HR Coffee Time

Recent episodes

1. 181 | The 5 Foundations Every HR Leader Needs for the AI Era (with Charlotte Goulding) from HR Coffee Time

   Jul 31, 202648 min

   HR professionals have a huge opportunity to shape how, why and when AI is used across their organisations. Because AI is not only changing technology. It is changing jobs, skills, teams, management and the way work gets done. And HR is uniquely placed to make sure those changes work for both the organisation and its people. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay is joined by People Consultant Charlotte Goulding to explore how HR professionals can help shape successful AI adoption across their organisations. Charlotte explains why HR should not wait to be invited into conversations about AI and shares how her Five People Foundations Framework can help organisations put the right people foundations in place as work changes. Together, Fay and Charlotte explore what each of these foundations means in practice, including why traditional job descriptions may no longer be enough, why managers will become even more important and how performance, recognition and HR operations may need to evolve. Charlotte also explains how HR can help organisations make thoughtful decisions about AI while keeping people, trust and culture at the heart of them. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why HR shouldn't wait to be invited into conversations about AI The difference between “AI for HR” and “HR for AI” How the Five People Foundations work together Why skills and capabilities could become more useful than job descriptions How managers can support people through AI-related change How performance, recognition and HR operations may need to adapt Chapters [0:00] Introduction: Why HR must lead AI adoption [2:01] Welcome, Charlotte Goulding [2:24] HR for AI, not just AI for HR [4:41] From pandemic hero to recent criticism [6:31] How the Five Foundations framework came about [10:42] Overview: The Five People Foundations [11:35] Foundation 1: Identity [15:34] Example: Values in your AI hiring process [19:13] Foundation 2: Clarity [23:28] Applying skills-based roles in HR [26:31] OKRs and quarterly goal-setting [28:05] Foundation 3: Enablement [29:12] Managers: the most overlooked foundation [36:51] Foundation 4: Recognition [39:01] Rethinking career progression and rewards [40:42] Foundation 5: Operations [42:22] Mapping your most critical processes [43:38] Working with Charlotte [45:37] Book recommendations [47:05] Wrap-up and outro Useful Links Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Complete Charlotte’s free Five People Foundations diagnostic . Visit Charlotte's website: The People Thread Connect with Charlotte Goulding on LinkedIn Books Recommended in This Episode HR Disrupted by Lucy Adams Built for People by Jessica Zwaan Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next Ep 164: Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team: Three Ways OKRs Can Help Ep 166: The Biggest HR Strategy Mistake and How to Fix It, with Dean Corbett Ep 172: How One Company Helped Employees Embrace AI, with Laura Maffucci Ep 173: How to Build a Better Workplace Culture (So People Thrive at Work), with Aoife O’Brien Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One! Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released - and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

2. 180 | (Day 5) The Strategic HR Sprint – Making Strategic Work a Priority from HR Coffee Time

   Jul 17, 20268 min

   Does it feel hard to make time for strategic work when you’re already so busy? Welcome to Day 5 of The Strategic HR Sprint, a free five-day learning experience designed to help you strengthen your strategic thinking and build your confidence about being strategic. Sign up for free at https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint to receive all five episodes, worksheets, AI prompts and resources. In this final episode, Fay explores how to create and protect time for strategic work, even when your diary is full and urgent tasks keep competing for your attention. You’ll use the Day 5 worksheet to design your ideal strategic week by considering when you think most clearly, where you can focus and what you could delegate, automate, shorten or stop to create more space. You’ll also think about the boundaries and accountability that could help you protect your strategic time and follow through on the work you’ve started during the sprint. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a realistic plan for making strategic work a regular priority. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How to choose and protect time for strategic work Why your energy levels and working environment matter Practical ways to create more space in your working week How boundaries and accountability can help you follow through How to use AI as a thinking partner and accountability coach Chapters [00:00] Welcome to Day 5 of The Strategic HR Sprint [00:48] Why strategic work gets pushed aside [01:39] Making deliberate space for strategic work [02:18] Designing your ideal strategic week [02:40] Working with your energy levels [03:11] Choosing the right environment [03:31] Creating more space in your diary [04:03] Protecting your focus and staying accountable [04:46] The Essential HR Planner [05:42] Using AI as a thinking partner and accountability coach [06:29] One final thought about strategy [07:31] Sharing your experience of the sprint [07:54] What happens next on HR Coffee Time Useful Links Join the free Strategic HR Sprint: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint/ Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faywallis/ The Essential HR Planner: https://essentialhrplanner.co.uk/ Learn about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-leadership-course/ Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next Ep 174 | Free 5-Day Strategic HR Sprint (Struggling to Be Strategic? This Will Help) Ep 176 | (Day 1) The Strategic HR Sprint - Building Your Strategic Confidence Ep 177 | (Day 2) The Strategic HR Sprint - Seeing the Bigger Picture Ep 178 | (Day 3) The Strategic HR Sprint - Finding Your Strategic Focus Ep 179 | (Day 4) The Strategic HR Sprint - Look Beneath the Surface

3. 179 | (Day 4) The Strategic HR Sprint – Deepening Your Strategic Thinking from HR Coffee Time

