How to Balance Employee Well-Being and Performance
Jan 21, 2025
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Laila Gillies, Head of HR at Hiscox USA, shares her insights on HR's evolution into a strategic partner. She emphasizes the importance of upskilling in a fast-paced world and balancing empathy with accountability to enhance performance. Laila also discusses the need for tailored wellness programs and effective communication to retain talent. Moreover, she highlights how supportive relationships and innovation in HR practices can transform organizational culture, ultimately fostering employee engagement and satisfaction.
The podcast highlights the evolving role of HR from transactional functions to strategic leadership, emphasizing the importance of business acumen among HR professionals.
It discusses the implementation of tailored employee well-being programs that focus on mental, emotional, and physical health to enhance retention and satisfaction.
Deep dives
Shifting the Perception of HR
The podcast highlights the ongoing challenge of changing the outdated perception of HR as merely a transactional function. Despite HR's evolution into strategic business partners focused on overall performance, some still view HR leaders as less knowledgeable about the business. This misperception undermines the expectation that every HR professional should possess strong business acumen. The discussion emphasizes the need for HR to move away from stigmas, allowing for a recognition of their crucial role in organizational success and performance.
Career Growth Through Initiative
The speaker discusses the importance of proactively seeking growth opportunities in one's career, emphasizing the significance of 'raising your hand' to participate in projects beyond immediate responsibilities. This approach encourages individuals to take on challenging roles, leading to personal and professional development. The conversation illustrates how early career experiences shaped confidence and the decision to pursue further learning opportunities. This proactive mindset not only aids in career progression but also builds a valuable skill set.
Adapting Leadership Competencies
The conversation underscores the changing competencies required for effective leadership in today’s dynamic business environment. Emphasis is placed on the need for resilience, customer focus, and an ability to lead through constant change. Leaders are now expected to articulate a compelling vision while remaining empathetic and supportive of their teams. This shift reflects a broader understanding that leadership is not only about performance outcomes but also about fostering a people-centric culture.
Holistic Employee Well-Being Programs
The podcast discusses the implementation of comprehensive employee well-being programs that address various aspects like mental, emotional, and physical health. It emphasizes the necessity of tailoring programs to meet the diverse needs of employees, with a focus on accessibility and engagement. Initiatives such as providing wellness education, encouraging participation in health-related activities during work hours, and adapting benefits based on employee feedback illustrate a commitment to well-being. These efforts not only signal a people-centric culture but also enhance employee retention and satisfaction.
In today’s episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Laila Gillies, Head of HR at Hiscox USA, to explore her incredible journey in HR leadership and the evolving role of HR in shaping modern organizations.
Laila shares insights on upskilling employees for the future, fostering a values-driven leadership culture, and the art of balancing accountability with empathy. She also discusses the importance of embracing innovation, empowering employees, and the role of HR in influencing lives at work.
🎓 In this episode, Laila discusses:
The shift from transactional HR to strategic leadership.
The art of learning through action and embracing change.
Building holistic wellness programs that engage and retain talent.
Why upskilling employees is key to thriving in a fast-changing world.
How leaders can balance empathy with accountability for better results.