Preparing HR leaders for the age of AI

As artificial intelligence takes on more administrative work in HR, Tina Thibodeau sees it not as a threat, but as an opportunity to elevate the profession.

“AI in our view is not replacing the HR job. It’s giving it an upgrade,” says Tina, who is CEO of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources New Brunswick. “It’s going to elevate the role of HR professionals, positioning them to contribute at a more strategic level and have a stronger voice at the executive table.”

That shift makes the human side of leadership increasingly important.

HR professionals are already responsible for helping leaders and teams navigate change, develop people and deal with increasingly complex workplace challenges. As their own roles become more strategic, Tina believes they also need to continue developing themselves as leaders.

“You sometimes forget that leadership is always part of your role,” she says. 

Leadership development can enhance not only an HR professional’s own career, but also the people and teams around them.

It’s a need the association is working with Vision Coaching to address.

This September, it will offer Vision’s Using the Coach Approach for HR, led by HR professional and Vision coach Jeff Green. 

The pilot program introduces coaching skills HR professionals can put to work in their own roles – helping them ask better questions, develop others and approach workplace conversations with a coaching mindset. The program also provides Continuing Professional Development hours for designated professionals.

The collaboration extends to the CPHR Atlantic Conference in Saint John, N.B. from Oct. 27 to 29, where Vision Coaching is a sponsor and Jeff will be a speaker.

For Tina, the larger issue is preparing HR professionals not simply for today’s workplace, but for what comes next.

“It’s not just about the tools for the job that they have now,” she says. “It’s about ensuring that you have the tools for the job that the future holds for the HR profession.”