408: How to build entrepreneurial culture within HR teams - with John Bernatovicz
Release Date: 01/20/2026
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info_outlineHR teams are being asked to do more than ever before — move faster, support burned-out employees, and navigate constant change. And yet, many HR functions are still operating with a compliance-first mindset that slows innovation and limits impact. What if HR didn’t function like a back-office department… but instead, like a startup inside the organization?
My special guest today is John Bernatovicz, and he’s simplifying how to build entrepreneurial culture within HR teams. John has built his career blending entrepreneurship and HR, and he believes the future of HR depends on autonomy, agility, ownership, and a problem-solving mindset — not just policies and procedures.
Here’s how.
My special guest today is John Bernatovicz and he’s simplifying how to build entrepreneurs culture within HR teams.
We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:
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What it actually means for an HR team to have an entrepreneurial culture — and why it matters now more than ever.
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One practical shift leaders can make to move HR teams from enforcing rules to solving problems creatively.
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What the “20 things you MUST do first” really mean in his book HR Like a Boss — including 3–4 of the most impactful ones, like defining your purpose and practicing real self-care outside of work.
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What would change first if HR operated like a startup — from how we hire, to how we measure success, to how we experiment.
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…and ultimately, advice for CHROs who want to empower their teams to think like founders, not function owners — even when budgets, compliance, or legacy systems slow them down.
Q: Are you ready to learn how to build entrepreneurial culture within HR teams? If yes, this one is for you.
It’s time to #DoTheThing!
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Show notes available with all links mentioned here:
https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/408-how-to-build-entrepreneurial-culture-within-hr-teams---with-john-bernatovicz