In this episode, our host, Joe Matar, interviews Keith Vavra, the CHRO at a global technology defense and engineering group. Keith shares insights from his 20-year career in human resources, highlighting his passion for developing outstanding talent.

During the conversation, Keith emphasizes the importance of building authentic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to cultivate human potential. He shares valuable advice on how HR professionals can gain business experience and understand the margins within the business to make better decisions.

Keith discusses his experiences in HR transformations and the lessons he has learned. He emphasizes the importance of celebrating both successes and failures to avoid repeating past mistakes. Additionally, he encourages HR practitioners to network with peers and learn from their experiences to navigate transformations successfully.

The discussion also covers the significance of employee engagement, talent acquisition, and authentic employee branding. Keith stresses the need to align company values with individual employee motivations to improve productivity and create a positive work culture.

Finally, the episode touches on career paths within HR. Keith advises aspiring leaders to gain experience in various HR domains to understand their passions and strengths better. He highlights the value of walking the walk and appreciating the perspectives of all HR functions while working towards leadership roles.