If It Ain't Broke, Break It with General Honoré
Brace yourselves: The Chad & Cheese Podcast is back, this time with retired Lieutenant General Russell L. Honoré—who proves you can train and lead half a million troops and drop some epic truth bombs on HR, AI, and America’s obsession with cheap stuff. In this spicy episode, we cover: HR Meets Boot Camp: General Honoré schools us on why leading people isn’t about asking, “You’re good, right?” and walking off like a clueless middle manager. Robots Can’t Cook Gumbo: Automation might make life easier, but it’s not making you a killer bowl of Cajun deliciousness—or fixing that flat tire you’re whining about. Recruitment Woes: From the Army’s “12 teeth rule” (yes, you read that right) to recruiting Gen Z kids glued to their phones, the General doesn’t hold back on what needs fixing. Boomers vs. Gen Z: Growing up poor meant fixing TVs with tinfoil and watching The Lone Ranger without a picture. Now? Kids need a new flat screen if the remote has dust on it. Mental Health Wake-Up Call: Spoiler alert: If your employee mentions seeing floating elephants, maybe don’t just tell them to get back to work. Sprinkled with Honoré’s signature wit, biting honesty, and a dose of “adapt-or-die” wisdom, this episode delivers laughs, snark, and some much-needed perspective on leadership in a rapidly changing world. Strap in, folks—it’s time to break things (figuratively) and rebuild smarter. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: HR’s Most Dangerous Podcast 01:21 - Leadership Lessons from the Army 02:25 - The Art of Listening to Troops 03:20 - Managing Half a Million Troops 08:33 - Automation’s Impact on Society 12:05 - The Changing Economy and Workforce 15:16 - Adapt or Die: Breaking What’s Not Broken 17:04 - Recruiting Challenges: Then vs. Now 20:36 - Addressing Mental Health in Leadership 22:12 - Closing Thoughts: People Over Profits