How can you find your “green zone” and stay grounded during times of stress?

Why does leadership quality matter — especially during transformations?

My guest on this episode is Dianne Armstrong, President, Armstrong Performance Consulting

During our conversation Dianne and I discuss:

• Why leadership gaps matter and how overlooking poor leadership can cost organizations dearly.
• Why leadership development can be a significant driver of business transformation.
• What "green zone leadership" is and how leaders can stay grounded during times of organizational chaos.
• How chronic stress affects the brain, decision-making, and leadership behavior—and what leaders can do about it.
• The practical strategies HR leaders and executives can use to shift out of the "red zone" and into the "green zone."

Connecting with Dianne:

Connect with Dianne Armstrong on LinkedIn

Learn more about Armstrong Performance Consulting

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

What does it mean to be a business leader with HR expertise?

How can you reinforce and shape a people-first culture at scale?

My guest on this episode is Tim Hourigan, recently retired Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Home Depot.

During our conversation Tim and I discuss:

• How a curiosity for the “people side” of the business changed the course of Tim’s career
• Why HR leaders should strive to be “business professionals with HR expertise,” not the other way around
• How Home Depot’s iconic value wheel guides the company’s people-first culture
• The power of storytelling to build and reinforce company culture
• Why he believes as HR evolves in the future, we should not forget the “human” in human resources

Learn more about Home Depot’s Culture:

Learn more about Home Depot’s values, inverted pyramid, and three-legged stool

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How is AI redefining the way we learn?

Why are simulations a powerful tool to close skill gaps?

My guest on this episode is John Sangimino, Associate Director, Learning Design Center of Excellence at McKinsey & Company

During our conversation John and I discuss:

• The three essential truths of learning design—and why all learning is experiential
• The behavioral science behind why people don’t always apply new skills after training
• Why behavior change is the true measure and outcome of impactful learning
• How AI is impacting cognitive skills, judgment, and career capital
• The power of simulation-based learning—from VR scenarios to structured feedback exercises—as a way to close skill gaps
• How to design useful and high-impact simulations that build key skills

Connecting with John:

Connect with John Sangimino on LinkedIn

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.