In our latest episode of Blu Thread Conversations, Blu Ivy's Senior Director of Brand and Culture, Fanta Selman, sits down with Dr. Lauren Young, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Travelers. Dive into an inspiring discussion on how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives can drive business impact, foster innovation, and create a sense of belonging within organizations.

Discover how Travelers has embedded DEI into their brand and culture for over 15 years, and gain insights on leadership accountability, measuring success, and the importance of making DEI a core value. Whether you're a leader or a team member, this episode offers valuable takeaways on building a more inclusive and high-performing workplace.

Don't miss this powerful conversation! Listen now and join us in creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Chapters:

(01:28) Dr. Lauren Young is chief diversity and inclusion officer at Travelers

(04:40) How Dr. Young started her career in brand management and marketing

(12:16) Why is diversity is an imperative at Travelers

(14:31) My goal is to make diversity and inclusion synonymous with the Traveler's brand

(15:32) Travelers started its journey in diversity and inclusion in 2020

(16:45) How do you measure success in the short term and the long term?

(25:09) Fanta's episode reflection

Episode References:

Dr. Lauren Young - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurenyoung/

Travelers - https://careers.travelers.com/

Travelers on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/travelers/

Fanta Selman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fantaselman/

James Powell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdpowell/

In today’s episode, we dive into the findings from Blu Ivy's latest whitepaper with co-founder and managing director, Stacy Parker. Discover actionable recommendations for CEOs to mitigate leadership exodus risks and establish a renewed partnership with CHROs and People Leaders. Learn how to create a strategic roadmap for the future and ensure a robust pipeline of top talent. Don't miss this insightful conversation!

Download your copy of whitepaper ''The CHRO and People Leader Crisis: A Call for CEOs to Act" here: https://bluivygroup.com/chro-white-paper/

Chapters:

(02:23) There is a serious leadership and culture crisis at hand

(10:27) What did we learn about what matters most to HR leaders today?

(13:46) How crucial is a compelling EVP for organizations today?

(15:17) Research shows organizations are not static; they're always changing

(16:57) Organizations are seeing shifts in what matters most to talent

(21:30) CEOs need to establish a renewed strategic partnership with CHROs

(22:33) CEOs should have semi-annual C-Suite and Core Leader deep listening sessions

(23:52) Having highly trusted, highly efficient and engaged leaders is competitive advantage

(27:30) There are multiple generations in the workforce right now

(29:58) Blu Ivy launches Employer Brand and Culture Index to help CEOs make decisions

(33:49) Advice for sharing EVP activation across the organization

(38:14) 90% of CHROs say they need more resources or support

(42:01) One piece of advice for CEOs and HR leaders based on this research

Episode Contacts:

· Stacy Parker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyrparker/

· James Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdpowell/

In this episode of Blu Thread Conversations, host James Powell sits down with Stacy Parker, co-founder and Managing Director of Blu Ivy, to discuss the alarming findings of their latest white paper, "The CHRO and People Leaders Crisis: A Call for CEOs to Act."

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF OUR LATEST WHITEPAPER HERE: https://bluivygroup.com/CHRO-white-paper/

Dive deep into the critical challenges CHROs and People Leaders face, including burnout, mental health issues, and a significant drop in strategic focus. This episode is a must-listen for CEOs who need to understand the urgent call to action to support their HR leaders and ensure organizational stability and growth.

Key Takeaways

• Burnout and Mental Health Crisis:

A staggering 58% of CHROs and People Leaders report burnout, mental health challenges, and exhaustion as their top issues. This crisis is exacerbated by the lack of support and resources, leaving HR leaders struggling to maintain their well-being while supporting others in the organization​.

• Strategic Focus Eroded:

Many CHROs are spending less than 10% of their time on strategic initiatives due to the constant need to manage crises and operational emergencies. This shift from strategic planning to immediate issue management poses a significant risk to long-term business transformation and readiness for future challenges​.

• Loneliness and Isolation in Leadership:

CHROs often experience profound loneliness and isolation, unable to share the burdens they carry due to the confidential nature of their work. This isolation contributes to the overall stress and burnout, as they lack a support network within their organizations

• Importance of Listening and Support:

The research highlights the power of listening to CHROs and People Leaders. Many HR leaders feel unheard and unsupported, which contributes to their dissatisfaction and burnout. CEOs must prioritize listening to their HR leaders, understanding their challenges, and providing the necessary support to help them thrive​.

• Alarm Bells for CEOs:

The white paper emphasizes the urgent need for CEOs to reassess their relationship with HR leaders. Establishing high-trust cultures, providing more resources, and ensuring open, honest communication are critical steps to prevent the imminent exodus of CHROs, which could destabilize organizational culture and efficiency.

Episode Chapters:

· (02:52) Blu Ivy's latest white paper focuses on leadership engagement and burnout

· (05:01) The importance of listening in leadership research

· (08:54) CHROs have navigated transformation and crisis over the last few years

· (12:44) 58% of respondents say burnout, mental health, exhaustion is top challenge

· (15:47) CHROs reported spending less than 10% of their time on strategy

· (19:35) A significant portion of CHROs are contemplating leaving their roles, research indicates

· (23:21) How has HR leadership evolved in terms of technology and AI integration?

· (28:08) How important is it for CEOs to reassess their partnership with HR in today's landscape

Episode Contacts:

· Stacy Parker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyrparker/

· James Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdpowell/