Nebel challenges the traditional approach to HR: instead of siloed programmes, she advocates for systems thinking that recognises the impact work has beyond the office - for employees' work-life blend, and for society. Nebel recommends data and employee voice as starting points, to build evidence-based practices that create genuine belonging.

Nebel is passionate about the relationship between work and socio-economic background. From her socioeconomic start to becoming a CPO, Nebel knows the barriers first hand. Sharing examples such as supporting people in the criminal justice system into work, Nebel reflects that the foundation of inclusion is trust, built through honest two-way communication and transparency, and that the critical CEO-CPO relationship sets the tone.

Looking ahead, Nebel urges HR to step up, look up and look out. To stop being the policy keepers and people police, instead the strategic lever that enables organisations to succeed through their people. When HR truly steps into the space it belongs in, HR don't just change organisations - HR changes society. That's the real power of this profession.

References:

Book recommendation: The Multi-Hyphen Method by Emma Gannon

What actually drives progress for women in leadership? Encompass Equality's latest research

Thank you to Encompass Equality for sponsoring this episode.

Encompass is dedicated to creating better workplaces for women and building cultures where everyone benefits.

Powered by industry-leading research into women's lived experiences at work, Encompass turns real insight into targeted interventions that improve how people work together.

Their latest research, conducted with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute, reveals what actually works and how to make change happen in your organisation.

Download your free report from Encompass Equality

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community 

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.  

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world 

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn 

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

Our book of the month for March is Don't Fix Women by Joy Burnford – a bold call to rethink how we approach gender equality in the workplace.

Joy challenges the narrative that women need to adapt or be "fixed" to succeed. Instead, she shines a light on the systemic barriers and cultural norms that need to change. Drawing on extensive research including the landmark Why Women Leave study, she demonstrates that the barriers women face aren't about women at all – they're about how work is structured, managed and experienced.

With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, if you're thinking about root causes, want compelling data points for your business cases, and ideas for practical steps you can take, Don't Fix Women is the book to read. It's a timely read as we approach International Women's Day too.

Grab your copy – perhaps an International Women's Day gift for yourself or a colleague.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

In 2025 Dentsu UK achieved Family Friendly Workplace accreditation - Nicole and Jody reveal how, alongside building a workplace culture where nearly one in six employees actively engage in their Parents & Carers ERG.

Discussing how collaboration between their Parents & Carers ERG, DE&I and HR teams drives change, Nicole and Jody share policy and support examples across fertility support, extended partner leave and visible leadership role modelling.

Jody shares her powerful story of experiencing pregnancy loss before Dentsu UK had a policy describing her decision to resign, her experience in returning, and in receiving a promotion.

With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, this episode is packed with ideas for steps you can take to continue building your family friendly workplace.

There's more!

If you'd like more insights and the opportunity to discuss your work with Nicole and Jody, join us at the launch of From Babies with Love's 2026 Guide: Cutting Edge Family Friendly policy & practice:

· 10th March 2026, at Clyde & Co, London

· In person: 9:30 -11:30 GMT

· Live Stream: 10:00-11:30 GMT

email impact@frombabieswithlove.org to request your free place today.

What actually drives progress for women in leadership? Encompass Equality's latest research

Thank you to Encompass Equality for sponsoring this episode.

Encompass is dedicated to creating better workplaces for women and building cultures where everyone benefits.

Powered by industry-leading research into women's lived experiences at work, Encompass turns real insight into targeted interventions that improve how people work together.

Their latest research, conducted with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute, reveals what actually works and how to make change happen in your organisation.

Download your free report from Encompass Equality

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community 

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.  

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world 

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn 

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

February's Book of the Month with Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker as our Book of the Month – a fascinating guide to understanding the power of rest and the profound impact sleep has on our health, mood, and performance.

Walker draws on decades of research to show why sleep is essential for our body, mind, and wellbeing – a gentle reminder to prioritise rest after a dark and tiring January. It's a perfect read for nurturing yourself and reclaiming energy for both your personal and professional life.

Let this month's book inspire you to make self-care a priority, because even small changes to our sleep habits can transform the way we feel, think, and show up each day.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

Nico explores the evolution of HR and the future of work, sharing his vision for moving from a transactional, industrial mindset to a system-shaping function. He discusses his concept of The Great Leap, a framework for the Fusion Age where humans and machines work together, and reflects on the shift from advising on outcomes to owning them, ensuring HR drives real organisational impact.

Nico emphasises the importance of naming architectural failures, focusing on next practices rather than best practices, and designing systems that recognise human potential. Nico challenges traditional approaches to productivity and capability, highlighting that legacy systems were built for a linear age and now require fundamental rethinking to make work meaningful, equitable and future-ready.

The conversation also explores the ethical and social dimensions of HR, with integrity and responsibility at the centre. Nico introduces the human delta - the gap between current capabilities and future potential - and encourages HR leaders to take ownership. By designing systems that invest in people and make equity inevitable, HR can step onto the field and truly change the world.

