What does great leadership actually look like when nobody has the answers?

In this episode of Built By People, HR leader Erin Goodey breaks down why the most effective leaders today have stopped chasing certainty — and started creating clarity instead. Drawing from her own career journey, Erin shares a leadership framework that's equal parts practical and honest, built specifically for the messy, high-stakes reality HR and people ops professionals navigate every day.

If you've ever watched a high-performing team quietly fall apart before the numbers even budged, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar. Erin explains why energy shifts inside teams almost always precede performance drops — and how leaders who know how to read those early signals can intervene before small cracks become real problems.

You'll also hear Erin tackle one of HR's most persistent tensions: the line between empowering your people and micromanaging them to death. Her take is clear — micromanagement doesn't just slow teams down, it manufactures dependency. Real empowerment builds thinkers, not followers. And it starts with asking better questions instead of handing out ready-made answers.

The episode also gets into something most leadership content ignores entirely: nonverbal leadership in remote and hybrid environments. When your team can't read the room, silence from leadership doesn't feel neutral — it feels like abandonment. Erin walks through how to close the loop, model vulnerability, and build the kind of psychological safety that makes people actually speak up.

In this episode:

• Why clarity is more powerful than certainty in uncertain times
• How to spot team disengagement before it shows up in your metrics
• The empowerment vs. micromanagement trap — and how to escape it
• Nonverbal leadership cues that matter in remote and hybrid teams
• How vulnerability from leaders creates ownership across the whole team

Episode Description:

CAVA's stock has risen over 300% since its IPO. Its restaurants average $2.6 million in sales. It's on a path to 1,000 locations by 2032. But behind those numbers is a people strategy that most fast-growing brands get completely wrong.

In this episode of Built by People, we sit down with Kelly Costanza, Chief People Officer at CAVA — the woman CAVA's own CEO credits with rebuilding the company's culture from the ground up after a $300M acquisition nearly broke it. Kelly pulls back the curtain on how CAVA turned a cultural crisis into a competitive advantage, and what it actually takes to scale a people-first organization without losing your soul in the process.

This isn't a feel-good story about ping pong tables and unlimited PTO. It's a frank conversation about the hard, systematic work of investing in frontline workers — creating real career ladders for hourly employees, redefining leadership competencies for a post-pandemic workforce, and building a "human deal framework" that treats team members as whole people, not just labor costs.

If you lead people in the restaurant industry, manage HR at a high-growth company, or are trying to figure out how culture actually scales — this episode will change how you think about your job.

What you'll learn:

• How CAVA rebuilt its culture after a major acquisition — and how they measured it
• Why Kelly defines generosity as a business strategy, not just a value statement
• The specific career pathways CAVA created for frontline and hourly workers
• How emotional resilience became a core leadership competency post-pandemic
• Where technology fits in a people-first culture — and where it doesn't

Summary

In this episode of the Built by People podcast, Brett shares his extensive experience in human resources, focusing on creating better employee experiences and the importance of strategic alignment within organizations. He discusses the evolution of performance management, the critical role of communication in leadership, and the tools that enhance HR efficiency. Brett emphasizes the need for a growth-oriented approach to employee engagement and offers valuable advice for leaders navigating rapid changes in the workplace.

Takeaways

Brett has spent his entire career in human resources.

Creating better experiences for employees is a key focus.

Employee engagement is a critical culture metric.

Alignment with business needs is essential for HR.

Performance management has evolved from ranking to growth.

Communication is a vital leadership skill.

Active listening and empathy are crucial for effective communication.

Visual tools enhance accountability in team projects.

Leaders should prioritize one-on-one interactions.

Collaboration and teamwork are essential for effective leadership.

Summary

In this episode of the Built By People podcast, Roseanne Donohue shares her extensive career journey in HR and cybersecurity, discussing her transition from talent acquisition to overseeing people functions in high-tech environments. She emphasizes the importance of aligning HR priorities with company goals, focusing on employee engagement, career development, and the integration of AI in HR processes. Roseanne also highlights the significance of effective communication and collaboration across departments, as well as the tools and technologies that enhance HR operations. She concludes with valuable advice for leaders navigating the evolving workplace landscape, encouraging them to embrace AI and prioritize what truly matters for their teams.

