Episodes

  • The 5 Things That Will Help You Become a Successful HR Director

    The 5 Things That Will Help You Become a Successful HR Director
    Apr 10 2026

    If you’ve been working hard in your HR career but still feel unsure what will truly help you step up into an HR Director role (or have more impact in the one you’re already in), this episode is for you.

    You might have your CIPD qualification. You might have years of experience. You’re probably working incredibly hard. But those things alone don’t always lead to the impact, influence, or progression you’re aiming for.

    In this episode of HR Coffee Time, I share the five key areas I’ve identified from working with more than one hundred aspiring and existing HR leaders that really make the difference.

    And make sure you listen all the way to the end - because the fifth area is often the most overlooked, yet can have the biggest impact on your success.


    Chapters From This Episode

    [00:00] HR Director Roadmap

    [00:31] Five Key Areas Preview

    [01:00] Free HR Leadership Impact Assessment

    [02:27] Key Area 1 Confidence

    [02:51] Confidence in Practice

    [03:51] More Confidence Resources

    [04:15] Key Area 2 - Strategic Thinking

    [04:44] What Strategic Really Means

    [05:13] Strategy Benefits and Tools

    [06:25] Key Area 3 - Influencing

    [08:35 Key Area 4 - Empowering Others

    [09:51] Key Area 5 - Be Distinctive

    [11:09] How to Assess Where You Are Now & Next Steps


    Useful Links from This Episode:
    1. Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
    2. Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner
    3. Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme
    4. Take Fay’s free HR Leadership Impact Assessment.

    Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next

    If you’d like to go deeper on some of the ideas from this episode, here are a few great next listens:

    1. Ep 167: A surprising way to feel calm and more confident in stressful moments
    2. Operate Strategically Playlist (multiple episodes)
    3. Ep 34: Influencing: How to get buy-in for your ideas at work
    4. Ep 44: Succeeding as an HR professional: How to influence at a senior level


    Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!

    Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.


    Mentioned in this episode:

    Help That’s There when It’s Needed Most

    Menopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they don't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away.

    Kara Connect

    Join the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

    Build your confidence, credibility & impact through the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme. The next cohort is now open for booking.

    Inspiring HR
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    15 mins
  • 167 | The Weird Confidence Trick That Actually Works

    167 | The Weird Confidence Trick That Actually Works
    Mar 27 2026
    Is there something at work you know you’re capable of… but in the moment, your nerves take over?Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, handling a difficult conversation, or stepping into a high-pressure situation - that disconnect between what you can do and how you feel can be incredibly frustrating.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, I share a simple but slightly unusual technique that can help you feel calmer, more in control, and more confident when it matters most.It's called 'distanced self-talk', and it might feel a bit strange at first – but it’s backed by research and can make a real difference in those moments where your confidence wobbles.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy confidence can disappear in high-pressure momentsA simple technique that helps you step back from anxious thoughtsHow this approach can reduce nerves and help you think more clearlyPractical ways to use it before and during challenging situations at workReal examples of when to try it – including meetings, presentations, and interviewsRecommended Book in This EpisodeChatter: The Voice in Our Head (And How to Harness It) – by Ethan KrossUseful Links from This EpisodeConnect with Fay on LinkedInLearn about Fay’s Essential HR PlannerLearn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership ProgrammeOther Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEp 1: How to feel more confident at workEp 16: How to become more confident about networkingEp 36: Four simple but powerful techniques to banish imposter syndromeEp 43: The one thing that will boost your resilience throughout your HR careerEp 49: 7 tips to help you feel more confident for your job interviewEp 73: 5 ways to feel more confident in your next interview, meeting, or presentationEp 74: How to get better at presenting & feel more confident about itEp 82: 5 tips to tackle a challenge at work when you aren’t feeling confidentEp 101: How to build confidence with networking for HR career successEp 122: Unlocking confidence for your HR career – 5 tips from expert guestsEp 137: How to recognise & break free from the lies we tell ourselves at workEp 162: How to Feel More Confident Speaking Up in Leadership MeetingsEnjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.Mentioned in this episode:Help That’s There when It’s Needed MostMenopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they don't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away. Kara ConnectJoin the Inspiring HR Leadership ProgrammeBuild your confidence, credibility & impact through the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme. The next cohort is now open for booking. Inspiring HR
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • 166 | The Biggest HR Strategy Mistake – And How to Fix It (with Dean Corbett)

