Introduction

Human resource leaders have the unique title and role in an organization. One important way to learn

about leadership is to learn from conversations with, and observations of, practicing leaders. This

balances academic theory with the practical applications of experienced human resource leaders.

Learning from others is a key tool in the development of leaders. While textbooks and publications can

advise you, they cannot replace the experiential information from others. The focus of this assignment is

understanding leadership from the human resource perspective. In this assignment, you will conduct an

informational interview with a human resource professional and write a paper discussing your findings

from that interview. The assignment focuses on understanding your interviewee’s perspective on the

human resource leadership role and evaluating the information obtained from this interview as you

consider your approach to human resource leadership.

Scenario

You work in the Human Resources department and your goal is to be promoted to higher levels of

leadership in the human resource profession. In order to understand how you need to develop your

skills for advanced leadership positions, you decide to conduct an informational interview with a human

resource leader.

Leadership Development Challenge

For this leadership development challenge, you will conduct an informational interview that focuses on

a human resource leader whose primary role is being a strategic partner to people and organizations

from a human resource capacity. This interview will balance the academic theories addressed in your

Week 2 assignment with the practical applications of experienced human resource leaders.

Your quest for the practical side of human resource leadership should include the following elements:

? Learn about a human resource leader’s role and the challenges and opportunities they face as a

leader and as a manager.

? Analyze the ways in which a leader influences people and organizations as a strategic partner.

After conducting your interview you will summarize your findings and incorporate ideas from your

interview into your personal understanding of leadership.

Instructions

Conduct an informational interview with a human resource professional in which you explore the

leadership side of human resources.

Write a paper which outlines your informational interview with a human resource leader.

Explain the leader’s role and unique perspectives of human resource leadership. You will also analyze

how this advises you on your own perspectives of being an effective human resource leader. Your paper

should be well organized and cover the following elements.

? Introduction.

? Describe the leader’s position and role in the human resource function.

? Examine the leader’s philosophy and approach for being an effective leader and strategic partner.

Be sure your interview covers the following facets of leadership and management:

o The challenges and opportunities of the interviewee as a human resource leader, and how that

differs from their role as a human resource manager.

o The leader’s approach to influencing people and organizations as a strategic partner.

o The leader’s advice for being an effective leader.

? Analyze how the leader applies leadership theories to support human resource outcomes. Be sure

to cover the following elements.

o How theories of leadership did or could apply to the interviewee’s role and responsibilities.

o How theories of leadership resonate with you after the interview.

? Analyze how key interview findings inform your own personal philosophy of human resource

leadership.

o How do insights from the interview connect to your own leadership behavior?

o How do insights from the interview impact your leadership development journey?

? Conclusion.