Transform Takeaways

Bob McCarthy

Benson Executive Search

Last month, we attended Transform ’23 in Las Vegas, a people-driven thought leadership conference for Sr. HR Leaders interested in shaping the new world of work. The conference was well-attended by more than 2,000 innovative HR Leaders from around the world including many well-developed tech products/services in the Expo Hall. The conference featured a strong roster of speakers who shared insights on everything from Inter-Generational Workforces, AI’s impact on the way we work, Pay Transparency, Employee Health & Wellbeing, Talent Development, and much more.

Despite the unseasonably chilly temperatures, we had the opportunity to meet talented and innovative professionals during a pool-side kick-off networking event, setting the tone for connecting, sharing, and learning with many creative thinkers throughout the week.

Here are several of our key takeaways:

(1)   The role of HR continues to shift, with increased emphasis on overall Employee Experience, ESG, Human-Centric design, and the ability to use data that directly contributes to the organization’s public-facing story. Employees are looking for organizations to take a position and to lead social change and HR Leaders are increasingly on the forefront, expected to understand the business as well as any member of the C-suite.

(2)   As the post-pandemic workplace continues to take shape, multi-generational leadership has influenced the how, where, when and with whom we work equation. With more than 5 generations in the workforce, each contributing different perspectives and needs, the shifting skillset necessary to qualify for, and manage many roles may very likely replace traditional degrees. What’s more, is that average American workers are likely to have a younger manager by 2025, increasing the value of the “Modern Elder.”

(3)   We’re shaping the Future of Work in real-time, learning to mix remote, hybrid and in-person roles while ensuring inclusive and equitable opportunities to maximize productivity and advancement. Generally speaking, understanding who you are as a company and designing roles, career paths, tools, resources, and equitable pay structures all continue to be drivers to attract and retain diverse talent.

(4)   AI is impacting the way we work faster than anticipated and those quick to embrace its function, will find more time to focus on higher-level thinking. Speaking of HR Tech/Software: it’s come a long way – and it actually works! There are a multitude of well-developed solutions employers have the opportunity to provide to employees – many designed to improve health and wellbeing.

Transform ‘23 was time-well invested to meet, share, learn and confirm alongside forward-thinking HR leaders who will effectively steer their organizations through the most significant period of change we’ve experienced in a very long time.