Meet Me Where I Am

It’s hard to believe that I’m inching closer and closer to two milestones in my career. I’m moving towards my 19th year with my current employer and in a little over a year I will have been in HR for 40 years !! Neither one of these things seems even feasible. I’m not stating these as some foreboding “end of the line” post, far from it. I’m still as geeked and eager to see HR continue to grow and thrive as when I did starting out decades ago. Probably even more so.

There was an HR Chat that was recently rekindled on the new BlueSky platform that is based in the UK. It’s called the “HR Hour” and I love it. It follows a simple format – two questions over one hour. You’d think there’d be giant gaps of silence, but that’s not the case at all. The conversation and dialogue is rich and diverse.

This past week when they kicked things off after a short hiatus, they started with the question – “How has HR changed over the past 25 years?”

I jumped in to share immediately since I had some observations and I also had worked through that entire time period. After the hour of chatting drew to a close, I remembered when I first started in my current role . . .

I work for a regional pizzeria that is truly an iconic institution. We celebrated our 70th anniversary in 2024 which is a rarity in the restaurant industry. We continue to be vibrant, viable, and growing. When I first joined, many of my HR peers pulled me aside and said, “Are you sure? HR in restaurants isn’t easy. There’s a ton of turnover and people stuff that happens.”

I didn’t have any HR peers who also worked in the restaurant industry at that time. I was a bit perplexed that others were more discouraging than encouraging. I hadn’t even started !! I’ve never been a person who feels compelled to go just from others’ opinions. I’d much rather dive in and make my own experiences, and then decide what an environment is/isn’t.

My new boss may have sensed some uncertainty when I started. You see, I was an outlier. The vast majority of the corporate staff had grown up within the company. I was an outside hire which has been the exception rather than the rule for our organization. He gave me an odd set of directions to follow when I began. He said, “I want you to listen to everyone for three months. I don’t want you to bring me ideas or suggestions for change. I just want you to observe and get to know folks at our pizzerias, our manufacturing plant ,and our call center. Make yourself available. That’s all.”

I’ll be honest, this was the most unique approach I had ever had. Even though I was a bit skeptical when I started, he held true to his instructions. We’d check in with each other on a weekly basis, and he’d ask me about who I’d met and what I’d seen so far. Once the three-month timeframe passed, he asked me for my ideas. He started with, “Okay, Steve, now that you’ve been watching, what would you change?”

I responded with a story . . .

I told him that while I visited the pizzerias I saw a change occur over time. When I first started to visit, I’d hear managers and team members say, “Shhh, that’s the HR guy from corporate.” It was disappointing that this was the initial response I received. However, I’m sure it was earned over time. If you know me at all, whenever I’ve received this type of greeting, I jump right in. I don’t let people have this kind of relationship with me or with HR.

I walked into the midst of folks and did something radical . . .

I’d say, “Hi there. My name’s Steve. What’s yours?”

That was it. I didn’t bring up my role, or my title or mention anything that alluded to any sense of “authority.” I just made sure to get around and meet each person. Every. One. After I’d get their name, I’d ask what they did and how long they’d been with LaRosa’s. Then I’d ask about their lives. Some shared and some didn’t. During every encounter, I never talked about my HR role. I’d share stories about my family and would answer any questions I received. I felt it was more important to get to know people for who they were.

My boss concurred with my approach and encouraged me. He liked what I chose to do. I explained that I have always felt more comfortable meeting people where they are vs. where I expected them to be. Each person is unique and comes from a different background and place in life. Acknowledging them for who they are connected me more effectively than trying to establish myself from some corporate position.

It worked and has been working for the past 18+ years. Actually, it’s how I’ve viewed HR since I began. We have a distinct opportunity to value people for who they are by meeting them where they are. It seems simple, and we tend to look for some model or formula that is far more complex in order to interact with people. Those never work and never will.

This week start meeting people where they are. It’s a good place. You’ll find out more than you ever imagined by being the person who’s open, vulnerable, genuine, and accessible first. It works for HR and for people in any environment. Just start with your name and see where it goes from there.

Being Shaped !!

My wife and I have been engrossed by the Netflix series, Blown Away, which is a competition between glass blowers. There have been four seasons so far, and we love how creative these artists are. I kept saying how intrigued I was by what the contestants did, so my wife surprised me with a gift certificate to a local glassblowing shop as a Christmas gift. I was so geeked and pumped to be able to try my hand at this craft. Then, I put the certificate in a drawer along with other gift cards.

That was three years ago. This year, though, I received the best request from our adult daughter Melanie. She was going to be able to spend most of the week of Christmas visiting us. She asked if I’d take a day off for a father/daughter day. You need to know how much that touched my soul. You see, Melanie turned 31 on Christmas Day, and here she was asking if she could still spend the day with her dad. Did I get weepy? Of course – as all good dads should regularly do.

I wanted the day to be memorable when I remembered the glassblowing certificate I had tucked away somewhere. My incredibly organized wife knew exactly where the gift certificate was. I told her I was going to see if I could get a class for Melanie and I to create some art. She hoped the certificate was still good which was a fair concern. I mentioned the thought of being in a glassblowing hot shop to Mel and she jumped at the chance.

I called Neusole Glassworks and asked to schedule some time for us to make two items – a Santa Claus hat and a Christmas Ornament. Thankfully, the gift certificate was still valid and we had a time set for the Friday afternoon after Christmas. Our father/daughter day started with a full breakfast with my wife and my Men’s Group at a local breakfast diner. Then we did some errands and shopped for some miscellaneous items to span the time before heading to the Glassworks.

When we arrived, we were given a quick tour and some safety instructions. We had already received instructions on the type of clothing to wear. They especially recommended wearing a T-shirt because of the heat in the hot shop. It was a brisk, cold winter day when we went so we had sweatshirts over our t-shirts. Once we entered the hot shop, the sweatshirts were shed within two minutes !! The oven that was used glowed brightly, and you felt the immense heat immediately.

We were scheduled for 1 1/2 hours in order to make our items. Seth was our instructor. He was patient, thorough, and encouraging. I was a bit concerned I’d be able to work the glass because the stations are set up for those who are right-handed. I am fiercely, and almost exclusively, left-handed. Seth assured me I’d be able to do all of the necessary tasks. He was right.

We had an absolute blast making our items while concentrating through sweat and a dry mouth. We both wanted to take the molten glass and shape it so that our pieces would be both unique and wonderful. Once we completed everything, Seth placed all four creations into the annealer to cool for several days. We had to wait a week to see how things turned out.

We closed out our father/daughter day by going to music trivia at our local haunt along with other family friends. We won too !! It was the perfect day all around.

Melanie returned home to Indianapolis over the weekend. While I was waiting to collect our glass creations to cool, set, and reach their final state, I thought our experience reflected something very applicable to HR, employees, culture, and work.

Glass, by itself, will maintain its shape unless it’s dropped or chipped. Then, unfortunately, it shatters and can’t serve its purpose. However, it can be reclaimed, heated and melted. The molten blob on the end of a blowpipe can become anything in a glassblowers hands. It can be clear or multi-colored. It can be shifted, altered, and maneuvered in any direction. There’s no telling what will be the end result.

People and change are just like glass. They all have a purpose and if they’re in their normal state, they can perform. However, when they get nicked, chipped, or even shattered they lose that intended purpose. We don’t like it when we face stress or “heat” that causes us to bend, fold, and change. It’s uncomfortable and we will do what we can to avoid these types of situations.

What we need to come to terms with though is that heat is exactly what we need to shift, grow, and stretch. We need to trust that when this happens we can be shaped into new creations that can offer even more than our original shape. We need to trust that these actions are what we need to go through even though its uncomfortable for a time.

At the beginning of a New Year, instead of resolving to “get into better shape,” why don’t we agree that we may need to be shaped ourselves? I have a feeling that each of us has more to offer if we’d allow the heat and stress to unlock the creative object that is waiting to come forth.

By the way – I picked up our artwork. It came out perfectly. Take a look !!

Put Your Apron On !!

My family is made up of an eclectic mix of people who have had a variety of occupations. I come from three families altogether – my mom’s side, my biological dad’s side, and my step-dads side. (My mom remarried my second dad after being widowed.) Many of my relatives were, or are, farmers. They’ve had farms where they worked the land and raised livestock. These farms have been generational, and through their hard work they have fed countless people.

Another portion of my family worked in manufacturing plants or in front-line roles putting in hours in various conditions. They were also responsible for making great products or providing services to many people. Most of my extended family never saw the end users of their efforts. One person stands out, particularly in this family work history – my stepdad, Don.

