Laura Thiele
Chief People Officer
Optimizely
Episode 396
Future-Proofing HR: Adaptability and Empathy in an AI-Driven, Geopolitical World
Current chapter: Covering monthly expenses is the number one concern for employees in 2024
Built By PeopleOctober 29, 2024 · 13:24
Thesis
“The HR landscape is constantly shaped by rapidly evolving technology, like AI, and complex geopolitical dynamics, requiring HR leaders to prioritize adaptability, cultivate uniquely human skills, and maintain empathy in employee relations amidst continuous transformation.”
Show notes
Navigating HR's Future: A Conversation with Laura on Career, Trends, and Technology In this episode, Laura shares her career journey from studying Human Resource Management to becoming a Chief People Officer. She discusses her experiences in various roles at Lockheed Martin and SAP, highlighting her interest in technology and transformational change. Laura delves into current HR trends like AI and its potential impact on simplifying tasks and enhancing productivity. She also addresses challenges in the HR landscape, the evolving employee-employer dynamic, and the future of work. Laura offers insights on measuring HR initiative outcomes and adapting to rapid changes, concluding with advice for fellow HR executives. 00:00 Introduction and Career Journey 02:19 Key HR Trends and Adaptation 06:07 Measuring HR Impact 08:12 Challenges in HR 10:17 Future of Work and HR's Role 12:07 Parting Advice and Conclusion
What you'll take away
- 1HR leaders must proactively embrace technology, especially AI, as a tool for simplifying processes and assisting employees, while also preparing for the potential transformation or replacement of certain roles.
- 2Measuring HR's impact requires a multi-dimensional approach, including regular employee engagement surveys, alongside deep dives into data like promotion rates, termination trends, onboarding success, and leadership effectiveness via OKRs.
- 3A significant challenge for HR involves motivating and inspiring teams to achieve business results under intense pressure, capacity constraints, and without immediate access to additional resources or budget.
- 4The future of work necessitates HR's focus on developing intrinsically human skills—such as critical thinking, executive presence, and communication—that technology cannot replicate, allowing individuals to differentiate themselves.
- 5Given the rapid and unpredictable changes in skills requirements and the talent landscape, HR professionals must cultivate fluidity and the ability to evolve as instrumental traits for future success.
What most organizations get wrong
In Laura's words
“I knew that technology was a, a big way to do, to do that and make enhancements.”
Highlights her early recognition of technology's transformative power in HR, shaping her career path.
“I think the landscape is changing very, very quickly. I think in terms of the opportunity, it's really to help simplify as well as really provide, you know, AI assistance to help individuals through their jobs.”
Captures the dual impact of AI in HR – simplification of tasks and providing assistance to employees, alongside potential role changes.
“We definitely measure and pulse our team members to understand where the perhaps pain points are and where the areas of strength are in terms of our, our culture.”
Emphasizes a data-driven approach to understanding employee experience and organizational culture, going beyond surface-level observations.
“The last 5 years have been really complex. In terms of employee landscape. And I think having that ability to navigate across HR with ensuring individuals are treated with respect and empathy and going through business transformation, I think is really important.”
Underscores the critical role of empathy and respect in HR leadership, especially during complex business and employee landscape transformations.
“having that ability to be fluid and having that ability to evolve is something that is going to be instrumental to the HR team to be able to relate and understand.”
Conveys the overarching message that adaptability and continuous evolution are non-negotiable for HR professionals in a fast-paced environment.
The problems this episode addresses
- •HR teams facing pressure and working beyond capacity during strategic changes or technology implementations, with limited budget or skill-based resources to alleviate the strain.
- •The constant challenge for HR professionals to stay current with rapidly changing HR technology, particularly AI, while managing numerous other demands.
- •Navigating the evolving employer-employee dynamic, balancing employee expectations and feedback with the business's need to achieve results, which is not always in equilibrium.
- •The difficulty in predicting future skill requirements due to rapid technological and market changes, making long-term workforce planning and talent development a significant challenge.
In this episode
Covering monthly expenses is the number one concern for employees in 2024
Built by People
Can you walk us through your career journey and some of the key moments
Top HR Executives' Career Journey
The HR field is constantly changing. There are a number of trends shaping the landscape
The HR landscape is constantly evolving
How do you measure employee engagement, productivity and overall business success
How Do HR-Specific Initiatives Impact the Company's Success?
Laura, what are the biggest challenges that you have faced in your HR career
The Biggest Challenges in HR
How do you see the future of work evolving and what role will HR play
The future of work: How HR will shape it
Laura: Well, that wraps up our HR Executive Re-Interview series
HR Executive Re-Interview
Topics covered
Organizations and entities mentioned
Full transcript
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