Final answer:
HR can become a true strategic partner by professionalizing functions to reduce hiring bias, fostering collaborative relationships between management and employees, and continually honing job-specific and transferable skills. This strategic approach encourages employees to show initiative and aligns HR practices with the organization's long-term goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Human Resources (HR) can assume a more specialized and strategic partnership role in an organization by leveraging various cross-functions. By professionalizing human resources functions, HR can reduce bias in the hiring process, contributing to a diverse and equitable workplace environment, as evidenced by research in Canada showing reduced hiring discrimination in larger organizations with professional HR strategies.
Furthermore, HR can facilitate better employee and management relationships by encouraging a collaborative working relationship that is seen increasingly as a two-way street, where both parties contribute to the organization's broader goals. This approach emphasizes the value of proactive employees who show initiative, solve problems independently, and identify opportunities to add value.
To align with strategic goals, HR professionals should focus on honing job-specific skills and refining transferable skills by remaining informed about industry changes, joining associations, and participating in professional development opportunities. In addition, by understanding the hiring process comprehensively, HR can optimize recruitment strategies to attract the best candidates like Imani in the example case provided, thereby serving the organization's long-term strategic objectives.