The Hard Calls

Rebecca Feder
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Hi, I'm Rebecca Feder from Princeton HR Insight. I spend my weeks helping CEOs and HR leaders make the people decisions that are hard to get right. This is The Hard Calls, where I'm using AI to turn what I'm seeing in the field into a short conversation you can listen to between meetings.

  1. 3d ago

    Unlocking Executive Potential - Embrace Productive Conflict for Better Team Performance

    Rebecca Newton, writing for the Harvard Business Review, highlights the importance of productive conflict within executive teams. She explains that while managing conflict is often emphasized, the real challenge is encouraging executives to voice dissenting ideas and critique them rigorously. Many teams maintain a passive peace, which can be detrimental as task conflict can enhance performance. Newton shares an example of a private equity-backed company that improved collaboration by reshaping meeting agendas and encouraging candid debate. She suggests four practices to foster productive conflict: establishing the team's purpose, replacing update meetings with question meetings, fast-tracking interpersonal trust, and normalizing direct tension addressing. These practices help in setting ground rules, fostering critical thinking, building trust, and encouraging open feedback. Ultimately, getting conflict right at the leadership level shapes organizational culture and leads to better results.  Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn    📚 Sources: https://hbr.org/2026/10/your-executive-team-needs-more-productive-conflict?ab=HP-hero-latest-1

  2. Oct 12

    Transforming HRBPs: AI's Role in Strategic Talent Leadership and Business Impact

    The role of Human Resources Business Partners is changing as AI transforms HR functions. Currently, many HRBPs focus on tasks AI can handle, like drafting job descriptions. To remain strategic, HRBPs must evolve into talent leaders and AI transformation consultants. This involves three phases: removing legacy tasks with AI, augmenting strategic responsibilities, and expanding into new AI-enabled work. Success is measured by improved talent outcomes and strategic impact. Gartner supports HR teams with resources like Ignition Guides and CHRO Accelerators to enhance HR expertise and drive business impact. Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn   📚 Sources: https://www.gartner.com/en/human-resources/insights/hrbp-fuel-ai-transformation/unlocked

  3. Oct 5

    Rethinking Work: AI's Role in Redesigning Organizations with SZH Consulting

    Organizations are rapidly investing in AI, using tools like copilots and automating tasks. However, many overlook the risk of implementing AI without rethinking outdated work assumptions. A recent webinar by SZH Consulting and Humanico highlighted that AI exposes existing challenges such as unclear roles, fragmented processes, and leadership blind spots. These issues offer an opportunity to redesign work. AI reveals gaps between leaders' perceptions and reality, emphasizing constraints like unclear decision rights and skills debt. Effective AI strategy should align with organizational goals, focusing on desired outcomes rather than starting with jobs or technology. Research from MIT and Harvard supports reshaping workflows to unlock AI's value. Leaders should integrate AI strategy with workforce and organization design, involving those closest to the work in redesign efforts. McKinsey's research underscores that leadership and organizational design are key to realizing AI's potential. SZH Consulting assists organizations in preparing for the future by integrating organization design, workforce strategy, leadership, and culture. Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn  Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn    📚 Sources: https://www.szhconsulting.com/post/your-ai-strategy-needs-a-work-strategy

  4. Sep 28

    AI Boosts Engagement by 70%: Korn Ferry's Insights on Effective Workplace Integration

    A recent study shows that artificial intelligence can boost employee engagement by seventy percent with effective implementation. James, an employee using an AI assistant named Memo, experiences increased job satisfaction as Memo handles tasks like scheduling and emailing. The success of AI in the workplace depends on clear implementation plans, supportive management, and frequent use. Gallup data indicates a potential twenty-two percentage point increase in engagement when AI is implemented correctly. However, without adequate support, AI can decrease engagement. Shanda Mints from Korn Ferry warns that managers must also adapt to AI to avoid falling behind. In the U.S., only thirty-one percent of employees are engaged, highlighting the need for effective AI integration. Bryan Ackermann notes that thinning managerial ranks could hinder engagement efforts. Managers must upskill and guide employees through role changes. Mark Royal suggests seeking AI support from other departments and emphasizes clear communication from executives. AI should be seen as an opportunity to enhance engagement, not a cure-all. A well-executed AI strategy can demonstrate a company's commitment to a future where AI is a partner. Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn 📚 Sources: https://www.kornferry.com/insights/this-week-in-leadership/the-fine-print-of-ai-engagement?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=em&utm_campaign=26-08-gbl-brand-twil&mkt_tok=MjUxLU9MUi05NTgAAAGjduKYhBUT6fjRMpyriXEaID8AgYGMgGC3YqJY2U_eytpWmrjauGheX86ZXqp2fcma_jnkYP1KH2YOCDakAvuLAElpuIjDv7fAntObnsDZQadaYA

