Hacks for People Pros to Take the Wheel in Business

2 Jul

Shift into high gear: hacks for people pros to take the wheel in business

Summer is the perfect time for those insightful reflections whilst pondering these powerful thoughts and gearing up for the action-packed autumn ahead. And speaking of action, as I started writing the very piece at hand, a story popped into my head. But not just any story, a life-changing one, and I would love to share it with you.

It takes us back a good number of years, to a time when I had a recruitment check-in meeting for a critical key position with our Head of Data Science. Little did I know that this encounter would reshape my perspective and way of working related to everything people. Forever- literally!

Picture this: as I passionately spilled my feelings and impressions of the candidates, I couldn’t help but notice a perplexed look on our Head of Data Science’s face. His eyes widened, and he finally politely interrupted me with a puzzling: “I’m not sure I’m completely following you…” And that’s when the game-changer emerges. He pulled out a meticulously analysed, data-packed scorecard that contained valuation scores with clear, factual justifications for each applicant. “I find this approach working very well for me in such evaluation discussions…” he explained. Talk about the mind-blowing revelation! Since that fateful day, I got to realize the incredible potential we have in forging meaningful connections with all the different collaborators by connecting with them via their very own lingo (will tell more below). This again allows us to really up our game by establishing a solid bridge between everything people & everything business. Oh yes, with a good dosage of business-savviness and data as an integral part of it all!

So how can we then really fully embrace our heroic people role?

In the June’s newsletter I shared my insights on the recent Estonian HRM’s Annual Survey and posed some questions to reflect on: are we today really unleashing the full power of everything people and driving business success in our roles? How can we win over the hearts & minds of our diverse stakeholders while building mutually supportive collaboration relationships along the way? And last but definitely not least – how can we ourselves reach the sweet spot of total, utter, and unapologetic thriving while enjoying this incredible journey to the max? With that said, I believe these questions are what we are more than familiar with, which is why I am hereby sharing my very personal, yet – over years of constant implementation- fail-proof 7 hacks that have supported me in embracing fully the role, establish extraordinary collaborations with a variety of stakeholders, and truly thrive as a People pro and human alike on this mission. So let’s get hacking!

Speak the Lingo: we know our stakeholders all across the organisation, so let’s familiarize ourselves with what’s their lingo (and also motivation!). For instance, think what is relevant to a CEO, CFO and COO (the usual members of a Management Team) and talk to them in a manner that resonates with them. In a way where everything people can be interpreted as a high ROI rather than a cost. Familiarise yourself with the key business metrics, financial terminology, and strategic objectives. This allows us to align our People-related initiatives with overarching business goals and present them in a way that highlights their impact on the bottom line.
Quantify impact: in the business world, numbers speak louder than words, so whenever possible, let’s quantify the impact of People initiatives using data and analytics. Let’s demonstrate how our strategies contribute to increased revenue, justified investments, improved productivity, and employee engagement. The tangible evidence gets the attention our work deserves!
Be a REAL Strategic Partner: let’s position ourselves as strategic partners by proactively engaging with different stakeholders of the business and bringing relevant perspectives together. Understanding our stakeholders’ pain points allows us to propose solutions that address what is considered important as well as impactful. This way we can prioritise our activities and also show that we are invested in the success of the organisation beyond just People-related matters.
Embrace Constant Learning: as much as we are invested in the development of our stakeholders, let’s give our own learning the same level of TLC. It is essential to stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and emerging tech. Attending conferences, workshops, webinars, networking and collaborating with mentors and coaches allow us to expand our knowledge. By being well-informed, we can contribute valuable insights during strategic discussions, positioning ourselves as trusted advisors.
Consciously Build Strong Relationships: ongoing communication with different stakeholders and key decision-makers is really the ultimate game-changer. By seeking the input from others, we need to actively also share updates on People-related initiatives. This not only keeps them informed but also builds rapport over time.
Showcase Success Stories: let’s not downplay the incredible work we are doing. Sharing success stories of how People-related initiatives have positively impacted the organisation is beyond powerful. Using real-life examples and testimonials backed up with data/KPIs (ie Key Performance Indicators) allow to illustrate the value added. This storytelling approach can be compelling and resonates well with the business and people alike.
Stay Agile and Adaptive: “We have always done it this way” is literally the most dangerous mindset out there. Therefore, in a rapidly changing business landscape, the ability to adapt and pivot quickly is crucial. Staying agile and flexible in our approach, being open to new ideas, and willing to experiment with innovative practices = our recipe for success. This allows us to demonstrate that we’re forward-thinking and adaptable to change.

Because the sky isn’t the limit!

We are known as the People Persons who are often defined to thrive on emotions and relationships. And, that is indeed our superpower, however why to stop there? By expanding our toolbox of competences and resources, we can take our game to the next level. Becoming great friends with data, measuring and sharing openly the impact of the work concluded on ongoing basis as well as learning the lingos of different stakeholders have not only given me valuable insights for smarter decisions, but also enabled me to forge strong, mutually understanding relationships across business. And this is where the trust and support also come in!

With that said: what’s your game plan for continuous thriving? It is time to grab the wheel, my dear fellow People Pros!

P.S. The abovementioned 7 hacks are universal to any industry or business size since people are people everywhere. If you would like to discuss the practical application of the abovementioned relevant to your role & organisation today, then feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.