Introduction: What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There Section 1. Overview: Think Strategically for Maximum Impact 1. Strategy Eats Operational Plans for Breakfast: You need a business-aligned strategy, not an operational plan 2. Culture is what happens when no one is watching 3. A leaky bucket never fills: Addressing the root cause of people leaving 4. Leading isn’t a solo job — how to deliver results with and through motivated people Section 2. Overview: Speak Commercially 5. Budgets are not the enemy, nor is your finance team 6. How to speak the language of business (Data) 7. When the inevitable hits the fan — how to avoid settlement agreement disaster 8. How to know when to cut back and when to invest: Powerful decision-making of people and systems Section 3. Overview: Behave Like a Leader 9. There’s No Benefit in Sprinting When It's a Marathon: Building resilience for a career that lasts 10. Your EQ Superpower of Coaching 11. Confidence that Exudes and Energises (so much more than overcoming imposter syndrome) 12. The Most Powerful Qualities of All for a Chief People Officer Conclusion: It’s In Your Control to Be Impactful in Startups
Biography
Nicola Forbes-Taylor is a player-coach for human dynamics, impacting leadership, culture and performance throughout a 20-year HR/People career, including 10+ years as CPO in the London/global startup ecosystem.
"This book cuts through the complexity of HR leadership and clearly shows what it takes to move from HR individual contributor to strategic senior leader. Nicola’s ideas are simple, logical, and immediately useful, the kind that makes you wonder why no one explained this sooner. With strong industry insight and practical tools you will revisit throughout your career, this book will put ambitious HR professionals ahead of their peers."
Kristina Kellman, People Director at Masabi, ex Facebook
"What an inspiring and thought provoking read! Nicola demonstrates her lived experience of being a strategic people leader in start-ups and scale ups, sharing invaluable guidance and insights. As an A-List Alumni, I can personally vouch for Nicola's approach as she has been a role model to me on my own Head of People journey. This book should be on the 'must read' list of any aspiring or current senior people leader (and CEO's as well!)"
Helen Monk, Head of People at Crunch
"This is the book I wish someone had handed to me when I’d started my career. Everyone in a People & Culture team needs to have it on their reading lists!"
Cat Lightfoot, VP People & Culture, Wase, ex TrueLayer
