The Human Factor Podcast
The Human Factor Podcast, hosted by Michael Esau and Simon Humphreys, explores human capital management topics, trends, challenges, and opportunities facing organizations today. The hosts interview HR leaders, influencers, experts, authors, and advisors from inside and outside the SAP ecosystem. Each episode features detailed discussions on themes that impact the success and sustainability of organizations. The podcast is produced by SAP SE.
Episodes
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 74: The 5th Anniversary - Still Human
In this special anniversary episode, we celebrate 5 years of conversations by bringing together four guests who have each helped shape the discussion around work, leadership, wellbeing, and inclusion: Sue Yell, Gethin Nadin, Eric Tinch, and Dr Nancy Doyle.Rather than looking back at every episode, this conversation focuses on the bigger questions that have emerged across the past 70 discussions. W
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 73: Human Connection - Why We Need It More Than Ever with John Cooper
In episode 73 of The Human Factor Podcast, we explore one of the most important yet often overlooked drivers of workplace success: human connection.As remote and hybrid working continue to reshape how we collaborate, many organisations are facing a growing challenge - how do we create genuine connection in environments where people can easily feel disconnected, isolated, or overlooked? Joining us
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 72: From Core to Edge: How AI Is Expanding What Enterprise Systems Can Do with Ben Peters
In episode 72 of The Human Factor Podcast, we explore how organisations can move beyond the limits of traditional enterprise systems and tackle the processes that still feel slow, fragmented, or broken.Joining us is Ben Peters, Co-Founder and CEO of Cogna. Together, we discuss how AI is enabling a fundamentally different approach - one where organisations can rapidly understand how work actually h
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 71: Executing Change in the Real World with Nick Francis
In episode 71 of The Human Factor Podcast, we explore what it really takes to execute organisational change in the real world - beyond the frameworks, models, and tidy diagrams that often dominate the conversation.Joining us is Nick Francis, who has been at the centre of Decathlon’s transformation journey. Together, we discuss the realities of leading change inside a large organisation - building
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 70: Navigating the Snakes & Ladders of Modern Leadership with Richard Jolly - Part 2
In this episode of The Human Factor Podcast, we’re diving into the dynamic and unpredictable world of modern organisations, where leadership can often feel like a giant game of Snakes & Ladders.We’re joined by Richard Jolly, one of the most respected voices in organisational psychology and leadership development. Together, we explore how leaders can read their environment more effectively, bui
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 69: Navigating the Snakes & Ladders of Modern Leadership with Richard Jolly - Part 1
In this episode of The Human Factor Podcast, we’re diving into the dynamic and unpredictable world of modern organisations, where leadership can often feel like a giant game of Snakes & Ladders.We’re joined by Richard Jolly, one of the most respected voices in organisational psychology and leadership development. Together, we explore how leaders can read their environment more effectively, bui
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 68: Generation Z: The Myths and Realities
In episode 68 of The Human Factor Podcast, we’re diving into the dynamic, and often misunderstood, world of Generation Z: those born between 1997 and 2012 who are now entering and reshaping the workforce.With strong values, digital fluency and fresh perspectives, Gen Z is challenging traditional workplace norms. But what do they really want? How are they changing the game? And what can employers d
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 67: AI, Burnout and Trust – Navigating Change in the Modern Era, Part 2
In this episode of The Human Factor, continuing from Episode 66, we’re diving into one of the most pressing leadership challenges of our time: how to lead continuous, disruptive, deeply human change in 2025. We’re joined by Dan Rickards for an honest and insightful conversation about what effective change leadership really looks like now: not top-down communication, not rigid plans, but trust, tra
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 66: AI, Burnout and Trust – Navigating Change in the Modern Era, Part 1
In this episode of The Human Factor, we’re diving into one of the most pressing leadership challenges of our time: how to lead continuous, disruptive, deeply human change in 2025.We’re joined by Dan Rickards for an honest and insightful conversation about what effective change leadership really looks like now: not top-down communication, not rigid plans, but trust, transparency, and two-way dialog
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 65: Neurodiversity at Work with Dr. Nancy Doyle
In this episode of The Human Factor, we’re exploring a topic that’s reshaping how we think about talent, inclusion, and innovation: "Neurodiversity at Work".We’re joined by Dr. Nancy Doyle for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about what true inclusion looks like — and how forward-thinking organizations are reimagining hiring, culture, and leadership to embrace neurodiverse talent.
