In this episode of the Certain Growth Podcast, host Joey Chandler sits down with Steve Cadigan, the former first HR Director of LinkedIn and a globally recognized talent strategist. Moving beyond the typical "New Year, New Me" tropes, Steve shares his unique journey from a plan-less college graduate to scaling one of the world's most influential tech companies.

The conversation dives deep into the psychology of resolutions, the power of intentionality, and why looking backward is the most effective way to plan your future. Whether you are navigating a career pivot or looking for a more "felt" approach to your personal goals, Steve’s insights offer a grounded and inspiring roadmap for the modern professional.

Episode Timeline

• 00:00 – Intro: Joey introduces Steve Cadigan, first HR Director for LinkedIn.
• 01:30 – The Power of "No Plan": Steve discusses his experimentation-led education at Wesleyan University.
• 04:00 – From HR Skeptic to CHRO: Scaling LinkedIn and finding passion in the "art of coordinating people".
• 08:20 – The Ritual of Intentionality: How setting annual personal and professional goals led to international moves and book deals.
• 11:50 – SMART vs. FEET Goals: Joey and Steve discuss the difference between tactical goals and goals that align with your values.
• 14:30 – Finding Your "Professional Edge": Why you don’t need to follow a pre-set mold to be great in your field.
• 19:15 – Navigating the "FOBO" (Fear of Being Obsolete): Advice for the younger generation facing high anxiety in the modern workforce.
• 23:00 – Backward Planning: Steve shares a Tim Ferriss-inspired technique for auditing your energy and time.
• 27:40 – The Conductors of Energy: Why "newness" and growth are the ultimate drivers of employee loyalty.
• 32:15 – Overcoming the Perfection Trap: Tips for starting new projects (like writing a book) without having it all figured out.
• 38:40 – Closing: Steve’s resolutions for the year and where to connect with him.

Guest Bio: Steve Cadigan

Steve Cadigan is a world-renowned talent advisor, leadership strategist, and the author of the groundbreaking book Workquake. Best known as LinkedIn’s first CHRO, Steve was instrumental in scaling the company from 400 to 4,000 employees across 17 countries during its most pivotal growth era. His work in building world-class cultures has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal and Fortune.

Named one of the Top 200 Global Thought Leaders in People & Talent for three consecutive years, Steve now advises some of the world’s most prestigious organizations, including Google, Salesforce, the BBC, and McKinsey, as well as top-tier VC firms like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia. Today, Steve focuses on helping leaders navigate the future of work and the transformative impact of AI on the global workforce.