Ep 29: HR’s Seat at the Executive Table

GUEST BIO:

Mindy Honcoop has spent 20 years as a People Leader and HR advisor. She guides leaders to optimize their work to thrive as a Fractional HR Executive, facilitator, advisor, and speaker. Before founding Agile in HR, Mindy held a Chief People Officer role at TCP Software and HR leadership roles at Care.com, Spiceworks Ziff Davis, and Expedia. Mindy is also the VP of Customer Strategy & Ops at MeBeBot. Mindy sits on the non-profit Love Justice International board, co-founded the Austin Women in Agile meetup, and is the lead co-organizer in launching Disrupt HR Austin. When she is not busy with people, she can be found reading, walking her dogs, traveling, or hiking.

Follow Mindy Honcoop on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindyhoncoop/

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

Mindy Honcoop argues that a CHRO should be a strategic partner, influencing company decisions with a human-centered approach. They should understand the current state of the organization, identify areas for improvement, and develop solutions that positively impact employees and contribute to the company's bottom line.

Challenges Faced by CHROs

Many CHROs struggle to gain a seat at the table and have their ideas heard by executives. They may be limited to tasks and activities that are not strategically aligned, hindering their effectiveness. Sometimes, executives prioritize short-term profits over long-term investments in people, leading to disengaged employees and ultimately, lower productivity.

Strategies for Success

Mindy Honcoop suggests several strategies for CHROs to be more influential. These include:

• Building Relationships: Building trust and rapport with key stakeholders, especially executives, is crucial.
• Data-Driven Approach: Presenting data that demonstrates the connection between employee well-being and business success can be persuasive.
• Shifting the Narrative: Instead of focusing on cost, CHROs should emphasize how investing in people is an investment in the company's future profitability.
• Understanding the Business: A strong understanding of the company's overall strategy and business acumen is essential for CHROs to effectively advocate for their initiatives.
• Proactive Engagement: CHROs should actively participate in strategic conversations and ensure the "people" perspective is considered during decision-making processes.

By following these strategies, CHROs can become valuable strategic partners who contribute to a company's success by fostering a healthy and productive work environment.

Learn more about Mindy Honcoop:

mindyhoncoop.com

agileinhr.com