Human Resources in History

Did you know that China had a robust talent management system that lasted for over 1,000 years? Known as kējǔ, this civil service examination system helped dynasties build a rich talent pipeline for government administration. Introduced in 605 CE, it aimed to select candidates based on merit, rather than social rank or family connections. Candidates were tested on Confucian classics, history, literature, writing ability, and other subjects. Passing was incredibly challenging, with some dedicating their lives to the exam without success. Discover the implications of this ancient system for modern HR practices – link in the comments.

Napoleon, a Corsican outsider with broken French, rose to Emperor of France by mastering artillery—a scarce but critical skill. For HR expats, mastering People Analytics can be your “artillery.” While locals excel in language and cultural nuances, analytics skills remain scarce: - Only 42% of organizations have a data-driven culture. - 62% of HR leaders struggle to leverage analytics. Find a skill that’s rare yet impactful, and you’ll stand out—just like Napoleon did. What’s your artillery? Check out our latest blog!(Link in the comment) #HR #PeopleAnalytics #ExpatLife #CareerGrowth

Did you know that Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia, implemented a "beard tax" in the 17th century as part of his efforts to modernize and westernize Russian society? He believed beards were old-fashioned and wanted to encourage a cleaner, more European look. Curious about another innovative approach Peter the Great employed to modernize Russia? He immersed himself in the shipbuilding industry in Amsterdam for four months, gaining firsthand experience. Discover the implications of his learning journey for modern HR practices – link in the comments.

Caracalla’s decision to expand Roman citizenship to all free men was a game-changer—but not all changes are for the better. By diluting the exclusivity of Roman citizenship, he inadvertently weakened its value. Sound familiar? It’s a dilemma many organizations face today with rapid growth and unchecked hiring practices. In our latest post, we draw a fascinating parallel between Caracalla’s Constitutio Antoniniana and modern employer branding. When businesses expand too quickly, they risk diluting their brand, disengaging employees, and creating inefficiencies. Curious about what Rome’s Crisis of the Third Century can teach us about organizational strategy? Read the full post here:  https://lnkd.in/dRyzdhpF #HumanResourcesInHistory #EmployerBranding #Leadership #HRInsights #LessonsFromHistory

Did you know that the Taj Mahal, was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal? This romantic gesture, however, came at a steep price, placing a significant strain on the empire's finances. The Mughal Empire is filled with fascinating stories like this. Want to learn more about the Mughals and discover potential insights for modern HR? Visit this page: https://lnkd.in/eFN7QrWp

Ever wonder why we call it a "cow" in the field but "beef" on our plate? It's a story that goes back to 1066 when the Normans conquered England. "Cow" was the word used by English farmers. "Beef" (from the French word "boeuf") was used by the French nobles who ate the meat. This difference shows how social class affected language. Want to learn more about this history and what it means for HR? Visit this episode: https://lnkd.in/d9YgmmRY

We are beyond thrilled to announce that Human Resources in History has reached 100 subscribers! 🎉 Thank you to each one of you who’s joined us in exploring how history’s great thinkers and pivotal moments can give us fresh insights into modern HR. Your support drives us to keep digging deeper, sharing stories, and connecting the past with today’s leadership challenges. Whether you’re an HR professional, team leader or simply passionate about history and people, we’re so grateful to have you on this journey. Wanna onboard to our next 100? 🚀 Subscribe from here: https://lnkd.in/dCasetWh #HumanResourcesInHistory #Milestone #HRInsights #ThankYou

We’re kicking off a new blog series, 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮, where we break down history’s most transformative inventions and their effects on society, business, and workforce dynamics. In our first post, we dive into Gutenberg’s 1440 printing press—a revolution in communication that changed everything from literacy to job roles. It’s as groundbreaking as today’s Generative AI, reshaping industries and organizations. Want to know how history’s tech revolutions can help HR leaders navigate the AI era? Check it out! The 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 series consists of 3 blog posts. Here are what's coming up next 😎 1. Printing Press 2. Industrial Revolution 3. Generative AI #Innovation #TechHistory #HRStrategy #AI #WorkplaceTransformation #PrintingPress

I am excited to share that we just published our 20th episode of our blog Human Resources in History with Makoto Miyazaki! 👑 In this episode, we explore William the Conqueror's Domesday Book and extracted useful insights for the People Analytics field. Check it out here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/egyJeKUC While learning from the experiences of today's companies is valuable, we believe that the wisdom collected throughout human history can provide much deeper insights for HR. 🤔 What historical figures or events do you think hold valuable lessons for HR? Let us know!

Think data analytics is a modern invention? Nah, it’s been shaping societies for over 1000 years, starting with William the Conqueror’s groundbreaking "Domesday Book". Our latest blog explores how William’s 11th-century survey of landowners was a precursor to modern data-driven strategies. While today we rely on more advanced tools, his approach to data collection and organization laid the foundation for the analytics we use in business today. Discover how his analytical mindset can offer insights for your people analytics strategy. Dive into the blog now! https://lnkd.in/d9YgmmRY #HRstrategy #peopleanalytics #history #DomesdayBook #WilliamTheConqueror #DataDrivenLeadership