Episode Details

Reinventing a 150‑Year‑Old Startup: Toshiba’s CHRO on Influence, COEs, and AI

Summary

How do you modernize a century-old manufacturer under private equity—while unifying fragmented HR teams and systems?

Jason Richard Desentz, Chief Human Resources Officer for Toshiba in the Americas, breaks down what it really takes to lead transformation at scale. With roots in Detroit automotive and training in Lean Six Sigma, plus an MBA and DBA, Jason explains why today’s CHRO must think like a business operator first.

He shares a simple but powerful career framework—rotating between HR centers of excellence and field roles (“work on” vs. “work in” the process)—that builds credibility and speed. Jason also unpacks the politics of change: how to socialize ideas early, tailor the pitch, and win stakeholder buy-in. He frames AI as an enhancement, not a replacement, and makes the case for cultures that embrace smart risk-taking and fast learning from mistakes.

Expect practical guidance on consolidating legacy orgs, avoiding complacency, and bringing Gen Z voices to the table—all while keeping the business, people, and process aligned.

Timestamps

[00:45] – CHRO scope at Toshiba: PE-backed reinvention and consolidating standalone units

[03:23] – From legacy to reinvention: “a 150-year-old startup” mindset to refresh processes and culture

[06:45] – The modern CHRO: business acumen, P&L fluency, and Lean roots

[07:32] – COEs vs. field HR: “work on” vs. “work in” the process and career pathing

[09:49] – Influence over edict: politics, context, and stakeholder buy-in

[12:11] – AI as enhancement, not replacement; right- vs. left-brain leadership

[14:03] – Normalize mistakes: psychological safety, coaching, and the 5% rule

[19:02] – Closing playbook: persistence, calibration, and learning from Gen Z/Alpha

Takeaways

- Audit legacy processes with a startup lens to align with future culture and strategy.

- Sharpen business fluency—P&L, operations, and Lean—to elevate HR’s strategic impact.

- Rotate between COE and field roles; volunteer for cross-functional projects to accelerate learning.

- Socialize early and sell smart: build context, coalition, and influence before implementation.

- Treat AI as an enhancement: blend left-brain data with right-brain values; calibrate tools to your org.

- Create psychological safety for calculated risk-taking; learn fast from mistakes and move on.

Sponsor

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