‘Positive’ Articles at Everyday People, Page 4

Take it All In !!

I’m glad to say that I’ve survived another phenomenal Ohio State SHRM HR Conference !! It was spectacular from stuffing the conference bags and setting up the vendor booths all the way to the final session. It truly is an exhausting week for many of us (by choice).

It’s fascinating to watch the interactions that happen at an HR conference. I think this is mainly because HR folks love to be around others from their profession. There’s camaraderie, laughter and a truly evident bonding that is needed at least once a year. You have to know it’s fantastic to be around people who are working in very similar circumstances ranging from compliance to employee relations.

Another very interesting facet that I keep coming across is how involved people choose to be throughout the conference. I get the fact that ALL of us are taking time away from our families, our workplaces and the projects that will be jumping to life come Monday morning once again. Since this time is more focused around HR intentionally, it would make sense to me that you would fill every moment with everything you possibly could at the Conference. Ironically, this doesn’t happen. This isn’t to be critical – it’s an observation.

I think what is telling about this though is the issue of capacity. People take in as much as they can handle in all areas of work, life and activities. The question you have to ask yourself is – what is my capacity? What if I could take in one more thing that may give me THE answer I need to do my role better? What if I met one more person who could be THE one who connects me to resources, a career opportunity or other great HR pros who could make HR come alive?

At the Conference we asked everyone to sign a birthday card for SHRM because it’s their 65th birthday this year. It was a simple thing to ask for a very small commitment. When people saw that their contribution was within reach, easy to accomplish and they had someone there to encourage them to do it – there was instant participation. Once there was one signature, the next one seemed natural. By the time one side of the card was filled, the next side began to take shape. People wrote in all directions, sizes and locations. No one argued and everyone joined in. We even bled over to the back of the card because more and more people wanted to be included.

It was a card. A piece of cardboard that still had room to take on more people. It hadn’t reached it’s capacity – and most of us haven’t either.

So, the next time you’re at an event – take in everything. I mean it. EVERYTHING !! Don’t miss out on one moment. It is so fulfilling and you’ll take all that you’ve experienced and learned back to work and be an even greater HR person !!

Connecting !!

This week is truly a week I eagerly anticipate every year !! That is because I know when September rolls around, so does the annual Ohio State HR Conference !! I get excited because it’s a chance to break away from the day-to-day and be with my peers. I know this sounds HR Nerdish but I’m unapologetic about it.

The Conference has an intimate feel to it even though we’re approaching 900 attendees and 90+ vendors. The theme this year is “HR – Making Connections that Count” and I really dig the feel of this. The question is, will people step out and make connections?

One of the real challenges of HR is that we try to gut it out or go it alone. I don’t know when this trend where isolation is seen as a strength ever started, but it needs to end !! Ironically, there will be attendees who come to this great event (and others like it) and will do little to no connecting whatsoever. No connections with resource partners, no connections with peers and no connections with people who could make HR truly come alive for them !! Why is that?

I don’t think it’s a matter of introversion or extraversion. I think it’s a case of risk aversion !! I’m amazed how the folks who are in the field of HUMANS are so hesitant to meet others. Is it because we’re different and won’t have anything in common? Is it because someone will meet you and immediately ask you some insanely hard HR question, and if you don’t know the right answer, they’ll kick you out of HR ??

Then what is it? What continually keeps folks apart and not connecting?

I have a theory . . .

You see, I collect buttons. I have loads of them and they don’t follow any particular pattern or grouping. They range from Monty Python, to types of beer, to rock bands to hippie related ones, to classic cartoons, to HR ones, etc. Here’s a quick pic of just a few of my collection. I’m trying to organize them to show them off and enjoy them !!

So, what’s my theory? Just like the buttons we are a mix of a million different interests, emotions, ideas, insights, viewpoints and approaches. However, we either think others won’t find us interesting enough, or we think we won’t find people who share our interests. And that my friends is sad !!

I LOVE that we’re different !! How dreadfully boring would it be if we were all the same ?? Seriously.

So, I have a challenge for you this week. I plan to connect with every (EVERY) single attendee and vendor at the Conference. Not just meet them – connect with them. I want to learn about who they are and see how we can be resources to each other.

Your challenge is to meet one (1) new person this week and connect with them. I think that keeps things pretty balanced. If you’re one of the 900 attending #OHSHRM13, I’m geeked to see you, meet you and connect with you. Maybe . . . you’ll even be wearing a button !!

You Have A Choice !!

As the work week begins . . . you have a choice !!

You can enter the parking lot of your workplace and release a heavy sigh (as most American workers do every day), or you can wake up and decide what opportunities lay before you and how YOU can be involved to make a difference !!

I’ve been working on this myself. It’s easy to sit at a keyboard and jot down words to share. I often wonder if what is written by people is practiced or espoused. Is it great motivational insight only? I can’t really handle that if it is.

You see I’ve made a choice myself. I choose to live abundantly vs. die indifferently !!

There’s a true reason behind such a statement. Too many people float around every day. Their work is “just a job.” They don’t feel what they do makes a difference. It has to be an incredible burden to painfully slog through the day thinking that what you do has little to no impact.

I don’t buy it !! I really don’t.

You see, even not making a choice is . . . in itself . . . a choice. You can’t sit idly by and think you’re not impacting other people. Therefore, you’re making a difference, but maybe not one you intended. I can’t sit by and just waste away thinking that by coasting I won’t make waves.

