No Playbook, Just People: Lessons from a First-Time CEO in HR Tech

No Playbook, Just People: Lessons from a First-Time CEO in HR Tech

There’s no manual for becoming a CEO—especially in a fast-moving, AI-powered hiring landscape. In this episode, Ritu Mohanka reflects on what leadership really looks like beyond the title. From navigating tough people decisions to redefining what great hiring looks like, she shares how curiosity, transparency, and human connection shape her approach. Not just in hiring—but in how she leads teams, builds culture, and stays close to customers and partners. The conversation also explores the future of HR tech, balancing speed with responsibility in AI, and why the best leaders aren’t defined by what they know—but how quickly they learn.

Careers Aren’t Linear—And Hiring Shouldn’t Be Either

Careers aren’t linear—and hiring shouldn’t be either. In this episode of people actually, Katy Flatau of JumpCloud shares how her background in executive coaching and talent acquisition shapes the way she evaluates candidates beyond the resume. The episode explores what hiring managers often get wrong about career paths, how to identify potential that doesn’t show up on paper, and how the best companies balance AI and automation without losing the human element. If you’re looking to build stronger teams and rethink how you approach hiring, this conversation offers a fresh, practical perspective.

The Invisible Infrastructure Behind Great Hiring

In this episode of people actually, Carissa Mueller, Director of People Operations at Dream Charter Schools, breaks down the “invisible infrastructure” behind great hiring. From ATS and HRIS integration to employee experience, we explore how systems shape how work actually gets done, where friction shows up, and how AI can help teams rethink—not just speed up—how they operate. Because in hiring, what people experience is often shaped by what happens behind the scenes.

You Might be Hiring for Leaders Wrong (Here’s What Actually Matters)

In this episode of people actually, Jerry Jao sits down with executive recruiter Monica Sklover to unpack what separates great leaders from everyone else—and it’s not what’s on paper. From AI in hiring to the power of relationships, this is a real conversation about the human side of executive search—and why that still matters more than ever.

You Learn a Lot About a Company by the Way It Hires

In this episode of people actually, Jerry and Stephanie sit down with Employ recruiter Kim, to talk about the real signals inside hiring processes—the good, the messy, and the revealing. They explore what happens when recruiting is treated as a strategic partner, how leadership alignment shows up in interviews, and why talent decisions can shape the entire trajectory of a company.