Mathew Denny APHRNZ

What led you to a career in HR/ the position that you are in currently?

I have always been interested in organisational behaviour and supporting people to have better conversations.
My journey into HR began with a strong interest in behavior and business development. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work in various roles that allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the different facets of how HR can add value (starting in Operations focused roles). For my journey into my current role with Trustees Executors, I had originally agreed with my previous employer to do a three month contract which turned into three years. I was very honest that 2023 would be my last year in that industry and was able to split my time between both organisations through until the beginning of 2024.

What do you love about working in HR?

What I love most about working in HR is the ability to make a tangible impact on both an organisation and its community. People are our greatest asset, and being able to contribute to creating a supportive and inclusive environment is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy the variety of tasks, from strategic planning to employee engagement, and the opportunity to work closely with people from all levels of the organisation. This year I have worked very closely with our CFO Stuart McLaren who has been a mentor in shaping the left side of my brain. I would say it is true you never work a day in your life if you love what you do, though managing H&S through Covid restrictions likely tested most of us in business and HR.

Do you plan to now work towards becoming a Chartered Member?

Yes, I do plan to work towards becoming a Chartered Member through The Path. Achieving Chartered status is a career milestone that reflects a high level of professional competence and dedication to the HR profession. It is an opportunity to really drill down into what domains of knowledge I should be focusing on. Personally I feel HR in New Zealand should become a regulated industry for us to synergise in our contributions to the advancement of the HR field, while also holding members to professional standards.

What are your next steps in terms of your career?

In terms of my business career, I am focused on continuing to grow and develop my domains of knowledge up to the governance level. I am fortunate that in my role I have access to leaders at this level of experience. Ultimately the world of business continues to accelerate, especially with the AI revolution powering up.

I am particularly interested in reflecting on new strategies for maintaining the wellbeing of stakeholders through change. At the core of our response to change is the brain's natural inclination to seek stability and predictability. When faced with change, our brain perceives it as a threat, triggering the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. This response is rooted in our evolutionary past, where change often signaled potential danger.

My previous employer would tell you that I am always studying the next thing. Not necessarily the next shiny thing. But I have a very particular interest in human behaviour, so will be finding more time to continue this at a tertiary level, while also picking up some fantastic coaching certifications which flow really well in business or individual coaching.

Recently I spent a day at Microsoft's office in Wellington at a seminar on emerging and disruptive AI. I was likely the only HR practitioner in the room and I am not entirely sure how I managed to nab a seat to attend. The name badge is still in my blazer. A lot of the high level technological language was in no way native to my right brain; but, it is important to understand different parts of business/technology to continue to add value. I am very conscious that leaders will soon be approaching me to discuss integration of this technology. This leads into how to take people on the journey while maintaining a psychologically safe environment that is conducive to generating a great place to work that has competitive edge.

Similar to the changing seasons, the brain is also capable of reorganising itself by forming new neural connections. This adaptability allows us to learn new skills, adopt new behaviours, and ultimately thrive in changing environments.