In this episode of the Built By People Podcast, Al Crook shares his extensive career journey in human resources, highlighting the transition from a business major to HR. He discusses the current challenges in HR, particularly the rising costs of healthcare benefits, and offers insights into strategic versus non-strategic activities within HR. Al emphasizes the importance of effective communication and managing change, as well as the critical role of data in driving HR success. He also shares valuable advice for HR professionals navigating today's complex landscape.

Key takeaways

• Al Crook transitioned from a business major to HR.
• Rising healthcare costs are a significant challenge for HR.
• Effective communication is crucial in managing employee benefits.
• Talent management is the most strategic focus for HR.
• HR must balance employee needs with business sustainability.
• Data-driven decision-making is essential for HR success.
• HR professionals should embrace challenges as opportunities.
• Understanding employee perspectives is vital for effective HR practices.
• Partnerships with external experts enhance HR capabilities.
• Continuous development of talent is key to organizational success.

Chapters

00:00 Al Crook's Career Journey

03:00 Challenges in HR: Rising Healthcare Costs

05:47 Strategic vs. Non-Strategic HR Activities

09:06 Managing Change and Employee Communication

11:57 Tools and Partnerships in HR14:51Leveraging Data for HR Success

18:13 Parting Advice for HR Professionals

Summary

In this episode of the Built by People podcast, Kelly Stover shares her extensive journey in HR, discussing her diverse experiences across various industries and how they shaped her approach to human resources. She emphasizes the importance of embracing change, the value of leadership that prioritizes human connection, and the challenges faced in maintaining one's personal style in a data-driven environment. Kelly also reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave in HR and offers advice for professionals in the field.

Takeaways

• Kelly has over 30 years of experience in HR.
• Her career spans multiple industries, enhancing her perspective.
• Embracing discomfort is key to personal growth.
• Failures can lead to the greatest learning experiences.
• Leadership should celebrate both personal and professional milestones.
• Data-driven environments can challenge personal HR styles.
• It's important to stay true to one's leadership style.
• Creating a human-centric HR space is vital.
• Kelly aims to leave a legacy of caring leadership.
• HR professionals should align with their core values.

Chapters

00:00 Kelly's Journey in HR

02:56 Embracing Change and Growth

05:42 Defining Leadership and Values

06:54Challenges in HR and Personal Style

07:52 Legacy and Human Element in Leadership

08:30Advice for the HR Community

Explore Michael's transition from law to HR and his role at the MLB Players Association. The significance of aligning HR strategies with organizational goals. The impact of financial independence on professional effectiveness. The importance of effective communication in managing organizational change. Strategies for recruiting and retaining talent in a rapidly growing union.

In this episode of the Built by People Podcast, Markus Enzner , Vice President of Total Rewards Americas at The Adecco Group, shares his career journey, highlighting the importance of early experiences, mentorship, and the challenges faced in corporate environments.

He discusses the significance of making impactful changes within organizations, the necessity of empathy in decision-making, and effective leadership practices.

Markus emphasizes the transformative role of AI in HR and the importance of embracing change and authenticity in one's career takeaways:

Snapshot of Highlights

• Marcus started working early, always eager to learn.
• Early jobs taught him about customer service and management.
• Had many bad managers, which motivated him to improve.
• Found his passion in total rewards during university.
• Mentorship played a crucial role in his career.
• Transparency and ownership are key in crisis situations.
• Implemented a high-performance culture in a previous role.
• Empathy is essential when making tough decisions.
• Assigning mentors to junior employees is effective.
• AI will be a transformative force in HR.

• Navigating the Early Career Maze
• The Power of Mentorship in Professional Growth

Time Stamps

00:00 Career Beginnings and Early Influences

03:11 Navigating Early Career Challenges

06:11 Implementing Meaningful Change in Organizations

08:52 Making Tough Decisions with Empathy

12:00 Effective Leadership Practices

14:56 Embracing Change and Authenticity in Career

Episode SummaryWhat does it take to scale a company in today’s volatile market—and why is curiosity the secret leadership skill we underestimate? In this episode of Built by People, we sit down with Sinead, Chief People Officer at Guidewire Software, whose career spans decades in tech, Agile consulting, and large-scale business transformation.

From founding her own tech firm in Ireland to leading HR at a global insurer tech company, Sinead shares hard-won insights from scaling organizations in complexity and uncertainty. She dives into the critical importance of educating employees on financial operations, building organizational resilience, and challenging the assumptions that often stall progress.

You'll hear Sinead’s take on the evolving role of the CPO, why relationships matter more than ever in solving complex business problems, and how to build a culture where every team member understands their impact on the bottom line.

Key Timestamps

• [00:45] – Sinead’s tech-driven career journey from Ireland to Silicon Valley

• [02:49] – The biggest challenge: Scaling and operationalizing in a post-COVID world

• [05:22] – Why employee financial acumen matters in transformation

• [07:53] – The danger of assumptions and the power of relationships

• [09:47] – Sinead’s parting advice: Be curious and lead beyond your lane

Takeaways

• Clarify the evolving role of CPOs in organizational strategy and operations

• Educate teams on financial and operational levers to build trust and transparency

• Avoid reactive leadership by absorbing information before acting

• Break down silos by helping employees understand their role in the broader company mission

• Lead with curiosity—not just within HR, but across all areas of the business

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Episode SummaryWhat if your HR team had to operate like a profit center—would it survive? In this episode of Built by People, host Dave D’Angelo sits down with Sean Hartley, a seasoned HR executive with over 25 years of global experience, including COO roles and expat assignments in France and the Netherlands. Sean shares how stepping outside of traditional HR roles shaped his leadership philosophy, why context and trust are essential for team success, and how he shifted from legacy-building to stewardship.

