On November 27, Oneida Associés and La Garanderie Avocats gathered nearly 60 professionals at a conference dedicated to a crucial topic for organizations: How can the HR Director truly influence the decisions of the Executive Committee?

In a context marked by profound social transformations, restructurings, internationalization, and increased regulatory pressure, the ability of HR Directors to influence strategy appears more than ever as a lever for performance and risk management.

High-level speakers to shed light on the issues
We had the pleasure of hearing insights from:

• Audrey Richard, HR Director Canal+ Group, President ANDRH

• Bruno Laforge, HR Director (Renault, Cap Gemini, Sanofi, Geoservices)

• Jean-Paul Charlez, HR Director (Etam, Casino), Honorary President ANDRH, Senior Advisor Oneida/Oasys

• Audrey Guidez, HR Director (Iso&Face, France Télévisions, Alienor, Alliance Forêts Bois)

Key takeaways
The discussions highlighted several key learnings:

• The influential HR Director establishes a constant link between human challenges, operational performance, and risk management.

• Mastery of the legal framework significantly strengthens their credibility in strategic decision-making.

• Real proximity to the field allows for earlier identification of weak signals and anticipation of necessary responses.

• Today, the Executive Committee expects the HR Director to provide perspective, explore alternative scenarios, ideally quantified, far beyond simple operational management.

• Operating in an international environment or under LBO requires increased agility and adaptability.

• Finally, the HR Director’s influence relies on essential personal qualities, highlighted by all speakers:

  • Authenticity

  • Consistency between words and actions

  • Courage in complex or sensitive situations

  • Adaptability in constantly changing environments

In conclusion
The HR Director’s influence is built over time: through analysis, legal rigor, anticipation, but also through a consistent, embodied, and deeply human approach.

We warmly thank our speakers, as well as our facilitators Philippe Grabli and Guy Alfosea, for the quality of the discussions, and all the HR professionals present.