How to Make People Matter in Business — Even When These Truths Exist

Let’s be honest. Most companies say “people are our greatest asset,” but then act like HR is a liability. CEOs view HR as a checkbox. CCOs see brand as a consumer facing experience CFOs see it as an expense with no ROI. Culture is too often shaped by who signs the paychecks — not by shared purpose or people-first practices. If we want to build workplaces that truly work — for employees and the bottom line — we have to start by telling the truth. Here are just a few of the hard realities leaders face every day: Feedback rarely makes it to the people who need it most. Company values vanish during budget cuts. Engagement surveys often smooth over deeper issues or go performatively addressed. Top talent leaves Exits are often predictable and preventable. Workplace conflicts often start with compensation inequities. And HR wins? They're mostly invisible. These aren't symptoms of bad intent. They’re symptoms of misaligned priorities. So how do we make people really mat...