Don't Get Stuck on Stupid: Lt. General Russel L. Honoré

HR Gumbo wasn't just a mix of HR nerds and compliance chefs- it brought spicy heat with a showstopper of an interview featuring Lt. General Russel L. Honoré, the man who whipped the Hurricane Katrina recovery into shape and coined the iconic phrase, "Don't get stuck on stupid."

Watch the Podcast

Hosted by HR podcast legends Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman of the Chad & Cheese Podcast, this conversation was a masterclass in no-BS leadership, organizational resilience, and what it takes to actually get things done when everything around you is on fire. 

Here's a taste of what went down in this interview:

• Adapt or Die: The General doesn't sugar-coat. His message was clear: in a crisis, leaders need to adapt, make decisions, and stop wasting time looking for someone else to blame.
• Resilience: Stop pretending you're prepared and start training your teams for the inevitable messes life throws at you. Have a game plan, don't just hope for the best.
• Communication: Say what you mean. Mean what you say. And if people don't get it, maybe you're the problem.
• Trust Your Team: Don't micromanage. Honoré made it clear that empowering people to do their jobs not only builds trust but gets better results. Let them own their roles and stop hovering like a helicopter.

This spicy interview wasn't your typical fluffy HR talk about "leading with kindness." General Honoré brought his trademark intensity, humor, and unfiltered honesty, delivering hard-hitting truths HR leaders need to hear. If you've ever been told to "think outside the box," this podcast is a much-needed reminder to burn the box down and build something better.

Watch the interview here, which was recorded live at HR Gumbo in October 2024 at the Higgins Hotel. Trust us, you'll get inspired, feel slightly intimidated, and be ready to make some big moves. Grab your gumbo, buckle up, and get ready to learn how not to "get stuck on stupid."