APUS's Marie Harper on HR as Change Agent Get Reworked

Human resources has come a long way since its days as the personnel department. Yet tensions remain between organizations that view HR as a strategic partner and those that still see HR people as paper pushers and party planners.
In this episode of Get Reworked, we talk to Dr. Marie Harper, Dean, Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business, American Public University System. Marie's professional path started in a personnel department, but hasn't stopped evolving since then. She believes HR professionals who don't view themselves as change agents will "be destroyed."
Listen: Get Reworked Full Episode List
"Every time there's a problem, you can't say, we will train people," said Marie. "Rather, you should look at what is going on in the system, do I need to change employees do I need to change policies, procedures, the systems that we use, and that's how you make change in the organization. I truly believe in that, you have to look at the big picture before you try to assist and help individuals."
Highlights of the conversation include:
How Human Resources moved beyond administrative work. The risk of burnout among HR professionals and why some organizations still aren't addressing it. Why people should think in terms of personal growth and not careers. What gives Marie hope about the next generation of HR leaders. Plus, co-hosts Siobhan Fagan and Mike Prokopeak talk with Marie about important skills for HR professionals, why she hates the word 'career,' how a Philadelphia mayor's election loss spurred her into HR and Mickey Mouse as a potential cure for burnout. Listen in for more.
Have a suggestion, comment or topic for a future episode? Drop us a line at editors@simplermedia.com.