Credibility has been on my mind and I flashed back to first couple of years of my HR career when I was in charge of starting a training department. I inherited a trainer who repeatedly dressed inappropriately. Her “see through” pants were so sheer that you could see whatever kind of underwear she was wearing and she would wear shirts that showed off her belly button.
Yes, there was an office Christmas Party and more. It’s a great story that I tell every time I discuss credibility, or lack thereof, in a business setting.
We make decisions every day, but just because you make decisions it does not necessarily mean that you are good at making them, that you should act upon the decisions you them or that you should even be one making the decision. Decisions are either instinctive or require a more in-depth analysis and make sure you know the difference.
Ultimately, decisions are the choices you make. Do you do what is right when no one is looking? Would you be comfortable with someone questioning the veracity of your decisions.
Can you live with the exceptions you make in your personal and professional lives?
Are you familiar with the balance burden? I am referring to the burden and guilt trip we give ourselves each day over our attempt, and quite often failure, to balance all aspects (mom, caretaker, professional, student, friend etc.) of our lives. I spent my first year and a half of motherhood often riddled with guilt because I couldn’t seem to juggle it all. It wasn’t until the birth of my second daughter (18 months after my first) that I finally threw my hands up and admitted defeat. I was defeated, but not for long.
“How can I find time to attend this networking event when I am already spread too thin between work, my 2 year old, and my graduate studies?” asked one thirty-something overwhelmed professional/student in my office a few months ago. Great question. And one I didn’t have the perfect, fix- it solution for. If I did, I would perhaps be better at my daily juggling act as well.
It’s not just what we learn in books or on-the-job that makes us good solid human resources professionals; it’s also what we are made of. Our early beginnings, where we came from and how we grew up has a lot to do with how we work with and influence others on a day-to-day basis. It can have a significant influence on our performance and ability to connect with employees, managers, owners and other relationships related to our work.
In the world we live in, change is inevitable and, as HR professionals, we are constantly dealing with it and the effects on our workforce. In my experience I find that people have the same reaction whether the change is positive or negative. More often than not conclusions are formed, rumors are spread and morale takes a hit.
The next time you find yourself communicating change in the workplace, take the following into consideration to ensure transitions go as smoothly as possible.
I am a true believer that HR should always report to the President or the most senior level in the company and I will work hard to make sure that this is where I report. It comes down to people, access, money and action.