“If I knew then what I know now” – thoughts from a CPO on becoming a CPO

Carrie Krehlik wanted to become the top HR leader in an organization, and she knew it wasn’t going to fall in her lap without preparation and confidence in what she was looking for. Was she ready for the top job leading the people strategy? Did she have the building blocks in place for success? What did she need to do to better prepare herself? ?By taking some key steps to build her foundation, reflecting on the type of organization she wanted to join, and knowing what core strengths she brought to an organization, she was able to spot the opportunity the minute it became available.

Here are some ideas from Carrie as you prepare for your next steps to become a Chief People Officer:

1)????Take hold of new experiences, including those outside your area of expertise.?Being a leader in any size organization gives you the opportunity to see what may be missing and how you can step in, either short or long-term, to fill a critical need.?This may come in the form of taking on a project that is typically provided by a third-party consultant or assuming responsibility for a functional activity outside your area of expertise.?I took exactly this type of opportunity when one of the organizations I worked for was without executive leadership for facilities.?By stepping in during a critical moment as the company was preparing for expansion, I helped the organization navigate to the next phase of project planning and financial approval. I also gained important knowledge and exposure in a topic area outside of my core domain.

2)????Use every opportunity to learn and develop your skills for that next-level role. Become a member of a professional organization and take advantage of the regular programming. Sign up for webinars or conferences that will expand the baseline knowledge you’ve built early in your career, and which focus on the CPO role you’ll be assuming. Participate in an Executive Development Program, many of which are offered at public universities or professional organizations across the country.

3)????Be sure to grow and nurture your network.?While much is written about networking to find that next job, the value of a network to collaborate, ideate and learn, plays a critical role for those in CPO roles at emerging growth companies.?Quite often your network is your extended team, as you may have limited resources compared to leaders at larger organizations.?Therefore, you need to keep your team of thought partners close so you can reach out in the same way leaders in larger companies lean on their internal teams.?

After being in HR executive leadership roles, in both private and public companies, she realized the importance of setting her foundation in advance of taking on her first CPO role and evolving her foundation while in these roles. Seeking new challenges, maintaining a focus on professional learning and development, and evolving her network has helped her lead the people side of the business strategy with an eye to innovation and creativity.?

What steps have you taken to build your foundation?