Finding ways to differentiate oneself from others is a constant challenge in any profession, especially in human resources. To stand out head and shoulders above the competition is never easy, but professional qualifications definitely help. The Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification has therefore become the choice for many HR Professionals. Mr. Cassady Winston, Senior Director, Human Resources of Asia, AECOM with over a decade of experience in the US and Asia, shares his following views on "Why SPHR?". What changes have you seen in the HR field over the past decades? Cassady: Human Resources is a complex and dynamic field that has evolved a great deal over the past decades. Even now, we can see significant variations from company to company as to how HR is positioned in their businesses and what is expected of the HR department.   What do you think about the role of HR leaders nowadays? Cassady: I believe an important role for any HR leader is to steady an organization and keep leadership firmly grounded in its long-term strategy, and this clearly requires cross-industry knowledge of best practices to achieve this.   What do you think is most essential factor when coping with such changes and challenges? Cassady: In my opinion, it is critical for HR leaders to build up our body of knowledge and to define proactively the HR discipline. How does the SPHR qualification help you in your HR career? Cassady: My studies for the SPHR certification exposed me to a wide breadth of HR subject matter, and this experience has prepared me well for a number of real-life HR management issues in various organizations. SPHR has helped me to give high-level strategic advice, and to build up trust with top business leaders.