy, she explains how SAP is connecting employee development to its wider business transformation. The conversation explores SAP’s Talent Engine, its skills work with more than 200 role owners across the business, and why Gina wants leaders to focus on business outcomes rather than the number of AI agents they build. Gina also shares what she has learned about leading her own team, making room for challenge and bringing the people side of transformation in earlier. IN THIS EPISODE → Connecting talent development across the employee lifecycle → Making talent strategy a shared executive responsibility → Building a skills approach that informs hiring and development → Defining human-led, agent-led and AI-assisted work → Developing the leadership behaviours needed for continuous change 🙏 Thank you to our series partner, Workhuman Learn what 21 million recognition moments reveal about skills, burnout, AI adoption and how work really gets done →https://www.workhuman.com/resources/reports-guides/recognition-intelligence-report/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social_advertising&utm_campaign=1215515251063857&utm_content=null&utm_term=emea_events_forum-paris-26_prospecting~null_whforum-paris-event-hr-leaders-podcastad_1x1_10.20.2026 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  7. Oct 21

    How Primark Grows Its Own Leaders: 5 Practical Takeaways for HR

    How does Primark develop frontline leaders and help colleagues build careers within the business? John D. Hadeed, Senior Vice President, People & Culture, US at Primark, joins Chris Rainey to share the career conversations, training and leadership habits behind its approach. At the time of recording, John says more than 60% of Primark’s US store leaders had grown within its US business, with an ambition to reach 80%. We explore 5 practical takeaways for HR, from preparing people for their next role to equipping managers to support colleagues when HR isn’t there. 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE → Turn career ambitions into a plan How conversations about potential, goals and mobility inform succession planning. → Make teaching part of the leadership job What John learnt during 18 months alongside his predecessor. → Protect the time to learn How Primark approaches onboarding, peer training and development away from the shop floor. → Explain what your values actually look like Why “dynamic” needed a shared meaning across different cultures and languages. → Equip managers to support people when HR isn’t there Why being people-first depends on how leaders show up every day. 🙏 Thank you to our series partner, Leapsome AI is already reshaping HR. Learn how to build an agentic HR team in six months and unlock Leapsome’s €24K Accelerator plus its HRIS Foundation at no extra cost before 31 December → https://hubs.li/Q04yT6Rh0 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  8. Oct 14

    What Nobody Tells Your CEO: 7 Leadership Lessons for HR

    The meeting ends. Everyone nods. Then the real conversation starts without the CEO. For HR leaders, that puts you in a difficult spot. You hear the concerns. You see the friction. But how do you tell someone at the top that their own behaviour might be part of the problem? In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, I had an inspiring conversation with Andrea Petrone, The CEO Whisperer and author of Reinvention at the Top: The Playbook for CEOs to Lead Under Pressure. I also share what happened when I gave a former CEO difficult feedback. Spoiler: it wasn’t a thank-you. 7 lessons you’ll learn from this episode: When a leader’s biggest strength becomes the problemWhat the CEO isn’t hearing in the roomWhat happened when Chris told his CEO the truthThe hidden cost of acting like a leaderWhy the message isn’t getting throughThe question every aspiring CHRO-to-CEO needs to answerWhat leaders under pressure are really asking for 🙏 Thank you to our series partner, Leapsome AI is already reshaping HR. Learn how to build an agentic HR team in six months and unlock Leapsome’s €24K Accelerator plus its HRIS Foundation at no extra cost before 31 December → https://hubs.li/Q04yT6Rh0 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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4.7
out of 5
63 Ratings

About

Join host Chris Rainey on the HR Leaders Podcast, where he sits down with top Chief People Officers, CHROs, and leading HR experts to uncover the strategies, trends, and insights shaping the future of human resources. Each episode dives into best practices in people management, leadership challenges, and transformative HR innovations that impact both business success and society at large. Whether you're an HR professional or simply passionate about modern workplace strategies, this podcast delivers expert advice, real-world experiences, and the latest trends in HR, making it your go-to resource for all things human resources.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Rainey
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    888
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    HR Leaders

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