The Team Check-in

The Untold HR Lessons from Tesla’s Fastest Growth Phase feat. Felicia Heward

In this episode of The Team Check-In, Emre sits down with Felicia Heward — a seasoned HR leader who’s worked with industry giants like GE Aerospace and Tesla before launching her own fractional HR practice. Felicia shares her remarkable journey from managing labor relations in male-dominated industries to supporting growing startups that need structure and culture. She discusses what “employee relations” really means, how to handle workplace conflict constructively, and the story of Charles — the 80-year-old employee who became a symbol of loyalty and leadership. Felicia also offers an insider look into Tesla’s rapid growth, explaining how HR played a pivotal role in scaling under charismatic leadership and fast-paced innovation. Whether you’re an HR professional, a startup founder, or simply fascinated by workplace dynamics, this episode is filled with wisdom, humor, and heart. Say "Hi!" to Felicia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicia-heward-lakeeffecthr/] Learn more about Teamflect [https://teamflect.com/?utm_source=team-check-in&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=feliciaheward] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Why HR Can’t Be an Afterthought in Startups feat. Natalie Ledbetter

In the third installment of our HR Expert Series, we sit down with Natalie Ledbetter, fractional Chief People Officer, startup advisor, and consultant, to explore the role of HR in early-stage companies. Natalie shares why bringing HR in too late can create “people debt,” how hiring strategically early on can change the trajectory of a Series A or B startup, and why DEI is far more than a compliance exercise but actually a core business strategy. Along the way, she offers a candid perspective on why most people don’t scale with companies, how to celebrate exits when they happen, and the patterns that distinguish early-stage builders from late-stage operators. Learn more about Teamflect [https://teamflect.com/?utm_source=team-check-in&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=natalie-ledbetter] Say "Hi!" to Natalie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-ledbetter/]! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Building Training Programs that Actually Work feat. Ina Atanassova

In the second installment of our HR Expert Series, we sit down with Ina Atanassova, Senior Talent Development Manager at MaltegoTechnologies, to talk about navigating uncertainty and making training programs truly impactful. Most strikingly, she reveals how she re-engineered Maltego's training strategy: shifting from “everyone gets a budget” to a goal-driven approach that aligns individual development with company objectives. Along the way, Ina candidly discusses the messy realities of training from trial-and-error vendor selection to the impossibility of making everyone happy and leaves us with a powerful reminder: The real measure of success is whether learning translates into growth for both people and the organization. Learn more about Teamflect [https://teamflect.com/?utm_source=team-check-in&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Ina+Atanassova] Say "Hi!" to Ina [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ina-atanassova/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Digital Transformation Failures in HR feat Barry Flack

In the first installment of our HR Expert Series, we sit down with Barry Flack — veteran HR practitioner, advisor, and notable voice on fractional HR — to uncover what really makes or breaks digital transformation in the workplace. Barry shares candid stories from the front lines: from multi-million dollar software flops that ignored culture, to standout cases where organizations actually got it right. Most importantly, Barry poses a question every HR leader should ask: “Is the technology you’re implementing making your people more lonely?” ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Don't Fall in Love with the Processes feat. Cécile Pompeï

In this episode of The Team Check-In, host Emre sits down with globetrotting Chief People Officer Cécile Pompei to challenge everything you think you know about HR and people management. Cecile brings a refreshingly candid perspective to modern people strategy, starting with her memorable insight that "HR processes exist to protect companies from bad managers." However, her approach goes far beyond that provocative statement. As a self-described "non-traditional HR" professional, she advocates for strategic, people-centered approaches that treat employees as key partners rather than disposable resources. Learn more about Teamflect [https://teamflect.com/?utm_source=team-check-in&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=cecilepompei] Say "Hi" to Cécile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilepompei/]! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.