Key Takeaways from Transform: Navigating the Ever-Changing HR Landscape
What happens when hundreds of HR leaders gather to discuss the future of work? At Illoominus, we recently had the privilege of attending Transform, one of the premier conferences for Chief People Officers. The consensus was clear: the only constant in today's workplace is change itself.
The Shifting Employer-Employee Dynamic
Perhaps the most prominent theme throughout the conference was the evolving relationship between employers and employees. With trust at an all-time low, organizations are searching for ways to rebuild these crucial connections.
As one speaker from Databricks shared, transparency has become their north star for creating trust. Their weekly all-hands meetings allow anyone to add questions, with the promise that all will be answered – even by the CEO. This radical openness has cultivated a high sense of trust within their organization.
The discussion also acknowledged what one UKG speaker aptly noted: "Employees can't unsee what we've been through." The pandemic-era focus on mental health and flexibility has created new expectations that can't simply be reversed. Organizations attempting to return to pre-pandemic norms are experiencing significant tension.
Location Still Matters – But Differently
Despite the rise of remote work, physical location remains important to the employee experience. According to UKG, 66% of employees say where they work significantly impacts their experience.
However, the approach has evolved. Rather than mandating full-time office attendance, forward-thinking companies are designing intentional collaboration moments. One practical suggestion included making Tuesday afternoons meeting-free to allow for focused collaboration time.
AI in HR: Beyond the Hype
We heard more critique of AI at this conference than we had in a bit. There were questions of ethics, handling of sensitive data, and what it means for our workforces. When everyone is running to the hype, it was refreshing to slow down and think about its impact. Kyle Lagunas, Head of Strategy at Aptitude Research, provided a framework for evaluating AI solutions based on three key pillars: impact, complexity, and risk.
The conversation emphasized that while AI offers tremendous potential to alleviate overburdened HR teams, leaders must consider critical factors like data readiness, sensitivity, and bias mitigation in their implementation strategies.
Lessons from Elite Sports for High Performance
Lindsay Verstegen, Chief People & Diversity Officer at the Detroit Lions, drew fascinating parallels between high-performance sports teams and corporate cultures. By examining the connection between engagement and results, leadership impact, and team dynamics, attendees gained insights backed by Culture Amp's analysis of over 1.5 billion data points.
Beyond Parental Leave: Supporting the Sandwich Generation
With nearly 70% of family caregivers struggling to balance work while caring for both children and aging parents, organizations are expanding beyond traditional parental leave. Representatives from Warner Bros. Discovery and the San Francisco Giants discussed flexible work arrangements and comprehensive leave management strategies that support employees throughout all life stages.
Moving Forward
As we return from Transform, one thing is abundantly clear: HR leaders face unprecedented challenges that require innovative solutions. At Illoominus, we're committed to developing people analytics tools that help navigate this constantly changing landscape, enabling organizations to build trust, leverage technology responsibly, and create meaningful work experiences for all employees.
What workplace changes are you seeing in your organization? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
More about Illoominus: Illoominus empowers people leaders to confidently invest in data-driven strategies that transform organizations into people-first workplaces, and we’re energized to see these leaders at the forefront of the people-first movement.
