HR talent pool needs ex-military moral courage, says Oakleaf founder
30 September 2013
Ex-military personnel now in HR roles have much to offer UK Plc in leadership qualities and skills in a business climate “lacking moral courage”, the founder and managing partner of HR recruiter Oakleaf Partnership has said.
Mon, 30 Sep 2013Ex-military personnel now in HR roles have much to offer UK Plc in leadership qualities and skills in a business climate “lacking moral courage”, the founder and managing partner of HR recruiter Oakleaf Partnership has said.
Richard Colgan, who spent nine years in the British Army, was speaking last Thursday (26 September) at the launch of a newly established Oakleaf community for ex-military members now working in HR, attended by recruiter.co.uk.
He told guests that HR and UK business need “people who can lead from the front”.
Experience, skills and traits such as the ability to motivate and lead, a strong work ethic, moral courage, project management skills, and the ability to work under extreme stress lend themselves well to working in HR, Colgan said.
However, he added, those necessary qualities were rare, and businesses and, subsequently HR, were “lacking in moral courage” to confront the dilemmas of the day.
Ex-forces members could change the environment, he said. “You can have a real say in how leaders run the business… We’ve created so much leadership potential,” he added, looking around at the audience, which included well-known HR and resourcing leaders from organisations such as RBS, Lloyds Bank, Virgin Atlantic Airways.
“I hope you will come up the ranks and be the leaders of the future. Have enough belief you are real agents of change,” he told attendees.
Richard Colgan, who spent nine years in the British Army, was speaking last Thursday (26 September) at the launch of a newly established Oakleaf community for ex-military members now working in HR, attended by recruiter.co.uk.
He told guests that HR and UK business need “people who can lead from the front”.
Experience, skills and traits such as the ability to motivate and lead, a strong work ethic, moral courage, project management skills, and the ability to work under extreme stress lend themselves well to working in HR, Colgan said.
However, he added, those necessary qualities were rare, and businesses and, subsequently HR, were “lacking in moral courage” to confront the dilemmas of the day.
Ex-forces members could change the environment, he said. “You can have a real say in how leaders run the business… We’ve created so much leadership potential,” he added, looking around at the audience, which included well-known HR and resourcing leaders from organisations such as RBS, Lloyds Bank, Virgin Atlantic Airways.
“I hope you will come up the ranks and be the leaders of the future. Have enough belief you are real agents of change,” he told attendees.
