The “Why HR” Question
I get asked this question all the time: "Why are you working in HR?"
If my career were a train, HR leadership was never the final destination, and candidly still is not. My career path hasn’t been a straight line—it’s been a winding route with plenty of transfers—but about a decade ago, I realized that HR was the one station I kept passing through.
I’ve found that HR is an incredible laboratory for testing ideas about talent, team design, and how a organization or business should actually operate.
Admittedly, this hasn't always been a smooth fit. Most organizations recruit HR leaders—whether for direct-hire, fractional, or consulting roles—based on a rigid, pre-written script. Since I approach this work as an operations strategist rather than a traditional personnel manager, I’m often the "atypical" choice. It takes a leap of faith for an organization to partner with me because I don't operate the way they expect.
But here’s what usually happens: I’m hired to solve a specific, immediate HR problem. Whether I’m on the payroll or working as a contract advisor, the dynamic is the same. After a few months of getting the work done, the view shifts. Once the foundation is stabilized and the work is humming, the conversation with leadership inevitably turns: "Okay, HR is solid—now what else can we do together?" That’s the pivot point I look for: moving from being the "HR person" to being a strategic partner who helps tackle the next big cross-functional challenge.
Why do I keep coming back to this?
Because one of the few where I can directly impact people every single day. I’ve worked in the C-suite, on the frontlines, in startups, and in legacy institutions. I’ve realized that the relationship between employer and employee is the heartbeat of a company. When that dynamic is healthy, a company thrives. When it’s broken, the best strategy in the world won’t save you.
My career path might look non-linear to others, but it makes perfect sense to me. Every role I’ve occupied has taught me something I needed for the next one.
Life is too short to spend your time doing work you don’t believe in or hate what you do. I’ve found my opportunity to make a real difference in every situation I've taken on, and I'm grateful for the ride.
That’s my answer to "Why HR?" It’s where amazing work can happen.
—- Nick@throughcollective