The workplace revolution
I’m an ex-HRD. An HR Director in recovery.
Some people get sensitive when I describe myself as that.
But let me be clear.
I love my profession of People and Culture. I am building a successful business in that space.
Like all professions, there are great, good and not so good practitioners.
But there are very few professions where talented, capable and intelligent people take so much 💩, especially in the pursuit of trying to walk the very fine line of what’s right for your people versus what the exec team, CEO or your shareholders want.
A lot of the work I see HR professionals trying to juggle is unsustainable.
Combined with the relentlessness of being pushed, pulled and poked by a variety of internal opinions and politics.
It’s probably the only profession where you are very likely to hear;
“Be more strategic” and “sort the Christmas party invites out” being directed at you in the same sentence.
Where you are the only line of defence to sort out the mess of poor people practices, because the leaders you have painstakingly advised decided to ignore you, because “anyone can do HR”.
No, actually they can’t. Because what great practitioners do is combine a potent mix of expertise, emotional and cultural sensitivity, commercial intelligence, leadership, bravery, hard won qualifications and instinct.
That can be a lot of plates to juggle. And that can take a big toll on HR practitioners mental, physical and emotional health.
In my experience, great HR and People pros can;
Be the experts that can lead our workplace revolution and partner business leaders shape culture and inclusion for the better.
Demonstrate expertly that they are not the policy police, or the people police or the enemy.
Ensure you know that they do have a name and it’s not “HR”, they are people too.
Do a huge amount behind the scenes that no one sees or credits them for.
Know the landscape of the business better than most because they see it from all sides.
Often feel misunderstood, misheard or ignored, until the point that someone else’s 💩 needs sorting, when they’ll always be available to step in and help.
Know that as our world of work has become more broken, that they are often suffering from burnout and fatigue, and they’ve probably never reached full recovery following lockdown if truth be told. But they’ll keep on going anyway. Because other people are at the heart of what they do and why they do it.
If you are an HR pro reading this, I know that you know.
And I know, because that was me too a few years ago.
Burnt out, unwell, confidence shattered.
Now, fast forward to today. My own experience has informed a new part of my work. Finding meaningful ways I can support people in my profession to thrive and not just survive as we navigate re-shaping our world of work.
I’m currently undertaking an accreditation in burnout awareness and have 3 slots for free coaching and support for HR or People pros to work with me in this space. It will cost you nothing, other than some of your time.
If you’re reading this, you think you might benefit and you’d like to know more, drop me a note and let’s talk.
Just hit reply to this email.