Dad grew up on a farm and used to tell us that he began work soon after birth. That was probably more truth than fabrication. I know that he worked constantly for his family growing up. He and his twin brother, Ron, were two boys of seven siblings. After high school, he began working at a grain elevator in Ada, Ohio (which would become my hometown later.) He worked his way up over time from shoveling grain and loading trucks to becoming the manager of the elevator. When he married my mom, he was the manager. I don’t know if he ever only worked 40 hours a week. Not kidding. He would put in a full day, come home for dinner, and go back to work.

His work ethic was genuine and natural. He modeled it and expected the same effort and commitment from me and my brother. It didn’t matter if that was in school, our volunteer efforts, or in our jobs. He viewed work as something to cherish and give your best to every day. Sure, I bet there were times when things were a grind. And, I’m sure he also experienced challenging employees and customers. That never swayed him.

While working at the elevator, he put himself through night school to get his Associate’s Degree in Accounting. This led to an accounting role for the local electrical co-op where he worked until he retired. I’ve always appreciated and admired my dad for how he approached work.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago . . .

I was asked to be a guest on a webinar for WorkProud. Their CEO, Michael Levy, and I had a great conversation about the future of work and how to develop a people-first organization. I am grateful anytime I have the chance to contribute to blogs, podcasts, or webinars. I don’t take it for granted. Once the webinar was completed, Michael asked me for my address because he wanted to send me something as a “Thank You.”

Soon there was a package on my porch and I was floored when I opened it !! I saw some weathered green canvas along with some leather. I was confused as to the contents of the package at first. I pulled out the item and began unfolding it. It seemed to unfold over and over. It still wasn’t clear as to what it was until I laid it flat on my kitchen island.

It was an apron !! A work apron. It was magnificent and I took several minutes just to look it over. I ran my hands over the material and it already felt like it had been used. It was as if someone working in a hands-on environment had finished their day’s work and had hung it up on a hook to be ready for the next shift. My wife asked if I was planning on keeping it, and I immediately said, “Absolutely !!”

You see, I think the apron is a solid reminder for everyone in HR to pick up their proverbial apron and put it on as we head into work. We can have the same approach and dedication my dad showed throughout his career with our “aprons” on. We are a profession that rarely sees the outcome of our efforts because we have the privilege of working with people. Each day provides a different circumstance to take on and work through.

Having a put your apron on mentality will keep us grounded as well. It is a tangible reminder that we represent all employees from the front line to the C-suite. Our “work” is in caring for, assisting, and developing others. We can build up our callouses doing this work well. This week I want you to pause before you start. Break up your regular pattern and add a new step. Find your apron. Put it on. Tie it tightly and then head in !!

Stay Connected !!

This past week we celebrated Thanksgiving. Of all the holidays we get to celebrate, the focus of this one is highlighted by people gathering together. I was fortunate to celebrate the day, and the weekend, with my mom, daughter, and wife. Our daughter was the host. She did a spectacular job making a turkey, getting tickets so we could all see the movie Wicked, and sharing her welcoming home !!

While we were there, our son called in from California, and we chatted as a family for almost an hour about all facets of life. As soon as we ended that call, my brother called from Tennessee to send his family’s Thanksgiving wishes and share their plans. Later, one of our daughter’s friends came over for a game night where we competed and laughed. The connections didn’t stop there. When I got up early that morning, I made sure to reach out and connect with HR friends around the globe through GroupMe, WhatsApp, Twitter, and BlueSky. The messages flew back and forth with ease as people wished each other well.

Earlier in the week, I also reached out to a dear friend who had moved to Atlanta a few years ago. We hadn’t talked for far too long, and that didn’t sit well with me. I wanted to make sure he and his family were doing well and fortunately, they were. During this same time frame, I heard of a friend who lost her father, a cousin whose husband is critically ill, and one of my aunts who is coming to the end of her life.

I share these examples because I am grateful for the people I’m connected to. They aren’t mere acquaintances. They’re people who make my life richer. This only scratches the surface. I didn’t include the people I get to work with, the people I go to church with, friends around the city, or the people I am connected to around the globe through various HR platforms. The number of people in my life is not the focus – the importance of being intentionally connected is.

