Executive Presence, Quality of Hire & Growth - Presented by Keka

Get ready—the HR Morning Show is stacked with insights, fresh takes, and conversations that matter for leaders, recruiters, and HR pros alike. We kick things off with Joanna Mollo, co-founder of PitchNinjas who has coached leaders at some of the world’s biggest companies. Joanna opens up about what she learned building people-development programs during Google’s rapid European expansion, why most executives struggle with clarity and conviction in high-stakes communication, and how PitchNinjas is bringing on-demand, AI-powered coaching to anyone who wants to master presence and confidence. She also shares hard-won lessons from coaching leaders across industries and cultures, plus her vision for mentoring programs that build real gender parity through allyship. Next up, Michael Fitzsimmons, CEO of Crosschq, joins us to unveil the Brilliant 500—the first-ever ranking of Fortune 500 companies by quality of hire. Michael explains why “quality” is becoming the most important metric in recruiting, how this new benchmark shines a light on what top-performing companies are doing differently, and what it means for HR leaders under pressure to prove ROI. He’s joined by two of the inaugural award winners to share what set their organizations apart in the eyes of their people and the industry. And then, Steve Jaffe takes us on a personal and timely journey. A seasoned advertising and marketing executive, Steve recently released his book The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery. He unpacks the emotional toll of job loss, walking us through the seven stages of grief—from denial to renewal—and shares practical strategies for moving forward with resilience. Whether it’s reframing anger as fuel, rediscovering your “why,” or rebuilding identity after career upheaval, Steve’s roadmap is essential for leaders guiding their teams through change, as well as anyone navigating their own transition. Of course, no HR Morning Show would be complete without the staples: Serge’s Weather Report, the Global Report powered by SmartRecruiters, and a lively headlines segment covering the stories shaping HR around the globe. Add in the hosts’ signature banter and you’ve got your front-row seat to HR’s biggest stage—where leadership, hiring, and resilience take center stage. Make sure to visit our sponsor, keka.com for more information about their platform. Follow us on LinkedIn, subscribe on YouTube, and stream the podcast anywhere you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices