Julie Sexton: A Career Innovating HR Practices at Land O'Lakes

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale. To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner. Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com  Summary: Julie Sexton, Land O'Lakes, organizational culture, HR innovation, employee engagement, technology in HR, veterans in workforce, talent acquisition, flex work, leadership, Land O'Lakes, leadership, talent management, generational differences, agriculture industry, AI in business, career advice, employee engagement, mentoring, organizational culture Takeaways: - Julie fell into HR by choosing it as a versatile concentration in college. - Land O'Lakes offers a culture where employees can have a real impact. - Transparency and humanness are key in leadership. - People strive to do their best and want to be valued. - The evolution of technology has greatly improved HR processes. - Flexibility in roles can attract a diverse talent pool. - Piloting initiatives allows for learning and adaptation. - Supporting veterans through programs like SkillBridge is crucial. - Diversity includes mindset and experiences, not just demographics. - Land O'Lakes is more than just butter; it's a significant agricultural co-op. Land O'Lakes operates across the entire agricultural value chain. - The cooperative model allows for direct ownership by farmers and producers. - Nurturing future leaders involves experience, mentoring, and skill development. - It's important to recognize that not everyone is suited for leadership roles. - An individual contributor career path is essential for deep expertise. - Understanding employee values through surveys can enhance engagement. - Reverse mentoring programs can bridge generational gaps. - A talent strategy aligns workforce development with business goals. - Honest communication is crucial in performance evaluations. - Self-reflection and openness to feedback are key to career growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Julie Sexton and Her Journey 02:03 The Importance of Organizational Culture 06:49 Defining and Living Organizational Culture 08:10 The Evolution of Technology in HR 10:18 AI and Innovation in Recruitment 12:25 Balancing Flexibility in Manufacturing Roles 14:41 Innovating Employee Engagement Strategies 17:08 Supporting Veterans in the Workforce 20:09 Attracting Talent Beyond Butter 21:30 Understanding Land O'Lakes' Unique Position 24:05 Nurturing Future Leaders 26:51 Navigating Multi-Generational Workplaces 28:07 Building a Talent Strategy 30:00 Evaluating Talent and Performance 30:53 Interviewing for Value Addition 33:05 Challenges Facing the Agriculture Industry 34:50 Embracing Generative AI 37:00 Career Advice and Self-Reflection