“Taking Calculated Risks” with Rhonda Morris, Chief Human Resources Officer at Chevron
Jan 9, 2024
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Rhonda Morris, Chief Human Resources Officer at Chevron, shares insights on her career journey and the importance of asking for help. She discusses the need for HR to take calculated risks and practice 'other thinking' to increase their impact. She also emphasizes the importance of building a personal board of directors and learning from failure. Overall, it's a valuable episode for HR leaders looking to make a difference.
Taking calculated risks in HR can lead to increased impact and success by deeply understanding the company, its culture, and its leaders before embarking on any risk-taking initiative.
Building strong relationships in HR leadership fosters trust, open communication, and enables HR leaders to effectively navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and drive positive change.
Deep dives
Taking Calculated Risks in HR for Increased Impact
Taking calculated risks in HR can lead to increased impact and success. By understanding the organization's culture and capabilities, HR leaders can determine the feasibility of executing a risk. It is important to deeply understand the company, its culture, and its leaders before embarking on any risk-taking initiative. Building relationships and establishing trust with stakeholders is crucial for securing buy-in and support. HR leaders should also practice 'other thinking', considering the perspective and experience of others in order to effectively communicate and engage with employees. Taking calculated risks in HR can drive innovation, growth, and positive cultural change.
The Career Journey and Authenticity of Rhonda Morris
Rhonda Morris, Chief Human Resources Officer for Chevron Corporation, shares insights from her career journey. She emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and being authentic. Rhonda highlights the value of challenging work, learning opportunities, and working with smart people as key factors in her decision to remain with Chevron. She also values maintaining a healthy work-life balance and contributing to the community. Rhonda's experience owning a P&L and holding leadership roles outside of HR enhanced her perspective and leadership style. By leveraging transferable skills and asking for help, she successfully navigated new challenges and gained a deeper understanding of the business.
Building Relationships and Transparency in HR Leadership
Rhonda Morris emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships in HR leadership. By genuinely caring about people and the organization, HR leaders can create an environment of trust and open communication. Rhonda values honest feedback and encourages her team to share their thoughts, even when it may be challenging. Building a personal board of directors, individuals with expertise in areas outside of HR, allows HR leaders to continuously learn and improve. Transparent and clear communication is crucial for maintaining credibility and ensuring understanding among team members. Strong relationships enable HR leaders to effectively navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and drive positive change.
Practicing Grace, Resilience, and Perspective in HR
In the evolving landscape of HR, Rhonda Morris suggests practicing grace, resilience, and perspective. Grace involves recognizing the complexity of the world and being understanding and compassionate toward others. Embracing gray areas and understanding that not everything is black and white allows for more flexibility and adaptive thinking. Resilience is vital in the face of challenges and setbacks, learning from failure and continuously growing. Perspective is key to understanding different viewpoints, particularly in a polarized world. By practicing these values, HR leaders can foster a supportive and inclusive environment, navigate uncertainty, and guide organizations toward success.