Join us for an insightful conversation with Michael Kienle, the Global VP of Talent Acquisition at L'Oreal, as he shares his unique journey to leading global recruitment for one of the world's most iconic consumer brands. Michael discusses his transition from marketing to HR, driven by his passion for understanding and working with people.

In this episode, we also explore the challenges and strategies in global talent acquisition at L'Oreal, especially in managing the vast number of applications received annually. Discover how L'Oreal measures and improves candidate experience through initiatives like the "License to Hire" training program and the "Candidate Experience Manifesto." Furthermore, we delve into L'Oreal's commitment to diversity and youth employability with innovative programs such as L'Oreal for Youth and L'Oreal Boost, which provide professional opportunities and educational resources for young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Don't miss this engaging discussion on maintaining a people-centric approach in HR and making big brands accessible to diverse talent pools.

Find out more about innovative HR practices at www.disruptivehr.com

Michael Kienle on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kienlemichael/

Ever wondered why those tough conversations at work seem to hit a nerve every single time? In our latest episode of the Disruptive HR podcast, Karen Moran and I unravel the complexities of difficult conversations using David Rock's SCARF model. From the pitfalls of saving up negative feedback for annual reviews to the power of continuous, in-the-moment feedback, we expose the flaws in traditional performance management. Drawing from our personal experiences, we highlight why frequent, informal check-ins can transform these challenging interactions into opportunities for growth and improvement.

Additionally, we share compelling real-life stories, such as a scenario at the BBC where mixed messages created chaos, to underscore the importance of clear communication. We'll equip you with strategies to create a non-confrontational atmosphere during these tough talks by avoiding HR presence and formal note-taking. Discover how peer-to-peer learning environments like ZoomInfo's Leadership Lounge and Nova Nordisk's Manager Club can provide invaluable support. We also tackle the stress and limitations of performance improvement plans, shedding light on why they often miss the mark. Tune in for actionable insights and practical tips that will help you handle difficult conversations with confidence and empathy.

Find out more about innovative HR practices at www.disruptivehr.com

Join us for an illuminating conversation with Sarah Findlater, the People Director at Marks and Spencer, as she takes us through her incredible 23-year journey within the organization. From her beginnings as a personnel graduate to leading people plans for over a thousand stores and 47,000 colleagues, Sarah offers invaluable insights into building a high-performance culture. Hear how her diverse experiences in both business-facing and center of expertise roles have shaped her leadership approach and learn how she stays engaged and curious in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Discover the groundbreaking initiatives Marks and Spencer have implemented to transform employee benefits and work-life balance. Sarah shares the successes of policies like the neonatal leave, offering up to 12 weeks of paid leave for parents with babies in neonatal care, and innovative trials for flexible work weeks that have led to lower attrition rates and higher employee engagement. We also explore the impact of a job share app that enables better conversations and flexible working arrangements, emphasizing the importance of treating employees as adults and giving them control over their schedules. This episode is a treasure trove of ideas for anyone looking to create a more supportive and productive work environment.

Find out more about innovative HR practices at www.disruptivehr.com

Join us as we explore the concept of Agile HR and how it can revolutionise the way HR functions are delivered. Lucy Adams and Karen Moran, founders of Disruptive HR, address the traditional pitfalls of HR being overly bureaucratic and slow, often perfecting processes at the expense of addressing real employee needs. They share personal anecdotes, such as a pay and grading exercise at the BBC, to illustrate how a human-centred, agile approach can make HR more responsive and value-driven. By shifting focus from managing processes to solving human challenges, they discuss how to create a more dynamic and effective HR practice that truly supports both the organisation and its people.

Hear about the importance of designing HR products based on the end user's needs and pain points, rather than rigid, efficiency-focused models. The conversation covers working with early adopters to pilot and refine initiatives before a wider rollout and the benefits of short-term, manageable projects. Drawing examples from companies like Shop Direct and Netflix, they advocate for an agile, iterative process that favours frequent, small-scale updates over long-term, perfection-driven initiatives. Don't miss this insightful episode on making HR more agile and responsive to better serve your organisation and its employees.

Find out more about innovative HR practices at www.disruptivehr.com

Unlock the secrets to modern leadership with award-winning expert Dr Kirstin Ferguson as she shares game-changing insights from her latest book, "Head and Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership." Learn how to balance analytical skills with empathy and emotional intelligence through the Head Heart Leader Scale, and discover the critical attributes that define exceptional leaders today. From maintaining curiosity to recognizing who is missing from key conversations, Kirstin offers a comprehensive guide for emerging leaders aiming to maximize their impact.

We also dive into the importance of humility in leadership, exploring how simple human interactions can elevate team morale and performance. Find out why both men and women excel similarly in leadership qualities and how recent data debunks gender biases in self-assessment. Don't miss this opportunity to hear practical advice and robust data that could transform your leadership approach and help you cultivate a balanced, effective leadership style.

https://www.kirstinferguson.com/

Find out more about innovative HR practices at www.disruptivehr.com

Is your organisation stuck in the quagmire of outdated succession planning? Lucy Adams and Karen Moran, founders of Disruptive HR share their personal horror stories from their time as HR Directors and shed light on the inefficiencies of traditional methods that often miss the mark. They discuss the pitfalls of over-engineering processes, making a case for the urgent need for agile succession planning. By highlighting how rigid structures can fail to adapt to market dynamics, they stress the importance of a more fluid and realistic approach to succession planning.

Moving beyond horror stories, they showcase successful strategies from companies like Nestle, Spotify, Arium, and Western Union that have redefined succession planning. From embracing the concept that ‘everyone is ready for something different’ to implementing regular ‘talent talks’, these organisations demonstrate the power of inclusive and dynamic approaches. Tune in to discover how these innovative practices can foster internal talent development, transforming your succession planning into a forward-thinking and effective process.

Find out more about innovative HR practices at www.disruptivehr.com

Unlock the secrets to revolutionising performance management with insights directly from Gill Hunt and Uli Kirschner from tech company SUSE. Discover how SUSE transformed their performance evaluations into the innovative "SUSE Sync," a dynamic system that fosters personal accountability and continuous feedback. You'll learn how this major shift was driven by employee engagement surveys revealing a demand for clearer role expectations and better feedback, ultimately aligning employees with organisational goals and boosting overall performance.

Explore the SYNC (Setting You in Control) framework, designed to cultivate a culture of personal and professional growth. Hear firsthand accounts from Gill and Uli about moving away from rigid performance ratings to an ongoing, adaptive feedback process that empowers leaders to coach their teams more effectively. You'll understand the complexities and advantages of this new approach, particularly how it influences reward differentiation and managerial decision-making without relying on traditional ratings. The duo also shares the extensive marketing and communication efforts behind the successful relaunch of this system, ensuring robust employee engagement.

Get inspired by SUSE's creative rollout strategies and learn about the importance of language in making these initiatives succeed, shifting from formal HR jargon to more inclusive terms. Gill and Uli reflect on the journey, emphasising the need for flexibility, over-communication, and sustained enthusiasm beyond the initial launch phase. These insights will arm you with the knowledge to drive meaningful change in HR practices within your own organisation.

Find out more about innovative HR practices at www.disruptivehr.com

Lucy talks to Leatham Green from Oracle about making change happen