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 64: Breaking the Silence: Menopause in the Modern Workplace with Deborah Garlick
In this episode of The Human Factor, we’re breaking the silence on an issue that affects millions but is still too often ignored in the workplace: menopause.
We’re joined by Deborah Garlick, founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, for an honest and empowering conversation about why it’s time to move from awkwardness and avoidance to empathy, education, and real action.
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 63: The Power of Mentoring with Ryan Preece
In this episode of The Human Factor, we explore a practice that has shaped countless careers and lives: mentoring.
We’re joined by Ryan Preece from The King’s Trust for an open conversation about the role mentoring plays in supporting young people to build the confidence and skills to live, learn, and earn. What does it really mean to be a mentor—and how can the wisdom of experience
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 62: Making Payroll Easier with Anita Lettink
In this episode of The Human Factor, we explore a part of work that touches every single one of us—yet is rarely talked about: payroll. It’s a function that has quietly remained the same for decades, despite the dramatic pace of change around us.
We’re joined by the brilliant Anita Lettink, a global thought leader challenging the way we think about paying people. While technology ha
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 61: Building Confidence and Telling Your Own Story with Emily Jaenson
In this episode of The Human Factor, we dive into one of the most misunderstood traits in human behaviour: confidence. Is it something we are born with—or can it be built, strengthened and used as a force for good?
We’re joined by a truly inspiring Emily Jaenson whose journey proves that confidence isn’t just a trait—it’s a practice. Once too shy to order a pizza, she went on to bec
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 60: Customer Value: Life On The Front Line with Donna Whittaker
In this episode of The Human Factor, we explore a critical question for any organisation: In a world of endless choice and fierce competition, how do you truly stand out—and deliver lasting value to your customers?
We’re joined by Donna Whittaker for a behind-the-scenes look at EG On the Move, where human capability isn’t just a concept—it’s a strategic driver. Together, we unpack w
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 59: AI and Human: A Co-existence with Brenda Bown
Inspired by a simple but powerful question—“What is AI?”—we’re joined by Brenda Bown, SAP CMO- AI, to explore how AI is reshaping life and work, and what it means for every generation.
In this episode of The Human Factor, we step back from the hype and ask a simple but essential question: What is AI, really?
We’re joined by Brenda Bown to unpack the evolving role of AI in o
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 58: Scaling New Heights (Part 2) with Mike Phelan
In Part 2 of this series with Peak 4, we’re joined by Mike Phelan, drawing on his deep experience at Manchester United to explore how the dynamics of high performance have shifted.
In this episode of The Human Factor, we’re joined by Mike Phelan, who draws on his experience at Manchester United to explore how performance is evolving in today’s world. Building on the excellent discussion
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 57: Scaling New Heights (Part 1) with Dave Horrocks
In The Human Factor’s first-ever two-part special, we explore one of the series’ most important themes: performance—what drives it, how we define it, and how it continues to evolve.
In Part 1, we’re joined by Dave Horrocks from Peak 4, who shares his extensive experience from the world of elite sport. Together, we unpack the intangible nature of performance and how it’s influenced by ev
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 56: Bad Bosses Ruin Lives (or do they!) with Debra Corey
This week on The Human Factor, we’re tackling a bold question: can bad bosses ruin lives?
It’s a provocative title—but backed by real research. As we heard in our recent episode with Brian Dow, your immediate line manager can have more impact on your mental health than almost anything else at work.
