Emerging HR Leaders Help the Public Manager

Managing human capital is a high-risk area in the federal government, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported more than a decade ago. In part, GAO found that federal managers need all the help they can get in attracting, hiring, developing, engaging, and retaining a highly qualified and productive workforce. Federal human resources (HR) professionals should be the manager’s best friend and trusted ally in this endeavor. Unfortunately, the HR community itself struggles to provide opportunities for the professional growth and development of its own staff, and HR employees have not always had the chance to build professional networks or interagency relationships to help them succeed as leaders capable of helping other leaders.