It can take just one person to bring down an empire (Warning spoilers alert!)
I went to see “Oblivion” recently, a SciFi movie set in the year 2077. After an alien invasion destroys Earth, an astronaut called Jack Harper (played by Tom Cruise) is assigned to protect machines which transform the planet’s remaining resources into energy needed for the human survivors. His task is made difficult by “Scavs” who continue their war against his people. Gradually, however, Harper learns that all is not quite what it seems. He ends up being recruited by those he had been trained to eliminate and spectacularly succeeds in bringing down the unsuspecting oppressing regime.
Pure fantasy?
Not when you think of it as an example of how powerful an individual’s influence can be.
In the more down to earth world of business, successful companies are those which recognize the power of an individual. It’s not rocket science when it comes to searching for the right HR specialist. If the role will be to develop the company’s recruitment strategy, they will effectively hold the power to build or change the company’s culture and thus steer its fate. So finding the right person for the job is crucial. But it is not easy. There is much more to an individual than their CV, qualifications and past experience. Just like Jack Harper in the movie, an individual may have all the right credentials to do the job. But he or she will also need the courage to stand against the established and seemingly well-functioning operation if deemed beneficial to the business. Such an individual will need the ability to make difficult decisions, engage with stakeholders and inspire their followers. These skills cannot be acquired – these are traits of exceptional individuals who will be capable of leading or bringing about change.
So next time you are looking for an HR specialist, especially in times of organisational change, make sure that you select and hire the right individual for the job and your plans won’t spin into oblivion.