I once heard of a debate between two different sects of people one being from northern India and other one belonging to southern part of the country. It could have been a pretty un-constructive, argumentative discussion where one group tells the other group what’s wrong with it and vice versa – everyone would have gone home with the same opinions that they came with – however this debate was of a different kind.

Each side was told to prepare arguments against their own habits, religion/faith and their perspective. The north Indians had to say what they didn’t like about people from north, what they felt uncomfortable with and had to deconstruct and poke holes in their own framework for thinking. The south Indian guys had to do the same for their own region.

The result was fascinating and encouraging – rather that the two groups coming away with reinforced hatred of and anger towards the other the results of the event was incredibly constructive. Both groups found that they learned not only a lot about the other group – but about their own perspective.

Ok – so why am I telling you this on a blog about HR? Have I mistakenly posted this information here instead of on my other blog?

No – I”m actually wondering if it might be a helpful exercise as HR people to do something similar.

Let me start this by quoting what our Evil HR Lady has to say about HR “Why am I evil? Well, I’m not, but that’s the perception of all of us in HR. Need to fire someone? Come to HR. Need to explain to someone why, even after working their rear end off all year, that their annual increase is 2.7%? Come to HR. Need to come up with new mountains of paperwork? Come to HR. So, come join me on the Evil Side.”

Let’s talk about what we don’t like about HR. What are its weaknesses? What are its limitations? How would you construct an argument against HR?

Lets learn something about HR by deconstructing it for a bit. Put the boots in readers – lets kick it about for a bit – time for a bit of a bitch session!

The rules are simple – you’re not allowed to say ANYTHING positive about HR in comments below. There are no wrongs and rights – everyone’s critiques of the medium are valid.

Go on – I know you want to.