Everyday People, Page 49

All Keyed Up !!

When’s the last time you had an event truly shape or change your life? I know that we all have these types of events and once they occur you need to decide how you are going to respond.

Last week I experienced an event that truly changed my life !!

I just returned from Sea Base which is a national Boy Scout camp located in the Florida Keys. The past week was spent doing everything from kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico to swimming off a boat in 600 feet of water in the Gulf Stream !! If I wrote the post on every amazing activity I experienced, it would be too long to read.

I spent the week with six phenomenal young men, including my son and another dad from the Troop. Two other dads traveled with us and hung out on vacation while we experienced the adventures of Sea Base. Here we all are at the Southernmost Point in the US in Key West !!

It’s hard to capture the emotions that happened throughout the week because every day brought something unique and new to each of us. At the beginning of the week there is an “adult meeting” to explain what was going to happen. The point that struck me was when the Camp Commissioner said, “There will be things this week that challenge you. I encourage you to take a risk and stretch yourself. When you do, you’ll see you have the ability to do more than you think. Also, your boys will see that you are involved and will want to join in with you.”

That’s when the life changing moment happened. Mind you, this was on the 1st day of the week !!

How often do we not heed this advice in our work as HR professionals? This wasn’t someone throwing down a gauntlet. It was someone who gave encouragement with context. He laid down the opportunity, explained the potential for success and failure and how that opportunity would be a model for others.

I was on fire after that !! It was the first week where EVERY single day was positive from start to finish !! I mean it. EVERY SINGLE MOMENT !! There were incredible challenges that we faced both physically like being in the ocean as well as living on an out island that was more like Survivor than anything I’ve ever seen. Throughout each day there was constant laughter and an incredible bond with the staff as well as the chance to do things with the boys that we never dreamt of doing before with ease !!

Several people bemoaned when I came back – “Oh, now you HAVE to go BACK to work !!” Are you kidding ??

I GET to return to a place where more great people are looking for (1) encouragement with context who (2) want to take risks to (3) succeed or fail and I get to (4) model it myself for others.

I’m keyed up (aka as Geeked !!) Sea Base took off the filters, edges, doubt and frustration with things that lay before me. I’m a better person for stretching this week and I hope you do the same !!

5 New Ideas !!

SHRM13 has wrapped up and it was honestly the best National SHRM Conference I’ve attended. The vibe was cool and people seemed to be at ease and engaged at the same time. Just prior to the Conference kicking off, my good friend, Mark Stelzner, put a challenge out on Facebook to see if anyone could come away from the event with 5 new ideas.

I loved the challenge and responded immediately. Now, let’s get the “there are no new ideas” cynicism out of the way. This may be inherently true, but you have to remember that the HR universe is a gigantic bell curve !! The conference had folks from those new to the field to CHRO’s. The idea of “new” is really dependent upon the individual and not whether you think it’s new or not.

Too often we read blogs and think everyone’s heard that before !! I think you need to rethink that because as much as we’d like to think we carry a broad swath of our profession, we are reaching a truly engaged minority. That is very cool, but we aren’t going as deep as we can. This was reflected in the myriad of people who flocked to the transactional HR sessions because I’m sure it was important to their role. I went to others that reflected mine. That’s not being critical – that’s being practical.

Now to the five new ideas !! (at least to me)

#1 – HR needs to be integrated throughout business not just “know” the business.

There were a billion sessions who broke Matt Stollak’s rule of saying “seat at the table,” but they weren’t encouraging it, they were noting that this wasn’t enough (and in actually never has been). The C-Suite expects HR to be woven throughout the organization – not just show up at Executive meetings.

#2 – Giving shouldn’t just be done by writing a check.

Listening to Blake Mycoskie was so refreshing !! To see someone from Gen Y who is truly reflective of a success story of his generation was cool. During his presentation he showed how a company can be profitable and giving simultaneously. Also, the expectation that his employees are all in on the efforts of Toms gives folks a great model of living a culture vs. trying to program it.

#3 – No one is as dumb as all of us.

Other than being incredibly inspirational, listening to Mark Kelly speak was very grounding. He noted that this saying was on the wall at NASA after the Challenger tragedy. It warns us that group-think is more dangerous than an individual idea. Too often HR jumps into a group decision in order to tag along in organizations. Be wary of this and truly review all ideas that come down the pike.

#4 – We’re all in sales.

