What does ‘strategic partnering’ really mean?

I keep being asked the same question:

What does ‘strategic partnering’ really mean? What does it look like?

Why is this question coming up so often right now, when we thought it was commonplace?

I guess, like any jargon, you can suddenly realise that you don’t really understand it – realise that you’re not doing it and want to change that. You might even have the job title, but realise that you’re being left out of the strategic decisions.

Achieving real strategic partnering isn’t commonplace. In fact, many organisations are still striving to achieve it. HR can get caught up in doing what it thinks the business needs, rather than what it actually needs. Right now, there really is a powerful drive to change that.

So, let’s now answer the question. In my view, strategic partnering is the route to becoming business-led. That’s how HR can move from being seen as a cost centre to being respected as creating value for the business.

Working out how to do that demands building a fresh perspective on what drives business success. Turn around, look in a different direction, see HR from your stakeholders’ perspective.

In order to achieve partnering that’s truly strategic, HR leaders have to change the conversations they’re having.

We’re working with organisations who want to make a real shift in the impact they make. We help you to think differently, and run powerful workshops involving business leaders, and help you to get your HR team on the same page and aligned.

Contact us if you would like a no obligation chat about how your own HR team are doing.