I’d like to add another suggestion: It can be overwhelming for HR professionals to make large scale changes across an organization. If your executives see you as a cost center and you want to earn more credibility, pick one department or business unit. Choose one manager with whom you have a good relationship and learn that business inside and out.

“Seek first to understand and then to be understood.” Dr. Stephen Covey. So don’t be anxious to show them how great you are and how much you can do. Listen, listen, listen and then make strategic recommendations that will solve problems, increase productivity and make the manager look good. That is how you create raving fans at your company – 1 manager at a time.