   Jul 16, 202611 min

   When you spot a problem at work, how quickly does your mind start coming up with solutions? Welcome to Day 4 of The Strategic HR Sprint, a free five-day experience to help you build your confidence and skills in being strategic in your HR role. Join the sprint for free and access all five episodes, worksheets and resources here: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint One of the most important parts of being strategic is taking the time to understand what is really driving a challenge before deciding how to respond. It is easy to assume that the answer is training, a new policy, more people or better pay. But if you have not explored what is really causing the challenge, you could invest time and energy in an idea that only treats the symptoms. Getting to the root cause helps you make better decisions about where HR can have the greatest impact and identify actions that are more likely to create lasting improvements. In this episode, you’ll learn how to stay curious for longer and use a simple technique called the Five Whys to explore the challenge you identified during Day 3. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why understanding the root cause is an important part of being strategic How to use the Five Whys technique How to avoid treating a symptom instead of the underlying cause Why involving people who are close to the challenge can lead to better insights How to ask “why” without sounding critical or pushy Your Day 4 Activity Today’s worksheet will help you explore the challenge you chose during Day 3 and identify what may be causing it. You’ll work through the Five Whys, think about where HR could have the biggest influence and note down your first ideas for how the challenge could be addressed. You might also find it helpful to talk the challenge through with someone who sees or experiences it day to day, as they may notice things that are easy to miss from your perspective. Once you have completed the worksheet, you can also use the optional AI prompt to suggest practical HR and People initiatives, including quick wins and longer-term ideas. Before using the prompt, remember to remove or change anything that could identify your organisation or the people involved. Access all the sprint resources here: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint Chapters [00:00] – Welcome to Day 4 of The Strategic HR Sprint [01:09] – A recap of the sprint so far [01:42] – Why we jump straight to solutions [02:41] – Staying curious for longer [03:03] – How the Five Whys works [03:37] – Finding the right starting point [04:45] – The employee turnover example [06:10] – Your Day 4 worksheet [07:18] – Involving other people [07:43] – How to ask “why” without sounding critical [08:51] – Using the optional AI prompt [09:34] – Protecting confidential information [10:42] – What to expect from Day 5 Useful Links Join the free Strategic HR Sprint: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint/ Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faywallis/ The Essential HR Planner: https://essentialhrplanner.co.uk/ Learn about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-leadership-course/ Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next Ep 174 | Free 5-Day Strategic HR Sprint (Struggling to Be Strategic? This Will Help) Ep 176 | (Day 1) The Strategic HR Sprint - Building Your Strategic Confidence Ep 177 | (Day 2) The Strategic HR Sprint - Seeing the Bigger Picture Ep 178 | (Day 3) The Strategic HR Sprint - Finding Your Strategic Focus Ep 179 | (Day 4) The Strategic HR Sprint - Look Beneath the Surface Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

4. 178 | (Day 3) The Strategic HR Sprint – Finding Your Strategic Focus from HR Coffee Time

   Jul 15, 20267 min

   When there are dozens of things you could be working on, how do you decide what deserves your attention most? Welcome to Day 3 of The Strategic HR Sprint, a free five-day learning experience designed to help you strengthen your strategic thinking in just 10–15 minutes each day. Join The Strategic HR Sprint for free: brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint In today’s episode, you’ll identify one important challenge to focus on for the rest of the sprint. Drawing on an insight from Richard Rumelt’s book Good Strategy/Bad Strategy, Fay explains why good strategy isn’t a long list of everything an organisation could do. It requires focus: understanding the challenges being faced and directing time and energy towards the ones that matter most. You’ll explore different ways to identify a worthwhile challenge, whether that means looking at your organisation’s strategy, reflecting on what you discovered about the external environment during Day 2, reviewing HR data or noticing the frustrations that repeatedly arise in conversations with managers and employees. Your chosen challenge doesn’t have to affect the entire organisation. If you’re earlier in your HR career, it could be something closer to your own role that you can influence. What matters is choosing an area where you have the opportunity to make a positive difference. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why being strategic includes deciding what not to focus on How to identify the challenges behind your organisation’s strategic priorities Where to look for ideas if your organisation doesn’t have a clear or up-to-date strategy How external trends, HR data and recurring workplace frustrations can highlight important challenges The question that can help you decide which challenge to prioritise Why there isn’t an optional AI prompt for today’s activity Chapters [00:00] Welcome to Day 3 of The Strategic HR Sprint [01:09] Recapping Days 1 and 2 [01:30] What good strategy looks like in practice [02:52] Identifying one challenge worth focusing on [03:42] Using your organisation’s strategy [04:43] What to do if the strategy isn’t helpful [05:14] Learning from data and recurring frustrations [05:34] Choosing the challenge with the greatest potential impact [06:15] Why today’s activity doesn’t include an AI prompt [06:38] Share how you’re getting on Resources Mentioned Join The Strategic HR Sprint for free: brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint Good Strategy/Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters by Richard Rumelt Useful Links Join the free Strategic HR Sprint Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn The Essential HR Planner Learn about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next Ep 174 | Free 5-Day Strategic HR Sprint (Struggling to Be Strategic? This Will Help) Ep 176 | (Day 1) The Strategic HR Sprint - Building Your Strategic Confidence Ep 177 | (Day 2) The Strategic HR Sprint - Seeing the Bigger Picture Ep 179 | (Day 4) The Strategic HR Sprint - Look Beneath the Surface Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources. If you’re taking part in The Strategic HR Sprint, Fay would love to hear how you’re getting on. Leave a comment underneath the YouTube video, share your progress on LinkedIn and tag Fay, or reply to one of your daily sprint emails.

