What Comes Next After Becoming Head of HR? Seeking Insights from Those Who've Been There

If one becomes a head of HR in 20 years (I know of people who are achieving that milestone in 8-10 years!) What does one do after that?

Hope to receive some response from each one...! :)

Regards,
Paromita

Hi,

If any person becomes the head of HR in 20 years, that means he has very little time to move up further the corporate ladder and should help someone below to come a step further up. Because a person starts his career ideally by 23 + 20, which means by 43 years, by this time, most people become more security-oriented. I feel and lose that fire factor. So, maybe there are lots who are different than what is expressed above.

Thanks,
Octavious

Dear All,

I am surprised by the answers so far and by the question as well. At least in theory and logically, the possibilities do exist. There are a good number of HR professionals who have risen to the position of CEOs in large organizations. I leave it open to all members to explore HR individuals who have reached the highest positions in fairly large organizations. Let's make an assignment to ourselves to identify these individuals and the companies they have led! The next step would be to explore how they have reached such positions. This should be really exciting and value-adding stuff. Do you agree?

Regards, M. Aditya Ganju

(In my own humble way, as an HR professional, I state that I have worked as a Chief Operating Officer in a multi-divisional company, albeit for a period of 3 years in a foreign country!)

It does not matter how long it takes to become the head of HR, provided you are a good HR. Then what, you ask? Then you put into practice all the positive principles you have learned, and you mentor others to pick up the baton.

P.V. Quinn

I couldn't understand what you meant. Are you looking for such a position, or are you looking for someone to fill the position?

P.V. Quinn

At the age of 45, one should ideally be at the peak of their energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm. It is widely acknowledged that a professional should consistently prepare themselves for higher positions by acquiring the necessary knowledge and engaging in continuous learning. This preparation could potentially lead the individual to head the HR department in a larger organization, manage a small unit as a CEO (provided they are suitably qualified), or even establish their own venture in the HR field.

To best equip oneself for such advancements, it is advisable to show interest and take initiative in areas beyond HR, even while primarily working in HR. By volunteering for additional tasks and responsibilities, one can impress both colleagues and superiors, ultimately benefiting their career in the long term, despite the demanding nature of the work and the long hours it may entail.

Interestingly, Russi Modi, a legendary figure in the HR realm, notably associated with Tata Steel, exemplifies the successful career trajectory of an HR professional.

R. Ramamurthy
TQM Consultant
(Aged 73)

"If one attains the position of HR head within 20 years (some achieve this milestone in as little as 8-10 years!), the question arises - what comes next?"

Paromita

I think that person should move to finance or operations or a closely linked function (resource-related) depending on the type of organization. This would help the organization and individuals to get a holistic view of the decision-making process in terms of resource allocation and implications from each function as per the business objectives.

Paromita...to being with, your questions itself is not structured in a proper manner.

There is no designation such as "HR-Head or Head -HR". You can be so-called HR-Head, even after 2 years of experience. HR-Head or Head -HR is a capacity in which you work and that is decided by the size of organization that you are working in. One can be Sr. HR Executive and working in the capacity of HR-Head and one can be Vice President –HR and working in the capacity of Head –HR. Small and mid-size companies cannot afford to hire Vice-President HR or Director-HR and hence they hire someone as a HR-Manager; give him 3-4 HR Executives or Sr. Executives and let him work as a Head-HR.

To my knowledge, Director –HR or President-HR are the highest designations for HR Professionals. Even if you are on the fast track of professional growth, it takes 15-20 years to reach that level.

I hope, I have given you a clear picture of growth for HR Professionals.

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Regards

Sanjeev Himachali