Non-HR Leaders Facing People Challenges: Insights from Our Team

As we re-launch our HR Insights for People Managers community, I've had some thought-provoking conversations with our team members, clients, and colleagues. One thing is clear: their challenges go far beyond compliance. Although on the front lines of managing people daily, many feel unequipped to handle the complicated issues that arise—whether it's giving effective feedback, managing conflict, or nurturing a truly inclusive workplace.

It's clear that while many do their best, they often need more support to navigate these tricky waters. The result? People issues. They erode company culture and performance.

Beyond Compliance: The Culture-First Approach

It's about building a culture where trust, inclusion, and accountability thrive. Non-HR leaders often struggle with "people problems" not addressed in an HR policy manual or an employee handbook. If ignored, these challenges can destroy a team from the inside out.

Some leaders think it's just about compliance, but they're facing a hidden people problem. This resonates strongly with what we're seeing across the board—leaders are dealing with engagement, performance, or behavior issues that go unresolved simply because they're not framed in traditional HR terms.

Our HR Insights for People Managers community focuses on a culture-first HR approach. This means placing culture at the center of all people management decisions. Leaders learn to identify hidden people issues and be intentional in their leadership—giving frequent and effective feedback and managing conflicts promptly.

?

Intentional Inclusion and Culture of Trust

Intentional inclusion is one of the cornerstones of our community training. Inclusion doesn't happen by accident. It needs to be cultivated in every interaction, decision, and policy. As a colleague stated, "You can't build a diverse and inclusive culture if you're afraid to have tough conversations with your team."

Too many leaders feel paralyzed when it comes to addressing sensitive issues—whether it's a performance problem or bias in the workplace. But avoiding these conversations makes the situation worse. That's why our community provides the tools and support for frequent, effective feedback conversations that build trust and inclusion, not division.

It's critical to use courageous and honest language in these situations. You're not just managing people—you're managing trust. Ignoring poor performance or uncivil behavior today means losing trust tomorrow. This encapsulates our community: building a culture of trust through open, honest, and inclusive leadership.

?

Addressing Hidden People Problems

“Only 14.5% of managers strongly agree they are good at giving feedback”?~Gallup Poll

Hidden people problems arise when leaders ignore or delay addressing issues, thinking that compliance or policies will eventually resolve them. But in reality, the deeper people management issues--lack of trust, fear of conflict, or failure to hold people accountable—quietly damage their teams.

Many leaders fear these conversations or aren't sure how to provide feedback in a way that won't hurt feelings or seem biased. However, avoiding these tough conversations only reinforces poor behavior and erodes team dynamics. You're rewarding bad behavior when you don't address it. ?We convey the message that poor performance or uncivil behavior is acceptable whenever we avoid difficult conversations.

Our community helps leaders confront and solve these hidden people's problems. We guide you to create intentionally inclusive environments where diversity is valued and everyone feels respected. Whether you're learning how to give feedback that strengthens trust or addressing conflict in a way that brings people together, our goal is to equip you with the tools to lead confidently and inclusively.

?"40% of workers believe leaders won't have honest conversations about work topics."

How the HR Insights Community Can Help

Our HR Insights for People Managers community is built to address these deeper issues, providing the training, resources, and support leaders need to transform their workplaces. Here's how we'll help:

Building a Culture of Trust: You'll learn how to create an environment where your team feels safe, respected, and heard. We'll show you how to have the difficult conversations necessary for building and maintaining trust. And how to regain trust when it is lost.

Frequent and Effective Feedback: Feedback should be a regular part of your leadership routine—not just during annual reviews. Our training will teach you how to provide constructive, frequent feedback that drives positive change.

Intentional Inclusion: Leaders will gain the skills to ensure every team member feels included and valued. You'll learn how to embed diversity and inclusion into your day-to-day leadership practices, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Managing People in a Culture-First Way: We'll help you go beyond compliance and focus on creating a culture-first approach to HR. By putting culture at the forefront, you’ll be equipped to lead diverse, engaged teams that share your organization's values.

"Effective employee development starts with managers." ~Harvard Business Review

What's Next? Join us on October 8th for our Community Re-Launch

On October 8, 2024, we're officially re-launching the HR Insights for People Managers community with a live-streamed event focusing on "Compliance Issues or People Problems? Uncover the Truth". This interactive workshop will explore some of the most pressing people management challenges leaders face today.

Following the launch, we're kicking off our 7-Day Leadership Challenge to help you build confidence in addressing tough conversations and giving effective feedback. While I don't want to devote the entire newsletter to it, I encourage you to join us for the challenge—it's an excellent opportunity to see firsthand how our community will transform your leadership skills.?

Let's Build Better Workplaces Together

Ultimately, the HR Insights for People Managers community is about more than just fixing immediate problems. It's about equipping non-HR leaders to create intentionally inclusive workplaces built on trust and driven by a culture-first approach to HR.

I'm excited to see how this community will unite to support one another, share insights, and grow. If you're ready to take your leadership to the next level—this community is for you.

Mark your calendar for October 8, 2024, and join us in building better, stronger, and more inclusive workplaces.

?

Stay Intentional,?

Bernadette Jones

CEO & Co-founder?

Visionova HR Consulting, Inc.???????????????

?

?

?