In a notable decision, Ryan Breslow, the CEO of Bolt, eliminated the company's human resources team, believing that the existing people function was ineffective. This move was part of a broader trend where some leaders question the value of traditional HR roles, often viewing them as compliance-driven rather than strategic. However, after realizing the necessity of a dedicated people function, Breslow had to staff a new 'people ops' team to fulfill the same responsibilities that the original HR team had. This situation highlights a common misconception about the role of HR in organizations, where the focus is often misplaced on the function itself rather than the leadership and resources provided to it. The narrative suggests that the real issue lies not in the existence of HR teams but in how they are structured and empowered to contribute strategically to the organization. As the market evolves, the need for a proactive people function becomes increasingly critical, emphasizing the importance of investing in talent management and organizational culture. The case of Bolt serves as a cautionary tale for other companies considering similar drastic changes to their HR functions, urging them to reflect on their leadership design and the mandates given to their people teams.