The next five years won’t just test HR—they will redefine its very purpose. EY’s CHRO 2030 research (160+ executives, 15 sectors, 26 countries) reveals critical truths & opportunities for HR leaders who want more than a seat at the table. Here are the top game-changers:
🚀 Key insights
- Strategic HR is now mission-critical — 85% of employers say HR will be critical to success through 2030. But 89% also believe HR must change substantially to meet evolving business & talent needs
- Talent advantage is rare — Only ~32% of organizations currently feel they have a mix of programs, tech & culture that deliver superior talent outcomes. The gap is huge!
- Workforce expectations are shifting fast — Beyond salary: meaningful work, flexibility, personalized experience. HR must respond with new models of roles, rewards, & values
- Skills over roles — Traditional job descriptions are losing ground. Leading orgs are hiring & organizing around skills. Adaptability & learning agility will define which companies keep up
- Tech as enabler, not disruptor — GenAI, AI/ML, RPA, advanced analytics: these are not sidelines. They are now foundational to scaling HR impact, reshaping service delivery, rewards, performance, and employee experience
💡 What CHROs must do NOW:
- Lead HR transformation — proactively: Treat the HR function like a business
- Be strategic, embedded in decision-making, not just operational overhead
- Build talent advantage: Close the gap — invest in culture, programs & technologies that deliver individualized, high-impact experiences
- Redesign work & rewards: Rethink job roles, embrace skill-based hiring, modernize rewards and flexibility so the offering aligns with what employees really want
- Embed technology deeply: Use ready-now technologies (GenAI etc.) not just for efficiency but to unlock new value, insight and more human-centred employee journeys
Because here’s the thing: Organizations that act early won’t just survive—they’ll shape the future
Let’s lead the charge. But don’t take my word for it, take it from a recent client of mine.
A SVP HR of a publicly listed media company was asked to be coached during a critical time when the CHRO had tanked & the company was going through major transformation at the same time. She was able to overcome imposter syndrome tendencies and confidently step up to the interim CHRO role until the new CHRO had onboarded. Our coaching was described as follows:
„Navid & I covered a lot of ground during our coaching engagement. As a result, I feel motivated and I‘ve got a much clearer picture in my mind around which areas to tackle and the right interventions to do that. When working together, I had a fair number of lightbulb moments and the coaching has helped me to debunk some unproductive thinking too.“
#CHRO #HRLeadership #Workforce2025 #TalentStrategy #FutureOfWork #GenAI #EmployeeExperience
About Navid Nazemian
Ranked as the world’s #1 Executive Coach by CEO Today for the 3rd year running, I use interventions that are designed to overcome obstacles quickly. Over the last 2 decades, I have helped hundreds of executives successfully eliminate unproductive thinking and solve their toughest, most complex challenges. In return, they have supported their organisations to build world-class cultures primed to create new markets, accelerate performance, increase productivity, and develop game-changing value propositions. 5 more ways to connect with me and my work:
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Warm wishes,
Navid