International HR Day: what makes an HR a people’s person
PADMAKAR GUNJAL
Human Resource Professional / Certified HR Business Partner/ Hr Operations/HR Analytics/ Labour Contract Management/Labour Law /Content Creator
At a glance, the learnings and messages shared by HR leaders look like this.
‘24:48 principle’
Amit Chincholikar, Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Tata Consumer Products, shares, “When you are sitting in an office where the temperature is 24 degrees, remember there is always someone out there, either in the factory or on the field working in a temperature that is 48 degrees. Focus on getting the 24:48 balance right. If you don’t understand the 48, you have no business sitting in 24 and making decisions. So, strengthen commercial acumen and spend time in the most challenging parts of the business.”
‘Learn the business’
Biswaroop Mukherjee, Head HR - Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, says, “Unless you understand the business very well, you will never be able to provide an HR solution which is impactful because every business is different, every context is different and every solution is different. Until and unless we know that, as HR professionals, we will remain a bystander, not a part of the game plan.”
‘Give back to the profession’
Gautam Ghosh, HR Consultant, says, “I hope people give back to the profession. All HR professionals should mentor and work with younger HR professionals so that learning is passed on.”
Does one size fit all? Not anymore
Dr Shashank Teotia, Group Head - Human Resources, Paras Healthcare, says, “A good leader not only recognizes the significance of teamwork but is also aware of the value each team member brings to the table. To build a rewarding experience for employees, it is crucial for HR professionals to understand what are the key drivers for each individual and then customise their offering and approach as there is no one size that fits all anymore.”
Ability to create an impact
For an HR professional, it is more on the inside to learn about humans and human behaviour. On what motivates them to get up and work everyday, Chincholikar of Tata Consumer Products says, “The ability to make an impact at an organisational level, on business and on people, is what makes me able to get to work every morning.”
Seconding this, Mukherjee of Tata Motors says, “The fact that I can make a difference really motivates me to get up every day and create that difference.”
While creating a difference serves as a motivation, it is also a challenge. Ghosh says, “People spend most of their waking hours working. Through learning, tools and techniques, you are impacting that. For an HR professional, this is a duty as well as a challenge.”
Teotia of Paras Healthcare says, “Making an impact in the healthcare industry and in our patients’ lives is a big motivating factor for me. Apart from this, curiosity is important and acts as a driving factor towards my motivation at work.”
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What makes an HR?
Chincholikar says, “One must always remember that they are?not here to lead, but serve, thus, ensure that you?help others succeed. Next, one should never forget that they are always in a position to create an impact.”
Mukherjee enlists the quintessential things for an HR professional as,
It’s not easy to understand the business and work around dynamic solutions to cater the best. While the journey of learning and knowledge never stops, it becomes imperative to learn and deliver every day. Ghosh says, “There can be not one template for an HR professional, but one thing that cuts across is, understanding human behaviour, not just on an individual level but also on a group level. How one treats a team is different from how they will treat an individual.”
Teotia points out the technicalities and the importance of staying up to date. He says, “The efficiency in technical know-how is a critical factor for HR professionals these days. With the entire world going digital, the HR industry is also undergoing a sea of change and to stay updated, it is critical that HR leaders adapt to the new technologies in the market. Secondly, I believe, a deep understanding of the business context (internal & external environment), organisational strategy and thus correctly carving out the right culture through data-based decision making are some of the key requisites for HR leaders.”
“On a softer people side, I feel an?HR leader should also be approachable and accessible,” adds Teotia.
The HR Toolkit: best ways to handle a crisis?
While at work, a crisis could concern all levels, and HR leaders must put their best foot forward to help everyone get through. On how to deal with it, Chincholikar says, “I think what most people lose in a crisis is the ability to think clearly. I always liken a crisis with an aircraft flying through turbulence. It will last for a little bit of time, but eventually you know it will pass. You should always remember that a crisis is an opportunity, it is short lived, and therefore?keeping a calm head in a situation where a crisis is unfolding, to my mind is the most important thing. While doing all this, one must remember to stay authentic, transparent and communicative.”
Mukherjee says, “Roll up your sleeves, be with the people, be with the business leaders, understand the problem and then, together solve the problem. I think that’s the way to solve a problem and solve any crisis. The only way out is through it.”
“All of us need to break our silos to solve a crisis. Do whatever is required, irrespective of the functional roles we handle,” he adds.
Ghosh says, “Sometimes individual contributors or the people in the frontline can actually know the reality much better. Being upfront and asking them for their suggestions will ensure that they take ownership and that will actually work much more to resolve the conflict.
Teotia says, “Here's what HR professionals can do:
Learning through experience, the HR leaders have diverse opinions and ways to be and grow in the HR field. What stays true from initial to the advanced level is the learning process, the ability to create an impact, and staying with the team in every situation.