I want to make waves !! I want to be uncomfortable each and every day in what I do in all aspects of my life. There is too much at stake and too many lives to be reached.

In HR I hear too many of my peers lamenting what they can’t do. Or, how their organization doesn’t value their contribution or HR itself. I know this happens. But, what are you doing to make a difference ?? Do you even look to see if that is what you can do ??

We have an incredible opportunity each and every day. We can take the people we work with and allow them to shine, contribute and make waves !! I don’t feel that people want to just “exist” in the workplace. I’m not talking engagement here. I’m talking impact !! Employees want to add value to the Company, not just put their time in. I would challenge anyone who says that this isn’t the case. If it is, or if that is the general vibe in your workplace, then evaluate yourself first to see if you’ve made the choice to change that attitude.

We can bring light to an organization !! We don’t have to get stuck in the trenches in the darkness, mire and muck. We should cut through the trenches with vitality, intentionality and strength !! This goes beyond passion.

YOU make a difference everyday in all you do !! This isn’t some rah, rah speech. It’s a fact. The question is, what difference are you making ??

It’s a new week. You have a choice . . .

A Positive State of Mind !!

Lately, the HR Blog world has had a negative vibe. I understand that what we do in Human Resources can be challenging, frustrating and even overwhelming. We are dealing with people. I think it actually could be the definition of “human being.”

The other trend I’ve noticed is that most of HR is focused on fixing what’s wrong. The real limitation of this is that the majority of the things that are truly “wrong” with people makes up only about 10% of the folks you work with. However, that makes up 90% of our focus. It results in programs, policies, and efforts that miss the best employees all together !!

Honestly, it tires me out. Doesn’t it tire you out? I try my best to be positive every day and in every situation. Whenever I’ve brought this approach out, it gets looked at as being somewhat of a Pollyanna. Someone who doesn’t recognize the reality of the swirl of day-to-day life and negativity that tries to swallow us whole.

I don’t see positivity as a “way of life.” I see it as a choice. I can choose to fill myself with those things that are good and uplifting. I can choose to surround myself with people who look for the best in themselves and in others. I can choose to believe that EVERYONE has value !! And, I can also choose to be positive with others when I interact with them.

Sure, that’s also challenging !! I’m not naive. In fact, I know that I’m probably seen as challenging to others, have had blue funk days, and am quite sure that I’ve disappointed others for a variety of reasons. Having setbacks don’t lessen a positive outlook. In fact, the ability to face the peaks and valleys of life is a necessity. Again, you face a choice.

I’m going to look for, and highlight, #PositiveHR when I see it. I think it’s time to turn the tide in the field and in Social Media forums. It doesn’t mean we can’t be critical. We should be. It doesn’t mean that things shouldn’t improve. They should. HOW those things are done is the difference !!

People want positive things around them and in their lives. Everyday. Honestly, they’re yearning for it personally and in their workplaces. They’re especially looking for it in, and from, HR !!

You’re starting a new week. I’m sure the week ahead is full of all kinds of opportunities and obstacles. You have a choice. Will it be positive ?? I can tall you what my approach will be.

Rallying Cry !!

When you survey the landscape of businesses today, you see the contstant drive for improvement and solving “problems.” That is all well and good, but it tends to be inconsistent because often the problem that is given the most attention comes from the person or group who is most vocal. It may not be what needs to be the focus of the organization’s efforts, but that doesn’t stop them from pouring time, effort and money into randomly moving targets.

To solve this companies launch into strategic planning sessions which are effective and do their best to bring a better set of parameters to keep things moving forward. The “loud voice” syndrome can also take precendence in this format, but it’s harder to do because the plan should be looking at the business as a whole.

Why all this business talk on an HR blog? Well, it’s because we in HR need to understand that we are in business first and we happen to practice HR. When you look at this situation in organizations, HR can bring something to the table that others won’t think of . . . the rallying cry !!

This isn’t something for HR to offer as some sort of cheerleading effort. It’s a way for us to advice our CEO’s about the value of pulling the team together. Most of the time in strategic planning sessions, there are massive amounts of data shared. Decisions are made from the data almost exclusively from a lack of emotion. Rational thought is what tries to take the day. This isn’t an argument against data. Just the opposite actually. People need to be emotionally tied to things as well in order to get behind them and make them come to life. When this happens, the data will play itself out in the results that people are seeking.

When I was at Sea Base with my Scouts, there was a rallying cry that could happen at anytime and without a schedule. There’s an out island called Big Munson Island that all of the scouts/adults stay on at least one day and night during their trek. If a crew yells the word, “MUNSON !!!” at any time, you are obligated to yell “MUNSON !!!” right back regardless of where you are. This simple word provided a common bond to everyone on the Base. It was the emotional tie that everyone could relate to because everyone has had great memories of their time on the island.

HR’s rally cry has too often been “COMPLIANCE !!” or “FORMS !!” or “REDUCE LIABILITY !!” – ugh !! It’s no wonder that we are relegated outside the business conversation. These things are important, but they don’t pull people together.

By meeting with the CEO (and it’s something that should be expected of HR, not just wished for), you can see what he/she want the troops to go after. Being their sounding board to try out the cry is essential and will allow them to test what they are looking to do. The cry should include risk, growth and energy.

Now it’s up to you !! What rallying cry can you make for yourself ?? Your department ?? Your company ?? They’re looking for one and it’s time for HR to bring it to life !!

MUNSON !!!

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 !!

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

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 !!

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 !!