The Changing Role of HR

I walk between the cubicles to reach my destination, a senior executive's office at this 500-person company. I smile and nod when I see employees, most of whose names I recognize on their nameplates from payroll records. As the HR director, I don't have the chance to come through this area as often as I would like. I feel bad that I don't know names without sneaking a peek at the nameplates on their cubicles, although I remind myself that I'm busy working behind the scenes on their behalf, creating policies and practices to improve the work environment.