Books & Articles

What knowledge and abilities distinguish successful HR professionals? For the past twenty years, the Human Resource Competency Study (HRCS) has actively pursued this question. This study has greatly influenced the field of HR in general and defined what is required to be a successful HR professional.

With responses from over 10,000 HR professionals and their line manger associates, the latest round of this research indicates that HR Professionals who deliver value demonstrate HR competencies at the intersection of people and business. A failure to address both limits HR effectiveness. Within this framework, six domains that identify specific HR competencies may be specified which enable HR professionals to be successful.

Credible Activists are both credible (respected, admired), and proactive (have a point of view about the business, challenge assumptions, take initiative).

Culture and Change Stewards understand, respect, and evolve the organization culture through effective change initiates that reflect the business strategy.

Talent Managers/Organization Designers are effective developers of both individual employee ability and the organization capabilities.

Strategy Architects help build and deliver winning business strategies by understanding the customer point of view and helping to diffuse it throughout the company.

Operational Executors effectively and efficiently administer the day-to-day work of managing people within an organization.

Business Allies understand both the business and external factors that influence success