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25.02.25
What do CEOs really want from their HR/TA leaders?
As people leaders, it's not about getting a seat at the table, but what you do with it that counts!
At this event, residents exchanged influencing and storytelling knowledge, to translate intention into impactful action.
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What do CEOs really want from their HR/TA leaders?
What does your CEO really want from their HR/TA leader?
Date: february 25, 2025 location: rapid7 HQ, 120 Causeway St, Boston
Event Summary
As people leaders, it’s not about getting a seat at the table, but what you do with it that counts!
This is the mantra of Christina Luconi, Chief People Officer at Rapid7 – a recognized visionary in her field.
The day was designed to answer these 3 Qs:
- What do CEOs really want from their HR/TA leaders?
- How can we become less transactional and more visionary?
- What do we need to focus on in the future and how to improve?
We kicked things off with a fireside chat featuring a dynamic CPO and CEO duo, sharing insights on their strategic partnership and how to lead with influence.
Following the discussion, participants engaged in an interactive workshop focused on influence, where people leaders discovered their unique influence styles, practiced communicating a compelling vision, and collaborated with peers to sharpen their influence skills.
It was a day of learning, networking, and practical takeaways for leaders eager to strengthen their influence and drive impactful change.
Fireside Chat Recap:
The power of strategic partnership & influence
In our fireside chat, we had the privilege of hearing from Corey and Christina, the CEO-CPO duo who spent 14 years scaling Rapid7 from 75 to 2,500 employees. Their conversation reinforced that leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about people, trust, and influence.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Influence is built on trust and adaptability.
Leaders must stay adaptable by understanding what engages others—whether it’s data, stories, or timing.
✅ Culture is created, not dictated.
Teams must own and embody the culture—not just see it on a coffee cup. Strong values provide stability as companies evolve.
✅ Strong partnerships rely on unique strengths.
Great leadership duos complement each other rather than competing for influence.
✅ A clear vision aligns and motivates teams.
When leaders define who they are and aspire to be, teams stay connected—even through change.
This session was a powerful reminder that influence isn’t about authority—it’s about connection, trust, and helping people move in the right direction.
Transition into Workshop…
Before the event, we surveyed 50 leaders to understand what traits they believed their CEOs valued most.
The top three? Strategic thinking, leadership & influence, and data-driven decision-making.
Influence isn’t just about having the right ideas—it’s about communicating them in a way that truly resonates.
As Corey put it, ‘If you want to have influence, you should care enough to understand what influences a person.’
Influence is not one-size-fits-all. It requires adaptability—understanding what engages your CEO, whether it’s data, ideas, or the way a message is framed. That’s what we explored in our workshop.
That’s where storytelling comes in. Stories have the power to captivate, inspire, and make complex ideas memorable. Our workshop focused on influence through storytelling—how leaders can craft compelling narratives that drive action.
Running an influence workshop with your leadership team
Christina Luconi, CPO of Rapid7, says that “many people-leaders want a seat at the table, but what matters is what you do with it once you are there.” This idea guided the influence workshop, where we focused on how people leaders can make their presence count and drive meaningful change.
Start with Why
When it comes to influencing others as a leader, starting with why is essential. People don’t just buy into what you do—they connect with the deeper purpose behind it. Simon Sinek’s famous ‘Golden Circle’ framework shows how great leaders inspire action by leading with why—the belief, mission, or purpose that drives everything else.
This clip perfectly illustrates why influence isn’t about authority or tactics—it’s about inspiring trust and motivation from the inside out.
Top Tips for Influence Through Storytelling
- Start with Why – Lead with purpose before details. People connect with beliefs, not just facts.
- Know Your Audience – Adapt your message to what engages them—data, stories, or direct action.
- Structure for Impact – Frame your story: WHY (belief), HOW (strategy), WHAT (outcome).
- Make It Relatable – Use real experiences and emotion to make your story memorable.
- Be Concise – Keep it sharp and impactful—avoid unnecessary details.
- Use Contrast – Show the difference between before and after to highlight the stakes.
- Give Data Meaning – Numbers don’t inspire; stories behind them do.
- End with Action – Be clear on what you want people to think, feel, or do next.
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