Are CHROs Ready to Fully Engage with the Board as Enterprise Leaders?
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Corporate Board Practices

Are CHROs Ready to Fully Engage with the Board as Enterprise Leaders?

/ Quick Take

Many of today’s most pressing business challenges are human capital management issues, and boards increasingly expect chief human resources officers (CHROs) to align human capital strategy with financial, operational, and risk priorities. Yet CHROs often report encountering obstacles in effectively engaging with the board—including the persistent perception that HR is insufficiently strategic. Our recent survey of corporate secretaries—who serve as key board advisors—suggests that this view may be grounded in real concerns about CHRO readiness.

Many of today’s most pressing business challenges are human capital management issues, and boards increasingly expect chief human resources officers (CHROs) to align human capital strategy with financial, operational, and risk priorities. Yet CHROs often report encountering obstacles in effectively engaging with the board—including the persistent perception that HR is insufficiently strategic. Our recent survey of corporate secretaries—who serve as key board advisors—suggests that this view may be grounded in real concerns about CHRO readiness.

Key Insight

Limited commercial and financial acumen may be holding some CHROs back. While human capital leaders excel in talent strategy and culture, some do not adequately demonstrate fluency in the key business drivers—profit & loss statement management, capital allocation, innovation, risk assessment, and operational execution—that boards prioritize. Without a strong grasp of these competencies, CHROs may struggle to connect workforce strategies to business performance in a way that resonates with board members.

Perception vs. reality: there may be valid reasons some CHROs are marginalized in the boardroom

Q: What are the most significant challenges CHROs face in engaging effectively with boards? (Select up to 3)

Note: 55 resp

Authors

Rita Meyerson, EdD

Rita Meyerson, EdD Rita Meyerson, EdD

Principal Researcher, Human Capital
The Conference Board

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Andrew Jones, PhD

Andrew Jones, PhD Andrew Jones, PhD

Principal Researcher, Governance & Sustainability …
The Conference Board

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