5. 177 | (Day 2) The Strategic HR Sprint – Seeing the Bigger Picture from HR Coffee Time

   Jul 14, 20268 min

   What does it really mean to be strategic in HR? One of the biggest shifts you can make is to stop looking only at HR and start paying much more attention to the world your organisation operates in. In Day 2 of the free five-day Strategic HR Sprint, Fay Wallis explores why strategic HR professionals develop an "outside-in" perspective. Drawing on insights from HR From the Outside In by Dave Ulrich and colleagues, she explains why understanding your industry's challenges, opportunities and emerging trends can help you anticipate what's coming next and make a greater strategic contribution. You'll also discover a simple habit you can build into your routine to strengthen your commercial awareness, along with an optional AI prompt that can quickly generate an executive briefing about your sector. Whether you're early in your HR career or already leading a people function, this episode will help you become more curious, more commercially aware and more confident about contributing strategically. Chapters [00:00] Welcome to Day 2 of The Strategic HR Sprint [01:09] Why understanding your organisation's world matters [02:39] The "outside-in" approach from Dave Ulrich & colleagues [03:47] How external trends shape strategic HR priorities [04:38] Today's worksheet: building your outside-in awareness [05:55] Using AI to understand your industry more quickly [07:10] Building a lasting strategic habit [08:14] Looking ahead to Day 3 Useful Links Join the free Strategic HR Sprint Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn The Essential HR Planner Learn about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

6. 176 | (Day 1) The Strategic HR Sprint – Building Your Strategic Confidence from HR Coffee Time

   Jul 13, 202611 min

   Want to become more strategic in HR, but not sure where to start? This episode is Day 1 of my free five-day Strategic HR Sprint . Over five short episodes, I'll help you build your strategic confidence one practical step at a time through bite-sized lessons, downloadable worksheets and optional AI prompts. Join the free Strategic HR Sprint here: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint When you sign up, you'll receive 5 daily emails, containing each day's: Podcast episode Practical worksheet for each day Optional AI prompt to deepen your learning Even if you're discovering this episode months or years after it was first released, you can still sign up and work through the sprint at your own pace. About this episode One of the biggest challenges I hear from HR professionals isn't a lack of strategic ability. It's a lack of confidence. Many people assume strategy is something reserved for CEOs, senior leaders or people with MBAs. But what if you've actually been thinking strategically for years without realising it? In Day 1, you'll discover a simple way of thinking about strategy that completely changed the way I see it. You'll also complete a practical reflection exercise to help you recognise the strategic strengths you already have, giving you evidence to build your confidence throughout the rest of the sprint. In this episode you'll learn: Why so many HR professionals underestimate how strategic they already are A simple definition of strategy that makes it much easier to understand How everyday experiences can demonstrate strategic thinking How to recognise the strategic strengths you've already demonstrated How today's worksheet and optional AI prompt can help build your confidence Why building evidence of your strengths is the first step towards becoming a more confident strategic HR professional Chapters [00:00] Welcome to Day 1 of The Strategic HR Sprint [02:35] A simple definition of strategy [03:18] You're already strategic [04:38] Today's worksheet [05:44] Examples of strategic thinking in everyday life [07:24] Using the AI prompt [09:54] Share your strategic strengths [10:32] Coming up in Day 2 Resources mentioned in this episode The Strategy Book by Dr Max McKeown Useful links Join the free Strategic HR Sprint: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint Connect with Fay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faywallis Learn more about The Essential HR Planner: https://www.essentialhrplanner.co.uk Find out about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme: https://www.brightskyhr.co.uk/inspiring-hr-leadership-programme Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

7. 175 | A Mid-Year Reset To Set You Up For a Brilliant Second Half of the Year from HR Coffee Time

   Jul 3, 202611 min

   Download your free Mid-Year Reset activity here: https://brightskyhr.kit.com/a2ea9eb841 Have you reached the halfway point of the year wondering where the time has gone? If you'd like to feel more focused, intentional and excited about the months ahead, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay shares a simple but powerful Mid-Year Reset exercise that will help you pause, reflect and decide where you'd like to focus next, instead of simply drifting through the rest of the year. Using the simple Stop, Start, Continue framework, you'll reflect on what's helping you, what's holding you back and the changes that could make the biggest difference during the second half of the year. In this episode you'll discover: Why halfway through the year is the perfect time to pause and reflect How the Stop, Start, Continue framework can help you gain clarity Reflection questions to identify what you should stop doing Ideas for what to start doing to have more impact and enjoyment at work Why recognising what's already working is just as important as making changes How to turn your reflections into practical actions you'll actually follow through on Simple ways to finish the year feeling more focused, fulfilled and proud of what you've achieved Chapters [00:00] Why a mid-year reset matters [02:10] Introducing the Stop, Start, Continue framework [04:00] Stop: What needs to change? [06:26] Start: What will make the biggest difference? [07:41] Continue: What's already working well? [09:28] Turning reflection into action [10:15] Final thoughts Useful Links from This Episode Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Download your free Mid-Year Reset activity Other HR Coffee Time episodes you might enjoy Ep 125: Create Your Perfect Professional Development Plan in 8 Simple Steps Episode 85: 6 Questions to Prioritise What Matters for Your HR Career Episode 80: How Quarterly Reviews Can Help You Thrive in Your HR Career Episode 170: Constant Interruptions at Work? 4 Ways to Take Back Control If you're enjoying HR Coffee Time, I'd be so grateful if you could follow the show, leave a rating or review, or share this episode with another HR or People professional who might enjoy it too. Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

