DisruptHR: “Traditional HR is seen as meaningless, stupid, and irrelevant: How to SHIFT LEFT today to make this right” by Carolin Schneider
In the fast-paced world of HR management, professionals often find themselves caught in a whirlwind of tasks, battling endless to-do lists, and grappling with a sense of being undervalued and underfunded. Carolin Schneider, in her DisruptHR talk, sheds light on a transformative approach called "Shift Left" and introduces the Five Whys method to address the root causes of HR challenges.
The HR Management Conundrum:
Carolin Schneider begins by painting a relatable picture of the challenges faced in HR management. Juggling myriad tasks, she describes the struggle to make a significant impact and the prevalent belief that others fail to comprehend the true essence of HR responsibilities.
Shifting Left: The Five Whys Method:
The core of Carolin’s strategy lies in "Shifting Left," a deliberate move to unearth the root causes of issues. She employs the Five Whys method, drawing an analogy with a statue covered in bird droppings. Instead of hiring more cleaners, she advocates asking "why" repeatedly to get to the heart of the matter.
Root Cause Analysis in Action:
Carolin walks the audience through a practical example involving Peter, a manager facing a high turnover rate in his team. By repeatedly asking "why," the true issue surfaces – a miscommunication in onboarding documentation about salary increases. Addressing this root cause resolves the problem more effectively than merely dealing with its surface-level manifestations.
Communication Breakdown: Another Case Study:
In a second example, Carolin addresses a team led by Marco that feels neglected. Rather than resorting to lectures or justifications, she advocates for asking "why." The investigation reveals that the team primarily communicates on Slack, leading to missed email updates. Adjusting the communication method proves to be the key to resolving the issue.
A Call to Action for HR Professionals:
The crux of Carolin’s message is a call to action for HR professionals. She urges them to be proactive, utilize tools for root cause analysis, and shift their focus from superficial tasks to addressing the real issues. By doing so, HR can create solutions that are not only meaningful and relevant but also have a lasting impact on individuals and the overall business.
Conclusion: Making It Right by Shifting Left:
In conclusion, Carolin Schneider advocates for a paradigm shift in HR management – a move from scratching the surface to delving into the root causes of challenges. By adopting the Five Whys method and embracing a "Shift Left" mentality, HR professionals can create value that is not only impactful but also meaningful and relevant for everyone involved. It's time to stop cleaning up after others and start focusing on what truly matters – the root cause.
Our Sponsors
A big thank you goes to our sponsors HR Cosmos, Coople & Personio.
About DisruptHR
„Teach us something but do it quick“ – DisruptHR presents inspiring speakers worlwide who are questioning the status quo and look into the future with their ideas.
SPOT ON organizes this format for Zurich and brings together HR enthusiasts.