For HR leaders trying to earn influence inside fast-moving companies, the answer may be simpler than waiting for a seat at the table.
Stop waiting.
That is one of the central themes in the latest episode of Let’s Table That, the HR podcast from Borderless AI, featuring Sarika Lamont, Chief People Officer at Vidyard.
In the episode, titled “Stop Waiting: How to Create Change Without Permission,” hosts Jazmine and Glaze speak with Lamont about career ownership, imposter syndrome, accountability, AI adoption, and what it means for people leaders to think like business leaders.
Lamont brings more than two decades of experience building accountable, high-performing cultures in growing companies. Today, she leads people strategy at Vidyard while also helping guide the company’s AI transformation with a human-centred lens.
The conversation begins with Lamont’s own path into People Ops, which was not a straight line. She speaks candidly about stepping into roles before feeling fully ready, navigating moments of doubt, and learning that waiting for perfect clarity can become its own form of hesitation.
For HR professionals, that message is especially relevant. People leaders are often expected to support change, manage ambiguity, and influence culture, yet many still feel pressure to wait for permission before pushing the business forward.
Lamont argues that the strongest HR leaders do not operate only as policy owners or employee advocates. They understand how the business works, how teams perform, and where people strategy can directly improve outcomes. Thinking like a business leader, she suggests, changes the way HR shows up.
The episode also explores accountability, a theme that can be uncomfortable but essential in high-performing organizations. Lamont’s view is that healthy teams need clarity, ownership, and honest conversations about performance. Culture is not only about belonging and support; it is also about whether people understand what is expected and are empowered to deliver.
The discussion then turns to AI and the changing nature of work. As organizations adopt new tools, Lamont emphasizes the importance of bringing a human lens to transformation. AI may reshape workflows, roles, and expectations, but leaders still need to help people understand the change, build confidence, and apply technology in ways that make work better.
For Canadian tech companies, the episode lands at a timely moment. Teams are being asked to move faster, operate more efficiently, and adapt to new tools while maintaining strong cultures. That makes the role of people leaders more strategic, not less.
At its core, Lamont’s message is about ownership. Careers rarely come with a perfect roadmap, and organizations rarely change because someone eventually gives permission. The people who create impact are often the ones willing to step forward before they feel fully ready.
For HR leaders, founders, and operators, the episode offers a practical reminder: influence is not always granted. Sometimes, it is built.
Watch the full episode of Let’s Table That below.
Borderless AI is a sponsor of Techtalent.ca. Through its Let’s Table That series, the company is featuring conversations with leaders about work, people, and the realities of building modern teams.