Successful HRBP

In our research on successful HRBP’s one of the key elements of their success was that they had a point of view and a willingness to stand up for their point of view. They tended to have a view on both business and HR issues and were willing to debate and fight for their ideas. In addition they has great skills in getting buy in to their ideas. They could persuade line managers to theirpoint of view. Their line clients told us this equated to showing leadership. As we have worked with more companies we have seen that this is a key element of success. Maybe THE key element. By leadership we are not just talking about leading the function or HR department. That is important but not sufficient. Here we are talking about being a leader in the business. Besides having a point of view and being ready to defend we wondered what the other skills and attributes are. We are therefore looking further are other element that make for Leading HR. We have just launched a survey on the web site to look at both the skills of Leading HR and to also look at what HR are rewarded for. We want your opinion on the quality of leadership in HR too. So please go to the site and have your say!

I was reading an article published recently about research into habits and the best way of changing them. At this time of the year we are prone to m

I was reading an article published recently about research into habits and the best way of changing them. At this time of the year we are prone to make and quickly break our New Year resolutions. The research has simple answer as to why we break then so quickly. The researchers Woods and Neal from Duke university start their article with the quote" Most of the time what we do is whatwe do most of the time" This is because our lives are made up of millions of short cuts that we have generated to help us cope. These short cuts are unconscious behaviours we carry out without thinking. We refer to them as habits. However many habits may be past their "sell by date" and hence causing us to fail to achieve the things we really want. The researchers say the approximately 45% of what we do in a day is repeated in the same location and at the same time. If you are a little disbelieving as I was think about your morning and evening routine and the figure soon adds up.

So what is to be done? Give up on those New Year resolutions? Well, one key tip Woods and Neal give is to use the nature of habits to help you. So rather than trying to stop what you don't want to do, focus instead on what you do want and form a new habit that gets you to your goal. It is said that a new habit is formed in approximately 30days so keep at it and soon what you want will be behaviour that you do automatically.

Good luck with the New Year resolutions!

Cat naps

There has been quite a lot in the press recently about the benefits of cat naps. This is seen as the new means of keeping busy workers going. Some companies have even fitted out special rooms with comfy sofa beds for employees to sleep on. I have mixed views about this coming from a city background. I just cannot see the Bank's investing in this sort of employee benefit. Even if I know manya trader who was caught in the loo sleeping off a heavy night!

However there is one way to achieve many of the benefits of a cat nap without the potential stigma of taking one. I call this the 5 minute holiday. It is as simple as finding a quite space. The loo will do if nothing else is available. Sitting comfortably and relaxing. Then start to remember you best holiday. Really send yourself back to the place, the sounds, tastes and feelings. And just enjoy reliving the best times you had.

When you come back to the room you will find yourself marvellously refreshed.