Why Leadership Development is the #1 HR Priority for 2025
Mar 4, 2025
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DJ Campbell, Chief HR Officer at Sanford Health, shares his expertise in leadership development and AI's role in HR. He discusses why leadership development is the top priority for organizations by 2025 and how balancing technology with empathetic leadership is vital. DJ emphasizes the significance of transparent communication in fostering a strong workplace culture and the evolution of employee expectations in a tech-driven world. He explores the shift towards 'power skills' and the essential need for trust and human connection in effective leadership.
Leadership development, prioritizing empathy and emotional intelligence, is crucial for organizations to meet evolving workforce expectations by 2025.
The integration of AI in HR necessitates a balance between technology and human connection to enhance employee experiences and trust.
Deep dives
The Workforce Challenge and Technological Integration
The current workforce landscape faces a significant challenge, with a shortage of workers to fill available positions. This necessitates the integration of technology to supplement the workforce, particularly in sectors like healthcare. Leaders who excel at understanding and managing people will be crucial in this transition, enabling successful technological implementation while also retaining talent. The focus is shifting from mere accountability to an increased emphasis on empathy in leadership, where understanding employees' needs becomes vital for organizational success.
Evolving Leadership Development Priorities
Leadership development has shifted dramatically, with a growing emphasis on emotional intelligence and the ability to inspire rather than simply motivate teams. Modern leaders are expected to drive results while also being attuned to their employees' emotional and professional needs. The competencies required now prioritize empathy and the creation of engaging work environments where employees understand their purpose and value to the organization. This change reflects a response to the complexities of the contemporary workforce, highlighting the need for leaders to adapt their styles to remain effective.
The Role of Technology in Understanding Employee Needs
Technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing how organizations understand and engage with their employees, particularly through tools that provide real-time data on employee sentiments. Advanced analytics enable leaders to tailor their responses to workforce needs based on detailed demographic data and engagement insights. Successful companies not only collect data but also communicate clearly about changes made in response to feedback, reinforcing trust within the workforce. As technology evolves, organizations are tasked with creating personalized experiences for employees, mirroring the customer-centric models prevalent in e-commerce.
The Impact of AI on Leadership Skills
The rise of AI is transforming the leadership landscape, making soft skills—termed 'power skills'—even more vital than technical abilities. As AI takes over various technical tasks, leaders must focus on developing skills that foster human connection and team collaboration. Organizations must prepare their leaders to effectively leverage AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement for human roles, ensuring that a personal touch remains in employee interactions. This evolution underscores the importance of nurturing a culture of curiosity and empathy, essential traits for navigating the complexities of modern work environments.
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we sit down with DJ Campbell, MBA, SHRM-SCP, Chief HR Officer at Sanford Health, to discuss the changing landscape of leadership, workforce transformation, and how AI is shaping the future of HR.
DJ shares insights on why leadership development is the #1 priority for organizations today, how AI is transforming workforce strategies, and why HR must focus on employee experience, trust, and transparent communication to drive engagement and retention.
He also unpacks the role of AI in healthcare HR, how organizations can balance technology and the human touch, and why companies must adapt leadership styles to meet the evolving expectations of employees.
🎓 In this episode, DJ discusses:
Why leadership development is the top priority for 2025
How AI can support leadership, engagement, and retention
Why employee experience is now a key business differentiator
The evolving role of power skills (formerly soft skills) in leadership
How HR leaders can build trust and transparency in decision-making