Are you an HR Driver or an HR Steerer

My position remains unchanged in spite of the latest news on job losses in central goverment. I said weeks ago in personnel today that good public sector HR staff need not worry about job insecurity. Whitehall HR job losses will come and for many the news does not come as a surprise but I say again good HR professionals who have worked to build strong relationships with the services they work in have nothing to worry about. Many years ago i was the HR Director for a large Haulage and distribution company, in any one day up to 500 vehicles left depots all over the UK but of those 500 staff only about 100 were real drivers the rest were just steerers. It was never hard to spot the difference just take a look inside the cab. The driver keeps touch up paint under their seat because they knew the value of presenting a professional image. In the glove compartment a cloth so at every set of traffic lights mirrors can been cleaned so the driver can see all around. And finally a good map so that they always knew in which direction to take the vehicle.
If you are working along side your customer in some kind of enforced partnership then you are right to be afraid but if you are in a strong relationship you are in the driving seat.