What does it take to lead people in high-stakes, private-equity-backed environments, where efficiency matters, managers are underprepared, and AI is reshaping how work gets done?

In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, Kelly Oliver, a veteran HR and business leader whose career spans leadership roles at Microsoft, Oracle, HP, Salesforce, and most recently as Head of HR at a PE-backed cybersecurity company.

In this episode we explore:

• Why scaling efficiently now requires HR to understand how the business makes money
• Why most managers are unprepared for today’s environment, and what effective manager enablement looks like
• How HR can use data, QBRs, and performance visibility to influence executive decisions
• Why AI should live behind the scenes, not between people, and how HR must lead AI strategy without losing the human connection
• What it means to “be better than a bot” in an AI-driven workplace

This is a practical, executive-level conversation for HR leaders navigating growth, profitability pressure, and rising expectations from boards and PE sponsors.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 | Intro: Leading HR in PE-Backed, High-Pressure Environments
• 01:58 | Meet Kelly Oliver: From Engineering to Head of HR.
• 04:00 | The Real Question: How Do You Scale an Organization Efficiently?
• 06:07 | Why Everything Is Now a 90-Day Window
• 08:56 | HR’s Role in Revenue-Driven Execution
• 11:35 | Performance Heat Maps and HR’s Early Warning Signals
• 12:31 | Why Every HR Team Should Run a QBR
• 17:56 | Managers Are Unprepared & Here’s Why
• 19:28 | Manager 101: What Leaders Actually Need to Learn
• 21:36 | Managing the “What” vs. the “How”
• 27:27 | How AI Is Already Changing the Manager Role
• 29:08 | Where AI Belongs: Back-End Efficiency, Not Front-Line Humans
• 32:14 | Why HR Must Be Central to AI Strategy
• 35:02 | AI Literacy for HR Leaders: Lean In or Fall Behind
• 38:02 | Human Connection Still Matters More Than Ever
• 40:46 | Final Challenge: Be Better Than a Bot

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-oliver/

Good Signs Consulting: http://goodsignsconsulting.com/

HRBench: https://www.hrbench.com/

AI is reshaping how we work, and HR should be at the forefront.

In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, we sit down with Kristin McDonald, a veteran HR tech strategist and self-proclaimed “HR tech nerd,” to unpack what it means for HR to lead in the age of AI.

Kristin shares:

• Why AI literacy is now table stakes for HR leaders

• How to build an AI roadmap that drives business value

• What traps to avoid during tech implementations

• How to evaluate AI vendors (and when to build vs. buy)

• The role HR plays in AI governance, data readiness, and org-wide enablement

Whether your exec team is pushing AI adoption or you’re simply trying to modernize your HR tech stack, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to lead from the front.

Chapters

• 00:00 | Intro: Why AI in HR is a Strategic Imperative
• 01:39 | Meet Kristin: A Self-Proclaimed HR Tech Nerd
• 02:11 | AI Overload: Trends, Buzzwords & Real Questions
• 04:05 | Strategic Tech Stacks: It’s Not About the Shiny Tools
• 06:32 | Before You Buy: The Internal Questions HR Must Ask
• 08:54 | Integrations & IT: Don’t Buy Without These Partners
• 10:25 | Point Solution vs. All-In-One: What Actually Works
• 13:12 | Implementation Pitfalls: What HR Gets Wrong
• 17:12 | Where Should HR Tech Live, IT or HR?
• 21:07 | The Case for a Single AI Agent Experience
• 22:12 | Why HR Must Lead AI Adoption (and How to Start)
• 27:57 | How to Become AI Literate as an HR Leader
• 30:24 | Getting a Seat at the AI Table: HR’s Influence Playbook
• 35:43 | How to Build an AI Roadmap That Actually Works
• 38:15 | Quick Wins vs. Long-Term AI Strategy
• 39:42 | AI Governance: The Hot Topic No One Wants to Own
• 42:18 | Final Advice: Learn Together, Lead with Confidence

Connect with Kristin McDonald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinmcdonald1/

What if the performance issues you’re seeing are really signs of trauma?

In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, Dr. John King shares his powerful story, from surviving childhood trafficking and losing everything at age 45, to building a framework for growth, healing, and leadership in high-performance environments.

This isn’t just John’s personal story. It’s a roadmap for HR.

We explore:

• Why trauma isn’t just something that happens to you, it lives in you

• Small physiological shifts that can spark recovery and performance: from cold showers to grounding mats

• The “second question” leaders must ask to build trust and safety

• How HR can walk with employees through life’s hardest seasons, and why doing so drives long-term loyalty and growth

If you want to create a workplace that supports growth, this conversation is your starting point.

Episode chapters:

• 00:00 | Intro: Dr. John King’s Turning Point at Age 45
• 04:33 | It Started with a Snickers Bar: The Moment He Realized Trauma Lives in the Body
• 07:03 | Tree Hugging, Sunlight & Cold Showers: Tools from the Trauma Toolbox
• 10:30 | The 1% Rule: Why Micro-Habits Matter More Than Big Fixes
• 13:24 | Daily Tactics for Leaders: Helping Teams Stay Clear, Calm, and Productive
• 15:50 | Culture vs. Policy: How to Build a Trauma-Aware Workplace That Works
• 18:07 | Grace in Action: Authentic Leadership, Missed Meetings, and Halloween Costumes
• 20:04 | The Authenticity Check: When to Call It Out and When to Coach Through
• 23:02 | Late Shifts and Childcare: What HR Misses When We Don’t Ask “Why?”
• 25:12 | Walking with the Wounded: Supporting Grief, Divorce, and Life’s Disruptions
• 29:31 | Trading Health for Hustle: Why HR Must Help Teams Re-Evaluate Success
• 32:04 | Choosing Authenticity Over Gordon Gekko: A Lesson in Self-Awareness
• 33:05 | Soft Skills Aren’t Soft: Why HR Needs More Training in Human Tools
• 35:53 | Care for the Caregivers: The Hidden Burnout Inside HR
• 36:56 | Final Word: You Can’t Heal What You Ignore

🔗 Connect with Dr. John A. King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnaking/

🔗 Visit Dr. John A. King’s website: https://drjohnaking.com/

🔗 Learn more at HRBench.com