Sri Lanka Army is more people-oriented than ever before and is in close interaction with the society, through which it has been shaped to carry out a caring, practical and humane role, contrary to the role of a soldier in the battlefield, so says Brigadier Rohan Kaduwela in his capacity as Chairman, National Human Resources Providers’ Exhibition, just ended in Colombo.
The Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (IPM) organized National Human Resources Conference-2011 and the Exhibition took place at Cinnamon Grand Hotel during June 28-29 under the theme, ‘Human Resources Powered Edge in a Booming Economy’. The meticulously planned and well-attended Conference that brought together a rare group of HR professionals, professors, industry visionaries, global leaders, renowned scholars, business magnates and budding managers, broadly addressed the whole gamut of HR challenges and varying aspects of HR while promoting exchange of knowledge that will advance the HR development environment in Sri Lanka.
The National Human Resources Providers’ Exhibition that ran parallel to the Conference comprised Leaders in the Corporate and Human Resource Sector who showcased their latest products and services.
Brigadier Rohan Kaduwela who is the Director in the Army Directorate of Internal Audit is an Executive Council Member of Sri Lanka’s IPM and served as Chairman, National Human Resources Providers’ Exhibition. In a special interview given to the newspaper supplement published in connection with the mega event, Brigadier Kaduwela opined that HR means all about the change of attitude, self-control and discipline. Here follow extracts from the interview;
“Some 30 years ago life was so different for the Army personnel. Today it is a task to change from soldier to HR. But it is as worthwhile process and it is all about winning hearts not scalps. Leadership skills are being honed.
The Army personnel following IPM courses on evaluation and training receive tools for change of attitude and food for thought. HR training, People management techniques, Best practices, Tackling people and Handling situations, emergencies and Interviews are all part and parcel of the new roads they tread now. The soldier is shedding his rigidity and stiff upper lip attitude in to geniality.
The stern qualities are being turned into firm but gentle moves. The transformation is imminent.
They adapt well to HR though it’s a task for them. Army self discipline plays a key influence here. Time targets and Time management is crucial in the Army whereas in social life the average lay person tends to take life in a less hurried pace. Besides, the soldier cannot afford to be culturally lethargic. A sense of urgency and punctuality is ingrained in the Army training which they automatically absorb into their lifestyles.
With or without academic training, an Army soldier is moulded into a clear cut self-disciplinarian. They develop all the criteria for good HR people.
They are well versed with experience and exposure to handle situations. They are given the education and practical training from start. There is actually a demand from the private sector for Army personnel due to their overall training in people and situation management proficiencies.
Correct thing at the correct time is key in managing especially in a crisis situation. The soldier is also a ingrained with values and self discipline unlike lay professionals.
Soldiers are trained in the Army to be task-oriented with clear-cut responsibility and are target oriented. There is a lot HR can absorb in to its system from that of the Army and the Army in turn will gain much from HR in the process of being transformed into sociable and humane beings.
The Army is involved in the re-building process in the North and East in a major way. They are assisting the people at grass root level in animal husbandry and farming. Besides, all engineering feats of road building are under the purview of the Army. Being trained as goal oriented HR persons, the Army is bound to take the new role away from the battleground to new heights of achievement.
Burning out differences to ashes, a new relationship is bound to spring up from the landmine-cleared flat marshes, like the monumental Sphinx, as a token of gratitude to the Army that valiantly wiped out the enemy without a trace. The nation bows in reverence, to a people that will habit this ‘promised land’, now gearing itself to be the cynosure of all eyes. Our people are our Human Resources and gearing them for the challenges, ahead with the provision of HR services is our life purpose. We salute our nation, on the brink of experiencing a Booming Economy, like no other.”
The Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (IPM) organized National Human Resources Conference-2011 and the Exhibition took place at Cinnamon Grand Hotel during June 28-29 under the theme, ‘Human Resources Powered Edge in a Booming Economy’. The meticulously planned and well-attended Conference that brought together a rare group of HR professionals, professors, industry visionaries, global leaders, renowned scholars, business magnates and budding managers, broadly addressed the whole gamut of HR challenges and varying aspects of HR while promoting exchange of knowledge that will advance the HR development environment in Sri Lanka.
The National Human Resources Providers’ Exhibition that ran parallel to the Conference comprised Leaders in the Corporate and Human Resource Sector who showcased their latest products and services.
Brigadier Rohan Kaduwela who is the Director in the Army Directorate of Internal Audit is an Executive Council Member of Sri Lanka’s IPM and served as Chairman, National Human Resources Providers’ Exhibition. In a special interview given to the newspaper supplement published in connection with the mega event, Brigadier Kaduwela opined that HR means all about the change of attitude, self-control and discipline. Here follow extracts from the interview;
“Some 30 years ago life was so different for the Army personnel. Today it is a task to change from soldier to HR. But it is as worthwhile process and it is all about winning hearts not scalps. Leadership skills are being honed.
The Army personnel following IPM courses on evaluation and training receive tools for change of attitude and food for thought. HR training, People management techniques, Best practices, Tackling people and Handling situations, emergencies and Interviews are all part and parcel of the new roads they tread now. The soldier is shedding his rigidity and stiff upper lip attitude in to geniality.
The stern qualities are being turned into firm but gentle moves. The transformation is imminent.
They adapt well to HR though it’s a task for them. Army self discipline plays a key influence here. Time targets and Time management is crucial in the Army whereas in social life the average lay person tends to take life in a less hurried pace. Besides, the soldier cannot afford to be culturally lethargic. A sense of urgency and punctuality is ingrained in the Army training which they automatically absorb into their lifestyles.
With or without academic training, an Army soldier is moulded into a clear cut self-disciplinarian. They develop all the criteria for good HR people.
They are well versed with experience and exposure to handle situations. They are given the education and practical training from start. There is actually a demand from the private sector for Army personnel due to their overall training in people and situation management proficiencies.
Correct thing at the correct time is key in managing especially in a crisis situation. The soldier is also a ingrained with values and self discipline unlike lay professionals.
Soldiers are trained in the Army to be task-oriented with clear-cut responsibility and are target oriented. There is a lot HR can absorb in to its system from that of the Army and the Army in turn will gain much from HR in the process of being transformed into sociable and humane beings.
The Army is involved in the re-building process in the North and East in a major way. They are assisting the people at grass root level in animal husbandry and farming. Besides, all engineering feats of road building are under the purview of the Army. Being trained as goal oriented HR persons, the Army is bound to take the new role away from the battleground to new heights of achievement.
Burning out differences to ashes, a new relationship is bound to spring up from the landmine-cleared flat marshes, like the monumental Sphinx, as a token of gratitude to the Army that valiantly wiped out the enemy without a trace. The nation bows in reverence, to a people that will habit this ‘promised land’, now gearing itself to be the cynosure of all eyes. Our people are our Human Resources and gearing them for the challenges, ahead with the provision of HR services is our life purpose. We salute our nation, on the brink of experiencing a Booming Economy, like no other.”
 |
