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How HR Leaders Change the World

How HR Leaders Change the World

Written by: Cecilia Crossley
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About this listen

 Explore how the work of HR Leaders is creating positive social change, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals - goals which the world's companies are increasingly understanding the urgency of achieving, and investing in the action required. If you'd like clear, actionable ideas for how you can use the power of your role to effect change in your company, you're in the right place. I'm the founder of social enterprise Uplifting People, we provide services to HR Leaders, and through this work I realised that HR professionals and social entrepreneurs are working in the same areas, albeit in different ways. So we created this podcast to share knowledge, on steps we can take through the work of HR. In my opinion, if you're an HR professional, you are also a change maker. And this podcast will provide you with examples of how. By sharing the successes of some of the world's most inspiring HR Leaders, you can frame your work in the context of positive change, implement brilliant ideas, and feel absolutely wonderful about doing so!Copyright From Babies with Love Trading Ltd 2024 Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Episode 225: Why Women Leave - Embedding Equity into Everyday Work: Joy Burnford, Founder & CEO of Encompass Equality

    Episode 225: Why Women Leave - Embedding Equity into Everyday Work: Joy Burnford, Founder & CEO of Encompass Equality
    Feb 17 2026
    What if the key to retaining women has nothing to do with women - and everything to do with how your organisation actually works? Joy shares insights from her landmark Why Women Leave study of 4,000 women, revealing that the top reasons - culture, career progression, line management and workload – aren't gender-specific at all. Her research with FTSE 350 organisations uncovered something fascinating: success wasn't about what organisations were doing, but who was doing it, how, when and why. Joy explores how inclusion leaders navigate global turbulence through three shifts: changing language from diversity to belonging, embedding equity as a golden thread through business strategy, and maintaining compliance focus. Looking ahead, Joy shares a powerful two-minute exercise: have someone talk whilst you visibly don't listen, then start again, and this time genuinely engage. The difference is transformative. Her wish is simple: practise the listening exercise and share it. References: Why Women Leave research report (2023) - Encompass Equality FTSE 350 research report (conducted with FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute) - Available at Encompass Equality The Equality Conversation - Podcast Don't Fix Women: The practical path to gender equality at work: By Joy Burnford What actually drives progress for women in leadership? Encompass Equality's latest research Thank you to Encompass Equality for sponsoring this episode. Encompass is dedicated to creating better workplaces for women and building cultures where everyone benefits. Powered by industry-leading research into women's lived experiences at work, Encompass turns real insight into targeted interventions that improve how people work together. Their latest research, conducted with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute, reveals what actually works and how to make change happen in your organisation. Download your free report from Encompass Equality 👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community    You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.     Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world    And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn  Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?  We're easing into February with Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker as our Book of the Month – a fascinating guide to understanding the power of rest and the profound impact sleep has on our health, mood, and performance. Walker draws on decades of research to show why sleep is essential for our body, mind, and wellbeing – a gentle reminder to prioritise rest after a dark and tiring January. It's a perfect read for nurturing yourself and reclaiming energy for both your personal and professional life. Let this month's book inspire you to make self-care a priority, because even small changes to our sleep habits can transform the way we feel, think, and show up each day. Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.
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    31 mins
  • Episode 224: The Great Leap - HR in The Fusion Age: Nico Decock, CHRO at Distrilog Group

    Episode 224: The Great Leap - HR in The Fusion Age: Nico Decock, CHRO at Distrilog Group
    Feb 10 2026

    Nico explores the evolution of HR and the future of work, sharing his vision for moving from a transactional, industrial mindset to a system-shaping function. He discusses his concept of The Great Leap, a framework for the Fusion Age where humans and machines work together, and reflects on the shift from advising on outcomes to owning them, ensuring HR drives real organisational impact.

    Nico emphasises the importance of naming architectural failures, focusing on next practices rather than best practices, and designing systems that recognise human potential. Nico challenges traditional approaches to productivity and capability, highlighting that legacy systems were built for a linear age and now require fundamental rethinking to make work meaningful, equitable and future-ready.

    The conversation also explores the ethical and social dimensions of HR, with integrity and responsibility at the centre. Nico introduces the human delta - the gap between current capabilities and future potential - and encourages HR leaders to take ownership. By designing systems that invest in people and make equity inevitable, HR can step onto the field and truly change the world.

    References:

    Rewiring the Human Delta by Nico Decock

    Independent IT Research & AI Insights | Bloor Research UK

    How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

    Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode.

    If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

    Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment.

    Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research

    👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community 

     

    You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.  

     

    Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world 

     

    And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn 

    Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

     

    We're easing into February with Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker as our Book of the Month – a fascinating guide to understanding the power of rest and the profound impact sleep has on our health, mood, and performance.

    Walker draws on decades of research to show why sleep is essential for our body, mind, and wellbeing – a gentle reminder to prioritise rest after a dark and tiring January. It's a perfect read for nurturing yourself and reclaiming energy for both your personal and professional life.

    Let this month's book inspire you to make self-care a priority, because even small changes to our sleep habits can transform the way we feel, think, and show up each day.

    Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.
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    32 mins
  • Episode 223: Military Leadership for Modern HR: Trust, Accountability and Human Skills at Work: Michelle Westwood, Chief People Officer at Osborne Clarke

    Episode 223: Military Leadership for Modern HR: Trust, Accountability and Human Skills at Work: Michelle Westwood, Chief People Officer at Osborne Clarke
    Feb 3 2026
    Michelle reflects on her career from 20 years in the Royal Navy to the legal sector, highlighting how her military background instilled leadership qualities founded on trust and how modelling compassionate leadership improves team engagement that also creates meaningful change. Discussing how military lessons translate to professional services, Michelle emphasises the importance of developing leadership skills at every stage of a career, sharing the concept of an 'accountability ladder' to encourage every colleague to demonstrate leadership in their role. Michelle also explores the intersection of AI and human experience, highlighting how curiosity, critical thinking, and neurodiverse perspectives can differentiate organisations in ways data alone cannot measure. Michelle shares her passion for supporting the veteran and military spouse community, illustrating how inclusive talent strategies can unlock overlooked potential. She reflects on initiatives from her past roles, including improving female retention in the Royal Navy and resolving NHS pay differentials through collaborative, transparent approaches and shows how small, thoughtful interventions can have profound impact. How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode. If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away. Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment. Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research 👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community    You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.     Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world    And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn  Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?  We're easing into February with Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker as our Book of the Month – a fascinating guide to understanding the power of rest and the profound impact sleep has on our health, mood, and performance. Walker draws on decades of research to show why sleep is essential for our body, mind, and wellbeing – a gentle reminder to prioritise rest after a dark and tiring January. It's a perfect read for nurturing yourself and reclaiming energy for both your personal and professional life. Let this month's book inspire you to make self-care a priority, because even small changes to our sleep habits can transform the way we feel, think, and show up each day. Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book. References: The Armed Forces Covenant – The official UK‑wide pledge that organisations can sign to demonstrate support for members of the Armed Forces community, committing to treat them and their families fairly and without disadvantage. Sign the Armed Forces Covenant (UK Government) Forces Employment Charity – A charity providing lifelong support, training, mentoring, and employment opportunities for service leavers, veterans, reservists, spouses and partners, helping connect military experience with civilian careers. Forces Employment Charity
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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