TOP OF MIND Nick McKissack

Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.

No article about leadership and influence would be complete without a Ted Lasso quote. I’ve never ridden a horse so I’m not sure how accurate this statement really is.

Intuitively, though, it feels right to say that any new challenge must take you out of your comfort zone if you’re going to learn from it or achieve anything great.

Recently, HRNZ introduced a new capability framework called The Path and, at the same time, reframed the criteria for achieving Chartered Membership. In promoting the idea of Chartered Membership, HRNZ is trying to establish a benchmark for what is required for the successful practice of HR in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We consulted with HR professionals about what the criteria for Chartered Membership should be, using The Path as the reference point. What was clear from our discussions is that Chartered Membership needs to be about showing leadership in HR practice and the demonstration of the core capabilities at a Leads level needs to be the most important aspect of the assessment criteria. More important, for example, than having technical knowledge across many domains of HR knowledge.

A careful examination of the core capabilities at Leads level will reveal that applying these capabilities across two or three functional areas of HR represents a challenging benchmark for achieving Chartered Membership. Since introducing the new benchmark, we’ve had a number of members apply for and achieve Chartered Member status. This is excellent and we congratulate those individuals. It shows that the benchmark, while challenging, is achievable.

Equally, some members have felt challenged by the criteria. A particular challenge has been demonstrating knowledge of te ao Māori at the appropriate level. We’ve had some pushback from members, especially those who might have already achieved accreditation in another country. However, The Path presents an unashamedly unique Aotearoa approach to HR practice. HRNZ has taken a strong leadership position by acknowledging the importance of te ao Māori capability for the future success of HR professionals.

That position has been endorsed by the many HR professionals, CEOs and company directors with whom we have spoken.

HRNZ, of course, supports its members to understand and develop in these new capability areas. We’ve recently released a new learning module for our members that provides guidance on how to lead in relation to bringing te ao Māori to HR practice in their workplaces. The module is designed to help members who are keen to get Chartered on their journey to developing this important capability.