Buzzbytes 2025-10-10

Buzzbytes is part of JooBee’s newsletter. Think of it as the bonus track🎶: a break from the usual format with behind-the-scenes updates, reflections and the occasional fun extra.

The many hats of HR: What we forget to wear for ourselves

I had the joy of chatting with former BBC tech journalist Jane Wakefield on The Techspace Pod — and for once, I wasn’t the one asking the hard questions 🥵.

She started gently: “You call yourself a proud introvert. Why?”

I laughed, remembering one Christmas where I didn’t leave my flat for EIGHT straight days (the streak only broke because Deliveroo couldn’t find me 😅). 

People assume introverts are shy, awkward or lack confidence. Not true. It’s about how we recharge so we can show up as our best selves.

And that’s got me reflecting on the hats we wear . As HR leaders, we juggle so many — coach, operator, firefighter, strategist — that sometimes we forget the most important one: the hat that grounds us

Here are a few hats Jane and I explored together:

🌱 The identity hat — your personality isn’t a blocker, it’s a strategy

A founder once told me: “I can’t be charismatic like others.”
But leadership isn’t about putting on someone else’s hat.
Your team doesn’t need a movie star. They need you.

🎧 In the podcast, I share why introversion (and showing up your own way) might be your hidden strength.

🎯 The strategy hat — it isn’t missing, it’s waiting for an owner

Many HR leaders tell me: “My business doesn’t have a strategy, so I can’t…”
But chaos ≠ absence of strategy. It just means someone needs to help shape it.
And often, the person best placed to do that is the one already wearing the “people” hat.

🎧 I explain why on the podcast.

🪑 The credibility hat — a seat at the table ≠ a voice

One HR leader admitted: “Last year I was so proud of one project… because it was cool. But it connected to nothing in the business.”

When she anchored her next idea to revenue impact, suddenly she was heard.
Commercial credibility is the hat that unlocks trust.

🎧 It’s a moment worth sitting with in the podcast.

🔥 And the founder hat I sometimes have to hand back

The most direct thing I say to founders: “It’s not you. It’s them.”

When founders avoid a tough conversation, that hesitation is about you — your discomfort, your fear of being disliked.  But the cost lands on them if you don’t give the feedback they need.

Silence isn’t kindness. Honesty is.

🎧 I shared my unconventional method in the podcast.

As I look back on my conversation with Jane, I realised something: as HR leaders, we’re brilliant at wearing all the hats for others.

I believe there’s one hat that matters most. What about you?

Let’s bring this to a live conversation — join me in Berlin!

(The last time I was in Berlin was 2012 😱)

I can’t wait to meet so many of you in person! 👋 Sign up below and save your spot!

With love, Joobs 💛

Scaling your start-up?

Let’s make sure your leadership, people and org are ready. Here are 3 ways I can help:

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌎 JooBee’s blog | 🤝 Work with me