Why I stayed in HR
Sreekanth K Arimanithaya
Entrepreneur In Residence and CHRO with Machani Group. This new role offers a unique opportunity to shape a diverse portfolio of businesses within the Group, while nurturing my own entrepreneurial endeavours.
On a fine morning, in the sweltering heat of March, I started my career – buoyed with what now seems like extravagant energy and optimism which comes with youth. This is a story from 29 years ago as I started my career in HR, and in it, found my Purpose. I was, and believe still am, lucky to be a part of a function that is so drastically evolving in its nature and scope.?
My formative days in GE and Toyota left a profound impact on me, building the foundational ethos that defines me. However, it was during my days in Britannia that I pushed myself to explore the great dream beyond. I got the opportunity to explore people supply chain management, delivery, and operations, managed P&L, and forayed into the business side of things.?
?While my foray between the business and Talent was an aberration to the rule, I can see the cross-over experience becoming a necessary element of the future. There are two articles that explore similar predicaments that stayed with me:?
?Why we hate HR, by Keith H. Hammonds, the?article [https://www.fastcompany.com/53319/why-we-hate-hr] first emerged in 2005, while the header is tongue in cheek, it raised some thought-provoking questions on what the role of HR in an organization 'ought to be' versus 'often is.' There is an element of truth in it. HR functions can slide into administrative rigmarole, whereas the need is to deliver to the business vision. HR deserves a seat at the table, and it is well earned. The systems need to be disrupted to create value and employee experiences – that translates to customer experience.?
?Why did we ever go into HR? by Matthew D. Breitfelder and Daisy Dowling in Harvard Business Review [https://hbr.org/2008/07/why-did-we-ever-go-into-hr], again was written over a decade ago! It tracks the genesis of what we see today, through five characteristics:?
So, moving back to my story, why did I stay?
Often I have been asked why I have not moved to what is arguably described as more exciting spaces of business? I have two reasons - you would have heard me quote that I believe HR, like teaching and medicine, is a profession that is tied closely with people. And this has close ties with my Purpose of positively influencing people around me – teams, workforce, communities. The other equally compelling reason is, as knowledge becomes the most sought-after resource, it is now more important than ever that future leaders understand both Talent and Business.?
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?The next question is: Was the stay worth it?
A resounding ‘yes’. HR leaned toward social sciences, psychology, and a large dose of common sense when I started my career. Not that any of these are dispensable, especially not the last one. We now have in the mix a healthy number of pure sciences - with research and analytics, we dig into technology - generously tapping into digitalization efforts with AI, ML, and methodologies like agile. Now HR finally has a well-deserved seat at the table; it is moving confidently in its partnership with the business – as comrades and equals.?
?Some key trends are:
?In all, the golden days of Talent are yet to come. I am proud and grateful to have been a part of the extraordinary transformation so far, but I am more excited about what is to come.?
?Being future-ready
As the next generation of leaders, what are the expectations from you?
This is why I stayed in Talent, its always been exciting, and the future is looking even more enticing!?
General Manager HR
3 年Thanks Sreekanth for such an insightful article , "Develop your business acumen" this is much needed and expected from HR community in the current era ...
Global Vice Chair - Talent at EY
3 年True purpose based leadership Sree! Great insights.
EDPHRM (XLRI), PoSH certified, seasoned HR professional with 12 yrs of diversified experience in various HR domains.
3 年It’s really an inspiring and thought provoking article. “Find your purpose to unlock the potential- yours and that of your function and business” would be one of the key take away statements for me. Thanks Sreekanth K Arimanithaya !
Senior Program Manager HRBP at Capgemini | Trusted Advisor | Diverse experience | Passionate graphic designer
3 年I absolutely relate to it - when I moved from IT web development to HR engagement - the business leaders used to describe me as the one who crossed over from IT to HR - however the people passion in me made me stay... and I am loving every bit of it... I have been amongst the lucky ones to have been in your teams and seen your energy for knowledge and the transformation that we could bring under your leadership. Sreekanth K Arimanithaya - thank you for being an absolute inspiring mentor.
I can remember the road not taken by Robert Frost and this such an inspiring successful story...Sreekanth K Arimanithaya This will inspire us a lot to choose the right path. Thanks for sharing