Daniel Pink was phenomenal !! His ideas that “we’re all in sales” isn’t particularly new. But he noted that few truly practice this approach. For HR to be integrated (see #1), you need to sell what you’re company does. In fact, Jennifer McClure noted in her session that she wanted to see Businesspeople who practice HR vs. HR people who happen to know the business.

#5 – Surround yourself with leaders.

Jen McClure provided a completely different ending to her phenomenal session when she encouraged people to surround themselves and get connected to people who are leaders in HR. This wasn’t just the same old – follow people who are well known. It was a stronger approach to get truly connected to HR practitioners who show they are leading in the field. The folks she listed are givers. They make sure to give first to all those that connect with them.

#6 – HR people want to connect with others, but they don’t know how.

(Bonus Idea) 15,000+ folks wandered through the halls of McCormick Place for SHRM13, and I tried my best to encounter and meet as many as I could. There was a sense that people wanted to meet others, but they didn’t seem willing to step out and make that happen. At each session I attended, I introduced myself to all those around me and asked their state, city, role, etc. and then listened to their story. I also did this on the elevator, escalator, hallways, HRCI Hideaway, Blogger’s Lounge and SHRM Volunteers Leaders lounge. This isn’t to brag. It’s to give you an idea of the vastness of the number of HR folks who aren’t being reached. True, they’re attending and getting their credits, but their sphere of connectivity was limited in general. There are many, like me, who were trying to meet folks and change this paradigm, but it’s still an uphill opportunity that is exhilarating !!

Whew !! This post is almost as long as the Conference. I didn’t even talk about the great SHRM Kickball game, the incredible vendor hall and the unforgettable SHRM Tweetup !! Another day.

In the end, the whole thing rocked !! I came home even more geeked than when I went. Seeing old friends, making new ones and being a part of the future of HR is energizing. Stay tuned !!!

An Opportunity you Can Kick In !!

One week from now I get the chance to attend the SHRM National Conference in Chicago !! It’s an incredible event for professional development, networking and connecting with HR pros from around the globe !!

It’s also an opportunity to make a difference. I dig being active and visible in Social Media. I have to be very honest and clear about that because too often HR people who aren’t active think that what we do is out of reach or not feasible for them. What difference does it make to just be out “in the space” ??

What people lose sight of is that the folks who are active in Social Media aren’t just talking (or typing) heads. They’re very real and folks who push the boundaries and take action. That’s why I love to be included with this crew !!

This year a group of us are getting together at SHRM13 to play kickball !! (That’s great Steve – what does that have to do with anything ??) Good question. You see, we’re playing for charity to raise money and awareness for No Kid Hungry. They’re a phenomenal organization who’s making a real difference in ending hunger for children in America.

You have an opportunity to help us out in our efforts even though you might not be playing. We’re taking donations until we play next Sunday night. You can do by clicking on this link that goes to our fundraising page – SHRM 13 Kickball.

The thought of a bunch of adults reaching back to our childhood to have a friendly game from all of our memories gets me geeked !! We should never lose that time when we freely played, used our imaginations and thought there were no boundaries that we would ever face.

It’s humbling that I get to be involved in such a cool service and outreach effort. I hope you can take this opportunity to connect, give and take action as well. Your donation will help children eat – something we often take for granted.

For those of you on Twitter – for every Tweet on Tuesday using the hashtag #SHRMKickball there are two sponsors who will donate $1.00 per tweet up to $1,000 !! That is sweet !!

People ask me if HR can ever make a difference – Here’s a chance to show you can !!

Make sure you check out No Kid Hungry going forward as well. This may be something that your employees families are facing, and you don’t even know it. To get you in the “mood” I leave you with a song that talks about “opportunities” with that HR tie. Enjoy and thanks for considering this !!

No Kid Hungry SHRM13 Kickball Blogs

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Why Can’t We Be Friends ??

In a few weeks I’m going to SHRM13 !! The National HR Conference is always a great event. It’s so cool to be surrounded by thousands of HR pros from literally all over the world.

It will be great to see friends, but I’m also looking forward to meeting new folks. This is sometimes a challenge because many attendees are in a mad rush to get to sessions for their credits, or they stick with people from their own geographic region. I get this because I was like that when I first started going to SHRM Conferences. I thought the event was more important than the people who were right there with me.

