People Leadership and Future Trends

At our recent HR Director Retreat, we delved deep into the minds of leading HR professionals, CHROs, and Chief People Officers to understand their perspectives on navigating business performance and leadership capabilities as people leaders. What emerged from this research was not just a snapshot of current trends, but a roadmap for the future of work in 2024.

Criticaleye Board Mentor, Gary Kildare, who was previously CHRO Europe and Global Head of Labour and Employee Relations for IBM, comments on the development of the HR function: "The need for flexibility and agility in adapting to workforce changes has accelerated considerably, which is why you can see priorities undergoing notable shifts. The post-lockdown journey has reshaped the people strategy, leading HRDs and Boards to reassess their perspective on the workforce in ways that are distinct from before.”

One key finding from the research is the resounding call for improvement in Boardroom discussions around performance. A staggering 56 percent of respondents emphasised the need for higher quality debates to drive organisational success, as such its evident that fostering robust leadership discussions at the top is imperative for steering businesses towards their goals.

Amidst the renewed focus on leadership, HRDs are increasingly emphasising investments in new technology and streamlined operating models as pivotal transformations. Notably, AI and machine learning has accelerated to the forefront of HR priorities, marking a significant shift from our research in 2023 where technology didn't feature in the top five. This shift underscores the commitment HR leaders have to fostering innovation, enhancing operational efficiency and understanding new technologies.

Gary advises, “Technology has always been an important topic of discussion, but AI has effectively lit a fire in many Boardrooms - and in almost equal measure boards are both terrified and excited. As such, HRDs need to be proactive to get ahead of the game and be prepared for this new wave of technology that simply can’t be stopped.”

While the majority of HR leaders feel confident in their strategic alignment with business goals, there's a clear focus on strengthening alignment within the senior leadership team. A significant 41 percent seek improvement in this area, recognising the pivotal role cohesive leadership plays in driving organisational change.

Moreover, the dynamics within the senior leadership team present a unique set of challenges. 43 percent of HR leaders identify their colleagues on the senior team as the most challenging stakeholders, highlighting the complexity of internal collaboration in driving transformative initiatives forward.

Perhaps this is why only 18 percent of respondents where fully confident that their leadership team has the right skills and capabilities to navigate strategic uncertainty. Further highlighted by our Chair & NED Research where strengthening leadership capability was the top priority for Boards in 2024.

“Today's fast-paced business landscape demands high levels of agility for success. As such, Boards are closely examining leaders and leadership capabilities and placing a strong emphasis on skills, diverse thinking and experience and leadership qualities. There's a general concern at Board level, that a shortage of suitably skilled and qualified individuals could negatively impact organisational performance."

Criticaleye’s global leadership Community provides a confidential and trusted space, offering diverse views which HR leaders can draw from when making decisions for themselves and their organisations. For those interested in exploring these insights or our support through our HRD program, get in contact with our team here .