In this episode, we’re joined by Debra to explore the psychology behind leadership, th
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 55: Making Work a Great Place with Brian Sutton
In Episode 55 of The Human Factor, we explore a simple but powerful question: what really makes work a great place to be?
We’re joined by Brian Sutton, Client Relationship Manager at A Great Place to Work, for an honest conversation about belonging, culture, and the importance of feeling valued and energised at work. Is creating a positive workplace just a nice idea—or a critical factor
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 54: Creating a Climate for Growth with Karl Fitzpatrick
In this episode, we speak with Karl Fitzpatrick, a sporting CEO, who shares insights on balancing organisational growth, team performance, and building a positive workplace climate.
In Episode 54 of The Human Factor, we return to the world of sport, an industry that often shines a light on key human factors.
This time, we’re looking at things from a macro perspective with insights fr
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 53: Let's Talk About Mental Health with Brian Dow
With workplace mental health in the spotlight, we sit down with Brian Dow, Chief Executive of Mental Health UK and explore: What is mental health? How can you support yourself and others? And how do we break the stigma?
In Episode 53 of The Human Factor, we dive into the critical topic of mental health—what it is, why it matters, and how we can better support ourselves and others, espec
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 52: The Fundamentals of Leadership - Execution, Performance and Standards with Dave Kline
In the latest episode of The Human Factor, we dive into performance, leadership, and the key to consistent execution with special guest Dave Kline. Don’t miss out on his invaluable insights and tips for fostering a culture where teams thrive.
In Episode 52 of The Human Factor, we delve into the core of leadership, focusing on execution, performance and standards —topics that shape the f
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 51: Buzzing Not Burning with Christine Armstrong
How can we take greater control over the conditions of our lives to ensure? How can we better understand the factors that influence our wellbeing on a day-to-day basis and what can organisations do to improve this? Christine Armstrong tells us how.
In this episode of ‘The Human Factor’, Christine Armstrong shares invaluable insights on how to create a buzzing workplace witho
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 50: The Era of Digital with Tony Harlow
Discover how the music industry has adapted to digital disruption, from streaming to talent discovery, and what it means for leadership, revenue, and engagement.
In Episode 50 of The Human Factor Podcast, we explore ‘The Era of Digital’ with music industry veteran Tony Harlow. From CDs to streaming, the digital shift has revolutionized how talent is found, music is consumed,
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 49: Helping Others with Audrey Forest Fonteneau
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 48: The Value of Voice with Sally Winston
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 47: Living and Thriving with Dyslexia Jamie Waller
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 46: The Power of Brand Advocacy with Catrin and Osian Jones
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 45: AI for HR with Andi Britt
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 44: The Development and Evolution of HR with Dave Ulrich
The Human Factor Episode 43: Performance through Art with Celyn Jones
The Human Factor Episode 42: Choosing your Partner with Bonnie Tinder
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 41: The Happy Organisation with Will Lankston
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 40: Fit for today and Fit for the Future with Andy Burnham
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 39: The Art of Communication with Helen Willetts
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 38: WellBeing 2.0 with Gethin Nadin
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 37: Influencing the C-Suite with Eric Tinch
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 36: Inclusive Leadership with Sile Walsh
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 35: Our Summary Episode with Michael Esau and Simon Humphreys
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 34: The Ingredients of Success with Maggie Alphonsi
As human beings – what do we set out to achieve every day? From a human psychology perspective we know that all humans want to have a productive day in a relative sense, need to have a feeling of achievement, attainment or a feeling of being appreciated. As we have said on a regular basis on the podcast – what needs to happen for a person to go home at the end of the day and say “I had a g
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 33: Turning Instinct into Insight with Sascha Härtel
In all walks of life, and one of the great natural feelings of being a human being is that gut instinct for something. That feeling about something, a feeling in the stomach, a nagging doubt or a natural intuition. It’s fair to say we will have all experienced it at some point in our life.