With stories from the trenches and actionable advice for HR professionals and business leaders alike, Sean challenges listeners to break down silos, say yes to growth opportunities, and lead with perspective. Whether you’re early in your HR journey or shaping the future of people leadership, this episode delivers grounded wisdom with a global lens.

Key Timestamps

• [00:42] – Sean’s unconventional entry into HR and early career story

• [01:49] – Lessons from global roles and business unit leadership

• [02:28] – A powerful mindset shift: HR as a service the business would pay for

• [03:47] – Why no single career moment defines success

• [05:26] – The leadership blind spot that transformed Sean’s team approach

• [06:48] – Rethinking legacy: why stewardship matters more

• [08:10] – Parting advice: take the opportunity, even when it’s outside your lane

Actionable Takeaways

• Lead HR like a business function—consider how you'd add value if you had to justify every dollar.

• Share context, not just direction—your team performs better when they understand the “why.”

• Let go of the legacy myth—focus on leaving roles better than you found them.

• Trust your team—empowered people deliver better outcomes.

• Say yes to growth opportunities—even those outside your comfort zone.

• Recognize that visibility across the org is a strategic advantage for HR.

Our SponsorPrevi is an employer network that provides private pricing for employees. Joining the Previ network allows employees to save on necessities they already pay for, such as cell phone service and insurance. Previ saves the average employee $2,200/year. ⁠Join at no cost to the company.⁠

Episode SummaryWhat does it really take to lead through uncertainty—and stay true to yourself while doing it? In this episode of Built by People, host Dave D’Angelo sits down with Jessica Swank, Chief People Officer at Box, to explore her unconventional journey from recruiting to executive leadership. Jess opens up about the personal and professional turning points that shaped her path, including being thrust into a CPO role just weeks before the COVID-19 shutdown.

She shares how mentors played a critical role in her growth, what courageous leadership really means, and how she's redefining success by focusing on energy—not just time. From building resilience to embracing vulnerability at the top, Jess offers honest, actionable insights for leaders at every level.

Whether you’re navigating your first leadership role or leading through transformation, this episode will inspire you to lead with more empathy, clarity, and authenticity.

Key Timestamps

• [00:52] – Jess's nonlinear career journey into HR leadership

• [03:35] – The power of mentorship and having champions in your corner

• [04:43] – Navigating the challenges of becoming CPO just as COVID hit

• [07:30] – How remote work reshaped leadership and brought authenticity forward

• [08:38] – Advice for emerging leaders on showing up authentically

• [10:38] – Where C-level leaders find support and keep growing

• [12:00] – The legacy Jess hopes to leave as a people leader

• [12:54] – Rethinking productivity through the lens of “return on energy”

Takeaways

• Embrace the unexpected: Career-defining opportunities often arise from unplanned moments.

• Lean into mentorship: The right mentors can see potential in you before you see it yourself.

• Lead with humility and courage: Especially in moments of crisis, authenticity and adaptability matter more than perfection.

• Know your energy sources: Being intentional about how and where you spend your energy is key to sustainable leadership.

• Authenticity is your superpower: You don’t need to fit a mold to be an effective leader—lead by being more of yourself.

• Create your support system: Even in the C-suite, learning from peers and asking for help is essential.

Our SponsorPrevi is an employer network that provides private pricing for employees. Joining the Previ network allows employees to save on necessities they already pay for, such as cell phone service and insurance. Previ saves the average employee $2,200/year. ⁠Join at no cost to the company.⁠

Episode SummaryWhat happens when a former finance executive and meditation entrepreneur steps into the role of Chief People Officer? In this episode of Built by People, host Dave D’Angelo sits down with Priti Patel, Chief People Officer at G2, to explore her unconventional path to the C-suite and the powerful lessons she's learned along the way. From starting her career in mergers and acquisitions at GE to launching a meditation training business, Priti shares how every step of her journey informed her unique leadership philosophy.

Listeners will hear how conscious leadership, emotional intelligence, and a values-first approach have shaped her time at G2 — especially during career-defining moments like leading an early investigation, navigating feedback as a young executive, and challenging outdated notions of HR's strategic role. If you’re a people leader looking to lead with more clarity, context, and courage, this episode is for you.

Key Timestamps

• [00:52] – Priti’s winding journey: From GE finance to meditation teacher to CPO of G2

• [04:12] – Why a business foundation is her superpower in HR

• [05:02] – A career-defining moment: Upholding values during a tough early decision

• [07:20] – Facing “too much” feedback and reframing authenticity as a strength

• [10:48] – The art of reading the room and leading with emotional intelligence

• [12:45] – The legacy Priti hopes to leave: HR as a business driver, not a back office

• [14:06] – Parting advice: Why tough decisions should always feel human

Takeaways

• Build trust through consistent values, especially during difficult decisions

• Balance business acumen with emotional intelligence to lead effectively

• Adapt your communication style without losing authenticity

• Get to know the “why” behind your leaders to gain deeper context

• Treat HR as a strategic lever with measurable ROI

• Stay connected to your purpose — or know when it’s time to move on

Our SponsorPrevi is an employer network that provides private pricing for employees. Joining the Previ network allows employees to save on necessities they already pay for, such as cell phone service and insurance. Previ saves the average employee $2,200/year. ⁠Join at no cost to the company.⁠