Celebrating International HR Day

As we celebrate International HR Day, it's a perfect moment to reflect on what inspired our talented HR professionals to pursue a career in human resources.

At the heart of every organisation, HR teams play a crucial role in shaping the culture, enhancing employee experiences, and driving the business forward. Let's hear from some of our amazing team members (in the Moove People Team) about their journeys, inspirations, and memorable moments in HR.

What inspired you to pursue a career in HR?

"At university, I had two lecturers who were passionate about HR. I love the idea of helping people be the best they can be." - Paul Mitchell

"Being able to add value to the business while elevating the employee experience. I am also a big fan of coaching and mentoring, and as an HR professional, I believe they are two skill sets that help in handling employee relations." -? Andjou Armel Mea

"What inspired me to pursue a career in HR was my passion for understanding people. I have always been intrigued by the remarkable ability of individuals to believe in themselves and transcend the limitations imposed by upbringing, experiences, socio-economic factors, and cultural conditioning. My own experiences motivated me to delve deeper into understanding human behaviour at its core and to explore whether it is possible to contribute in any capacity to someone's sense of motivation.

Interestingly, my journey into HR started with a simple question: 'What drives motivation?' Despite years of experience and qualifications in industrial psychology, I must admit that I still do not have the answer. Though the answer remains elusive, my question has evolved into, 'How do I contribute to conditions that make it possible for people to recognise and harness their potential towards their motivations?'" - Thobile Dlamini

Can you share a memorable moment or achievement that made you proud to be part of the HR Team?

"In Emirates Airline, I led the onboarding of over 10,000 new employees coming from different cultures and origins." -? Andjou Armel Mea

"The most memorable moment in my career was when COVID-19 hit. The South African government had established a COVID-19 fund to offer relief to people who would not be receiving salaries due to the financial constraints on many businesses. As the sole HR person in my company, it was my responsibility to ensure that our employees received this much-needed relief.

It was an incredibly challenging time for everyone, and navigating government processes added an extra layer of difficulty. Despite these challenges, it was amazing to be part of the solution and to assist so many people in receiving some financial relief during one of the most challenging times. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to HR and the vital role it plays in supporting people, especially during crises." - Thobile Dlamini

How does your team support and enhance employee experiences?

"The recruitment process assists in creating a first impression on future Moovers." - Leandra Coutinho

What do you enjoy most about working in HR?

"No two days are the same!" - Paul Mitchell

“Interacting with diverse groups of people.” - Tomi Olaleye

How has being part of your team helped you grow professionally and personally?

“Professionally, being part of the People Team has helped me gain a deeper understanding of various HR functions.

Personally, being in HR has significantly enhanced my interpersonal skills; I’ve learned to communicate better, be more empathetic and listen actively.”? - Tomi Olaleye

What unique qualities or skills do you bring to your team, and how do they contribute to the business?

"I have spent the last six years coaching and mentoring young people in schools and community groups every two weeks. As such, I bring this coaching and mentoring skill to the team and the people I work with. Through this, I have helped my colleagues grow their capacity and bring out the best in them. As such, they are able to see their work differently, identify areas of improvement, and push themselves to deliver better results, which ultimately improves business performance." - Abiodun Jinadu

What motivates you to continue working in the People Team and supporting Moovers every day?

"The People team is quite supportive of one another, which makes it easy to want to continue and support them every day." - Leandra Coutinho

"We have a diverse and dispersed international team who support each other every day. We work in a very collegiate way." - Paul Mitchell

What was your ‘aha’ moment when you realised HR was your calling?

"I was actually studying computer networking when I found a job at Emirates Airline. I remember spending hours dealing with employees and would never get bored. I would always be looking forward to the first days of orientations. They felt like the first days at school. That is when I was like 'aha,' what was I doing with computers, I love working with people actually." - Andjou Armel Mea

Was it the promise of becoming a ‘people person’, the allure of organising epic team-building events, or the joy of onboarding new hires that drew you to HR?

“I was drawn to HR by the opportunity to connect with people, foster team unity through engaging events, and assist new hires in navigating their introduction to the company.” - Kanchan Vashisht

Did you know HR was your calling the first time you resolved a seating dispute, or was it love at first sight with the company handbook? Or was it because you enjoy being the go-to person, the camaraderie, the secret thrill of approving leave requests, or watching new hires navigate the maze of company policies?

"Compared to other occupations it’s a very inexact science as people are complex. You have to become excellent at anticipating scenarios, adapting at speed, and applying judgment in a very objective and balanced way." - Paul Mitchell

What’s your favourite HR superpower? E.g. turning chaos into order or making policies sound fun?

"Supporting people managers to become better leaders." - Paul Mitchell

Which HR myth have you been most excited to debunk e.g. that HR only handles complaints, or that HR has a magical way of remembering everyone’s name?

"Quite a lot of people think HR professionals do not have numeracy skills and I have always been happy to challenge that myth. In my experience in the HR space, I have seen colleagues and mentors work with numbers and data, and do sophisticated analyses. Having had some experience in Payroll and Rewards as well, I am always happy and in fact, passionate about debunking the idea that HR professionals do not crunch numbers. They may not all like it, but numbers and data are key to HR." - Abiodun Jinadu

Let's celebrate the passion, dedication, and impact of the HR team aka People Team. Their efforts not only foster a positive work environment but also drive our collective success.?

Happy International HR Day to all the HR professionals out there!?

#InternationalHRDay #HR #PeopleTeam #HumanResources #EmployeeExperience