September 26 is #HumanResourceProfessionalDay.
Every day, HR professionals positively impact the lives of employees in workplaces around the world and contribute to the business strategy that allows their organizations to compete, grow and thrive.
We asked our bloggers to share their HR stories.
As a self-described businesswoman with a specialization in Human Resource Management, I understand that organizations need to accomplish strategic outcomes and be operationally viable. With this in mind, I always stress that organizations achieve success with and through their people and not at the expense of them.
As such, our work as HR professionals aligns with my personal and professional values and enables me to use my knowledge, experiences and voice to enhance the lives of others, in practical and meaningful ways.
When work allows a person to fully use both their head and heart it means that they are functioning effectively and in a meaningful capacity. My role as an HR professional allows me to do exactly this and my hope is that I can help others also find satisfaction, accomplishment and joy in, and through, their work.
Therefore, I didn’t choose to be in HR but rather the profession chose me. The work called to me and resonated with me as a chance to make the “experience of work” better for people at all levels in an organization.
One of my first mentors told me that I would be successful in HR because I care about other people. According to this person, my technical knowledge and my strong work ethic would serve me well, but what would always stand out is my genuine desire to attend to the needs of others. Even in difficult times, and I don’t ignore that there are challenging aspects within our work, I have never forgotten this.
This is a key piece of advice that I now share with others. While it is important to always be learning (i.e. to keep knowledge and certifications up to date) and to work diligently, what is most important is to do so through the lens of serving others. I always try to ground myself and my work in this philosophy as this reminds me of the core of an HR professional’s role. My ultimate hope is that I will be remembered as someone who, no matter what the situation or circumstances, genuinely cared about and for other people.
Dr. Melanie Peacock has over 30 years’ experience as a Human Resources Management professional and is an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University and past president of the Faculty Association. Dr. Peacock was the first woman of colour and the first woman in over 28 years to hold this position. As well, Dr. Peacock is the incoming president of Western University’s Alumni Board.
Dr. Peacock has been extensively involved in professional HR initiatives as a senior manager, independent consultant, and educator. She obtained her Bachelor of Commerce (with distinction) from the University of Alberta, her MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business (Western University), and her PhD through the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary.
Due to her extensive knowledge and competencies, Dr. Peacock is a sought-after media contributor and commentator at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. In addition to this text, Dr. Peacock has authored books regarding training and development and change management.
Dr. Peacock was presented with HRD’s 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award in the HR Industry at the Canadian HR Awards. As well, in 2021 and 2020 she was named to HRD magazine’s list of the top 100 HR global professionals and was acknowledged in HRD magazine’s 2017 Hot List as one of the top 30 most influential HR practitioners in Canada. Dr. Peacock’s other recognition includes being named to the Most Inclusive HR Influencer List (2021 & 2020) as one of the top 250 global HR social media influencers, being given the Fellowship Award (2021) and Distinguished Career Award (2014) by CPHR Alberta, being awarded the first Mount Royal Faculty Association Teaching Excellence Award (2014), and being presented with Western’s Distinguished Alumni Award (2016).
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