HR Strategy in the Hot Seat

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]

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]