Redefining HR’s role in 2026

Reflecting on how the function is changing, a human resources and legal expert has suggested ways that HR practitioners can adapt amid myriad changes to the profession in recent years.

In a recent HR Leader podcast episode, NetApp executive vice-president, chief administrative officer, and corporate secretary Beth O’Callahan (pictured) revealed how she believes HR departments can succeed in an evolving HR landscape, providing some practical takeaways for HR practitioners.

No more ‘command and control’

O’Callahan said there has been a shift from a “command and control” approach to one where HR helps with intergenerational issues by “creating understanding for leaders and also across teams about how best to communicate and approach those differences”.

She identified HR’s new role in “creating understanding for leaders and also across teams about how best to communicate and approach those differences”, in an era of multigenerational workplaces.

Speaking about her involvement in the company as a leader for both its HR and legal departments, O’Callahan said that as the departments have several intersections, the collaboration between departments “helps break down those silos and also reduce barriers to execution”.

She recognised the issues that organisations face in the AI transformation for finding the best approach with AI. O’Callahan believes that leaders need to be as “open and honest” as possible and that HR should confront AI as “something that we’re going in together as an unknown”.

“We all have a responsibility to make sure that we all feel there’s room to experiment, that we have the opportunity to make mistakes and try out,” she said.

Measured transparency

In addition, she said HR has a crucial role to play in “encouraging both inclusive leadership and also making sure that the organisation’s culture is strong and driving the right outcomes that the business is looking for” to support the health of the organisation and support leaders in driving better results in their teams.

O’Callahan stressed that HR can help leaders navigate the path of understanding when it is best to play their cards close to their chest and other times when it’s best to share information with their employees.

She said this balance is “conducive to team building, building confidence and actually having people feel comfortable”.

“Leaders aren’t necessarily expected to be experts … going on that journey together as a team can be very bonding and productive,” she said.