WHY LEADERS NEED TO CONSTANTLY EXPAND THEIR THINKING

BETWEEN THE EVER-SHIFTING LANDSCAPE AND THE SHORTAGE OF TALENT, PEOPLE LEADERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS NEED TO KEEP BROADENING THEIR PERSPECTIVES AND RETHINKING TRADITIONAL SOLUTIONS. LAURA KOHLER, SVP HR, STEWARDSHIP, & SUSTAINABILITY FOR KOHLER CO., TALKS ABOUT THE DEMANDS OF TODAY’S WORKPLACE

- Mastufa Ahmed

Laura Elizabeth Kohler, the fourth-generation leader of her family’s 150-year-old manufacturing company, is passionate about driving purposeful change in our workplace and world. Kohler Co. is one of the oldest and largest privately held companies in the U.S., with a global workforce of 36,000, and counts social impact and sustainability among its longstanding values.

We must continue to invest in the remaining associates who may need different types of support to grow their careers, have healthy lifestyles, and stay with us over time

As SVP HR, Stewardship, & Sustainability, as well as a member of the Board of Directors, Laura has spent over two decades bringing together people leadership and social impact championship in Kohler Co.’s approach to how it does business. She leads with a vision to enhance the workplace experience and create an environment where all associates can achieve their full potential. And as a founding member of Kohler’s Executive Leadership Diversity Board, she believes in celebrating diversity, leading with inclusion, and upholding equity for all. Her action in recent years can be seen in the establishment of Kohler’s Business Resource Groups, enhanced diversity recruitment strategies, retention and development opportunities for diverse talent, equitable health, benefit, and well-being offerings, and more.

In an exclusive interaction with People Matters, Laura shares her thoughts about the opportunities and challenges of the present day.

What are the top new challenges in the post-pandemic workplace today? How should business and HR leaders tackle them?