Chief human resources officers in 2025 are facing a “delicate balancing act,” according to Korn Ferry’s 2025 CHRO Survey Insights.
CHROs are being tasked with supporting business momentum while driving organizational transformation, balancing efficiency with growth and short-term wins with long-term needs, Korn Ferry wrote.
The consulting company surveyed 756 HR leaders across more than 50 industries — including 43 healthcare CHROs — in several countries, with 60% based in North America.
Five things to know about the CHRO role today:
1. Strategic advisers: About 60% of CHROs said their CEO frequently turns to them for advice on key issues. While 33% of their time is spent advising the CEO or leadership team, 30% is focused on leading organizational transformation efforts. Managing HR functions and people-related issues takes up 22% and 15% of their time, respectively.
2. Evolving leadership profiles: CHROs’ average age has increased by five years, and there is a growing demand for HR leaders with diverse backgrounds, according to the report. Organizations are hiring CHROs with experience in 3.5 industries, on average.
3. 2025 priorities: The main focuses for HR leaders include culture and organization change, leadership succession, enhancing HR capabilities, competitive people strategies, and skills development. To achieve these priorities, Korn Ferry recommends that CHROs strengthen adaptability, cross-functional collaboration and operational excellence.
4. Top external challenges: Economic uncertainty ranked as the leading external factor affecting business in the next two years, with 60% of respondents agreeing. Labor and skills shortages and technological changes followed at 39% and 37%, respectively.
5. Strategic business priorities: Growth and market expansion emerged as the No. 1 strategic priority for HR leaders, with 69% identifying it as their top focus for the next two years. Cost efficiency and productivity followed at 56%.
