Accessibility
The future of work is here, and HR leaders are at the centre of shaping what comes next. With evolving workforce expectations, tech advancements, and an increasingly competitive talent market, building a high-performing team in 2025 starts with creating an environment where they can thrive, innovate, and stay engaged.
The question isn’t just how to hire top talent but how to support hiring managers and business leaders in attracting, engaging, and retaining the right people.
Based on market trends and conversations we’re having with top candidates, here are five key areas where HR can make the biggest impact in 2025:
1. Candidates want more than just a job
Compensation alone is no longer enough to attract and retain the best talent. Candidates are looking for roles with meaning, leadership that aligns with their values, and workplaces where they can see their long-term future.
HR can play a key role in ensuring hiring managers can articulate the company’s purpose in a way that resonates with top talent.
How to support hiring managers:
- Define and communicate a clear Employee Value Proposition (EVP) that explains the company’s vision and the impact employees can have
- Develop interview talking points that connect each role to the company’s mission
- Encourage leadership transparency, ensuring employees see how their work contributes to the bigger picture.
2. HR leaders can bridge the gap between DEI goals and leadership action
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) needs to be more than a hiring target. It should be embedded in leadership pathways, career progression, and everyday decision-making.
Many businesses have made progress in hiring diverse talent but struggle to retain and elevate underrepresented employees into leadership roles. HR teams can help turn DEI ambitions into tangible outcomes.
How to embed DEI into leadership:
- Support hiring managers in developing structured career pathways for diverse talent
- Integrate DEI goals into leadership KPIs so progress is measured beyond hiring metrics
- Train managers on inclusive leadership, ensuring decision-making processes value different perspectives
3. Career development is key to retention
HR professionals are seeing it first hand - employees who can’t see a future in their company are the first to leave. Career growth remains one of the top drivers of job satisfaction, yet many businesses lose talent because they fail to communicate internal progression opportunities.
HR can help hiring managers shape career conversations in interviews and performance reviews so candidates and employees feel invested in their future.
How to improve career development strategies:
- Coach hiring managers to highlight career progression in interviews
- Implement structured mentorship and leadership development programs
- Provide internal mobility opportunities so employees can explore new roles within the company before looking elsewhere
4. Psychological safety is a must, and starts with the hiring manager
A strong EVP, career growth, and flexible policies won’t matter if the hiring process falls flat. Candidates remember how they felt during interviews, and hiring managers who are disengaged, inconsistent, or unable to answer key questions are missing the opportunity to convert top talent.
HR leaders can support hiring managers by providing structured interview training and ensuring they are equipped to sell the opportunity, not just assess candidates.
How to elevate the hiring process:
- Develop interview plans to ensure consistency and alignment across teams
- Equip managers with questions focused on values and growth, not just experience
- Educate hiring managers on how to communicate EVP, benefits, and career pathways to candidates
"In 2025, a strong feedback culture is more important than ever, as evolving technologies like AI shift workplace expectations, requiring both team members and leaders to adapt quickly. A psychologically safe environment where feedback is encouraged fosters growth, innovation, and engagement in this era of rapid change. When employees feel valued and motivated, they collaborate more effectively, reskill and upskill with confidence, and generate better ideas - driving continuous improvement. This is vital for organisations to remain relevant and competitive. A culture where feedback is open, respectful, and constructive builds trust, empowering employees to share ideas, voice concerns, and challenge the status quo without fear." - Alex Mathews, Head of People & Culture, Six Degrees
5. Partner collaboratively with a specialist recruiter
Lastly, even if you do all the right things - securing the right talent in today’s market is challenging.
Even with the best internal hiring processes, HR teams don’t have to do it alone. Specialist recruiters bring market insights, deep industry networks, and access to passive candidates - helping hiring managers make informed decisions faster.
The best partnerships are collaborative, with HR and recruiters working together to refine hiring strategies, improve candidate experiences, and secure top talent.
How to collaborate effectively with recruiters:
- Use recruiters as an extension of your team, not a last resort
- Leverage market insights to set realistic hiring expectations
- Ensure recruiters understand your EVP, leadership goals, and cultural fit requirements
“The most successful hiring strategies involve collaboration. HR leaders know their organisation, and consultants bring access to talent and market knowledge - together, that creates the outcomes that make the biggest impact for the business.”
- Natalie Rogers, Executive Consultant, Six Degrees Executive
Final thoughts: Building a high-performing team starts with HR
HR professionals play a critical role in helping businesses attract, retain, and develop top talent. By focusing on purpose-driven work, DEI integration, career progression, a structured hiring process, and strong recruitment partnerships, HR teams can support hiring managers in building teams that thrive in 2025 and beyond.
If you're looking to build a team, find a new leader or curious about any of the above insights - reach out to the team below.
Related
