Becoming a Good HR Business Partner

May 30, 2024

Becoming a Good HR Business Partner

Introduction

  • Host: Andrea Adams
  • Guest: Todd Bassett, Senior HR Leader
  • Focus on becoming good business partners in HR

Importance of Partnership in HR

  • True Partnership: Emphasizes the necessity to understand and support the business.
  • Roles: Includes listening, understanding business problems, and providing HR support.

Understanding the Business

  • Listening Skills: Spend most of the time in meetings listening to business leaders.
  • Questions: Ask thoughtful and curiosity-driven questions.
  • Shadowing: Go out and shadow jobs to understand day-to-day activities.
  • Systems Thinking Approach: Understand how different parts of the business are interconnected.

Business Partner Model

  • Previous Models: HR used to be more of a policing model, very governance and admin-focused, separate from business.
  • Evolved Model: Focuses on business outcomes, interaction with business, end-user focus.

Qualities of a Good HR Business Partner

  • Relationship Building: Good communicators and relationship builders.
  • Listening: Be intuitive and understand the business and audience.
  • Business Acumen: Understand both HR and business drivers.
  • Champion and Challenge: Know when to support and when to challenge ideas.
  • Influencing Skills: Ability to influence decision-making.
  • Conflict Management: Manage conflicts effectively.

Balancing Policing and Partnering

  • Evidence-Based: Decisions should be based on solid evidence and fair investigation.
  • Influencing Skills: Create a clear case for necessary actions.
  • Compliance: Maintain company values and prevent risks.

Advice for New HR Business Partners

  • 70/20/10 Development Model: 70% experiential, 20% through others, and 10% formal education.
  • Mentorship: Seek mentorship from experienced HR business partners.
  • Communication: Practice communicating in business terms and presenting ideas as business cases.
  • Personalization: Approach relationships naturally and authentically, tailored to individual styles.

Conclusion

  • Importance of being connected to the person you are serving.
  • Upcoming episode on performance management.