While partnering with clients, HR Consultant Faith Huber focuses on influencing organizational development by working closely with leadership to develop its team and strategize ways in which the organization can utilize their human capital to grow the bottom line. Read on to find out why Human Resources was a natural it for this agent of change who is all about helping our clients create exceptional employment experiences.
1. How did you first get interested in working in Human Resources?
I started my career in Clinical Counseling. After working in the field for a few years, I decided to make the switch to Human Resources. As a change agent and culture driver, Human Resources has a direct impact on the employee experience, which I think is one of the most important factors in ensuring an organization’s success. What prompted me to pursue a career in HR was a less than ideal job experience that made me realize how common it is for people to wake up dreading going to work each day because of bad workplace culture. I wanted to provide a positive impact on employee culture and morale so that maybe fewer people would feel this way.
2. What has surprised you most about working with Northeast Ohio businesses
At this point in my career, not too much really surprises me! The businesses in Northeast Ohio are all unique in their own way and I learn something new working with each of them.
3. What do you find most challenging about the HR field?
I think that one of the most challenging aspects of being an HR Consultant is implementing HR best practices and driving cultural change from the top down when the organization’s leaders just aren’t ready for it, but the staff is. It creates a challenging dichotomy that is oftentimes difficult to work through. But making that process easier for companies is what we do.
4. What’s the best thing to happen since you started working with CHR?
I feel fortunate to work with a really great group of peers who are all supportive and encouraging. It is really a positive culture that fosters growth and knowledge sharing.
5. What do you wish other people knew about their HR department?
I think that the HR department is oftentimes under-utilized and devalued. A lot of companies still view the HR department as administrative which can greatly hinder the growth of the organization. In the last decade, there has been a shift in the Human Resources field from an administrative role to that of a strategic business partner. This new role, if fully taken advantage of, can have a significant impact on organizational development and growth.
6. What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about how HR supports a business?
As an HR Consultant, we partner with the business in a way that is relatively unique in the sense that we become the trusted advisor to the leader of the company. Often the leader of a company doesn’t feel comfortable discussing people-related issues and concerns with staff as it can lead to confidentiality issues. Due to our unique role as an external partner that is unbiased in our opinion, the leader feels comfortable sharing those confidential matters without any concern that it will be shared with anyone else.
7. What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I love strength training/CrossFit and have been doing it for the past year and a half now. You’ll typically find me in the gym at least six days a week.
8. What would you tell someone who is thinking about hiring CHR?
It’s really quite a no brainer. You will get to partner with an executive-level HR professional to provide your organization with the expertise it needs at a fraction of the cost. It’s an investment in your people which assists the organization in maintaining a competitive advantage over competitors.
9. As a consultant, what sorts of HR trends do you see?
COVID-19 has really pushed small businesses to reassess their workplace practices and policies―specifically, those affecting work-life balance and the need to be a more agile workforce.
1o. What do you do when you aren’t working?
I’m a very social person and have a number of different hobbies. Some of those include traveling (currently working on visiting all 50 states by 2022), visiting new wineries in Ohio and surrounding areas, and working on my lifestyle blog.