UNLEASH America Day 3: Top 8 highlights from Magic Johnson, and the FBI to Fortune 500 HR success

Day Three has sadly come to an end – but what an epic event it’s been!

We’ve welcomed some of the world’s most influential HR leaders in the world – from Ethan Mollick to Josh Bersin, and Michael Schneider to Magic Johnson, all of whom shared different perspectives on the industry’s most pressing topics.

It’s been magnificent to hear the latest news, while seeing thousands of our attendees networking and forging stronger business connections.

But unfortunately, the UNLEASH America team are packing their bags and heading home – for 12 months, anyway – but first, we of course want to reflect on some of today’s top sessions. 

And, if you fancy jogging your memory, read our Day One and Day Two top highlights.

Embracing digital disruption to tackle societal challenges

Brown University’s very own Professor of International Economics, Mark Blyth, kicks off Day Three, by taking center stage to discuss the political landscape of the world – which faces many changes, from aging populations to enduring populism. 

One way to tackle these changes is by embracing digital disruption, to find a path to stability and prosperity, which he discusses in his session: Navigating the Future – Unveiling AI’s Impact on HR Leadership, Innovation, and Trust.

Relating this back to HR leaders, Blyth highlighted the necessity to proactively integrate technology into their strategies, to ensure they are addressing the needs of these societal obstacles. 

AI’s impact on HR leadership

Like the idea of a four-day work week?

Well, Josh Bersin, CEO and Founder of the Josh Bersin Company, predicted that they’re coming for the future of work.

I think employees, especially young people, are speaking their mind more and they’re saying if there’s not enough work to do, they simply won’t go in to work.

“They’re saying ‘I’m going to do the work my way,’ and employers will have to listen.”

In the session Bersin sat beside Natalie Wintermark, Chief People & Culture Officer at Glamox, Amy Coleman, Corporate Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Functions at Microsoft, and Gary Bolles, Chair for the Future of Work at Singularity University to discuss AI’s impact on the on HR leadership.

One of the key themes discussed among the panel was trust.

Wintermark said: “Because things are moving so fast within the HR sector, we probably don’t have time to write all of the policies that we need quickly enough for it to be adequate for each employee. So, there needs to be that trust.

“At Glamox, we develop our managers to trust their employees and to encourage them to use AI.

A year ago, I noticed that people were a little bit embarrassed to admit that they used AI in their everyday work, but they shouldn’t be. People use calculators everyday, but nobody sees that as cheating, so why is AI any different?”

Secrets from a Fortune 500 executive

For those of you unfortunate enough to not watch Peter Lynch’s session on The Age of Authenticity: Unleashing Your Influence in the Future of Work – you sure missed out!

As Chief People Officer at Cardinal Group Management, Lynch gave a first-hand look into how modern authenticity is shaping the future of work, while emphasizing the integration of authenticity in leadership and corporate culture.

In front of a packed-out EXPO stage crowd, Lynch explained the fundamental principles of his own leadership model, which includes taking inspiration from broken ceramics and Belgian draft horses, Lynch advocated that courageous and genuine leadership is about embracing flaws and learning from them.

We are actually perfect because of our imperfections and so we as leaders have to learn not to hide our cracks, but to show them.”

As a result of this model, Lynch steered his HR to build $1.2 million of profit for Cardinal Group Management, while also reducing attrition to be in the top 1% of all Multifamily real estate companies.

Navigating headwinds and tailwinds with Amedisys

Where would we be without healthcare workers? 

A question many of us don’t want to have to think about answering. 

But unfortunately, the industry is experiencing great stress, which has been steadily increasing since the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In his exclusive session, Adam Holton, Chief People Officer at Amedisys addressed some of these issues, while sharing the ways in which he’s working to overcome them.

Starting his presentation, Holton addressed how this perspective of what HR teams do has changed over the years, by stating that five years ago talent acquisition would have been a lesser priority, whereas now, it’s a top priority. 

He then highlighted a number of headwinds and tailwinds that Amedisys faces, including a growing aging population, and retaining nurses. 

Finally, he addressed the three points that Amedisys implemented to overcome the difficulties the industry is facing: attracting talent, supporting employees, and creating capacity to meet demand.

“The most important aspect of any plan is the debrief,” Holton explained, “because that’s where you learn.”

FBI, Takeda and Cadence Bank on DEIB

In today’s world, there’s no excuse to not embrace diversity. And for FBI’s Chief Human Capital Officer and Assistant Director, Michael H. Schneider; Cadence Bank’s Chief HR and Diversity Officer, Jerrell Moore; and Takeda’s VP Head of Global Talent Acquisition, Jimmy Zhang, there’s never been a more critical time for it to become a priority. 

Starting, the panel takes it in turns to discuss what HR means to each other the businesses – after all, they represent a bank, a pharmaceutical company, and of course, the FBI.

Discussing what DEI means to the FBI, Schneider explained: “It’s all about creating a culture within an organization, to ensure everyone feels welcome, with the opportunity to be as successful as they possibly can be.” 

He then shared some of the challenges that the FBI faces when hiring diverse talent because of its strict screening processes, such as background checks, drug tests and mental health screening, for example. 

“These requirements cause the talent pool for possible applicants to become very small, very quickly,” he concludes.

Learning how to work with 10x Genomics

“It’s not that people don’t want to work, they don’t want to work this way,” that’s how Rebecca Ports, CPO at 10x Genomics, kicked off her breakout session. 

It’s time to move from focusing on the individual, it’s time for HR leaders to focus on the power of the team – no more pitting employees against each other, let’s restructure the workforce to “create the environment for connection”.

At the end of the day, individuals and organizations are more likely to be successful if people are happy, and that happiness comes from being connected to our purpose, as well as being connected to each other. 

Focusing on the future with Principal Financial

During a panel session on the Talent Acquisition (TA) stage, Jon Couture, CHRO of Principal Financial, gave his advice for HR leaders unsure where to start on building strategic resilience. 

He shared that everyone in TA needs business acumen, they need to invest time to talk to the wider business and that creates true company-wide alignment. 

Kate Zimberg added that while business acumen is essential, being future-focused is also key for everyone in TA. If they have an eye on the future, then they can guide leaders. 

Closing keynote: Magic Johnson!

I love when people say I can’t do something” – that’s how Magic Johnson kicked off his closing keynote of UNLEASH America. 

He sprinkled his magic across the Main Stage by sharing insights into how he had to be adaptable when he made the move from the basketball court to the business boardroom. 

“I had to recognize that I don’t know business.” He said.

Then added: “The number one cause of my success in that transition was mentors.”

He also shared examples of how he applied a lot of what he had learnt about team work in the high pressure world of basketball into his business expansions. 

“Everybody has a part. From the boardroom to the man or woman at reception…Everybody has to be on point, and make sure they do their job, and do it well.” 

His take home message to the HR leaders in the audience is “HR just like anything else is changing”, embrace the change.

…And that’s a wrap! We’re sure you enjoyed UNLEASH America as much as did, and we can’t wait to see you again next year! Thank you to all our attendees, HR Leaders, sponsors, startups, analysts and investors. We’ve loved having you!

-UNLEASH