As we celebrate International HR Day, I am honoured to extend my warmest greetings to you, recognising the remarkable contributions you make daily to the benefit of this profession. This year’s theme, “HR Shaping the New Future,” resonates deeply as we navigate the evolving landscape of work and society. The byline: “Celebrating the heartbeat of every organisation” is a testament to my conviction that HR is not just in the business of business partnering, we are the business! I’m positive therefore that wherever people are found working and doing good business, the CIPM must be there.
In this transformative period, we are tasked with embracing four vital sub-themes that are shaping the future of our profession:
1. Ethical Use of Technology and AI: In a season marked by the rise and rise of technology, it is imperative that we harness the power of technology responsibly. As HR professionals, we are called upon to advocate for ethical practices in integrating AI and technology into our workplaces, ensuring fairness, transparency, sanctity of agreements, and upholding human dignity.
2. Future Workplaces: The concept of the workplace is undergoing a profound shift, with remote work, flexible arrangements and digital collaboration becoming standard. We must wholeheartedly embrace this evolution, fostering environments that prioritize employee wellbeing, diversity, inclusion and adaptability.
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3. People Leadership: Effective HR hinges on exceptional and value-adding people leadership. As custodians of organisational culture, we wield significant influence over the lives and experiences of employees. Leaders either add value or they get out of the way for those who will, and let’s remember, value is judged by the receiver. Let us therefore lead with empathy, integrity, authenticity, and the outward mindset nurturing environments where individuals and teams thrive and our organisations flourish.
4. Continued Innovation in Skills and Education: The future belongs to those committed to continuous learning and reskilling. As proponents of lifelong learning, we must champion innovative approaches to education and skills development, empowering individuals to remain agile and resilient amidst change.
At the forefront of advancing these initiatives stands the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), the esteemed regulatory body and beacon of excellence in people management. Through our collective endeavors, CIPM plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of HR in Nigeria and beyond.
As ambassadors of CIPM, it is our duty to align with the institute’s core values of Service, Creativity, Respect, Integrity, Professionalism and Teamwork. These values serve as our guiding principles and shaping forces as we navigate the intricacies of our profession, ensuring our actions uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.
In the words of Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Let us embody this ethos as we embark on our journey to shape the new future of HR.
On this International HR Day, let us celebrate the invaluable contributions of HR professionals worldwide. Your dedication, resilience and passion inspire us all as we collectively strive to create workplaces that are equitable, empowering and transformative.
Together, let us forge ahead, unwavering in our commitment to shaping the future of HR and creating a world where every individual can thrive.
Happy International HR Day!
We Move!! And we keep moving in the right direction.
God bless you richly.
God bless the CIPM.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.Olusegun Mojeed, FCIPM, fnli
President & Chairman of the Governing Council
