The CEO and the HR Leader: Finding Common Purpose – Part 1

The CEO’s job is to meet shareholder expectations for a positive return on investment.  

This statement is true no matter how you define “shareholders” (the CEO themselves or a board or actual shareholders), no matter how you define “expectations” and no matter whether “positive return on investment” means revenue gain, technology innovation or something else entirely.  That statement is the whole job.

Now if I told you that your job was to meet my expectations by getting to Duluth – and that was it – that would give you a whole lot of ways to get to Duluth.  You could walk, fly, hire an Uber, lead a carnival caravan…. Lots of ways to get to Duluth. Like the many ways to get to Duluth, the CEO has as many paths. 

As an HR leader, beyond legal and tax compliance, there are likewise many options for executing on HR strategy.  But the right way – for that CEO’s organization – is to execute on activities that will help to achieve that CEO’s desired results.  

What is your CEO’s  definition of “positive return on investment”?  What will it take in the organization to achieve those results? Perhaps there is a need for new skills and therefore, employer branding, recruiting and assimilation. Or the decision making protocols need speeding up and so a culture change is necessary. What is currently in the way of achieving those results? Maybe the compensation structure is rewarding outdated accomplishments. Possibly managers may need a refresher on clarifying and managing to clear goals. 

What HR initiatives directly (support/facilitate/remove obstacles from getting) those results? Specifically how will those initiatives get those results? When they are successful, what specifically will you see as proof?

Asking these questions – of your CEO and of yourself – create the alignment necessary to make major impacts on organizations.

But then…what if those results – or ways to get to Duluth – conflict with those you were hoping to achieve as an HR leader?  Excellent question.  What would YOU do? 

HR leaders and leaders-to-be! If you are interested in learning more ways you can become more aligned with your CEO mission and goals, consider joining UPschool. UPschool‘s online membership provides access to programs, expert guidance, tools, templates and workshops to HR professionals looking for personal and professional growth.