    166 | The Biggest HR Strategy Mistake – And How to Fix It (with Dean Corbett)
    Mar 13 2026
    Could you be making the biggest HR strategy mistake without realising it?Creating an HR or People strategy can feel overwhelming - especially when many HR professionals are expected to do it without ever being shown how.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis is joined by Dean Corbett, Chief People Officer, psychologist, and coach, to explore one of the most common mistakes HR teams make when creating an HR strategy - and what to do instead.Dean shares why traditional HR strategy documents can dilute impact, and explains how to connect HR priorities directly to the organisation’s business strategy.You’ll also hear practical ideas for thinking more strategically about HR, identifying the people capabilities organisations really need, and using tools like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to bring strategy to life.Useful Links From This EpisodeConnect with Fay on LinkedInLearn about Fay’s Essential HR PlannerLearn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership ProgrammeConnect with Dean on LinkedInVisit Dean’s website: SOPEOPLEResources Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Leadership Code: Five Rules to Lead By– Dave Ulrich, Norm Smallwood, & Kate SweetmanPlaying to Win: How Strategy Really Works– A G Lafley & Roger L MartinAligning Human Resources and Business Strategy– Linda HolbecheThe Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organisation– Peter M SengeThink Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know– Adam GrantPerry Timms’ SustackEpisodes to Listen to NextEp 164:Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team - 3 Ways OKRs Can HelpEp 148:Skills That Shape a Great CPO: Communication, Coaching & Curiosity (with Jane Beeston)Ep 147:How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights (with Kanika Mehra)Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.Mentioned in this episode:Help That’s There when It’s Needed MostMenopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they don't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away. Kara ConnectJoin the Inspiring HR Leadership ProgrammeBuild your confidence, credibility & impact through the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme. The next cohort is now open for booking. Inspiring HR
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • 165 | What Being “Commercial” Really Means & How to Get Better at It (with Jo Bailey)

    165 | What Being “Commercial” Really Means & How to Get Better at It (with Jo Bailey)
    Feb 27 2026

    Struggling to feel confident when Finance conversations come up at work? Been told you need to be "more commercial" but not sure what that actually means? In this practical episode, Commercial HR Coach Jo Bailey demystifies what it means to be commercial in HR and shares actionable advice to help you speak the language of business with confidence.

    You’ll Learn

    1. What "being commercial" actually means (and what it doesn't)
    2. Key financial terms explained: P&L, EBITDA, balance sheet, and cash flow
    3. How to approach setting an HR budget with confidence
    4. Questions to ask when building a strong business case
    5. How to position budget requests so you're more likely to get what you need
    6. Real examples of how to demonstrate commercial thinking in your HR role
    7. The cost of attrition and how to build the business case for retention initiatives

    Useful Links From This Episode:
    1. Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
    2. Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner
    3. Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme
    4. Connect with Jo Bailey on LinkedIn
    5. Visit Jo Bailey’s Website: Financial Empowerment


    Recommended Book in This Episode

    Excellence in People Analytics: How to Use Workforce Data to Create Business Value, by Jonathan Ferrar & David Green


    Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes:
    1. Ep 147: How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights (with Kanika Mehra) - has a great explanation of storytelling with data
    2. Ep 115: Why Negotiation Skills Can Help Your Career & How to Develop Them (with Simon Duncan)
    3. Ep 158: 3 Simple Ways to Build Business Acumen in Your HR Role


    Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!

    Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.
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    37 mins
  • 164 | Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team: 3 Ways OKRs Can Help

    164 | Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team: 3 Ways OKRs Can Help
    Feb 13 2026
    What does it really mean for an HR team to be “strategic” – and how can you make that shift without adding more to your workload?In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explores a practical and accessible way to strengthen your team’s strategic focus: using OKRs – Objectives and Key Results.If you’ve ever felt pulled between operational demands and the bigger picture, this episode will help you think differently about how HR goals connect to organisational priorities – and how to make that link clearer for your whole team.Drawing on real examples (including a memorable orange analogy 🍊), Fay breaks down how OKRs can:Create clarity and accountabilityConnect HR activity to business impactHelp team members see how their work contributes to the wider strategyYou’ll come away with three practical ways to use OKRs to strengthen your strategic focus as a team – without overcomplicating things.Chapters From This Episode[00:00] Why HR struggles to be strategic[01:10] What being strategic really means[02:45] Shaping the future in HR[03:50] Solving the biggest organisational problem[04:55] What OKRs are and where they started[06:10] Understanding objectives using a simple example[07:40] How HR objectives link to strategy[08:55] What good key results look like[10:10] Moving from activity to impact[11:25] How OKRs support prioritisation[12:35] Books and next steps for HR leadersBooks Mentioned in This Episode"Measure What Matters. OKRS - The Simple Idea That Drives 10x Growth" by John Doerr"Radical Focus: Achieving Your Most Important Goals With Objectives and Key Results" by Christina Wodtke“Good Strategy/Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters” by Richard Rumelt“The Strategy Book: How to Think and Act Strategically to Deliver Outstanding Results” by Max MckeownWant to Build Your Strategic Confidence?If this episode has made you reflect on your own strategic impact, you might enjoy learning more about Fay’s:Inspiring HR Leadership Programme– designed to help existing and aspiring HR leaders build confidence, credibility and influenceHR Leadership Impact Assessment– a free self-assessment to help you reflect on your strengths and development areasThe Essential HR Planner– created to help HR professionals stay focused on what really mattersOther relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes:'Operate Strategically' HR Coffee Time Podcast PlaylistEnjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.
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    16 mins
  • 163 | 3 Ways to Prove You’re Strategic In Your HR Leadership Job Interview

    163 | 3 Ways to Prove You’re Strategic In Your HR Leadership Job Interview
    Jan 30 2026

    Have you ever been told you’re “not strategic enough” after an HR interview – even though you know you are?

