CHRO Brisbane Breakfast: HR Pathway to the Boardroom

The session focused on discussing the important role of People and Culture in the boardroom and pathways for CHROs to reach board-level positions. During the meeting, our attendees exchanged various insights and strategies on these topics, discussing ways for the CHRO and the People and Culture function more broadly to assert its influence at the highest levels of organisational leadership. 

Some of the key themes from our conversation are summarised as follows:

• Pathways to the boardroom for CHROs - Highlighting the importance of building non-executive portfolios for CHROs as a means to develop governance skills, enhance their executive leadership skills, and prepare for board-level roles. This includes mentoring and strategic networking to gain visibility among senior decision-makers.
• From “hybrid” to “flexible working” - Addressing the strategic role HR plays in guiding organisations through the shift to the next phase of flexible work arrangements. Our discussion focused on how HR leadership can drive policies that enhance productivity and foster collaboration through considered utilisation of office and physical space.
• Advancing diversity and inclusion at the Executive level - Discussing HR leaders' critical role in promoting diversity and inclusion strategies that extend up to the C-Suite and boardroom. This includes championing initiatives that ensure gender equity and broader representation through targeted recruitment and retention strategies.
• Leading technology transformations and systems implementations - Examining how HR can guide technology transformations at the executive level, ensuring that change management processes align with strategic business outcomes and maintain workforce engagement.
• Strategic talent management in Queensland - Debating the unique talent challenges in Queensland, with a focus on how HR can develop more attractive employer value propositions and creative recruitment strategies to draw top talent.
• A “future workforce”? - Exploring how HR can leverage AI to enhance decision-making processes, automate routine operations, and scale organisational capabilities without necessarily expanding the workforce, thus preparing businesses for future challenges without adding headcount.

These discussions highlight the dynamic and evolving role of HR in today’s corporate landscape. As CHROs and People and Culture leaders look to elevate their presence in the boardroom and drive significant organisational changes, the journey involves strategic foresight, inclusive leadership, and technological integration.

At Odgers Berndtson, we are committed to supporting leaders in navigating these complex pathways. Our expertise in executive search and leadership advisory positions us uniquely to partner with you in achieving these objectives. We encourage you to reach out and engage with us to explore how we can support your journey to the boardroom and beyond, ensuring your leadership strategies are aligned with future demands and opportunities.

Get in touch. Follow the links below to discover more, or contact our dedicated leadership experts from your local Odgers Berndtson office here.

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