Last month Mona Stussig, Chief of Staff at Inter.link, attended the HUG Personio event in Berlin, where People & Culture professionals from various industries met to discuss challenges, share insights and find inspiration.  
 
With Personio being Inter.link’s HR software solution of choice, Mona appreciated seeing them facilitate open discussion when it comes to major topics in the world of work. 

A Glance at the Event Topics 

What themes were explored at HUG 2024? Artificial Intelligence, Leadership, Change, and People were all explored across a multitude of insightful presentations and panel sessions. 
 
This included:
– Actionable Insights for Better Decision Making
– Bridging the gap: The power of multigenerational teamwork
– Making HR a Leadership Powerhouse – How People & Culture Departments Can Shape Leadership Culture
– Recruiting Co-Intelligence: The future of human capital in the age of AI. 

The Importance of Empathetic Leadership 

One of the key takeaways from the event was the critical importance of empathetic leadership as this can make or break employee engagement.  

Effective leadership is about more than just managing—it is about creating clarity, energizing teams, showing genuine care for individuals and challenging people to grow. These are the pillars that bind employees to their organizations and build a strong and committed workforce.  

The Role of AI in the Future of Work 

Another highlight of the event was the discussion on AI and its role in the future of work. A memorable insight was: “AI won’t replace you, but a person using AI will.”  

As AI becomes more advanced, it is important to recognize that while it can do many things, it lacks the ability to think critically, to connect the dots or to move people emotionally through storytelling and values. It was a reminder that human qualities—empathy, creativity, and emotional intelligence—are irreplaceable, but that the use of AI can enhance productivity. 

The Evolving Role of People & Culture Within Organizations 

Mona also found the discussions around the evolving role of People & Culture within organizations inspiring. The consensus was that People & Culture should no longer be viewed as a support function but as a key strategic partner to the C-suite. People & Culture is driving initiatives that impact culture, employee retention and with that overall business success.  

Mona left the event with valuable insights and fresh energy, underlining her belief in the power of leadership, culture, and that human connection is essential.