24th May 2021
Guest blog: The HR boxset has disappointed, barring a big twist in the tail. Let’s create one.
This post is a guest blog from one of our Summer Series Speakers, Douglas Board. Sign up free for the summer series for a big picture diagnosis of disappointment fuelling a campaigning call for a different approach – so that in our lifetime HR rises.
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Recently I’ve been excited by some brilliant conversations about the future of HR; which sounds like someone discovering the Bay City Rollers only after the death of Les McKeown. Bear with me.
This week Anton Fishman talked to me about a consultancy he set up focussed on partnering with CHROs, to help the function achieve its true potential. Helena Feltham, who has blazed many trails, inspired me a few days ago with her energy on this topic. Niall Trafford reminded me of his HR credentials (because he made it to CEO in a tough commercial environment, I had forgotten). Last year, through covid and on the other side of the world, I worked with Tania Abbotto. On a longer timeframe my HR heroes include Jane Kirton, Jonathan Morgan and Jackie Moore. Being introduced a few weeks ago to Emese Bekessy reminded me how much HR gains when, like New York or London, it welcomes immigrants – in Emese’s case from the law – with open arms.
Talking about the future of HR is like stumbling into a winter cottage rental which reeks of ‘period’ (ie out of date) furniture and kitchen equipment. But then you hear the roar of the central heating furnace when (as the owner’s handwritten note tells you) you press the button marked ‘START’. OK, there’s life in the old thing yet; but the disappointment of a lot of years needs to be faced head on. And it’s now or never: do we find a way to survive on this planet, and right now make progress on distinguishing humans from intelligent machines?
I’ve worked in HR’s lesser suburbs for thirty years (recruitment, coaching). However I’ve seen stuff from a boardroom perspective, and been given the chance to compare HR with our siblings such as finance. I’ve also been on a fifteen year adventure of exploration, including a doctorate, which turned my intellectual world upside down. I’ve written about this in Elites: can you rise to the top without losing your soul? (which the Financial Times has described as ‘profound, subversive and often very funny’).
It’s not that HR hasn’t changed: we’ve changed dramatically. My boxset may leave out your favourite episodes – perhaps the learning organisation, human capital management, … and on … and on. But HR is still not a boardroom force to rival finance. Up until five minutes ago there were more black FTSE 100 CEOs than ones with an HR background (now both have been reset at zero).
To exit a rut in which we innovate constantly but keep failing to make the grade will need a deep, cutting diagnosis. It will also need inspirational direction for the future; plus enough younger hearts (who didn’t die of boredom through all the previous episodes) deciding that the struggle is still worthwhile. With thanks to Matt Manners for his invitation, I’m going to offer something on the first two challenges as part of Inspiring Workplaces’ Summer Series 2.0, on Monday 7 June (4pm UK time, available on catch-up). The third challenge, deciding that the struggle is worthwhile, will be up to you. I hope to see you there.