  5. Sep 21

    Digital Twins & AI: Reid Hoffman's Virtual Self, E-Hiking, and Tech's Future Impact

    Business executives are using digital twins, AI versions of themselves, to manage workloads more efficiently. Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, uses Reid AI, which has delivered over seventy-five presentations since 2024. The technology saves him significant time but faces acceptance challenges. E-hiking exoskeletons are becoming more accessible for everyday use, with Nicole Nguyen testing Hypershell’s X Ultra S. Ground drones are aiding in conflict zones like Ukraine. Google introduces Docs Live, allowing document creation through speech. AI detectors help protect gray whales in San Francisco. Reader feedback discusses the future of travel, including seamless systems and virtual reality. The newsletter also covers AI investments and Colossal Biosciences' project on 3D-printed eggshells. Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn  Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn    📚 Sources: https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/execs-are-deploying-digital-twins-to-do-their-work-9547b375

  6. Sep 14

    Decoding Leadership: Personality's Role in Decision Making and Organizational Success

    Robert Hogan and Adrian Furnham discuss decision making in leadership, emphasizing that successful leaders make consistently better decisions rather than being more intelligent. They highlight the influence of personality traits on decision making, debunking the myth of the purely rational business leader. Research by psychologists like Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman shows decision making is often biased and irrational, aligning with Sigmund Freud's views. Leadership is examined at team, middle management, and top management levels, each with unique decision-making demands. Four themes in decision making are identified: planning versus improvisation, reward seeking versus loss avoidance, valuing expertise versus intuition, and reactions to bad decisions. Historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Dwight Eisenhower illustrate planning versus spontaneity. Game theory and historical examples like Pericles during the Peloponnesian War show the balance between seeking rewards and avoiding losses. Quotes from Otto von Bismarck, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and David Hume highlight the tension between expertise and intuition. Reactions to failure are categorized as intropunitive, extrapunitive, and impunitive. Personality plays a significant role in decision making, with different traits influencing reactions to mistakes. The Hogan Development Survey identifies several personality types with distinct decision-making styles. Understanding the dark side of personality is crucial for assessing leadership potential, and personality assessments should be used when appointing or promoting individuals to senior positions. This understanding helps develop leaders capable of making smarter decisions, contributing to organizational success. Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn 📚 Sources: https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/the-psychology-of-decision-making/

  7. Sep 7

    Antifragile Workforce Planning: How CHROs Like Merck Thrive Amid Disruption

    Chief Human Resources Officers face the challenge of creating workforce plans that are resilient and antifragile amid constant disruptions. Traditional plans quickly become outdated, so organizations are turning to scenario planning. This involves defining focal talent issues, identifying disruptive forces using frameworks like TPESTRE, and crafting scenarios to guide workforce actions. Organizations like Merck review plans quarterly and conduct audits to stay aligned with business needs. This dynamic approach strengthens HR's role as a strategic partner and ensures organizations thrive in changing environments.  Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn    📚 Sources: https://emt.gartnerweb.com/ngw/globalassets/en/human-resources/documents/insights/hr-strategic-workforce-planning-article-2026.pdf?_gl=1*ys7mwm*_gcl_au*MjAyMjMwNDIxNS4xNzc1NjU5MTI5LjE3MjU0OTIwNTEuMTc3NjE5MzEyMS4xNzc2MTkzMTIx*_ga*OTMwNTcwMTIxLjE3NzU2NTkxMjg.*_ga_R1W5CE5FEV*czE3NzYxOTMxMTQkbzQkZzEkdDE3NzYxOTMxMjUkajQ5JGwwJGgw

  8. Aug 31

    Consolidated Snacks' Strategy: From Product Management to Talent Philosophy Transformation

    The product management team at Consolidated Snacks meets quarterly to assess market share and revenue data for its salty snack products. They allocate marketing budgets based on established guidelines, favoring products with strong sales growth and removing underperforming ones. Marketing VP Susan Smith reduced investment in Caribbean Corn Crunchers due to its poor market performance, adhering to these guidelines. The discussion extends to talent management, suggesting companies need clear guidelines similar to a Talent Philosophy. This would ensure fair and consistent talent decisions, aligning HR practices with a common vision and improving employee engagement and retention. Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder | Website | LinkedIn 📚 Sources: https://talentstrategygroup.com/whats-your-talent-philosophy/

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About

Hi, I'm Rebecca Feder from Princeton HR Insight. I spend my weeks helping CEOs and HR leaders make the people decisions that are hard to get right. This is The Hard Calls, where I'm using AI to turn what I'm seeing in the field into a short conversation you can listen to between meetings.

Information

  • Creator
    Rebecca Feder
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rebecca Feder