Too many people in the world today are isolated. With the devolution of social media into various camps pitted against each other, I am concerned. I feel many people have decided to withdraw, and they may be disconnected altogether. If you choose to no longer be active on social media platforms, that is fine. However, becoming isolated is not.

Staying connected is an imperative that should be a priority for all of us. If you see someone who is not connected, take a few moments and reach out just to check-in. That simple act may be the one thing that grounds someone once again. People were created in order to create and maintain relationships. We weren’t designed to be alone.

I realize that the holidays may give us the spark we need to connect. My encouragement to each of you is to be someone who chooses to stay connected all the time with others. Yes, it takes an investment of your time. Yes, it weighs on you emotionally. And, yes, it can be challenging. But know this, every connection you make will impact a life positively in ways you may never see. You may be just the right person at the right time that someone needs. Stay connected !!

Be A Lock !!

I know that many of my posts have been about our recent Viking Cruise, but there were so many memorable experiences that I feel I could fill a book if I captured and shared everything. When you’re on this type of river cruise, you are on a longboat. It’s hard to grasp how literal that is because our boat was 447 feet long !! You couldn’t get an angle to take a picture from your phone and get the entire boat in the frame.

Our trip started on the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary. We ended up traveling on the Danube, the Main (pronounced “mine”), and the Rhein by the time we ended in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. In order to successfully navigate all three of these very different rivers, we had to pass through multiple locks. The captain told us that there were 67 we’d traverse over the course of our voyage. When we entered the first in the series, everyone was geeked to go to the top deck to see what was involved with this process. Our maritime crew were true artists. They maneuvered our vessel into the lock with ease.

Their skill was on display each time we went through a lock because each river brought different challenges. We were sailing against the current on the Danube which was a moderately wide river. The Main was very narrow and it wound in various ways. The Rhein was vast and massive. You’d see smaller vessels on the Danube and Main, and then see ships transporting shipping containers on the Rhein !! Every lock was unique. Some, like the first one we went through, had plenty of space in front, back, and both sides of the boat. Others were extremely narrow and tight so that the boat “just fit” in the lock. There were a few where we could open our sliding cabin door and touch the wall of the lock !!

If you’ve never seen a lock, they allow boats to enter them and then close off the flow of water from the river on both sides. If you come into the lock where the water level is at the top of the lock, they slowly lower you to the level where you should be to move forward once the gates are opened. If you come in and you’re below the top of the lock, water is added to the lock so the boat rises to the new level you need to be at in order to advance. As you can see from our first lock in this picture, we were about to be raised.

I think HR can be like locks on a river for your employees. As they’re traveling through their daily passage of work, you can slow them down. Be like the crew we had. Help them maneuver carefully and safely into your HR lock. Once they’re in position, you can either encourage them to lift them up or you can calm them down by empathetically listening to them.

We can control the flow of their day, and how long they should be in the lock. It is different based on the circumstances they’re currently facing or who they’re working with. Whether you are calming someone down or lifting them up, the goal is for them to level out so they move forward. So, instead of being a gatekeeper in your HR role, why not be the passage of locks to help them intentionally pause, breathe, and then head out to continue their day?

I love the idea of making sure our employees have safe passage. Being able to be their workplace environment captain is a role that I cherish. Let’s transform who we are and what we do from those who confine to those that equip and enable. Be a lock !!

It’s A Small World

I’m honestly just getting back into the swing of things back home. My wife and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary by taking the Grand European River Cruise through Viking. To describe it as spectacular wouldn’t even begin to capture how incredible this experience was. We completely disconnected from our regular work lives and stayed off social media. For two-plus weeks we spent time together and explored the world. We both took enough pictures to last us a lifetime, but we didn’t want to miss any moment.

I was particularly excited about taking this adventure because of the size of the cruise. Unlike the ocean behemoths that dwarf the ports they dock in, a Viking river boat is long, sleek, and has three floors of rooms. There’s a sun deck that runs the length of the boat on the “top” of the vessel. That means this limits the number of people who can sail. Our boat had 180 passengers and 52 crew members. I had a goal to try and meet everyone on the boat and I came pretty close. I wasn’t overt. I didn’t chase people down. In the end, I knew a good portion of the crew and 80+ people who sailed with us. That worked for me and stretched Debbie which she handled seamlessly.

