166 | The Biggest HR Strategy Mistake – And How to Fix It (with Dean Corbett)

Could you be making the biggest HR strategy mistake without realising it?

Creating an HR or People strategy can feel overwhelming - especially when many HR professionals are expected to do it without ever being shown how.

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis is joined by Dean Corbett, Chief People Officer, psychologist, and coach, to explore one of the most common mistakes HR teams make when creating an HR strategy - and what to do instead.

Dean shares why traditional HR strategy documents can dilute impact, and explains how to connect HR priorities directly to the organisation’s business strategy.

You’ll also hear practical ideas for thinking more strategically about HR, identifying the people capabilities organisations really need, and using tools like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to bring strategy to life.

Useful Links From This Episode

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner
• Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme
• Connect with Dean on LinkedIn
• Visit Dean’s website: SOPEOPLE

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• The Leadership Code: Five Rules to Lead By– Dave Ulrich, Norm Smallwood, & Kate Sweetman
• Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works– A G Lafley & Roger L Martin
• Aligning Human Resources and Business Strategy– Linda Holbeche
• The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organisation– Peter M Senge
• Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know– Adam Grant
• Perry Timms’ Substack

Episodes to Listen to Next

• Ep 164:Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team - 3 Ways OKRs Can Help
• Ep 148:Skills That Shape a Great CPO: Communication, Coaching & Curiosity (with Jane Beeston)
• Ep 147:How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights (with Kanika Mehra)

Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kara Connect - Help When It's Needed Most

Menopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they didn't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away.

Kara Connect