#92: How to Foster a Strategic HR Relationship with Alex Seiler

Lead the People

Alex has 15+ years of global experience in the People/HR space. He has spent time working in different industries and for companies like Citi, NBCUniversal and WeWork, amongst others. His specific expertise has centered on creating, transforming and building out systems that foster an equitable, innovative and inclusive workplace culture. He has been a full-time Chief People Officer & Head of HR (for GHJ and Control Risks respectively) and is currently focused on start-up fractional clients as part of his own business, Alex Seiler LLC and as a founding fractional executive at Blackpoint HR. He is also a start-up advisor in the HR tech space, currently partnering with When Insurance, Kindred Minds, Klaar and ChangeEngine.

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Pile it on. An effective HR function can help an organization hire and retain talent, boost productivity, minimize risk, help the business navigate change and growth, and much more.
2. Partner up. Model the type of relationship you want your leaders at every level to have with HR. This includes being proactive, establishing and maintaining trust, and taking a strategic approach and not just a tactical one.
3. Get smart. You’re likely awash in people data, so be sure to read up on what’s happening. Your HR counterparts have employee experience surveys, exit interviews, and other datasets you need to absorb and consider.

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From the Source

“HR is a strategic partner, so if you're just leveraging them just for administration, you're really missing out on how they can actually help you drive the business, its outcomes and overall company culture and success.”

“Underfunding or under-resourcing an HR team brings you back to more of that transactional, reactive type behavior instead of driving that proactive, strategic type behavior.”

“More and more, CPOs have left full-time roles and have gone fractional like myself because of things like burnout, too much on their plate, not enough support and not enough resources.”

“If you haven't necessarily had the greatest experiences with the people function—or they felt more administrative—if you go to a new organization, make sure to give them a chance especially if you're hearing or seeing things done differently to what you've experienced before.”

Connect with Alex

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexseiler/

Wellness event (10 Oct 2024): https://motivesmet.lpages.co/wmhd-wellbeing-workshop2/