That’s changed over the years and now my goal is to try and connect with as many HR peers as I can. I think we have the opportunity to take these types of forums and reach across boundaries to be a better profession !! Recently, Hank Jackson, SHRM CEO, shared that he wants SHRM to be seen as a Professional Society vs. a Membership Organization. When I heard this, I was geeked !! I’d love to see this transformation truly occur because the majority of messaging from SHRM over the past few years has been focused on membership.

It’s time for us, as HR professionals though to pave the way for this to occur. The best way for SHRM to move forward is for us to show the way and reach out to each other. It’s never going to shift much unless we move first.

I know this takes some risk, but it’s worth it. I know that by stepping out, I’ve met great people from literally around the world !! It meant taking the first step in most instances, but it’s always resulted in great relationships and even better resources. You have to remember that you share a common bond because of HR !! You’ll always have something to talk about.

So, if you’re going to be at SHRM13, let’s make sure to connect. It will rock and we’ll start setting the standard for others to follow !!

Better as a Whole !!

It seems like I’ve been in HR since the dawn of time. Not really, but as a point of reference – there were no HR majors in college when I went and it was called “Personnel.”

Even though it’s been a long and exciting trip, I find that I get more and more excited the longer I’m in the field. I read a troubling post lately from an Anonymous HR pro in the UK that my good friend Michael Carty posted called “Sincerely Yours, Deeply Disengaged.” It is an all too familiar tale of how an HR pro is discouraged in how their company looks at and devalues HR. (You really should read this post and add your comments.)

It sounds like this HR pro feels isolated and on their own which is too often the case. I’m amazed that HR people, who are in an occupation that calls for them to be among people, tend to be the most disconnected professionals out there. This isn’t healthy !! It leads to the factors noted in the post above and ultimately in a person who is discouraged about Human Resources who will, in all likelihood, leave the profession.

There are healthy ways to protect yourself from disengagement and discouragement !! One key component to being healthy in HR is to surround yourself with great peers and folks you can learn from. People often tout the notion of “continuous learning” but few take the time to do it. I see more and more people longing for connections, but not knowing how to make that leap.

I’m very fortunate in many ways. I’ve always enjoyed being connected to people. It’s genuinely deep in my DNA. This isn’t unique, but there is a factor that is. Great connections are intentional. And being intentional makes us better together as a whole.

I’ve always believed in modeling the behavior you expect in others. So, I’m involved in a community that keeps me grounded, encouraged and also gives me the opportunity to learn. I’m a blogger as part of the Performance I Create team. It’s a very diverse mix of HR practitioners, and I truly dig that. Each member offers different perspectives, views and takes based on who they are and how they practice HR in their corner of the HR universe. I love reading their work on their individual blogs and on the PIC site.

These folks – Jay Kuhns, Chris Ponder, Melissa Fairman, Tiffany Kuehl, Chris Fields, Sarah Williams, Justin Harris and Dave Ryan – are truly my “Everyday People.” I encourage you to connect with each of them individually and as a whole team.

This isn’t just to highlight one group of HR pros vs. another. I want to truly see you branch out and connect across the field. There are countless amazing HR pros who will make the time and effort to see you learn, grow and succeed !!

Remember – we’re stronger together. Make it happen !!

Image courtesy of tfisherart.com

Remember when ??

Recently, LaRosa’s, opened a new location called Eastgate. I’m fortunate to be the Executive Director of HR for this iconic Cincinnati company, and we had a pivotal role in this store opening. HR interviewed every new potential Team Member because we were looking to add 70+ folks to this much larger pizzeria !!

You may think that this isn’t such a unique story. I mean, EVERY HR person does recruiting !! That’s not always true. I haven’t had to interview for over five years. It’s great to be in a role that is highly strategic, but it felt fantastic to be back in the field to meet potential new employees. We interviewed the candidates on-site and in booths in our restaurant. Again, not unique, but it was for us because typically the hiring is done by the Manager in his/her pizzeria.

So, why was this experience cool ?? Interviewing is just a “natural” skill in HR. There’s nothing special about it. Ahh, that’s where you’re wrong !!

You see, the great new people we were talking to were going to be filling an incredible role !! They are the front line connection to our guests who eat at our locations. Getting the best people is key for outstanding guest experience !! Every hire counts. Every one.

Also, I forgot an incredible experience that I should have never taken for granted. The cool thing about a store opening is that we interviewed people, and then offered them a job right on the spot if they were going to join our team. To see a person get a job is a gift. Not giving them a job, but seeing their reaction. Often, we are a person’s first job ever. We also had people who were looking for new opportunities or a chance to work for our great company. In every case, the joy of their reaction was spectacular !!

