New Research in the CHRO Insights Series for Senior HR and C-Suite Leaders
The CHRO role is at a crossroads.
As organizations confront relentless disruption, evolving workforce expectations, and the rise of the “superworker,” today’s CHROs are expected to meet a range of complex, often conflicting demands. Rather than a single challenge, the modern CHRO must navigate a series of paradoxes—competing pressures that define what it means to lead HR in this new era.
Our latest research, supported with data from Findem, uncovers five critical paradoxes at the heart of the CHRO role—each shaping the future of HR and the impact of its leaders:
- The Transformation Paradox: CHROs are expected to drive rapid, enterprise-wide change, yet declining tenure threatens the sustainability of transformation and culture.
- The Influence Paradox: Despite expanded responsibilities and a seat at the table, CHROs must continually prove their strategic value and influence.
- The Diversity Paradox: While gender diversity in the CHRO role has surged, progress on ethnic and racial diversity remains slow and uneven.
- The Success Pathway Paradox: Business acumen, global perspective, and cross-functional experience are now critical for CHRO success, yet most leaders rise through traditional HR pathways.
- The Aspiration Paradox: Many CHROs aspire to broader executive or advisory roles, yet most remain confined to HR—revealing a persistent gap between ambition and opportunity.
This member- and Galileo Suite-exclusive report draws from data-driven insights from 25,000 CHRO profiles, a survey of nearly 200 CHROs, and a series of in-depth interviews, and includes real-world case studies from global organizations, practical strategies for turning paradoxes into competitive advantage, and actionable recommendations for CHROs, aspiring HR leaders, and CEOs.
Key Takeaways:
The unprecedented opportunities open to today’s CHROs are juxtaposed against complex cross-pressures:
- Sustainable transformation requires leadership continuity and system-driven change.
- True influence demands data-driven impact and cross-functional collaboration.
- Diversity efforts must move beyond gender to address the “concrete ceiling” of ethnic representation.
- Closing the gap between CHRO ambition and opportunity calls for intentional development, sponsorship, and enterprise integration.
Turn tension into advantage.
Written in support of Chief Human Resources Officers, senior HR executives, CEOs, and C-suite leaders shaping organizational strategy, Board members and executive advisors focused on talent and transformation, and those aspiring to these roles, this research offers unparalleled guidance for navigating the complex realities of today’s human-centered organizations.
To access the report and support customized for your organization’s unique dynamics, contact us about Corporate Membership:
Additional Resources:
- Podcast: Listen as Josh Bersin, global analyst and CEO, describes our newest CHRO Insights research, based on 25,000 CHRO profiles and detailed analysis of their job history by Findem.
- CHRO Insights Initiative overview
- Article: Read Josh’s perspective on the groundbreaking CHRO Insights Initiative and the inaugural study in the series, Understanding the Path to CHRO report
