Lessons learned

While speaking of the importance of human resources management at the Second Syrian Industrial Forum, quick words teach us the dangers of haste.

  In the latter part of the month of May, I was contacted by a distinguished member of the Syrian Chamber of Industry, who enquired as to my interest in being on the panel of experts at the Second Syrian Industrial Forum being held on May 25 at the Omayyad Hall in the Cham Hotel.
The topic that I would comment on would be “Social Development and Human Resource Management in the Industrial Sector.
” He continued by outlining the other experts that I would be sharing the stage with, an impressive panel including the Minister of Labour and Social Services, Diala Haj Aref; the Deputy Minister of Trade, and other prominent personalities.
Taking all this into consideration, how was I to say no to such an opportunity? I humbly agreed, and set out to prepare my ive-minute oration on the question that was to be addressed to me.
After all, I am considered a very outspoken and opinionated person, so why not share my opinion with a stage full of prominent dignitaries, and an auditorium illed with business people from both the private and public sector? I was also conident of the topic I was to present, as it is my area of expertise and I have dwelled long enough in the Syrian market to know what ails it and what opportunities it presents.
I convinced myself that I am well equipped to discuss the topic of social development and human resource management in Syria and speciically in the industrial sector.
Before I continue to that disastrous day at the forum, I must be open and honest about what led me to agree to speak in the irst place, knowing my shortfalls and language limitations.
It was not long before that I had formally submitted my resignation as the president of the local human resource association, the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM), which I had helped establish, and I had been depressed and saddened as to the reasons that led me to this resignation.
Although I truly believe in the association and its cause and vision, I am a great believer that one must know when to hold them, when to fold them, when to walk away and when to run (thank you, Kenny Rogers).
Thus, I chose the latter.
Soon afterwards, while I was still pondering my next steps after the IHRM, the call came.
I felt honoured that even though I am no longer the president of the institute, I was still being regarded as an expert in the HR ield.
I felt that my contribution can still be made though other channels, and I was delighted to start.
Thus I delved into researching the industrial sector in Syria, the presence of an effective HR Department in their organization, what ailments the industry suffers from, the causes, and if the presence of an effective HR Management team can help alleviate this unrest.
It would be remiss not to state that the practice of HR is based internationally on the same theories that are applicable to all sectors and industries, thus I did not feel it necessary to review the theories, but more so the practices and applicability of the management of human resources in Syria and in the industrial sector, where my main concern was.
The summary of my indings were simple: there was a high turnover of blue collar workers, a movement towards technology based production lines, and a small existence of formal HR departments.
Of course there were bigger issues that were at play such as restricting labour laws and taxation issues, but these were not matters I was to address.
My area of concern was strictly on the effectiveness of encompassing a human resource department in the industrial sector, and what it entails to ensure its success and in turn the success of the organization.
My presentation on this was brief and to the point.
There is growing evidence available to suggest that Human Resource Management (HRM) is an important predictor of organizational performance however, in order for it to succeed it needs to address three main points: top management support for the HR manager and for the recommendations they make; the HR manager or those with seniority must have a seat at the board of directors, and be aware of all goals and objectives established by the board; the organization and its senior management team must be well versed in the ield of HRM.
However, it must also be noted that the existence of a human resource department or manager in an organization can be a two-edged sword.
If the individual in charge of applying the theories and practices of sound human resource management is not experienced or qualiied enough, then the result would be disastrous.
The role would become one of policing personnel instead of motivating and engaging them.
Thus, with the three points outlined above, industries need to ensure they have the right leader for their human resources, one who is trained, educated and experienced in driving organizational performance through people.
Then it came.
The disastrous moment.
After my oration, which came last after each panel member presented their brief on their topics of concern, came the question and answer period.
I must again highlight and emphasize my limited Arabic language ability, and my complete lack of familiarity with classical Arabic.
The moderator, a young TV newscaster, related the irst question to one of the panel members who dutifully replied with great ease and eficiency.
The second question was then posed to me, it was related in classical Arabic; All I got from the question was the following: state universities, private universities and creativity.
Hindsight is God’s way of reminding us that we always have choices in life, and at that time I could have easily asked the moderator to repeat the question or even better to simply state that since I have never attended state run or private university in Syria, I am not well equipped to answer this question.
Oh, hindsight.
In my eagerness to answer the question with my limited understanding of it, which is summarized by “why do private universities churn out more creative students then do state run universities,” I crumbled and mumbled something to the effect that private universities are businesses out for a proit, and creativity is an inane competence, and state universities are graduating leaders of tomorrow.
Does that make any sense?? Of course not, but neither did the question to me.
I believe I have offended private universities and in turn probably everyone who believes that creativity can be taught and learned.
So allow me to take advantage of this moment to offer my apologies to anyone I had seemingly offended and to better clarify the point I was trying to make with my comment.
Remember hindsight.
I have now had more time to fully absorb the question and the issue presented.
I believe truly any education, no matter if it is lacking in technology or market value, offers learning.
Private universities, being a proit driven business, must proffer more creative programs in order to entice would be students to enrol.
They have to differentiate themselves from the norm and elevate their standards so the cost/ beneit analysis for both parents and students are obvious.
Whereas state run universities are under-funded and non-proit, driven and have dificulties enticing and maintaining faculty members who have built on their years of experience and are always in the throes of maintaining their knowledge base.
It is not a level playing ield, and I believe it is wrong for us to compare private universities to state run or public universities.
The real measurement of the effectiveness of universities is how and when private universities compete on similar programs offered, and to what extent does the student graduate armed with skills required for today’s workforce.
In closing, I am a strong advocate of education in all its levels and its deliveries, but I believe the real test of knowledge attained is on the ground and not in the grades achieved or the creativity used to impart this knowledge.
Remember, learning is a life long process and is achieved through application of what was learned and not through the regurgitation of information acquired.
I myself learned a valuable lesson from this forum, and that is the value of humility and not being taken in by the moment.