In a private equity portfolio company, few relationships matter more than the one between the CHRO and the CEO. When this partnership is strong—rooted in trust, clarity, and strategic alignment—the CHROPE earns the true “seat at the table,” and HR becomes a force multiplier for value creation. When it’s weak, misalignment spreads quickly across culture, talent, and execution.
Building this partnership requires intention, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to understand the CEO’s operating lens. Here are the foundational principles CHROPEs should embrace to strengthen this critical relationship.
1. Seek the Wisdom Behind the CEO’s Directives
Even when a CEO’s request feels abrupt, unconventional, or unclear, assume there is a rationale beneath it. CEOs in PE-backed environments:
- See pressures others don’t
- Manage investor expectations
- Carry responsibility for performance, cash flow, runway, and risk
- Make decisions with access to privileged information
Before reacting or pushing back, take time to understand:
- What’s driving the ask?
- What underlying business pressure is influencing the directive?
- How does this fit into the CEO’s broader vision or priorities?
When you work to understand their intention, you demonstrate respect, collaboration, and strategic alignment—not friction.
2. Prepare for Strong Opinions—and Look for the Intent Beneath Them
CEOs often have intense, immovable viewpoints. This isn’t ego—it’s pressure, responsibility, and instinct accumulated from years of leadership.
A CHROPE must learn to:
- Recognize that strong opinions usually reflect deep conviction
- Look beyond style to understand the strategic intent
- Stay steady in moments where tension arises
- Align efforts around the broader organizational objective
Seeing the intention beneath the intensity helps you stay aligned—even when your perspectives initially differ.
3. Bring Judgment and Objectivity—That’s Why You Were Hired
Your CEO chose you for your:
- experience
- judgment
- people instincts
- operational clarity
- ability to navigate complexity
To honor that trust, you must operate with objectivity, not emotion.
That means:
- assessing situations without bias
- removing personal attachment
- presenting level-headed, thoughtful recommendations
- responding to conflict without over-identifying with outcomes
Consistently operating from a place of steady judgment reinforces your value as a trusted advisor—not just an HR operator.
4. Share Your Perspective Clearly—But Accept When the CEO Decides Differently
Data-driven recommendations are central to the CHROPE role. You should:
- voice your viewpoint
- bring data, evidence, and risk framing
- offer alternatives
- articulate downstream impacts
But you must also remember:
Being overruled is not a failure—it is a natural part of executive leadership.
CEOs balance factors you may not see, including board dynamics, investor expectations, and financial constraints. Your job is to influence with clarity, then support the final decision with professionalism.
This balance—confidence paired with humility—is a hallmark of elite CHROPE leadership.
Final Thoughts
A strong CHROPE–CEO relationship is built on trust, mutual respect, and shared commitment to the company’s future. When you:
- seek the wisdom behind directives
- interpret intent beneath strong opinions
- lead with objectivity
- express your perspective with confidence
- remain aligned even when overruled
…you establish yourself as a strategic partner—not a functional lead.
By embracing these principles, you position yourself as a critical asset to both the CEO and the organization, strengthening a partnership that drives performance, culture, and long-term success.