This new beginning should never be overlooked or seen as something mundane. When you hire someone, you change their lives !! Often in HR, we become numb to the great things we get to do that alter people’s lives and careers. Don’t overlook it. It matters. If you don’t think so, ask a jobseeker.

Take a new approach to what you do HR. Look at it as how it impacts and affect’s humans. Trust me, you will never be jaded again !! It will always give you that new sensation !!

Thanks Mom !!

Yesterday we had the chance to thank all of those fortunate to be mothers. It is incredible to see the outpouring for moms, and every bit of it is perfect !! I hope you took time to thank the moms in your life yesterday because they deserve your thanks EVERY day !!

Honestly, this is a huge work issue as well. Please note one thing here . . . I think ALL moms work !! The mothers who are able to be at-home-moms work hard every day with their families, communities and kids. Don’t ever think that this isn’t valuable. It’s an incredible gift that they give with immeasurable value.

For those great moms who also have a job outside of the home, I think we need to give you more validity and attention. It’s an amazing testament to you as a professional to be able to do all that you do in the workplace !! You see, I have a marvelous example to draw from – my mom.

My father passed away when I was 4 and my brother was 2 back in 1968. So, my mom became a “single” mom as a widow during a time when that was much more of an exception than today. We have an amazing extended family who pitched in to watch my brother and I during the day so she could work an entry level administrative position as well as take college courses to become a teacher. She earned her degree from Bowling Green State University and began teaching in the vocational school system. She taught future administrative assistants who were predominantly women. So, she modeled her success to those who would go on to have careers of their own.

Now, I know everyone says their mom is the best. I’d have to chime in with that as well but with a twist. My mom has influenced and encouraged hundreds and hundreds of young women to pursue a skill and impact workplaces. She has seen them grow into incredible adults, been to their weddings, held their children and seen many of her student’s children graduate.

Before she retired after 30+ years of teaching, she received her Master’s Degree, remarried a phenomenal man, and started her career as world’s best grandmother. She continues to put forth a witness of grace, joy and encouragement to all that she encounters.

So, today, I’d like to say THANK YOU !! Thanks to my mom and to all the moms who are out there in homes and in the workplace. You make the world a better place because of who you are and all you do !!

Become a Contrarian Craftsman !!

You have to know that I’m incredibly passionate about HR !! I’m really passionate about most things actually. Most of the blogs, conferences and resources out there are incredible in their observations, perspectives and approaches. You can get people geeked about something pretty easily, but what people want is how they can apply what they read and learn in their everyday roles.

Too often we lack tools to apply the great things we learn. That’s about to change !! I how that you are a voracious reader as an HR professional. It’s a needed attribute because you can stay current and relevant in the field. My newest “find” to do that is something that gives you applicable tools as well.

You need to pick up Dwane Lay‘s new work – Lean HR !!

“Lean” is not a new concept by any means, but it IS a fantastic and unique approach to Human Resources. Dwane takes the tools that have been traditionally used in manufacturing and shows how they can bring efficiency and reduce waste in HR.

The concept of reducing waste is SO needed in HR !! Don’t think so? There are so many layers of unnecessary tasks that it would take thousands of blogs to even try and capture it all. I can remember in one of my roles where a company had an 8 page coffee making policy !!! Eight pages !! Not to mention a policy to make coffee !! Don’t even get me started on my wife’s company who has a current 10-page dress code policy !!

One of the key things that Dwane starts off with is the ability to be a contrarian – a person who takes an opposing view on things. His reasoning is that you need to be comfortable in asking “Why?” and that is something that usually annoys us. However, it’s key to be able to look at things from many vantage points to see if it can be done more efficiently. This is where the cool tools come in !! They are very understandable and you can use the data that exists around you.

I love this book and it’s a double bonus that I know the author !! He’s an incredible resource and has introduced a work that will truly transform HR and give us a new method to make us the business partners that we long to be. You’ll make HR a craft like it deserves to be instead of a field where you feel like you face constant obstacles.

Make sure to get a copy and start eliminating the waste that so desperately needs to be eliminated !! You’ll be glad you did !!

HR is a Rock Ballet !!

