“HR On Purpose: Developing Deliberate People Passion” (2017) by Steve Browne is intended to be a comprehensive guidebook for HR professionals who want to transform their organisations by adopting a people-first approach. Arguably, HR professionals should already be doing this, but for those who may have strayed, the book contains practical advice that can help HR professionals build a more positive workplace culture, drive employee engagement, and create an environment where people can thrive.
One of the key themes of the book is the importance of building a positive workplace culture. Browne argues, and I agree, that a positive culture is essential for attracting and retaining top talent, promoting collaboration and innovation, and ultimately achieving organisational success. If the culture is poor then HR is trying to build everything else on a shaky foundation! He provides actionable advice on how HR professionals can create a positive culture by fostering trust, transparency, and open communication.
Another critical topic covered in the book is the role of technology in HR. Browne believes that technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing HR practices and improving the employee experience. He provides examples of how organisations can leverage technology to streamline HR processes, automate repetitive tasks, and deliver personalised learning and development opportunities. However, the author also warns against relying too heavily on technology and forgetting the importance of human connection in HR. He stresses that HR professionals must strike a balance between technology and human touch to create a truly effective HR strategy.
Browne spends a fair bit of time on the importance of networking and how to establish such relationships both at work, as well as externally. Attending local HR roundtable meetings, if they exist in your area, is one such example. If they don’t – start one! On a couple of occasions the book does come across as a bit of a plug for the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) one of the largest HR associations in the world. Membership of SHRM isn’t necessarily a bad thing (I’m a member!) but it was mentioned often enough that I did find it a little annoying.
Browne attempts to give an rundown of a number of areas that HR can focus on within organisations. Whilst I found much of this advice to be somewhat basic, it serves as good reminders for even the more senior HR practitioners. The theme that I identified most strongly with, was the importance of HR professionals taking a proactive role in advocating for their organisations. HR people can often be a bit apologetic about what they do for a living. Browne encourages HR professionals to be vocal about the value that HR brings to the organisation, to take pride in their jobs, and to actively engage with employees to understand their needs and concerns. This is where the “On Purpose” phrase from the title of the book comes in.
Overall, I think this book might be of greater use for HR professionals in the earlier stages of their career, but it’s a short read so anyone needing a bit of a refresher can pick this up and get through it in a couple of hours.
