Oh to be an HRE

Do you find yourself bogged down in the details of HR at the cost of being strategic? Do you flip through the pages of Human Resource Executive and wonder who those Human Resource Executives (HRE) are anyway? Do you lament because you aren't pictured with tall buildings towering in the background and  an "I can leap tall buildings in a single bound" look on your face?

Quit looking for the yellow brick road and wondering why you can't get there from here - because you can. Yup, if you want to, you can. How? Well, I don't know, but I am in the inquiry to find out. Yes, I could read a book and get lists of 10 handy dandy attributes to succeed but I'm not taking the book learning route; I'm taking the experiential (live it, feel it, breathe it) route to see what I come up with.

Why? To see if I am closer to or further away from being an HRE, (what ever that really means anyway) than I think; to coach others (speaking from experience is very credible); and because, well, the idea was suggested to me as a blog topic (to step a tad out of my comfort zone.)

So, here it goes. First on the agenda is to learn the language. I'll start by connecting more regularly with organizations like Human Capital Institute (I am a certified Human Capital Strategist now, you know) and The Conference Board and reading more blogs by women in business. Then, I'll build thinking time into my week (which should be easier now that I'm adding two new HR professionals to my already amazing HR staff.)

What comes after that? Oh, I don't know but I'll keep you informed as this whole thing unfolds. One thing I do know for sure (I think) is that being an HRE is not an office, a parking spot, a business card or a company name. . . . and it's more than a state of mind. Being an HRE will take more than a photo shoot, a top ten lists of leadership traits, and a pair of ruby red slippers.

And with that, the adventure begins.

Photo credit iStockPhoto

Comments

[Jennifer V. Miller]

Lisa,

Here's one way you already ARE thinking like an exec: continuously learning and pushing your professional boundaries. Good luck!

[thuy]

Right now, I'm only lamenting on the idea of when I can finally work for a bigger organization in which i can be provided with more resources and opportunities. Once I get there, I will start lamenting on being an HRE. But hopefully, by then you'll have already figure it out and I can just come back here for it =)

[Trish McFarlane]

HRE is a state of mind. Love your ideas on how to connect with different orgs and people to bolster your strategic thinking. Making time to do that is the most important step. I'll see you on the path my friend.

[Lisa Rosendahl]

Jennifer, thanks for the boost of confidence!
Thuy, I am not sure there really is much to figure out but I will keep you on the path with me!
Trish, you may absolutely right . . . it may be a state of mind. Glad to be on the path with you!