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Member Profile
J.D. Sanders, M.Ed.,
SPHR-CA, SHRM-SCP
FOUNDER, J.D. SANDERS CONSULTING
MEMBER SINCE 1997
What led you to Human Resources as a profession?
I did not set out to have a career in human resources, nor was I drawn to the typical
things that attract people to the field. Early in my career, when I was an officer in
the US Army, I demonstrated proficiency in the vast array of HR disciplines. So
I did not choose HR, it choose me. I kept getting pulled into personnel when I
was trying to pursue another career path. As a result of my positive experiences,
I realized that I could make a successful career in this business function. So, I
obtained my masters degree from Boston University.
In your opinion, what is the future of HR?
With all the complexity and challenges facing organizations today, they need
human resources and human capital management more than ever to navigate
through these complexities. The requirement to have fully engaged employees will
continue to grow. HR is in a unique position to significantly influence management
and leaders in this critical space. Human resource professionals and individuals
within the industry can help organizations become more profitable or they can help
organizations serve their communities better. Understanding the proper metrics/
analytics to assist organizations to move forward effectively and in compliance is
going to continue to demand HR expertise. Continuing to be business leaders with
subject matter expertise in Human Capital Management means:
1.
Being strategic and contributing to the strategic direction of the company.
That means Strategic Thinking and Strategic Discipline.
2.
Metrics and analytics that drive business success and the execution
of organizational goals.
3.
The execution and accomplishment of workforce planning and other
human capital disciplines created in compliance for the support of
organization objectives.
What would you recommend to someone just starting
out in HR?
If you are seeking to become an HR professional, you need to understand the
business of the organization that you support. You must become a business
leader and understand that HR speak is not the language of business. You should
be able to understand tools and communicate through the language and terms
of finance and operations. Can you make an excellent business case using root
cause analysis and set up accountability systems? You should learn to think
strategically and communicate effectively at all levels of an organization including
the C Suite. You should establish a network of professionals that you can count on
throughout your career and remember to support them as well! Lastly, know the
technology, get certified and become a trusted advisor to leaders.
What do you find is the greatest reward working in HR?
Helping people and organizations grow to achieve their goals with outstanding
results! Driving these individuals and organizations to superior achievement has
an incredible impact on the lives of those individuals and the organizations they
support. It is inspiring to build an entire HR department from the ground up,
coach a leader towards higher levels of competency and increase the value and
profitability of organizations through consulting. People who know me understand
my passion for these things and the fact that I am highly energized by them.
Through my consulting, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to help individuals
through coaching and leadership development. As VP of Human Resources and
a strategic partner of GoalSpan, I also get to help organizations develop their
employees through performance management systems.
What role has NCHRA played in your career?
NCHRA is an excellent organization and it has helped me in my career in three areas:
1.
NCHRA provided a forum for networking and developing long-term
relationships with other HR professionals and business leaders.
2.
It provided me leadership opportunities at the NCHRA board level and
in the local chapters.
3.
I have ongoing opportunities to facilitate certification courses, legislative
impact and high value professional development.
BIOGRAPHY
J.D. Sanders, M.Ed., SPHR-CA, SHRM-SCP is currently a Human Resource
Business Consultant with over 20 years experience and the founder of J.D.
Sanders Consulting. He is an HR Leader with extensive expertise in strategic
management, workforce planning, OD and integration both in large and small high-
tech companies, including Silicon Graphics, Inc., Lam Research and GoalSpan.
He has extensive experience with startups, creating organizational infrastructure
and developing HR departments from scratch. He has mentored and coached
numerous executives, managers, and HR Professionals. He is known for the
successful ability to align human resources with organization business objectives
and leadership development. He has facilitated organizations through the
strategic planning process and developed/implemented complete compensation
and benefits systems. He was recognized with the 2004 NCHRA Volunteer of
the Year Award, he is a former NCHRA Board Member, and has over 15 years
experience as an SPHR/PHR Certification Instructor. J.D. is experienced in
project management, process reengineering, performance management and HR
compliance audits. He is an accomplished professional with refined interpersonal
and communication skills. He is a poised presenter, instructor and facilitator, able
to bring together diverse working groups and project teams – fostering a genuine
sense of motivation.
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