Is HR’s Strategic Role at Risk? What the Data Tells Us, And What to Do About It with Will Howard & David Hawthorne

HR Superstars

HR teams are moving from external hiring to internal impact.

Will Howard, Practice Lead at McLean & Company, shares the latest research behind HR’s shift in priorities, showing why retention and leadership now take the lead. David Hawthorne, Chief People Officer at AnchorPoint Management, brings a real-world lens to the data. He explains how to move from reactive to strategic, why data literacy matters, and how to rethink people leadership from the ground up. Together, they explore how HR can stay relevant by aligning with business goals and building the kind of leadership that drives results.

Join us as we discuss:

(00:00) Meet HR Superstars: Will Howard & David Hawthorne

(01:30) What is McLean & Company's HR Trends Report

(04:29) Will Howard breaks down the new data

(09:52) Turning HR’s reactive response into a proactive strategy

(11:51) The risk of HR losing strategic ground

(18:52) Data literacy as an opportunity for HR impact

(27:12) Rethinking leadership and career paths

Resources:

For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo.

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Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/

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Will Howard’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamjhoward/

David Hawthorne’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedhawthorne/

McLean & Company - https://hr.mcleanco.com/

Anchor Point Management Group - https://www.anchorpointmg.com/