The 5 Things AJ Vaughan Can’t Do His Job Without

“My Top 5” is a recurring feature in our newsletter that explores what’s working for the people actually doing the work. In each edition, we tap  an HR leader to share their essentials: the mantra they repeat to their team, the habit that protects their week, the voices they follow, the practice they won’t give up, and (of course) what they’re reading.

On his podcast The Business of Alignment and through his sales-intelligence operation Pulse HR, AJ Vaughan has had more than 1,000 conversations with CHROs, founders and HR tech leaders about what makes organizations work. We wanted to know what makes Vaughan himself work: the mantra he lives by, the three questions he settles before the week gets busy, the leadership book he swears by, and more.

“Employee first. Business second.” That’s the E1B2 belief. Putting employees first means understanding what people need to do meaningful, high-quality work. When people are aligned with the mission and equipped to contribute, the business benefits too.

Before the week gets busy, get clear on three things: what matters most, who owns each priority, and how the work connects to the bigger goal. Alignment saves time because people aren’t guessing, duplicating effort, or pulling in different directions.

I follow Gary Vaynerchuk for his instinct for culture, his bias toward action, and his willingness to challenge how people think about work and business.

Make sure people understand how their role, strengths, and goals connect to the organization’s priorities. Then listen closely enough to spot where the alignment is strong and where it’s missing. Clear expectations matter, but so does making room for people to contribute in ways that fit their strengths.

The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier. It’s a reminder that alignment doesn’t come from leaders having every answer. It comes from asking thoughtful questions, listening to what people need, and helping them take ownership of the next step.