8. 174 | Free 5-Day Strategic HR Sprint (Struggling to Be More Strategic? This Will Help) from HR Coffee Time

   Jun 29, 20265 min

   Registration is now open for my Free 5-Day Strategic HR Sprint, and I'd love you to join me! If you've ever wished you felt more confident about being strategic in HR, this free sprint is for you. Starting on Monday 13th July 2026 , you'll receive a short daily video (or audio if you prefer to listen), a practical worksheet and an optional AI prompt to help you build your strategic HR skills. Each day's activity takes just 10 to 15 minutes , making it easy to fit into a busy working week. In this special bonus episode, I'll explain why I created the sprint, what you'll learn over the five days and how you can sign up. In this episode you'll learn: Why so many HR professionals find it difficult to be strategic. What's included in the Free 5-Day Strategic HR Sprint. How the sprint will help you build your confidence with strategic thinking. Why each day's activities take just 10 to 15 minutes. How you can complete the sprint with a colleague or your HR team. Join the Free 5-Day Strategic HR Sprint Sign up here: Strategic HR Sprint The sprint includes: A short daily video or audio lesson. A practical worksheet every day. An optional AI prompt to deepen your learning. Activities that take just 10 to 15 minutes a day. The sprint begins on Monday 13th July 2026 , and I'd love you to join me! Podcast Chapters 00:00 Welcome 00:19 Why so many HR professionals struggle to be strategic 02:29 Introducing the Strategic HR Sprint 03:22 What's included in the sprint 04:17 How to join the sprint 04:49 Take part with a colleague or your HR team 06:01 Thank you for listening Helpful HR Links Join the sprint Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Questions? Email Fay at: hello@brightskyhr.co.uk Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next Ep 176 | (Day 1) The Strategic HR Sprint - Building Your Strategic Confidence Ep 177 | (Day 2) The Strategic HR Sprint - Seeing the Bigger Picture Ep 178 | (Day 3) The Strategic HR Sprint - Finding Your Strategic Focus Ep 179 | (Day 4) The Strategic HR Sprint - Look Beneath the Surface

9. 173 | How to Build a Better Workplace Culture (So People Thrive at Work), with Aoife O’Brien from HR Coffee Time

   Jun 19, 202642 min

   Many organisations want a positive workplace culture, but creating one is easier said than done. How do you know what your culture is really like? What role do leaders play? And why do some organisations create environments where people thrive, while others struggle with engagement, retention, and performance? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay is joined by workplace culture and leadership expert Aoife O'Brien, founder of Happier at Work and author of the bestselling book Thriving Talent: How Great Leaders Drive Performance, Engagement and Retention. Aoife shares her Thriving Talent framework and practical advice to help organisations create cultures where people can thrive. Together, Fay and Aoife explore psychological safety, leadership, values, strengths, employee needs, and practical ways to improve the experience of work for everyone. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The framework Aoife uses to help organisations create cultures where people thrive Why psychological safety is the foundation of a thriving workplace Why culture is not HR's responsibility alone The role leaders play in shaping workplace culture How to identify what your workplace culture is really like today Practical ways to involve employees in shaping culture Why many organisations have "accidental leaders" - and the impact this can have on engagement and retention How HR can build the business case for investing in leadership development Why values, strengths, and employee needs play such an important role in helping people thrive at work Practical ways to identify your strengths and understand what helps you do your best work Chapters [00:00] - Why workplace culture matters [01:34] - Introducing Aoife O'Brien [04:14] - Why Aoife wrote Thriving Talent [07:09] - The Thriving Talent framework explained [10:00] - The research behind the framework [13:55] - Why psychological safety matters [14:27] - Is workplace culture really HR's responsibility? [17:28] - How to define the culture you want [19:15] - The challenge of accidental leaders [25:27] - Making the business case for leadership development [30:03] - What helps people thrive at work? [35:22] - Values, needs and strengths [39:27 ]- Book recommendations [40:44] - How to connect with Aoife [41:49] - Closing and book giveaway reminder Special Offer for HR Coffee Time Listeners Aoife has kindly arranged a 10% discount on her book, Thriving Talent: How Great Leaders Drive Performance, Engagement and Retention . Use this link to access the discount. Useful Links Connect with Aoife O'Brien on LinkedIn Visit Aoife's Happier at Work website Learn more about the Thriving Talent book Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Books Recommended In This Episode Thriving Talent: How Great Leaders Drive Performance, Engagement and Retention - Aoife O'Brien Insight: How to succeed by seeing yourself clearly - Dr Tasha Eurich Dare to Lead - Brené Brown Your Best Meeting Ever - Rebecca Hinds Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next Ep 47: Discovering your values to help your HR Career, with Zoe Hawkins Ep 107: The Impact of Imposter Syndrome at Work and How to Tackle It Head-On, with Aoife O'Brien Ep 136: How to shape a winning workplace culture when you work in HR, with Annabelle Lawson and Paula Brockwell Ep 114: What Workplace Culture Is, How to Measure It, and a Surprising Way to Improve It, with Arend Boersema Ep 76: HR Insider tips on how to create an amazing remote working culture, with Claire Cathcart Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One! Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released - and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

