Making us feel guilty is not helping

Written by Dieter Veldsman

“How could you let that happen? You are in HR”. “You do not understand the business.” “Watch out; HR is in the room.” “You are only costing us money.” “You should do that; you are HR.” “You only protect the organisation; you mean nothing to employees.”

Iam tired of being shamed because of others’ expectations of what HR should be. The labels assigned to us as HR professionals are infuriating and all based on a misunderstanding of our roles and contributions. In many organisations, HR is treated according to what others believe the function should be or what they have seen in a long-forgotten past.

Today’s HR is not the same function as it was 50 years ago. HR is coming of age, and there is a new generation of HR professionals with very different skill sets, mindsets, and toolsets that are contributing to the success of modern organisations.

Modern HR has a public relations challenge. There have been various attempts at changing terminology to signify a new era. Human Resources became Human Capital, and more recently, references to the “People and Culture” or the “People Experience function” have become popular. Unfortunately, this is the proverbial old wine in new bottles for many, and rebranding will not change the expectations and perspectives that others hold of what HR should be.

We need to show the business what modern HR looks like. We must stop aiming to justify our existence and having the “seat at the table” conversation. A CEO once commented to me as his CHRO that it was not about the seat at the table but about remembering the voice I needed to represent. We need business acumen and align HR to the strategic agenda, but more than that, we can bring something unique into the executive suite.

Our in-depth understanding of creating a work environment where real human-beings can unleash their potential in pursuit of personal and organisational goals. Helping organisations understand how best to leverage the resources in terms of people, processes, and technologies to achieve their purpose. Working with leaders on creating effective teams and helping them lead in increasingly complex circumstances in virtual and digital realities.

This does not mean that the HR of old did not add value. At the time, HR was perfectly aligned with the needs of the organisations and workers in that era. But this has changed, and we need the courage as HR to adjust and realign to a world of work that is very different. We must let go of some of our comfort zones and previously held ideas of how and where we fit into the organisation.

Have we made mistakes?

Of course, we have. And we are not unique in this regard. Finance, IT, and Marketing did the same when they entered the modern era.

They had to fight to be heard and educate the working world about the value they bring to the table. They also had to believe that they had something to offer.

And this is where we see our first challenge as HR.

Many HR individuals I speak to lack confidence and belief in their abilities. They are intimidated by business stakeholders and have turned into “yes-people.” People with the best intentions are trying to be helpful and value-adding, but consequently, not standing up for what we believe in, not protecting our science – and all for the purpose of wanting to belong or, even worse, the words that leave me cold.

“I am doing it for my business.” We are not there to serve the business. We are here to create a better world of work. For everyone. Including HR.

But this has to start with us. Building our self-esteem. Restoring pride in our profession and being vocal and upfront about why you want to be in HR. You are not in HR because you like people; our role is more complicated, impactful, and important.

I am also talking to myself. How many times have I neglected to say to people outside of work that I work in HR for fear of the subsequent conversation on CVs, team issues, and possible vacancies? But being in HR is a core part of my professional identity.

And ignoring that is not only inauthentic but undermining what I believe we as HR professionals have been called to become in the next chapter of work.

So for me, this stops today. I am Dieter Veldsman. I am an HR Professional. And proud to be so.