HR Managers For A Day
by TrendIT
In the context of the workshop “Leadership and Emotional Intelligence”, under the guidance of Professor Dimitra Iordanoglou, we were assigned to select a leader in a field of our choice, in order to conduct a Job Shadowing. The first thing to know is that the Job Shadowing experience is more than just a follow-up process. It’s more like diving into the day-to-day workflow and the details that make any company work. We, the TrendIT, chose to focus on the HR department as we recognized the critical importance that this department has in the operation of any business. The department, among other things, acts as a communication bridge between management and employees, facilitating understanding and problem solving and promoting company culture. It could be argued that the HR department is “the colleague” who will always be with us. We got in touch with the multinational V+O Greece, a leading communication company in its industry, and became the shadow of the HR Manager, Adrianos Sagkiotis, who has a remarkable academic background and professional career. Every day he is called upon to manage a multitude of responsibilities within the company and to be always present for both employees and management — he is one of the people responsible for the smooth running of the organization.
How it all started
The day of Job Shadowing started with a warm welcome at the V+O Greece offices by Mr. Sagkiotis. The space was large and relatively quiet. He had already placed his things in the glass room where the process was taking place and had made sure there were some treats for us. We started the conversation with the obvious question: what are the responsibilities of the HR department at V+O Greece? From recruitment, training and development, labor relations, performance management, corporate social responsibility activities, to the digitalisation of corporate processes and the shaping of business strategy and corporate culture, we understood that the department does indeed connect, unite, evolve and adorn.
Recruitment
The recruitment process at V+O Greece is distinguished by its comprehensive and careful approach, which ensures the selection of the most suitable candidates for the company. Mr. Sagkiotis, as the central person of this process, has a crucial role, both in the interview and in the subsequent communication with the candidates, whether it is a matter of sending a job offer or rejection. It begins with a first interview, where he assesses the candidate’s soft skills and general attitude, and if the candidate meets the requirements, a second interview is scheduled with the participation of the Hiring Manager of the intended team.
Learning and Development & Performance Improvement Plan
Employee training and development is vital to the success of the company. Mr. Sagkiotis ensures that employees have the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of their jobs. We have seen how continuous learning and development is vital to maintaining a competitive and productive team. In addition, by managing employee performance (performance improvement plan), the HR department develops and implements strategies to improve employee performance, thus fostering an environment of continuous growth.
Employee Relations
Managing employee relations is one of the most important and demanding responsibilities of the HR. Its success in this area is demonstrated by the positive atmosphere in V+O’s workplace.
Administration & Business Strategy
Administrative management is also a key part of HR’s responsibilities, including the organization and implementation of the company’s policies and procedures. At the same time, the HR is actively involved in the formulation of the business strategy, aligning its objectives with the company’s business objectives. The successful operation of a business/organization depends largely on having the right people, in the right positions and doing the right work, to achieve the goals and strategy.
CSR activities
Participation in CSR activities is not only a means of enhancing the company’s image, but also a way to bring employees closer together and explore further their interests.
Digitalization
With the evolution of technology, the Human Resources Department plays a key role in the digitalization of processes , adopting innovative tools and systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s operations. Recently, V+O started using Employee Self Service (ESS), a web-based tool that provides an integrated system for employee self-service and interaction, with the aim of immediacy and speed. It covers leaves, evaluations, emergency information, personal information, payroll, leave slips, payroll receipts and other documents.
Responsibility for the overall company image/Employee Branding
Finally, the HR Department is responsible for the overall image of the company, ensuring that there is consistency and alignment between the company, the market and the employees. This balance is critical to the long-term success and sustainability of the business, enhancing competitiveness and employee loyalty. Human resources are the sum of the talents and willingness that people in an organization/business have to show that can contribute to the creation and integration of its mission, vision, strategy and goals.
And now… in action
During the process we were present at a unique case, which highlighted the dynamics of cooperation between the different business departments. Mr. Sagkiotis received an inquiry from a hiring manager about a candidate he had recently rejected. He planned to send a discouragement email, pointing out that the candidate would not have changed significantly in a short period of time. He even asked us how we would draft the email, giving us “food for thought”. In addition, Sagkiotis took us on a tour of the company’s assessment platform through his own profile, emphasizing how critical it is to tailor assessments to the specific needs of the company and its employees, ensuring a fair and personalized approach. He then contacted an external partner by phone to discuss an important deadline. Despite his best efforts, the phone call did not lead to the desired results, but it did show us how he handles situations that require extra time and patience.