10. 172 | HR and AI: How One Company Helped Employees Embrace AI (with Laura Maffucci) from HR Coffee Time

    Jun 5, 202630 min

    Laura Maffucci has played a key role in helping her organisation embrace AI. The surprising part? She doesn't actually like AI. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Laura, Head of HR at G-P, shares her honest perspective on AI, how her organisation has approached adoption, and the practical lessons she's learned along the way. We discuss everything from creating AI champions and governance processes to helping employees feel comfortable experimenting with AI. Laura also shares her thoughts on job loss fears, the importance of human oversight, and why the reality of AI at work can be very different from what many leaders expect. Whether your organisation is already embracing AI or you're just starting to think about what it might mean for your workforce, this conversation is packed with practical insights and thought-provoking ideas. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why Laura has mixed feelings about AI despite using it extensively at work How GP approached AI adoption across the organisation The role of AI champions and internal advocates Creating psychological safety around AI How to encourage experimentation without creating fear The importance of governance, security and guardrails Why prompting skills matter The risks of relying too heavily on AI outputs The growing importance of discernment and critical thinking The disconnect between executive expectations and employees' experiences of AI Practical examples of how AI is being used within HR and across the business Chapters [00:00] Why I Finally Decided to Cover AI [01:57] Meet Laura Maffucci [02:51] Laura's Surprising View of AI [04:45] How AI Is Being Used at G-P [05:37] The AI Council and Governance [06:40] AI Champions, Training and Adoption [09:09] What's Had the Biggest Impact? [10:05] Finding Your AI Champions [11:33] Addressing Fear of Job Loss [11:47] Creating Psychological Safety Around AI [13:41] The Disconnect Between Leaders and Employees [16:06] The Number One Skill – Discernment [16:27] Cautionary Tale [17:19] The Right Way to Introduce AI [17:54] The Benefits of AI Adoption [18:57] Using Gemini Gems and AI Workflows [23:13] Creating AI Personas for Senior Leaders [24:17] AI Security and Confidential Information [26:15] Book Recommendation: Dare to Lead [28:13] Key Takeaways from the Conversation Useful Links Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Connect with Laura on LinkedIn G-P article: Why your best 2026 AI strategy is still human Helpful HR Coffee Time episodes to listen to next Ep 171: How to Build Trust & Get Buy-In Through Brilliant Employee Communication Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

11. 171 | How to Build Trust & Get Buy-In Through Brilliant Employee Communication (with Nik Nawaaz) from HR Coffee Time

    May 22, 202633 min

    You can design the best HR strategy, introduce brilliant benefits, or roll out an important change - but if people do not understand it, engage with it, or take action, none of it matters. That is why employee communication sits right at the heart of your impact in HR. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay is joined by Nik Nawaaz, Head of Employee Communications at Barnett Waddingham (now part of Howden) to unpack exactly how HR professionals can communicate in a way that builds trust, gets buy-in, and encourages people to take action - whether that is using their benefits, completing an engagement survey, preparing for a performance review, or navigating organisational change. With over 20 years of experience in employee communications, Nik shares practical, immediately actionable advice — no jargon, no fluff. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why employee communication is the “connective tissue” of an organisation Why HR can sometimes feel like a faceless department - and how to change that The common mistake HR professionals make when writing employee communications Why your message needs to answer “So what?” within the first few seconds How to shift from explaining features to showing benefits Why phrases like “HR is pleased to announce” or “Please be advised” can stop people engaging How to make your communication feel more human, conversational and direct Why reading your message aloud can help you spot corporate language How to use Microsoft Word’s read-aloud feature to improve scripts and written communication Why a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works for benefits communication How to tailor messages for different groups and generations in your workforce Why line managers are so important when you want messages to land How a simple manager toolkit can make communication more effective Why listening for the first five minutes of a meeting can help build trust How to communicate during times of fear, uncertainty and change Why silence can lead people to create their own “horror story” How to be honest when you do not yet have all the answers Why storytelling and real-world proof can be more persuasive than project updates Why employee communication needs support from across the organisation - not just HR Chapters 00:00 - When great HR work goes unnoticed 03:24 - What employee comms really means 04:20 - Why HR can feel "faceless" — and how to fix it 06:19 - The #1 mistake: writing for yourself, not your audience 08:49 - Quick win: delete your opening line 09:49 - Drop the corporate speak — write like a human 11:35 - The Word trick that makes your writing sound natural 13:04 - How to get people to actually use their benefits 17:30 - Tailoring messages for different generations 20:58 - Line managers as your communication allies 22:59 - The "First Five" technique 24:01 - Communicating through change and uncertainty 25:58 - Use storytelling, not project updates 28:06 - Resource recommendation: Simon Sinek's Golden Circle Useful Links Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Take Fay’s free HR Leadership Impact Assessment . Connect with Nik (Nikolas) Nawaaz on LinkedIn Find out more about Barnett Waddingham’s employee communications work Watch Simon Sinek’s TED Talk: How Great Leaders Inspire Action Helpful Episode to Listen to Next If you enjoyed this episode and would like more support with writing clear, effective communication at work, listen to: Ep 32: How to write work emails that get results, with Kim Arnold Kim shares brilliant advice that complements Nik’s tips in this episode, especially if you want to make your emails clearer, more persuasive and easier for people to act on. Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

