60 second interview with Remco Buisman
Remco Buisman is an experienced human resources professional who has worked with a wide range of businesses to lead and transform HR. He has exceptional international experience with having worked in China, Nigeria and in the Netherlands. Remco is now the Global HR Director at Mustad Hoofcare Group and we were delighted to speak with him about his career to date.
What made you move into HR?
During my studies I learned to understand how HR will be able to influence many aspects of an organization, how it assists in the development of its employees, and most importantly, how it is able to play a part in influencing strategic business decisions.
After my graduation I’ve worked in different industries and with companies ranging from 10 to 10,000 employees. I love transformations and change. I love to grow HR departments into agile and value adding business partners and align the HR strategy with the company’s strategy.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your HR career?
A big challenge I once faced was leading a team whose previous manager was a toxic leader, who would also claim personal credit for all team results and who would publicly name and shame individuals.
How did you overcome it?
Building trust in the team by being transparent and genuine and by giving support and empowering the team members to take responsibility and credit for their work. It sounds easier than it actually was, and it made me step out of my comfort zone a fair bit as well, as I needed to often reflect quickly on how to lead and manage these delicate and sensitive situations.
What is the best advice you ever got?
When working in China, a colleague once recited a famous Chinese proverb: “Better small progress than no progress at all”. Interesting to reflect on after working hard the whole day and still it feels you haven’t accomplished anything. Or have you?
Which skill do you think every HR professional should possess?
Change Management skills and Coaching skills.
Why is this so important for you?
Business and organiations can be very volatile, as we have seen over the last year. Having Change Management skills will enable us to prepare others for change and will help us to identify and manage resistance. Coaching skills are an important asset, it will allow us to support and empower employees to develop and succeed in their careers.
What are you most proud of in your HR career?
I am honoured to have worked for great organizations on all continents and so I have a fair understanding of cultural differences in general and more specifically in working relations between teams and individuals. This understanding helps me to navigate in these sometimes complex environments and it helps greatly in coaching managers and their team members in working effectively in international settings.