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It’s Time to Bring the “Human” Back Into “Human Resources”!

Lorie Corcuera

Strategic People and Culture Executive | Talent, Culture & Belonging Strategist | Leadership and Organizational Coach | Mental Health & Well-being Leader | Public Speaker ??????

发布日期: 2015年1月18日

“A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong." - Brené Brown

When I first heard about “Human Resources” (hereinafter referred to as “HR”) and the purpose of this function in organizations, I got really excited to finally find something that was focused on people in the workplace. I learned very quickly as a child that I loved connecting and bringing kids together to play and ensuring that no one was left out.

Why that mattered so much to me was because I was often bullied in school (elementary and high school) and I knew how it felt to be alone and not wanted. I was determined to never let anyone else feel this way.

According to Tony Robbins, there are six human needs: certainty, uncertainty / variety, significance, connection/love, growth and contribution. So it makes sense that we all want to feel special and we also want to feel connected to others. It’s just how we were designed.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I discovered that there was this thread (as Oprah would say) throughout my life that put me in roles and places where I was part of or leading a community. Some people refer to this as my calling but at the time, I had no clue this was my path.

When I began my career in HR (and still not knowing this was exactly what I was supposed to do), I noticed that the reputation of HR was not always a positive one.

“HR are just administrators that hire and fire!” was a common statement.

Now we know that this statement isn’t true especially in this era of HR. However, when I coach people on their careers and suggest that they talk to their HR team, the usual reply would be, “I don’t know anyone in my HR department” or “I don’t know if I can trust anyone in HR”.

If you’re as passionate about HR and what we stand for, then you’re probably boiling inside like me.

What’s frustrating is that HR’s primary focus are the people of the organization that they serve. So why would anyone say that they don’t know someone in HR.

Before I dive into that thought, I also noticed in the last 10 years that we don’t even refer to HR as HR (me included). We have now come up with new terms like People & Culture and Talent Management.

Now why would we change our function name when Finance is still Finance, Marketing is still Marketing and Sales is still Sales. Why is it that only HR practitioners have gone out of their way to change the term Human Resources?

The simple answer to this question is that there is a negative connotation to the words “Human Resources”. We have lost the “human” in a function that is supposed to be focused on the humans of the organization.

It’s time that we bring the “human” back into “Human Resources”!

How do we do this? Let’s start with us, the people who represent HR, which in my opinion is more than just the HR team. But…we have to start somewhere.

Here are five ways to be more human:

1. Rediscover (because you were born with it) your core values and life purpose. Take the time to understand your essence (what you care most about, what you stand for, what defines you) and your calling. Once you know your values and purpose, find out if it aligns with your role and the company’s values and purpose. If there’s some misalignment, then find out why. It’s time to be more authentically true to yourself and your team. If you don’t know where to start, talk to me.

2. Find your own HR. As much as we think we can do everything on our own, we simply cannot to provide the best outcome possible. Sure, there are things you can check off your list. But soon enough, the pressure and stress will build up and you will (if not already) burn out. The purpose of HR is to support the team. So who’s supporting HR? There may be other HR Champions that you can lean on within your organization but if there isn’t, then you must find this support elsewhere. Create an HR Success Circle or find a mentor or coach. You are a person with similar experiences and it’s time to take care of YOU so you can show up as your best self for your team.

3. Take time to pause and reflect. Although meditation is becoming more and more popular these days, it’s still quite new in the professional environment. There are many techniques to meditate but simply closing your eyes for 5 minutes daily, taking deep breathes, can help anyone relax, reduce stress, build internal energy and develop compassion, love, patience, generosity and forgiveness. A company in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia called MindValley (voted as one of the coolest companies to work for by Inc.) facilitates a meditation every morning with the entire team (over 50 employees). You can watch this video to see what makes their culture unique. Taking the time to pause and reflect is like stopping on a hike to check out the view. It gives you space to check your body (physical and emotional) and to give gratitude to how far you have come along so that you are ready to keep moving. Click here on how to integrate mindfulness in the workplace.

4. Start showing up. We’ve all heard the term MBWA (management by walking around) as a business management style that involves walking around the office in an unstructured and impromptu manner. It’s doing this more regularly but the difference is actually being present with your team. It’s not about just walking around and saying “good morning or good afternoon”. It’s noticing and connecting with people in a way that demonstrates care and attention. It’s you living and breathing your core values and purpose. When people come to your office, do you leave your computer or desk and stand up to welcome them? Do you give them your full and undivided attention with eye contact and authentically listen to what their heart is saying? Do you feel and hear what they are not saying? Show up the way you want others to show up for you and make each person you interact with feel like they are the only person in the room.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” Lao Tzu

5. Love completely. One of my core values is LOVE and my life purpose is to Live WOW and LOVE completely! What that means to me is loving myself and others completely. There’s really only love and fear in this world. As HR professionals, we have the opportunity to make another human being feel special and important in the organizations that we lead. Imagine coming to work or volunteering with an organization where you feel appreciated, valued and cared for. Imagine being part of a team that encourages and empowers you to share your unique gifts (talents and strengths) and to be your most authentic self. Imagine if your team members said “I have an amazing HR team that cares about me.” Start doing what you were born to do which is to love completely!

I now know why I pursued a career in HR. I want people to feel they matter and I care…period.

What can you do today to be more human and to love more completely?

Want to co-create and inspire loving human connections with your team? Connect with me today!

For additional reading, here are some other posts from Lorie:

About Lorie:

Lorie Corcuera is the Co-Founder and CEO at SPARK Creations & Company Inc., a heart based leadership and empowerment organization that provides highly interactive and fun experiential learning and development, strategic culture visioning, and people and culture programs for individuals, teams and organizations. Lorie is partnering with conscious, purpose-driven businesses who are ready and driven to create and inspire loving human connections.