Not Just Roles—People: The Heart of HR

 

Not Just Roles—People: The Heart of HR

In the world of HR, it's easy to get caught up in structures—roles, frameworks, competencies, dashboards. But every now and then, it helps to zoom out and ask: Who are we doing this for?

That question brought me back to the human side of HR—the side we sometimes overlook while ticking boxes and drafting strategy decks.

At the center of every competency model is a person. Someone with stories, aspirations, and quirks. A sales rep who lights up when talking to customers. A manager struggling to balance empathy with performance pressure. A new hire with dreams bigger than their job description. HR isn’t just about aligning talent with business; it’s about seeing people in their full complexity and potential.

Competency mapping, assessments, 360-degree feedback—these are powerful tools. But they should never be used to label or limit. They’re meant to open doors, spark conversations, and guide people toward growth.

On this map I’m drawing—Mehta on the Map—my compass points toward empathy. Because at the end of the day, HR is not about perfect systems. It’s about people finding meaning in their work and being seen for who they are.

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