I love being in HR !! For those of you who know me, this isn’t some random blogger’s statement. I’m genuinely passionate about HR and love to see how the field can to continue to develop, evolve and grow. That brings me to this week’s observation . . .
The majority of folks in HR suffer from “tunnel vision.”
By this I mean that too often we take the stringent and narrow when it comes to our policies, procedures and systems. We continue to create and develop systems to keep folks in check (i.e. attendance systems, don’t do this/that policies, etc.) At the same time, I continue to hear HR folks who are frustrated with what we do. We belabor the fact that people continue to work around our systems and we don’t know how to get things back in line.
The reality of this frustration is that you can’t get things back in line – nor should you !! There is absolutely nothing wrong with structure and focus. People work well when they know there are boundaries. But, boundaries are different than walls !!
I continue to find that people are vastly different. This fascinates me because it makes it all the more difficult to come up with HR systems full of absolutes and must have’s. So, I take a different path and I’d like you to consider it as well. Here’s what I do . . .
My tunnel is a kaleidoscope !! Like you, I need to focus, but by looking at each person and situation on their own within the parameters of the systems we have, you get a new image every time !!
Doing HR this way IS more challenging, but isn’t that cool ?? Also, I find it to be incredibly less frustrating and even more consistent because people know that I’ll evaluate the circumstance based on what they’re facing. It has led to things being more decisive in most cases, and it’s also given my department more flexibility and the ability to make sure that we take the time to look at all facets of what’s facing us.
I used to say that HR is gray and not black/white. I’m changing that to HR is psychedelic because that is the landscape that I see people moving through. Why don’t you join me and turn the tunnel to see what new images you get ??
Image courtesy of Worldwide Hippies
Beautifully put, Steve. Love the imagery of kaleidoscope, rather than grey. Really captures the uniqueness of every employee, which is so easy to overlook when talking about HR systems and procedures.
Finally! A really positive and engaging article on HR.
There’s definitely too much grey and negativity out there towards HR when, at the end of the day, HR can do so much great work and help so many people with so many challenges!
Keep up the great work.
As a provider of http://staffing-solutions.biz/ and staffing services, I understand how being in HR can create tunnel vision since we are constantly trying to keep with procedure and systems. I definitely agree that a key to HR is being able to look at each person and situation on their own within the scope of the parameters we have to maintain.