People Strategy Forum

Hosted by Sam Reeve

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Episodes

183

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Every great leader inspires, motivates and rewards their people for performance. Welcome to the People Strategy Forum podcast, a show that guides leaders to elevate the workforce. People are at the heart of successful organizations. Team members’ well-being and career development are essential. This show discusses practical and effective leadership strategies for top executives, senior professionals, and talent managers. Aligning employer and employee objectives is a must. Every team member needs to feel fulfilled and satisfied in order to be fully productive and accountable. This show helps leaders create an engaged workforce that is happily accomplishing daily responsibilities and committed to the organization’s future success. Episodes focus on innovative and integrated talent management tools, including employee recognition, compensation, and development, as well as strategies for building a healthy workplace culture and improving the workforce experience. On a deeper level, the podcast centers around attracting, growing and retaining top talent. It addresses employee motivation, communication, performance, productivity and the genuine human connections that are essential for every successful organization. Each team member brings their own unique strengths, talents, interests, and passions. By touching on these personal areas, leaders create an environment where employees perform at their best. Sam Reeve, Howard Nizewitz, and Sumit Singla host the podcast. Sam has 20-years of diverse compensation experience at leading firms. His time at Barclays, BlackRock, and Automatic Data Processing (ADP) allowed him to see companies evolve from the startup phase to rapidly growing to mature organizations Sumit has over 15 years of talent management practice across different sectors. His expertise in organizational framework, design thinking, performance management, and business storytelling is unparalleled. He is a favorite speaker at talent management conferences and events across the country. With these three forward-thinking, passionate people professionals at the helm of the podcast, talent-centric organizations can find relevant and helpful advice. Special guest co-hosts thought-leaders impart essential tips for making every workplace inspiring and rewarding. Beyond theoretical ideas, these experts share experiences as business leaders that shed light on overcoming challenges and celebrating wins. Even with generous budgets and advanced tools, having the right team in place is crucial to achieving goals and succeeding. By putting effective programs in place, leaders can expect deeper connections that result in healthy working relationships that spell success across the organization. Join Sam Reeve, Howard Nizewitz, and Sumit Singla on the People Strategy Forum podcast and learn the keys to elevating the workforce.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 19, 2026Episode 18130 min

David Dean - AI Is Already Inside Your Business

AI Is Already Inside Your Business: What Leaders Need to Understand About How Work Really Gets Done AI is already changing how work happens inside organizations, but much of that change is taking place outside formal processes. In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum , Sam Reeve, CEO of CompTeam, speaks with the author of The Inbox Between Us about a critical challenge for business leaders: understanding the gap between how work is documented and how work actually gets done. Most organizations have a formal operating system. It lives in policies, workflows, approval structures, process maps, and standard procedures. But there is also an informal operating system. It lives in inboxes, chat messages, meeting transcripts, workarounds, informal handoffs, and the day-to-day decisions employees make to keep work moving. That hidden layer matters because AI can only improve work effectively when leaders understand the system people are actually operating inside. In this episode, you will learn: • Why formal workflows rarely capture the full reality of how work gets done • How emails, chats, meetings, and informal workarounds reveal hidden organizational behavior • Why AI adoption should begin with discovery before automation • How approval delays can expose deeper workload, communication, and process problems • Why informal AI use can signal unmet business needs • How leaders can use AI to identify bottlenecks, friction, and communication breakdowns • Why human judgment, accountability, and lived experience remain essential in an AI-enabled workplace • How AI can help leaders better understand communication patterns and organizational behavior • Why shared definitions and context are critical when applying AI to human workflows The central message is simple: Before investing in another AI platform or automating another process, leaders need to understand how the work actually happens today. Sometimes the answer is automation. Sometimes it is process redesign. Sometimes it is clearer accountability. And sometimes the most valuable solution is a better conversation between people. This episode offers a practical, human-centered perspective on AI adoption and the future of work, focused on helping leaders make better decisions about where technology can create real business value. About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum , hosted by Sam Reeve, CEO of CompTeam, brings together executives, advisors, researchers, and business leaders to examine how AI, leadership, workforce strategy, and organizational systems are reshaping business performance. Each episode provides practical insights for leaders navigating transformation, improving organizational effectiveness, and building workplaces prepared for the future of work. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .

August 12, 2026Episode 18036 min

Your Strategy Is Moving Faster Than Your Leaders - Andy Fleming

Your Strategy Is Moving Faster Than Your Leaders: How to Build a Culture That Grows at the Speed of Change Most transformations do not stall because the strategy is weak. They stall because the leaders responsible for executing that strategy are still operating with the habits, assumptions, and decision-making patterns that belonged to the business before the change. In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum , Sam Reeve, CEO of CompTeam, speaks with Andy Fleming , Co-Founder and CEO of The Developmental Edge , about how organizations can build leadership capabilities at the same speed their strategy is evolving. Andy introduces the Align, Sprint, Scale framework, a practical approach for helping leadership teams identify the mindset and behavior shifts their strategy requires, develop those capabilities through real business challenges, and then scale those new ways of working across the organization. The conversation explores why leadership development can no longer be treated as a separate activity. In periods of rapid change, leaders need to learn, adapt, collaborate, and deliver results at the same time. In this episode, you will learn: • Why strong strategies still fail during execution • How outdated leadership assumptions can slow transformation • Why collaboration is becoming increasingly important in complex organizations • How to identify the critical "from-to" shifts a leadership team needs to make • What happens during a developmental sprint • How peer accountability and real-world experimentation accelerate behavior change • Why trust, transparency, and vulnerability matter at the executive level • How leadership development can happen inside the work rather than outside it • What organizations can do to scale new leadership behaviors across the business Andy also explains how organizations can sustain change by building a shared language, integrating new practices into meetings and decision-making, and developing internal leaders who can continue the process over time. About Andy Fleming Andy Fleming is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Developmental Edge , where he helps organizations build the leadership capabilities required to execute strategy and navigate transformation. His work spans more than three decades in leadership and organizational development, including experience connected to Harvard Business School, Emory University's Center for Ethics, and senior leadership teams across large, complex global organizations. Learn more at: https://developmentaledge.com If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .

August 5, 2026Episode 17939 min

Stop Losing Top Talent: How Retention & Rewards Decisions Build or Break Trust | Greg Roche

Stop Losing Top Talent: How Retention & Rewards Decisions Build or Break Trust | Greg Roche Growing companies often assume that employee turnover is primarily a pay problem. In reality, people are more likely to leave when compensation decisions, manager relationships, career opportunities, communication, and workplace expectations become inconsistent as the organization grows. In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum , Sam Reeve, CEO of CompTeam, speaks with Greg Roche , Founder of Retention and Rewards Partners, about how retention and rewards decisions influence employee trust, workforce stability, and long-term business performance. Greg explains why retention should be treated as a business strategy, not simply an HR responsibility. He shares practical guidance for identifying the real causes of turnover, evaluating compensation against the market, improving manager effectiveness, and building stronger connections across the organization. In this episode, you will learn: • Why compensation alone is rarely enough to retain top performers • How early turnover can reveal a disconnect between recruitment promises and the actual employee experience • Why counteroffers often delay turnover instead of solving it • When growing organizations need more advanced compensation expertise • Why market median pay may not always be the right target • How targeted compensation investments can support stronger business results • What leaders should consider when designing sales incentive plans • Why manager engagement and workplace connection are critical retention drivers • How internal networking can improve collaboration, mobility, and organizational performance Greg also outlines a practical 90-day approach for leaders who want to strengthen retention. His recommendation begins with executive teams modeling stronger connection, encouraging cross-functional relationships, and treating collaboration as a meaningful business activity. These actions can help organizations improve communication, identify internal talent, strengthen mobility, and create a workplace where employees feel connected to both the people and the purpose of the business. About Greg Roche Greg Roche is the Founder of Retention and Rewards Partners , where he helps growing organizations strengthen compensation strategy, improve employee retention, and develop total rewards programs that support sustainable growth. He is also the author of The Fast and Easy Guide to Networking for Introverts and a frequent speaker on compensation, employee engagement, workplace connection, and leadership. Learn more at: https://retentionandrewards.com If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .

July 29, 2026Episode 17826 min

Leadership Operating Systems: Turning AI Strategy into Execution with Betsy Kauffman

Leadership Operating Systems: Turning AI Strategy into Execution with Betsy Kauffman AI is transforming every industry, but technology is not what determines success. Leadership is. In this episode of the People Strategy Forum , Sam Reeve sits down with Betsy Kauffman , Founder & CEO of Cross Impact and author of The Fix , to explore why executive alignment has become the defining competitive advantage in the age of AI. While many organizations focus on implementing new technologies, Betsy argues that the greatest obstacle to AI adoption is not the technology itself. It is leadership teams that lack shared priorities, clear decision-making, effective communication, and disciplined execution. As AI accelerates the pace of business, these leadership gaps become increasingly costly. Together, Sam and Betsy discuss the Leadership Operating System, a practical framework for helping executive teams align around strategy, improve collaboration, strengthen accountability, and execute with confidence during periods of rapid change. In this episode, you'll learn: Why AI initiatives fail when leadership teams lack alignment The Leadership Operating System every executive team needs How to improve executive decision-making and accountability Why healthy conflict creates stronger leadership teams Practical approaches to AI governance and responsible adoption How to avoid "shiny object syndrome" during rapid technological change The first steps leaders can take to strengthen alignment and execution over the next 90 days Whether you're a CEO, CHRO, HR executive, or business leader, this conversation provides practical insights for leading organizational change, navigating AI transformation, and building leadership teams that consistently turn strategy into results. About Betsy Kauffman Betsy Kauffman is the Founder & CEO of Cross Impact , where she helps executive teams improve leadership alignment, organizational effectiveness, and strategic execution. She is also the author of The Fix , a business fable that demonstrates why organizations achieve better results by strengthening their systems rather than simply focusing on individual performance. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .

July 22, 2026Episode 17740 min

Lee Caraher - Lifetime Loyalty in the Age of AI

Lifetime Loyalty in the Age of AI: How Leaders Keep Top Talent During Change As AI continues to reshape the workplace, leaders face a growing challenge: helping employees navigate uncertainty while maintaining trust, engagement, and long-term loyalty. In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum , Sam Reeve is joined by Lee Caraher , founder of Double Forte and author of The Boomerang Principle , to explore how organizations can build lasting employee relationships during one of the fastest periods of technological change in history. Lee explains why communication—not certainty—is becoming one of leadership's greatest competitive advantages. Together, Sam and Lee discuss how organizations can build trust through transparency, invest in continuous learning, prepare employees for AI adoption, and create cultures that people are excited to return to—even after they've left. In this conversation, you'll discover: Why trust is replacing perks as the foundation of employee loyalty How leaders should communicate during AI-driven change Why continuous AI training is essential for retention The business value of "boomerang employees" Internal communication as a strategic advantage Crisis communication lessons every leader should know Practical ways to lead through uncertainty without pretending to have every answer If you're an executive, HR leader, founder, or manager navigating AI transformation, this episode offers practical leadership insights you can implement immediately. Guest: Lee Caraher CEO & Founder, Double Forte Author of The Boomerang Principle Learn more: https://leecaraher.com If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .

July 8, 2026Episode 17631 min

Wani Iris Manly - Change That Changes Everything

Change That Changes Everything: How Leaders Help People Adapt Before AI Fears Drive Talent Away Artificial intelligence is changing the workplace faster than ever, but the biggest challenge isn't the technology. It's helping people adapt. In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum, Sam Reeve speaks with Wani Iris Manly, Esq. about why employees don't resist change—they fear loss—and how leaders can reduce uncertainty before it turns into disengagement or turnover. Drawing from her background as an attorney, executive coach, and international change expert, Wani shares practical strategies for leading AI transformation while maintaining trust, confidence, and employee engagement. In This Episode: • Why fear—not technology—drives resistance to AI • Helping employees adapt through retooling and continuous learning • AI governance and responsible implementation • Building trust during periods of rapid change • Leadership strategies for reducing uncertainty • Creating psychologically safe workplaces • Why people remain an organization's greatest competitive advantage • A practical framework for leading organizational change Key Takeaway Successful AI adoption isn't about replacing people. It's about helping people confidently adapt to a changing world while ensuring technology strengthens—not replaces—the human experience at work. Guest: Wani Iris Manly, Esq. Learn more: https://www.waniirismanly.com Connect with Wani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waniirismanly Learn more about CompTeam: https://compteam.net/ Watch the full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@PeopleStrategyForumPoweredByCompTeam If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .

July 1, 2026Episode 17644 min

Chris Hamilton - Redefining Employee Benefit Strategy

Are Your Benefits Training Top Talent to Leave? Healthcare costs continue to rise, and many employers feel trapped in a system that gets more expensive every year. In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum, Sam Reeve speaks with Chris Hamilton, Employee Benefits Practice Leader at Hotchkiss Insurance, about how organizations can rethink their benefits strategies to improve employee retention, create more value, and regain control over healthcare spending. Chris explains why traditional insurance models often create misaligned incentives and shares practical strategies that leading employers are using to design more effective and differentiated benefits programs. In This Episode: • Why healthcare costs keep rising • The hidden economics of health insurance • How benefits impact retention and recruitment • The advantages of customized and self-funded plans • Questions every employer should ask their broker • Strategies for creating more valuable employee benefits • How benefits can become a competitive advantage Key Takeaway Benefits should not simply be viewed as an expense. When designed strategically, they can become one of the most powerful tools organizations have to attract, retain, and support great people. Guest: Chris Hamilton Employee Benefits Practice Leader, Hotchkiss Insurance Learn more: https://www.itschrishamilton.com/ Learn more about CompTeam: https://compteam.net/ Watch the full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@PeopleStrategyForumPoweredByCompTeam If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .

June 24, 2026Episode 17525 min

Andy Neary - Why Top Talent Stays: They Know How to Win

Why Top Talent Stays: They Know How to Win Why do some organizations consistently retain top performers while others struggle with turnover? In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum, Sam Reeve speaks with Andy Neary, Founder of Complete Game Consulting, about the connection between employee retention, leadership, confidence, and performance. Andy shares the Brand Authority Blueprint, a practical framework that helps professionals and leaders identify what makes them unique, define who they serve, understand the problems they solve, and build a repeatable approach to creating value. The discussion explores how organizations can improve recruiting, retention, sales performance, leadership development, and employee engagement by helping people gain clarity and confidence in their roles. In This Episode: • Why top talent stays when they know how to succeed • The Brand Authority Blueprint framework • Leadership lessons from professional sports and business • Building confidence through clarity and ownership • Recruiting and retaining high-performing employees • The role of trust in modern sales and leadership • Practical uses of AI for coaching and professional development • Why leaders should focus on strengths, not just mistakes • The importance of investing in personal growth Key Takeaway The best employees do not stay simply because they like where they work. They stay because they understand how to create value, achieve success, and continue growing within the organization. Guest: Andy Neary Learn more: https://completegameconsulting.com Connect with Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyneary Learn more about CompTeam: https://compteam.net/ Watch the full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@PeopleStrategyForumPoweredByCompTeam If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .

June 17, 2026Episode 17539 min

Maximos Lih - When One Person Does the Work of Seven

When One Person Does the Work of Seven: How AI Is Rewriting Work What happens when one employee can suddenly accomplish the work that previously required an entire team? In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum, Sam Reeve speaks with Maximos Lih about how artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing productivity, workforce expectations, and the future of organizational design. As AI expands what individuals can accomplish, leaders are being challenged to rethink workforce planning, talent strategies, management practices, and how organizations create value. The conversation explores both the opportunities and risks of AI-driven productivity, including how organizations can embrace innovation without losing sight of the human side of work. In this episode, we discuss: • How AI is increasing individual productivity • The implications of AI for workforce planning • Why traditional organizational structures are evolving • The changing role of leadership in AI-enabled organizations • How businesses can responsibly adopt AI • The future relationship between people and technology • Skills employees need to remain valuable in an AI-driven workplace • Balancing efficiency, performance, and employee well-being Key Takeaway AI is not replacing work. It is redefining work. Organizations that understand how to combine human strengths with artificial intelligence will be better positioned to adapt, compete, and grow in the years ahead. Guest: Maximos Lih Learn more about CompTeam: https://compteam.net/ Watch the full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@PeopleStrategyForumPoweredByCompTeam #PeopleStrategy #FutureOfWork #ArtificialIntelligence #AILeadership #WorkforceStrategy If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .

June 10, 2026Episode 17430 min

David Dean - AI in the Workplace: What's Really Happening

AI in the Workplace: What's Really Happening What is actually happening with AI inside organizations today? In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum, Sam Reeve speaks with David Dean, author of The Inbox Between Us , about the hidden workplace dynamics shaping AI adoption and why understanding how work actually gets done may be more important than the technology itself. Many organizations are rushing to implement AI tools and automation. But David argues that before organizations can successfully leverage AI, they need to understand the undocumented work that happens every day through emails, chats, meetings, and human interactions. Drawing from years of experience supporting enterprise transformation initiatives, David explains how workplace behavior, communication patterns, and organizational dynamics influence the success of AI initiatives and business processes. In this episode, we discuss: • The difference between documented work and actual work • Why hidden workplace dynamics matter • How AI can help uncover process bottlenecks • The role of emails, chats, and meetings in organizational intelligence • Why AI should be viewed as a workplace partner • Human judgment, accountability, and decision-making in the AI era • How leaders can improve communication and organizational effectiveness • Practical ways to begin exploring AI opportunities inside your organization Key Takeaway The most valuable AI opportunities often exist in places organizations rarely examine: everyday conversations, communication patterns, and the human behaviors that drive work forward. Guest: David Dean Book: The Inbox Between Us Learn more about CompTeam: https://compteam.net/ Watch the full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@PeopleStrategyForumPoweredByCompTeam If you enjoyed this episode, follow the People/AI Strategy Forum on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation! About the People/AI Strategy Forum The People/AI Strategy Forum explores how leaders navigate the intersection of people strategy, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Sam Reeve, Founder & CEO of CompTeam, the Forum features conversations with executives, practitioners, and experts shaping the future of work. Learn more about CompTeam and the People/AI Strategy Forum at compteam.net .