Every day we disembarked for a walking tour with new groups of people. It was a great way to learn about each port city. One of the cities had a star by it – Nuremberg, Germany. The reason for this is that I was born there !! I had not been back since I was six months old. Every city was fantastic in its own way, but I especially enjoyed spending the day in Nuremberg.

The next day, I learned just how small the world truly is. We were venturing through Wurzberg, Germany and someone from the boat said, “Have you met the other person who was born in Nuremberg?” “What ??” I exclaimed. “No, I didn’t know there was anyone else.” We were pausing in front of a very cool modern sculpture when a gentleman came up to me with his hand extended.

“Hi there, I’m Steve. I hear we have a few things in common !!” It turns out we had a ton in common. Steve’s father was in the Army and based in Nuremberg, and so was mine. He was born in the base hospital and stayed in the city for six months before his father was transferred. So did I !! Steve was born in 1960 and I was born in 1964. The whole encounter was surreal.

It was his first time to return to Germany, and it was also mine. When you think of the odds of this chance meeting occurring, it’s staggering. Two men born over sixty years ago happen to be on the same river cruise and get to see their birthplace. It was a joy to meet Steve and his wife, Hilda, who now live in Wisconsin.

During this entire trip, my eyes were opened to how small the world is. On top of meeting the other Steve, Debbie and I were walking through Cologne, Germany, and saw two former neighbors of ours from West Chester, Ohio (where we live) who were also on a Viking river cruise. In fact, their boat was tethered to ours at the dock in Cologne !!

You never know how life is going to present itself. You need to be observant and aware of whatever comes. It was so wonderful to have one great experience after another during this trip. Half a world away paths cross. I shouldn’t be surprised because we all know – it’s a small world after all !!

Set the Tone

This past week was just like most weeks. My wife and I got up early, got ready for the day, and went to work. When we got home we greeted each other and then figured out dinner. One of those days I was able to get home a bit early and I started dinner. I wanted to have things ready for Debbie before she got home herself. Things were almost ready to be served when she arrived.

She greeted me warmly but I didn’t reciprocate. There was no reason for that. She hadn’t done anything other than open the door and say, “Hello.” I was in a dark, somber mood out of nowhere. Nothing had caused it. The dinner was easy to make. There was no reason at all. It just happened. Unknowingly, I had set the tone for the rest of the night. I’m not proud of that but it happened.

Ironically, later that night I was watching a DVD (yes, a real DVD) to get ready to teach as a substitute for a couple’s group we’re in at church. In the video, the speaker shared the most astounding fact. He said, “You set the tone for the night within the first 30 seconds of when you arrive home.” My heart sank. His sage words could not have been more timely. I don’t think it was even 30 seconds before my somberness set the stage.

I share this because we often talk about wellbeing at work. It’s the hot topic at conferences and also in blogs. All of this focus is needed and has been for years. What I don’t see being talked about though is our wellbeing outside of work. We’re all far too busy if we were honest with ourselves. From the moment we wake up, we’re “on.” Our minds start to race and we grab for our phone to see if we missed anything after another night of restless sleep. We convince ourselves that every, single second has to be accounted for, and we can’t afford one wasted moment

We make each situation we encounter monumental whether it is or not. We feel this gives us purpose, drive, and value. There’s rarely any example where we slow down and catch our breath. Then, we head back home after this unending pace. (Note that this same hurriedness is true for those in remote and hybrid roles.) Work is “done” for the day and we return to our lives outside of our regular working hours. We may go back to a spouse, a partner, kids, our pets or just our abode.

Without pausing and winding down somewhat, we’re sure to come in hot. There’s no reason to do this. You can make the time to pause. You can. The question is – Do you want to?

For me, the answer is “Yes.” I started this discipline that day. First, I apologized to my wife for being in a funk. Secondly, I shared this story with our group so they heard a real-world example of what we were learning. Third, I’ve been pausing and making sure to remember that I can set the tone quickly. I want those first 30 seconds to be great from now on.

It’s working and I’m also starting to use this approach to interactions at work. Taking just a moment to break the pace is a simple practice, but it will take discipline. I would rather set the tone versus having people feel they have to react. How about you? Are you willing to set the tone?

