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Build HR Influence Through Curiosity and a Coach Approach

Use coaching techniques in day-to-day interactions to build HR influence with other organizational leaders while continuing to evolve your role as a thought partner.

While HR professionals are experts in bringing a people-first lens to organizational challenges, often leaders do not involve them in problem solving and decision making. McLean & Company’s 2022 HR Trends Report shows that when organizations have HR as a partner in planning and executing strategy, they are 1.3 times more likely to be highly effective at generating and implementing new ideas. However, only 42% of the organizations surveyed included HR as a partner in planning and executing strategy. But why is this? Well there are a combination of factors at play. First being the natural instinct of HR professionals to provide an answer rather than engaging in collaborative problem solving by asking thought-provoking questions. This is further complicated by the perception of HR in the organization and the fact that it takes time to build trust and gain influence with leaders.

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Our Advice

Critical Insight

  • Become a thought partner by shifting the mindset from providing an answer to asking questions to deepen the conversation, evolving the role of HR in the organization.
  • Shift the focus of coaching away from being the end goal to using coaching techniques to build HR influence in your interactions and ensure a people lens is applied to organizational challenges.

Impact and Result

  • Use a coach approach to build HR influence and your presence as a thought partner in your organization. And then repeat.
  • As you build your presence as a thought partner, more opportunities will arise to leverage your coach approach and strengthen your influence. It is a circular process resulting in opportunities to apply your people lens to help your leaders better achieve their organizational objectives.

Build HR Influence Through Curiosity and a Coach Approach Research & Tools

1. Build HR influence through curiosity and a coach approach

Use coaching techniques in day-to-day interactions to build HR influence with other organizational leaders while continuing to evolve your role as a thought partner.

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About McLean & Company

McLean & Company is an HR research and advisory firm providing practical solutions to human resources challenges via executable research, tools, diagnostics, and advisory services that have a clear and measurable impact on your business.

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Contributors

  • Aastha Bhatia, Talent and Performance Leader, Rogers Communication
  • Jackie Chavarie, CHRL, HR Consultant
  • Tracy-Lynn Reid, MHRM, CHRL, Senior Director of Research Workforce & Talent, Info-Tech Research Group
  • Cassandra Patrovani, Founder and Managing Director, LaMP International Limited
  • Rhonda Suurd, GPHR, SHRM-SCP, HR Strategic Lead, Global First Power