I've run an HR Consultancy business for the last 14 years, helping small businesses and charities to succeed and survive by managing their people better
I really get annoyed by people who try to make HR complicated, or use it as a reason not to do something. My first book, "Happy Working Relationships", published last year, was an attempt to explain people management issues and principles in plain English (Buy it and let me know if I succeeded!!)
When I'm not working, being a husband or a dad you'll probably find me reading Conrad, listening to Scott Walker or watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer (though it's unlikely I'll be doing all 3 at the same time)
Humans have an emotive response to stories that begins when we are young, they stretch and test the imagination. They helping people bring to life a situation and communicate its significance.
Radically review all of those processes that we slavishly follow in HR, or think of as 'best practice'. Ask yourself what value they are really adding, and whether or not they could be holding y