HC chats to National HR Summit speaker Peter Hartnett about his achievements, the challenges HR is yet to face, and the value of good advice.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
I worked with an ex-CEO on a project a number of years ago and it was simply this: “Peter, you have to learn how to operate in the grey”
What challenges do you think HR will face in the next 10 years?
The obvious answer will be managing an aging workforce and transferring of knowledge but I also think there are a couple of others including: helping equip our people to respond to the rate of change that is upon us and making sure that our Millennials understand the importance of face-to-face relationships (not just over a mobile device)
What is the most interesting aspect of your role?
Change. Seeing people adapt new ways of thinking and doing things and it working for them!
What do you feel is your biggest professional achievement to date?
I have loved my career and have enjoyed all my challenges so I would just say working with a great organisation like Sanitarium has brought huge amounts of satisfaction.
How would you sum up HR professionals in two words?
Critically important
Complete this sentence: If I weren’t in HR, I’d be…
...managing my kids sporting careers (if they had one!)
Peter Hartnett will be speaking at the National HR Summit on 10-11 March 2015. Register now to hear his session on "Driving strategy through middle managers".
