September 27, 2016
Getting a Seat at the Table: HR Leaders Using Effective Equity Strategies in the Boardroom
Our popular “Meet the Speaker” series, featuring interviews with speakers at the 24th Annual NASPP Conference, is great way to get to know our many distinguished speakers and find out a little more about their sessions in advance of the Conference.
For today’s “Meet the Speaker” interview, we feature Josh Henke of Compensation & Benefit Solutions, who will lead the session “Getting a Seat at the Table: HR Leaders Using Effective Equity Strategies in the Boardroom.”
Here is what Josh had to say:
NASPP: What is the focus of your panel?
Josh: Many times, HR functions and HR leadership are viewed as administrative positions that don’t offer much in the form of company strategy and vision. Our panel removes this stigma from HR Leadership by offering techniques and approaches to make HR more strategic to the company, valuable to the C-Suite, and integral in the board room. This is a presentation about using long-term incentive equity to leverage and increase HR’s internal worth.
NASPP: What is a common mistake HR leaders make and how can this be avoided?
Josh: HR leaders often fail to insert themselves and offer up strategic solutions to company operational issues. They become reactive to the company’s talent needs instead of getting out ahead of the problems before they become an issue. Companies must encourage their HR leaders to get out of their comfort zone, be more hands-on as issues arise, and shift their focus toward operational alignment.
NASPP: What is the most innovative response you’ve seen from a company experiencing a talent crisis?
Josh: We spent three years working with a client to design executive compensation programs without any HR involvement. The Chairman & CEO and CFO did not believe in the strategic nature of HR. Due to this, the Board had no interaction with HR. The company started experiencing a market downturn, a talent shortage and a surge of shareholder activism. Finally, the senior HR leader stepped up to offer solutions to the talent shortages, engaged with operational leaders to understand their needs, and created a strategic vision for talent going forward which the Board utilized to calm the activists. The HR Leader was promoted to the SVP Level and started attending all Compensation Committee meetings as a valued resource.
NASPP: What are your favorite restaurants in Houston?
Josh: Being a Houstonian, I love the variety of restaurants and cuisines offered in our diverse city. Close to downtown and by cuisine:
- Tex-Mex: The Original Mama Ninfa’s on Navigation
- Sushi: Uchi
- Italian: Damian’s
- American Outdoor: Moon Tower Inn
- Fine Dining: Oxheart
Don’t miss Josh’s session, “Getting a Seat at the Table: HR Leaders Using Effective Equity Strategies in the Boardroom,” at the NASPP Conference!
About the NASPP Conference
The 24th Annual NASPP Conference will be held from October 24-27 in Houston. This year’s program features close to 100 sessions on today’s most timely topics in stock and executive compensation; check out the full agenda and register today!