The Evolving Role of CHROs: From Operational Experts to Strategic Trailblazers

The role of the Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) is undergoing a seismic shift. Once seen as operational experts focused on managing talent and employee relations, CHROs today are stepping into the spotlight as strategic trailblazers driving business transformation. According to a Gartner survey, 70% of CEOs anticipate that their Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) will play a key role in driving business strategy. Leena Nair’s remarkable journey from being Unilever’s youngest-ever CHRO to becoming the global CEO of Chanel exemplifies the transformative influence of HR leadership. Her rise to the top marks a significant shift in how HR is perceived—not just as an operational function but as a key strategic driver of business outcomes. By moving from HR to the C-suite, Nair highlights the evolving role of CHROs in shaping talent, culture, and long-term business strategy, positioning HR leaders as catalysts for organizational transformation. Her story demonstrates that modern leadership now requires empathy, adaptability, and a people-centric approach, all rooted in HR but increasingly vital for steering today’s complex business environment.

Top Priorities of CHROs of Today

The dynamic  business landscape of today needs an evolving multigenerational workforce and building that requires a strategic HR approach involving redefined ways of hiring, engagement, and upskilling. Additionally, with organizations increasingly adopting technological advancements, the role of CHROs becomes pivotal in maintaining a delicate balance between technology and the human element helping organizations succeed in this era. Amidst all this, there are a few key things that are major priorities of CHROs today:

Spearheading Meaningful Change

With various stakeholders involved in organizational, technological and strategic changes, there needs to be an alignment between the CEO and leaders to drive the success of the business, people and culture of the organization. This is where CHROs play a crucial role by guiding the leadership and team and being more involved in business decisions. CHROs are also key in driving the team to adapt effectively, thinking out of the box based on changing environments, and helping the organization achieve its goals.

Driving AI Adoption

Today’s CHRO plays a pivotal role in driving the successful adoption of AI within organizations. They lead efforts to reskill employees, addressing the growing demand for AI-related skills, while fostering a culture that embraces innovation. As organizations increasingly integrate AI on a large scale, CHROs collaborate with other C-suite leaders to strike a balance between technological efficiency and human-centric approaches. Acting as a bridge, they gather workforce feedback to ensure continuous improvement and effective deployment of AI. According to the “Advancing India’s AI Skills: Interventions and Programmes Needed” report released by Deloitte India and Nasscom, the demand for AI talent is expected to surge to 1.25 million by 2027 from the current 600,000-650,000. CHROs are also instrumental in identifying skill gaps, promoting upskilling, and building an agile, future-ready workforce. Their leadership ensures that AI adoption not only enhances business outcomes but also supports long-term workforce development, positioning the organization for sustained success.

Steering Leadership Transitions with Precision

CHROs help identify and nurture leaders of the future who will carry forward the legacy of the business and also help them transition into leadership roles. They are essential in building a robust, future-ready leadership pipeline that will keep the company stable. This enables leadership continuity, which is crucial for the long-term success of organizations amidst constantly changing market dynamics.

Redefining Learning and Development Approaches

Nandita Gurjar, former Head of HR at Infosys, is a prime example of how redefining learning and development can drive organizational success. Joining Infosys in 1999, she established the company’s Learning and Development (L&D) unit, creating a framework that accelerated employee growth and aligned talent development with business goals. Under her leadership, Infosys BPO scaled to a $250 million enterprise with over 16,000 employees across global offices. Nandita’s innovative HR strategies earned her a spot on the World Economic Forum’s Global Advisory Council on New Models of Leadership and recognition as one of India’s Most Powerful Women, demonstrating the vital role of HR in fostering both individual and organizational growth.

Maintaining High Engagement Across All Teams

Employee engagement has gained immense importance over time,  owing to remote work, dynamic work scenarios and a diverse workforce. As the definition of employee engagement cannot stay universal, it is imperative that CHROs understand employee engagement is not really a one-size fits all kind of a solution. It is important to keep in mind that all employees are multifaceted in terms of what they do, where they’re from and what inspires them – and this can vary over time.

Today, CHROs are not just stewards of talent—they are strategic leaders who help organizations navigate the evolving landscape of AI and technological advancements. Their vision and adaptability enable businesses to turn challenges into opportunities, driving innovation and resilience in a constantly changing world.

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