As we approach 2025, we’ve summarized the most critical HR trends based on insights from Gartner’s annual “Top 5 Priorities for HR Leaders” report. This report, which captures feedback from over 1,400 HR leaders across 60+ countries, highlights the evolving role HR will play in organizational transformations on the horizon.
The key focus areas identified include leadership and management development, organizational culture, strategic workforce planning, change management, and the rise of HR technology. These priorities are essential for HR leaders as they look to build more inclusive, efficient, and innovative solutions in the workplace. The emphasis on “strategic workforce planning” in particular underscores a shift away from short-term workforce management toward a more talent-focused, long-term perspective. With only 36% of leaders believing their current leadership development programs are ready for the future, there’s a clear need for new leadership approaches and innovation-driven planning.
According to Gartner, 66% of HR leaders report that workforce planning remains numbers-focused, and 61% note that these plans only extend a year into the future. This short term view highlights the need for a more strategic and developmental long-term approach. Additionally, 73% of employees report experiencing “change fatigue,” as traditional change management practices introduce new changes before employees can fully adapt to prior ones. In addition, 74% percent of employees feel their managers are ineffective at navigating these transitions, an indicator that HR must take on a more proactive role in change management.
Another major focus in the report is the role of technology in HR. Over half of HR leaders say current technology isn’t fully meeting the needs of businesses. With the growing recognition of innovative technologies like AI, solutions such as chatbots and document automation hold the potential to make HR more functional and effective. However, for these technologies to be successful, HR must prioritize enhancing user experience and ensuring smooth technological adaptation across the organizations.
