HR Strategy in the Hot Seat

Team Climate with Sean Spurgin

In this brilliant interview, Sean Spurgin, Learning Director at Elev-8 Performance joins Anwen Bottois, to share his journey into leadership development, the importance of team climate, and practical strategies for HR leaders to enhance organisational culture and performance. The conversation highlights the distinction between culture (the personality of an organisation) and team climate (the day-to-day mood), emphasising that while culture is challenging to change, team climate can be more easily influenced by leaders. The discussion also covers the significance of mindset, capability, and reducing friction in leadership roles, as well as the need for continuous performance conversations and psychological safety. The episode underscores the value of investing in leadership development to drive engagement and performance improvements. Key Topics * The role of team climate in organisational culture * Practical leadership behaviours for immediate impact * The importance of diagnosing capability gaps before training Find Sean on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/seanspurgin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanspurgin/] The Book: Dropping the C-Bomb: Why Team Climate Crushes Culture: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dropping-C-Bomb-Climate-Crushes-Culture-ebook/dp/B0FN4JV2MZ [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dropping-C-Bomb-Climate-Crushes-Culture-ebook/dp/B0FN4JV2MZ] Find Elev-8 Performance here: https://elev-8.co.uk/ [https://elev-8.co.uk/] Find out more about more about Anwen Bottois here: https://expertservicesdirectory.com/directory/anwen-bottois/ [https://expertservicesdirectory.com/directory/anwen-bottois/]

Hope is a Strategy with Ian B Pettigrew

Most leaders underestimate how a simple shift in mindset can transform teams and organisations. Ian B Pettigrew’s powerful concept: hope isn’t wishful thinking, it’s a strategy that drives real change. If you’re tired of feeling stuck amid uncertainty, this episode reveals how leaders and HR professionals can harness hope to inspire resilience, foster trust, and create thriving cultures. Ian B Pettigrew, author of Hope is a Strategy, joins Anwen Bottois (your host and founder of Purple Sky Consulting) to share why hope is an active, learnable skill, not just a feel-good sentiment. He breaks down how hope influences everything from leadership to community building, backed by over 40 years of research. Discover how top organisations and community leaders are deliberately using hope to motivate action, even in the toughest times. We explore surprising insights from Gallup’s research, Templeton’s work on resilience, and why hope is contagious a force that can transform your workplace and beyond. You’ll discover: - The active psychology of hope, how it’s about pathways, belief, and taking action - Why many leadership strategies fail because they ignore hope or rely on toxic positivity - Practical tools and how HR can embed hope into culture, trust, and communication - How to avoid performative solutions and genuinely create an environment where hope flourishes - The lessons from global community projects in Ethiopia and Uganda, resourcefulness and hope in action In a world where organisations struggle with burnout, distrust, and change fatigue, the real opportunity lies in fostering hope. Without it, teams become disengaged; with it, they thrive. This episode is essential listening for HR leaders, managers, and anyone serious about creating positive, resilient workplaces. If you’re ready to see hope as a strategic asset not just a wish, tune in now. Ian B Pettigrew is a seasoned coach, leadership development expert, and author of Hope is a Strategy. His innovative approach draws on decades of research and real-world community projects, showing how hope can be deliberately cultivated to inspire growth, trust, and impact. Get ready to unlock the true power of hope because when it’s intentional, it can transform your organisational culture and your life. Find Ian B Pettigrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpettigrew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpettigrew] Find the Hope Tips here: https://hope.tips/ [https://hope.tips/] Find out about the HR Strategy in the Hot Seat Podcast here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hr-strategy-in-the-hot-seat/ [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hr-strategy-in-the-hot-seat/] Find out more about Anwen here: The website: purpleskyconsulting.co.uk [http://purpleskyconsulting.co.uk] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach [http://linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach]

