Positively wired for motivation
Human resource management practitioner Marshall Malan has been overcoming difficulties for more than a decade.
Jeanette Diergaardt
“One of the things I love about human resource management (HR) is that it’s constantly growing and changing,” says Marshall Malan, who has been serving as a HR practitioner at the ministry of agriculture, water and forestry for close to 20 years.
The scope of HR stretches further than what meets the eye. As an HR practitioner, one constantly has to be on top of your game, dealing with compliance laws, legislation, and the woes of the ever-expanding technological aspect in various companies. On a daily basis the tasks that Malan handles range from transfers of workers within the ministry and from the outside, dealing with schedules of advertised posts as well as conducting interviews. “One of the primary goals of HR is to maintain productivity by providing the ministry with an adequate number of skilled and efficient employees,” says Malan.
Establishing a career in the ministry does not mean there is no time to grow and dream. With only a diploma in HR management, Malan is working towards acquiring an honours degree. Malan dreams of one day working for the development team. According to Malan the benefits of working in HR means that you are constantly learning new skills and honing in on what you bring to the table. It is almost a given that you will learn the ins and outs of the company you work for, in Malan’s case the agriculture ministry.
The necessary skills
Constantly developing and grooming your skills is important as an HR practitioner, and having the skills to work with people is at the top of the list. Some of the skills that Malan has learned throughout her time at the ministry are organisation, multitasking, presentations, reporting and proper communication. “One of the things you will learn is using your own initiative with the feedback you receive from your supervisor,” she says.
Overcoming challenges
One way that helps Malan to face her challenges head on is by constantly remaining positive. The open-door policy at the ministry also helps employees to overcome difficulties, as honesty about the challenges you face makes it easier to receive assistance.
“I always make a list of the good and bad points for the solution I think is best,” Malan says.
“One of the things I love about human resource management (HR) is that it’s constantly growing and changing,” says Marshall Malan, who has been serving as a HR practitioner at the ministry of agriculture, water and forestry for close to 20 years.
The scope of HR stretches further than what meets the eye. As an HR practitioner, one constantly has to be on top of your game, dealing with compliance laws, legislation, and the woes of the ever-expanding technological aspect in various companies. On a daily basis the tasks that Malan handles range from transfers of workers within the ministry and from the outside, dealing with schedules of advertised posts as well as conducting interviews. “One of the primary goals of HR is to maintain productivity by providing the ministry with an adequate number of skilled and efficient employees,” says Malan.
Establishing a career in the ministry does not mean there is no time to grow and dream. With only a diploma in HR management, Malan is working towards acquiring an honours degree. Malan dreams of one day working for the development team. According to Malan the benefits of working in HR means that you are constantly learning new skills and honing in on what you bring to the table. It is almost a given that you will learn the ins and outs of the company you work for, in Malan’s case the agriculture ministry.
The necessary skills
Constantly developing and grooming your skills is important as an HR practitioner, and having the skills to work with people is at the top of the list. Some of the skills that Malan has learned throughout her time at the ministry are organisation, multitasking, presentations, reporting and proper communication. “One of the things you will learn is using your own initiative with the feedback you receive from your supervisor,” she says.
Overcoming challenges
One way that helps Malan to face her challenges head on is by constantly remaining positive. The open-door policy at the ministry also helps employees to overcome difficulties, as honesty about the challenges you face makes it easier to receive assistance.
“I always make a list of the good and bad points for the solution I think is best,” Malan says.
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