Cluttered

Now, I know that even the title of this blog may make some people squirm. I want to challenge that notion if only to offer a different perspective. As I’m writing this post, I am surrounded by a stack of books I intend to read, various notebooks all dedicated to different areas of work, a stack of crumpled flip chart pages, two sets of markers, two tote bags, and two backpacks. I have a playlist with the soundtrack of the alternative Netflix series, The Umbrella Academy, on shuffle and I’m watering our trees to thwart the drought we’re facing. This is normal and comforting . . . for me.

Please note that I’m not touting that my method of approaching life is what others should do. As mentioned earlier, any semblance of this type of manner of walking through life unsettles far more people than those who concur. I have no recollection of ever not having this as my standard style. I don’t want to venture into if my brain is wired in a certain way or another. I don’t feel it’s fair to project or label how anyone moves through their daily lives. When I find people do this, it’s not comparative, it’s judgemental. There’s a right and a wrong.

I believe there just . . . is. That may be far too existential for some. However, when I look at the world and the people around me I see variety, diversity, and uniqueness. I try my best not to squelch or confine anyone else. I don’t particularly agree with how others maneuver through work and life, but only because I know it won’t work for me. If you visited me at my office, you’d see this pattern of being cluttered lived out. To me, it’s a very natural environment that offers endless stimulation and movement. It’s a snapshot of how the world appears in my head daily.

One day a former executive came to my office and was mortified. He looked at everything stacked, teetering and threatening to topple at any moment. His countenance dropped and he was immediately judgemental because my setting ran completely counter to how he did life. That was true of his dress, his communication, and his leadership style. Instead of trying to understand my beautiful mess, he challenged me because he wanted to show me how wrong I was to work like I do.

“This is something,” he retorted.

“Is there something you need or I can help you with?” I replied.

“Do you even know where anything is? I mean (dramatic pause) LOOK at this place !!” he exclaimed. His voice was raised and he started to turn red. I didn’t understand why this was a confrontation, but I remained unphased.

“What would you like me to get? Glad to help you.” I said this with a bit of a twist and a hint of sarcasm and he felt it.

“Well, um, where is the project list we’re working on for the Strategic Plan?” he stammered.

I reached into the middle of a stack while steadying it with my other hand. “This list?” It was exactly what he was asking for. I said, “This isn’t luck or a magic trick. It’s how I think. I know this isn’t how you like to approach work and I respect that. I ask you to do the same.”

Needless to say, he was not happy. I didn’t want that to happen, but I also felt he should be more open-minded to different perspectives. We all say we’re comfortable with those who are different than us, but that’s not really true. If we were honest, we consider different – wrong. It isn’t. It’s just different.

This week take a look around and take in the array of the people you work with and see how each one is unique. They’re all amazing because of their differences. Some will be organized and others will be cluttered. Some will think linearly and others don’t even know what a line looks like because they see countless versions of ever-changing intersections.

Let’s see how all of those differences make us better. I need to get back to my stacks . . .

It’s Just “Eh”

This weekend we were fortunate to get our first hint of Fall weather. It has been oppressively hot to the point where you didn’t want to even venture outside. Now that it was cool and brisk, we had to take advantage and jump into an activity that allowed us to enjoy the outside once again. My wife and I hopped in our car and trekked over to see our daughter in Indianapolis to take in the Penrod Arts Fair.

I was particularly giddy because I am an art fan !! I have taken my wife and kids to countless museums on a regular basis. Art fascinates me in all its forms. I was eager to see the various booths because there was a hint of uncertainty about what would be found. The fair is so large and draws a huge number of people that you are bussed in from a parking lot 10 to 15 minutes away because there isn’t enough onsite parking.

There were four separate sections filled with tents of artists. The pieces ranged from paintings to photography to jewelry to pottery to glass and metal works. The art could either be delicate and dainty or vast and abstract. Some booths drew many visitors and buyers while others got interest but people moved on. There wasn’t any way to predict what art was attractive to people. Each artist was eager to engage anyone who was willing to stop and chat. They wanted to share what they could about their creations. I enjoyed speaking with many of them just to hear their perspectives on things.

As we were milling through the crowds at a leisurely pace, a gentleman passed by me wearing a light blue sweatshirt with the greatest saying – “The Earth without Art is just ‘Eh’.” It’s a quote from the brilliantly eclectic comedian Demetri Martin. I laughed out loud when I read it and shared it with the group who was with us. They laughed as well. Even though it is a funny observation, it rings true.

