The respected HR Competency Study, conducted by the University of Michigan Business School and its partners, has identified six core competency domains for HR managers:
- At the basic "relationships" level: Be a Credible Activist
- At the mid "systems and processes" level: You Must Be an Operational Executor & Business Ally
- At the top "organization capabilities" level: You Are The Talent Manager/Organization Designer, Culture and Change Steward, & Strategy Architect
While it's clear that all these functions play important roles for HR managers, the study identifies the "credible activist" as the most important. You need both parts, the study suggests—you must be both credible (respected, admired, listened to) AND an activist (offers a point of view, takes a position, challenges assumptions).
With only credibility, HR managers are admired, but have little impact. And on the flip side, activists without credibility may have great ideas but they will not be listened to.
The study notes that this credible activist combination is often called "HR with an attitude."
Your comments and ideas are welcomed.
