Q3 CHRO Economic Outlook: Uncertainty Remains Even as Outlook Rebounds
After a sharp shift toward pessimism in Q2, HR executives are now showing a more balanced economic outlook. Fewer leaders rate current conditions as poor or very poor, and positive ratings have returned to Q1 2025 levels. While this shift suggests a cooling of last quarter's intense concerns, the large swings in the past two quarters indicate feelings of uncertainty among HR executives.
In this episode of People + Strategy, Felicia Robinson, CHRO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, reflects on how HR can steer organizations through change with clarity and heart. Robinson shares her approach to translating a company’s mission into meaningful employee experiences — from nurturing internal talent to weaving purpose into every role.
The most effective C-suites are powered by leaders who collaborate seamlessly across boundaries. The Fall 2025 edition of the People + Strategy journal highlights the strategies CHROs use today to effectively strengthen connections with their CEO, CFO, CIO, and boards to drive influence, shape strategy, and transform the workplace.
HR executives continue to navigate an uncertain employment landscape in Q3, even as some expectations have rebounded slightly from Q2 2025 lows. In this environment, HR leaders must stay focused on high-impact strategies such as reskilling, performance optimization, and retention, while maintaining clear communication and thoughtful planning to support employee morale.
EN:Insights Forum
Join the SHRM Executive Network on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at noon ET for an exclusive discussion on SHRM’s CHRO Business Outlook — a quarterly research program that captures HR executives’ perspectives on current and future employment and economic conditions. This session offers a unique opportunity to reflect on how the landscape has evolved over the past three years and gain forward-looking insights into what HR leaders expect in 2026. Key findings, including trends from SHRM’s Hiring Difficulty Index and Retention Difficulty Index, will be explored to help HR leaders anticipate challenges, seize emerging opportunities, and strengthen strategic workforce planning for the year ahead.
Executive Support
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EN:Assembly
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Knowledge Advisors
SHRM’s HR Knowledge Advisors offer guidance, real-life personal/professional experiences and resources to assist you with your HR-related inquiries.
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Executive Networking Platform
Join EN Connect to engage with other HR leaders to share insights, collaborate and explore emerging trends that can uncover innovative strategies for future opportunities.
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Get in Touch
Have questions or need assistance in making the most of your SHRM Executive Network membership? Contact our team by email or by phone at 888-602-3270.
Trends & Thought Leadership
SHRM’s new CHRO Priorities and Perspectives report examines the key strategic goals of CHROs in 2025, the range of challenges they face, and their visions for the future of work. The report was based on insights collected in December 2024 from 212 CHROs spanning diverse organizational sizes and industries
This brief highlights key results from SHRM’s 2025 benchmarking data. Drawing on key insights from HR executives and leaders, these results showcase metrics that are pertinent to CHROs and others who lead their organization’s HR function. In this data brief, we examine several trends present in the data and their implications for CHROs and the world of work.
Balancing a career and caregiving presents unique challenges for an increasing segment of the workforce—but the right support can transform challenge into opportunity. SHRM thought leadership, capturing the experiences of over 5,800 survey respondents, uncovers the real-world impact of caregiving responsibilities on well-being, performance, and company success.
No matter how successful your organization is, there will come a time when an HR initiative doesn’t get the results you’re looking for. These are the moments to find untapped leverage points to help you chart a new course, author Dan Heath told attendees of the Executive Network Experience (ENX) at SHRM25.
Upcoming In-Person Experiences
Registration to select in-person events are included with your SHRM Executive Network membership. To ensure an exclusive and elevated experience, seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
September 2026
Indianapolis, IN
Join us in Indianapolis, IN, to explore transformative approaches to HR leadership and key strategies with expert-led discussions, and opportunities to network with industry leaders.
November 15 – 18, 2026
Nashville, TN
Step into a an immersive development experience designed for leaders to think boldly, connect deeply, and elevate their impact.
ENX | June 2026
SHRM26 | June 16 – 19, 2026
Orlando, FL
Exclusively for SHRM Executive Network members, this in-person event brings together the top tier of HR leadership for advanced executive programming, peer-to-peer connection, and conversations you won’t find anywhere else.