The Evolving Role of the CHRO with C-Suite Whisperer John Touey
What really determines whether a company thrives or unravels under pressure? According to John Touey, one of the country’s most trusted C-suite recruiters, it comes down to a single, often overlooked truth: the CEO, CFO, and CHRO form the power structure that governs the entire enterprise. If that trio isn’t aligned, nothing else works.On this episode, AIIR Consulting CEO Dr. Jonathan Kirschner sits down with John — Managing Partner at Trilogy Talent Advisors and a masterful “C-suite whisperer” — to reveal what he’s seen across thousands of board conversations, CEO transitions, and high-stakes leadership searches. This conversation is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what truly determines whether leaders succeed, stall, or never see the inside of the C-suite.John breaks down how the CHRO role has transformed more in the past five years than in the previous fifty, how AI is reshaping the talent landscape in real time, and why behavior and culture fit are the ultimate predictors of executive success.In this episode, we explore:The Power Trio That Runs the Enterprise. Why the CEO–CFO–CHRO relationship is the heartbeat of organizational health — and the first place to look when things break.The Real Reason Leaders Flame Out. Why even extraordinary executives fail when their leadership style clashes with the culture — and how to spot the mismatch before it happens.The CHRO’s Rise to Strategic Power. How the pandemic — and now AI — vaulted HR from supporting role to enterprise architect.AI, Talent, and the Future of Work. Why HR’s access to the richest data in the company puts it at the center of AI-driven transformation.Courage as a Leadership Requirement. The CHRO as truth-teller, stabilizer, strategist — and often the only person willing to challenge the CEO.If you care about leadership, culture, or the future of work, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. To learn more about how AIIR Consulting can help your leaders navigate change and shape a better future, visit aiirconsulting.com.
--------
41:52
--------
41:52
Staying Human in the Age of AI with Gideon Rosenberg from NVIDIA
What does “human-first” leadership look like inside a company building the future of artificial intelligence? AIIR Consulting CEO Jonathan Kirschner and Joy Nissen sit down with Gideon Rosenberg — Deputy General Counsel and Head of HR for NVIDIA Israel — to explore how empathy and uncompromising standards can (and should) coexist.Gideon offers a rare inside view into NVIDIA’s culture under CEO Jensen Huang, where people are empowered to “do their life’s work” and leadership begins with trust, not titles.In this episode, we explore:Inside NVIDIA’s Leadership DNA: How Jensen Huang’s mantra to “do your life’s work” fuels meaning, empowerment, and ownership — even in a $5 trillion company.Empathy Meets Performance: The art of driving at warp speed without losing humanity — and what truly scales (and breaks) when expectations run high.AI as a Leadership Catalyst: How artificial intelligence is reshaping decision-making, talent development, and the very definition of “leading through others.”A New Playbook for People Leaders: Real-world guidance for CHROs and executives on re-skilling teams, building AI-ready cultures, and keeping trust at the center of change.
--------
54:09
--------
54:09
Leading with Agility, Curiosity, and Care with Reese Haydon
In this episode of A Podcast About Leadership, Dr. Jonathan Kirschner sits down with Reese Haydon to explore what it takes to lead with agility, curiosity, and care in today’s fast-moving world.Reese's career has included senior talent management roles at some of the biggest companies in the tech industry, including Cisco, Dropbox, and Salesforce, among others.Drawing from his extensive experience, Reese offers a rare, insider’s view into how leadership must evolve across different organizational contexts. He and Jonathan unpack what distinguishes exceptional leaders in high-growth environments, how to balance innovation with structure, and why care may be the defining leadership capability of the AI era.Listeners will learn:Why agility and humility are essential traits for leaders navigating constant changeThe most common leadership pitfalls in tech — and how to avoid themHow to balance experimentation with scale and stabilityWhy curiosity and care remain timeless differentiators, even in the age of AIReese also shares how he sees AI transforming leadership development, why hybrid intelligence (human + artificial intelligence) will shape the future of work, and how leaders can stay grounded amid disruption and paradox.If you’re a leader, coach, or HR professional seeking to understand what great leadership looks like in an age of exponential change, this conversation will both challenge and inspire you. Looking for more information about the leadership skills leaders need to succeed? Visit aiirconsulting.com.
--------
36:14
--------
36:14
Is Coaching Really That Different Than Therapy? With Dr. Davida Vogel
For decades, executive coaching and psychotherapy have been treated as distinct disciplines — one focused on business performance, the other on unpacking unproductive patterns and personal healing. But, in recent years, the two have been creeping closer together. As they have, it has begged the question, are coaching and therapy really that different?In this thought-provoking episode of A Podcast About Leadership, Dr. Jonathan Kirschner, clinical psychologist and CEO of AIIR Consulting, sits down with two of his fellow psychologists turned executive coaches, Dr. Joy Nissen and Dr. Davida Vogel, to explore how the worlds of clinical psychology and coaching increasingly overlap, how they strengthen one another, and why drawing a line between them actually matters.Discover how coaches with backgrounds in behavioral science use methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other clinical approaches to help leaders clarify values, challenge unhelpful thinking, and achieve meaningful goals.Understand why boundaries and confidentiality are essential to successful coaching, and how “setting the frame” early builds trust and alignment across every stakeholder involved.Hear why the relationship between coach and client — the “working alliance” — is the single biggest factor driving results in both executive coaching and psychotherapy.Learn how AIIR’s Strategic Development Plan and Developmental History Interview bring psychological depth and rigor to executive coaching, turning insights into real, lasting behavior change.See how awareness, courage, and curiosity transform insight into action, helping leaders grow not only as professionals but as people.Whether you’re a coach, psychologist, HR or talent leader, or simply curious about how psychology is reshaping leadership development, this episode offers research-based insights and real-world wisdom you can apply to your own growth— and the growth of those you lead.
