Ep 667: Traditional HR is Dead, Here's What's Next

Recruiting Future with Matt Alder

HR is at a crossroads. The rapid pace of change, shifting employee expectations, and technological disruption have rendered traditional approaches ineffective. After years of being viewed as the department of policy and paperwork, HR must now become more agile, personalized, and human-centered to meet the challenges of the modern workplace.

So, how can HR and talent teams adapt to a world where change is constant, collaboration crosses boundaries, and employees demand relevance and impact from their work experiences? What practical strategies can HR leaders adopt to build practices that are genuinely fit for the future?

My guest this week is Lucy Adams, CEO of Disruptive HR. A self-described "recovering HR director," Lucy has firsthand experience of what holds HR back—and how to break free from outdated thinking. She shares her vision for transforming HR by moving away from paternalistic policies and embracing a more modern, adult-to-adult relationship with employees. Lucy also reveals practical ways HR can harness continuous learning and AI-driven insights to foster agility, collaboration, and innovation to ensure that HR is an effective force in shaping organizational success.

In the interview, we discuss:

• Making HR more relevant and impactful

• Agility, productivity, collaboration, and innovation

• Principles rather than policies

• The personalization of the employee experience

• Human-centered design

• How do organizations need to think differently about talent?

• Changing the structure of the talent function

• Talent Scouts and Career Agents

• Marketing, consulting, and technology

• What new skills are needed?

• What does the future look like?

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