In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci talks with Yara Banks, a seasoned HR professional and author of 'Executive Blind Spots: How Misalignment with HR Can Impact Your Bottom Line.' Yara shares her career journey from studying criminal justice to becoming a key player in HR and operations. She discusses the common blind spots executives have regarding HR, the importance of involving HR in strategic planning, and the pitfalls of underutilizing HR professionals. The conversation also covers the critical role of middle management, the need for continuous leadership development, and practical tips for conducting effective HR investigations. Yara candidly shares a personal story about her entrepreneurial missteps, providing valuable lessons on the importance of planning and seeking help. Tune in to gain insights into improving leadership through better HR practices and strategic alignment.

00:00 Introduction to Confessions of a Terrible Leader

00:37 Meet Yara Banks: Author and Business Advisor

02:50 Yara's Journey into HR

04:10 A Life-Changing Experience

07:54 Understanding HR Investigations

12:44 The Importance of HR in Business

17:32 The Role of HR as a Trusted Advisor

19:07 Challenges Faced by Middle Management

21:07 Importance of Continuous Leadership Development

23:48 The Brown Door Secret and Succession Planning

26:34 Leadership Confessional: Learning from Mistakes

31:34 Final Thoughts and Resources

EPISODE LINKS:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarabanksmba/

https://bnxba.com/

https://yarabanks.com/

Pre-Order Yara’s upcoming book! The Executive Blind Spot: How Misalignment with HR Impacts Your Bottom Line”

Confessions of a Terrible Leader is hosted by Layci Nelson and edited and produced by Fixation Point Productions. Music is by Leif Olsen and Mary Skop from the band The Number of Months.