HRCI Champion: Wendy Kelly, PHR
What drew me to HR was the ability to help others. Colleagues would often reach out to me for advice, and one day, my niece said, “You should go into HR.” That simple suggestion started my journey.
Helping others is also what has kept me in the field. To me, HR is about putting people first and creating an environment where employees can succeed. When organizations invest in their people, both their employees and the organization can thrive.
Honestly, having worked within an organization and externally as a consultant has not changed my approach to HR. Every organization has its challenges. For me, it’s about meeting people where they are, understanding their needs, and identifying how I can help improve the organization and the employee experience.
I think small and midsize organizations often underestimate the financial risks they may face when HR is not at the core of the organization from the start. As organizations grow, additional employment laws and regulations become applicable, and often, they grow at a much faster pace than anticipated. Growth can become costly due to compliance violations, employee turnover, poor hiring decisions, and especially inconsistent practices.
Having HR involved early helps organizations prepare for that growth, identify potential risks, and put the right policies, processes, and practices in place before issues arise.
One assumption I believe should be addressed is that HR is simply there to protect the organization. As an HR professional, that is far from how I view my role. My job is to help ensure that the people who make up the organization, from the CEO to frontline staff, have a voice, are treated fairly, and feel valued.
Protecting the organization and supporting its people should not be viewed as competing priorities. When employees at every level feel heard, respected, and supported, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. Ultimately, creating a positive employee experience contributes to a stronger, healthier, and more successful organization.
Oh, my goodness, the writing sprint was one of my best experiences as an HR professional! What surprised me most was the intentionality behind creating each question. HRCI cares not only about the test taker but also about maintaining the integrity of the HR profession. Everyone was helpful, patient, and kind throughout the entire experience.
I don’t know if the experience necessarily changed my perspective. I already understood that things are constantly evolving and that, as HR professionals, we must continue learning and improving. That commitment to staying current is also part of what maintaining my PHR certification means to me. This experience reminded me of the importance of being intentional about the decisions we make and considering how those decisions affect others.
Contributing as a SME is an honor. When I started my career years ago, there wasn’t a community of HR professionals readily available to help, so there were many things I had to navigate and learn on my own. Having the opportunity to contribute now allows me to share what I’ve learned with others who are building their own HR careers.
HRCI ENGAGE is an amazing platform. I wish I had thought of it! Lol. What keeps me coming back is the conversations. I genuinely enjoy learning from others, sharing my experiences, and exchanging ideas.
The conversations and resources not only challenge and broaden my perspective on work, but they also influence how I think about life in general. For me, that exchange of knowledge and perspectives is the best part of HRCI ENGAGE.
For me, sharing lessons through The HR Buzz is about creating practical tools and insights that HR professionals can use in their everyday work. I’ve learned that knowledge truly is power, and when we share what we know, we create a collective responsibility to strengthen our profession. We all benefit when we learn from one another, share our experiences, and use that knowledge to make better decisions for the people and organizations we serve.
Wendy N. Kelly, PHR, is an HR professional with over 20 years of executive experience, primarily in the healthcare and education industries. She is the owner of KHRServices, an HR consulting firm that serves small and midsize organizations by providing support and guidance across a variety of human resources needs.