Hey there Impact Maker!
What if the disruption your organization needs… is you?
As I prepare to debut my new 2025 keynote — HR as Chief Disruption Officer: How HR Leaders Can Drive Transformation and Shape the Future of Work — at the SHRM Annual Conference later this month, I’ve been talking with many smart, capable leaders about the challenges and opportunities that they're facing in their organizations. They're people who care deeply about their teams, their work, and the future.
And I’m noticing a pattern.
There’s a lot of waiting happening.
Waiting for the leadership team to set a vision.
Waiting for clarity before taking action.
Waiting for the “right time” that never quite comes.
Waiting for someone else to go first.
But here’s the truth: transformation doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from someone deciding to go first.
And in my experience, the leaders who make a lasting impact don’t wait for someone else to tell them it’s time.
They disrupt themselves first.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
They question assumptions.
Instead of clinging to “how we’ve always done it,” they ask, “Is this still working? And if not, what could?”
They take the first step.
Not because they have all the answers — but because they’re willing to experiment, fail fast, and learn.
They invest in their own growth.
Whether it’s coaching, feedback, or building new skills, they take responsibility for leveling up.
They model courage.
By going first, they give others permission to follow. That’s how culture shifts — from the inside out.
So here’s my challenge to you this week:
Where are you waiting?
And what might happen if you chose to go first?
Whether you’re in HR, operations, finance, or the C-suite… real leadership starts the moment you stop seeking permission and start taking ownership.
And if you’re in HR? You’re not just supporting the business — you're shaping it. It’s time to start acting like the Chief Disruption Officer your organization needs.
Now, it's your move.
What’s one area where you’re ready to disrupt yourself and lead the way? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to cheer you on and help you own it.
From the Archives: Impact Makers Podcast
In a conversation worth revisiting from the archives of the Impact Makers Podcast, I talk with HR thought leader Shari Simpson about how technology, shifting employee expectations, and the demand for purpose-driven work are reshaping the future of HR.
We also explore how AI is impacting the workplace, what it takes to redefine engagement, and how HR leaders can build influence, stay curious, and lead meaningful change in their organizations and the broader profession.
It’s a rich conversation for anyone navigating the evolving world of work — and a reminder of the critical role HR plays in shaping what’s next.
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts
🎧 Listen on Spotify
3 Resources For You This Week
📘 McKinsey: A New Operating Model for People Management
This report lays out a compelling vision for the future of HR—one that’s more personal, more tech-enabled, and more human. I think it’s a must-read for anyone reimagining how people strategy drives business value, especially with the rise of AI and internal talent marketplaces.
📝 What Good Leaders and Good Employees Have In Common
This recent Forbes article by Cincinnati friend and former DisruptHR speaker Megan Leasher is a thoughtful take on a topic we don’t hear enough about. She shares a refreshing perspective: the best traits of great leaders are often the same ones that make for incredible team members. It’s a great reminder that leadership isn’t about title — it’s about how we show up.
📊 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2025
This annual report is always packed with valuable insights, and this year’s edition is no exception. It highlights the growing importance of skills-based development, internal mobility, and AI-powered learning. If you’re shaping L&D strategy or thinking about future-proofing your workforce, this is a must-read.
The Backstage Pass
A peek behind the curtain into what I’m loving, learning, or laughing about lately.
I love a good tool, app, or website that promises to make me more productive, help me run my businesses seamlessly, or make me prettier and more interesting. (Still waiting on that last one. If you find it, please let me know.)
But in the meantime, here are three tools I’ve used for years — and honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without them.
🧠 Nozbe — My Brain’s External Hard Drive
Recommended to me years ago by one of my original business mentors, Michael Hyatt, Nozbe is the task management app I rely on daily. It helps me manage recurring to-dos (like newsletter deadlines!), plan multi-step projects (like keynote research and preparation), and keep templates handy for things I do on repeat — like travel checklists, yearly taxes, or annual wellness appointments. It’s simple, flexible, and syncs beautifully between my phone and desktop. Michael’s moved on to shinier systems, but Nozbe and I are still going strong.
🧽 CleanMyMac — Because RAM Is a Mystery to Me
Another Hyatt-inspired find! I run CleanMyMac once a week (or whenever things start slowing down), and it tidies up everything — junk files, unneeded apps, malware, all the digital dust bunnies. The Smart Care feature is my favorite: one click, and my Mac feels brand new again. I don’t fully understand how it works, but I know it keeps my laptop from crashing or freezing up under the weight of all of the goodness I have in it — and that’s what really matters.
📋 Trello — My Virtual Command Center
Back in January 2020, I hit peak overwhelm. Sticky notes, spreadsheets, and even Nozbe weren’t cutting it when I was juggling what felt like a thousand balls in the air. So I set up Trello accounts for both of my businesses, and honestly? Game. Changer. It’s worked especially well for managing DisruptHR tasks. I’m able to keep everything organized and moving forward, even as the number of DisruptHR communities around the world continues to grow. I recently doubled down on using Trello for Unbridled Talent, too, and it’s been a huge help in keeping me focused on what matters most: speaking outreach and follow-up, content creation, and staying on top of commitments.
As you can see, two of my favorites were recommended to me by someone I learned a great deal from. So who knows — maybe something I share here will turn out to be just what you needed, too!
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