On February 4, 2021, Dr. Jeff Pon visited Dr. Edna Chun’s Introduction to Human Capital Management course for a highly engaging guest lecture on HCM Strategy. Dr Pon served as the 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 shared a wealth of insights with the class on the changing landscape for HCM work, the challenges of an environment that is unparalleled in terms of its competitiveness, and specific approaches to HCM strategy. Some of the many key learnings he shared with the class include:
- HCM leaders need to be a driver in the organizations they serve in terms of talent, teams and technology: they are the people best equipped to lead change.
- HCM is both an art and a science: it involves doing the right thing for the organization, society, the people within the industry, and your family. In short, it is a calling.
- The science of HCM requires the ability to predict and to ascertain what linkages there are between data and outcomes.
- HCM strategy involves applying the HCM toolkit to unique environments and different settings. It is situational in nature and highly challenging.
- HCM leaders need to be focused on the destination, not just on how you ride the bike.
Feedback from the class included:
“It’s amazing to gain such insight from trailblazers in the field.”
“Jeff was a fantastic guest lecturer.”
“Loved the guest lecture and Jeff’s take on HCM.”
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any other person or entity.
