The Future of HR: Leadership Insights from our foHRsight+ community members

In an era of unprecedented workplace evolution, HR leaders are stepping up to meet new challenges and opportunities head-on. In our milestone 100th episode of the foHRsight podcast, through candid conversations with three distinguished HR executives from our foHRsight+ community, we explore how the landscape of human resources is transforming and what it means for the future of work. Their insights reveal a profession at a crucial turning point, where traditional approaches are being reimagined for a new era of business

The Evolution of HR: From Transaction to Transformation

As organizations navigate increasingly complex business environments, the role of HR has evolved far beyond its traditional boundaries. The function has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, shifting from administrative functions to strategic business partnership. Kate Friedmann, COO of Human Capital at Apollo, reflects on this journey: "It's been really incredible to see it shift from what was historically more of a transactional function to partnering with the business on their most strategic issues."

This evolution isn't just about changing responsibilities – it's about fundamentally reimagining how HR delivers value. KAT Boyd, former HR executive at GM Cruise, offers her perspective on this transformation: "I think our greatest challenge is also our greatest opportunity... We really need to be looking at or focusing on how we get out of a lot of HR speak and show up in an actionable way [that makes sense for the business]." This shift in perspective sets the stage for a new era of HR leadership, one that demands both strategic thinking and practical execution.

Meeting the Moment:
HR's New Strategic Imperative

The transformation of HR's role has accelerated dramatically in recent years, driven by unprecedented global changes and evolving workplace dynamics. "We have to meet these moments," emphasizes KAT, highlighting how the post-COVID workplace demands new approaches. Lori Schick, EVP and Head of HR at Aurora Cannabis, adds, "The role of HR has evolved... we are being asked for something new and the business has different needs." These insights reveal how HR leaders are adapting their approaches to meet contemporary challenges while preparing for future demands.

What’s Changed? The Technology and Human Balance

As we navigate this transformation, the intersection of technology and human interaction has become a critical focal point for HR leaders. Kate brings attention to the technological revolution while emphasizing the human element:

"The advancement of technology over the past several years and what we're able to do around data and analytics and now with AI... while you can automate so much stuff, there is still such a critical part of what we do that is based on EQ and the human element."

Building on this technological evolution, Lori Schick outlines three fundamental shifts reshaping the workplace:

3. Wellness as a Priority

 "The dialogue around wellness has really come into the forefront, whether it's physical wellness, emotional wellness... we had never talked about that 20 years ago."

These shifts highlight the delicate balance HR must maintain between leveraging technology and preserving human connection in the workplace.

Leading Through Change: The New HR Imperative

As organizations continue to evolve, the ability to lead through change has become a defining characteristic of successful HR leadership. Kate emphasizes the critical role of change management in modern HR leadership: "Most of what we do and spend our time on as HR leaders is change management... How do you sell ideas and a vision to people across the organization? How do you bring people along on that journey?" She stresses the importance of customization:

"One size doesn’t fit all... you need to really think about your organization, what are the biggest business challenges and how do you help solve for that as an HR team?"

Building on this foundation of change leadership, Lori highlights the evolving expectations of HR leadership: "There's really an assumption of being at the table and not just there for HR purposes, but really to be a thought leader in the business of the everyday. HR leaders need to lean into that change and make sure that they're ready for that, that they're finding their voice, they're finding their courage."  

The Power of Professional Community

While navigating these complex challenges, HR leaders have discovered that community support plays a crucial role in their success. Our guests emphasize the vital importance of professional community, each bringing a unique perspective on why these connections matter:

KAT addresses the emotional aspect: "Not only are the roles hard, they're very isolating... knowing that you have other people who, they may not be in the same trenches, but they are in a set of trenches who understand sort of what you're going through... there's no price that you can put on it."

Lori emphasizes practical support:

"These roles are hard and it's nice to be able to have a community of practice to be able to turn to, to share, to be able to brainstorm with... as leaders and professionals, we need to stay current and we can't always do that when our heads are down in our own worlds."

Kate highlights the value of shared learning: "The power of connection and connectivity is so important... having just a resource that you can tap into to pick people's brains on different ideas or ask people, 'Hey, how are you thinking about AI in your organization?' is invaluable"

These perspectives underscore how professional communities serve as both support systems and catalysts for innovation in HR leadership.

A Future Full of Promise

As we look toward the horizon of HR's evolution, our guests share an inspiring vision of what's possible. The episode wraps with each leader sharing their optimistic outlook for HR's future:

Kate feels energized by emerging talent: "I'm feeling really good about the excitement when I talk to people and I do recruiting on campus and people who are starting out their career human capital... it's really exciting to see schools have clubs now dedicated to this."

Lori celebrates team achievements: "Really proud of my team and in the work that they've done over this last year and the energy, that commitment, the dedication that they have for the employee experience is really incredibly special."

KAT emphasizes opportunity: "We really have an open runway right now to really make an impact and influence what is happening from a business perspective... back to meeting the moments, hopefully we can meet them based on whatever the circumstances may be within our organizations.

Looking FoHRward

The future of HR stands at a pivotal moment of transformation, where strategic leadership meets technological advancement, all while maintaining an unwavering focus on the human element. As organizations continue to evolve, HR leaders are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change while fostering, and participating in, supportive professional communities. The insights shared by these leaders not only illuminate the path forward but also inspire confidence in HR's ability and drive to meet whatever challenges lie ahead.