HR people slower than turtle!

Old close friend Ahmad called from HQ in KL. Talked about so many things including family, new workplace, The Tan Sri President’s wife and even HR matters. He sought clarification on why he was not chosen to receive long service award. One things led to another, all about HR services not living up to his expectations, not only about his unit’s HR but the HR people everywhere in the Group. Being close friend, for so many years, he knew his feedbacks or criticisms rather were safe with me. I was like him before, criticizing HR peoples as slower than turtle and ignorant about operation and business. "My boss never appreciate my work. We work hard for the Company but the performance rating is always average. HR bosses are good at managing CEOs but not their staff who are running here and there". There are some truths. The first statement was quite right. He was a manager in materials department and the boss is a senior manager in Finance. One thing the SM did like about him is his outspokenness. He bulldozed into things to get results sometimes hurting people feelings.
One thing I liked about him - he’s a professional with vision. He substantiated all claims with evidence. He is also a fundamentalist who held Islam dear to heart.
I did not promise anything. I am a good listener now, though, having been an HR guy for about a year and a half now.