The journey to strategic partnering
Achieving HR business partnering that’s truly strategic is a journey. You need a business-aligned strategic narrative, and then it’s down to skill, determination and persistence.
I say that because strategic partnering is a two-way street. Winning the strategic space depends on both ‘sides’ of the partnership understanding what that means. First, intellectually – that’s where the strategic narrative comes in.
Second, behaviourally – how the conversation needs to change – what you will talk about, and how to move towards more strategic topics.
The model in this graphic is a powerful tool in our development programs. It’s based on research we did on what successful business partnering actually looks like.
As usual, the target is the top right of the model. HR are partnering strategically, with a strong focus on both the business and on the future. This is how HR deliver ROI, command respect and inspire leaders to drive high performance and engagement.
Here are two questions to challenge yourself about how a conversation is going, and whether your input (talking, and asking) is moving it towards the transformational rather than the transactional:
- To what extent am I talking/asking about the business (and not HR)?
- To what extent am I talking/asking about the future (and not the present)?
I’d love to hear how that goes. Get in touch for a virtual coffee to explore your own aims.