In the world of business or sport or any industry where decisions made purely on instinct can be e
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 32: The Connected Experience with Marc Starfield
Guest Marc Starfield discusses the meaning of the connected experience, workplace experience, and emotional and technological connection.
Over the last 15 to 20 years as the age of consumerisation and digital has taken hold – the fabric of how we live our lives has changed beyond recognition. We now have the capability to curate and design the experiences that help us to live our life t
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 31: Creating The Greatest Show on Earth with Marie-Noelle Gagnon
Originally composed of 20 street performers in 1984, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group completely reinvented circus arts and has become a world leader in live entertainment. Established in Montreal, the Canadian organization has brought wonder and delight to over 180 million spectators with productions presented in 450 cities in 60 countries. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group current
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 30: They Think its All Over, its Only Just Begun with Gabby Logan
Inclusivity, parity, acceptance, fairness, equality, diversity – these are common descriptive labels that we hear and see every day. As we begin 2023 a question that needs to be asked – are we making enough progress?
Last summer the England womens football team, known as the Lionesses, won the European Championship for the first time. It was an amazing tournament and one that will hopef
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 29: Performance and Growth - Tapping into the Unconscious Mind with Danny Donachie
Throughout our podcast series we have touched on the areas of performance and personal growth. A common thread throughout many of the conversations has been the importance of doing the basics brilliantly as part of our daily performance.
What we haven’t perhaps discussed so far what “performance” actually means and how do we influence it, improve it and benefit from it. Over the last co
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 28: Understanding Self with Glenn Bracey
A question – “how well do you know yourself?” Not at a superficial level, but really know yourself. Is understanding oneself something we need to do consciously, is it something that we discover across our lifetime – some may even ask “why is understanding self so important in the first place”? Aristotle once said – “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”. The author Doris
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 27: The Morality of AI and Robotics with Maria Luciana Axente
In 2017, Googles DeepMind AlphaGo artificial intelligence defeated the worlds number one Go player Ke Jie. This was considered significant as Go is one of the worlds most complex games and this capability was thought to be another 20 years or so away. The AI built its capability by studying historical matches and playing thousands of games against itself to learn strategies. This felt like
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 26: Operating in the New Era with David Perring
Guest David Perring, Director of Research at Fosway Group, provides insight on the role and deployment of technology in the digital age.
Through the pandemic and coming out the other side, there were so many column inches on what happened through that time, what it meant for the future and coined the now massively evolved term “The Great Resignation”. There is no doubt that things are d
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 25: Building, Shaping and Retaining A Great Culture with Sue Yell
The first definition of culture comes from 19th-century British anthropologist Edward Tylor: Culture…”is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society”.
Culture has been called “the way of life for an entire society” In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 24: The Art of Attraction with Laura Leyland
It has been over one hundred years since the job interview was started by the inventor of the alkaline storage battery, movie camera and the lightbulb – that person was Thomas Edison.
In 1921, Edison was a genius and frustrated with the university graduates who would ask him for a job, and so he developed a general knowledge test. The questions were a mix of literature, history, geograp
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 23: The Nurturing and Development of Talent with Paul McGuinness
By 2025 27% of the working population will come from the GenZ population. When we look at the changing demographic, the age profile is shifting quite significantly. There is a greater influx of younger talent moving into the workplace and in years to come will be the future leaders of those respective organisations.
