Business Book Awards 2026 Shortlisted in People, Culture and Management category

‘I don’t feel like I’m adding value. I’m not utilized or appreciated for my capability and skills, and I don’t know how to change that.’

Sound familiar?

People People tells the story of Joanna, an experienced Chief HR Officer who is struggling in the role. She’s lonely, underappreciated, and is reaching a crunch point over whether to continue in the role or do something else completely.

To turn things around, she goes to a coach, Nigel, who introduces the CHRO Impact framework.

By following Joanna’s story, and working through the CHRO framework alongside her, you too can reach your full potential as a CHRO, and become happier in the process.

Tom Emery is a People Performance Consultant, speaker, podcast host, and author, with over 20 years’ experience working in human resource management. This has included the formulation, design, and delivery of people strategies, talent, leadership, and C-suite development, together with team and executive coaching to CEO level. He has a deep curiosity about what makes people tick and enjoys supporting people and organizations to achieve their full potential.

Through his business, HEX, Tom supports individuals, teams, and organizations, to reach their full potential through coaching, mentoring, and consultancy services.

Chock full of simple, useful tools and approaches that will be particularly helpful for first timers, or anyone that wants to review or accelerate effectiveness and engagement working in a top HR role – Amazon 5*

A brilliant and practical book, filled with loads of gems! – Amazon 5*

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• About the author
• Introduction
• How to use this book
• The characters in this story
• Part 1: Prologue
  • The background to the story
    • Breaking point
    • Positive actions
    • The first steps to change
• Part 2: The CHRO Impact framework
  • Chapter 1: Core mindset: Being purposeful
    • What is my why?
    • Where do I spend my time?
  • Chapter 2: Skill one: A commercial explorer
    • Exploring the business
    • The external market
  • Chapter 3: Skill two: Expert in field
    • A tricky issue
    • Coaching others
    • Using data as insights
  • Chapter 4: Skill three: Leader of HR
    • The team contract
  • Chapter 5: Persona one: HR talent enabler
    • Developing the team – the magic questions
  • Chapter 6: Persona two: Trusted partner
    • The CEO
    • The ExCo
    • The Board
  • Chapter 7: Skill four: Culture and performance catalyst
    • A high-performance culture
    • Leadership excellence
    • Sustainability through people
  • Chapter 8: Persona three: Business talent enabler
    • Business talent enabler
  • Chapter 9: Persona four: Enterprise leader
    • A new challenge
  • Chapter 10: Core mindset: Always learning
    • The next thing
• Part 3: Epilogue
  • Passing on the baton
• Acknowledgements
• Index

FORMAT / ISBN / PUBLICATION DATE / RRP

Hardback / 9781788607407 / March 11, 2025 / £24.99

Paperback / 9781788607414 / March 11, 2025 / £14.99

Ebook / 9781788607421 / March 10, 2025 / £7.99

Paperback and eBook Bundle / £16.99

Tom Emery

Tom Emery is the owner of people performance consultancy HEX, an executive coach, best-selling author and podcast host who helps CEOs and their teams unlock deep transformation. A former Chief People Officer with board-level experience, he has spent his career watching leaders from the chair next door, and now coaches them for a living. He is based in Lichfield, UK.