Why does executive leadership often fail to see the value in talent development initiatives? Traci Austin of Elevated Talent Consulting reveals the critical disconnect between HR professionals and the C-suite that's creating frustration on both sides.

The conversation explores specific techniques for gaining trust in challenging industries where vulnerability isn't welcome, including the one question that transforms any training session: "What would make this hour a good use of your time?" This simple approach demonstrates respect while opening the door to meaningful engagement.

Whether you're in HR, talent development, or leadership, this episode provides the missing translation guide for creating stronger partnerships across organizational divides. Connect with Tracy through Elevated Talent Consulting or join her weekly People's Strategy Club for continuing conversations on bridging workplace gaps.

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact jay@behavioralelements.com or connect below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com

What happens when nearly 150 leadership positions need to be filled simultaneously due to a wave of retirements? For Ernesto Gómez, former VP of Human Capital at Grupo Alpha and CHRO at Sigma Alimentos, this wasn't a hypothetical scenario—it was the challenge that defined his career transition from business leader to HR innovator.

Ernesto shares how he approached this daunting succession planning challenge by reframing it as an innovation problem rather than a traditional HR issue. With no formal HR background but extensive business leadership experience, he crafted a comprehensive talent development strategy involving partnerships with elite universities including Wharton, Stanford, Chicago Booth, London Business School, and MIT.

Whether you're facing your own succession challenges or simply looking to elevate your talent development approach, Ernesto's practical wisdom offers a masterclass in innovative human capital management. His journey demonstrates that sometimes the most effective HR solutions come from leaders who bring fresh perspectives from outside traditional HR pathways.

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact jay@behavioralelements.com or connect below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com

Nikky Billou takes us on an extraordinary journey from post-revolution Iran to becoming a champion for freedom and human potential. As a Christian immigrant fleeing religious persecution, Nikky's early experiences shaped his profound understanding that freedom isn't just political—it's the essential foundation for entrepreneurship, creativity, and human flourishing.

Drawing wisdom from his late father's example, Nikky shares the transformative lesson that became his life's mission: "Your job is to see greatness in people and show it to them." This philosophy has guided him through writing ten books (including two New York Times bestsellers), hosting hundreds of podcast episodes, and helping dozens of entrepreneurs become millionaires.

For talent development professionals, Nikky offers invaluable insights on fostering coachability, identifying committed clients, and creating transformative results. Through powerful client success stories—from helping a specialist secure over a million dollars in 32 days to enabling a burned-out executive to earn more while working half the hours—he demonstrates how clear goals, obsessive focus, and expert guidance create extraordinary outcomes.

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact jay@behavioralelements.com or connect below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com