Confidant - being the trusted advisor

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HR has to be a trusted advisor to the CEO and within the management team. To be a valued strategic business partner, regarded as relevant in the decision making in the organisation – delivering business driven HR which contributes to the company's strategic objectives.

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However, trust is only earned. A CEO only turns to advisors who are considered as relevant. Hence, HR professionals have to invite themselves to the table and demonstrate external perspective, commercial acumen, strategic capability and provide relevant advice. Only then will HR be regarded as relevant. Likewise, a strategic HR professional is expected to contribute to the company's strategy development process, as well as derive an HR strategy.

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There is no formula for building trust as this pertains to interpersonal relations. Personally, I try to live up to:

• Perceiving the main stakeholder(s) as the main focus

• Saying 'I don't know' and revert with facts

• Check the facts prior to giving advice – check again and again

• Asking questions rather than having answers to everything

• Propose solutions as well as providing options

• Putting my money where my mouth is

• Knowing there are many other bright advisors 'out there'...