12. 170 | 4 Ways to Stay Focused At Work and Handle Interruptions from HR Coffee Time

    May 8, 202615 min

    Are constant interruptions at work stopping you from getting through your most important tasks? If you work in HR or a People role, you’ll know how quickly your day can be taken over by “have you got a minute?” moments - making it difficult to focus on the work that really matters. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis shares practical ways to protect your time, reduce distractions and create more space for focused work, helping you step up with more confidence and control in your role. You’ll learn how to: Set clear boundaries without feeling unhelpful Reduce interruptions across your organisation Create uninterrupted time for deep work Stay focused on your most important priorities This episode is designed to support HR and People professionals who want to feel more confident, effective and in control of their time at work. Chapters [00:00] Do you get interrupted at work? [00:16] Interruptions – a big time management problem [00:55] Why HR gets pulled in [01:35] Episode goal and boundaries [01:56] Welcome and host intro [02:33] Four tips overview [03:00] Tip one: open door hours [03:35] Scripts and signage [04:06] Red sign boundary lesson [05:07] Tip two: company focus time [06:15] Deep work explained [07:11] No meeting Wednesday example [07:28] Tip three: working meetings [10:21] Tip four: block a deep work day [12:26] Recap and next steps Useful Links from This Episode: Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Take Fay’s free HR Leadership Impact Assessment . Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next Ep 7: What to Do When You Don’t Have Enough Hours in the Day Ep 45: 6 Ways to Stop Procrastinating & Find Time for Important Projects at Work Ep 52: Two Ideas to Help You Bounce Back From a Tough Day at Work Ep 67: How to Get on Top of Email Overwhelm When You’re in a Busy HR Role Ep 138: Can’t Find Time for Strategic Work in HR? 5 Tips to Help Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

13. 169 | A Brilliant Example of What ‘Being Strategic’ in HR Actually Looks Like (with Harriet Mewis) from HR Coffee Time

    Apr 24, 202637 min

    Have you wondered what ‘being strategic’ actually looks like? In this episode, you’ll hear a real, step-by-step example of what being strategic can look like in your day-to-day work. Host, Fay Wallis, is joined by Harriet Mewis, Head of People and Development, who shares how she spotted a small pattern in employee behaviour – and used it to uncover a much bigger issue affecting the business. What makes this conversation so powerful is how practical it is. You’ll hear how being strategic doesn’t require a big budget, a senior job title, or complicated frameworks. It starts with curiosity, observation, and asking thoughtful questions. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a much clearer sense of how you can apply this way of thinking in your own role – in a way that feels realistic and achievable. Chapters [00:00] Introduction with guest host Sarah Archer [01:00] Why “being strategic” can feel vague and frustrating [01:24] Introducing Harriet and her approach to strategy [02:14] What being strategic actually means in practice [03:02] Beginning of the interview with Harriet & Fay [04:18] Defining what ‘being strategic’ means [05:48] Why you can be strategic in any role [07:22] Harriet’s example of being strategic in her role [21:30] Learning about other departments & building trust [23:39] Becoming an ‘apprentice’ for the day [27:35] Introducing Lean Six Sigma thinking [34:46] Harriet’s book recommendation [37:12] Final reflections & close Useful Links from This Episode Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Connect with Harriet Mewis on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah Archer on LinkedIn Listen to Sarah’s Podcast – Unstuck & Unstoppable Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Take Fay’s free HR Leadership Impact Assessment . Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next Ep 166: The Biggest HR Strategy Mistake – And How to Fix It, with Dean Corbett Ep 164: Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team – 3 Ways OKRs Can Help Ep 163: 3 Ways to Prove You’re Strategic in Your HR Leadership Job Interview Ep 108: HR Leadership – How to Create a Powerful One-Page Strategy, with Dr Max McKeown Ep 98: HR Insider Insights – How to Create a Powerful People Strategy for an SME, with Kelly Vincent Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

14. 168 | The 5 Things That Will Help You Become a Successful HR Director from HR Coffee Time

