Episode 36: Navigating Rapid Change and Innovation in People Leadership with - AJ Thomas

Episode 36: Navigating Rapid Change and Innovation in People Leadership with - AJ Thomas

Welcome to the People Leader Accelerator Podcast, where we examine what it genuinely takes to lead, scale, and evolve effective organisations. Our guest for this episode is AJ Thomas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaospilot/], an accomplished executive with a remarkable track record across talent, HR operations, business strategy, and the early-stage venture ecosystem. Having served in pivotal roles at Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory (Google X) and as a founder and general partner at an early-stage venture firm, AJ Thomas brings a rich, multidisciplinary perspective to the evolving world of people leadership. AJ Thomas’s hands-on experience spans leading global talent initiatives, designing organisational culture, and advising both startups and established enterprises as they navigate innovation and change. This conversation focuses on the vital role of experimentation, curiosity, and first principles thinking in shaping effective HR leadership. Against a backdrop of technological transformation, including the rising influence of generative AI, we dig into how people leaders can remain grounded in the human aspects of their roles while effectively driving innovation and business outcomes. Discussion highlights: * Navigating a non-linear career path and the value of being a “super learner” * The power of experimentation in HR and why learning from failed experiments is critical * How to design experiments with clear objectives, “kill criteria,” and real business impact in mind * The importance of challenging the status quo by first getting deeply curious about it * Integrating people strategy with AI and technology-driven change, without losing sight of human outcomes * Lessons from applying rapid testing and iteration in high-stakes environments like Google X * Why starting with the business goal - and not just the solution - drives more meaningful change * Practical frameworks for aligning HR initiatives to measurable organisational outcomes * The courage it takes to unsell ideas and prioritise what will truly support business and people growth This episode offers candid insight into the leadership qualities and practical tools needed to guide organisations through uncertainty and change. For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast. About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community. Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away. We can’t wait to share these conversations with you. Welcome to the journey! Listen, learn, and connect: 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts (Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-leader-accelerator-podcast/id1847048853], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6ShmQDpJTA7ZCWlhRWAzsX], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuVXa2eRMNXZPv3G4mt6mGDSf4jTYKPWS]). 💡 Find show notes and bonus resources at peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast [https://peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast]. 📬 Share this episode with a colleague who’s ready to level up as a people leader. 🤝 Connect with your hosts: * Jessica Yuen: linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen] | jessyuen.com [https://www.jessyuen.com/] * Andrew Bartlow: linkedin.com/in/bartlow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlow] | peopleleaderaccelerator.com [https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com/]

Episode 35: AI Meets HR - How OpenAI’s People Innovation Labs Are Simplifying Workflows - with Dylan Vassallo

Welcome to another episode of the People Leader Accelerator Podcast [https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast], where we explore what it really takes to build high-performing organisations. Our guest today is Dylan Vassallo [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-vassallo/], an engineering leader at OpenAI, where he leads the People Innovation Labs team. Dylan brings a unique blend of technical expertise and a deep passion for people operations, having previously held impactful roles at Khan Academy and Stripe. His background in both engineering management and HR innovation gives him a distinctive perspective on how cutting-edge technology can empower and transform people teams. In this conversation, we discuss the strategic and practical considerations behind building internal tools for people teams at scale. Dylan shares how OpenAI balances the decision to build versus buy people systems, the importance of simplifying employee workflows, and how AI is enabling new levels of efficiency and impact for people operations. The episode delves into the nuances of aligning technology, culture, and operational realities as organisations expand rapidly. Listeners will come away with actionable insights on optimising people processes, fostering a culture of experimentation, and navigating the trade-offs of introducing new technologies within HR. Dylan also shares tips on how HR leaders can adopt a builder’s mindset, pilot solutions, and partner effectively with engineering teams, even in resource-constrained environments. Discussion highlights: * Why OpenAI created a dedicated People Innovation Labs team to address organisational challenges during periods of hypergrowth * Balancing “build vs. buy” decisions and creating user-friendly layers on top of complex HR systems * The importance of simplifying employee experiences by curating paved paths through HR workflows * How to assess when an organisation is ready for custom internal tools based on operational complexity and compliance demands * The role of cross-functional collaboration with security, legal, and other stakeholders when implementing people technology * Common pitfalls in rolling out HR tech, including the need for strong operational support and sustainable adoption * Encouraging a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and iterative improvement within HR teams * Practical strategies for fostering a mindset of continuous learning and career growth in people leadership This conversation is a grounded exploration of how technology and people strategy intersect as organisations grow. For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast. About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community. Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away. We can’t wait to share these conversations with you. Welcome to the journey! Listen, learn, and connect: 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts (Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-leader-accelerator-podcast/id1847048853], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6ShmQDpJTA7ZCWlhRWAzsX], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuVXa2eRMNXZPv3G4mt6mGDSf4jTYKPWS]). 💡 Find show notes and bonus resources at peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast [https://peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast]. 📬 Share this episode with a colleague who’s ready to level up as a people leader. 🤝 Connect with your hosts: * Jessica Yuen: linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen] | jessyuen.com [https://www.jessyuen.com/] * Andrew Bartlow: linkedin.com/in/bartlow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlow] | peopleleaderaccelerator.com [https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com/]

