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Guest Bio
Doug Stitt is the recently retired Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army, the top HR leader responsible for managing 1.1 million uniformed and civilian employees. With a career rooted in combat and command, Doug’s leadership philosophy centres around people, purpose, and mission. Now an advisor with Deep Water Point and The Crystal Group, he brings decades of high-stakes HR experience to civilian organisations navigating complex workforce challenges.
Breaking the Ice: A Congressional Mute Moment
Doug shares a professionally embarrassing story from his first testimony before Congress. After weeks of intense preparation, binders of briefing notes, and team rehearsals, he delivered what he believed was a well-paced and impactful opening statement, only to be told he had not keyed his microphone. Not a word had been heard. Embarrassing, yes, but also humbling. “You press play and you are on mute,” he laughed. Even his mother, watching at home, called it a valuable lesson. This moment reminds us that even the most seasoned leaders must prepare for the unexpected.
People First: Leadership in the Army
Doug reflects on leading HR strategy for one of the largest and most complex workforces in the world. His definition of success is not personal achievement but collective excellence. “Success has a thousand fathers.”
He credits his team, uniformed and civilian, as the true drivers of progress. To Doug, great leadership means giving people the gift of time and presence. He believes in connecting beyond work, asking teammates about their families, hobbies, and growth goals. “HR is not about processing humans, it is about humanizing the process.”
Humanizing HR at Scale
Scaling empathy across a force of over a million people is no small feat. Doug tackled this by helping the Army shift from transactional systems to personalised experiences. His team leveraged cognitive and noncognitive data to understand individuals better and offer meaningful career pathways.
Rather than issuing orders from above, Doug aimed to guide soldiers toward paths aligned with their strengths and goals. “Instead of saying you are going here, we asked where do you want to go and showed them how to get there.”
Data Decisions and Cultural Change
Doug led the Army’s efforts to consolidate data across three major components: the active force, Reserve, and National Guard. The goal was a unified personnel and pay system that would improve accuracy, transparency, and predictive insights.
The real challenge was shifting the culture. Leaders had to learn to trust imperfect systems, share issues openly, and maintain transparency with users. “It was less about the technology,” Doug says, “and more about whether the culture could embrace it.”
Owning Mistakes and Leading with Accountability
Doug does not shy away from failure. He recalls tough moments like holiday deployments or system rollouts that disrupted pay or benefits. In each case, he took responsibility publicly, speaking to the media and to Congress.
He was raised with the Army ethos that you are responsible for everything the organisation does or fails to do. That mindset shaped his leadership, especially when real families were impacted by errors. “It does not make it right, but it shows you are accountable.”
Advice for Future HR Leaders
Doug’s career reflects a deep belief in authenticity, presence, and hard work. He emphasises that HR is not for the unmotivated. It requires grit, empathy, and a mission-first mindset. Drawing from his own experiences, he encourages leaders to embrace these core principles:
- Build trust through transparency and care
- Be genuine and humble
- Show up with purpose every day
- Focus on individuals not processes
- Lead with integrity and accountability
Ready to Push Boundaries?
Doug Stitt’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership starts with people. His legacy is one of service, responsibility, and creating space for individuals to grow within the mission. Listen to the full episode for more inspiring insights.
Episode Summary
In this episode, Doug Stitt shares his experiences as the top HR leader in the US Army, managing one of the world’s most complex and mission driven workforces. From congressional blunders to cultural transformations, Doug’s story reveals how authenticity, accountability, and people first leadership shape lasting impact.
Resources
- Learn more about Doug Stitt
- Connect with Growthspace
Key Takeaways
- Preparation and Presence Matter: Even small technical missteps can teach big leadership lessons.
- Success is Shared: True achievement is built on the efforts of a dedicated team.
- Empathy at Scale: Humanising HR processes creates better experiences and stronger retention.
- Data Must Serve People: Tools and systems are only as effective as the culture behind them.
- Own Your Mistakes: Accountability builds credibility and trust.
- Mission First, People Always: Whether in uniform or in business, great HR is about enabling others to thrive.
- Grit is Non-Negotiable: HR work is demanding—it requires consistency, resilience, and care.
Chapters
00:00 – The Embarrassing Moment in Congress: Doug shares a humorous yet humbling story about delivering testimony with his microphone off.
06:00 – Leadership in the Army: A People First Approach: Doug reflects on leading HR for over a million employees and the values that guide him.
11:56 – Building a Cohesive Team: How presence, empathy, and curiosity create stronger workplace connections.
17:58 – Data Driven Decision Making in the Military: Consolidating systems and culture shifts behind the Army’s HR transformation.
23:48 – Learning from Failures: Doug shares hard lessons and moments of accountability that shaped his leadership.
29:47 – Mission Critical Skills for HR Leaders: What future focused HR professionals must embrace to thrive in high stakes roles
For a deeper dive into the conversation, listen to the full episode:
