HP Shares Leadership Strategies for Healthier Work Relationships

In a recent Next Practices Weekly session, Kristy Feldkamp, SVP of Talent & Learning at HP, and Daanish Ahmad, Head of Employee Communications at HP, joined i4cp’s Tom Stone and Pat Murakami to discuss insights from HP’s Work Relationship Index—a global research initiative examining the state of workplace well-being. With only 28% of employees worldwide reporting a healthy relationship with work, the conversation focused on actionable strategies to create better work experiences through personalization, AI integration, and leadership evolution.

The discussion centered on the shifting dynamics of the workplace, where employees increasingly seek more personalized work experiences, greater flexibility, and meaningful leadership. HP’s research highlighted a growing demand for autonomy, with 95% of knowledge workers expressing unique preferences for how they work best.

Additionally, the conversation explored the role of AI as an enabler, not a threat, to workplace well-being, revealing that employees who frequently use AI tend to have a healthier relationship with work. The conversation underscored the critical role of leadership, noting that while empathy is a key driver of engagement, only 28% of employees feel their leaders demonstrate it effectively.

Key topics of discussion:

• The rise of personalized work experiences: Employees increasingly expect work to fit into their lives, not the other way around. HP’s research found that 87% of knowledge workers would be willing to trade part of their salary for greater flexibility. Organizations that offer tailored learning, flexible schedules, and hybrid options will have a competitive edge.

• AI as a tool for workplace well-being: Contrary to concerns about AI displacing jobs, HP’s findings reveal that employees who regularly use AI report higher levels of job satisfaction. However, there’s a gap between leaders and employees regarding AI training—leaders assume AI literacy is widespread, while employees feel underprepared. HP is bridging this gap through AI education programs and sandbox environments for experimentation.

• The leadership empathy challenge: Employees want leaders who are trustworthy, empathetic, and authentic, yet HP’s research found that most employees don’t experience empathy from their managers. Interestingly, female leaders reported higher confidence in their ability to lead with empathy compared to their male counterparts, prompting deeper exploration into leadership development.

• Building trust in a changing workplace: Employees don’t leave companies; they leave managers. Leadership remains the #1 driver of a healthy work relationship, and organizations must prioritize human skills development in leadership training. HP is embedding psychological safety, trust-building, and communication skills into its leadership programs to help managers foster stronger workplace relationships.

As organizations navigate the future of work, one thing is clear: workplace well-being isn’t just about technology or policy—it’s about people. By prioritizing personalization, AI literacy, and leadership evolution, companies can create environments where employees thrive. HP’s research provides a clear blueprint for organizations looking to improve their culture and engagement.

Watch the full webinar recording to dive deeper into these insights, and be sure to register for upcoming Next Practices Weekly sessions to stay ahead of the latest HR and talent trends.