Q4 puts every CHRO in the same bind: the business wants a strong close, and the people delivering it are experiencing work and personal holiday commitments are compounding creating exceptional stress. Goals aren't fully met, the calendar is shrinking, and the holiday season adds its own emotional weight — burnout, grief, financial stress, family strain — right when leaders need teams to push hardest.
Trying to manage these forces separately is where most Q4 plans break down. The CHROs who navigate this best don't choose between performance and people — they use recognition as the strategic lever that drives both at once.
In this session, we'll cover:
- The Q4 reality check — where most organizations actually stand on goals heading into the final stretch, and why the usual push tactics backfire this time of year
- The tension every CHRO is managing — how results-pressure and high-emotion collide in Q4, and what it costs when leaders treat them as separate problems
- Recognition as the through-line — a practical framework for using recognition to close performance gaps without ignoring what your people are carrying
Meet the Presenter
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Anita Grantham
Anita Grantham is a nationally recognized human capital strategist, celebrated for creating award-winning workplace cultures that drive performance and innovation. She has built high-performing environments at fast-growing tech firms like Pluralsight, BambooHR and Infusionsoft (Keap), earning recognition from Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For and Great Place to Work. Anita has scaled fast-growth companies from hundreds to thousands of employees across multiple geographies, contributing to successful exits including IPOs, private equity, and venture deals.
As an executive-in-residence, she collaborates with organizations to define mission, vision, and values, align strategies, and foster high-performing cultures. Anita advises boards, CEOs, and management teams, drawing on her deep expertise. As an investor and advisor with High Alpha, she guides purpose-driven startups, focusing on talent and scalable growth. A sought-after speaker, she shares insights on leadership and culture globally. Anita volunteers as a Barista for MyParent Cafe’s ADHD/Dyslexia Village, empowering parents. Her purpose-driven leadership drives transformative impact across industries and communities.
SHRM certification has approved this webinar for 1 PDC toward SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. A program code will be provided at the end of the webinar.