Dear Evil HR Lady (I’m sure you’re not)
Could you please tell what is the difference between ‘HR Director’ and ‘Head of People’?
Many thanks,
One is hip and trendy. The other is not. I hate “innovative” titles. Put them back in the box, please.
Head of People sounds like you manage all the people. Which you don’t. So, stop trying to pretend.
Maybe my not-so-evil readership think there is a real difference. I think it’s just a title thing to make the HR leadership seem more in touch with the “people.” Personally, I think Head of People is too close to the old “Personnel.” I don’t want to go back to that era.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Head of People is just silly. The profession still can’t its head around what on earth it does! Drives me mad! Have you seen some of these titles – Chief Happiness Officer – arghhhhhh
Bravo!! If I see another Fish Wrangler or Cat Hearder, I will scream.
This phenomenon is not limited to HR folk. I have seen “Chief Inspiration Officer” and “Head Servant.”
This phenomenon is not limited to HR folk. I have seen “Chief Inspiration Officer” and “Head Servant.”
Perhaps I should be Chief Typo Officer.
Once, our CEO sent out a company wide e-mail and misspelled the name of one of our products. Too bad we didn’t have a Chief Typo Officer to take care of it.
Here, here!
Does the marketing person use the phrase Head of Nifty Glossy Brochures; or, does the finance person use the phrase Head of the Bottom Line?
It’s outrageous. We need to begin to define how we contribute to our stakeholders and not worry about titles.
Nice post Evil HR Lady! Well Done!