Work, Workforce, and Workplace: The Role of CHROs in Leading Change

Since the creation of the human resources department, we have been tasked with balancing the workforce, the workplace, and the work—or in more basic terms—knowing who we are, what we do and how we do it. With rapid advancements in technology, changing workforce dynamics, and the shifting landscape of the workplace, one could think that our job is completely different from what it used to be a decade ago. I argue that the core remains the same but we must add more future thinking perspective – What do we want to do? Will we be able to do it? How should we design future environments in order to flourish? The difference is that we are not just managing these functions but have the opportunity to be key drivers of strategic initiatives and stand at the forefront of organizational transformation. It is our responsibility to leverage market intelligence and people analytics to navigate the global, social, and technological changes effectively.

CHROs play a crucial role in enhancing the workspace, whether physical or virtual. The modern workplace is no longer confined to a physical office space. CHROs must leverage market intelligence to keep up with talent trends and understand the changing preferences and expectations of the workforce.?

The Work: AI will transform the way we define ‘Work’

Everyday AI

People who use AI more often, tend to be more optimistic and trusting of it. 72% of daily AI users claim they find it valuable, compared to only 30% of monthly users.?Per Gartner CEO annual survey, the average productivity gain from AI adoption is 17%, however most of the employees haven’t seen value in AI. By fostering an environment that embraces AI, through human led implementation, HR can support this massive transformation. CHROs should listen to the employees, and drive adoption in a personalized manner, to help employees use AI effectively.

Work restructured

CEOs are constantly looking at their finances, striving for efficiency and excellence.? The ability of a company to group and regroup around a project in a short time is crucial. According to Deloitte only 19% of the executives believe that traditional way of work breakdown and allocation is effective. 81% are in favor of grouping around tasks or specific problems. CHROs play a key role in restructuring work environments to support project-based teams, rather than adhering to traditional hierarchical structures. This involves identifying the skills required for various projects and assembling teams that can collaborate effectively. By prioritizing skills over roles, HR ensures employees are deployed where they can add the most value, leading to better project outcomes and increased job satisfaction.

The Workplace: Creating an Inclusive and Adaptable Environment

Skill Based Ecosystems

With today's AI technology our ability to manage skills quickly and with agility has become a reality. CHROs can establish an ecosystem where skills link between employee capabilities and ambitions, to the company business need. Redistributing talents quickly through reskilling and upskilling for required assignments will lead to unforeseen career pathways. This continuous development is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in today’s rapidly changing job market. This requires HR to identify skill gaps, provide accessible learning opportunities, and foster a culture of lifelong learning. By doing so, CHROs ensure the organization has the talent and agility needed to thrive in a dynamic environment. As career paths become more fluid and skill-based, hybrid careers with employees moving between roles and industries will become the norm, ensuring a resilient and adaptable workforce.

Flexibility of space and time

Post COVID, the approach to where you work, when you work and how much you work can impact talent attraction and engagement. Around 30% of the companies are considering changing their policies about remote work, flexible start and end time or the number of hours required per day. While some companies are considering returning to office full time, many others are offering "remote first" positions, affecting the way employees choose for whom they want to work.

Digital experience

Workplace digital experience should be on par with the overall digital experience people have outside of work. It should come as no surprise that 65% of CHROs are planning to increase their expenditure this year on HR tech, as adopting the right technology improves the engagement, productivity and business outcome.

The Workforce: who does the work

Quick Adopters

The current workforce is exhausted and needs recharging, especially given the constant organizational transformations required for growth and improved financial results. Human leadership is essential to navigate this change fatigue, with leaders who are empathic, active listeners, and transparent, guiding their teams through ongoing transformation. By promoting human-centered leadership that prioritizes empathy, active listening, and transparency, CHROs can foster a culture where leaders are genuinely connected to their teams, improving morale and driving higher levels of engagement and productivity.

Gig workers

The gig workforce is a diverse group, including millennials seeking flexibility, experienced professionals desiring control, retirees looking to stay active, and anyone with limited local options seeking global opportunities.?As the world continues to become borderless, thanks to technology that allows people to work from anywhere - the ‘gig economy’ has?grown, becoming 12% of the global labor according to the world bank. CHROs must adapt and find new and improved ways to keep these employees engaged in the workforce.?

Embedded Fairness

There is no doubt that diversity and inclusiveness are vital for gaining new perspectives and reaching the fullest potential. CHROs who want to create a space where people of all walks of life can thrive, must keep in mind that employees' needs differ from person to person, and that regulations and benefits that are helpful for some, will not be relevant for others.?

CHROs play a pivotal role in transforming the landscape of work, workforce, and workplace. By leveraging market intelligence and people analytics, they can navigate the complexities of the modern business environment and drive strategic initiatives that enhance organizational performance. CHROs are not just HR leaders but also strategic partners who contribute to the overall success of the organization. Their ability to adapt to changing trends, embrace new technologies, and create an inclusive and adaptable work environment is crucial for achieving long-term sustainability and growth.