HR is different. HR is a corporate function that by design has to rely on spin, is torn between conflicting mandates, and is too often run by people without any sense for business. Even worse, HR frequently pursues its own agenda by coming up with lofty, idiosyncratic goals (such as “innovative” appraisal systems) that take away valuable employees’ time or prevent the company from running at its best (for example, by meddling in hiring/firing decisions). Even so, HR always has