On May 12, 2021, Dr. Jeff Pon shared his expertise and creative insights on Strategic HCM with Dr. Edna Chun’s Capstone Class. Dr. Pon served as 11th Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management where he led the HR function for the U.S. government and formerly served as SHRM’s Chief HR and Strategy Officer. He explained how during the course of his career he has helped organizations use human dynamics to create strategic advantage—with individuals and the right teams. Here are some of the key perspectives from his talk:
- Dr. Pon described HCM as the science of HR and emphasized the need for standards for HR including people metrics, planning, evaluation, and DEI. People, teams, and tech are differentiators. HR should have its own planning process for people – just like the budgeting process for financial investment.
- HCM leaders “need to own the language that drives organizations” and “define what the space is called.”
- HCM professionals also need to “invent the brand of HR,” gain face time with organizational leaders, and share what they are doing for the organization.
- While HCM policies represents what he called the “peanut butter approach to management,” the personalization of HCM is essential in order to offering different programs and approaches to different groups based on their needs.
- Until recently, few people have recognized HR’s role in the organizational environment. HCM leaders need to understand the environment: both the customer and employee experience as well as the data sources or touch points that affect customers and employees.
- If you ask a business leader, great HR people are those who “bring it” – problem solvers, culture influencers. Strategic HCM leaders play a very pivotal role in driving intended behavior in support of organizational outcomes.
In response to his engaging guest lecture, one student wrote to Dr. Pon, “Thank you so much! Such incredible insights.”
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any other person or entity.
