The CEO Question HR Fears Most

The long list of pressures HR leaders are under is well documented. It’s as if every organizational ailment somehow finds it’s way to the human resources department to either get fixed or take the blame. 

There is a new issue lurking however, that most HR leaders, particularly those in the healthcare industry, are ill-prepared to address. That issue comes in the form of a question directly from the CEO.

The Context
Let me set the stage…

Traditional CEO, accomplished, bright, and driven is paying attention to the radically changing labor market. The stress they feel from the Board of Directors, Physician and Nursing leadership to solve the staffing shortages are now becoming an all too regular topic in meeting after meeting.

It feels a bit odd to the CEO. She’s always been able to figure out some sort of new pay program or engagement play that keeps the positions filled while not completely blowing up the salary line in the budget.

But the world is just…well…different now. 

The Nightmare Question for HR
During the next routine one-on-one meeting between the CEO and the CHRO they get on the topic of labor, talent, and staffing shortages across the organization. It’s at this point that the CHRO’s world caves in.

CEO: “So, tell me what you’re doing to ensure we are viewed as a viable employer? What are we doing with millennials? Are you current on all of these social media and content strategies I keep reading about? Where exactly are we on this?”

CHRO: “Um….well…we, uh.”

CEO: “We are doing something on this, right? I mean, the whole world is getting into this stuff.”

CHRO: “Well, Marketing…and Legal…they, uh…”

CEO: “You’ve got to be kidding me. Those departments don’t have anything to do with recruitment. We’re not doing anything? Do you even know how to use these things yourself?”


How About You
What’s your answer? I want to help you not only give the right answer, but look like the most contemporary leader in the world while doing it. It only takes one thing…

…the courage to start.

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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