Takeaways

Roseanne transitioned from talent acquisition to HR leadership in cybersecurity.

Top HR priorities include career pathing, employee engagement, and AI integration.

Effective communication is essential for cross-department collaboration.

Career development tools empower employees to identify and bridge skill gaps.

AI can streamline HR processes and improve efficiency.

Engagement initiatives like Exec Connects foster better communication.

Constant reinforcement of company goals is crucial for alignment.

Technology tools like Microsoft Teams enhance team collaboration.

Leaders should focus on what truly matters for their teams.

Embracing AI is vital for future success in HR.

Summary

In this episode of the Built My People podcast, LaToya Lyn shares her career journey, insights into HR leadership, and the importance of effective communication and relationship building within organizations. She discusses her current focus on strategic priorities, innovative initiatives, and the future outlook for HR. LaToya emphasizes the need for HR to be seen as a revenue function and offers valuable advice for leaders navigating the rapidly changing landscape of employee expectations and technology.

Takeaways

LaToya's career journey began with an early interest in employer-employee relationships.

She emphasizes the importance of strategic focus in HR roles.

Building relationships through informal meetings can enhance communication.

HR leaders should prioritize effective communication across departments.

Innovative initiatives can strengthen workplace culture and relationships.

Employee communication is becoming increasingly challenging in diverse organizations.

HR should be viewed as a revenue function, aligning goals with business outcomes.

It's essential to focus on solving a few significant problems rather than many minor ones.

HR leaders must engage with employees to build trust and transparency.

Adaptability and courage are crucial for HR leaders in a changing environment.

Summary

In this episode of the Built by People podcast, Kevin shares his extensive career journey from South Africa to the US, highlighting his role as VP of People at ELF. He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in integrating multiple brands into ELF, maintaining a strong company culture during rapid growth, and the importance of leveraging technology and AI in HR. Kevin emphasizes the need for transparency in people practices and the significance of soft skills in the evolving landscape of human resources.

Takeaways

ELF is focused on integrating new brands while maintaining culture.

High-performance culture is key to ELF's success.

Healthy conflict and mutual accountability drive team performance.

Tactical HR work is essential for employee experience.

Technology and systems integration are ongoing challenges.

AI presents new opportunities for HR innovation.

Transparency in people practices is crucial for growth.

HR's role is evolving towards creativity and leadership.

Summary

In this episode of the Built by People podcast, Kristy McCann shares her extensive career journey in HR, highlighting her experiences in various organizations and her transition to leadership roles. She discusses her current priorities, emphasizing the need for effective leadership in a rapidly changing world, and reflects on initiatives she is proud of, particularly in supporting others during challenging times. Kristy addresses the critical importance of communication in organizations and the need for a new approach to HR technology that integrates various systems. She concludes with advice for aspiring leaders, urging them to reflect on their true purpose and impact as leaders.

Takeaways

• Kristy has over 20 years of experience in HR across various organizations.
• She emphasizes the importance of building leaders for the future.
• Effective communication is crucial for organizational success.
• Kristy highlights the need for democratizing education and learning.
• She reflects on her proudest initiative of supporting others during COVID-19.
• Kristy advocates for a reset in organizational culture and communication.
• The integration of HR tech systems is essential for effective data use.
• Leaders must be aware of their impact on their teams.
• Kristy believes that true leadership is about serving others.
• She encourages aspiring leaders to reflect on their legacy.

Summary

In this episode of the Build By People podcast, Joe Apfelbaum shares his journey from aspiring rabbi to successful entrepreneur and leader. He emphasizes the importance of self-education, leveraging technology, and the power of LinkedIn for business growth. Joe discusses his mission to help others succeed through effective communication and AI integration, while also highlighting the significance of investing in employee training for organizational success.

Takeaways

• Self-education is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Building a website is just the beginning; marketing is essential.
• LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking and business development.
• AI can enhance communication and engagement in the workplace.
• Investing in employee training leads to higher dedication and performance.
• Understanding your unique voice is key to effective AI communication.
• Tools like Go High Level and Evie AI are essential for operations.
• Training sales teams can yield significant ROI.
• Aiming to impact a thousand organizations can create substantial change.
• Investing in people is the foundation of a thriving organization.