People Before Strategy: A New Role for the CHRO

Although people drive every organization's success, research shows that most CEOs undervalue their HR function and their chief human resources officer (CHRO). No wonder, then, that managing human capital is a top challenge for companies. To address it, say the authors, CEOs must redefine and elevate the CHRO role. They should spell out their expectations in a new written contract, focusing on three contributions that the CHRO, as an expert on talent (both in-house and at the competition), should be making: predicting the outcomes of strategically deploying human resources, diagnosing people-related problems that are hurting the company's performance, and prescribing actions on the people side that will create value. Administrative tasks, such as managing benefits, might be delegated to others. And the CHRO should be assessed by actions that deliver revenue, margin, brand recognition, or market share. With a new mandate from the CEO, and with appropriate business training, the CHRO can contribute to the organization just as powerfully as the CFO can. Indeed, the CEO should partner with the CHRO and the CFO in what the authors call a G3--a triumvirate to steer the company. Although reshaping the HR function could take three years or more, the authors' experience with companies such as GE and BlackRock suggests that it's well worth the effort.

• Organizational behavior
• Cross-functional management
• Hiring and recruitment
• Talent management
• Organizational development