Building High-Performance Teams in the Era of Massive Change

Engaging Leadership

Summary:

In this episode of the HR Impact Show, host Dr. Jim welcomes Kyile Stair - Chief People Officer at Litmos. This conversation details the complexities, challenges, and triumphs of scaling up, scaling down, and spinning off parts of a business without creating organizational chaos. With a sharp focus on nurturing teams through tumultuous changes, this conversation dives deep into the art and strategy behind assembling purpose-driven, agile businesses that maintain employee anchors amidst the storm.

Kyile's journey paints a vivid picture—a journey that begins with her grassroots experience in retail, evolves through the robust corporate world of SAP, and culminates in her current leadership at Litmos. These transitions are emphasized through thoughtful reflections on people strategy across different company sizes and industries. The conversation highlights how HR's role is pivotal in fostering employee engagement, culture, and effective leadership, debunking myths that place undue responsibility on HR to resolve all people-related issues.

Throughout the episode, the dialogue underscores the significance of intentional communication and shared values. Kyile champions the idea that true employee buy-in requires collaboration, transparency, and continuous input from all levels. This multifaceted approach offers a blueprint for businesses aiming to pivot from monolithic structures to nimble startups while keeping their teams invested and attuned to the organization's core identity.

Key Takeaways:

• HR's role extends beyond fixing cultural or engagement issues; it's about equipping leaders to cultivate a conducive environment.
• Delegation and recognizing the strengths of team members can significantly boost performance and engagement.
• Major organizational changes, such as acquisitions and divestitures, require intentional communication strategies and transparent leadership.
• Establishing and aligning with new values can be a rallying point for employees during times of significant change.
• Understanding what motivates employees is fundamental for fostering productivity and fostering a strong corporate culture.

Chapters:

0:00:00 Introduction to the HR impact show and the topic of scaling up, scaling down, and spinning off in organizations

0:04:26 Lessons learned from different organizations and the importance of leadership development programs

0:08:29 The myth that HR is solely responsible for employee engagement and culture

0:12:35 Advice for leaders and managers to break free from the firefighting cycle by being intentional in onboarding and training new hires

0:15:15 Getting to know your team to delegate effectively

0:20:26 Involving employees in creating company values

0:24:33 Transparent communication and goal-setting for success

0:29:10 Building a shared vision for success in navigating change

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Kyile Stair: linkedin.com/in/kyilestair

Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope

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