It’s not often that I come across a story as astonishing and inspiring as that of my guest on episode 86 of the Impact Makers podcast – Khalilah Olokunola. Khalilah (also known as KO) transformed a troubled past into a beacon of hope and empowerment, and her journey from the streets of Brooklyn to a prison cell, and eventually to the boardrooms of the corporate world, is a testament to her talent, as well as her unwavering resilience and determination.
Khalilah is an extraordinary human, HR executive, community leader, and now business owner – for the 6th time – and the story of her life to date, is amazing. In our conversation on the podcast, Khalilah takes us through her inspiring journey and the wisdom she gleaned along the way. She recounts how a simple letter from her father gave her the strength to persevere, and how her role as a Chief People Officer at a startup with a mission to unite gang rivals shaped her perspective on life. In her latest endeavor founding her own company — Re-Engineering HR — she helps companies thrive by prioritizing people, purpose, and profit.
We also discussed the impactful work that Khalilah does through Re-Engineering HR, where she helps leaders and organizations to understand how to be people-focused, purpose-driven, and profit-aligned, and also how to put strategies in place to avoid sinking the business ship by identifying and addressing internal icebergs before they take an organization down. She also introduces her Alphabet Audit tool, which measures people and practices, and her Serve Principle training.
Finally, you’ll hear about her upcoming book, set to release in 2024. This episode is filled with inspiration, resilience, and valuable insights that will leave you empowered and ready to create change!
Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:
- Resilience and determination can turn even the harshest experiences into opportunities for growth and impact.
- HR isn’t just about managing people; it’s about transforming lives, building communities, and driving meaningful change.
- Embracing educational opportunities, learning from industry veterans, and not being afraid to take on challenges are keys to growth in the HR field.
- For companies to thrive, leaders must rely on the wisdom of their partners and employees, maintain transparency, and communicate effectively.
- Effective HR practice involve being proactive, aligning decisions with values, and being purpose-driven.
- The Power of ‘D.I.R.T.Y. HR’ – being divergent, intentional, responsible, trustworthy, and focused on your ‘why’.
LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 86
Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify
People & Resources Mentioned In This episode:
Khalilah “KO” Olokunola – LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Khalilah Olokunola personal website
The HR Social Hour Half Hour podcast episode 80: Jon & Wendy talk to Khalilah Olokunola
Dirty HR (D.I.R.T.Y.) | Khalilah “KO” Olokunola | DisruptHR Talks