A few years ago, SHRM magazine commented that HR professionals had a negative image in the media. Unfortunately, the negative image was not sexy negative, like lawyers, but boring sexy.
In honor of this distinction, I have decided to name my top 5 HR people in the media.
I decided to start with Number 5 and work to Number 1. Number 5 should probably be #1; but it is an older reference, although they continue to have an impact on the media.
My Number 5 – Frank & Lillian Gilbreth
Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were efficiency experts and pioneers in the areas of the scientific study of work and time motion study. In 1911 Frank Gilbreth wrote Motion Study and in 1919 the couple wrote Applied Motion Study.
Frank and Lillian had 12 children. They raised their children according to principles derived from the scientific study of work. This inspired two of their children, Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Careyone, to write the story, Cheaper by the Dozen, which led to a play and movie of the same name. The Steve Martin version, although sharing the same name and concept, does not borrow from the basic story.
