As Randstad Sourceright prepared last year’s Talent Trends Report, we projected that 2020 would be a landmark year for futurists. As it turns out, it was a most transformative year for just about everyone.

For human capital leaders, there were numerous unprecedented challenges — from developing safety guidelines and protocols to keeping at-home workers engaged to revamping corporate communications strategies. Through it all, HR leaders became a guiding force for their organizations by enabling their people to operate remotely and keeping talent engaged. As CNBC pointed out, the coronavirus has clearly elevated the importance of CHROs during this time.

Fast-forward to a new year: in many ways HR is driving business success as we pivot into a transformed global economy. Sectors severely affected by lockdowns and restrictions, such as hospitality and travel, are turning to their chief people officers for ever-changing guidance on operating safely and planning for the eventual return of business as usual. Companies fortunate enough to prosper during the pandemic are leaning on HR to enable growth through massive hiring initiatives, such as the one undertaken by Amazon.

Regardless of whether your company is hiring or retrenching, the C-suite is counting on you for leadership. At no time has workforce strategy been more critical to business outcomes than it is today, and you’ll need to elevate HR’s function further to meet and exceed expectations. Your biggest challenges may still lie ahead. How will you rewrite your talent strategy playbook for 2021?