Why 50% of CEO-HR "Marriages" End in Divorce with Colleen McCreary episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 1, 2025 · 28 MIN

Why 50% of CEO-HR "Marriages" End in Divorce with Colleen McCreary

from “HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies · host HR Heretics

Today's episode examines friend of the pod/recurring guest Colleen McCreary's "CEO-VP of HR divorce rate" concept, sparked by a VC's call about his CEO's failed six-month relationship with a seasoned HR leader. Colleen, Kelli, and Nolan explore why traditional interviews miss critical compatibility issues, the tendency to let conflicts fester rather than address them early, and essential strategies for either salvaging these crucial partnerships or ending them professionally.*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected] coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.Support HR Heretics Sponsors:Planful empowers teams just like yours to unlock the secrets of successful workforce planning. Use data-driven insights to develop accurate forecasts, close hiring gaps, and adjust talent acquisition plans collaboratively based on costs today and into the future. ✍️ Go to https://planful.com/heretics to see how you can transform your HR strategy.Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/hereticsKEEP UP WITH COLLEEN, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDINColleen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenmccrearychiefpplofficer/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/—LINKS:Colleen’s Medium article on Founder CEO & Head of HR Divorce Rates:https://medium.com/@colleenwheelermccreary/founder-ceo-head-of-hr-divorce-rates-c233c7fda7dcTIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:28) The CEO-VP of HR Divorce Rate Post Origin Story(03:34) Learning from LJ Brock & Brian Armstrong's Relationship(04:13) What Interview Processes Miss: The Hard Stuff(06:13) Colleen's Trigger: Counter-Offers as Extortion(07:39) Why HR Leaders Need to Figure Things Out(08:51) Asking About Traumas in the Interview Process(09:32) Expecting Turbulence vs. Throwing in the Towel(10:14) Sponsors: Planful and Metaview(13:14) The Festering Problem: Avoiding vs. Addressing Issues(16:05) Molehills vs. Mountains: Managing Founder Relationships(18:06) Being a Filter, Not a Burden(18:43) The LinkedIn Marriage Analogy(20:35) Agency & Experience: First-Time Leaders vs. Veterans(21:39) Earning the Right & Paying Your Dues(23:52) Staying Misaligned: A Conscious Choice(25:19) Amicable Divorces & Doing It Right(26:10) Taking the High Road: Long-term Relationship Impact(27:10) 30-Year Relationships Still Matter(28:05) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

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Why 50% of CEO-HR "Marriages" End in Divorce with Colleen McCreary

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This episode was published on July 1, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Today's episode examines friend of the pod/recurring guest Colleen McCreary's "CEO-VP of HR divorce rate" concept, sparked by a VC's call about his CEO's failed six-month relationship with a seasoned HR leader. Colleen, Kelli, and Nolan explore why...

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