In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Meg Pittman, VP of People at dbt Labs, to explore how people teams can evolve into enablers rather than gatekeepers. They discuss authentic leadership, fostering safe spaces, and shifting from risk mitigation to proactive business enablement. Meg shares stories about leading with vulnerability, empowering her team, and taking calculated risks to build a human-centered workplace.
Key Takeaways:
- Authentic Leadership Creates Safe Spaces: Leaders must embody authenticity and empower their teams by setting examples of openness and vulnerability.
- Shift from Gatekeeping to Enablement: People teams should support employees as decision-makers rather than control processes with rigid rules.
- Balancing Risk and Creativity: Effective teams embrace calculated risks, allowing for creative solutions and continuous improvement.
- Building a Human-Centered Culture: Success comes from aligning policies with business goals while fostering a supportive and growth-oriented culture.
Highlights:
- 01:24 - Defining Authentic Leadership
- 03:00 - Creating Safe Spaces through Vulnerability
- 06:00 - Empowering Employees to Make Decisions
- 09:00 - Reimagining Performance Management
- 14:00 - Taking Calculated Risks for Long-Term Success
- 18:00 - Balancing Policy and Creativity
- 22:00 - Enabling Teams to Be Business Partners
This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to build more human-centered, innovative, and empowered workplaces. Listen now!
Guest - Meg Pittman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-pittman-13ba14144/
