“I hear you have a hole on your team?” I asked, knowing the answer.
“You are right,” replied Rolanda. “I sent a note to HR to find someone for me. I hope they can place somebody fast.”
“You sound a bit casual, like the decision is in the lap of HR?” I wanted to know.
“Yes, I am a little tired, covering for the lack of manpower on the shift. The sooner they can find someone, the better.”
“Is it possible,” I said, “that it’s not HR who can recognize the best person for your team. That decision falls to you. The most important decision you will ever make, is who is on your team. That person will either make you successful or cause you to stumble.”
Absolutely correct. HR is a resource and an advisor on process. They should never have the final word on who does or does not join the organisation. One of HR’s biggest roles is to empower line management to make good hiring decisions. A confident and competent line manager is reflective of a HR department doing its job.