How would you sum up HR professionals in two words?
Resilient. Multiskilled.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Choose your battles – there are a lot of issues that can arise in an organisation so it is wise to consider all of the information and intricacies of a situation before diving in. Within NSW Government this was critical as I was dealing directly with senior line managers, members of the public, media and politicians.
What are some of the biggest challenges that HR deals with?
Within the Australian workforce there are some extremely innovative and proactive HR professionals and HR teams, however they are constantly fighting the perception of old-fashioned data crunchers who could not think outside the box. There are also still many companies that do not understand the full HR function and believe their company does not require it for successful operations. Within the NSW Government arena we also encountered a lot of bureaucracy and resistance to change, when attempting to implement initiatives. This created an excess of paperwork, frustration and lengthy delays to some processes.
How do you see the role of HR changing in the future?
I believe the trend of HR is continuing with technological advancements that will see self-service kiosks increase, for staff to be accountable and in control of some of their personal HR processes such as timetables, rosters, pay, super, tax, personal details, leave etc.
What’s your favoured style of coffee?
I love a hazelnut latte from the office coffee machine, steaming hot with some fresh milk!
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would that be and why?
Jerry Seinfeld for that comedic entertainment and witty conversation, Giuliana Rancic to host the event and provide the latest entertainment gossip and
Donald Trump for his insight into the world of tough business.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in HR, I’d be….
I am a Master Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor as well as an actor so I am already combine many passions with my existing HR work – that keeps me busy for now!