After seeing the sweatshirt, I contemplated the art that was all around me. The span of creativity was hard to comprehend. There were some pieces that made me wonder how those images were in someone’s head. I found them a bit unnerving but I respected that they were how the artists chose to express themselves. Others seemed “simple” and I even quipped, “I could do that.” I know that may not be likely because I was observing while they were creating. It did pique my interest though !!

I loved that each artist was willing to share their vision and put it in front of the public. They all were unapologetic and original. It was invigorating and refreshing. It made me wonder what our workplaces would look like if we encouraged our people to be artists themselves. You see, too often work becomes “Eh.” It’s repetitive and mundane far more than it should be. We long for innovation and creativity aspirationally, but don’t allow for it to occur.

It would be an entirely vibrant environment if people knew they were allowed to unleash their creativity. Imagine what would happen if people were approached for their input, ideas, and insight instead of only focusing on throughput and outcomes. How cool would it be if people looked at each day as an empty canvas where they could add their own version of the work they were responsible for?

It’s our job to tap into that hidden artist. We would offer so much value if we viewed our employees as contributors vs. producers. Also, HR would be more exhilarating with this as our focus. It’s well past time for us to also be traditionalists in our field. Let’s commit to eliminating the “Eh” and bringing forth the art !!

We Should All Be More Fair

Last weekend my wife and I got to visit one of my favorite places on the planet – the Indiana State Fair. We went with our daughter who lives in Indy along with two of her close friends. We made sure to get to the fairgrounds early and even then there was a line of cars over a mile long slowly crawling to find a place to park. We missed our turn and ended up going down a side road through our own slow crawl. A police officer who was helping with the traffic snarl asked me if we minded veering off to the right and parking in a person’s yard. He told us we’d have to walk awhile to get into the fair, but we were thankful to get out of the mass of cars.

We made our way toward the gate which ended up being about a ten-minute walk, and then entered the throng of people. It was packed and I thought that was wonderful. You could see people wandering from location to location full of excitement and anticipation. The sights, sounds, and smells of the fair encompassed you and made the experience even better.

I am so enamored by the State Fair environment because I grew up around a farm. I was raised with my brother by my Grandpa and Grandma who ran a dairy farm. We had an aunt and uncle who had another farm a few miles away that was a mixture of raising sheep, cattle, chicken, and pigs along with acres of land growing corn, wheat, hay, and soybeans. Returning to the fairgrounds brought back all of those great memories and I was once again in my element.

The young adults who were with us were somewhat patient, but I don’t think they were ready for how I wanted to take in every aspect of the fair at a measured pace. We compromised a bit so I could wander through the rows of classic tractors and take my time in each of the livestock barns. Those are my favorites because the young kids who raise these beautiful animals live in the barn with them during the fair.

If you’ve never seen how the kids care for the animals, you really should. They take time to check on them regularly, give them baths, feed them throughout the day, and groom them so they look their best. When the kids take them to the arena to “show” them, you can’t measure the pride they exhibit. They have worked for months and months for the few moments they are in front of the judges. They’re competing for a ribbon. Yes, a ribbon. That is the pinnacle of all of their hours and hours of preparation. If they are fortunate to be in the top three of their class, they’ll get that ribbon. You should see their exuberance.

We also took our time in the 4H buildings where young people put together amazing projects ranging from decorative cake making to sewing to woodworking to art and photography (just to mention a few.) There are three buildings with multiple floors filled with rows and rows of these projects. Again, their prize – a ribbon.

As we took time to experiment and try fair food, including fried Oreos and fried cookie dough, I paused to wonder what our workplaces would look like if we took the same “fair” approach that all of the young people did. If we made sure to give all of our people undivided attention and ensured their basic needs were met so that they could perform, what would happen? If we allowed people the time needed to be creative with all the materials they needed, what would they be able to produce?

We are so focused on just getting things done in our organizations, that we don’t feel we have time to care for, equip, and believe in our people. “Work” gets the spotlight and not people doing the work. This has never been effective and never will be.

We could learn from the young people at the State Fair. They do all they can for a few moments and a small prize. However, their passion, dedication, and determination are built into seeing their good work come to life. From now on, let’s see how all of our cultures can emulate being a little more “fair.”