    Apr 10, 202612 min

    If you’ve been working hard in your HR career but still feel unsure what will truly help you step up into an HR Director role (or have more impact in the one you’re already in), this episode is for you. You might have your CIPD qualification. You might have years of experience. You’re probably working incredibly hard. But those things alone don’t always lead to the impact, influence, or progression you’re aiming for. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, I share the five key areas I’ve identified from working with more than one hundred aspiring and existing HR leaders that really make the difference. And make sure you listen all the way to the end - because the fifth area is often the most overlooked, yet can have the biggest impact on your success. Chapters From This Episode [00:00] HR Director Roadmap [00:31] Five Key Areas Preview [01:00] Free HR Leadership Impact Assessment [02:27] Key Area 1 Confidence [02:51] Confidence in Practice [03:51] More Confidence Resources [04:15] Key Area 2 - Strategic Thinking [04:44] What Strategic Really Means [05:13] Strategy Benefits and Tools [06:25] Key Area 3 - Influencing [08:35 Key Area 4 - Empowering Others [09:51] Key Area 5 - Be Distinctive [11:09] How to Assess Where You Are Now & Next Steps Useful Links from This Episode: Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Take Fay’s free HR Leadership Impact Assessment . Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next If you’d like to go deeper on some of the ideas from this episode, here are a few great next listens: Ep 167: A surprising way to feel calm and more confident in stressful moments Operate Strategically Playlist (multiple episodes) Ep 34: Influencing: How to get buy-in for your ideas at work Ep 44: Succeeding as an HR professional: How to influence at a senior level Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

15. 167 | The Weird Confidence Trick That Actually Works from HR Coffee Time

    Mar 27, 202612 min

    Is there something at work you know you’re capable of… but in the moment, your nerves take over? Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, handling a difficult conversation, or stepping into a high-pressure situation - that disconnect between what you can do and how you feel can be incredibly frustrating. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, I share a simple but slightly unusual technique that can help you feel calmer, more in control, and more confident when it matters most. It's called 'distanced self-talk', and it might feel a bit strange at first – but it’s backed by research and can make a real difference in those moments where your confidence wobbles. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why confidence can disappear in high-pressure moments A simple technique that helps you step back from anxious thoughts How this approach can reduce nerves and help you think more clearly Practical ways to use it before and during challenging situations at work Real examples of when to try it – including meetings, presentations, and interviews Recommended Book in This Episode Chatter: The Voice in Our Head (And How to Harness It) – by Ethan Kross Useful Links from This Episode Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes Ep 1: How to feel more confident at work Ep 16: How to become more confident about networking Ep 36: Four simple but powerful techniques to banish imposter syndrome Ep 43: The one thing that will boost your resilience throughout your HR career Ep 49: 7 tips to help you feel more confident for your job interview Ep 73: 5 ways to feel more confident in your next interview, meeting, or presentation Ep 74: How to get better at presenting & feel more confident about it Ep 82: 5 tips to tackle a challenge at work when you aren’t feeling confident Ep 101: How to build confidence with networking for HR career success Ep 122: Unlocking confidence for your HR career – 5 tips from expert guests Ep 137: How to recognise & break free from the lies we tell ourselves at work Ep 162: How to Feel More Confident Speaking Up in Leadership Meetings Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

16. 166 | The Biggest HR Strategy Mistake – And How to Fix It (with Dean Corbett) from HR Coffee Time

    Mar 13, 202634 min

    Could you be making the biggest HR strategy mistake without realising it? Creating an HR or People strategy can feel overwhelming - especially when many HR professionals are expected to do it without ever being shown how. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis is joined by Dean Corbet t , Chief People Officer, psychologist, and coach, to explore one of the most common mistakes HR teams make when creating an HR strategy - and what to do instead. Dean shares why traditional HR strategy documents can dilute impact, and explains how to connect HR priorities directly to the organisation’s business strategy. You’ll also hear practical ideas for thinking more strategically about HR, identifying the people capabilities organisations really need, and using tools like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to bring strategy to life. Useful Links From This Episode Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Connect with Dean on LinkedIn Visit Dean’s website: SOPEOPLE Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Leadership Code: Five Rules to Lead By – Dave Ulrich, Norm Smallwood, & Kate Sweetman Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works – A G Lafley & Roger L Martin Aligning Human Resources and Business Strategy – Linda Holbeche The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organisation – Peter M Senge Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know – Adam Grant Perry Timms’ Substack Episodes to Listen to Next Ep 164: Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team - 3 Ways OKRs Can Help Ep 148: Skills That Shape a Great CPO: Communication, Coaching & Curiosity (with Jane Beeston) Ep 147: How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights (with Kanika Mehra) Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

17. 165 | What Being “Commercial” Really Means & How to Get Better at It (with Jo Bailey) from HR Coffee Time

    Feb 27, 202634 min

    Struggling to feel confident when Finance conversations come up at work? Been told you need to be "more commercial" but not sure what that actually means? In this practical episode, Commercial HR Coach Jo Bailey demystifies what it means to be commercial in HR and shares actionable advice to help you speak the language of business with confidence. You’ll Learn What "being commercial" actually means (and what it doesn't) Key financial terms explained: P&L, EBITDA, balance sheet, and cash flow How to approach setting an HR budget with confidence Questions to ask when building a strong business case How to position budget requests so you're more likely to get what you need Real examples of how to demonstrate commercial thinking in your HR role The cost of attrition and how to build the business case for retention initiatives Useful Links From This Episode: Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Connect with Jo Bailey on LinkedIn Visit Jo Bailey’s Website: Financial Empowerment Recommended Book in This Episode Excellence in People Analytics: How to Use Workforce Data to Create Business Value, by Jonathan Ferrar & David Green Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes: Ep 147: How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights (with Kanika Mehra ) - has a great explanation of storytelling with data Ep 115: Why Negotiation Skills Can Help Your Career & How to Develop Them (with Simon Duncan ) Ep 158: 3 Simple Ways to Build Business Acumen in Your HR Role Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

