Turbulence — How a CEO and Head of People Hold Steady Through a Hard Stage

The CEO and Head of People Partnership: Working together through a difficult company stage

Carlota Montoro has mentored CEOs on talent and systems strategy since 2015, and does some of the most useful work in complex or ambiguous moments, when a leadership team needs to stay aligned. When a company hits a difficult stage, the people team is often asked only to cut costs and manage exits; Carlota makes the case for a closer partnership between the CEO and the Head of People at exactly that point. The conversation covers what that partnership should look like: shared decisions, honest alignment across the leadership team, and a practical plan the organisation can follow. Listeners leave knowing what a CEO should ask of a people leader when the pressure is on, and what a strong partnership adds when a company is under strain.

About Carlota Montoro

Carlota Montoro, podcast guest

Fractional Head of People & Infrastruture

Aavalabs Head of People & Infrastructure12 years Working remotelyFounders & CEOs Adviser on people, structure and growthMadrid Spanish-born people leader, Europe focus

Carlota works at the intersection of people, systems and business performance. As Head of People & Infrastructure at Aavalabs, Carlota helps shape the teams, structures, processes and operating foundations that allow an international business to grow with greater clarity and less friction.

Originally from Madrid, Carlota brings a European perspective to this work and is especially keen to support leaders in Spain and across Europe.

Carlota's experience spans People strategy, organisational design, leadership support, operations, infrastructure, process improvement, and the practical adoption of technology and AI.

Carlota is particularly effective in complex or ambiguous situations: when a founder needs a trusted thinking partner, a leadership team needs greater alignment, or a company has outgrown the way it currently works.

Alongside that core role, Carlota selectively gets involved in advisory, transformation and special projects where Carlota can bring an independent perspective, turn complexity into a practical plan, and leave the organisation with stronger capabilities rather than long-term dependence on Carlota. Carlota is especially interested in founder-led, international and growing businesses, but is always open to an unusual project when the people, the challenge and the potential are right.

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