Your values are your DNA
And while the process started with Job Shadowing, it evolved into an in-depth discussion about the HR, leadership and emotional intelligence at V+O Greece. The word that ran through the entire discussion was the word “values” — if nothing else, we were left with this. Mr. Sagkiotis pointed out the importance of values for any organization, as they are the foundation that shapes the character and operation of the company. For V+O Greece, the values “True”, “One”, “Drivers” and “Ethical” are at the core of the company’s identity and guide every aspect of its activities. “Your values are your DNA, when you break away you turn into something else,” he said. Mr. Sagkiotis highlighted the importance of diversity and managing different age groups in the organisation, pointing out that each generation is treated individually but integrated into the overall framework of the corporate culture. He also referred to the management of resignations, noting that the company acts consistently to understand the reasons that lead to them and in order to improve the working environment, with exit interview and data analysis being critical tools. Finally, he highlighted the need for continuous training and development of employees, as well as the need to adapt the company’s processes to respond to changes in the work environment.
Leadership with high EQ
Mr. Sagkiotis also spoke about the importance of emotional intelligence in the context of the team, making it an element that contributes to effective cooperation and communication between members. He explained to us that empathy, when combined with an individual’s leadership skills, shapes the ultimate leader. A leader with well-developed emotional intelligence, particularly empathy, is able to understand more deeply the emotions and needs of his or her colleagues, create a supportive environment, and inspire the team towards achieving its goals with commitment and unity. At the same time, the HR Manager highlighted that V+O Greece supports partners in difficult issues, whether they concern work or the personal life of employees.
Emotional Intelligence… the key to team success!
What about conflict within the group? As he told us, these are dealt with, starting with an initial People Manager approach from the employee’s side, as he is the mentor and guide in the company. If the issue cannot be settled in this way, then the employee approaches the HR Manager, who takes on the role of a mediator. There are tailor-made programmes specifically for managers, as well as for employees who are soon to be promoted to this position, for effective management of responsibilities and for a better balance within the team.
Soft skills: inherent or learned?
According to Mr. Sagkiotis, everyone is unique and, although some people are born with well-developed leadership skills, they need to practice these skills, with proper guidance. He also mentioned that every leader interacts with other employees, which is why, regardless of his or her leadership style, “the person-leader needs attention.” A modern leader must always be up to date on both of these parts and constantly seek personal development in terms of both soft skills and hard skills.
What is the role of a Leader?
A leader is called upon to maintain balance, encourage the team to achieve its goals, and help each member develop. After all, the most important role of a leader is to embody and communicate values. Regarding the relationship between ethics and leadership, Mr. Sagkiotis emphasized that a leader must be governed primarily by “consistency,” “honesty,” be “authentic,” and “ethical.” Finally, he made a significant reference to the challenges a leader faces on a daily basis. These include both information overload and the lack of a filter for all the information leaders and employees are being exposed to, causing high levels of work-related stress.
Empathy: An overused world
Mr. Sagkiotis believes that the concepts of empathy and leadership have been used to such an extent that they tend to lose their true meaning. He argues that these are inherently vague concepts that are difficult to define, as there are no specific criteria to determine if someone is a good leader or has empathy — the personality of each individual, along with their flaws and strengths, plays a decisive role. In his opinion, both leadership and empathy are not achievements but evolving processes. They are choices we consciously make each day of our careers.
Mr. Sagkiotis Through Our Eyes
Mr. Sagkiotis embodies the essence of professionalism and corporate culture. His emotional intelligence allows him to understand and manage his colleagues’ emotions with exceptional effectiveness. As an experienced speaker who has strong communication skills, he sets and achieves goals with clarity and consistency. His dedication and abilities create an environment of trust and excellence within the workplace, making him a Manager who inspires and guides with precision and empathy.
Concluding the Job Shadowing
Concluding the Job Shadowing experience with Mr. Sagkiotis, we gained valuable knowledge that will accompany us in our professional journey. Beyond the useful and interesting insights in the HR department, we will also remember other important things from Mr. Sagkiotis. We retained that failure is a valuable teacher that leads us to knowledge and development. Empathy and leadership are dynamic processes that require continuous effort and consistency. A company’s values are the core of its identity and maintaining their authenticity is vital. We learned about the importance of managing situations with creativity and flexibility, even under demanding conditions. Finally, we realized that we must always find ways to stand out and evolve, remaining open to changes. One thing is certain: each of us completed this mission with great insights and inspiration for the future.
Our Team, TrendIT: Maria Agiovlasiti, Rodica Moroi, Zoe Karvela, Charis Skarlatos
