Back in the day, HR operated primarily as a tactical function, managing administrative tasks like payroll, hiring, drafting handbooks, and handling employee complaints. But today, HR has undergone a profound transformation. We are no longer behind the scenes — HR now plays a pivotal role in shaping business strategy, building organisational resilience, nurturing employee growth, fostering a positive workplace culture, and ensuring long-term success.

As HR continues to take centre stage, the expectations placed on our function have evolved significantly. To remain strong strategic partners, we must not only demonstrate our value but actively drive innovation and business outcomes, ensuring HR is recognised as a cornerstone of organisational growth and resilience.

From tactical implementers to strategic influencers

As HR continues to build on driving business decisions, harnessing the power of data will be one of, if not the most important catalysts for cementing HR from being behind-the-scenes to front-and-centre of every important business decision.

However, as the famous saying goes, “with great power comes great responsibility.”, HR professionals will be under the microscope while justifying their seat at the table as the newest members of the boardroom discussions. That being said, they will need to make a good strategic impression while setting a new precedent for their new responsibilities in the long run.

To get to that level, HR experts will need to start viewing tasks like onboarding, employee wellbeing, recruitment and culture more holistically and intertwined with one another. In other words, they should be approached as interconnected parts of a broader HR strategy that ladder up to the main objectives of the organisation.

Whether those objectives are to expand into new international territories or steal market share from a competitor, HR needs to know how to support those objectives from a people and culture point of view — and bring data to every board meeting.

Because when discussing well-known issues like the gender pay gap, parental leave or diversity, it comes as little surprise that HR professionals have been using data as the new currency to get valuable and accurate insights. Data is incredibly powerful — with the right insights, HR can identify any looming problems before they even happen, especially when using modern technology like AI in their operations. This data-driven approach will not only empower HR to provide actionable insights to leadership but also help align people strategies with business goals and enhance overall business success.

HR at the heart of business success

HR has transformed from its conventional focus on employee engagement to becoming a critical contributor to business success, innovation, and growth. By utilising data, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and aligning workforce strategies with organisational goals, we’ve become key leaders in driving change.

As HR’s influence continues to grow, so too will its impact on long-term business success. At the core of our efforts is a commitment to advancing the people agenda — ensuring the workforce is empowered, supported and aligned with the company’s goals. With a data-driven proactive approach, HR will remain essential to shaping organisational resilience and sustainable growth.

By Nirit Peled-Muntz, chief people officer, HiBob