It’s not an easy job
Powerful clients who solutioneer
Use their fast thinking and positional power
To get something done
We are expected to deliver
HR and L&D solutions
To cope with the line managers abdication of their responsibilities
For coaching, supporting, leading training and managing their staff through performance issues
The key attribute of a successful HR Business Partner is the ability to stand up to such innocent manipulation and solutioneering
To keep a clear head
To build trust and rapport
To stay in an Adult frame of mind whilst we ask:
“Who is involved in this problem?”
“What are they doing now?”
“What do we want them to do?”
To repeat the client’s words
Probe when they give us generalisations
“Many” How many?, “A lot” how much?
To do keep the trust and rapport whilst we ask challenging questions
To identify the real issues and key people involved
To construct sensible, creative, elegant solutions to close the performance gap
And leave with the client as your friend
Perceiving you as a trusted advisor
When you can do all this, my friend, you will be a true Business Partner
Nigel Harrison is the author of “How to be a True Business Partner by Performance Consulting available from the bookshop at www.performconsult.co.uk