Amad Rashad Thompson is dedicated to valuing and empowering people to reach their full potential. A certified talent management expert, global trainer, speaker, and behavioral analyst, he collaborates with international organizations to elevate best practices in workplace culture, talent development, and performance management.
1. How has your HRCI certification impacted your HR career and what inspired you to pursue it? Wow! My HRCI certification has truly served as a career catalyst! When I was a full-time employee, organizations would only entertain candidates with an HR certification, and obtaining my PHRi truly established me as a professional human resource practitioner and set me apart from the competition.
Now as a full-time entrepreneur, my clients and potential clients trust my consulting abilities even more because they trust that the knowledge, insights, best practices, and strategies I suggest or recommend come from a sound and trusted source recognized the world over.
2. In your opinion, what is the most significant benefit of obtaining an HRCI certification and how has it helped you in your career? The most significant benefit is that a certification from HRCI is recognized and respected globally, and when I say globally, I mean globally. Obtaining my PHRi demonstrates to the world that I am equipped with sound principles to consult, lead, and direct on global HR issues in any market and across cultures. This positions me as a trusted business partner for organizations all over the world.
3. As a seasoned HRCI certification holder, what advice would you give to those considering this certification? Stop considering and get started already! The world around you is changing rapidly, and the longer you take to equip yourself and position yourself as an authority in HR, the more opportunities you will lose.
Additionally, do your research on the certification that best suits you and your career aspirations. Don’t get certified just for certification sake. Truly assess your abilities, your gaps, your opportunities, and select the best option for you.
4. Who or what has been the biggest influence on your HR career and how have they helped shape your professional journey? My grandmother, believe it or not! She has been an entrepreneur her entire life, and she taught me the value of operating in excellence and maintaining a standard of excellence. She instilled in me the importance of leading with care, treating people with decency, and always honoring the opportunities God gave me by preparing myself for them.
5. Can you share any recent professional achievements or new developments in your HR career that you are particularly proud of? Not in my HR career specifically, but a huge milestone I achieved is writing and publishing my first book! “SHYFT into FOKUS; A Guide to Living a Purposeful Life” is a labor of love, and a gift to the Kingdom of God. I want people to realize that they are magical, filled with potential, and that no matter their circumstance, if they have faith, work hard, and never stay stagnant, they can achieve anything!
6. What are your future career goals and how do you plan to continue growing and developing as an HR professional? I want to continue impacting the world through my company (Astute Talent Management) by helping curate and implement sound, engaging, people-centered HR and leadership strategies to help organizations succeed. I have an ambitious goal of empowering 1 million leaders, and I work tirelessly every day to achieve that goal. I plan to obtain one more certification from HRCI (the GPHR). Additionally, every year I invest in myself by attending at least 2 professional development conferences, and I am always on a webinar or listening to a podcast to keep learning and growing.
7. Lifelong learning is critical in the HR field as the modern workplace is continually changing. How does HRCI recertification play a role in ensuring you stay relevant and impactful in your career? Recertification is an absolute blessing! To be afforded the opportunity to maintain my certification and not have to re-test is wonderful! Additionally, recertifying shows my clients and potential clients that I take my development seriously, so they can trust me with theirs.
8. Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the HR industry in the coming years? I think the biggest challenge facing our community is the HR practitioners playing it small and playing it safe. I look forward to the day when HR professionals around the world embrace their humanity and marry that with their tenacity and experience to show the world just who HR really is!
Another big challenge in our industry is that many are afraid to embrace and lead agility in our organizations. Ladies and gentlemen, fellow HR superheroes—you have a responsibility and the ability to lead your organizations into the future. Embrace technology, speak the language of your stakeholders, get to know and apply the data, and get comfortable being uncomfortable!
Want to learn more about Amad and the power of an HRCI certification? Watch now.