HR Leaders Why HR Must Understand the Business First
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May 8, 2025 Stephanie Werner-Dietz, Executive Vice President of Human Resources at ArcelorMittal, shares her unique transition from the tech sector to manufacturing. She emphasizes the critical need for HR to understand business dynamics and engage frontline workers. Stephanie discusses building trust through effective communication, the importance of immersing in business operations, and the balance between digital transformation and workforce needs. She also highlights the significance of scheduling reflection time for better decision-making and overall well-being in HR leadership.
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Learning by Immersion
- Stephanie transitioned from Nokia (tech) to ArcelorMittal (manufacturing) and spent months traveling globally to understand the business.
- She prioritized listening and learning deeply about operations and people to inform strategy.
Deep Business Understanding Matters
- Truly understanding a business goes beyond just profits to include daily operations, leadership challenges, and employee realities.
- HR must tailor solutions to business units rather than applying one-size-fits-all approaches.
Earn Trust by Delivering
- Approach leaders by affirming that HR is there to make their lives easier, not to add burden.
- After hearing their needs, deliver on promises promptly to build ongoing trust.