HIC Roundtable relaunched and brought together over 50+ senior HR and People Leaders from organizations of all sizes and industries for a powerful discussion on the realities of HR leadership today and what it will take to thrive in 2025 and beyond. Each month, we feature a dynamic guest speaker or panel of experts who share timely and thought-provoking workplace insights.
Our guest speaker, Verna Myers, Harvard-trained lawyer and Netflix first Global Inclusive Strategist, joined me for a deep, honest conversation titled: “HR’s Impossible Job in 2025: Pleasing the C-Suite While Protecting Employees.”
And let’s just say this session hit home for every HR leader in the virtual room.
HR’s Balancing Act: The Real Story
Verna peeled back the layers of what it truly means to sit in the middle of organizational tension, where executive pressure and employee well-being often collide.
Verna reminded us that HR’s role isn’t to be “squeezed in the middle,” but rather to serve as the center of company success. She reflected on her time at Netflix, describing how the company’s culture demanded speed and agility, even while maintaining integrity and inclusion. Her advice? “Don’t just highlight the problems, offer solutions, and bring leadership into the process of solving them.”
This message resonated as HR leaders shared stories about balancing impossible expectations, holding executives accountable, and keeping teams engaged amid burnout and political tension.
HR Leadership in Turbulent Times
From creating psychological safety to setting clear boundaries, leaders exchanged real-world strategies to navigate today’s cultural unrest.
- Brandon Salas, Senior Technical Recruiter at Gresham Smith shared how flexible project timelines can protect team energy without compromising business results.
- Nadine Augusta,Chief Impact Officer at Cushman & Wakefield emphasized fostering open environments where team members feel safe to speak up.
- Vernā Myers, Former Netflix Executive reminded us that true influence comes from context and allyship; “Find your allies. Pick your battles. Know the business.”
Trust and the Power of Human Connection
I asked the group, “When employees lack trust toward HR that they didnt create, how does one rebuild that trust?” Then I shared a story about an HR leader who had faced this exact challenge and the room lit up with ideas and insights.
Arianna Greene, SHRM-CP, MSM suggested hosting informal coffee chats to help humanize leadership and to share more personal of the side.
Kinya (Joanne) Baker, MSW, RSW stressed clear boundaries to maintain professionalism and avoid “family-like” expectations that blur accountability.
Together, the group agreed: trust is rebuilt one intentional act at a time.
Middle Managers: The Unsung Heroes
Middle managers remain the heartbeat of every organization, yet often the most under-supported.
Vernā Myersemphasized compassion and psychological safety as key leadership muscles.
Margot Goodson, CPA, CSSGB, CDEshared how mindfulness sessions have been a hidden gem.
Mariana Leon, BS, MHRM, PHR, SHRM-CP described measuring psychological safety impact through improved employee relations cases.
AI, Innovation, and the Future of HR
The conversation ended with a bold look ahead.
As AI transforms every aspect of work, Angie Hamilton, CPO emphasized the power of upskilling and reskilling. And Verna left us with a lasting reminder:
“Even in the toughest situations, look for possibility. That’s where innovation begins.”
Resources Mentioned During the Session
📘 Preorder Netta’s new book: Supercharged Teams — https://a.co/d/4RMRFZK
📗 Download HIC’s e-book that 100+ HR Leaders have downloaded: A Step-by-Step Guide to Address Microaggressions Without Backlash: https://hicconsult.com/Ebook/
🔗 Follow HIC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holistic-inclusion-consulting/
💬 Join the Conversation:
- HIC Roundtable LinkedIn Community: Keep the discussion going — Join Here
- HIC Manager Resource Group: Encourage your managers to get 2-minute video tips that drive performance and ease pressure on HR — Join Here
Want to Co-Lead a Roundtable?
If you’re an HR Leader at an organization interested in co-leading one of our upcoming Roundtable sessions, message me.
Together, we’re building the blueprint for what empowered, strategic, and human-centered leadership looks like in 2025 and beyond.
Here’s How You Can Amplify My Work (3 Quick Actions):
1️⃣ Tell your HR team about the Supercharged Management Accelerator—a program designed to helps managers at every level navigate various dynamics in organizations.
2️⃣ Pre-order my new book, Supercharged Teams and help spread the word! 📘 Post this message on your LinkedIn feed and tag me:
I just pre-ordered Supercharged Teams: How Every Manager Can Create a Culture of Excellence by Netta Jenkins and you should too. You should too!
3️⃣ Leave a Review once you’ve read it. If you’re a manager, aspiring leader, or simply care about building teams that drive real business impact, this book was written with you in mind.
