In Conversation with Lydia Bowie

Lydia Bowie is the Vice-President of Human Resources with the Halifax International Airport Authority. She recounts the changes she has witnessed, over her 30-year career, in the industrial relations field and the human resources (HR) profession. In this Executive Action document, she provides advice to both newcomers to and veterans of the HR role, and describes the unique and valuable contributions that HR professionals can make at the senior management levels of an organization. She says that HR priorities need to be addressed in the context of the broader business priorities. Where should the focus be? Bowie says that HR professionals must clearly understand the business of the organization and know the people. In her words, “If you know what keeps the leaders awake at night, that’s when you will get support.”