References:

Rewiring the Human Delta by Nico Decock

Independent IT Research & AI Insights | Bloor Research UK

How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode.

If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment.

Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community 

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.  

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world 

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn 

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

We're easing into February with Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker as our Book of the Month – a fascinating guide to understanding the power of rest and the profound impact sleep has on our health, mood, and performance.

Walker draws on decades of research to show why sleep is essential for our body, mind, and wellbeing – a gentle reminder to prioritise rest after a dark and tiring January. It's a perfect read for nurturing yourself and reclaiming energy for both your personal and professional life.

Let this month's book inspire you to make self-care a priority, because even small changes to our sleep habits can transform the way we feel, think, and show up each day.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

The queen is the most powerful player on a chessboard – a queen can move anywhere - just like HR. Ewen shares why HR practitioners need to stop staying in their square and start thinking like a queen on a chessboard.

He explores how meaningful change comes through sustained commitment to human-centred approaches and shares the example of The Havas Platform, demonstrating how HR can create impact both within organisations and society.

Ewen champions transparency as foundational to trust and equity and discusses his approach to reward, including opportunities to personalise pay and benefits according to need. Framing reward as an opportunity to target support, he emphasises that social impact isn't only external and reminds us that employees may be experiencing the same issues that we see in society.

Encouraging you to "be a queen", Ewen's wish is for everyone in HR to appreciate how powerful your position is, and use that power to drive positive change.

How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode.

If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment.

Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community 

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.  

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world 

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn 

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

We're starting 2026 with Brene Brown's new book, Strong Ground, as our Book of the Month - a thoughtful guide to building resilience, connection, and clarity in a fast-moving world.

Brené draws on decades of research into courage and vulnerability to help us navigate uncertainty in both our professional lives and personal lives.

Strong Ground is perfect for the start of a new year - a reminder that small shifts in perspective can make a big difference, and it highlights the power of curiosity and intentional action.

Let it inspire you to step into the new year ready to create positive impact - because change starts with each of us, one choice at a time.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book!   

Fabiola explores how real change often comes from small, human moments - conversations, deep listening and creating spaces where people can bring their whole selves. Drawing on her international career and psychotherapy studies, she shows how engaging with people relationally forms the foundation for sustainable organisational transformation.

Fabiola also highlights the power of human-centred design in organisations. By fostering improvisation and curiosity, and giving employees a voice, teams build resilience, creativity and stronger connections. Concepts such as 'the fertile void' create space for insight and innovation to emerge.

Looking ahead, Fabiola urges HR leaders to see human-centred ways of working as essential, not optional. Her wish for HR is for leaders to recognise that the health and wellbeing of their people is at the heart of everything they do.

How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode.

If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment.

Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community 

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.  

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world 

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn 

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

We're starting 2026 with Brene Brown's new book, Strong Ground, as our Book of the Month - a thoughtful guide to building resilience, connection, and clarity in a fast-moving world.

Brené draws on decades of research into courage and vulnerability to help us navigate uncertainty in both our professional lives and personal lives.

Strong Ground is perfect for the start of a new year - a reminder that small shifts in perspective can make a big difference, and it highlights the power of curiosity and intentional action.

Let it inspire you to step into the new year ready to create positive impact - because change starts with each of us, one choice at a time.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book!   

Samantha cuts through the AI hype to discuss what businesses are really experiencing, including thoughts on why investment in AI is high, yet value remains elusive - highlighting challenges with legacy technology, data, governance and workforce readiness.

Emphasising the crucial role of HR in shaping the future of work, working alongside tech and data leaders and the importance of cross-functional collaboration, Samantha highlights a striking insight from Slalom's research: empathy and communication are being deprioritised, even as these human skills become more important for trust, adoption and sustainable change.

Introducing the concept of AQ and the SHIFT framework, Samantha shows how organisations can build human and cultural foundations adept at dealing with continuous change, including AI adoption.

Her practical call to action for HR leaders: connect with your CTOs and CDOs, learn from each other, and help lead a future of work that balances technology with human needs.

How is AI really playing out? Slalom's new research

Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode. Slalom is a business and technology consulting firm that believes meaningful change starts with people, helping organisations turn change into outcomes that actually last.

If you're an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom's latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.

Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn't and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment. Download your free summary here:

Get Slalom's latest AI research

Thanks again to Slalom for supporting the podcast, and thank you for being a brilliant HR Changemaker, we're excited to create more positive change together this year.

👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community 

You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.  

Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world 

And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn 

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

We're starting 2026 with Brene Brown's new book, Strong Ground, as our Book of the Month - a thoughtful guide to building resilience, connection, and clarity in a fast-moving world.

Brené draws on decades of research into courage and vulnerability to help us navigate uncertainty in both our professional lives and personal lives.

Strong Ground is perfect for the start of a new year - a reminder that small shifts in perspective can make a big difference, and it highlights the power of curiosity and intentional action.

Let it inspire you to step into the new year ready to create positive impact - because change starts with each of us, one choice at a time.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book!