Here are just a few tips as to how current HR managers can begin to make their way up to a c-suite position.

1. By
Jason Hanold
FINDING A PLACE FOR
HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE
Image courtesy of The open university at Flickr.com

2. The success of a company is easily measured by its
employees individual and collective success. So how
come it isn’t a habit to have on the c suite team
someone who represents the vision of a human
resources manager? The value of the strategic role of
HR is usually undervalued and they are placed in
positions where they report to c-level executives, who
may or may not be aware of the important impact HR
has to their company and its growth. There are many
different roles that are popping due to the world’s ever
changing marketplace, you can read more about them
on the Jason Hanold SlideShare page, such as a CPIO,
or Chief Process and Innovation Officer.
FINDING A PLACE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE

3. All of these roles respond to the necessity that companies
have to stay afloat and grow in the coming years, and the
needs that start to arise when goals are set and teams are
evaluated. What it comes down to most of the time is that
roles are created based on what is thought brings revenue,
but then that opens the discussion of what is a company’s
biggest asset? If a CEO's immediate response is not “my
employees”, then the company really does not a more active
human resources department that is able to transmit the
importance of human talent to the c-suite level executives.
For these and many other reasons it is really necessary to
have more companies begin to include to a CHRO, Chief
Human Resources Officer, on their c-suite level team.
FINDING A PLACE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE

4. The effect of having them on board would not only be
visible in the company but on the executive team as
well, bringing insight as to how to better manage the
company’s human talent, both on the ground floor and
in the higher offices. They are a huge support to help
the CEO accomplish his corporate mission. Here are just
a few tips as to how current HR managers can begin to
make their way up to a c-suite position.
FINDING A PLACE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE

5. Be good at what you do
It may sound like a bit of a no brainer, but it’s true. You
truly have to know what you’re doing and can offer in-
depth solutions to HR situations that occur within the
company. Of course, you will need to also demonstrate
knowledge of the company culture and current climate,
compensation strategies, compliance and other topics
that will be necessary for the company to be
competitive in the marketplace and have the possibility
of acquiring top talent. Once you have proven your worth
in HR, you will need to also show your vertical expertise
to keep moving forward.
FINDING A PLACE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE

6. Get out there
Many HR managers will stay in their office solving
issues and working, but for you to make it higher it will
be necessary to make yourself seen. Make your role
more about your contact with the team rather than
solving problems in your office. Go out to the floor,
collect first hand issues and problems people may have.
In today’s world visibility also means digital. Having a
voice on social media will also allow them to be seen
more. While doing this, make sure you position yourself
as a leader that people can trust and look up to.
FINDING A PLACE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE

7. Staying up to date on tech
As Human Resources teams go, most will focus on the
human side of things, but today workforce analytics are
more important than ever. Knowing how to use numbers
in your favor will prove to be a big advantage on your
way to the top. Number may be important in a number
of activities like measuring employee performance,
benefits benchmarks, report on absenteeism, among
other stats that can help your company be more
effective.
FINDING A PLACE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE

8. Keep learning
Although you may be considered an HR expert, if you
want to make it to a c-suite role you will need to further
your education. Studying something that goes in line
with the field or business you are currently in will be
quite important, allowing you to truly be considered an
expert, especially in that particular company. Another
option, will be to step away from HR, and do a masters
in another area, that can help demonstrate your vertical
knowledge of how a business works and should be run.
FINDING A PLACE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE

9. Get in depth knowledge of your company
Get to know as much as you can about your company’s
history, previous c-suite team, corporate culture, current
climate and of course understand how it works. All of
the different levels of how the company works will be
important to you, because many times HR teams will
focus on the tasks delegated to them like getting the
reports, or hiring talent, but won’t have the big picture.
FINDING A PLACE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE

10. When looking to forward your career as an HR manager,
most will not envision a CHRO, but keep your eye on the
ball and create the necessity in your company. Most
companies don’t know they need one, but in today’s
world where hiring and keeping the best talent will
make or break a company, it will become apparent in
the near future.
FINDING A PLACE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGERS IN THE C SUITE