Welcome to Transform’s Q&A Author Spotlight Series, where we feature insightful authors who are redefining people and culture, work, leadership, and technology. Join us to gain fresh perspectives and practical knowledge from those at the forefront of today’s evolving professional landscape. In this Transform Author Spotlight, we explore Insight-Driven Leadership in HR with Jenny Dearborn, author of The Insight-Driven Leader and Chief People Strategy Officer at BTS. Drawing from her corporate experience, Jenny explains how HR leaders can use people analytics to guide smarter decisions, align business strategy, and deliver measurable value across the organization.
“Data doesn’t replace human judgment—it makes it sharper.”
About the Author
Jenny Dearborn has been a Chief Learning Officer, Chief Talent Officer, and Chief People Officer at global corporations Sun Microsystems/Oracle, Hewlett-Packard/Enterprise, SuccessFactors/SAP, Klaviyo, and BTS. She’s written three best-selling books about data analytics and workforce performance. She graduated from UC Berkeley and Stanford, where she now regularly returns to guest lecture in people analytics and human performance. Currently, Jenny is the Chief People Strategy Officer at BTS.
Why Insight-Driven Leadership in HR Matters Today
Transform: What inspired you to write The Insight-Driven Leader, and what keeps you motivated in this field?
Jenny: I’ve spent my career helping companies transform through people, and I kept seeing the same barrier: leaders didn’t have the insights they needed to make the right talent decisions. This book is my answer to that—empowering leaders to turn people data into real business value.
Transform: Can you share a pivotal moment that led to your interest in data and analytics in business?
Jenny: I presented at an HP QBR my training metrics… Mark Hurd stopped me and said, “All I know for sure is you’ve wasted a lot of time and a lot of money. Come back when you can prove what you do matters.” He was right, and I changed my measurement strategy.
How Jenny Dearborn Applies Insight to People Strategy
Transform: How have your professional experiences influenced your writing and perspectives on workplace trends?
Jenny: Leading transformation at companies like SAP showed me how fast the world of work is changing—and how critical it is that HR evolves from a support function to a strategic driver.
Transform: What does your typical writing day look like when working on data and business strategy?
Jenny: I usually block early mornings for focused writing and spend afternoons in deep research or interviews, toggling between strategy and storytelling.
Transform: How do you stay current with rapidly changing trends in data and analytics?
Jenny: I stay close to my network of CHROs, technologists, and startup founders, and I constantly test new platforms.
Data Alone Isn’t Enough: Leadership Requires Actionable Insight
Transform: Do you outline your ideas before writing, or let the narrative develop organically?
Jenny: I always start with a detailed outline—it keeps me honest about the arc of the argument…
Transform: How do you develop the case studies or examples in your books?
Jenny: Many come from leaders I’ve interviewed or advised. The case studies evolve with the writing.
Transform: What is the most challenging aspect of creating impactful data-driven business scenarios?
Jenny: The hardest part is making data feel human, connecting metrics to employees’ lived experiences…
Transform: Have any real-life analytics initiatives surprised you by taking a different direction than expected?
Jenny: Yes—at one company, engagement scores improved, but performance dropped.
Building Business Value with Insight-Driven HR Decisions
Transform: What core themes do you explore in your writing?
Jenny: Every business problem is a people problem; you can’t fix what you don’t understand.
Transform: How do you balance data with engaging storytelling?
Jenny: I ground every chapter in a real challenge a leader faced.
Transform: Are there recurring ideas in your work that are crucial for understanding data-driven leadership?
Jenny: Yes: Data doesn’t replace human judgment—it makes it sharper.
Insight-Driven Leadership in HR Comes with Its Challenges
Transform: What has been the most challenging part of your career as an author focused on analytics and the future of work?
Jenny: Translating complex concepts into language that resonates across functions and industries.
Transform: What’s the most rewarding aspect of writing about business trends and analytics?
Jenny: Hearing from leaders who used one of the frameworks to make a real change.
Transform: How do you handle writer’s block or trend fatigue?
Jenny: I step away and talk to someone who’s on the ground doing the work.
Every business problem is a people problem;
you can’t fix what you don’t understand.
A Deeper Look into The Insight-Driven Leader
Transform: What’s the story behind the title, The Insight-Driven Leader?
Jenny: It came from a client who said, “We don’t need more data. We need insight that helps us lead.”
Transform: Can you share an interesting fact about your research process?
Jenny: We interviewed hundreds of leaders across industries and company sizes.
Transform: How do you choose which case studies to include?
Jenny: I look for stories that reflect both success and struggle.
Connecting with Readers and Real-World Impact
Transform: How do you interact with your readers?
Jenny: I love hearing from readers via LinkedIn or at events.
Transform: Has reader feedback ever changed your thinking?
Jenny: Yes—a reader challenged how I framed inclusion, and it helped me refine the language.
Transform: Most memorable reader interaction?
Jenny: A mid-level HR manager used my framework to convince her CEO to invest in predictive analytics.
What Insight-Driven HR Leadership Looks Like in Practice
Transform: Describe a leader one year after applying your book.
Jenny: They’re no longer guessing. They’re leading with precision, alignment, and confidence in people decisions.
Transform: What’s the first step a reader should take after finishing your book?
Jenny: Start by asking: “What people question is keeping me up at night—and do I have the data to answer it?”
Transform: What are three takeaways from The Insight-Driven Leader?
Jenny:
Insight from data beats instinct from experience.
You can’t lead the future of work with tools built for the past.
People are your biggest investment—treat them like a strategic asset.
Connect with Jenny Dearborn in the Transform Community! Join for free now.
You can also see her live at Transform 2026 on March 23 – 25 at Wynn Las Vegas. Register now and join us!