Leanne Arms CMHRNZ

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

I originally studied accountancy and later completed a Bachelor of Business with a double major in accounting and management. I really enjoyed studying the HR papers such as Organisational Behaviour, Organisational Communication, Business Ethics, Managing People and Managing Change.

One of my roles included the payroll function, so initially I developed knowledge of relevant NZ legislation. It was satisfying being able to resolve employees’ payroll related legal queries. People then started bringing various other HR issues to me.

I mentioned my interest in HR to the business owner, and when the opportunity arose, I eagerly took on the HR role in addition to my original role. I wanted to learn more about this fascinating area, and so I looked for further HR training opportunities. My HR knowledge, skills and experience grew from there and developed over time as the business expanded.

What do you love about working in HR?

There is so much variety in HR, with each workplace having a different organisational culture and unique individuals. There is always something new to learn from various situations and the people around you. You can use your experience and apply a range of tools and skills to contribute in different ways in each new role and organisation.

Since great people are essential to the success of any organisation, it is important to encourage learning and development for mutual benefit. Promoting a positive working environment with inclusion, fairness and respect for everyone is also key, so that people feel valued and engaged and can perform at their best.

In HR, you don’t always know what lies ahead in your workday, since unexpected issues can arise that must be dealt with quickly. So you need to be agile and adapt your approach to suit the circumstances and personalities involved.

I like helping people to resolve issues early on, so that small issues don’t escalate into larger problems. I also enjoy collaborating with others to improve the efficiency of systems and processes, which enables people to work more productively and effectively in their roles.

 Are there any specific highlights of your career that you wish to share?

I am fortunate to have developed valuable experience from holding dual responsibilities as Human Resources Manager and Finance Manager within a fully integrated and rapidly growing company.

Being on the Senior Leadership Team and working closely with other leaders enabled me to gain insights into how different business areas operate and what their needs and priorities are. Expanding my commercial understanding allowed me to draw from a broader skillset, which elevated my contribution to the leadership team and the wider business.

Developing cross-functional knowledge and building trust with managers and employees in all business areas strengthened the advice and support I could provide during the transformational changes and challenges of corporate expansion.

Operating in a multi-national environment, I collaborated with colleagues globally to deliver on key projects, including implementing a new HR information system, troubleshooting system problems, training users and outsourcing the payroll process.

 What are your thoughts on Chartered Membership? How do you feel about being a Chartered Member?

It feels great to have achieved my long-held goal to become a Chartered member, with the breadth and depth of my HR skills, knowledge and experience now formally recognised at a national level.

Also being a Chartered Accountant, I understand the value of the Chartered designation as professional endorsement of quality standards and excellence at a high level of competence. Chartered membership demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development, ensuring that knowledge remains current, which also benefits the wider team and organisation.

I really want to encourage others on The Path to work towards and apply for HRNZ Chartered membership to gain formal validation of their HR expertise and experience, which strengthens their position as competent and credible professionals.

What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member?

To have my HR capabilities independently evaluated and verified at a leadership level in NZ and for this to be formally recognised within the HR community.

The challenge is for NZ employers to fully appreciate this level of professional competence and the added value that Chartered members bring to organisations.

What are your next steps in terms of your career now that you are a Chartered Member?

Continue to learn more in other areas, adapt to changes and stay informed about emerging HR developments. It is an exciting time for HR with the rapidly changing environment, moving beyond some of the traditional concepts and altering our approach to work (such as AI and flexible/remote working) to benefit organisations and ultimately to enhance people’s lives.

As a current HRNZ Taranaki branch committee member, continue collaborating with others to plan and organise relevant events for local members to upskill, share ideas and meet for networking opportunities.