Talent Talks: Skills a CHRO Needs to Meet the CEO’s Expectations

In our latest episode of Talent Talks Mandy Resmondo, Corporate VP at Landrum Talent Solutions, is joined by Melissa Haid, VP of Delivery, and special guest Carolyn Moore, founder of Culture Fluence Consulting and former Chief People Officer in the tech space. Together, they dive into what it takes to succeed as a CHRO in today’s business environment and what CEOs truly expect from their top HR leader.

Carolyn shares how the CHRO role has rapidly evolved into a highly strategic business partner position. No longer focused solely on traditional HR, modern CHROs must understand the entire enterprise, interpret data beyond people analytics, and speak the language of business. She emphasizes the need to move away from “HR speak” and instead communicate initiatives in terms of business impact and ROI.

The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping workforce planning and decision-making. Carolyn stresses that HR leaders must be at the forefront of these conversations, reimagining roles, driving efficiency, and helping CEOs prepare for the future of work.

To be seen as a business driver rather than a support function, Carolyn advises CHROs to align with company goals, think like executive stakeholders, and coach others across the organization. She underscores that adaptability, influence, and courage, especially when navigating tough leadership decisions, are what set great CHROs apart.

The episode wraps with a personal story of leading through a difficult executive termination, highlighting the critical role HR plays in protecting company culture, employee trust, and long-term business stability.