Episode 34 - Navigating AI-Driven Efficiency and Headcount Impacts for HR Leaders (Jess Yuen and Andrew Bartlow in Conversation)

Welcome to another episode of the People Leader Accelerator Podcast. In this episode, we take a break from the traditional guest interviews and invite you into an informal conversation between hosts, Jess Yuen and Andrew Bartlow. Instead of sharing the spotlight with a guest, they dive into their own lived experiences and perspectives as people leaders, exploring what leadership, culture, and authenticity look like in practice. This episode centres on the real impact of artificial intelligence on productivity, headcount, and organizational structure. Andrew and Jess discuss how recent technology-driven layoffs in major companies, the drive for efficiency in tech and high-growth environments, and the practicalities of leveraging AI tools are reshaping management practices and leadership demands. They examine whether the wave of workforce reductions is truly about AI-driven efficiency or if other factors, such as investor pressure and post-pandemic organizational changes, also play a critical role. Discussion highlights: * The current wave of tech layoffs and whether AI is the real cause or a convenient narrative * How leaders can approach organizational “flattening” and wider spans of control with caution * The unique challenges and risks of managing large numbers of direct reports * Investor and board pressures shaping productivity and technology adoption in HR * The pitfalls of pursuing AI for its own sake rather than solving specific business problems * Key factors to consider before replacing complex systems with AI or no/low-code solutions * The importance of evaluating the complexity and sensitivity of business processes before deciding whether to build or buy solutions * Practical strategies for team leaders to identify use cases, measure ROI, and avoid common technology traps Taken together, this conversation delivers a thoughtful look at what it takes to lead organizations through waves of change, especially as AI and new technology reshape job roles and leadership responsibilities.  For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast. About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community. Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away. We can’t wait to share these conversations with you. Welcome to the journey! Listen, learn, and connect: 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts (Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-leader-accelerator-podcast/id1847048853], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6ShmQDpJTA7ZCWlhRWAzsX], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuVXa2eRMNXZPv3G4mt6mGDSf4jTYKPWS]). 💡 Find show notes and bonus resources at peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast [https://peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast]. 📬 Share this episode with a colleague who’s ready to level up as a people leader. 🤝 Connect with your hosts: * Jessica Yuen: linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen] | jessyuen.com [https://www.jessyuen.com/] * Andrew Bartlow: linkedin.com/in/bartlow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlow] | peopleleaderaccelerator.com [https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com/]

Episode 33: From Employment Lawyer to Chief People Officer - with Guissu Baier from GoFundMe

