Pioneering the Path: My Journey in Human Resources

In the ever-evolving corporate landscape, women are breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings across various industries. The role of a Human Resources (HR) Executive is a dynamic and multifaceted one, from managing talent to shaping organisational culture, they play a pivotal role in the success and growth of a company.

Becoming an HR Executive is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and continuous learning. As I reflect on my journey from an HR manager to my current role as an HR Executive, I am reminded of the challenges and opportunities that have shaped me both personally and professionally. Join me as I take you through the milestones, the lessons learned, and the transformation that has taken place along the way.

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?Where it all began

This journey often begins with a strong educational foundation and for me, it all started in grade 11 when we were asked to do research on the careers we would like to pursue in the future. I had my heart set on studying in the field of HR because at that time, there was a high demand for HR professionals. After matriculating in 2008, I went on to register and study for a National Diploma in Human Resources Management with UNISA in 2009, while also looking for part-time employment. My love for working with people, learning about different personalities and how to navigate them and my passion for wanting to help people is part of the driving force behind my choice to become an HR practitioner.

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My journey

When I joined the BEE Chamber in 2011 (formerly known as the BEESA Group), I started as a front-line administrator (receptionist), and I held that role for 4 years. Once I completed my qualification in Human Resources Management, I moved into the HR department towards the end of 2015, where I now hold the title of HR?Executive.

?It has not been easy being an HR manager, especially one that underwent daily on-the-job training. Like with any role, it is not without its challenges. Graduating and only ever working at the BEE Chamber throughout my HR career can sometimes be seen as a challenge because I would have liked to gain further skills and experience to enable me to do more in the role that I currently hold, especially for my own personal and professional growth. There are many other functions of HR that I could have learned out there that I could have implemented in my current role but I am still learning every day on the job at the BEE Chamber, which is valuable experience.

At one point in my career at the BEE Chamber, I was fulfilling three roles – HR, office management and IT all at once. This was an important learning experience for me as I gained skills and knowledge that helped further advance my career.

We are all in control of our destinies, so it is up to you as individual to make decisions that will help you shape your career.

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The Foundation

As an HR manager, my role was primarily focused on overseeing day-to-day HR operations, managing employee relations, and ensuring compliance with labour laws and regulations. I was responsible for recruitment, onboarding, training and development, and handling employee performance evaluations. This role allowed me to develop a strong foundation in HR principles and gain hands-on experience in various areas of the field.

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?Gaining Experience and Expertise

In order to progress from an HR manager to an HR Executive, I knew that I needed to expand my skillset and gain a deeper understanding of the strategic aspects of HR. This led me to actively seek opportunities to work on cross-functional projects and collaborate with other departments within the organisation.

I immersed myself in learning about organisational development, talent management, and strategic workforce planning. I participated in leadership development programmes to enhance my managerial skills and built relationships with key stakeholders to better understand the organisation's goals and objectives.

Hard work, dedication and self-determination have been the cornerstone of my career progression, considering that I was thrown in the deep end many times, I had to navigate the HR space on my own. It was scary and uncomfortable because I did not know how to approach certain situations but as I continued to learn and to push myself further, I grew into the role and became more comfortable. I believed in myself and my capabilities.

Prior to joining the BEE Chamber, I did not have any experience in the field of HR but because of the invaluable input and dedicated on the job training and mentorship from the managers I worked with, I was able to develop and grow my skillset and expertise.

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My inspiration

In my time at the BEE Chamber, my biggest supporter, mentor and inspiration has been the current Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the BEE Chamber, Mariana Daffue . She believed in me and my potential. At times, I found myself facing situations and projects that I was not familiar with but because she trusted and believed in me, I pushed myself further than I thought I could go. She has been instrumental in my career growth and for that, I am grateful.

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Challenges

As an HR manager, I experienced my fair share of challenges that tested my skills, resilience, and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities. From managing employee relations to ensuring compliance with labour laws, the HR manager role demands a delicate balance between the needs of the employees and the objectives of the organisation. Join me as I share some of the challenges I faced first-hand and the lessons I learned along the way.

?Being a young woman, I was always belittled and made to feel less than but instead of letting this affect my work and my professional growth, I saw it as an opportunity to work on my self-confidence and assertiveness.

?Other challenges that I have ?encountered as an HR manager was navigating complex employee relations issues. From conflicts between colleagues to addressing performance concerns, I had to delicately balance the interests of the individuals involved and the overall well-being of the organisation. It required active listening, empathy, and a fair approach to ensure a positive and productive work environment for everyone.

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Managing Employee Expectations

Employees have a wide range of expectations from their employers. From career growth opportunities to work-life balance, it falls upon the HR manager to manage and meet these expectations to the best of their ability. This challenge often meant having difficult conversations, managing disappointments, and finding creative solutions that were fair to both the employee and the organisation.

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Labour laws and regulations are constantly evolving, which presents an ongoing challenge for HR managers. Ensuring compliance and staying up-to-date with the latest changes to labour laws requires continuous learning and a diligent effort to keep policies and procedures aligned with legal requirements. This challenge often involved studying, attending seminars, and seeking legal counsel when necessary.

