281: CHRO and Author Pat Wadors

Pat Wadors, an expert in the HR field, joins Laurie on Punk Rock HR to light the path from discovering a passion for human resources at just 19 to leading workplace cultures at giants like LinkedIn and UKG. Prepare to be inspired as Pat unpacks her insights into the critical role of managers in safeguarding employee well-being and the power of aligning corporate promises with reality. With stories from her tenure at LinkedIn and ServiceNow, Pat highlights how a commitment to culture and development can drive impressive business outcomes. Her vision for the future of HR prioritizes talent, leadership, and mental health, offering a roadmap for anyone eager to build healthy, high-performing workplaces. Navigating the dynamic landscapes of organizational change and growth, we explore the challenges and rewards of aligning leadership with a company's maturity curve. Pat emphasizes fostering inclusion and belonging as we consider the human cost of leadership transitions and cultural shifts. The conversation takes a creative turn, discussing using fables and folktales, like the story of Mulan, to impart valuable HR leadership lessons. Through this unique lens, we reflect on authenticity and the journey of learning from imperfections to lead effectively. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and insight for those passionate about transforming the workplace into a more inclusive and effective environment. In this episode, you will hear: Pat Wadors’s journey in HR, from discovering her passion at 19 to leading transformative cultures at LinkedIn and UKG Managers’ role in employee well-being and aligning corporate promises with reality Insights on navigating organizational change, emphasizing inclusion, belonging, and aligning leadership with a company's maturity curve The use of fables and folktales, such as Mulan, to teach HR leadership lessons The importance of authenticity and learning from imperfections Pat Wadors’s new book, "Unlocking Your Leadership Story," which uses fables to impart leadership lessons Driving change within traditional corporate structures and striving for high-performing, inclusive workplaces Fostering diverse perspectives to create better business outcomes The human cost of leadership transitions and cultural shifts Resources from this Episode Pat Wadors’s website: wadors.com Get the “Unlocking Your Leadership Story” book: amzn.to/3YzuVb5 Connect with Pat on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/patwadors Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.