Welcome to another episode of the People Leader Accelerator Podcast, where we dive into what it truly means to lead teams and build effective organisations. Our guest today is Guissu Baier [https://www.linkedin.com/in/guissu/], Chief People Officer at GoFundMe. With a diverse background as both an employment attorney and people executive, Guissu brings unique perspective from her time at Visa, Instacart, venture capital firm General Catalyst, and as a co-founder of The People Collective. Her experience spanning high-growth startups, large enterprises, and investor advisory roles gives her uncommon insight into the challenges and opportunities people leaders face as organisations evolve. In this conversation, we examine the real-world complexities of leadership development, the evolving role of people leaders, and the nuances of career growth in HR. The episode explores the contrast between operating roles and advisory positions, offers a candid look at working with stakeholders like legal and investors, and highlights the decisions that matter most as organisations scale or adapt. Discussion highlights: * Guissu’s unconventional career progression from employment law to Chief People Officer * Building partnerships between HR and legal teams, including practical tips for reducing friction * Determining when organisations need in-house employment counsel and the variables that affect hiring decisions * Lessons learned from moving between in-house HR leadership, consulting, and venture capital advisory work * Common missteps founders make when hiring their first people leaders and how to clarify people team roles * Why pattern recognition helps but doesn’t replace context-specific judgement in talent decisions * Navigating personal career transitions - what to look for in your next operating or advisory role Taken together, this conversation offers grounded insight into the multifaceted nature of HR leadership. Guissu shares practical lessons on building impactful partnerships, making the right career decisions, and focusing on the outcomes that matter most for your organisation and your own growth. People leaders who want to deepen their influence, whether inside fast-scaling companies or in investor advisory roles, will find plenty to reflect on and apply. For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast. About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community. Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away. We can’t wait to share these conversations with you. Welcome to the journey! Listen, learn, and connect: 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts (Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-leader-accelerator-podcast/id1847048853], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6ShmQDpJTA7ZCWlhRWAzsX], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuVXa2eRMNXZPv3G4mt6mGDSf4jTYKPWS]). 💡 Find show notes and bonus resources at peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast [https://peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast]. 📬 Share this episode with a colleague who’s ready to level up as a people leader. 🤝 Connect with your hosts: * Jessica Yuen: linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen] | jessyuen.com [https://www.jessyuen.com/] * Andrew Bartlow: linkedin.com/in/bartlow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlow] | peopleleaderaccelerator.com [https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com/]

Episode 32: Navigating Change and Building Influence as an HR Leader - with Teresa Lilly

Welcome to another episode of the People Leader Accelerator Podcast, where we explore what it really takes to accelerate careers and build high-performing organizations. Our guest today is Teresa Lilly [https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresalilly/], an experienced HR leader and fractional CPO who has navigated the people leadership landscape across the US and Australia. With over a decade spent scaling tech startups from early to growth stages, advising founders, and now helping multiple organizations as a consultant and interim executive, Teresa Lilly offers a candid perspective on the practical realities of change leadership, executive relationships, and adapting people strategy to diverse business contexts. In this episode, we focus on the leadership challenges of managing organizational change, aligning HR and business strategy, and building the relationship between people leaders and CEOs. Teresa Lilly shares lessons from change-heavy environments, the impact of local employment regulations, and what she wishes more HR professionals understood about their own influence. Listeners will gain a wealth of practical insights on navigating organizational transitions, building credibility with executive teams, and stepping into consulting or fractional leadership roles. Teresa Lilly provides grounded advice on influencing company direction, managing personal values amid business pressures, and making the leap from in-house operator to advisory roles. Discussion highlights: * How a non-traditional background and international move shaped Teresa Lilly’s approach to people leadership * The emotional and relational costs of sustained organizational change - and how leaders can address them * Practical strategies for planning and communicating major changes, such as CEO transitions * The critical role of managers in helping teams process and adapt during change * Why the HR-CEO relationship is pivotal, and techniques to “stress test” alignment early in a new role * Recognizing when values and beliefs between HR and leadership are too misaligned to reconcile * The realities of moving from in-house roles to fractional or consulting work, including building trust and managing context-switching * How to structure fractional CPO work across multiple clients without losing effectiveness * The trade-offs between flexibility, influence, and workload as a consultant versus an in-house HR leader * Key differences between US and Australian startup ecosystems, particularly regulatory impacts on people practices * Advice on how to build career growth, credibility, and influence - regardless of organizational context * The importance of understanding your business and speaking its language as a people leader This conversation offers a nuanced, experience-based look into the trade-offs and decisions people leaders face when managing organizational transitions and shaping people strategy. Teresa Lilly’s insights into executive relationships, practical change management, and the realities of consulting are relevant for HR leaders, founders, and executives alike. Whether you are scaling a startup, considering a shift to advisory work, or navigating the unique challenges of your region’s ecosystem, the lessons here provide actionable guidance and candid reflection for your leadership journey. For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast. About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community. Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away. We can’t wait to share these conversations with you. Welcome to the journey! Listen, learn, and connect: 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts (Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-leader-accelerator-podcast/id1847048853], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6ShmQDpJTA7ZCWlhRWAzsX], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuVXa2eRMNXZPv3G4mt6mGDSf4jTYKPWS]). 💡 Find show notes and bonus resources at peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast [https://peopleleaderaccelerator.com/podcast]. 📬 Share this episode with a colleague who’s ready to level up as a people leader. 🤝 Connect with your hosts: * Jessica Yuen: linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicayuen] | jessyuen.com [https://www.jessyuen.com/] * Andrew Bartlow: linkedin.com/in/bartlow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlow] | peopleleaderaccelerator.com [https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com/]