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Takeaways

- The biggest misconception is that most people are excited about transformation.
- A small percentage of the workforce drives the majority of results.
- The top 20% of employees contribute to 80% of outcomes.
- The top 1% can drive a quarter of the results.
- Most employees are tied to their current work methods.
- Transformation may not feel significant to the majority.
- Business leaders often assume support without engagement.
- Engaging employees is crucial for successful transformation.
- There is often an under-investment in change management.
- Leaders must facilitate change rather than just declare it.

 

00:00 – Welcome & Jeff’s Backstory in HR Transformation
Adam kicks off the POZcast and introduces Jeff Williams, president and CFO at Aptia, walking through his career leading massive HR and business transformation efforts at Paychex, ADP, Alight, Aon and more.

01:13 – Growing Up With a Self-Made Father
Jeff shares his family story: born Canadian, raised American, youngest of eight, and the journey of his dad going from drafting apprentice to CEO at the same company over 33 years—and the lessons embedded in that.

02:35 – Early Lessons: Hard Work, Humor & Loss
Jeff reflects on what he learned from his father before losing him at 19: the value of hard work, eating fast at a crowded table, and keeping humor and lightness at the center of life and leadership.

03:45 – From Telecom to the People Business (ADP Entry Point)
Jeff explains how he moved from technology and telecom into human capital, taking on the role leading ADP’s Canadian operations and discovering the power of the HR and benefits space.

04:38 – Hiring at a High Bar: Talent, Drive & Instincts
Adam asks how Jeff hired to ADP’s level. Jeff lays out his hiring philosophy: ambition beyond natural gifts, complementary skills, people better than him in key areas—and why he trusts his instincts on fit.

06:25 – Real Leadership: Hiring People Better Than You
They dig into succession, “making yourself dispensable,” and the idea that if you can’t take a vacation without everything falling apart, that’s a failure of leadership, not a badge of honor.

07:30 – Pre-Email Days & The Human Side of Work
Jeff remembers the 286/386 era and talks about how, before digital tools, people invested more in each other in person—inside and outside of work—and how that shaped deeper relationships.

08:43 – Remote Work, COVID, and an Isolated Workforce
They go deep on the pandemic: the rapid shift home, the early productivity spike, inflation pressures, relocation, and the rise of isolation and mental health issues as remote work took hold.

11:10 – Young Workers, Office Longing & Loyalty Shifts
Adam shares what he’s seeing with candidates who actually want to be in-office to learn through osmosis. Jeff talks about building the next generation of leaders and how in-person time rebuilds fabric and loyalty.

13:32 – Mental Health, Home Setups & Productivity Reality
They unpack the assumption that everyone has an ideal home workspace—calling out caregiving, cramped spaces, kids, and distractions—and how that’s quietly driving some people back to the office.

14:51 – Why Jeff Bet on Aptia & the Move to Boston
Jeff explains what drew him to Aptia: the chance to build something differentiated and lasting, formalize his cross-border life, and finally live and work in the same country as his family.

17:42 – The Big Vision: Building the Best Benefits Company in America
Jeff outlines his ambition to build the best (not necessarily biggest) benefits services and administration company—one loved by clients, employees, and partners while supporting the communities they serve.

19:04 – Benefits as a Talent Magnet: Total Rewards, Not Just Salary
They talk about smart candidates, how benefits (health, financial, time off, ancillary) close offers, and why companies need to position total rewards early and clearly in the hiring process.

21:13 – Closing the Benefits Understanding Gap
Jeff shares the reality: most employees don’t fully understand or appreciate their benefits. He talks about accessibility, education, and surfacing value in ways employees actually grasp.

22:33 – Introducing Aptia One: Seamless, AI-Led Benefits Experience
Jeff breaks down Aptia One—how it’s designed to create simple, A...