Steve Degnan, former CHRO of Nestlé Purina PetCare and advisor, shares his candid insights on HR leadership. He discusses the rising trend of early retirements in the field, emphasizing resilience and the need for humor in navigating tough times. Steve highlights the importance of balancing strategic priorities with employee well-being and the challenges of hybrid work environments. He also reflects on the need for specialized HR knowledge amid evolving workplace dynamics, advocating for ethical integrity and relationship-building in leadership.
Many CHROs are retiring early due to the intense stress and demands of the role amidst a challenging work environment.
Building trust and effective relationships with leadership takes time, and newly appointed CHROs often face preconceived notions and credibility issues.
Humor and resilience are essential for HR leaders to navigate difficult discussions and maintain integrity while advocating for employee welfare.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Early Retirement in HR
Many CHROs are choosing early retirement due to the intense grind associated with the role. Factors contributing to this decision include a high level of stress, constant availability, and significant pressure to manage employee relations in tumultuous times. The returning to work model post-pandemic has further complicated matters, generating negative feedback and angst from employees. This environment requires HR leaders to possess a strong sense of humor, resilience, and the ability to move forward despite unexpected challenges.
Building Trust and Relationships as a CHRO
Success in the CHRO role often hinges on building trust and effective relationships over time. Initially, newly appointed CHROs may struggle to gain credibility due to preconceived notions and past acquisitions, such as when Nestle acquired Purina. Establishing a solid rapport with the CEO or leadership team can take years and demands patience and strategic effort. Effective HR leaders need to focus on competency, relationship building, and navigating the complexities of corporate politics to foster influence within the organization.
The Importance of Competency in HR Departments
A competent HR department is crucial for gaining respect and credibility from leadership. HR leaders must ensure their teams excel in basic functions such as recruitment, employee relations, and performance management, as a lack of competency leads to diminished credibility. This need for accountability extends to all HR personnel, who must align with the broader organizational goals and maintain a high level of performance. Leaders should prioritize hiring individuals who not only fulfill HR functions but also contribute to strategic initiatives.
Navigating Conflict and Disagreements in HR
When CHROs face disagreements with company direction or leadership decisions, it is vital to voice concerns diplomatically. Early career experience can impact how confident leaders feel about expressing dissent, which often builds over time. Maintaining integrity while disagreeing involves balancing relationships and advocating for ethical treatment of employees, especially regarding challenging topics such as layoffs or return-to-office policies. CHROs must embrace the challenges of leadership roles by actively engaging in these discussions and using humor or reasoning to mitigate tension.
The Evolving Role of Recruitment in HR
Recruitment remains one of the most critical and complex functions within HR due to its lasting impact on organizational success. A successful hire can save companies from the extensive issues that arise when hiring goes wrong, emphasizing the need for strategic recruitment practices. This requires a multifaceted approach involving thorough training of hiring managers and a keen understanding of how to assess candidates effectively. Focusing on the candidate experience throughout the recruitment process can create a positive impression and attract top talent to the organization.
In today’s episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we welcome Steve Degnan, Advisor, Board Member, and Former CHRO of Nestlé Purina PetCare. Steve shares his unfiltered perspective on HR leadership, discussing the importance of resilience, embracing discomfort for growth, and transforming HR into a strategic powerhouse.
He provides insights into balancing strategic business priorities with employee well-being and navigating challenges like hybrid work and tough organizational decisions. Steve also emphasizes the critical role of humor and grit in thriving as an HR leader.