As organisations adapt to evolving workforce dynamics, the expectations from HR professionals are changing rapidly. No longer limited to hiring, compliance, or employee relations, HR today is expected to influence strategy, productivity, and long-term growth. This evolving role was explored at the “HR to CEO” workshop hosted by Ethika Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd. in Bengaluru.
The workshop brought together HR professionals and business leaders to examine how HR can transition from a functional role to a strategic one—capable of contributing to business decisions and organisational sustainability.
The session was led by Susheel Agrawal , who introduced the idea of HR operating with a CEO mindset—understanding business realities while shaping employee experience.
Rethinking the HR Identity
Participants discussed how HR is often excluded from strategic conversations due to its traditional positioning. The workshop challenged this narrative, encouraging HR professionals to view themselves as business partners rather than support staff.
Discussions focused on how HR decisions affect cost, productivity, and retention—key business metrics. By understanding these linkages, HR professionals can actively contribute to leadership discussions.
The workshop highlighted that HR leaders who understand financial and operational drivers are better positioned to influence decision-making.
Employee Happiness as a Business Metric
A central theme of the workshop was employee happiness as a measurable business driver. Participants explored how disengagement, stress, and low morale directly affect output and organisational performance.
The concept of Return on Happiness (ROH) was introduced as a way to quantify the impact of employee well-being. The workshop emphasised that investing in employee experience is not a cost, but a strategic investment.
Participants shared real-world examples where improved engagement led to higher productivity and lower attrition.
HR’s Role in Business Sustainability
The workshop also examined HR’s role in ensuring long-term business sustainability. Participants discussed how workforce stability, culture, and engagement influence an organisation’s ability to scale and adapt.
HR professionals were encouraged to take ownership of these outcomes by aligning people strategies with business goals.
The session concluded by reinforcing that HR’s future lies in its ability to think strategically, act commercially, and lead organisational energy.
Through the “HR to CEO” workshop, Ethika Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd. reinforced the idea that HR, when empowered with the right mindset, can become one of the strongest drivers of business success.
Website = https://www.ethika.co.in/
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