Reflections from the HRPro Conference — October 17, 2025
Speaker: David D’Souza, CIPD Director of Profession
Report by HRPro.be.
On October 17, 2025, leaders and practitioners from across Belgium and beyond gathered in Brussels for the HRPro Conference, a moment to reflect not only on what is changing in the world of work, but also on what this means for the HR profession itself. Among the voices on stage was David D’Souza, Director of Profession at the CIPD, who offered a provocative and generous exploration of where HR stands today — and where it must go next.
What follows is a reflection on the ideas he shared.
How do we respond to change?
The HR profession stands at a critical point. For years, we’ve talked about the future of work, the impact of technology, the evolving expectations of employees, and the pressure on organizations to adapt. Today, that future is no longer something distant. It is arriving — unevenly, unpredictably, and sometimes uncomfortably — but it is here.
The question for HR is no longer what is happening. It is: How do we respond as a profession?
Start With the Problem — Not the HR Solution
One of the biggest challenges in HR is the instinct to “sell” HR initiatives — engagement programs, well-being plans, culture strategies — rather than beginning with the most pressing concerns of the business.
Consider the HR team that spent two years trying to convince senior leaders to care about employee engagement, only to fail because they framed it as their agenda. But the moment they instead asked leaders, “What problems are you struggling with?” the conversation changed. Absenteeism, motivation, customer service — suddenly, the same engagement strategy was not only relevant, but essential.
The lesson is simple:
We create value when we start where the organization is, not where we would like it to be.
AI Is Both Opportunity and Threat — But Ignoring It Is Not an Option
Technology is not just another trend. It is reshaping work and reshaping what HR is expected to do. And yet, reactions to AI are polarized:
- Some HR professionals are quietly hoping AI fails because it threatens territory.
- Others are rushing to implement it without thinking about ethics, fairness, transparency or unintended consequences.
Both approaches miss the point.
The real task is to experiment thoughtfully — neither rejecting technology nor romanticizing it. AI will change how value is created in organizations. The only meaningful question is whether HR wants to lead that change or be shaped by it.
We Overestimate Technology in the Short Term and Underestimate It in the Long Term
Most predictions about AI are wrong because they are too fast and too confident. The transformation of work happens gradually and then suddenly. That means HR has a window — right now — to learn, adapt, design, test, and prepare.
If we wait, we will be reacting rather than shaping.
What HR Must Do Differently Now
At the CIPD, we describe great HR practice as being:
- Principles-led
Guided by ethics, fairness, dignity, and the belief that work should enable people to thrive — not just produce output. - Evidence-based
Not copying what others do. Not chasing trends.
Being curious, testing, learning, and adjusting based on data and outcomes. - Outcomes-driven
Valuing contribution, not activity.
HR should not be rewarded for working hard — but for making a meaningful difference.
Just as a locksmith is paid to open the door quickly, not to struggle with the lock, HR’s value is not in effort but in effect.
The Identity of the Profession Matters
In a world of accelerating change, we need to be:
- Humble enough to rethink our assumptions and let go of practices that no longer serve.
- Confident enough to assert our expertise in how people, organizations, culture, and change actually work.
HR is not simply “common sense about people.”
It is a deep professional discipline — and the world needs that discipline now more than ever.
Invest in Yourself as the Profession Evolves
What made us effective five years ago will not be enough five years from now.
We cannot support organizations through change if we ourselves remain unchanged.
Professional development is no longer a luxury; it is survival.
A Closing Reflection
The world of work is changing. Technology will play a role. But at the heart of every organization are people — their choices, their capabilities, their relationships, their meaning and motivation.
And HR is the profession that understands people, systems, and change.
The world needs that.
The world needs you — not as administrators, not as compliance officers, but as expert stewards of work and work’s future.
The future is arriving.
Let’s meet it with humility and confidence.
Report by hrpro.be
