The HR L&D Podcast

• How To Build Human-Centric Leadership in an AI World with Bob Johansen, Jeremy Kirshbaum & Gabe Cervantes

  This episode is sponsored by Deel.Ensure fair, consistent reviews with Deel’s calibration template. Deel’s free Performance Calibration Template helps HR teams and managers run more equitable, structured reviews. Use it to align evaluations with business goals,reduce bias in ratings, and ensure every performance conversation is fair, consistent,and grounded in shared standards.Download now: www.deel.com/nickdayIn this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, host Nick Day sits down with futurist Bob Johansen (Distinguished Fellow, Institute for the Future), Jeremy Kirshbaum (Founder, Handshake), and Gabe Cervantes (Director of Scalable Foresight, IFTF) to explore what it really takes to lead in the age of AI.Together, they unpack the third edition of their groundbreaking book “Leaders Make the Future” and reveal the 10 essential human-centered leadership skills every HR leader and CHRO needs to thrive in a rapidly evolving, AI-powered workplace.This conversation will help you understand how to use generative AI as a tool for augmentation, not replacement, and how to prepare your workforce for the future of work while keeping your humanity intact.Important Links: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Leaders-Make-Future-Third-Leadership/dp/B0D66H9BF1Bob Johansen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-johansen/Jeremy Kirshbaum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-kirshbaum-6294b01a1Gabe Cervantes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-cervantes-ab147338/Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Preview and Intro (03:11) The 10 Skills Every Future Leader Needs (04:59) How to Use Generative AI(11:34) Humans + Machines: Augmentation Over Replacement (14:24) Human Calming: Staying Grounded in a Chaotic World (16:54) Moving from Efficiency to Effectiveness with AI (21:35) Using GenAI to Train Leaders (23:53) What Humans Should Keep vs. Offload to AI (25:27) Bob’s “Stretch” AI Model That Challenges His Thinking (27:42) Building AI Policies with Clear Yes-Zones (30:24) About the Book: Leaders Make the Future (34:52) HR L&D Vault

  --------  

  42:36

  --------

  42:36
• The Menopause Maze: Making Midlife Leadership a Strategic L&D Priority with Fiona McKay

  This episode is sponsored by Deel.Ensure fair, consistent reviews with Deel’s calibration template. Deel’s free Performance Calibration Template helps HR teams and managers run more equitable, structured reviews. Use it to align evaluations with business goals,reduce bias in ratings, and ensure every performance conversation is fair, consistent,and grounded in shared standards.Download now: www.deel.com/nickdayMenopause at work is not a policy box to tick. In this HR L&D episode, Nick Day sits down with Fiona McKay, founder of The Menopause Maze, to unpack how menopause affects leadership performance, talent pipelines, and boardroom readiness. You will learn why a symptom-only lens misses the real career impacts, how the “invisible filter” quietly shapes who gets promoted, and what HR and L&D can do to turn menopause into a leadership advantage. We cover data-driven diagnostics, the No Pause Scorecard, manager upskilling, and confidential coaching routes that protect privacy while improving performance and retention. Watch to move from awareness to action and build an inclusive, high-performance culture that keeps your best women.Connect with Fiona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionamckay/The Menopause Maze Website: https://www.themenopausemaze.com/Workplace Scorecard: https://www.themenopausemaze.com/menopause-at-work-scorecard-for-workplacesNick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Preview and intro (02:25) Who Fiona McKay is and her mission (The Menopause Maze)(04:07) Menopause as an overlooked strategic blind spot(06:49) Why HR/L&D must lead or risk stall and attrition(11:06) Myths, symptom distribution, and the “invisible filter”(14:01) Equipping senior women for boardroom performance(16:02) Succession planning when symptoms peak(18:02) Data point: 73% would move for a menopause career coach(20:27) No Pause Scorecard and data diagnostic explained(23:07) Confidential coaching routes for leaders (B2B and direct)(26:19) Designing lifecycle-aware leadership development(28:25) Talent attraction and Gen Alpha expectations(29:42) Practical L&D actions: on-demand learning and manager support(31:50) Four immediate actions for organisations(33:46) Culture, inclusion, and the ripple effect beyond work(37:00) HR L&D Vault: resource, lesson, and future advice

  --------  

  39:40

  --------

  39:40
• Belonging, Inclusion & the Future of Human Connection at Work with Greg Morley

