Summary

In this episode of the Built by People podcast, Bruce Nichols shares his unconventional career journey from the army to HR leadership roles across various industries. He discusses pivotal moments in his career, the importance of building lasting change within organizations, and the challenges of making unpopular decisions. Bruce emphasizes the need for HR leaders to adapt to technological advancements while maintaining a human-centric approach. He concludes with valuable advice on humility and decisiveness in leadership.

Takeaways

• Bruce's career journey began unexpectedly after leaving the army.
• He transitioned from finance to HR through various roles.
• Building a centralized employee relations team was a significant achievement.
• Navigating unpopular decisions is part of effective leadership.
• Presence and engagement with employees are crucial for leaders.
• Understanding business fundamentals is essential for HR leaders.
• AI and technology should complement human interaction in HR.
• Humble decisiveness is key to effective leadership.
• Leaders must accept the consequences of their decisions.
• Building trust within teams is vital for long-term success.