    In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis tackles one of the most frustrating pieces of feedback HR professionals receive when applying for Head of HR, HR Director, Head of People or People Director roles.

    In this episode, Fay breaks down what 'being strategic' means in a practical, accessible way and shares three simple but powerful ways to prove you’re strategic in your next HR interview – without sounding corporate or forced.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:
    1. What “being strategic” actually means in practice – and why it often feels so vague
    2. How using one specific word can make interview panels see your thinking more clearly
    3. A common mistake HR candidates make when answering interview questions – and how to fix it
    4. How to turn everyday HR examples into clear, strategic stories with business impact
    5. The types of interview questions that signal strategic thinking straight away

    Fay also shares practical examples you can adapt for your own interviews, helping you move beyond listing what you’ve done to explaining why it mattered.

    Whether you’re actively interviewing or simply want to feel more confident talking about your strategic contribution, this episode will help you articulate your value far more effectively.

    Useful Links
    1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
    2. Visit Fay’s Bright Sky HR website
    3. Learn aboutThe Essential HR Planner
    4. Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme

    Other relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes

    'Operate Strategically' HR Coffee Time Podcast Playlist


    Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!

    Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • 162 | How to Feel More Confident Speaking Up in Leadership Meetings

    162 | How to Feel More Confident Speaking Up in Leadership Meetings
    Jan 16 2026

    Do you ever leave a leadership meeting wishing you’d said something – only to replay it later and think, “Why didn’t I speak up?”

    In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explores why speaking up in leadership meetings can feel so daunting (even when you know you have something valuable to contribute). She shares practical, realistic ways to build confidence in those moments.

    This episode is especially for HR and People professionals who find themselves second-guessing their ideas, worrying about being challenged, or holding back because the meeting feels high-stakes or fast-paced. Drawing on her coaching experience, Fay unpacks strategies to help.

    In this episode, you’ll hear:

    1. Why imposter feelings often show up more strongly in leadership meetings – and why that doesnotmean you do not belong there
    2. How your nervous system plays a big role in confidence, and simple ways to feel calmer and more grounded in the moment
    3. Breathing, grounding, and physical techniques you can use before and during meetings
    4. The different kinds of value you bring to leadership conversations – beyond having the “perfect” answer
    5. Why you do not need to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact
    6. Practical strategies to make speaking up feel more manageable, including:
    7. Setting a small, realistic goal for your contribution
    8. Shaping meetings in advance so you are not waiting for the “right moment”
    9. Using professional phrases that buy you thinking time
    10. How to zoom out and remember that one meeting does not define your credibility
    11. Why confidence grows through familiarity and practice – not by forcing yourself to be someone you are not

    Useful Links
    1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
    2. Visit Fay’s website
    3. The Essential HR Planner website
    4. Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR Leadership Programme

    Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes
    1. Ep 86: How to stop other people taking credit for your ideas in meetings
    2. Build Your Professional Skills - HR Coffee Time Podcast Playlist

    Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!

    Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • 161 | The Triple Win Framework: 3 Goals to Thrive, Grow & Deliver in Your HR Role

    161 | The Triple Win Framework: 3 Goals to Thrive, Grow & Deliver in Your HR Role
    Jan 2 2026

    The start of a new year is the perfect moment to pause and think differently about goal setting, especially when you work in HR or a people role where expectations, pressure and emotional load can be high.

    In this episode, Fay Wallis shares her Triple Win Framework, a practical way to set goals that help HR and people professionals deliver real organisational impact, build career momentum and protect their wellbeing at the same time.

    If you want goals that feel motivating, aligned and supportive of your long-term success, this framework offers a clear place to start.

    You’ll Hear about:

    1. The Triple Win Framework explained
    2. Choosing impactful HR goals
    3. Aligning goals to organisational strategy
    4. Career-enhancing skills that matter
    5. Why wellbeing must be a goal

    Useful Links
    1. The Build Your Professional Skills Playlist
    2. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
    3. Learn About Fay'sInspiring HR Leadership Programme
    4. Learn More AboutThe Essential HR Planner

    Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!

    Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Join the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

    Build your confidence, credibility & impact through the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme. The next cohort is now open for booking.

    Inspiring HR

    Help That’s There when It’s Needed Most

    Menopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they don't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away.

    Kara Connect
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins