One of the things I’ve learned about businesses over the years is that sometimes the “operations” side of a business may not be directly aligned with the “HR” side. Human Resources can sometimes get the short end of the stick when it comes to resources and strategy.
So what happens when an HR pro switches over to Operations? And what lessons can employers learn from that switch and how such a switch can reduce the risk of an employee lawsuit?
I tried to tackle those questions in our latest episode of our podcast, From Lawyer to Employer.
In this episode, I sat down with veteran HR leader Jeanine Reckdenwald to explore what it really takes to move from functional expertise to enterprise leadership.
Jeanine shares how expanding her role reshaped the way she thinks about people, process, and performance—and why HR leaders are uniquely positioned to drive business outcomes across an organization. From overcoming the fear of stepping into unfamiliar territory to building financial fluency and aligning competing executive priorities, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone looking to grow their leadership impact.
Key takeaways include:
- How HR decisions influence operations, finance, and customer experience
- The mindset shift from expert to enterprise leader
- Metrics that matter when connecting people strategy to business results
- Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them) when expanding your role
- Why strong teams and early wins are critical to success
Whether you’re in HR, leadership, or business operations, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how breaking out of silos can unlock meaningful results.
My thanks to Jeanine for joining me in this insightful conversation on the podcast.