One of the greatest gifts and challenges however when working with youn
The Human Factor Podcast Episode 22: Financial Well Being with Pay on Demand with Sharon Kirby
Paying people for services delivered has been around for millenia. In the early days, the currency of pay was commodities such as food, salt, grain, clothes, land grants, shelter and even beer. But payroll as a term started to gather pace in the 17th century and Payroll as a term can be traced back to around the middle of the 18th Century. Payroll itself being an amagulation of two words t
The Human Factor Episode 21: Goal Setting for Success with Paul McVeigh
At some point, we have all likely set goals for ourselves. Whether they are new years resolutions, goals for work, or personal goals the process we went through may have been different. Goals to give up smoking, take the dog for more walks, or losing weight may feature in our home life, and at work, goals such as securing a volume of sales, or increasing customer satisfaction could be set
The Human Factor Episode 20: The Dynamics of Teams with Paul Gustard
Throughout our careers, many of us will fondly recall successful teams we were a part of with a smile and a glint in our eyes. We will reminisce about the bonds and connections made and the mutual success achieved. There will have been something about the team which made it special – the key question – what was it? What specifically made that team successful and a pleasure to be part
The Human Factor Episode 19: The Evolving Role of HR and the Agile Workforce with Mark Brooks Lewis
Guests: Mark Brooks Lewis, Founder & CEO of LavaSource HR, and Tom Holmes, Co-Founder and Director of Veran Performance
During our podcast series, the role of HR has been central to many of our conversations. As the custodian for people, HR arguably has a more important role than ever in charting a course into the next phase of the world of work. Over the last 50 years, HR as a func
The Human Factor Episode 18: Finding Your Voice with Caroline Goyder
Guest: Caroline Goyder, Global Voice Coach, Author and TedX Speaker
When I was very young – the thought of public speaking was the most terrifying thought. My parents would often encourage me to compete in the Eisteddfod – a welsh festival of the arts where people would compete against other schools in singing competitions or recitals – I wou
The Human Factor Episode 17: The Dynamics of Organisational Change with Helen Adams
Guests: Helen Adams, Senior Director of Global HR Transformations at Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Ann Hawkins, Transformational Lead at Walgreens Boots Alliance
Change is constant and all around us. Some change only affects us, and as such, is easier to stay in control of. But
The Human Factor Episode 16: Designing a User Experience That Has an Impact with Caitlynn Sendra
Guest Speaker: Caitlynn Sendra
The world of work is changing, and our series of podcasts has been touching on different aspects of these changes. One area we haven’t yet covered is the topic of user experience and adoption. A badly designed technology solution can kill a project very quickly. But we are seeing an explosion of technology solutions now in our daily lives –
The Human Factor Episode 15: The Power of Philosophy with Russell Martin
Guest: Russell Martin, Head Coach, Swansea City Football Club
A question – What do people want from their place of work? A fair answer – they want to enjoy it. I think that is a fair assumption. There are often other contributing factors too – People want to perform at their best, they want to achieve something, they want to grow, they want
The Human Factor Episode 14: Growing Your Brand Through People with David Hieatt
Guest: David Hieatt, Co-Founder of Hiut Denim and Co-Founder The DO Lectures
Our brand is a commitment. It is a commitment to our customers and to the people who work with us. It signifies something, it means something. It connects people, creates communities and it can inspire. Many brands bring with them a philosophy – a desire to
The Human Factor Episode 13: The Future World of Work with Jason Averbook
Guest: Jason Averbook, CEO of Leapgen
For the last 18 months, we have talked about nothing but the impact of Covid and the pandemic and what it means to the world of work. We have debated at length where we will work, how we will work, the role of HR in facilitating these changes and what the implications are for organisations that don’t reimagine and evolve.
The Human Factor Episode 12: Pushing Boundaries to Make the Planet More Sustainable with Adriana Marais
Guest: Dr Adriana Marais, Theoretical Physicist, Technologist & Founder of Proudly Human
For many of us that are considering a new role, we look at the usual items such as pay scale, location, what is the manager like, what skills do we need and so on. But what if there is no baseline? What if that new role is to create so
The Human Factor Episode 11: The Relativity of Success - Finding Your Inner Giant with John Amaechi
Guest Speakers: John Amaechi OBE, Organisational Psychologist and Founder APS Intelligence andMichiel Verhoeven, UKI Managing Director at SAP.
As we continue to adapt to the changing conditions created by the pandemic, a raging debate is taking place on what the world of work should look like. Is
The Human Factor Episode 10: The Attraction of Talent in a Digitally Changing Environment with Nicola Johnson
Guest Speakers: Nicola Johnson, Director of Centre of Excellence at Bentley Motors andJane Harrington, HR Digital Transformation Manager at Bentley Motors.
