Navigating the Boardroom

Lisa Haggar LinkedIn’s queen of HR discusses how to thrive in HR leadership, while staying authentic.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, the boardroom remains the pinnacle of decision making and strategic planning. For HR professionals, breaking through the upper echelons of leadership requires not only expertise, but a blend of gravitas, influence, and authenticity.

Let’s dive straight into exploring what it takes to make it in the boardroom, mastering the art of influence at the highest level and most importantly how to maintain your values and boundaries to avoid losing your integrity and succumbing to burnout on your path to success.

Cultivating gravitas and presence

Boardrooms are dynamic spaces where decisions are made. Gravitas and presence are crucial attributes to what set leaders apart. As a HR professional it’s not only critical to develop a deep understanding of your industry and it’s organisational challenges, you need to learn

• How to effectively communicate – having the ability to articulate your thoughts clearly
• Practice active listening skills
• Exude confidence through your body language

Influencing at board level

Influence is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Understanding the nuances of power dynamics is key. Sadly, you have to manage the job, the politics and the power dynamics within the realm to be effective. You need to offer insightful perspectives but also be receptive to listening to other points of view. Build relationships with decision makers the boardroom is a key part of building relationships based on trust and credibility.

As you climb the corporate ladder, it is essential to remain anchored to your core values. Integrity, and authenticity are qualities that resonate with the board members and colleagues alike, as well as setting clear boundaries.  I know it is expected to do ‘over and above’ but disappointingly this extra effort is then expected as the norm which can lead to burnout. Don’t forget when you are accelerating your career that it should not come at the cost of yourself and your wellbeing!

Thriving as a female leader

In traditional male dominated environments, women leaders often face unique challenges and can struggle to be taken seriously. Focus on competency and results,  showcase your expertise, offer valuable insights and deliver consistent performance. Collaborate with other women and allies to create a supportive network. I’m still seeing too many women feeling they have to compete with each other rather than recognising that together we are stronger!

Understand the numbers

Mastering the commercial side of business to truly excel in the boardroom, HR professionals must be become adept at understanding the whole business and speaking the business language. A deep understanding of commercial aspects of the organisation not only enhances your credibility but also ensures your HR strategies align seamlessly with overarching business goals, which is what CEO’s want and need from its board members.

Imagine this scenario; your CEO discusses a new market expansion initiative. To actively contribute you need to understand how much capital is required, what is the projected return on investment and understand the challenges the business may face. Knowing these figures and contextual information enables you to align your HR plan with the CEO’s agenda.

Storyboarding the facts and figures

Crafting a compelling narrative through facts and figures enhances engagement and alignment. It’s not enough to state you need £50,000 for a leadership development programme.  An investment of £50,000 over a span of two years, where it yields a 30% increase in leadership effectiveness contributing to a revenue growth of £2 million. This narrative captures attention, offering a clear explanation regarding the investment and it’s substantial returns.

As an operational level HR professional, you may work from a dashboard which shows attrition at 4% …the business’s eyes will glaze over because they don’t understand what that translates into and can’t see where it aligns with the business strategy. If you want extra points make sure it’s on one page and visually engaging. No one likes death by power point!

Progressing your HR career

For HR professionals aiming for the boardroom, a strategic approach is key to continuously enhancing your skill set, through training and education. Seek opportunities to lead cross functional initiatives showcasing your ability to drive organisational success.

Remember…progress rarely happens in isolation, having a coach and mentor can be transformative.  A coach will help you to identify strengths and areas for improvement, guiding you towards targeted professional development, whereas, a mentor imparts practical insights and advice helping you navigate the challenges more effectively.  That collective guidance can propel your career forward at an accelerated rate.

So to wrap up… making it to the boardroom as a HR professional requires a combination of strategic skills, emotional intelligence and wavering commitment to your values, gravitas and presence, coupled with the ability to influence. A blend of continuous learning, strategic thinking and the invaluable guidance of allies, coaches, mentors and most of all OTHER HR PROFESSIONALS!!

One final note – Whether you are happy where you are (Remember it’s not everyone’s dream to join the board)  or want to push yourself to enter the boardroom… be true to yourself, hold yourself accountable for keeping to your values. Be strong, be bold, be courageous and get involved in  other areas in the business that aren’t just HR to give you a wider breath of knowledge, build relationships with key stakeholders and as my first mentor said to me… “Talk with conviction and walk with purpose”.