Good morning!

Today, we're taking a look at the power of saying "yes." Also in this issue:

⚖️ HR leaders set the tone for work-life balance
📌 Survey: Men also seek flexibility, work-life balance
📤 Companies explore the chief productivity role

Here's a look at what we're seeing, what it means, what we're anticipating, what's resonating and what you think about today’s workplace. Let's get SMART!

Stephanie Kramer began her career at Chanel, advancing from entry-level roles that involved tasks such as making coffee and Xeroxing, to eventually becoming the chief human resources officer at L'Oréal US. Kramer attributes her rise to consistently embracing even the smallest and least glamorous assignments, a habit rooted in the work ethic instilled by her grandparents. Kramer steadily unlocked new opportunities, which propelled her ascent through the beauty industry.

Today, she applies a more strategic approach, prioritizing tasks that energize her and delegating or deferring others. Kramer advises professionals to be honest about their capacity, delegate when appropriate, and recognize that saying no, or "not yet," can be essential for sustainable growth and well-being."Being very clear about when you can or cannot do something, or when there is someone better suited to do the job, which I think also takes a lot of humility," she says.

HR professionals play a crucial role in fostering work-life balance by setting an example of authenticity and transparency, says Sam DeMase, a career expert at ZipRecruiter. She emphasizes the importance of outcome-oriented work rather than focusing on hours and highlights the need for flexible work arrangements to meet the expectations of younger generations.

A WorkL survey challenges the common narrative that only women seek flexibility at work, revealing that men also desire better work-life balance, particularly through hybrid or remote work. The survey finds that men are increasingly comfortable expressing workplace needs, reflecting broader societal discussions about male well-being. However, a well-being gap remains, as women are more likely to consider leaving their jobs because of caregiving responsibilities and inconsistent flexibility.

Organizations are increasingly considering the chief productivity officer role as a way to bridge the gap between people and technology, with early adopters such as Moderna experimenting with the position. The CPO is seen as a response to the need for integrated management of human and digital work, aiming to drive measurable business outcomes by aligning HR, IT and business strategy.

I still struggle with work-life balance even though I work remotely. Sometimes I hide the computer so I don't log on to check email at night! Do you have any better tips for work-life balance?

As always, let me know if there's a subject area or topic you want to see covered more. 

If you like CHRO, hate CHRO or want to submit a story, email me at nina.snyder@futurenet.com. The kindest compliment you can pay CHRO SmartBrief is to send this link to your friends and colleagues so they can subscribe. Thanks!