TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Keesha Jean-Baptiste

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Keesha Jean-Baptiste is a dynamic and driving force behind The People + Culture Method, a consulting firm she founded in 2023 to strengthen and elevate HR’s impact on organizational strategy. As a distinguished chief people officer, Keesha has spent 20 years at the forefront of HR transformation, crafting and implementing strategic visions for some of the world’s most renowned companies. Her career in HR was preceded by nearly a decade in marketing.

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Through The People + Culture Method, Keesha brings her expansive expertise to CHROs, CPOs, and CTOs, offering a suite of services that includes one-on-one executive coaching using the PAUSE framework, strategic HR consulting, a cutting-edge 360 feedback and development methodology, and teaching a Compassionate Leadership Certification Program.

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Keesha’s mastery lies in executive coaching, strategic HR visioning, and leading transformative cultural change. Armed with a BS in mass communications and an MA in integrated marketing communications, alongside certifications in Compassionate Leadership and Shift Positive 360 Coaching, she is both a strategic architect and a profoundly insightful  guide.

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An influential thought leader, Keesha’s insights have been featured in multiple articles in ADWEEK, and she has captivated listeners as a guest on the Fearless podcast. Wanting to know more about her company and the evolving landscape of HR , we spoke with Keesha and it was an honor to explore the transformative power of her people-first leadership.

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Keesha, what inspired you to start The People + Culture Method?

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My inspiration came from both personal and professional experiences. On a personal level, when my daughter reached 8th grade, I wanted to be a more present and available parent during her high school years, and I wanted more time with my elementary-aged son. I needed a change that would allow me to have flexibility to do so. Professionally, I have always  been encouraged by others to start my own consulting and coaching business. Although HR is a multidisciplinary function—one that deals with the same core challenges across industries, but with varying scale, complexity and priorities--I wanted to expand my industry experience beyond advertising. I’ve been fortunate to have worked in publishing and most recently, retail and luxury goods.

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My time at Richemont International was especially insightful. There, I gained a deeper understanding of how HR operates within a complex matrix structure, and I saw firsthand the tremendous impact it can have when effectively aligned with business goals, talent strategies, and employee need. That experience fueled me to start The People + Culture Method, which has a specific focus on the CPO/CHRO and the HR function as a whole.

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What would you say makes your coaching methods unique?

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What sets me apart is my firsthand experience in up markets, down markets, social turmoil, and restructures—and I’ve driven change in every scenario. I understand both the joy of being in that role and the challenges of being overextended with limited resources and inadequate support. CHROs, CPOs, and CTOs—especially in mid-sized companies—are silently suffering and are often the least developed executives in terms of resources and investment in their growth or career ambitions. I’d venture to guess that many CEOs or company presidents are not aware their CPO is at risk or exhausted from over functioning. Meanwhile, people issues and people strategy are among the top priorities of every company today.

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My executive coaching framework is the PAUSE method—Purpose, Alignment, Uniqueness, Self-compassion, and Execution. It’s a unique approach I developed based on my observations of HR leaders who often feel lonely, isolated and fatigued. As a result, many do not have enough bandwidth to think through today’s workplace challenges and develop a future-focused people strategy. Put simply, they need to be rejuvenated and well-nourished. Through one-on-one coaching and team workshops, I guide clients to reflect and work through questions like, “What is my purpose?” and “Why am I in this role?” We align business and people strategies by identifying functional gaps and surface opportunities within HR, focusing on what makes that leader uniquely positioned  to drive change. Self-compassion is an essential step, emphasizing self-care and vulnerability in a safe, non-judgmental environment. As a result of using my T-shaped competency model, we recraft their role based on the requirements for the next generation of CPOs.

 

I also use the Shift Positive 360 approach, a solution-oriented feedback method that I got certified in after experiencing its transformative impact first-hand. It shifts the focus to strengths, asking questions like, “When Jane is at her best, what is she doing?” This method builds an ally system around the leader, providing transparency and a tangible commitment to the CPOs success.

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Lastly, compassionate leadership is at the heart of my coaching philosophy. In today’s climate of geopolitical tensions and polarizing dialogue, compassion is essential—not as agreement on belief systems, but as acknowledgment of others’ struggles and a commitment to alleviate avoidable suffering in the workplace.

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What do you envision for the future of HR?

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I see HR as having a dual role—being both an advocate for employees and a strategic partner for the business. When we frame it this way, we can create an operating structure that bridges the gap between these two critical areas. On the employee side, well-being in the workplace is crucial. This includes engagement, the employee experience, equity, benefits, and fostering a caring culture. I envision this role being led by a director of well-being and belonging within the HR structure.

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On the business partnership side, it’s about the EVP, talent, workforce planning, and leveraging analytics to drive decisions. The HR business partner serves as a vital link, aligning essential skills, leadership development, and succession planning with the evolving needs of the business.

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The next big leap for CPOs is to deliver on an insatiable EVP, overcome the HR “value traps” and reduce the risks that impede strategic bets.

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Keesha Jean-Baptiste
Founder and Principal Consultant
The People + Culture Method

Website: https://thepeopleandculturemethod.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeshaj/