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What we’re hearing from DisruptHR stages around the world
Published 8 days ago • 2 min read
Hey there, Disruptor —
Nearly every week, somewhere in the world, someone steps onto a DisruptHR stage and challenges how we think about work.
Every two weeks, Disruptdates brings you some of the most interesting ideas emerging from our global community — practical insights, bold thinking, and opportunities to get involved.
In this issue: leadership lessons from recent Talks, a standout Talk from DisruptHR Valencia (Spain), a community reflection from DisruptHR Denver, and upcoming DisruptHR events around the world.
First, great workplace cultures aren’t built on intentions — they’re built on follow-through. Multiple speakers emphasized that trust grows when leaders consistently act on the commitments they make.
Second, psychological safety remains a cornerstone of high-performing teams. When employees feel safe to challenge ideas, admit mistakes, and ask questions, organizations learn faster and innovate more effectively.
Finally, several Talks reminded us that growth rarely feels comfortable. Fear, failure, and experimentation were reframed not as setbacks but as signals that real learning is happening.
Together, these ideas point to a simple but powerful formula: leaders who model action, create safe conversations, and normalize learning from mistakes build workplaces where people — and ideas — can truly thrive.
Featured DisruptHR Talk Worth Watching
Dasha Kosse, Leadership Development Expert, gave a compelling Talk at DisruptHR Valencia 1.0, held on November 27, 2025, in Valencia, Spain — “Data vs Instincts: How to Transform Talent Decisions.” In her Talk, Kosse challenges a common leadership assumption: that good hiring decisions come from experience and intuition. Instead, she argues that instinct alone can quietly reinforce unconscious bias.
The Talk begins with a powerful personal story about growing up feeling judged before she even spoke — a reminder that bias shapes decisions far beyond childhood. Later, after making what she calls the worst hiring decision of her career, Kosse realized she had “confused intuition with bias.” Her solution: pair human judgment with data.
Dasha’s practical advice for leaders:
Use assessments and simulations to see real workplace behavior
Pressure-test hiring decisions with facts, not feelings
Remember that 95% of our decisions happen unconsciously
Or, as she puts it:
“Interviews are theater. What matters is how people behave in real situations.”
After DisruptHR Denver 19.0 on March 4, attendee Autumn Paciorek shared this reflection on LinkedIn:
“So fortunate to have attended our DisruptHR event here in Denver last week. With topics ranging from ERGs as culture drivers, to mental health, to joy as a mindset, to the importance of childcare for gender equity in the workforce — each of the speakers delivered honest, thought-provoking, energizing perspectives.
As HR continues to evolve at an exciting (but relentless) pace, it’s easy to become consumed by the constant pull of ‘busy work’ and stay heads-down in the day-to-day.
Events like this encourage us to pause and zoom out — reminding us why we do this work in the first place.
I left feeling inspired and hopeful, grounded in the importance of stretching our thinking, challenging the status quo, and intentionally centering the human side of work.
Grateful for spaces like this that spark real conversation, meaningful momentum, and invaluable connection.”
— Autumn Paciorek— Sr. Manager, HR Operations at Cetera Financial Group
Have a DisruptHR experience to share? Post about attending, speaking, or participating in a DisruptHR event on LinkedIn and tag @DisruptHR. We love engaging with your posts — and you might be featured in a future newsletter!
DisruptHR is powered by an incredible global community, and I’m grateful to be part of it with you. If something in this issue resonated, I’d love to hear from you — just hit reply and share your thoughts. I read every response.
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