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

Multi-Generational Workforces with Liz Atkin

In this episode, Anwen Bottois (your host and founder of Purple Sky Consulting) is joined by Liz Atkin, consultant, facilitator and founder of Refreshing Comms. Liz brings a wealth of experience in workplace communication and intergenerational strategy, and in this conversation she makes the case for why HR leaders need to treat generational differences not as a problem to fix, but as a strategic opportunity to leverage. From her time as a CEO navigating a toxic culture, to years on the road working with manufacturing and engineering businesses, Liz has seen first-hand how the people side of organisations is almost always the real issue and how communication sits at the heart of it. If you're navigating friction between experienced and early-career employees, struggling to retain younger talent, or simply not sure where to start, this episode gives you a practical and honest framework for moving forward. The main topics include: * Why the intergenerational workforce is now a strategic priority for HR * The risks of leading with stereotypes rather than strategy * How to build a shared leadership narrative around generational difference * The latent potential of the midlife workforce and why it gets overlooked * What Gen Z actually need from their managers — and why mentorship matters * Why lateral career growth is replacing the traditional corporate ladder * Designing intergenerational workshops that link to real business goals * The role of co-creation in building policies and practices that stick * How communication underpins every generational challenge in the workplace * Where HR leaders should start if this feels like unfamiliar territory Resources & Links: * Refreshing Comms: https://refreshingcomms.co.uk/ [https://refreshingcomms.co.uk/] * Refreshing Comms — the book: available on Amazon and Waterstones * Find Liz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-atkin-4400a9250/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-atkin-4400a9250/] This episode is a timely reminder that the organisations attracting and retaining the best talent are the ones doing certain things intentionally. Start with strategy, not stereotypes and get people talking. Find out more about more about Anwen Bottois here: https://expertservicesdirectory.com/directory/anwen-bottois/ [https://expertservicesdirectory.com/directory/anwen-bottois/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach/] Purple Sky Consulting Website: https://www.purpleskyconsulting.co.uk/ [https://www.purpleskyconsulting.co.uk/]

Performance Enhancement Systems with Roxy Allen

In this episode, Anwen Bottois (your host and founder of Purple Sky Consulting) is joined by Roxy Allen, a workforce transformation specialist working in the gas industry, with a background spanning Agile HR, design thinking, systems thinking and socio-technical systems. Roxy shares how she has applied systems thinking to reshape how managers approach performance conversations and why starting with conditions, not targets, is the key to unlocking real organisational performance. Whether you're an HR leader trying to make sense of performance frameworks or someone looking to bring more strategic thinking into your people function, this conversation is packed with practical insights and some genuinely fresh thinking. The main topics include: * Why HR functions struggle to see performance as a system * The difference between managing the system and leading the people * How Roxy developed and adapted the Performance Chain framework for her organisation * Practical approaches to embedding systems thinking in performance conversations * Where HR leaders should start if they're new to this way of working High performance isn't necessarily built through more activity but through better conditions. Resources & Links: Six Boxes Performance Thinking: https://www.sixboxes.com/ [https://www.sixboxes.com/] Agile Culture Development Matrix: https://toolkit.agilebusiness.org/agile-culture-development-matrix [https://toolkit.agilebusiness.org/agile-culture-development-matrix] Find Roxy on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/missroxanneallen/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/missroxanneallen/] Find out more about more about Anwen Bottois here: https://expertservicesdirectory.com/directory/anwen-bottois/ [https://expertservicesdirectory.com/directory/anwen-bottois/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach/] Purple Sky Consulting Website: https://www.purpleskyconsulting.co.uk/ [https://www.purpleskyconsulting.co.uk/]

Successful Engagement of External Experts with Jessica Lorimer

In this episode, Anwen Bottois (your host) is joined by Jessica Lorimer. Jess is an expert sales training consultant with her business Selling to Corporates and is the founder of the Expert Services Directory and during this episode Jess shares advice for HR leaders on sourcing and managing external suppliers, making strategic decisions, and fostering productive partnerships that drive organisational success. Whether navigating the complexities of hiring external experts or building internal capabilities, this conversation offers practical insights to elevate HR practices and business outcomes. The main topics include: * How HR can effectively source external consultants and suppliers * Differentiating between interim support and specialist expertise * The importance of clear briefs and honest internal discussions * Building sustainable relationships with external vendors * Upskilling internal teams alongside external support * The role of credible directories in supplier selection * Cost-effectiveness of external expertise versus internal hiring * Managing junior HR staff in sourcing decisions * Strategic decision-making processes in outsourcing * Developing business cases to justify external investments Resources & Links: Expert Services Directory: https://expertservicesdirectory.com/ [https://expertservicesdirectory.com/] Selling to Corporates: selltocorporates.com [http://selltocorporates.com] Connect with Jessica Lorimer on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesslorimer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesslorimer/] This episode underscores the value of honest communication, strategic decision-making, and leveraging credible resources to optimise external supplier engagements. Find out more about more about Anwen Bottois here: https://expertservicesdirectory.com/directory/anwen-bottois/ [https://expertservicesdirectory.com/directory/anwen-bottois/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach/] Purple Sky Consulting Website: https://www.purpleskyconsulting.co.uk/ [https://www.purpleskyconsulting.co.uk/]

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]