The Member Highlight section of the HRVoice is an opportunity to introduce leading HR practitioners, BC HRMA volunteers and new members. Are you looking for some exposure? Use this informal and fun avenue to get your name out there! Contact Erin Breden for a member highlight questionnaire.
Name: Barbara Adams
Company: HR Architects
Title: Managing Director
How did you get into HR?
After traveling around the world for about 5 years I came back to Canada and went back to school taking marketing and business administration. After achieving my designations I was hired by a company I previously worked for in the position of Human Resources and Training Manager.
If you were not working in HR what would you like to be doing?
I’d like to be writing a book or be back in school learning more and more.
What do you enjoy most in your current position?
I enjoy making ideas reality. In other words, taking the ideas companies have for their people and finding a way to implement these ideas within the organization for the benefit of the employees.
What can’t you live without?
My husband and my mini-dachshund Doc A Roo.
What makes a great HR person?
Someone who sees the big picture and can evaluate the affect of decisions for the entire work force not just that one person. Also, someone who can influence others – from the new employee to the senior leader of the organization.
What is the best book you’ve read?
I don’t have one favorite. I read on a variety of topics to keep myself in the loop and thinking outside of my comfort zone. I feel it’s important to always evaluate how we do things by continually challenging what we know by reading other approaches.
What is the best film you’ve seen lately?
Kinky Boots. It’s a great analogy to leadership in a changing environment.
What’s your favourite spot to spend time on a weekend?
I love to be out in nature with my dachshund. It’s a way to ground myself and appreciate the present as I tend to always be looking into the future.
In your opinion, what are the biggest issues in HR at the moment?
I think the biggest current issue is assisting new managers in building their leadership skills. Due to the high turnover at senior levels, we have many new managers who did not have the opportunity to evolve into their positions but rather have been thrust into their positions as a result of retiring baby boomers and lack of succession planning. This is happening both at the operational positions and within the field of HR itself. The technical skills are there due to education but the “human” side of mentoring and guiding employees needs development.
I think another factor is how to motivate the “new employee”. I think many of our HR systems are build around the old model and require updating if we hope to motivate and retain key employees. Understanding their needs is critical – and integrating the “human touch”.
What would you like to achieve in the next five years?
I would like to develop a method of mentoring individuals new to the business of human resources. Something they can refer to – ask questions of – and enhance their personal knowledge and credibility. I’m working on adding a line of products and services to my consulting business that is easily accessible. As one of the products, I have this desire to write some guides for both human resources managers and operational managers that will make their jobs easier.
I’m also looking to enhance my personal skills in order to provide an even higher level of service to my clients. I’ll do this by attending classes, reading a broad range of material, and adding to my list of personal credentials.
Any words of wisdom to share or anything to add?
I think it’s important for human resources professionals to recognize that it’s up to them to develop their personal credibility with the senior leaders of the organization by learning the language and operation of the business. We need to speak in the language of the business when presenting ideas and looking for approvals. We need to show how the enhancement of our people can improve business results.
In a Vice-President of Human Resources position, I thought of myself as a senior executive with a human resources specialty. I feel this assisted in gaining commitment to the people proposals I brought forward to the senior team.