Developing Yourself as an Effective Human Resources Practitioner
The HR Professional Map It is the map that directs the HR Professionals at each level (generalist or specialist) to figure out what they need to do so as to deliver correct output at whichever stage of their career they are working at. The map is a threshold set for the individuals exhibiting HR excellence. It describes the knowledge and activities as well as the behaviours that are absolutely needed for the smooth running and functioning of HR activities, both present and also in future. The map is ever-evolving so as to combat the ever increasing needs of this profession.
The HR Professional Map is divided as follows:
Core Professional Areas: The centre of the map enfolds two main professional areas which are relevant and related to all the people in the HR profession irrespective of the position or the level these people work at. These two are, namely,
- Insights, Solutions and Strategy: relates to the need for a successful HR professional to present and develop strategies and solutions based on a firm understanding of the business; it’s internal environment and its external challenges. It also demonstrates the profession as a recognised business discipline with people and the organisation at its heart.
- Leading HR: is defined as providing ‘active, insight-led leadership: owning, shaping and driving themselves, others and activity in the organisation’ (CIPD). Great leaders can be found across three main areas of leadership – personal leadership, leading others and leading issues.

Specialist Professional Areas: Apart from two core profession areas, there are 8 specialist profession areas which states that there is a need of understanding what is to be done at each band of competence from beginner competence to an advanced one. These are 8 areas, namely,
- Organisation Design
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