10 Tell-Tale Signs You Have A True Human Resource Business Partner?

  1. The first time you meet your HR partner, they will never ask you about your employees. They will ask you about you and understanding why you hired them in the first place.
  2. Your HR business partner’s primary motivation will be to partner with you and your business, knowing that if you succeed, they willsucceed with you, but also understand that if you fail, they fail with you.
  3. Your HR business partner will not tell you what you need in your business, they ask you what you need for your business.
  4. Your HR business partner will never tell you how to do it, before they ask you how you want to do it.
  5. Your HR business partner will not talk to you about policies and procedures they think you need, they will ask you what controls you think you need and why you need them.
  6. Your HR business partner will take it upon him/herself to understand what makes your customer/client tick, so that he/she understands the core of your business with this in mind.
  7. Your HR business partner will never manage your Human Resource function through email, but through direct one on one constructive dialogue.
  8. Your HR business partner will strike a solid balance by championing your business and its leadership team but also champion your employees.
  9. Your HR business partner will say it the way it is, never playing politics but ensuring your business thrives by building (in partnership with you and your team) a healthy culture of productive and profitable working relationships.
  10. Your HR business partner will tell you he/she disagrees, even if it places them in a political career limiting situation. They will show you they have a backbone but will also do this in a way that shows you they have your back 100% of the time!