Success Leaves Clues: Ep283 - The Truth About “People First” Leadership with guest HR and People & Culture Leader Dunja Vujovic

Success Leaves Clues with Robin Bailey and Al McDonald · 2026-02-19 · 30 min

0:00--:--

Topics in this episode

HR leadership People-first leadership leadership podcast Success Leaves Clues people and culture leader

Episode notes

In this episode of Success Leaves Clues , Robin Bailey and Al McDonald sit down with senior HR and People & Culture leader Dunja Vujovic for a candid conversation about what “people first leadership” actually means, and why most organizations get it wrong. Dunja shares why simply declaring your company “people first” is not enough, and how values must show up in real decisions, especially when budgets tighten and pressure rises. She explains why her team shifted from saying “people first” to “do right by people,” and how that subtle change drives clearer accountability, stronger performance conversations, and healthier cultures. The conversation explores vulnerable leadership, why leaders do not need to have all the answers, and how raising your hand first to admit mistakes builds real trust. Dunja challenges traditional leadership models that reward ego and certainty, and instead advocates for hiring people smarter than you, investing in middle management, and normalizing hard conversations early.