--------
45:09
--------
45:09
Leading Cross-Functional Pharma Teams with Ian Wilcox and Megan Marshall
In pharma, the barrier to progress isn’t usually the science—it’s how well leaders align brilliant, functionally deep experts to move an asset forward together. In this candid conversation, AIIR Consulting CEO Jonathan Kirschner sits down with Ian Wilcox (AIIR Advisory Board member; former Global Head of Life Sciences at HayGroup; executive advisor and investor) and Megan Marshall (Managing Partner, AIIR Consulting) to unpack what it really takes to lead in matrixed cross-functional teams—from early research through clinical, regulatory, manufacturing, medical affairs, and commercial.Drawing on decades in the industry, Jonathan, Megan, and Ian explore why influence (not authority) is the #1 leadership skill in life sciences, why self-awareness is its essential counterpart, and how leaders make the identity shift from subject-matter expert to enterprise leader. Key takeaways:Influence beats authority. In life sciences, the #1 leadership skill is influencing across disciplines; self-awareness is the essential counterpart that makes influence land.From SME to enterprise leader. High-caliber MDs/PhDs must shift identity from “proving I’m right” to orchestrating outcomes across matrixed cross-functional teams.“Dual citizenship” mindset. Great leaders stay rooted in their function while developing curiosity and fluency in clinical, regulatory, manufacturing, medical affairs, and commercial.Two meeting modes—be explicit. Superior leaders name when the team is in information-sharing vs decision-making mode and design debates to avoid sunk-cost bias.Six enterprise behaviors that matter. Clear decision frameworks; transcend silos; manage tension/ambiguity; align incentives & metrics; provide strategic direction; drive collective understanding.Set the stage, not just the agenda. Purpose, expectations, and “why you’re in the room” beat long decks and “functional imperial” updates that cause people to check out.Industry pressures reshaping leadership. AI accelerating early discovery; tougher patient recruitment; platform/partnering models; and a disrupted commercial playbook demand new ways of working.Economics raise the stakes. Pricing pressure from payers/government and narrowing launch windows force smarter cross-functional bets and faster, evidence-based pivots.Identity choices are healthy. Not everyone should “leave the science”—organizations need prestigious IC paths alongside enterprise leadership tracks.Timeless beyond pharma. These cross-functional leadership muscles translate to any sector facing complexity, speed, and high-stakes decisions.Want to learn more? You can download our whitepaper, Leadership's Critical Role in Cross-Functional Pharmaceutical Teams.
Leadership has the power to shape the future — of work and of the world. But in a period of history increasingly defined by complexity, uncertainty, and change, the skills and mindsets leaders need to succeed are shifting faster than ever. A Podcast About Leadership faces this challenge head-on, offering the insights and inspiration leaders need to navigate change and shape a better future.Each episode, we speak with leaders and leading thinkers in business, leadership, psychology, neuroscience, and human performance. Together, we explore the challenges leaders face today— from leading through volatility and uncertainty to developing the empathy, resilience, and strategic vision required to thrive in the years ahead.Whether you’re an individual leader looking to increase your impact or a human resources (HR), talent, or learning and development leader shaping the future of leadership across your organization, A Podcast About Leadership has the information, inspiration, and practical application you need.Meet the HostsDr. Jonathan Kirschner is the founder and CEO of AIIR Consulting, a global authority on executive coaching and leadership development. A psychologist and entrepreneur, Jonathan has nearly two decades of experience helping leaders at the world’s most respected organizations accelerate performance, transform cultures, and unlock human potential. His expertise sits at the intersection of behavioral science, business strategy, and technology, making him a sought-after advisor to executives navigating complexity and change.Dr. Joy Nissen is a psychologist and seasoned executive passionate about helping leaders unlock their full potential and accelerate business performance. Joy brings both scholarly rigor and deep human empathy to her work, and has a unique ability to translate psychological insight into practical strategies that drive organizational results. Her coaching has shaped C-suite leaders, rising executives, and high-potential talent, making her a trusted voice for anyone serious about leadership growth.Presented by AIIR ConsultingAIIR Consulting is a global leadership development firm trusted by Fortune 500 companies and forward-thinking organizations across industries. With a foundation in psychology and a commitment to measurable business impact, AIIR helps leaders and teams excel in today’s complex world. From executive coaching to team effectiveness to leadership development at scale, AIIR delivers solutions that enable organizations to thrive. You can learn more at www.aiirconsulting.com.
USA