Low-Level Conflict in Organisations with Fiona Kearns

Most organisational conflicts are invisible, and costly. Fiona Kearns joins Anwen Bottois (your host) to reveal how small, overlooked 'politeness' issues can escalate into toxic environments, affecting productivity and morale in ways leaders often miss. All impacting individual and organisational performance, critical for the HR Strategy. If you've ever wondered how minor disagreements snowball or why high-performing teams struggle with communication, this episode is for you. Fiona, a business psychologist with a tech and telecoms background, shows you how to spot the warning signs of low-level conflict and turn them into opportunities for stronger, healthier workplaces. You’ll discover: * Why 'politeness' can be a form of avoidance and how to confront it effectively * The hidden power dynamics behind small frustrations and microaggressions * Practical action based on having more honest, low-stakes conversations that prevent bigger issues * How to build a culture where feedback and conflict are seen as opportunities, not threats * Actionable steps for HR and leaders to model open dialogue and strengthen team trust In an era where organisational health directly impacts profitability, ignoring small conflicts is a risk you can’t afford. Fiona explains why addressing the 'small stuff' can prevent costly disruptions, reduce turnover, and foster a more engaged, resilient workforce. Perfect for HR leaders, managers, and executives eager to create workplaces built on trust and transparency, because clear, honest conversations are the foundation of high performance. When you master the art of meaningful communication, you unlock extraordinary growth, innovation, and team cohesion. Tune in to learn how to turn polite avoidance into powerful leadership, because stronger conversations make stronger organisations. Fiona Kearns is a business psychologist specialising in leadership, organisational culture, and high-performance teams. She’s passionate about unpicking hierarchical barriers to create more open, human-centered workplaces. Find Fiona here: The website: kearnsconsultancy.com [http://kearnsconsultancy.com] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fionakearns [http://linkedin.com/in/fionakearns] Find out more about Anwen here: The website: purpleskyconsulting.co.uk [http://purpleskyconsulting.co.uk] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach [http://linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach]

What is HR Strategy? Part 2: Operating Strategically in HR

What does it really mean to operate strategically as an HR leader? If you’ve ever felt stuck refining your impact, this episode unlocks six core behaviours and approaches that transform your role from tactical to strategic. Anwen Bottois, from Purple Sky Consulting, dives deep into the essential mindsets, relationships, and communication strategies that elevate HR from a support function to a key strategic partner. Discover how understanding the true problem, beyond surface issues, can make or break the success of your initiatives. She shares approaches, like analysing the system each solution operates within, and emphasises the critical role of stakeholder relationships in unlocking organisational change. Operating strategically isn’t about a single skill; it’s about cultivating a growth-oriented mindset across six key areas. Anwen’s insights help HR professionals assess where they stand, identify gaps, and develop a deliberate plan to elevate their strategic influence, plus she offers a self-assessment tool you can use immediately. This episode is perfect for HR leaders aiming to accelerate their development, solidify credibility, and become indispensable to their organisations’ success. If you’re ready to stop managing in chaos and start leading with vision and impact, tune in now and start transforming your HR approach today. Anwen Bottois is an HR strategist and leadership consultant known for helping HR professionals unlock their strategic potential through practical frameworks and leadership development. Get ready to reframe your mindset, build stronger relationships, and demonstrate impact like never before. Find Anwen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach/] Find all episodes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hr-strategy-in-the-hot-seat/id1870588503 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hr-strategy-in-the-hot-seat/id1870588503]

What is HR Strategy? Part 1: Strategy Execution

HR Strategy Insights: Executing and Operating Strategically In this episode, Anwen Bottois shares her perspective on HR strategy, focusing on how HR functions can effectively execute strategy and what it truly means to operate as a strategic HR professional. Whether you're an HR leader or a professional looking to elevate your strategic impact, this discussion offers practical insights and frameworks to help align HR activities with overall business success. Anwen invites you to share your perspective on HR Strategy execution. Key topics - The relationship between HR strategy and overall business strategy - The importance of executing HR strategy effectively - Key components of HR strategy execution: development, translation, implementation, and review - The role of HR in shaping organizational direction through strategic solutions - How to evolve HR strategies based on lessons learned and organizational feedback - Skills, behaviors, and mindset required for HR to operate strategically - The significance of leadership involvement and communication in strategy initiatives - Reflecting on success and barriers to improve future strategic efforts - The transition from management to strategic leadership roles in HR Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to this solo episode and its purpose 00:33 - Anwen introduces the concept of prompts for conversation and reflection 01:08 - Her background and experience in HR strategy and leadership 02:04 - Why HR strategy should be aligned with business strategy 03:14 - The significance of understanding what HR strategy is and its core elements 04:23 - The importance of HR being part of organisational shaping and growth 05:49 - Focusing on strategy execution and how HR contributes 06:50 - Key elements of HR strategy execution from development to review 07:20 - Shaping the organization's direction through strategic solutions 08:48 - Translating strategic priorities into day-to-day activities 09:40 - The impact of change, engagement, and communication in execution 10:58 - Implementing and supporting solutions effectively 11:29 - Reviewing, learning, and iterating on strategy outcomes 12:10 - Identifying gaps and adjusting HR actions accordingly 13:08 - Engaging leadership and teams in ongoing strategic conversations 14:33 - Celebrating successes and learning from barriers 15:30 - The continuous evolution of HR strategies 16:41 - A preview of the next episode focusing on operating strategically in HR 19:04 - The speaker shares her personal journey and leadership development focus 21:57 - Closing remarks and call to action for listeners to connect and engage Find Anwen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach/] Find all episodes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hr-strategy-in-the-hot-seat/id1870588503 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hr-strategy-in-the-hot-seat/id1870588503]