HR from the Heart: Inspiring Stories and Strategies for Building the People Side of Great Business

by Libby Sartain, Martha I. Finney

Human resources professionals are entrusted, perhaps more than any other corporate designates, with the well-being of their organization's population. They bridge the gaps between the individual and the collective, the person and the purpose. The most successful and effective HR professionals see their careers as a calling, and their work, though driven by corporate goals, is graced by a sense of purpose, a profound generosity, and a love for what they do and the constituencies they serve. HR from the Heart is a book for HR practitioners who love their jobs -- or want to. Libby Sartain, one of the country's top human resources executives, reveals how HR professionals create a synergy between business objectives and the needs and wants of employees. This inspiring book is equal parts motivational message and how-to, confessional and career guide. Filled with stories from Sartain's considerable experience, HR from the Heart offers a first-hand perspective on forging relationships, selling HR to the company, taking diversity beyond "by the book," keeping policy in perspective, and more -- all while making the right career moves, staying engaged, and forwarding the strategic goals of the company.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Historical Romance

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sartain has written a book that is, in her opinion (as of 2003), the first one written “by an HR practitioner for HR practitioners about managing your own unique career as well as dealing with the special challenges of daily life in the world of human resources.” As she explains, most of the stories she shares are taken from her 13-year tenure as Vice President, People at Southwest Airlines. She is a staunch advocate of what she characterizes as a “fully empowered” HR career, viewing it as a “calling” and asserting that it can – and should -- provide a competitive advantage to any organization, especially now when competition for human talent is almost ferocious. Those equal to the challenges of such a career in HR possess both highly-developed business acumen and what Daniel Goleman defines as emotional intelligence. Sartain insists (and I wholly agree) that a corporate culture “based on respectful treatment of all the company’s employees is essential to the company’s long-term success…The most successful companies are the ones that make it their business to help their employees achieve their highest potential and use their gifts and talents most fully.” It is no coincidence that on Fortune magazine’s annual lists of those companies that are most highly admired, most valuable, and best to work for, several of the same names appear on those lists year after year after year. Presumably each of exemplary company has “fully empowered” HR resources and capabilities.

Sartain is passionately committed to helping HR executives to establish and then sustain a “fully empowered” career, in terms of both personal and professional development, one that is fulfilling and thus satisfying to them but also in terms of how much value they can add, not only to the given organization but also to the personal as well as professional development of those whom they are privileged to serve. I use the phrase “privileged to serve” deliberately and presumably Sartain concurs. If empowered with sufficient resources (including the support of senior management) and if properly prepared and fully committed, a HR professional who is both competent and compassionate can help to achieve objectives such as continuous recruiting of those who have the talent, experience, and character that may one day be needed; interviewing and hiring procedures that are rigorous, thorough, and cordial so that each candidate is given every opportunity to “shine,” of course, but is also treated with utmost respect; ensuring that orientation accelerates the process by which each new hire becomes an integral part of the given organization and its culture; providing on-going formal and informal training that develops in participants the leadership and management skills that are needed at every level and in all areas of the given enterprise; and making certain that performance measurement is conducted formally (at least quarterly) and informally (each day), based on criteria that are clearly explained, mutually understood, and consistently applied.

One of Sartain’s key points is that hearts as well as minds must constantly be nourished. In many (too many) organizations, HR professionals have been “so distracted by the need to be taken seriously that [they have] been tempted to jettison any discussion of how [their] personal feelings and principles are factored into the business equation. As a result, the HR profession has been cultivating a reputation that I am tempted to say it often deserves – that of being a single-minded administrator with a big, red, rubber stamp that reads: ‘No! Against Policy and Procedures!’” Sartain is convinced that in human resources, indeed in all relationships within and beyond the workplace, head and heart should not be mutually exclusive. “That’s what it takes to build a great business.” In the concluding chapter, “How Do We Get There From Here?," she suggests nine “major points” that must be covered to reach that destination. Bon voyage!

[Yustidara Fauziah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Temukan apa misi bos. Percayalah bahwa dia dipilih karena kemampuannya. And if its not illegal or immoral or the wrong thing to do in other ways, go along with that agenda. Develop a great relationship, even a friend-ship, with your boss. And you will be creating new opportunities for yourself to grow and lead in the near future. Itu pesan Libby. Great then. Daripada pusing memimpikan perfect boss, mendingan kita berusaha buat jadi perfect staff. Ingat, bukan ABS ya, kita tetap menyampaikan ide kita, yang terbaik yang kita bisa, tapi bukan dengan memenangkan perdebatan melainkan dengan macan -main cantik-. Try it then, :D

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book on HR from a true people executive

I've seen the results of a pro-employee, true customer service company at Southwest Airlines. I've flown Southwest, had familly work at Southwest, and placed candidates who've worked at Southwest. They're genuinely happy and enthusiastic people. I also know what Yahoo used to be like to be an employee. I had the good fortune of seeing Libby speak and it made me want to recruit her very badly. I am inspired to start to be proactive in getting better professionally. it was a great read.

[Clarity HR Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Julie's favorite book regarding HR and how to develop HR strategy.

[Lisa Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the never ending quest for HR to be "strategic", sometimes the best 'strategy' HR can provide is to be an adovcate for employees. Especially in a world of constant downsizing, rightsizing and more often than not, mismanagement of all that change.

[Mike Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best HR book I have ever read. It sends a clear message that HR practitioners have to always remember the human side of what we do. Sartain shares some great stories from her awesome experiences.

[Ana Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book! As someone who has recently entered into the HR field, I felt this book provided so much advice and good ways of thinking as an HR professional. It was super helpful to read the authors expiriences as well as her tips and be able to use them in my future.

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku wajib di tempat kerja. Bagian yang paling menohok adalah bab yang ngomongin tentang "Kapan Anda Seharusnya Berpikir untuk Pindah Kerja". Hehehe...

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by popular HR practitioner from Southwest Airlines.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for not just someone in the HR profession but anyone who cares about their company as a whole and wants to make a difference.

[Ebru Kurtulus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical...Really for those HR professionals who would like to get inspired!!!

[Syafina Hasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baca tahun 2012. satu-satunya buku non fiksi dan non terjemahan yang berhasil selesai sebelum empat bulan.

karena memang ngalir dan... minjem dari perpus kampus