The disruptive nature of the world we live in today is forcing us to change. Adapt or don’t exist is a comment that we have spoken ab
The Human Factor Episode 9: The Future Role of the Leader with David Williams
Guest Speaker: David Williams, Founder & CEO Impact International
The old adage has always been “that people leave bosses/leaders and not organisations”. It is a common tail. No matter how much truth there is in that statement, it is clear that at all levels of an organisation from a first line manager to a senior executive, a leader c
The Human Factor Episode 8: Building a High-Performance Culture and Sustaining It with Damian Hughes
Guest Speaker: Professor Damian Hughes – The Liquid Thinker
For many years, there have been countless studies to understand what constitutes “performance” It is something that we all marvel at, whether it be on the stage in the west end, or a musician at a concert or your favourite sports player performing at the top of their game. It can ta
The Human Factor Episode 7: How Crucial is Data and a Consistent Data Model to the Success of an Organisation Today with Mark Cunningham
Guest Speaker: Mark Cunningham, CEO, Anchorstone Consulting
We have never gathered as much data as we do today. This is also true for HR within an organisation. Gone are the days of personnel files held in dusty file cabinets. The challenge is what to do with it. Keep it, discard it, mine it, trust it, share it, etc. With the advent of GDPR we also ne
The Human Factor Episode 6: The Convergence of HR and Technology for a Better Outcome with Meg Bear and Marc Havercroft
Guests: Meg Bear, Chief Product Officer, SAP SuccessFactors and Marc Havercroft, Chief Customer Officer, SAP SuccessFactors
For the last 20 years, we have talked about, creating an experience based on self-service. There was this drive to enable people to own their data, performance, career and
The Human Factor Episode 5: Delivering On Your Purpose – Executing The Basic Fundamentals with Harriet Green
Guest : Harriet Green OBE, Global Business Leader | Executive Chair, Mission Beyond | Board Member | Influencer and Mentor | Diversity & Inclusion Activist
As we continue to operate and work in highly disruptive and changing times, having absolute clarity on your v
The Human Factor Episode 4: A Human Centered Approach to Design Thinking and Change with Vikas Shah
Guest Speaker: Vikas Shah MBE DLEntrepreneur | Non-Executive Director | Investor
Over the last 5 years, as we have moved into the “era of experiences”, we have become much more mindful of the experiences that we create for our people. We hear statements such as “being human centric”, “creating a great employee experience”, “treatin
The Human Factor Episode 3: Is Technology the Catalyst for a Transformation with Elaine Bergin and Leila Romane
Guest Speakers: Elaine Bergin, Director of Colleague Experience Delivery, BT and Leila Romane, Head of HXM for SAP SuccessFactors, SAP
We have often remarked that without the required capability, it is impossible to change/transform, but just because you have the capability, it doesn’t mean you will. In essence, choosing a solution or technology is often the easy bit, but actually getti
The Human Factor - Episode 2: The Future Direction Of Learning And Content In The Virtual World with Steve Johnson, Lisa Johnson and Donald Ross
Guest Speakers: Steve Johnson, MD & Lisa Johnson, Projects Director, Dynamic Business Services and Donald Ross, Head of Learning and Development Solutions, SAP EMEA North
The topic of learning and content has arguably come into more of a sharper focus in recent ti
The Human Factor - Episode 1: Employee Experience and Well-being – What Does It Really Mean Today with Gethin Nadin
Guest Speaker: Gethin Nadin, Multi-award-winning Psychologist • HR Author • Inspiring Leader 2021 • 2x Top Global EX Influencer • 4x HR Influencer • Chief Innovation Officer at Benefex/Zellis • Wellbeing & Employee Experience Expert • FRSA •
The topic of employee well-being and employee experience have become somewhat intertwined in recent times. There is no doubt, that organisatio
