Developing HR

Professionals
Principles of Professional
Development

Base new ideas on business

reality
HR professionals who have long
experience in admn work (say
compensation or benefits) should
become more open to learning new
tasks when they recognize and
accept the reality of outsourcing and
technology as replacements for their
traditional work and of the emerging
mandate for strategic contribution

Focus on application
Apt to find the underlying theory of
human nature and motivation
Need to understand theory
They should absorb it best when it is
presented along with the action it
generates

Accept multiple learning

styles
Most adults have a learning style or
preferred way to learn
HR professional development
programmes need the flexibility to
appeal to the diversity of learning
styles among participants and they
need to be able to match individuals
to developmental approaches

Present information via

multiple channels
Adults adapt and learn through reading,
listening, observing, watching videos,
analyzing case studies or live cases, role
playing, discussion and so on
Participants may be face to face or remote
working along or in groups
HR [professional development programmes
need to employ a variety of learning
technologies so that all participants can
gain insights from them

Ground the programme in

personal reality
Need to recognize the strength and
areas for improvement and make
realistic plans for personal
improvement
We should begin with honest self
assessment and seriously consider
whatever feedback is available

Articulate a clear goal

A clear and precise vision of the future
becomes a true magnetic north, guiding
efforts
What HR strategy will enable the dept.
to contribute value to the organization
What HR practices will bring the HR
value proposition to life
What roles and competencies do HR
professionals need to make it all happen

Earn and build respect

HR professionals can learn as much
from peers as from experts if the
learning process is set up to share
experience and insights
An effective HR dev. Programme
includes forums for peer sharing as
well as faculty members with real
world experience

Create a friendly learning

environment
HR professionals need a setting that
is informal, two way, and more
inquisitive than directive learning