Owning the Outcome: Episode Summary
Title: Why the Future of Work is More Human Than You Think
Host: Sarah McDevitt, HubSpot’s Sr. Director of Partner Strategy
Guest: Helen Russell, HubSpot’s Chief People Officer
Release Date: July 16, 2025
Introduction
In the latest episode of Owning the Outcome, Sarah McDevitt engages in a profound conversation with Helen Russell, HubSpot’s Chief People Officer. The episode delves into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and human-centric leadership, exploring how organizations can navigate the evolving landscape of work by emphasizing empathy, integrity, and relational intelligence.
Helen Russell’s Journey to HubSpot
Helen's Diverse Career Path
Helen begins by sharing her extensive background, highlighting her transition from talent acquisition to global human resources roles across various high-growth companies.
“I started off in exact search... I went on the inside at Pegasystems, grew the company across EMEA...”
[00:16]
She recounts her experiences at companies like Pegasystems, Siebel, Yahoo, and Sonos, illustrating her adaptability and leadership across different industries and geographies.
“...always in a slightly different industry, always in a slightly different location, and always with a very different challenge.”
[03:03]
Humorous Anecdote on Her Name
Helen lightens the conversation with a humorous note about her initials (HR), emphasizing the personal touch she brings to her role.
“The joke I've told... it's Rich because that was obviously part of the decision criteria.”
[03:24]
Embracing AI with a Human Touch
AI as a Profoundly Human Endeavor
Helen articulates her belief that the rise of AI necessitates a more human approach in leadership.
“I think the age of AI is profoundly human... vision, courage, empathy and integrity...”
[00:00]
Building Trust in AI
Discussing AI integration at HubSpot, Helen emphasizes intentional communication and empathy to alleviate fears associated with technological change.
“Great leaders recognize that change is really uncomfortable and that there's a fear that comes with it... be incredibly intentional about how you are talking about and bringing people along with you on the journey.”
[03:41]
She shares a personal story about adapting her leadership style to better support her team’s pace, highlighting the importance of flexibility and emotional intelligence.
“I had somebody on my team... said you need to modify... I’ve been very conscious about doing that.”
[05:09]
Guidance for People Leaders in the AI Era
AI Literacy and Tech Savviness
Helen underscores the importance of AI literacy for leaders, advocating for hands-on understanding and the ability to ask the right questions.
“The number one thing is to be AI literate themselves... knowing the right questions to ask... not have them be threatened by your questions and your challenges.”
[05:23]
Data-Driven Focus on Outcomes
She advises leaders to concentrate on outcomes rather than just adoption metrics, encouraging a deeper analysis of AI's impact on business goals.
“Focus on the outcomes and impact, not on input... what are the consequences of doing that?”
[05:23]
Enhanced Customer Centricity
Helen highlights the necessity of maintaining a customer-centric approach, ensuring that AI implementations solve real problems rather than merely adding new features.
“What's the problem we're trying to solve for you versus let's just sort of sell you these features...”
[05:23]
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Finally, she emphasizes that emotional intelligence remains irreplaceable by AI, becoming even more critical in maintaining employee engagement and motivation.
“Emotionally intelligent EQ is going to be more important in an age of AI than it ever was...”
[05:23]
Shifting from Resistance to Readiness in AI Adoption
Starting with the 'Why'
Helen advocates for beginning AI initiatives by clearly articulating the purpose behind adopting AI technologies.
“You start with the why... secure your place as a company in the future.”
[09:00]
Demonstrating Value and Use Cases
She emphasizes showcasing the tangible benefits and practical use cases of AI to foster enthusiasm and understanding among teams.
“Showing them the value and start to explain what are some of the use cases...”
[09:00]
Measuring Adoption and Usage
Helen discusses the importance of tracking AI adoption internally to identify and address areas where engagement may be lagging.
“What gets measured gets done... finding pockets where that isn't happening and figure out how do we help unlock it.”
[09:00]
Cultivating a Growth Mindset
She encourages viewing AI as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat, fostering a mindset that embraces change and personal development.
“See this as an opportunity versus a threat is the most important thing that you can do.”
[09:00]
Fostering Cross-Functional Partnerships in an AI-Powered Environment
Advocating for Other Teams
Helen highlights the importance of leaders promoting and appreciating functions outside their own to drive effective collaboration.
“Start with advocating for and calling out the teams that you're working with...”
[11:05]
Project-Based Workflows
She explains how aligning team efforts around specific projects and goals can enhance fluidity and reduce silos within the organization.
“Sorting work around projects... making sure that there's a fluidity in how those teams are working...”
[11:28]
Proactive Ownership in a Matrix Organization
Helen advises taking initiative to address tasks that fall outside one's immediate responsibilities, thereby fostering a proactive and collaborative culture.
“Lean into the gap and run at that work... it's really about how you work.”
[11:28]
Helen’s Hope for the Future of Work and AI
Embracing Crucible Moments
Reflecting on her career, Helen shares her belief in the transformative power of challenging moments, viewing them as opportunities for accelerated growth and learning.
“...embrace it and lean into it. Because we'll look back at this and say, my God, that was an incredible opportunity for us to learn and grow.”
[13:46]
Conclusion
Sarah McDevitt wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to Helen for her insightful perspectives on integrating AI with a human-centric approach in leadership. The conversation underscores the importance of empathy, intentional communication, and continuous learning in navigating the future of work.
“Well, Helen, thank you so much for joining us today... if you're enjoying our discussions on owning the outcome, you can subscribe for new episodes that drop every week.”
[14:46]
Key Takeaways
- Human-Centric AI: AI integration should prioritize human values such as empathy, integrity, and relational intelligence.
- Leadership Adaptability: Leaders must be AI literate and emotionally intelligent to effectively guide their teams through technological transitions.
- Outcome-Focused Metrics: Emphasize the impact and outcomes of AI adoption rather than just usage statistics.
- Collaborative Culture: Foster cross-functional partnerships by advocating for other teams and aligning efforts around shared goals.
- Growth Mindset: Encourage viewing AI as an opportunity for personal and organizational growth, embracing challenges as learning experiences.
This episode of Owning the Outcome provides a comprehensive exploration of how AI can be harnessed to enhance the human aspects of work, ensuring that technological advancements lead to more meaningful and engaged workplaces.