If you didn’t know this about me . . . I am a music freak !! Each week I write a song parody about HR in the HR Net. I try to post on Twitter each day using the #HRMusicShare tag to see what other music HR pros are enjoying. Just started sharing music with UK HR friends about what music we are listening to during our work commute using @CommuteMusic with a theme each week !! And, then I make sure to have music constantly playing in the car, at my office, or on my laptop.

I know I have issues, but I’m good with it !!

However, this weekend, I mixed absolutely all of my HR geekedness when I saw Peter Frampton play live with the Cincinnati Ballet performing in front of him and his band !!

It was sublime. Seriously, it was simply amazing to hear music I grew up with interpreted through dance. Frampton was so moved by this combination that the 2nd act was made up of completely new music that he composed just for this three performance event !!

As the notes of Black Hole Sun, While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Do You Feel Like We Do wafted into the air and over the crowd of the Aronoff Center, I thought about the unlikely mix of rock n’ roll with the artistry of ballet. The creative director for the ballet wrote in the program how difficult it was to convince Frampton to do this and for the ballet community to embrace a completely different medium.

It’s honestly like mixing HR into business !! For years, HR has focused on getting a “seat at the table” which is a silly venture honestly. Great HR is strategic daily in what it does and how it approaches the practice of HR throughout an organization. This isn’t about getting acknowledgement to sit in an Executive Level meeting.

Try this instead . . .

Fully integrating HR throughout an organization is a much healthier, and sustainable, approach. Bringing the constant angst, struggle of people in all their flawed glory (rock music) with the beautiful flow of business (ballet) is more natural than you think !!

Most people say they have to “go to” or “come to” HR inferring that HR exists outside the normal movements of business in an organization. I look at it this way – if you’re department has people in it, then you have HR all around you !! So, quit trying to play on a stage where people have to come see your concert. Bring your concert to them !!

Just like the ballet I witnessed this weekend, this works. This week, strap on your guitar, plug in your amp and crank it up. The ballet is waiting for you !!

Image courtesy of Cincinnati Ballet

When Kids Grow Up . . .

This past weekend I led our Troop Advancement Outing. As the Scoutmaster, it’s my one outing where I am officially “in charge.” That term is used very loosely because the boys plan everything. I only make sure that the outing is focused on helping the new kids work on things that help them advance in rank.

It seems that every campout I run for the Advancement Outing has a unique weather element to it !! This year we had below freezing temperatures, rain and sleet. Yipee !! You have to love Ohio in April !! The amazing thing about this weather anomaly was that the boys didn’t even flinch an eye. Sure, it was cold, but they were camping and that was good enough for them.

During this full weekend, the older Scouts taught the new Scouts how to build fires, wield axes, identify plants and animals as well as basic First Aid. One requirement we always include is a five mile hike. I always go with the kids because I love doing the activies with them !! The hike rocked !!! We saw evidence of deer, raccoons and beavers. We saw plants and trees we’d never seen before and the highlight of the hike was the break we took. We stopped at a creek and I told the boys they could spend 15 minutes creeking. They literally jumped off the bridge and straight into the freezing water !! They searched for crayfish, fossils, caves, etc. The energy level skyrocketed !!

Later, our First Aid walk was truly epic !! The boys walk through the woods and come upon various injured people and they have to identify the problem and a solution to how to help them. My amazing son led this and came up with Attack of the Insane Doll !! So, each injured scout along the route had been attacked by a stuffed childhood toy and left the boys punctured, blistered, burned, rabid and broken – with a compound fracture. The boys who acted out the walk were spectacular and the make-up and props were of Hollywood quality.

So, what does this have to do with HR or the workplace ?? Everything !!

You know what happens to kids when grow up ?? They become our employees !!

So, the bright-eyed and creative kids who jump into a freezing creek and get muddy and soaked may be CEO’s !! The victims of the insane doll may be engineers, factory workers or managers.

However, when they grow up and come to WORK we have to do our duty to suck their souls out to make sure they “perform” and don’t bring their whole self to work. We have standards to uphold for goodness sake.

Also, if employees actually did bring their entire being to work, what would happen ?? The sad thing is that we don’t know. People put on their work face to make sure that things get done and order is ensured. Also sad !!

We have a great opportunity in HR to eradicate this and get the kid factor back into our workplaces. When I think of culture, I want to see people who are engaged, genuine and playful. I’m fortunate to be at a company that not only allows that – it expects it.

So, this week be a kid. You know you want to and the other kids around you are just waiting for someone to break out and make it FUN versus it being WORK. The creek’s waiting . . . just watch out for that doll !!