The Chief People Officer

They used to call it HR Director. Then VP of HR. Then Chief People Officer. The title inflates as the function deflates.

The Chief People Officer’s job is to protect the company from its people. Not the other way around. Every “people program” is a risk mitigation strategy. Employee wellness? Reduces turnover costs. DEI initiative? Reduces lawsuit probability. Engagement survey? Early warning system for attrition.

None of this is for you. It’s about you, it’s near you, it references you, but it is not for you. It’s for the company. The Chief People Officer reports to the CEO, not to the people.

The name is the tell. If the role was for the people, the people would choose who fills it.