Importance of Networking and Professional Relationships in HR

Angela Vanikiotis, Director of Talent Management at Royal Canadian Mint

Author Bio -   With over 30 years in the human resources industry, Angela Vanikiotis has worked in specialist and leadership roles in the public sector, non-profit, and private sector.  Applying a full spectrum of talent management principles and practices, Angela has led teams forward to perform and improve quality while using a data-driven focus that sets priorities for improvements aligned with new and ongoing strategic imperatives.  Angela is an analyst, strategist, writer, collaborator, enthusiast, and visionary.  Personally, she enjoys the culinary arts, gardening, and travel.

Importance of Networking and Professional Relationships in Advancing One’s Career in HR

Both networking and professional relations are important to advancing one's career in HR because it is a complex field of issues that needs many minds to develop win-win solutions.  Social media, conferences (both virtual and in-person), and connecting with authors, specialists, and thought leaders are all great ways to grow one's network in HR because it is all about building your knowledge and ideas to solve issues with tried and tested professional practices.  Diversity of thought is also very important:  be sure to diversify your network as much as possible, including people from other regions and countries!

"Integrity is key to doing HR work.  In other words, always do the right thing.  Live by a set of values and adopt the values of your organization."

Experiences from One of the Projects That You Were Involved In

Recently, the Royal Canadian Mint was involved in developing a diversity, equity, and inclusion action plan as well as an accessibility action plan.  Action Plans are made best when they respond adequately to the needs of employees, customers, and the organization as a whole.  Therefore, consultations are important before developing actions in order to make a difference. 

Challenges in Business That Current Solutions Are Unable to Solve

Identifying multiple performance metrics to demonstrate results for HR strategy execution in a fast-paced, people-centric environment continues to be a challenge.  Indeed, there are multiple metrics available to choose from, but I don’t think organizations have come up with the best way to tell a story using metrics.

Advice to Professionals

Integrity is key to doing HR work.  In other words, always do the right thing.  Live by a set of values and adopt the values of your organization.  Never give up on helping people and organizations to make progress on their goals.  Design programs that are fit for purpose, meaning, don’t copy others and do what is right for your company and your people:  That should always be your focus.