# 169 | A Brilliant Example of What ‘Being Strategic’ in HR Actually Looks Like (with Harriet Mewis)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hr-coffee-time-4106816/169-a-brilliant-example-of-what-being-strategic-in-hr-actually-looks-like-with-harriet-mewis
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hr-coffee-time-4106816/169-a-brilliant-example-of-what-being-strategic-in-hr-actually-looks-like-with-harriet-mewis.md
Podcast: [HR Coffee Time](https://stenobird.com/podcast/hr-coffee-time-4106816)
Published: 2026-04-24T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.brightskycareercoaching.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/169
Audio file: https://op3.dev/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/73660034-b045-4cb7-9808-91393d49e37b.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2364

## Resource

Have you wondered what ‘being strategic’ actually looks like? In this episode, you’ll hear a real, step-by-step example of what being strategic can look like in your day-to-day work. Host, Fay Wallis, is joined by Harriet Mewis, Head of People and Development, who shares how she spotted a small pattern in employee behaviour – and used it to uncover a much bigger issue affecting the business. What makes this conversation so powerful is how practical it is. You’ll hear how being strategic doesn’t require a big budget, a senior job title, or complicated frameworks. It starts with curiosity, observation, and asking thoughtful questions. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a much clearer sense of how you can apply this way of thinking in your own role – in a way that feels realistic and achievable. Chapters [00:00] Introduction with guest host Sarah Archer [01:00] Why “being strategic” can feel vague and frustrating [01:24] Introducing Harriet and her approach to strategy [02:14] What being strategic actually means in practice [03:02] Beginning of the interview with Harriet & Fay [04:18] Defining what ‘being strategic’ means [05:48] Why you can be strategic in any role [07:22] Harriet’s example of being strategic in her role [21:30] Learning about other departments & building trust [23:39] Becoming an ‘apprentice’ for the day [27:35] Introducing Lean Six Sigma thinking [34:46] Harriet’s book recommendation [37:12] Final reflections & close Useful Links from This Episode Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Connect with Harriet Mewis on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah Archer on LinkedIn Listen to Sarah’s Podcast – Unstuck & Unstoppable Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Take Fay’s free HR Leadership Impact Assess…

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