  Download Deel’s free AI-powered HR guide and discover how to streamline processes, stay compliant, and scale globally with ease: https://shorturl.at/Y1ySBWhat does it really mean to belong at work? In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, Nick Day sits down with Greg Morley — global HR leader, former Head of DEI at Moët Hennessy, and author of BOND: Belonging and the Keys to Inclusion and Connection.Greg shares powerful insights from his 20+ year career at Disney, Hasbro, and LVMH, where he led multicultural teams across the US, Europe, and Asia. Together, Nick and Greg explore:Why belonging is the foundation of inclusion and employee engagementHow leaders can build psychological safety and connection in diverse workplacesThe challenges of driving global DEI initiatives across regions and culturesPractical steps HR professionals can take to embed inclusion into daily practicesWhy belonging is the future of work — and how it impacts retention, innovation, and growthWhether you’re an HR leader, people manager, or business owner, this conversation will help you understand why belonging matters and how you can create a workplace where everyone feels valued and connected.📖 Learn more about Greg’s book BOND here: https://www.gregmorley.comGreg’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcmorley/Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Introduction & Greg’s Global HR Journey(04:28) Early Life and Cross-Cultural Influences(08:15) Career Path: From GE to Disney to Hasbro(12:47) Lessons from Leading at Disneyland Paris(17:36) Building Teams Across Asia (Hong Kong & Shanghai)(23:04) Transition to LVMH and Global DEI Leadership(28:55) Why Belonging is the Foundation of Inclusion(34:12) Writing *BOND* – The Keys to Inclusion & Connection(39:44) Regional Differences in DEI: Asia vs. Europe vs. US(45:31) Leadership, Empathy & Human Connection(50:08) Creating Psychological Safety at Work(55:23) Practical Actions HR Can Take to Foster Belonging(01:01:42) The Future of Work: Inclusion as a Strategic Advantage

  --------  

  58:45

  --------

  58:45
• The Psychology Behind Toxic Workplaces (And How to Fix Them) with Dr Mary-Clare Race

  Ready to transform your HR operations?Download Deel’s free AI-powered HR guide and discover how to streamline processes, stay compliant, and scale globally with ease: https://shorturl.at/Y1ySBWhy do toxic workplaces thrive, and how can leaders turn them around? In this HR L&D Podcast episode, we’re sitting down with Dr Mary-Clare Race, a workplace psychologist and leadership expert, to uncover the psychology of toxic cultures and the strategies that transform them into thriving, inclusive environments.From her PhD research to leading DE&I initiatives for companies like Barclays, GSK, and Unilever, Dr Race explains why harmful behaviors persist, how to rebuild belonging, and why empathy, resilience, and self-awareness are the hallmarks of great leadership. She shares practical ways to hold leaders accountable, strengthen workplace connection, and use AI as a tool to support human-centered coaching.Whether you’re in HR or lead a team, this conversation delivers actionable insights for creating healthier, more productive workplaces.Dr Mary-Clare Race’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mary-clare-race-b59a602/Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Why Human Resources Matter Most (01:46) Introducing Dr Mary-Clare Race (04:00) The Psychology of Workplace Toxicity (06:06) The “Toxic Triangle” Explained (07:48) Turning Toxic Cultures Into Thriving Ones (10:40) Why DE&I Slips During Economic Pressure (13:16) The Backlash Against DE&I (15:12) Building Belonging Through Human Connection (16:45) Remote Work’s Impact on Toxicity (18:27) The Connection Crisis at Work (22:19) Do Playground Bullies Become Business Leaders? (26:25) How Early Experiences Shape Leadership Styles (28:56) Empathy, Resilience & Self-Awareness in Leadership (31:46) Micro-Coaching Moments for Busy Leaders (33:30) Leading Multi-Generational Workforces (36:42) Supporting Caregivers and Working Parents (39:26) AI in Coaching and Leadership Development (43:45) Final Advice for HR Leaders

  --------  

  46:34

  --------

  46:34
• Mastering Office Politics: Power, Promotion & Playing to Win with Michael Wenderoth

  Ready to transform your HR operations?Download Deel’s free AI-powered HR guide and discover how to streamline processes, stay compliant, and scale globally with ease: https://www.deel.com/resources/ai-in-hr-global-organizations/?utm_medium=sponsored-newsletter&utm_source=nickday&utm_campaign=ww_engage_download_nickday_sponnewsletter_hrnewsletter-theroleofai-jun25_platfpod_all&utm_content=engage_platfpod_sponnewsletter_theroleofai-dedicated-hr_enIn this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, host Nick Day sits down with executive coach and author Michael Wenderoth to explore what it really takes to get promoted in today’s corporate world.Michael is the author of the bestselling book Get Promoted and host of the 97% Effective podcast. He shares actionable strategies for advancing your career without compromising your values. From navigating power dynamics and office politics to building influence and mapping organizational power, this conversation is a must-listen for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and ambitious professionals who feel stuck despite doing great work.If you’ve ever wondered why top performers don’t always rise and what you can do to change that, this episode is for you.Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchangwenderoth/Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) How Power, Politics & Influence Drive Promotions (03:19) Why HR Needs More Power Inside Organizations (05:40) The Story of “Matt” & Why Top Talent Gets Ousted (11:32) Redefining Power as a Neutral Force (15:44) Using “The Rock, The Map, The Snowball” to Get Unstuck (21:00) What Power Maps Reveal That Org Charts Don’t (25:12) How Oversharing & Being “Too Authentic” Can Backfire (34:32) How HR Can Shift Culture Without Creating Toxicity (38:21) The Real Reason People Leave Their Jobs (41:56) Rethinking Leadership in a Hybrid & AI-Driven Future (46:45) Why Michael Named His Podcast “97% Effective” (49:58) Bold Advice for HR Leaders, Promotions & Game of Thrones

  --------  

  55:53

  --------

  55:53

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About The HR L&D Podcast

The HR L&D Podcast: Podcasts in Family