18. 164 | Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team: 3 Ways OKRs Can Help from HR Coffee Time

    Feb 13, 202613 min

    What does it really mean for an HR team to be “strategic” – and how can you make that shift without adding more to your workload? In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time , Fay explores a practical and accessible way to strengthen your team’s strategic focus: using OKRs – Objectives and Key Results. If you’ve ever felt pulled between operational demands and the bigger picture, this episode will help you think differently about how HR goals connect to organisational priorities – and how to make that link clearer for your whole team. Drawing on real examples (including a memorable orange analogy 🍊), Fay breaks down how OKRs can: Create clarity and accountability Connect HR activity to business impact Help team members see how their work contributes to the wider strategy You’ll come away with three practical ways to use OKRs to strengthen your strategic focus as a team – without overcomplicating things. Chapters From This Episode [00:00] Why HR struggles to be strategic [01:10] What being strategic really means [02:45] Shaping the future in HR [03:50] Solving the biggest organisational problem [04:55] What OKRs are and where they started [06:10] Understanding objectives using a simple example [07:40] How HR objectives link to strategy [08:55] What good key results look like [10:10] Moving from activity to impact [11:25] How OKRs support prioritisation [12:35] Books and next steps for HR leaders Books Mentioned in This Episode "Measure What Matters. OKRS - The Simple Idea That Drives 10x Growth" by John Doerr "Radical Focus: Achieving Your Most Important Goals With Objectives and Key Results" by Christina Wodtke “Good Strategy/Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters” by Richard Rumelt “The Strategy Book: How to Think and Act Strategically to Deliver Outstanding Results ” by Max Mckeown Want to Build Your Strategic Confidence? If this episode has made you reflect on your own strategic impact, you might enjoy learning more about Fay’s: Inspiring HR Leadership Programme – designed to help existing and aspiring HR leaders build confidence, credibility and influence HR Leadership Impact Assessment – a free self-assessment to help you reflect on your strengths and development areas The Essential HR Planner – created to help HR professionals stay focused on what really matters Other relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes: 'Operate Strategically' HR Coffee Time Podcast Playlist Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

19. 163 | 3 Ways to Prove You’re Strategic In Your HR Leadership Job Interview from HR Coffee Time

    Jan 30, 202612 min

    Have you ever been told you’re “not strategic enough” after an HR interview – even though you know you are? In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time , Fay Wallis tackles one of the most frustrating pieces of feedback HR professionals receive when applying for Head of HR, HR Director, Head of People or People Director roles. In this episode, Fay breaks down what 'being strategic' means in a practical, accessible way and shares three simple but powerful ways to prove you’re strategic in your next HR interview – without sounding corporate or forced. In this episode, you’ll learn: What “being strategic” actually means in practice – and why it often feels so vague How using one specific word can make interview panels see your thinking more clearly A common mistake HR candidates make when answering interview questions – and how to fix it How to turn everyday HR examples into clear, strategic stories with business impact The types of interview questions that signal strategic thinking straight away Fay also shares practical examples you can adapt for your own interviews, helping you move beyond listing what you’ve done to explaining why it mattered. Whether you’re actively interviewing or simply want to feel more confident talking about your strategic contribution, this episode will help you articulate your value far more effectively. Useful Links Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn Visit Fay’s Bright Sky HR website Learn about The Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR leadership development programme Other relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes 'Operate Strategically' HR Coffee Time Podcast Playlist Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

20. 162 | How to Feel More Confident Speaking Up in Leadership Meetings from HR Coffee Time

    Jan 16, 202614 min

    Do you ever leave a leadership meeting wishing you’d said something – only to replay it later and think, “Why didn’t I speak up?” In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explores why speaking up in leadership meetings can feel so daunting (even when you know you have something valuable to contribute). She shares practical, realistic ways to build confidence in those moments. This episode is especially for HR and People professionals who find themselves second-guessing their ideas, worrying about being challenged, or holding back because the meeting feels high-stakes or fast-paced. Drawing on her coaching experience, Fay unpacks strategies to help. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why imposter feelings often show up more strongly in leadership meetings – and why that does not mean you do not belong there How your nervous system plays a big role in confidence, and simple ways to feel calmer and more grounded in the moment Breathing, grounding, and physical techniques you can use before and during meetings The different kinds of value you bring to leadership conversations – beyond having the “perfect” answer Why you do not need to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact Practical strategies to make speaking up feel more manageable, including: Setting a small, realistic goal for your contribution Shaping meetings in advance so you are not waiting for the “right moment” Using professional phrases that buy you thinking time How to zoom out and remember that one meeting does not define your credibility Why confidence grows through familiarity and practice – not by forcing yourself to be someone you are not Useful Links Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn Visit Fay’s website The Essential HR Planner website Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes Ep 86: How to stop other people taking credit for your ideas in meetings Build Your Professional Skills - HR Coffee Time Podcast Playlist Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One! Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.