FUTURE TRENDS IN HR: HOW THE ROLE OF CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICERS (CPOs) IS EVOLVING

The role of Chief People Officer (CPO) has been shifting in recent years, and there is no doubt that it will continue to do so in months ahead. Keeping this in mind, I wanted to put the future of CPOs in perspective, and think about the insights, skills, and talents that will be critical for success in the role going forward.

For instance, we’re already seeing an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As organizations become more diverse, it will be ever-more-important for CPOs to develop strategies that promote equity and inclusion for all employees. As I often point out as a keynote speaker and futurist, this demands a deep understanding of the challenges that different groups face and the ability to create policies and programs that address those challenges effectively. CPOs who can demonstrate a strong commitment to DEI will be highly valued in the future job market.

And let’s not undersell the importance of data and analytics to this role going forward either. With the increasing availability of information, tomorrow’s CPO is becoming growingly adept at using data analytics to identify trends and patterns that can help them make better decisions. They’ll likely have an understanding of data science and an ability to interpret and communicate data effectively.

Mind you, as the workforce becomes more mobile and remote, senior leaders here will also need to develop new strategies for managing and engaging employees who are not physically present in the workplace too. That means having a good working knowledge of work dynamics and an ability to create programs and policies that support remote workers.

But beyond the aforementioned items, I think you’ll also soon spot an increasing focus on employee well-being in the future of CPOs. With burnout and stress becoming increasingly common in the modern workplace, it will be essential for leaders to develop programs and policies that promote employee well-being. That requires us to think more deeply about how we strive to support employees’ physical and emotional health.

So, what skills will be essential for success in the Chief People Officer’s world to come? In addition to the talents mentioned above, CPOs will also need to be strong communicators, able to articulate complex ideas to a wide range of stakeholders. They will need to be strategic thinkers, able to develop long-term plans that align with the organization’s goals. They will need to be agile and adaptable, able to pivot quickly in response to changing market conditions or employee needs. And they will need to be strong leaders, able to inspire and motivate their teams to achieve their goals.