The Four Modes of Business Partnering

We researched what effective business partnering looks like in HR (and other functions), and revealed that success involves leading the focus of conversations in two key dimensions:

a) The business; and

b) The future.

We developed the Business Partnering Matrix, below, to clarify how the HRBP can move the conversation forwards and, over time, build a partnering relationship that is truly strategic.

The HRBP can check where the conversation is going by asking these two questions:

1. To what extent am I directing the conversation towards the business (and not HR)
2. To what extent am I directing the conversation towards the future (and not the present).

These two factors will build outcomes that deliver greater value and build more trusting and robust relationships.

All four modes have value at the appropriate time, but it’s important for the HRBP to challenge themselves to move out of their comfort zone and into more strategic territory.

In our development programs we provide a range of skills and tools to support this.