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Organisational change can be both exciting and daunting for employees. As an HR manager, I was responsible for effectively managing this process, whether it was a restructuring, or a change in leadership. Communicating the reasons and goals behind the change, addressing concerns, and providing support to employees were essential tasks that required strong communication skills and an empathetic approach.

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As an HR manager, I often found myself walking a fine line between maintaining confidentiality and promoting transparency. While it was important to handle sensitive employee information with care, it was equally important to foster a culture of transparency and open communication within the organisation. This challenge required me to carefully navigate through delicate situations, ensuring that confidentiality was respected while preserving trust and fostering a supportive work environment.

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Despite the challenges that I faced as an HR manager, I knew I had to focus on the end goal and ignore the noise that was not helping me grow, both personally and professionally. People will always criticize you and want to thrive on your failure but you decide if you want to become a Victim or a Victor.

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Embracing Technology and Innovation

As technology continues to evolve, the HR landscape undergoes significant transformation. In order to stay relevant and excel in my role, I recognised the importance of embracing technology and being open to innovative HR solutions. I invested time in learning about new HR technologies, like automated recruitment systems, performance management software, and employee engagement platforms. These tools enabled me to streamline processes, make data-driven decisions, and enhance the overall employee experience.

In line with keeping up with the technology and trends, I am currently furthering my studies and the course material is based on current HR practices and industry innovations.

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Transitioning to an HR Executive

The transition from an HR manager to an HR Executive was a turning point in my career. It required a shift in mindset, the ability to think strategically, and a broader perspective on organisational dynamics. I was entrusted with influencing organisational strategy, aligning HR initiatives with business goals, and driving change management across the organisation.

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As an HR Executive, I am involved in strategic workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development. I collaborate closely with senior leaders to identify gaps and implement strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. I leverage my experience and expertise to drive cultural transformation, promote diversity and inclusion, and foster a positive work environment.

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Lessons Learned

The journey from an HR manager to an HR Executive has been transformative, filled with valuable lessons. Here are a few key takeaways:

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1. Continuous learning is essential: Staying updated with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices is crucial to excel in the evolving HR landscape.
2. Build strong relationships: Collaborating with colleagues, stakeholders, and industry professionals enhances knowledge sharing, fosters growth, and expands opportunities.
3. Think strategically: Moving beyond tactical HR functions to align HR initiatives with organisational goals and drive business outcomes.
4. Embrace change: The ability to adapt to change and embrace new technologies and innovations is vital to stay ahead in the HR field.
5. Lead with empathy: Understanding and empathizing with employees' needs, concerns, and aspirations helps build trust, engagement, and loyalty.
6. Do not get too comfortable: Do not stay in situations that are not helping you grow. If you do not like where you are, you should move.
7. Passion: We spend 80% of our lives at the office, so choose a career that you enjoy and are passionate about.

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To all the young women

“Educate and empower yourself. Strive towards multi-skilling yourself in different spheres so that if plan A does not work out, you have something else to fall back on.”

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Transitioning from an HR manager to an HR Executive has been a fulfilling journey of growth and development. The experiences, challenges, and opportunities along the way have shaped me into the HR professional I am today. As I continue to move forward in my career, I am excited about the endless possibilities, the impact I can make, and the continued growth that lies ahead.

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If I ever have to leave the BEE Chamber, I want to leave knowing that I have successfully contributed to making the company a better and healthier working space for all employees to be in. The role of an HR practitioner is to take care of both the business and its employees. Employees make your business and without them, a business will cease to exist.

Take care of your employees, and your employees will take care of you!

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If you are an HR manager aspiring to become an HR Executive, remember that success comes with hard work, continuous learning, and a passion for making a difference in the lives of employees and the success of the organisation as a whole. Embrace the journey, persevere through challenges, and never stop learning and growing. The HR field offers countless opportunities for those who are willing to seize them.

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ABOUT THE BEE CHAMBER

The BEE Chamber was established 2016 by BEESA (est. 2007) as the next evolution of a B-BBEE consulting partner - not a traditional consultancy, seeking to implement Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) best practices and enable businesses in promoting South Africa’s diversity and equity policies, rather than leaving them reliant on isolated sets of complex information.

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Operating virtually and with offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg since 2016, The BEE Chamber’s team of highly skilled and passionate experts enables BEE practitioners within businesses to truly understand and instil South Africa’s evolving diversity and equity policies. As a group of specialised B-BBEE consultants, The BEE Chamber supports internal capacity-building, simplifies complexity and elevates its clients’ B-BBEE practices to a level of excellence by using the tools of continuous support and engagement. It provides support, information, services and software to those practitioners who are responsible for managing a company’s B-BBEE Scorecard - and who as caring corporate citizens desire to move beyond box-ticking to the implementation of truly meaningful and transformative B-BBBEE policies for the benefit of the country. For more information, visit?www.bee.co.za