Day: May 23, 2010

Anyone who works for a “staff function” or a “support function” will tell you that the nature of this function is advisory. The people belonging to this function investigate, research, and give advice to their line managers or clients. The value of the function really then lies in becoming a trusted advisor to the business. Being a trusted advisor simply means that the “clients” value the deep subject matter expertise that the specialist brings to the table. All advisory professions have to earn the trust of the client without which they are not relevant. That view is as true for a Human Resources professional as it is for a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant … the list goes on.  The feeling of professional self worth of such service providers is very directly linked to how valuable they and their advise is, to the others. The more they are consulted the more valued they feel. A doctor who sees a crowded waiting room outside her clinic feels good about how valuable her service is to others.  So what makes a person a trusted advisor? What makes us trust someone? (more…)